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The Hill
4 days ago
- The Hill
This national park is 95 percent underwater: Here's what it's hiding
(NEXSTAR) — When you visit a national park, you likely want to see its natural attractions. Old Faithful at Yellowstone, El Capitan and Half Dome at Yosemite, Delicate Arch at Arches. At one Florida national park, however, it'll take more than a hike or a bus ride to see some of its beloved features. You'll have better luck with a boat, or maybe some scuba gear, especially considering the park is 95 percent underwater. North of Key Largo but south of Miami, along Florida's eastern coastline, you'll find Biscayne Bay. There, within view of Miami, is the serene Biscayne National Park. Spanning nearly 173,000 acres, Biscayne National Monument was formally established in October 1968 after President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a Congressional bill led by Representative Dante Fascell (D-Fla.). Johnson was among a handful of presidents, including Warren Harding, Herbert Hoover, and Richard Nixon, who had spent time at the famed Cocolobo Club retreat within what is now Biscayne. Since then, Biscayne has been expanded and renamed as a national park. The park is touted as having 'four distinct ecosystems' that melt into each other, creating 'ecotones.' The park teems with hundreds of species of fish, birds, plants, and insects you won't find anywhere else in the U.S. Several threatened and endangered species also call Biscayne home, including beach jacquemontia, sea turtles, and the wood stork. You may even be lucky enough to see a lionfish, native to the Indian and Pacific Oceans. While stunning, park officials say they're hoping to reduce the population that has established itself in the Atlantic waters around Biscayne because of their significant environmental threats. It's within those same waters that the lionfish stalk that you'll find some of Biscayne's most beloved features. Sure, on land, there are plenty of eye-catching sights at Biscayne. You can camp among palm trees on Boca Chita Key and Elliot Key, both of which are only accessible by boat. You can follow the jetty walk to get views of the park, Biscayne Bay, and the stilt structures once built in the waters. Within the Dante Fascell Visitor Center, you can explore a gallery and museum, which often features local artists. On Adams Key, you can walk through the area that the aforementioned presidents would have enjoyed while visiting the Cocolobo Club retreat. But, as your eyes are frequently drawn to the water while visiting Biscayne, so too might your desire to explore it. If so, you're in luck. Biscayne National Park offers numerous aquatic activities that you can partake in while visiting, including canoeing, kayaking, fishing, lobstering, boating, guided boat tours, snorkeling, and diving. The boating and paddling options will take you over the shallow bay waters of the park and along the mangrove-fringed shorelines. Snorkeling and diving will give you a deeper look into the park – literally. Shipwrecks dot the seabed around the park, with six having been mapped and marked with mooring buoys, according to the National Park Service. Park officials say three wrecks – Erl King, Alicia, and Lugano, which sank in 1891, 1905, and 1913, respectively – are better suited for scuba diving, while the others can be enjoyed by snorkelers. The wrecks are found along the Maritime Heritage Trail, which also includes the Fowey Rocks Lighthouse. Below the water, you'll find expansive coral reefs brimming with colorful fish, sharks, and turtles. There are over 500 species of fish known to glide around the reefs along Biscayne. You may also encounter one of Biscayne's biggest challenges while exploring its warm coastal waters: marine debris. The National Park Service says the debris, which comprises any human-made and solid item that ends up in the ocean, can prove detrimental and even deadly to the park's wildlife. 'A highly polluted area is disappointing and upsetting for visitors to a national park,' officials warn. To help keep the situation from worsening, NPS recommends avoiding single-use plastic products, reducing the amount of trash you produce, and reusing items like water bottles, bags, and food containers. Biscayne National Park is free to visit year-round and open every day, though it has been known to close due to hurricanes.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Could a bold anti-poverty experiment from the 1960s inspire a new era in housing justice?
