Latest news with #Volland
Metro
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Metro
I'm a surfing holy bishop who found my calling running ultra-marathons
A bishop has found a calling outside the church — hitting the terrain in gruelling ultra-marathons up to 100km long. The Right Reverend Dr Michael Volland is also a keen surfer when it comes to life away from his Church of England posting in Birmingham. His lengthy roll of endurance events includes the epic 100km Race to the Stones along the ancient Ridgeway and he is due to trade robes for running gear at Sunday's AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run. 'I like the sense of freedom that comes from just leaving your house and running down the street,' Dr Volland explained. 'I value the space to think and look around. 'After a run I often feel more mentally alert and have a sense of inner peace and calm. Running is a gift from God. It creates space to think, pray and be refreshed and it gives me a lot of joy.' The married father-of-three is training for his 17th ultramarathon alongside taking part in Sunday's event for 16,000 people of all ages and abilities. Away from the land-locked city, he loves surfing and has been a member of a charity called Christian Surfers UK for 30 years. The clergyman explained that exercise and his spiritual calling have more in common than might meet the eye. 'I'm generally more joyful when I find time to run,' he said. 'In that sense, running is essential to being a good bishop. 'People are sometimes surprised that I find time to run. 'Most people then tell me that they wish they could find time. 'I try and encourage them to choose to give it a try. 'You don't have to run far or fast. Even 20 minutes down the road and back can be a positive thing and will make a difference.' Dr Volland's first taste of running was through athletics at school. 'After that, I didn't really run until I was in my mid-40s, when I signed up for a half marathon,' he explained. 'While I was training for that I decided to sign up for an ultra-marathon. 'I completed my first three ultras the following year, including the 100km Race to the Stones.' Last year, when he became Bishop of Birmingham, he decided to sign up for the Great Birmingham Run half marathon. 'I thought it would be good to take part in an exciting mass-participation event that would also help me see a bit of the city and raise money for an important cause,' he said. 'It was a beautiful day and the atmosphere was superb. 'It was very well organised and there were lots of people supporting on the streets.' This year, Dr Volland is running the 13.1 miles to raise money for a charity called Thrive Together Birmingham. 'Thrive Together Birmingham does a brilliant job of supporting people on the margins,' he said. 'They bring together individuals and churches to address poverty and help communities to flourish. 'Because I believe that God loves Birmingham and the people who live here, I am committed to playing my part alongside others – including Thrive – in building a flourishing Birmingham.' While the bishop sees running as a gift from God, he will be leaving his cassock at home. 'I will be aiming for a reasonable time, so will be in my running gear and not my robes!' he smiled. More Trending The half marathon is part of a weekend celebration of running events being held in the city over the Bank Holiday weekend. On Saturday, children have the chance to run at the home of the city's Commonwealth Games heroics — the Alexander Stadium — in junior and mini runs. The AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run half marathon and 10k are due to start on Sunday outside the Library of Birmingham and take in landmarks including the world-famous Jewellery Quarter before a grandstand finish in Smithfield. Do you have a story you would like to share? Contact MORE: Windrush Day: The moment my grandmother would never again call Jamaica home MORE: 'It all started from us': 50 years of sound system history at recreated family home MORE: We live yards from colossal HS2 building work – here's what we really think
BBC News
30-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Birmingham bishop won't have flowing robes in half-marathon
The Bishop of Birmingham will be running in a half-marathon through the city on Sunday – but he'll be in his running gear, not his Right Reverend Dr Michael Volland, who will be among 16,000 people taking to the streets for the sold-out Great Birmingham Run, is a keen runner and surfboarder and is currently training for his 17th first taste of running was when he was at school but he said he didn't start properly until he was in his mid-40s."I like the sense of freedom that comes from just leaving your house and running down the street," he said. "I value the space." Dr Volland said that after a run, he feels more mentally alert, has a sense of inner peace and calm, and is "generally more joyful".Encouraging other people to take up running, he said: "You don't have to run far or fast. Even 20 minutes down the road and back can be a positive thing and will make a difference." 