Latest news with #Samuels
NZ Herald
4 days ago
- Business
- NZ Herald
On The Up: Des Samuels discovers blueberry success on Matakana Island
It was never Samuels' intention to get into blueberries. He was happy working as kaitiaki kura (school caretaker) of Te Kura o te Moutere O Matakana. 'My idea of looking after plants was Roundup,' he said. 'On paper, I was the most under-qualified person.' One day, he was helping build a plant nursery on the whenua, owned by Hamiora Whānau Trust, when it was suggested he try growing blueberries on a smaller section of the farm. Research efforts Des Samuels (left) with the 'godfather' of Australia's blueberry industry and Mountain Blue Orchards founder Ridley Bell, who visited the Matakana Island for the first time in June this year. Photo / Ant Low Knowing little about how to grow them, Samuels started researching. 'We just winged it, learned it and Googled it,' he said. 'Our advantage is growing up here on the island. 'We have the can-do, fix-it attitude.' By 2019, the whānau had planted their first blueberry plants. But it wasn't easy. In the beginning, cows broke in and ripped up the plants, and howling winds tore down about four blueberry tunnels two months after planting the first trees. Samuels, however, was determined. 'If you had told me what we'd been through, I think I would have turned it down in a heartbeat,' he said. 'But I was never going to start something I wasn't going to finish.' Six years on and the farm has nearly 11,000 blueberry plants, growing world-leading varieties that stand out because of their jumbo size and sweet taste. The varieties are licensed through Tauranga-based global berry marketer BerryCo NZ and marketed under the 'Blue Royal' brand across New Zealand and Southeast Asia. Berries grown by Samuels and his whānau on Matakana Island have been sold as far away as Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City. Peak harvest At peak harvest from October to December, the blueberry farm has about 50 workers. Most are backpackers from Argentina, Chile and Germany, as well as locals who live on the island. 'The blueberries have been a tool to help build relationships, and we are really big on looking after people,' Samuels said. 'We have lots of hāngī, we cook together, we fish together. It's an open-door policy. The importance is whānau.' Samuels' wife Kristy said up to 1.5 tonnes of blueberries are picked each day during the peak season, averaging about 4.5kg per tree. The berries are then delivered to the packhouse in Paengaroa. 'There is no typical day. During peak harvest it's full on,' she said. 'It's a 7am start and we work until lunchtime when it gets too hot. 'The pickers usually go home or have a swim at the beach and come back at 4.30pm and work through until about 7.30pm.' Looking back, Des said he's proud of what he and Kristy have achieved. 'All we do is blueberries. Even the office is in the lounge,' Kristy laughed. But to them, it's a privilege. 'Because it's on our own land we have a sense of ownership,' Des said. 'It's a legacy. I'm starting something up for my children and grandchildren, not just my own but others too.' A family affair Blueberry pioneer Ridley Bell (second left) visiting the Samuels whānau during his recent trip. Photo / Ant Low The island's youngest blueberry picker is Des' niece, Mia Samuels. The 14-year-old began picking blueberries on the farm last year to fundraise for a rugby trip to Hawaii. Mia lives on the mainland with her parents, Leon and Lynda Samuels, and travels to Matakana Island by boat about three days a week to pick berries during harvest. 'I like picking blueberries, and I like being outdoors. It's not like a normal job like in a store,' she said. Kristy said it was a 'whānau-run' multi-generational blueberry business. 'It gives the older ones an opportunity to have a holiday job, especially on the island where there isn't the usual supermarket or cafe job. 'It's cool to know that for them it will forever be their first job picking blueberries on uncle's farm.' Aside from the blueberries business, Des also runs school camps on the island, giving children the chance to disconnect from screens and schedules and reconnect with nature and island life. 'Our camps are a lot of fun and help build resilience and relationships,' he said. 'Some kids don't get the chance to swim or jump off the jetty and just be kids.' It's something Samuels said he learned from his late mother, Mere Matekino Palmer (nee Samuels). Raised on Matakana and neighbouring Rangiwaea Island in the 1930s, Mere later received an MBE in the 1990 Queen's Birthday Honours for her services to Kōhanga Reo. She also once worked with the Tabulam and Lismore Aboriginal communities as an early childhood education adviser, sharing the same community as Mountain Blue Orchard blueberry farms, whose berry varieties Samuels grows on the island today. 'That was a pretty special moment of discovery,' he said. 'What mum demonstrated through her work is what was sowed into me.' As for the future, Samuels hopes to continue expanding the blueberry business. 'We have a passion to be the best we can be. 'That's what gets us up in the morning.'