In cities across the U.S., the housing crisis has reached a breaking point. Rents are skyrocketing, homelessness is rising and working-class neighborhoods are threatened by displacement. These challenges might feel unprecedented. But they echo a moment more than half a century ago. In the 1950s and 1960s, housing and urban inequality were at the center of national politics. American cities were grappling with rapid urban decline, segregated and substandard housing, and the fallout of highway construction and urban renewal projects that displaced hundreds of thousands of disproportionately low-income and Black residents. The federal government decided to try to do something about it. President Lyndon B. Johnson launched one of the most ambitious experiments in urban policy: the Model Cities Program. As a scholar of housing justice and urban planning, I've studied how this short-lived initiative aimed to move beyond patchwork fixes to poverty and instead tackle its structural causes by empowering communities to shape their own futures. The Model Cities Program emerged in 1966 as part of Johnson's Great Society agenda, a sweeping effort to eliminate poverty, reduce racial injustice and expand social welfare programs in the United States. Earlier urban renewal programs had been roundly criticized for displacing communities of color. Much of this displacement occurred through federally funded highway and slum clearance projects that demolished entire neighborhoods and often left residents without decent options for new housing. So the Johnson administration sought a more holistic approach. The Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan Development Act established a federal framework for cities to coordinate housing, education, employment, health care and social services at the neighborhood level. To qualify for the program, cities had to apply for planning grants by submitting a detailed proposal that included an analysis of neighborhood conditions, long-term goals and strategies for addressing problems. Federal funds went directly to city governments, which then distributed them to local agencies and community organizations through contracts. These funds were relatively flexible but had to be tied to locally tailored plans. For example, Kansas City, Missouri, used Model Cities funding to support a loan program that expanded access to capital for local small businesses, helping them secure financing that might otherwise have been out of reach. Unlike previous programs, Model Cities emphasized what Johnson described as 'comprehensive' and 'concentrated' efforts. It wasn't just about rebuilding streets or erecting public housing. It was about creating new ways for government to work in partnership with the people most affected by poverty and racism. What made Model Cities unique wasn't just its scale but its philosophy. At the heart of the program was an insistence on 'widespread citizen participation,' which required cities that received funding to include residents in the planning and oversight of local programs. The program also drew inspiration from civil rights leaders. One of its early architects, Whitney M. Young Jr., had called for a 'Domestic Marshall Plan' – a reference to the federal government's efforts to rebuild Europe after World War II – to redress centuries of racial inequality. Young's vision helped shape the Model Cities framework, which proposed targeted systemic investments in housing, health, education, employment and civic leadership in minority communities. In Atlanta, for example, the Model Cities Program helped fund neighborhood health clinics and job training programs. But the program also funded leadership councils that for the first time gave local low-income residents a direct voice in how city funds were spent. In other words, neighborhood residents weren't just beneficiaries. They were planners, advisers and, in some cases, staffers. This commitment to community participation gave rise to a new kind of public servant – what sociologists Martin and Carolyn Needleman famously called 'guerrillas in the bureaucracy.' These were radical planners – often young, idealistic and deeply embedded in the neighborhoods they served. Many were recruited and hired through new Model Cities funding that allowed local governments to expand their staff with community workers aligned with the program's goals. Working from within city agencies, these new planners used their positions to challenge top-down decision-making and push for community-driven planning. Their work was revolutionary not because they dismantled institutions but because they reimagined how institutions could function, prioritizing the voices of residents long excluded from power. In cities across the country, planners fought to redirect public resources toward locally defined priorities. In some cities, such as Tucson, the program funded education initiatives such as bilingual