Latest news with #Bellino
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Fundraiser helps people with visual impairments golf
SPRINGFIELD TWP., Ohio (WKBN) — Golf is challenging enough, but imagine learning the game with a sight limitation. The Golf Fore Sight fundraiser added a new element — a unique opportunity for people with visual impairments to experience the joy of golf. Instructors and vision guides were lining up golfers at The Lake Club and helping them improve their swing. PGA Pro Chris Bellino worked with Harper Gustafson and Amelia Graham. It didn't take long for two 8-year-olds to start hitting the ball a long way and admiring their accomplishments. 'That was super satisfying. I heard the ball hit the leaves in the tree,' said Amelia Graham. 'It was really good, because I hit it to like where the mowed grass is,' said Harper Gustafson. Bellino's role turned out to be just lining the girls up and then becoming a cheerleader. 'Watching them smile and cheer and laugh and giggle, that's what it's about. And that's the reason I got into this business to see faces and smiles just like that,' said Bellino. All of the golfers who participated were smiling during the first golf clinic provided by Sight for All United. As frustrating as golf can be, or how limited their sight was, they could feel a good hit, hear others cheer, and then celebrate. 'The whole purpose of what we do at Sight For All United is to give people the opportunity to live life to their fullest, to whatever their sight might give them,' said Dr. Sergul Erzurum. The golfers tried something new and pushed their abilities. Amelia and Harper were glad they got to play golf. 'Yes, I will continue it. And it was very fun,' Amelia said. 'Maybe, I don't know… Okay, there's some other things. I might try it again,' said Harper. While these golfers may have to visualize what some or all of their shots looked like, Bellino got to see them all. He left the range, impressed and may have been the most satisfied. 'These guys and girls are amazing, and to have the disability that they have and to be able to come out here and do what they did is truly a blessing for them. It's amazing what they can do with what they have,' Bellino said. There were close to 20 golfers who participated in the free clinic. It lasted for an hour. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Khaleej Times
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
How to get beach-ready with season's best swimwear
If you've lived in the UAE for as long as I have (since 2005, thanks for asking), you'll be all too familiar with the blink-and-you-miss-it sweet spot of beachability. That small window, twice a year, when the days aren't too hot for lounging on the sand from dawn till dusk, and the sea temperature reads a balmy high-20s. That time is now, which means we can pause all other shopping priorities and turn our attention to swimwear. Swimwear, like lingerie and gym wear, is one category that it doesn't pay to cheap out on, unless you are Gisele Bündchen. For the rest of us, good swimwear can hoick bits up, smooth bits down, and distract from the bits where we'd rather not have bits at all. Yes, under-arm bulge, I am looking at you. My non-negotiables when shopping for swimwear are straps robust enough for decent bust support (or underwired cups if you prefer a tan line-friendly bandeau top), generous bottom coverage, and a luxurious fabric to smooth, sculpt, and support. I've yet to find swimwear that meets this Holy Trinity on high street, but given that baring all on the beach requires wearing next to nothing in full daylight, I am happy to spend on swimwear that I can put on and forget about. The OG of luxury swimwear and a perennial can't-go-wrong option is Melissa Odabash. The UK-based brand has just opened its first UAE store in Dubai Mall, and Melissa's designs – much like the American designer herself – are eternally chic and classic. I've got my eye on the sporty zip-front 'Bellino' one piece (approx. Dh1,265) in zesty clementine this season. In the same category, but even more luxurious, I'd put the Chanel-owned Eres, which has stores in Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates. The French brand's fabrics are unparalleled, and when I put out a call on Instagram for swimwear recommendations, the most elegant women I know all replied with Eres. Happily, swimwear is a category where we no longer need to look overseas to style up beach club days. A slew of Dubai-born brands have made it their mission to respond to the regional client and climate with astute local insight. Launched in 2021, therinós, which means 'summery' in Greek, is the brainchild of Dubai resident Mandy Oikonomopoulou Bosini. Its couture sensibility offers a high-fashion style statement, akin to ready-to-wear, without compromising on fit or form. The 'Grace' style, as a one-piece or high-waisted bikini, has ingenious hidden bust support to make you the most elegant on the beach, while the brand's clever use of ruching flatters women of all ages. Whether you are heading to Abu Dhabi's Anantara Santorini, or