Latest news with #Varela
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
3 Genius Ways Professionals Clean Behind Appliances—Without Moving Them At All
Unscrewing the kickplate gives you access to clean behind appliances without having to move them. A vacuum crevice tool or tube brush helps reach and clear dust from tight, tricky spaces. Wrapping a damp microfiber cloth around a stick is a simple, effective way to trap dust in hard-to-reach one thing to clean something out in the open, like your floors or countertops—while it may not be fun, it's relatively simple. Trying to clean behind heavy, cumbersome appliances is a different story. 'Though it's certainly a challenge, it needs to be done sooner or later because the vents can get clogged with hair, dust, and grease,' explains Alex Varela, general manager of Texas-based house cleaning service Dallas Maids. If you're hesitant to move your appliances, you're not alone—professional cleaners feel the same way. 'I'm not about to mess with electrical cords, gas lines, or scratch up the floor just to catch a dust bunny,' says Rhonda Wilson, lead quality cleaner at FreshSpace Cleaning in Louisville, Kentucky. 'If I can do 80-90% of the job safely and efficiently without moving it, that's a win in my book.' There are a few tools you can use, but before you do anything else, the first step is to unscrew the kickplate at the bottom of each appliance. This is going to give you the access you need without actually moving anything. After you can use one of three things, depending on what you have on hand and what has to get done: If you have to clean between coils or inside drains, a tube brush is Varela's recommendation. 'This works by getting between small spaces and pushing all the dirt out when you pull the brush out,' he says. They do this with polyester bristles that are flexible enough to fit into small spaces and tight corners that would otherwise be unreachable. When you're done, you can run it through the dishwasher so you can hygienically use it later on baby bottles, drains, travel mugs, and nearly anything else. Hidden dust can be stubborn, but it has nothing on a vacuum's crevice attachment. Long and narrow, they're specifically designed to fit in those pesky hard-to-reach areas. 'The good thing about vacuum cleaners is that they're electric, so they do all the work for you, which is helpful when you're already trying to reach behind appliances,' Varela explains. The crevice attachment's usefulness isn't limited to just appliances. You can also snap it onto clean up your car's upholstery, the sneaky space between a cabinet and the wall, and window tracks. Though Wilson prefers her vacuum's crevice attachment, she considers attaching a microfiber cloth onto a stick (a mop handle, yardstick, or rod are all fair game) to be a solid hack. If you're still building up your cleaning arsenal or just want to keep your supplies simple, it comes in handy. She recommends that you 'lightly dampen it with an all-purpose cleaning spray to make sure you get all the dust.' The slight moisture basically acts like a magnet, keeping the dust stuck to the cloth with every pass. Plus, it gets the area a little extra cleaner than it would be otherwise. Read the original article on Southern Living
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
📹 Flamengo steamrolling Botafogo-PB in the Brazil Cup 🇧🇷
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here. There were plenty of goals already in the first half of Flamengo vs Botafogo da Paraíba this Wednesday (21). Danilo, Pedro, and Varela built a great advantage in just a few minutes. And Henrique Dourado pulled one back, ensuring the traditional "Law of the ex". The second half came and Cebolinha scored another one. Fla is winning 4 x 1 in the return leg of the third phase of the Copa do Brasil. And securing a 5 x 1 on blinked... Filipe Luís made several changes. Which didn't prevent Flamengo from being competent right from the start (4'). É GOOOOOOL DO MENGíO! Danilo foi IMMMMMPIEDOSO e abriu o placar no Maracanã!🔥 😱 #Flamengo #BotafogoPB #CopadoBrasil #CopadoBrasilnoPrimeVideo #EsportesÉNoAmazonPrime — Prime Video Sport Brasil (@pvsportbr) May 22, 2025 The second was by Pedro completing a good play on the left (6'). MAIS UM DA ODETE ROITMAN!! 🚨 🤯 #Flamengo #Pedro #CopadoBrasil #CopadoBrasilnoPrimeVideo #EsportesÉNoAmazonPrime — Prime Video Sport Brasil (@pvsportbr) May 22, 2025 Ayrton Lucas appeared well once again. And it was up to Varela to take advantage (21'). VOCÊ PISCOU E O FLAMENGO MARCOU O TERCEIRO! 😅🔥 #FLAxBOT #Flamengo #CopadoBrasil #CopadoBrasilnoPrimeVideo #EsportesÉNoAmazonPrime — Prime Video Sport Brasil (@pvsportbr) May 22, 2025 Belo's and the Harvester's goal came after a mistake by the red-black defense. Which the striker took advantage of after getting past Matheus Cunha (36'). O CEIFADOR MARCA O PRIMEIRO DO BELO! 💥 😵 #FLAxBOT #Dourado #CopadoBrasil #CopadoBrasilnoPrimeVideo #EsportesÉNoAmazonPrime — Prime Video Sport Brasil (@pvsportbr) May 22, 2025 Cebolinha scored Fla's fourth right after the break following a pass from Varela (49'). Photo: Reproduction/Flamengo