cultural programming and college scholarships for local students. In Baltimore, it funded mobile health services and youth sports programs. In New York City, the program supported new kinds of housing projects called vest-pocket developments, which got their name from their smaller scale: midsize buildings or complexes built on vacant lots or underutilized land. New housing such as the Betances Houses in the South Bronx were designed to add density without major redevelopment taking place – a direct response to midcentury urban renewal projects, which had destroyed and displaced entire neighborhoods populated by the city's poorest residents. Meanwhile, cities such as Seattle used the funds to renovate older apartment buildings instead of tearing them down, which helped preserve the character of local neighborhoods. The goal was to create affordable housing while keeping communities intact. Despite its ambitious vision, Model Cities faced resistance almost from the start. The program was underfunded and politically fragile. While some officials had hoped for US$2 billion in annual funding, the actual allocation was closer to $500 million to $600 million, spread across more than 60 cities. Then the political winds shifted. Though designed during the optimism of the mid-1960s, the program started being implemented under President Richard Nixon in 1969. His administration pivoted away from 'people programs' and toward capital investment and physical development. Requirements for resident participation were weakened, and local officials often maintained control over the process, effectively marginalizing the everyday citizens the program was meant to empower. In cities such as San Francisco and Chicago, residents clashed with bureaucrats over control, transparency and decision-making. In some places, participation was reduced to token advisory roles. In others, internal conflict and political pressure made sustained community governance nearly impossible. Critics, including Black community workers and civil rights activists, warned that the program risked becoming a new form of 'neocolonialism,' one that used the language of empowerment while concentrating control in the hands of white elected officials and federal administrators. Although the program was phased out by 1974, its legacy lived on. In cities across the country, Model Cities trained a generation of Black and brown civic leaders in what community development leaders and policy advocates John A. Sasso and Priscilla Foley called 'a little noticed revolution.' In their book of the same name, they describe how those involved in the program went on to serve in local government, start nonprofits and advocate for community development. It also left an imprint on later policies. Efforts such as participatory budgeting, community land trusts and neighborhood planning initiatives owe a debt to Model Cities' insistence that residents should help shape the future of their communities. And even as some criticized the program for failing to meet its lofty goals, others saw its value in creating space for democratic experimentation. Today's housing crisis demands structural solutions to structural problems. The affordable housing crisis is deeply connected to other intersecting crises, such as climate change, environmental injustice and health disparities, creating compounding risks for the most vulnerable communities. Addressing these issues through a fragmented social safety net – whether through housing vouchers or narrowly targeted benefit programs – has proven ineffective. Today, as policymakers once again debate how to respond to deepening inequality and a lack of affordable housing, the lost promise of Model Cities offers vital lessons. Model Cities was far from perfect. But it offered a vision of how democratic, local planning could promote health, security and community. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Deyanira Nevárez Martínez, Michigan State University Read more: Detroit's next mayor can do these 3 things to support neighborhoods beyond downtown How building more backyard homes, granny flats and in-law suites can help alleviate the housing crisis Should architecturally significant low-income housing be preserved? Deyanira Nevárez Martínez is a trustee of the Lansing School District Board of Education and is currently a candidate for the Lansing City Council Ward 2.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Memorial Day 2025: What's open, closed