'Amazing energy' The clergyman's run this year will raise money for charity Thrive Together Birmingham which, he said, does "a brilliant job of supporting people on the margins".Dr Volland issued a picture showing him holding pink, white and black trainers and wearing matching clerical attire, but he said: "I will be aiming for a reasonable time, so will be in my running gear and not my robes!"Organisers said the race had sold out after thousands of participants, from first-time runners to experienced half-marathoners took up the route starts at Centenary Square and visits areas including the Jewellery Quarter, St Paul's Square, the Mailbox, Grand Central, Edgbaston and Cannon Hill Foster, chief executive of the Great Run Company, said: "Birmingham has an amazing energy and the support on the streets is always second to none." Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Building and zoning reforms emerge as wedge in unusually competitive Anchorage Assembly race
Mar. 20—Six of the 12 seats on the Anchorage Assembly will be determined by this spring's municipal election, which ends on April 1. Unlike recent cycles, few of the races are particularly competitive. Four of the contests have just a single candidate running a traditional campaign, against challengers with little to no organized support or public messaging. One area where that is not the case is District 1, which covers downtown Anchorage, as well as neighborhoods like Fairview, Government Hill and Mountain View. Assembly seats are nonpartisan, but residents in the district tend to consistently elect liberal officials, often by wide margins. In this cycle, though, the progressive incumbent, Daniel Volland, is facing a robust challenge from a Realtor with a background in Republican politics and community-level public service. The challenger, Daniel George, has backing from an unusual coalition that runs the political gamut, from conservative stalwarts and former Republican politicians to progressive elected officials and left-leaning community activists. He also raised close to the same amount of money as Volland in the most recent round of campaign finance reports filed with the state, $8,824 to Volland's $10,540, although Volland had already raised substantially more prior to that, and upcoming reports to the Alaska Public Offices Commission may look quite different. One of the animating issues in the race is housing, and how members of the Assembly, including Volland, have pushed for reforms to get more homes and residential units added to Anchorage's inadequate supply. "Our worldviews are very similar," former South Anchorage Assembly member John Weddleton said about Volland. "But he's not turned out well," he added. Weddleton has been lending his support to George, donating money to his campaign and co-sponsoring a fundraiser for the first-time Assembly candidate earlier this month. [Anchorage election guide: Q&As with candidates for Assembly and school board] 'A critical inflection point' Volland was elected in a 2022 special election after the Assembly voted to add a 12th seat. Prior to that, the downtown district was represented by just one member. Turnout in that election was poor, even by the standards of District 1, which tends to have some of the lowest voter participation in the municipality. And because it was a special election among six candidates, Volland won by receiving the biggest share of votes — close to 39% — but not a majority. The second-highest vote getter received about 31%. Since joining the body, Volland, an optometrist with a business downtown, has a track record of advocating for changes to housing and zoning rules, improved pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, and more resources for behavioral health in the public safety system, among other issues. He connects the support for his rival from traditional backers of progressive candidates to his work on housing policy, and a "change-averse" attitude among some when it comes to building and development. "I think a lot of it comes from the work we've done on housing to make it more possible to build more multifamily duplexes and threeplexes and fourplexes," said Volland, who has backed several initiatives — some successful, others not — to make it easier to build multifamily structures through code changes to land-use and permitting. Housing is a touchy subject in Anchorage politics, and one that doesn't always break across traditional political fault lines. Volland said some people have criticized Assembly members like himself for being "too bold on housing," but he also hears from constituents who don't think measures enacted in the last few years go far enough to address the scale of the affordability crisis and shortage in new units. "I think Anchorage is at a critical inflection point right now. In some ways we are in decline. But I also feel like there's a lot of folks who are embracing a positive view," Volland said. Volland pointed out that many of the people backing his opponent do not actually live in the district. Because housing and zoning policy tend to affect residents all over the city, he said, some people who oppose denser developments in neighborhoods that have long barred anything but single-family