Sirene by Gaia in Dubai's J1, therinós embodies Greek chic in the Gulf. Also locally born, and aimed firmly at the body confident, is Salty Swim, founded by UAE media exec Habiba Basiony. Think Brazilian flamboyance in a riot of carnival colours and perfect for the UAE's beach club party scene. Another local favourite is Caha Capo, founded by the effervescent entrepreneur Donna Benton. This season, the brand has a beautiful turquoise in the exact colour of the Abu Dhabi ocean; I'm buying it in the 'Brigitte' one piece (Dh650). The most recommended swim brand on my Insta poll was UK-based Hunza G, the one-size-fits-most label known for its crinkle fabric. Feeling conservative? Opt for its Coverage styles for more bust support, a higher back scoop and a lower-cut leg. Or, to dial things up a notch, the '80s-inspired 'Tiffany' (Dh1,100) has cutout bow detailing down the sides. On that note, judicious cut outs can be surprisingly flattering. Cleverly-positioned cutaways on either side of the rib cage give the optical illusion of a narrower torso and get my wholehearted seal of approval. I recently discovered Istanbul-based OYE Swimwear, available at Ounass, and it's now my go-to for boujie boat days. The chic monochrome one-pieces are the beachwear equivalent of a black-tie gown, albeit with a price tag to match. It might be 38-degrees out there, but in swimwear of this calibre, you'll look hot for all the right reasons.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Michigan leaders speak during Unite to Face Addiction rally at Capitol
Attendees lay flowers at 'Unite to Face Addiction' rally at the Michigan Capitol Building on May 14, 2025. | Photo: Anna Liz Nichols Addiction is a disease that impacts all Michiganders, from the Capitol to local communities, State Sen. Joseph Bellino (R-Monroe) told a large crowd outside the State Capitol Building Wednesday during the annual Unite to Face Addiction rally. Bellino has been vocal about his struggles with addiction prior to his time in the Legislature, telling attendees there is a lot of shame in addiction and making mistakes because addiction, but there is pride in recovery. 'This is my favorite day of the year, when addicts outnumber assholes in Lansing,' Bellino said. In Bellino's first year as a lawmaker, he told the crowd that he befriended another legislator, a Democrat, and the pair would go to recovery meetings together, staying sober together. But the other state representative ultimately lost their fight with addiction, killing themselves in 2017. About 17% of Americans aged 12 or older have experienced a substance abuse disorder, according to the 2023 report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. In Michigan, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, or MDHHS, reported in 2024 that through efforts to provide harm reduction resources and recovery opportunities, Michigan's overdose death rate declined five times faster than the national average. Attendees listened to live music, laid flowers on the Capitol steps in honor of those who have experienced addiction and heard speakers advocate for hope in recovery. The fight against addiction is a statewide fight, Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson, a Democratic candidate for governor, told the crowd and there needs to be belief in recovery, that generations of addiction can be broken if communities work together. That's the soul of the IGNITE program in the Flint area, Swanson said. IGNITE, which stands for Inmate Growth Naturally and Intentionally Through Education is a program in correctional facilities across the country that Swanson created to offer educational opportunities to those who've interacted with the justice system to have opportunities in the workforce. This week, Genesee County saw its 100th GED earned through the program since it launched in 2020. 'Keep fighting, fighting for the people, giving hope to people, believing in people, that's what's going to free people… not one person… on this stage, not one person on this lawn has not been touched by the disease of addiction and you are the one that needs to stand in the gap. So if you do your part, I do my part. We do our part, we will save lives every single day,' Swanson said. Sobriety is an everyday commitment for many who've experienced addiction and not enough attention is paid to the level of grit and hope that's required to take on the challenge of overcoming addiction, Chris Nixon, an addiction medicine specialist at Henry Ford Health told the crowd. Reflecting the journey of his wife, who has been clean from opioid addiction for eight years and the loss of his father and brother to addiction, Nixon said there is honor in fighting against addiction. Relapse is not defeat in addiction, Nixon said, perfection is not required, only a willingness to reset and start again. At a gathering of addicts and supporters like the Unite to Face Addiction rally, Nixon said there's likely attendees that have relapsed within the last 48 hours, but their decision to attend a rally where several recovery organizations are offering contact info and advocates are ready to support is a testament to their commitment to strive towards sobriety again. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Attendees lay flowers at 'Unite to Face Addiction' rally at the Michigan Capitol Building on May 14, 2025. | Photo: Anna Liz Nichols Chris Nixon, director of addiction medicine at Henry Ford Health Maplegrove Center speaks at 'Unite to Face Addiction' rally at the Michigan Capitol Building on May 14, 2025. | Photo: Anna Liz Nichols Genesee County Chris Swanson (right) speaks at 'Unite to Face Addiction' rally at the Michigan Capitol Building on May 14, 2025. | Photo: Anna Liz Nichols