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Albuquerque adopts new rules, fines for 'problem motels' amid public safety push
May 14—Albuquerque motels with a track record of crime, code violations, or unpaid taxes in Albuquerque will soon face fines, restrictions on guest occupancy, and new record-keeping rules under a bill passed by the City Council. The measure comes as Albuquerque continues its crackdown on motels it deems problematic, typically for code violations or because the motel sees a lot of criminal activity. The city has so far shut down six motels. The ordinance would allow the city to place additional hotels and motels on something like a provisional plan, according to Planning Department Director Alan Varela. "The ordinance is very clear. It is targeted at problematic properties. This, hopefully, is a small minority of properties out there," Varela said. The bill was passed on a 5-4 vote on May 5, with Councilors Joaquín Baca, Dan Champine, Nichole Rogers and Louie Sanchez voting against it. A spokesperson for Mayor Tim Keller's office said he intended to sign the bill into law in the coming week, and it would take effect within the month. Opposition to the bill at City Council varied. Rogers' concern was how the measure would affect unhoused people seeking a room for a night. Sanchez's concern stemmed from amendments that softened the blow to unhoused people. Specifically, Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn introduced an amendment that inserted "if available" before some of the requirements for tenants to show a government issued identification and provide an address. Fiebelkorn said that, without her amendments, the ordinance would force out unhoused people who might lack identification or a permanent address. Sanchez objected to that idea and voted against both of Fiebelkorn's amendments. "Overall, I think this bill will be beneficial to the citizens of Albuquerque," Sanchez said. What does the bill do? The ordinance would create three triggers for a motel to be subjected to "enhanced operational requirements," or "the bad list," as councilors called it. Those triggers are failure to make lodgers' tax or hospitality fee payments to the city for three consecutive months, at least three violations of any city ordinance within a 12-month period, or at least one violation of the city's Nuisance Abatement Ordinance. Varela said these triggers were chosen because they're often warning signs for motels with problematic activity. "What we've noticed, especially in the last year when we've started shutting down these most problematic hotels in town — all of them at one point were very legitimate operations, probably in very good condition and a good and safe place for guests to stay," Varela said, adding that these three issues would crop up as warning signs. Varela said the city does not know how many motels might meet the criteria, and added that it will not seek out problematic motels. "Code enforcement does all of its investigations based on complaints," Varela said. "We do not drive around the city, putting our noses into businesses that are not on the complaint list." Once on the bad list, the city can issue civil fines of up to $500 per day, place liens on the property or prohibit occupancy. Additionally, motels on the bad list must keep information about their guests for 45 days, so the city can review it. That information includes a copy of the guest's photo ID if available, or if not available, a picture of the guest's full face; vehicle information like make, model and license plate number; and information about the source of payment. The rationale behind this, Varela said, is to give police information. "Each of the hotels that have been shut down so far has had some elements, whether it's a large element or maybe to just a minor degree, of human trafficking," Varela said. "And some of these items are designed entirely to help prevent human trafficking or make it much more difficult to do." Angelo Metzger, code compliance manager, added that many properties are also repeat code violators, leading to potentially dangerous conditions for tenants. One of the most recent motels that Metzger's office shut down was the Court John Motel at 2700 Fourth NW in the North Valley. In that case, the Albuquerque Police Department reported 940 calls from within two blocks of the motel, with 16 battery cases, 26 reports of stolen vehicles, two shootings, three sexual assaults and six drug-related offenses, according to a news release sent when the motel was shut down. The motel was also accused of offering long-term stays to residents in rooms with failing plumbing, exposed wiring, pest infestations and structural damage, all while operating without a valid certificate of occupancy. Metzger told the Journal that these properties can call the city to help get back