homes have been drawn to the downtown race. Daniel George grew up in Anchorage, and though a chunk of his professional career was spent working for state and congressional politicians, he's remained engaged in the city's neighborhood-level political system, both as leader of the Mountain View Community Council and Federation of Community Councils, as well as serving on the Planning and Zoning Commission. That perspective, along with his work selling homes, he said, has given him a level of technical insight into policies that are and are not working in the municipality. "Our housing stock is aged, and it's aged poorly," he said. "I'm a Realtor, I've sold a lot of houses in the Mat-Su in recent years." His campaign has drawn support from people who don't usually donate to the same candidates or socialize at fundraisers. An event on March 3 included some unlikely bedfellows. The list of co-sponsors included conservatives like former Eagle River state Sen. Anna MacKinnon, former Anchorage first lady Deb Bronson, and Mayor Dave Bronson's former Chief of Staff Sami Graham. And there were solidly liberal co-sponsors, as well, including former Assembly member Sheila Selkregg, entrepreneur and activist Eleanor Andrews, and outgoing Assembly member Karen Bronga, who represents the east side. George said the breadth of that coalition reflects relationships he's built through volunteering and public service. Part of his problem with the Assembly's approach to housing policy, he said, is less about specific policies it has pursued than the way it has tackled them. At times, he said, members have speedily advanced reform ordinances that he thinks have run roughshod over the public process. In other instances, he thinks the body's priorities have been off, like pursuing denser housing options in neighborhoods rather than finding ways to incentivize development of unused lots. "Density is not the only solution, it only nips around the edge of the solution," George said. "How do we unlock stranded parcels?" [Here are the bonds and levies on the ballot in Anchorage's city election] 'It's about the process' Not everyone's support for George over the incumbent Volland comes down to policy preferences. "He's very combative. And he draws lines and he alienates people," Weddleton said of Volland. During his two terms on the Assembly, Weddleton earned a reputation as a moderate with an interest in technical details. He said that while he supported Volland in his first bid for office, the approach to housing policy from him and some other members of the Assembly has repeatedly bypassed opportunities for public engagement, and in so doing damaged public trust among constituents. "If they don't toe his line, they're a 'NIMBY,'" said Weddleton. The acronym stands for "Not In My Backyard," and is often used to criticize people who might support development in general, but not when it happens near their homes or neighborhoods. Weddleton said his support for George comes partly out of his shared background on the Planning and Zoning Commission and as a fellow "community council guy," who in spite of his own political positions, prioritizes civility and pragmatism. That was likewise what drew Karen Bronga to back George. "We don't agree on a hell of a lot of things, but we agree on engaging with people, being civil," said Bronga, who opted not to run for re-election. In 2023, Bronga beat another first-time candidate who was aligned with the conservative Bronson administration. Though generally she votes with the Assembly majority, she has often split with it. And she's critical of political orthodoxy she believes has put the body out of step with many residents, even those who support a more liberal-leaning agenda for the city. "We have an Assembly that has swung too far left in some areas," she said. "I'm hearing more and more from people that contributed to my campaign that are considered very progressive ... And they are like, 'What the hell is going on with this Assembly? It's gone too far to the left.'" One resident who typifies some of the trends at play in the District 1 race is Dianne Holmes. A retiree who lives on the south side, Holmes regularly testifies before the Assembly and is highly engaged with land use and zoning issues across the city. Typically, when she donates to local political campaigns, it is to more liberal-leaning candidates. But this cycle she has contributed to George. "We had great hopes for Volland. And I think it has to do a lot with the housing situation. No one will say 'we're against more housing,' because we need it. But it's about the process," Holmes said. She ticked off a number of housing and zoning measures from the last two years that have gone before the Assembly. Some, she said, were decent proposals. But what bothered her were the ways she believes Volland and others steered them away from public input or diminished oversight and review from city planners. Holmes and others do not expect George to win. It is hard to unseat an Assembly incumbent. And though George has raised a respectable amount of money, he filed to run for the seat at the very last minute and has raced to stand up a visible campaign. But, she said, this may get him some name recognition for next year, when Assembly Chair Christopher Constant, who is barred by term limits from running again, is not on the ballot. Other races this cycle are drastically more lopsided, with many local politicos treating them as foregone conclusions, either because of an incumbency advantage, or because one candidate has a monopoly on resources over the challengers. Or both. The Eagle River contest includes two candidates both running for Assembly for the first time who are closely matched on fundraising. Municipal ballots were mailed out earlier this month and have to be postmarked or cast in person by April 1.