The Brief Memorial Day is on Monday, May 26, 2025. While many government offices are closed, such as the post office and banks, many retail stores will remain open. Costco, the giant wholesaler, will be closed. Memorial Day is Monday, May 26, 2025, a day to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country. The federal holiday means that all federal government offices, along with many services and businesses, will be closed. Here's a look at what's closed and what's open for Memorial Day 2024. RELATED: Trump wants to rename Veterans Day to 'Victory Day for World War I' Big picture view Memorial Day is a federal holiday celebrated on the fourth Monday of each May. The backstory Though the holiday was established through the Uniforms Holiday Bill in 1968, its origins date as far back as the Civil War. In the 1860s, American civilians began to visit and decorate the gravesites of Union and Confederate soldiers. The springtime act of remembrance was eventually coined Decoration Day. In 1868, the Grand Army of the Republic proclaimed Decoration Day to be a national holiday that should be observed on May 30, which fell in line with the blooming of most flowers. Congress officially recognized Decoration Day as a federal holiday in 1938. Dig deeper The holiday got a name change in 1966 when President Lyndon B. Johnson proclaimed the city of Waterloo, N.Y. as the birthplace of Memorial Day. Five years later, the holiday moved to the last Monday in May through the Uniforms Holiday Bill. Local perspective Memorial Day is still celebrated with civilian, state-run and federal decoration initiatives where flowers and American flags are planted on gravesites for veterans who lost their lives in the line of duty. Parades and military events are also held to commemorate these fallen soldiers. The U.S. Postal Service will be closed on Memorial Day. This means no mail delivery and all post offices will be closed. UPS and FedEx will also be closed for deliveries on Memorial Day, though some UPS stores may be open. It's best to check with your local store to be sure. UPS Express Critical service will be available. The Federal Reserve is closed on Memorial Day, which means the vast majority of banks will also be closed. The stock markets are also closed on Memorial Day. Costco will be closed on Memorial Day, according to the wholesaler's website. Yes, many retailers, like Walmart, are open on Memorial Day, with many trying to lure customers with big promotional sales. Hours may vary by location. CVS will be open on Memorial Day, but some locations may have altered hours. Be sure to check your local CVS. Walgreens stores will be open, however, Walgreens pharmacies, excluding 24-hour locations, will be closed. Whole Foods Market, Walmart and Target will all be open on Memorial Day. The Source Information for this article was taken from email correspondence with Target, Walmart, Whole Foods Market, CVS and Walgreens. Information from Costco's holiday hours website was used. Previous reporting by FOX Local contributed. This story was reported from Los Angeles.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
These 10 historic Texas restaurants that have stood the test of time
If you're new to Texas or a native to the state, there are restaurants that have been serving Texans for a long time that you might want to consider visiting. This list, compiled with suggestions from various restaurant reviews, details some of the oldest restaurants in Texas. Some of them date back as late as 1911. Check out these 10 classic restaurants throughout Texas. The Driskill Grill, located within the historic Driskill Hotel in Austin, is a renowned fine-dining establishment known for its refined American cuisine and exceptional service. The Driskill Hotel itself opened in 1886, making it one of the oldest operating hotels in Texas. Over the years, the Grill has hosted many notable events, including the first date of President Lyndon B. Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson. With its elegant atmosphere and rich history, The Driskill Grill continues to offer a distinctive Austin dining experience. Sonny Bryan's Smokehouse is famous for its authentic Texas barbecue, featuring slow-smoked meats prepared with the lean side down — a technique passed down since Elias Bryan began the tradition in 1910. The restaurant is also distinguished by its commitment to quality, using post oak wood and a closely guarded barbecue sauce recipe to enhance its signature flavors. Gaido's Seafood, a Galveston institution since 1911, is renowned for its fresh Gulf seafood and rich culinary traditions. Founded by San Giacinto Gaido, the restaurant has upheld its commitment to quality for over a century, offering hand-prepared shrimp, oysters, and fish alongside house-made sauces and seasonings. Schilo's Delicatessen has been a beloved San Antonio institution since its founding in 1917. First operating as a saloon in Beeville, Texas, it moved to San Antonio in the early 1900s. Famous for its German-Texan cuisine, Schilo's has preserved its unique blend of flavors for generations. Christie's Seafood & Steaks, a Houston establishment since 1917, is celebrated for its fresh Gulf seafood and classic steak offerings. Initially founded by Greek immigrant Theodore Christie as a small stand in Galveston, the restaurant quickly gained popularity