NZ Herald
7 days ago
- NZ Herald
Auckland Transport passenger Jovahna Samuels jailed after seizing control of bus during dispute
The lawyer had tried to enrol Samuels in the New Beginnings Court, which focuses on helping defendants who are homeless rehabilitate. But she accepted that Samuels would instead receive her first sentence of imprisonment after not engaging with the specialised programme. Samuels had gotten on the 83 bus, which starts at Massey University on Auckland's North Shore, last September. When the bus got to the end of the line in Takapuna, she refused to disembark. Instead, the judge noted, she was verbally abusive before clambering into the driver's seat as the Auckland Transport employee stepped off the bus to call for backup. Six days later, Samuels picked up wilful damage charges after throwing rocks at the Mairangi Bay Surf Life Saving Club and at the nearby North Shore Community Toy Library - damaging windows. Mairangi Bay Surf Life Saving Club in Auckland's North Shore. Photo / Google On October 3, she was caught taking a shower in a vacant home and locked herself inside when police arrived. The next day, she tried to shower in the men's locker room at Massey University before staff told her to leave. 'You remained in the dressing room and became verbally aggressive to the witness and other staff,' Judge Bonnar noted, explaining that police eventually had to pepper spray her after she threatened officers as well. There were also multiple shoplifting and trespassing charges, including at Farmer's and the Northcote YMCA, and a charge of ignoring her community work requirements from a previous sentence. Auckland District Court Judge Stephen Bonnar. Photo / Sylvie Whinray Judge Bonnar ordered a four-month starting point for the bus charge, with an additional uplift of four months for all of the other charges. He then allowed a two-month discount for Samuels' guilty pleas, resulting in an end sentence of six months' imprisonment. Once released, Samuels will be required to complete any treatment, counselling or programmes as directed by her probation officer. 'That's unfortunate she didn't want to go through New Beginnings,' the judge lamented to her lawyer as Samuels was led back to a courthouse holding cell. Samuels stood for the entire hearing, declining the judge's invitation to sit. At different points in the hearing, she fanned herself with a notebook, pointed at empty spots in the courtroom and mimicked a choking sound. Craig Kapitan is an Auckland-based journalist covering courts and justice. He joined the Herald in 2021 and has reported on courts since 2002 in three newsrooms in the US and New Zealand. Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Time Magazine
22-07-2025
- Health
- Time Magazine
How to Tell if You're Allergic to Alcohol
Your body will almost certainly rebel if you drink too much alcohol in a night. But what if it reacts after just a sip or two? If you notice odd symptoms like facial flushing, a runny nose, or even a racing heartbeat after drinking, you might not just be sensitive to alcohol—you could be allergic. While true alcohol allergies are uncommon, they do exist, and alcohol intolerance and reactions to ingredients in your favorite drinks are pervasive. Here's how to spot the clues that you might not get along well with alcohol. Is it an intolerance or an allergy? Both involve different biological reactions, and an alcohol allergy can be dangerous. A true alcohol allergy is an immune-system response to a component of the beverage. It may mean your immune system reacts to alcohol—or ingredients in alcoholic beverages like grains, yeast, or preservatives—as if it's a harmful invader. Symptoms can include a rash; itching; swelling of the lips, tongue, or mouth; trouble breathing; stomach cramps; or even anaphylaxis, which can be potentially fatal. An alcohol intolerance, on the other hand, "is a genetic or metabolic condition,' says Tamar Samuels, a registered dietitian and co-founder of Culina Health, a virtual nutrition platform. 'People with an intolerance typically don't have enough of the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2), which helps metabolize alcohol.' She says symptoms typically include flushing, nausea, rapid heartbeat, and headaches. Read More: How to Relax and Unwind Without Drinking Alcohol Certain groups of people are prone to alcohol intolerance, though it can affect anyone. Up to 45% of East Asians carry the ALDH2 variant linked to alcohol flushing syndrome, which is a condition where your face, neck, or chest turns red soon after drinking alcohol. It's usually caused by a genetic mutation that affects how your body breaks down alcohol. Signs you might be allergic to alcohol They're rare, but alcohol allergies can range from mild to life-threatening, says Samuels. Signs of an allergy emerge after drinking any amount of alcohol and can include skin reactions (like hives, itching, flushing, or eczema-like rashes), swelling of the face or throat (especially of the lips, eyes, or tongue), respiratory symptoms (like nasal congestion, sneezing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing), gastrointestinal symptoms (such as nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, or diarrhea), or cardiovascular symptoms (like dizziness, fainting, or, in rare cases, anaphylaxis.) How alcohol affects the body Alcohol affects nearly every part of the body, starting with the brain. It slows down the central nervous system, impairing judgment, coordination, and reaction time. While it may create a temporary feeling of relaxation or euphoria, long-term use can lead to anxiety, depression, and addiction. Alcohol also alters how the brain's reward system functions, which increases the risk of dependence over time. 