into compliance. "If you are having a problem with your property, please reach out to the city so we can go and assist you in getting it back to where it needs to be," Metzger said. Industry perspective Dhawal Kholwadwala, president of the Greater Albuquerque Hotel and Lodging Association (GAHLA), said his organization played a role in helping craft the bill and hopes to continue that role as enforcement begins. Kholwadwala said that GAHLA, which advocates for the interests of the hospitality industry, heard the bill was in the works and sought to get involved early. GAHLA agreed with the explicit goal of the bill, to make motels safer, but said some of the early details were concerning. "At the end of the day, we support trying to make the community safer," he said. For one, they got the name changed from the "Hotel and Motel Accountability Ordinance" to the "Distressed Lodging Property Ordinance." Kholwadwala said that mattered because the perception that this whole industry was somehow problematic was false. Kholwadwala said his organization plans to pay close attention to how the new law is enforced moving forward. Specifically, he said GAHLA will review how the city uses and enforces the rules around collecting a guestbook. "We just want it to be a fair process," Kholwadwala said.
Miami Herald
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Mater Academy outlasts Varela to secure first trip to state baseball final four since 2014
Nearly three months ago, Mater Academy shortstop Brandon Lorenzo was dealing with an injury and unsure when he'd be back on the field. The Lions were 1-5 and questioning how good a team which entered the season with high expectations really was. On Thursday night at Westland Gardens Park, Lorenzo hit a grand slam and later ran around the field celebrating with his teammates and coaches after the final out was recorded on a 10-8 victory over Varela. If you would have told Lorenzo this scene would play out three months earlier, he might not have believed it. 'I knew we could flip the page at any moment,' Lorenzo said. 'We did. I really believe in my guys. They're like family to me.' The victory secured a 2-0 series win for the Lions (23-9-1) over the Vipers (20-10-2) and the Region 4-5A championship. It also propelled Mater Academy to the state final four for the first time since it won its lone state championship in 2014. The Lions will face either Fort Myers or Braden River next Thursday at either 10 a.m. or 1 in a state semifinal at Hammond Stadium. 'We played a great team in Varela, but hey, I'll take my guys into battle any day,' Mater Academy coach Humberto Bencomo said. 'We faced a lot of adversity, people looking at each other, even us as coaches, we were pointing fingers and trying to figure out what was going wrong. Once we got into March, we started playing at home and we started playing better.' Following a 5-2 victory over Varela in the first game of the series on Tuesday, the Lions found themselves trailing 4-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning. But Mater put together a major response, scoring nine runs, highlighted by Lorenzo's grand slam. Earlier in the inning, Lorenzo hit a double to right field and came around to score on another double by Alfrin Rosario, which opened the scoring in that frame. Lorenzo had two doubles overall as he went 3-for-3 with four RBI. Jonathan Esponda also went 2-for-4 with two RBI and Jacob Amador went 2-for-3. 'It was just me and the pitcher and the ball,' Lorenzo said. 'They were pitching me fastball all day, and I proved to them that I could hit the fastball with two doubles in the first couple of innings so they came with a curveball in that at-bat and I hammered it. I got close the first two times, but I did some pushups in the dugout and got a little extra juice for that one.' The Vipers, who made it to the regional final for the first time, were resilient themselves, as they put together three runs in the top of the fifth to chase Mater starter Jeuri La Rosa after he gave up seven runs on 10 hits over 4 ⅓ innings. Nick Baluja led Varela, going 2-for-3 with two RBI while Jiovanni Zara had two RBI and Luis Sosa had a double. The Lions called upon closer Vladi Baldespina early with the goal of recording the final eight outs. Although he allowed one more Varela run in the sixth when Armando Mendez scored on a wild pitch, Baldepina limited the damage and later worked a perfect seventh to end the game. 'He's been hungry and dealing with a few little things,' Bencomo said. 'This is where it counted.' Mater Academy's tough early stretch led to a positive turn which saw the Lions win eight of their next nine. Bencomo said a major turning point was a road trip in late March to play in a tournament in Las Vegas where Mater swept all three games and finally had its full lineup including Lorenzo. 'That's when we really took off,' Bencomo said. 'We played incredibly over there. It was so many things, hitting, defense, everything. This is amazing.'