and expanded to Houston in 1934. According to WFAA, El Fenix was established in Dallas in 1918 by Miguel Martinez and carried on by his family. It has grown into a North Texas staple with multiple locations, including its second opening in the 1940s. Prior to founding El Fenix, Miguel launched Martinez Cafe in 1916 at the corner of Griffin Street and McKinney Avenue. Paris Coffee Shop, a beloved Fort Worth institution since 1926, serves up classic breakfast and lunch favorites with a contemporary flair. Joe T. Garcia's is a legendary Mexican restaurant in Fort Worth, known for its vibrant atmosphere, iconic patio, and strong margaritas. Established in 1935 by Joe T. Garcia and his wife, Mamasuez, the restaurant started as a small, family-run operation and has since grown to cover an entire block on Commerce Street. Today, it remains under the stewardship of their grandchildren, continuing the tradition of serving authentic Mexican cuisine in a lively, welcoming setting. Over the decades, Joe T. Garcia's has become a must-visit destination, attracting both locals and celebrities alike. Matt's El Rancho has been a cherished part of Austin's dining scene since 1952. Initially opening with just ten tables on East First Street, this iconic Tex-Mex restaurant now thrives on South Lamar Boulevard. Founded by Matt Martinez, Sr. and his wife Janie, it has built a lasting reputation for scratch-made Tex-Mex dishes that have delighted generations of locals and visitors alike. The Big Texan Steak Ranch opened in 1960 in Amarillo and draws visitors with its famous 72-oz steak challenge. Located in a dedicated restaurant area for public viewing, participants who can consume the entire steak and sides within one hour receive a complimentary meal. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: 10 of the oldest restaurants in Texas that are still open
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Memorial Day 2025: Honor fallen military heroes at South Florida ceremonies and parades
Memorial Day gives us a day off to honor and remember those who have died while serving the United States. For 54 years, it has been officially commemorated on the last Monday in May with ceremonies, parades and flag plantings in cemeteries. Though for some the federal holiday, which falls on May 26 this year, also signals the unofficial start of summer, there's much more to know and value about Memorial Day — from its origins to time-honored traditions. Here are five facts from The Memorial Day Foundation: Memorial Day was first called Decoration Day to honor those who died preserving the Union in the Civil War. It was first observed on May 30, 1868, after Gen. John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, officially made the proclamation earlier that month. The name comes from the act of decorating the graves of soldiers with flowers. Memorial Day became a national holiday in June 1926 after a joint resolution by Congress that also was updated to honor all Americans who died fighting in wars. Waterloo, New York, was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon B. Johnson in May 1966. Soldiers place small American flags at each gravestone at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on the Thursday before Memorial Day. They patrol 24 hours a day during Memorial Day weekend to ensure that each flag remains standing. For nearly 25 years, the National Moment of Remembrance has encouraged Americans to pause for a moment of silence at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day. With cities and veterans' organizations throughout South Florida planning special events, here's a city-by-city roundup for Broward and Palm Beach counties. PLEASE NOTE: All events are scheduled for Monday, May 26. COCONUT CREEK The Parks and Recreation Department's Memorial Day Ceremony will be at 9 a.m. at Veterans Park, 3550 Lyons Road, and include city commissioners, dignitaries, guest speakers and the Coconut Creek Police Department Honor Guard. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will take place in the Recreation Complex, 4455 Sol Press Blvd. Free. Visit CORAL SPRINGS In partnership with the Veterans Coalition of Coral Springs, the city has planned a Memorial Day Ceremony at 9 a.m. at Veterans Park, 8601 Royal Palm Blvd., featuring a Presentation of Colors, Wreath Placement by the Coral Springs Civil Air Patrol, Salute Volley, Honors by the Coral Springs Police Honor Guard, a keynote speaker and more. In case of weather issues, the ceremony will take place at the Coral Springs Gymnasium, 2501 Coral Springs Drive. Free. Visit DAVIE The town and the Boy Scouts of America will put on the annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony starting at 10:30 a.m. The parade is set to begin just west of the Davie Fire Administration building, 6901 Orange Drive, then proceed east on Orange Drive to Southwest 65th Way, then north to the Bergeron