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
State officials introduce legislation to ease repeal of Sunday liquor ban in Hillsdale
HILLSDALE COUNTY — For decades, bar-goers have been restricted from purchasing liquor and liquor-based mixed drinks from bars and restaurants in Hillsdale County on Sundays. Business owners have made concerted efforts in recent years to collect signatures and bring the issue to the ballot to repeal the county's "blue law," in part because Hillsdale County entities were losing sales to surrounding counties. Now, State Rep. Jennifer Wortz — working in tandem with State Senator Joseph Bellino — are trying to streamline the repeal process under the Michigan Liquor Control Code of 1998. 'Bars and restaurants in Hillsdale County have lost business to Indiana and neighboring communities because of county restrictions,' said Wortz, R-Quincy. 'People want to vote so they can weigh-in on changing the county rules and allowing drink sales on Sundays. "However, a convoluted state law restricts local decision-making. By cleaning up the repeal process, our plan will increase local control and allow voters to give local businesses and customers more freedom.' Wortz and Bellino have introduced identical bills in the House of Representatives and Senate, which would reduce the number of signatures needed for repeal to 5% of the total number of voters who participated in the most recent secretary of state election (down from 8%) and allow county boards to vote to place a repeal on the ballot directly. The proposed legislation — House Bill 4398 and Senate Bill 264 — will also allow for clearer ballot proposal language. Current state law requires the ballot question to ask whether a county should prohibit liquor sales — meaning a "yes" vote would keep the ban in place. The newly introduced bills would allow ballot language to ask if the county should permit liquor sales instead. Subscribe Now: For all the latest local developments, breaking news and high school sports content. 'It's encouraging that our legislators are looking into this issue,' said Hillsdale Economic Development Director Sam Fry. 'We've had a number of businesses express interest in this, because it affects their bottom line.' Hillsdale County's 'blue law' bans the sale of spirits and mixed spirit drinks for on-premises consumption from 7 a.m. Sunday to 2 a.m. Monday, and is the only remaining ban on Sunday alcohol sales in the state of Michigan. 'The people of Hillsdale County should get to decide whether to get rid of the old ban on Sunday spirit sales,' said Bellino, R-Monroe. 'Unfortunately, the state of Michigan makes it difficult even to allow county voters to make their voices heard. Our common-sense plan will remove unnecessary legal barriers — so residents can choose to remove the weekly 'closed for business' sign on the county borders.' — Contact Reporter Corey Murray at cmurray@ or follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @cmurrayHDN. This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Wortz, Bellino introduce bills to ease repeal of liquor ban in Hillsdale
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
New bill would provide property tax exemption to spouses of deceased first responders
Sen. Joseph Bellino has introduced a bill to provide a property tax exemption to the surviving spouses of first responders who died in the line of duty, according to a community announcement. Senate Bill 110 would extend the state's current homestead property tax exemption — which is already available to surviving spouses of disabled veterans — to include spouses of law enforcement officers, firefighters or members of a rescue squad or ambulance crew who died due to an injury sustained while on duty. Bellino, R-Monroe, emphasized the importance of recognizing the sacrifices made by first responders and their families. James DeSana introduces House Joint Resolution D to make the Michigan legislature part-time 'We owe an enormous debt to our first responders, who often put their lives at risk to protect our communities and save lives,' Bellino said. 'My bill would extend this exemption to surviving spouses of first responders who died in the line of duty — to help express our gratitude for their loved one's service and sacrifice.' This story was created by Janis Reeser, jreeser@ with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Bill introduced to offer tax exemption to first responder spouses