Miami Herald
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Despite coaching change, Varela baseball team stays on course, reaches regional finals
It was early March when Lazer Collazo, a long-time successful baseball coach in South Florida, unexpectedly stepped down as the head coach of Varela. Midseason coaching changes at the top with assistants suddenly taking over can sometimes be the recipe for disaster. But head coach Brian Alvarez and assistant Alex Diaz didn't blink an eye. They took the adversity and used it as a rallying cry. And there they both were on Saturday afternoon, celebrating with their players and vociferous fans on their home field. The Vipers had just finished off an impressive 12-4 dismantling of No. 2 seed Archbishop McCarthy in the third and deciding game of a Best-of-3 Region 4-5A semifinal. After having never even played a regional playoff game until 2022 when Collazo arrived, Varela broke more new ground on Saturday as the Vipers advanced to their first-ever regional final. Varela (20-8-2) will go up against top-seeded Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy beginning next Wednesday and Thursday (May 6-7) with games one and two at Westland Gardens Park at 7 p.m. If a third game is required, the Vipers would get it back on their home field next Saturday. 'It's been a roller coaster season for sure,' Alvarez said. 'We were all totally caught by surprise when Lazer stepped down, especially for these kids because they've played for him since they were six and seven years old. Even though I'm the head coach on paper, it's been about both Alex (Diaz) and I doing this thing together and working to just keep the kids positive, just showing them that they can trust us. It was a matter of staying with a plan, to block out the outside noise and that we would ultimately be able to enjoy a moment like we're having right now.' But as pleased as he was over how his players responded to him and Diaz, Alvarez made it clear who was at the root of all of the unprecedented success for Varela baseball. 'I give most of the credit here to Lazer,' said Alvarez who, when asked, said that Collazo stepped aside strictly for personal reasons. 'These were his kids and he's the one that basically built this team and this program to what it is now.' Alvarez could not have dreamed of a better start for his team as the Vipers jumped all over McCarthy starter Anthony Diaz by rapping out five hits and plating five runs in the bottom of the first inning as Diaz never made it out of the inning. When center fielder Jonathan Paniagua led off the second inning with an opposite field home run over the right field fence, Luis Sosa and Tyler Rodriguez eventually followed that up with two more RBI hits and the Vipers were out to an 8-0 lead after two innings. Eventually the lead ballooned to 10-1 after three innings over the stunned Mavericks. 'The game plan was to come out swinging, put the ball in play and try and get out in front of them early because we know McCarthy can really hit the ball and score runs,' Alvarez said. 'We couldn't have asked for a better start.' Even with a strong hitting arsenal of bats, McCarthy was way too far behind and Varela starter Andy Espinoza, despite yielding eight hits and three runs in his five innings, got the important outs when he needed them to not allow any kind of a comeback. 'There's nothing like early momentum,' Paniagua said. 'It makes you feel like you're the one in total control and that it puts your opponent in the hole and puts more pressure on them.' Espinoza actually was the starting pitcher in Thursday's 8-4 Game Two loss at McCarthy and it's where Alvarez, after winning Game One on Wednesday, talked about a gamble he and Diaz took. 'We actually fell behind early, something like 5-1 and Andy wasn't at 30 pitches yet,' said Alvarez. 'So we took a chance and pulled him off the mound knowing that even if we didn't come back to win in that game, we still had Game 3 at our home field in our back pockets. 'That would enable us to put him back on the mound again and he really came through for us today.' Besides Paniagua, leading the way offensively for the Vipers were Sosa (3-for-5, RBI, 2 doubles, 2 runs scored), Jiovanni Zara (3-for-4) and Juan Chacon who was 2-for-3 with 2 RBI. 'McCarthy's tough, they've got big-time bats so I knew they were going to get their share of hits today,' Espinoza said. 'But fortunately my guys went out there and got me all of those early runs to stake me to the big lead and that allowed me to go out there on the mound and really control things. Just made it easier to do my job.'