Rodeo Grounds, 4201 Rodeo Way. The ceremony at 11 a.m. will include guest speakers, town dignitaries, Presentation of Colors, and Folding and Presentation of the Flag. Free. Visit DEERFIELD BEACH The city and American Legion's Memorial Day Ceremony — scheduled for 9 a.m. at the Johnny L. Tigner Community Center, 445 SW Second St. — will 'honor and salute the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces, particularly those who gave their lives in service to preserve our freedom,' according to the Deerfield Beach website. Free. Visit FORT LAUDERDALE A Memorial Day Ceremony at 9 a.m. will have remarks, Parade of Colors, veterans' recognition, memorial flowers placement, dove release and more at Lauderdale Memorial Park Cemetery, 2001 SW Fourth Ave. Music will be performed by the Fort Lauderdale Symphonic Winds, featuring James Perkowski. Free. Visit The city and William C. Morris American Legion Post 36 will present a Memorial Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. at the Nininger Statue along the Riverwalk next to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave. Other participants will include the Sons of American Legion Squad 36, Ladies Auxiliary Unit 36, Robert Bethel American Legion Post 220, 82nd Airborne Veterans and American Veterans for Equal Rights. Free parking will be available in the Broward Center garage. Free. Visit OAKLAND PARK American Legion Post 222, along with the city, will have a Memorial Day Ceremony at its headquarters, 4250 NE Fifth Ave., from 11 a.m. to noon. Free. Visit PARKLAND A Memorial Day Ceremony will honor fallen heroes at 5:30 p.m. at the Parkland Recreation and Enrichment Center (P-REC) gymnasium, 10559 Trails End, with guest speakers, performances and a Presentation of the Wreath, followed by refreshments. Free. Visit PEMBROKE PINES Presentations of Colors, speakers and a wreath placing will be part of the Memorial Day Ceremony at 9 a.m. Donnith Fletcher Park, 7900 Johnson St. View a live feed of the event via the city's Facebook or Instagram accounts. Free. Visit PLANTATION The city will have a Memorial Day Service from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Veterans Park, 1776 Lauderdale W. Drive. Free. Visit Want unlimited adventures at popular South Florida attractions? There are passes for that! Save on fun all May long: MOSAIC has deals on things to do in Palm Beach County Ten great things to do this summer in southeast Florida South Florida water parks are open! What's new & how to save this season POMPANO BEACH The city's Parks & Recreation Department, in partnership with Public Works, has organized a Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony from 9 to 11 a.m. The parade will start at Wells Fargo Bank, 2401 E. Atlantic Blvd., then continue to the City of Pompano Beach Cemetery, 400 SE 23rd Ave. A ceremony will follow. Free. Visit SUNRISE A Memorial Day Ceremony will include a wreath placement, bagpipes, speakers, Piper High School's JROTC Presentation of Colors and more from 9 to 11 a.m. at Sunrise Civic Center Theatre, 10610 W. Oakland Park Blvd. Free. Visit BOCA RATON The city will have a Memorial Day Ceremony at 9 a.m. at the Boca Raton Cemetery and Mausoleum, 451 SW Fourth Ave., with flag folding, a wreath presentation and speakers. Limited seating will be provided. Free. Visit The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10556's annual Memorial Day Program will be at 9:30 a.m. at Veteran's Memorial Park, 9400 W. Palmetto Park Road. There will be a Procession of Colors, guest speakers and patriotic music. Visit DELRAY BEACH The city's Memorial Day Ceremony is set for 10 a.m. at Delray Beach Memorial Gardens, 901 SW 10th St. Visit LAKE WORTH The South Florida National Cemetery, 6501 S. State Road 7, will have its annual Memorial Day Ceremony at 10 am. Visit LANTANA The 20th annual 'A Day to Remember' Memorial Day Service will honor special operation forces at 11:50 a.m. at Palm Beach Memorial Park, 3691 N. Seacrest Blvd. There will be speakers, a wreath presentation, dove release, torpedo display, patriotic music and more. Free. Visit PALM BEACH GARDENS Flags will be presented by the Palm Beach Gardens Police and Fire-Rescue Honor Guard along with a wreath during a Memorial Day Ceremony starting at 9 a.m. at Veterans Plaza Amphitheater, 10500 N. Military Trail. Free. Visit ROYAL PALM BEACH Start with a continental breakfast at 9 a.m. before the Memorial Day Ceremony at 9:30 a.m. at Veterans Park Amphitheater, 1036 Royal Palm Beach Blvd. Free. Visit WELLINGTON The village and American Legion Post 390 are planning a Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony, with all veterans invited to participate starting at 8:15 a.m. at Wellington's Village Hall, 12300 Forest Hill Blvd. The parade ends at the Veterans Memorial, on the corner of Forest Hill Boulevard and South Shore Boulevard, to be followed at 8:30 a.m. by a ceremony. Free. Visit