'It also affects the heart in many ways, both directly and indirectly,' says Dr. Sean Heffron, cardiologist at the Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease at NYU Langone Heart. It can impact blood pressure and influence levels of different types of cholesterol—specifically HDL cholesterol in the blood—and can also have an influence on heart rhythm and conduction. All of these impacts tend to be dose-responsive, meaning that depending on the amount of alcohol you drink, you can have variations in how each of these factors manifest. Read More: Why, Exactly, Is Alcohol So Bad for You? Alcohol has been classified as a known carcinogen and is linked to several cancers, including those of the breast, liver, mouth, throat, and colon. Even moderate drinking has been shown to raise the risk of breast cancer. It can also interfere with sleep, disrupt hormone levels, weaken the immune system, and contribute to weight gain and poor mental health. 'Because of these many negative side effects, drinking in moderation or not consuming alcohol all together is your healthiest option,' says Heffron. Common allergic triggers in alcohol Allergies to ethanol, the type of alcohol found in drinks, are exceedingly rare. Most reactions are caused by other compounds found in alcoholic beverages, says Heffron. Naturally occurring in fermented products like red wine and beer, histamines can trigger allergy-like symptoms in sensitive people, especially those with low levels of the enzyme diamine oxidase (DAO). These preservatives, found in wine and beer, are especially problematic for people with asthma. One study suggests that sulfite sensitivity may affect up to 10% of people with asthma. Beer and some spirits contain wheat, barley, or rye, which may trigger reactions in people with grain or gluten allergies. Read More: The 9 Most Underrated Healthy Foods Natural fruit compounds, artificial colorants, and tannins in wine can cause headaches, GI symptoms, or hives in sensitive people. In people with alcohol intolerance, the body lacks the enzyme ALDH2 needed to break down acetaldehyde, a toxic byproduct of alcohol metabolism. This causes flushing, nausea, and a rapid heartbeat. What to do if you suspect you have an allergy If you think you might have an allergy to alcohol, stop drinking immediately and take note of your symptoms. 'For mild symptoms (like hives or nasal congestion), an over-the-counter antihistamine may help,' says Samuels. 'For more severe symptoms like trouble breathing, swelling of lips, or throat, seek emergency care immediately, as this could be anaphylaxis.' She also recommends seeing an allergist for comprehensive testing, including patch testing or oral food challenges to identify the specific triggers like sulfites, grains, or histamines. And is taking an antihistamine before you drink to prevent an allergic reaction a smart idea? 'It's not recommended,' says Samuels. 'While antihistamines may blunt some mild symptoms, they don't address the root cause and can be risky when combined with alcohol." That's especially true for sedating antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl), which 'can amplify alcohol's effects, leading to increased drowsiness, impaired judgment, or even respiratory depression,' she says. 'Instead of masking symptoms, it's better to identify and avoid the trigger.'
Business Insider
11-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
New York tech leaders are trying to unseat San Francisco for the future of the industry
If Silicon Valley is where tech companies are born, New York is where they go to mature, says a growing ecosystem of NY tech founders and venture capitalists. This community says the Big Apple can unseat the Bay Area in tech dominance. New York, a bona fide destination for tech companies, is further catching up to San Francisco as a tech hub as the importance of having an East Coast presence grows. The city benefits from a diverse culture, has multiple developed industries, and is seen as a gateway to international markets. The state isn't just counting on this happening; it's actively funding the effort. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has spearheaded a $40 million Empire AI program to supercharge artificial intelligence research in the state. California still beats NY for funding. In the first quarter of 2025, the Bay Area boasted 658 VC deals totaling $58.7 billion, compared with 441 deals totaling $7.1 billion in New York City, according to a report by PitchBook and the National Venture Capital Association. Still, as investment volume picks up, a steady stream of VC firms has set up shop in New York. In recent years, Lightspeed Venture Partners joined a list of firms, including Index Ventures, Thrive Capital, and Andreessen Horowitz, by opening or expanding offices in New York. "We were really fortunate to have some New York-based investors, but fundraising as an exercise was always one that felt we had to do mostly on the West Coast," Mike Mignano, partner at Lightspeed, told Business Insider. "When you're trying to build a team in New York, those trips can be super distracting, time-consuming, and exhausting. I know firsthand that founders relate to this experience," he added. "We feel like having a firm in New York City gives us the ability to meet founders where they are and hopefully make the fundraising process a lot easier." Just don't call it 'Silicon Alley' Tech:NYC, an organization that aims to foster a stronger tech industry in the city, recently secured $350,000 of Empire AI funding. "If you want to go live in a group house and go build an app from the second you wake up to the second you go to sleep and not really see anyone except for