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The First 30 Days: Trump's 5 Biggest Moves and Their Economic Impacts
President Donald Trump signed 74 executive orders, seven proclamations and 20 memoranda within the first 30 days of his inauguration, reported Scripps News. Find Out: Read Next: While these accelerated moves created a commotion in Washington, D.C. and fear in Americans, most haven't impacted the economy for the moment, according to Jason DeLorenzo, market analyst and principal and owner of Volland. 'For now Trump's policies are focused on the DOGE's activities, tariffs and immigration, but many other policies haven't had time to impact the economy directly, although they could impact geopolitics. 'These policies are causing disruption in D.C. and while the tariffs haven't had time to ripple through the economy yet, they are causing sentiment to sour.' GOBankingRates turned to DeLorenzo and Cheney Hamilton, research analyst at Bloor Research and CEO of Find Your Flex Group, for analytic insights into Trump's five biggest moves during the first 30 days of his second term and their impacts on the U.S. economy. Talk to your spouse or neighbor, and the conversation will likely become a venting session about rising grocery costs climbing higher as a result of tariffs, especially if you're retirees on a fixed income. 'If Trump's policies lean toward protectionism, like tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China, we could see a shift in offshoring trends, with companies reevaluating where and how they invest in automation as well as talent,' Cheney said. 'If businesses face higher costs for global supply chains, they may double down on AI and automation as a way to reduce reliance on human labor and cut costs; as a result, it could accelerate AI-driven job displacement in lower-skilled roles, particularly in industries like manufacturing, logistics and customer service,' Cheney said. 'At the same time, if offshore options become more expensive, companies might look to re-shore jobs, but with AI augmentation, meaning the jobs coming back won't look the same as before.' Learn More: According to Trump's rhetoric, closing federal offices and the Department of Education will save the government money, another move sparking a big reaction in Americans, DeLorenzo said. 'The plans to shut down the Department of Education have caused a major stir throughout the country, as student loan payments need to be processed somewhere, special needs programs need to be funded somewhere, and public school funding needs to be made somewhere,' DeLorenzo said. He added, 'The reaction of the country is why Trump balked at closing the department; it's something he can't do by executive order anyway,' DeLorenzo said. 'Ultimately, these acts don't have a huge impact on the economy except [in creating] fear and uncertainty among market participants.' Halting foreign aid funding has significant implications for the country. 'As far as the economy goes, it puts many out of work but also contracts our economy since USAID activities expand our exports and sales of American goods, primarily food,' DeLorenzo said. 'While USAID does have reason to be scrutinized, the blanket closing of foreign aid is a diplomatic and humanitarian mistake.' The American economy hasn't felt the impact of offshore drilling yet. However, DeLorenzo said increasing the supply of oil when the demand is shrinking could lower oil prices to $50 a barrel as long as there aren't any more wars. Eradicating birthright citizenship could have a devastating effect on the U.S. economy. 'The overall policy of deporting immigrants will create a demographic-fueled economic contraction, and eliminating birthright citizenship would contribute to that; these are people who are building a life, eating food, renting shelter and working; labor supply will decrease as will aggregate demand,' DeLorenzo said. He added that China and Japan are now facing a similar demographic crisis to what America could feel over the next few years. Editor's note on political coverage: GOBankingRates is nonpartisan and strives to cover all aspects of the economy objectively and present balanced reports on politically focused finance stories. You can find more coverage of this topic on More From GOBankingRates4 Housing Markets That Have Plummeted in Value Over the Past 5 Years This article originally appeared on The First 30 Days: Trump's 5 Biggest Moves and Their Economic Impacts Sign in to access your portfolio