your cofounders, then New York is probably not the place for you. And that's OK," Julie Samuels, founder and CEO of Tech:NYC, told BI. Samuels said New York matters most once companies begin to address questions of scale and late-stage considerations. The city has several developed industries, such as finance, professional services, and the arts. It also has a diverse populace, which Samuels says creates a network effect where founders can more easily access customers and clients in one market. She said that New York's tech scene, classically called "Silicon Alley," is not a diminutive of Silicon Valley, but very much its own thing. "Once you build that technology and you're ready to figure out who you're going to sell it to, who's going to pay you for it and use it in practice, and how someone who might not be deeply technical will interact with it, what some of the regulatory concerns are — I feel all of those questions will be answered here in New York," Samuels said. In particular, consumer tech companies like Partiful and Kalshi have found a foothold in New York, which boasts a colorful petri dish of consumer segments. Teddy Solomon, the 23-year-old cofounder and CEO of social media company Fizz, relocated his entire 25-plus-person company to New York from Palo Alto earlier this year. He says NY has a "really tight-knit community" of growth-stage and public company tech founders and executives. "People in New York care more about their companies than themselves, and I love that," Solomon told BI. "In the Bay Area, there are a lot of founders who care more about themselves than their companies." What about the Midwest? As well-trodden as the East Coast versus West Coast arguments have become, a VC who focuses on neither coastal market and is based in Ohio takes a different view. "It's not about New England or the West Coast or whatever. I think this is a more exciting time from an American innovation standpoint than we've ever seen before," Chris Olsen, Drive Capital cofounder and partner, told BI. The firm, which says it makes investments from "east of the Rockies and west of the Hudson River," takes an America-first view on the competition for venture dollars and technological dominance. In the future, Olsen doesn't see a win-or-lose scenario between New York and San Francisco tech companies. "We've got this new thing called artificial intelligence that's shaking up the snowglobe, and this time, when all the snow settles, where is it going to land?" Olsen said. "I'm betting there's more that's going to settle in America as a whole. I don't think it will be nearly as much in California as was concentrated in the past."
USA Today
07-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Are these 4 Washington Commanders the team's Mt. Rushmore since 2000?
The Washington Commanders haven't been very good in the 21st century. You can blame former owner Daniel Snyder for much of that ineptitude. Fortunately, Snyder sold the team in July 2023 to a group led by Josh Harris. In only his second season as owner, Harris had the Commanders in the NFC championship game after a 12-5 regular season. It was the franchise's best season in 33 years. It helps, of course, to have a franchise quarterback. In the 2024 NFL draft, the Commanders found their guy, Jayden Daniels, who was terrific as a rookie, winning the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Many already consider Daniels one of the NFL's top quarterbacks. However, before last season, Washington had only made the playoffs five times since 2001, with a record of 1-5. The only win came in 2005, so last season's success marked the end of a long period of ineptitude. That's not to say the franchise hasn't had great players over the last 25 years. Bleacher Report recently named the Mount Rushmore for all 32 NFL teams since 2000. Here's Washington's four picks: It's hard to dispute this list. It's way too early to include Daniels, who has only played one season. You could make serious arguments for current wide receiver, Terry McLaurin. Then, you could also make a strong case for Clinton Portis and Santana Moss. Chris Cooley was excellent, too, but probably falls a bit short compared to the rest of this list. Fletcher played the final seven seasons of his 16-year career with Washington. During that time, he earned four trips to the Pro Bowl, was a two-time second-team All-Pro and is a member of the Commanders' Ring of Fame. Fletcher should be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Kerrigan played 10 of his 11 NFL seasons with Washington. During that time, he recorded 95.5 sacks and set the franchise record—an easy pick. Kerrigan is now in his fourth season on Washington's coaching staff. It's easy to forget that before Trent Williams, there was Chris Samuels. Samuels, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2000 NFL draft, started for the Redskins at left tackle for 10 seasons before he was forced into retirement after the 2009 season due to spinal stenosis. Samuels made six Pro Bowls in his 10 NFL seasons. He missed only eight games in his first nine seasons before the injury cost him 11 games during his final season. Samuels is in Washington's Ring of Fame. Trent Williams was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft. He immediately replaced Samuels as the franchise left tackle. During his 10 seasons in Washington, Williams was named to the Pro Bowl seven times. Since being traded to San Francisco in 2020, Williams has made the Pro Bowl four more times and earned first-team All-Pro on three occasions. All four players were selected for the "90 Greatest" list, which honors the top 90 players/coaches/executives in franchise history. Who are your picks? Would you make any changes?
