As for housing prices in Israel, the prices have come down from a 2017 high of 416.5 points to 410.9 points in July of 2018.
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The Famous Cuban Cigar
And there we were... at the sacred tobacco farm where the famous and sometimes infamous Cuban tobacco was grown, dried, hand cut and later rolled into cigars that some call, “Sweeter than candy.”
Read MorePregnant and living on a Sidewalk
As the sun was setting over Knoxville, she prepared for the night. Her home is the sidewalk. But, it's not just her... she is 5.5 months pregnant. In just a few months her child will be born.
Read MoreDisability in Cuba
He was confined to a wheelchair with only one leg while the other was swollen in the heat and humidity of Cuban air.
Read MoreCUBA: Where the Streets Have No Name
In Havana, you will find that a taxi driver lives in the same building as a doctor. Perhaps someone who works law enforcement lives next door to a grounds keeper? A scientist lives in the same building as a teacher – and so on.
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The Alleys and Side Streets of Cuba
Cuba has around 37,800 miles of roads. Of that number, close to 20,000 miles are unpaved. That said, some downtown streets may have been paved 40 years ago and not touched since. So, what maybe a paved route, could easily feel and look unpaved.
Read MoreAnimals are Everywhere in Cuba
Animals of all sizes walk where they want to walk. From the nicer restaurants in town where you find dogs inside, to the mom and pop locations in the farmland - animals are everywhere.
Read MoreThe Cars of Cuba
The late Fidel Castro banned imports of vehicles in 1959. Cuba doesn't have an auto manufacturer, so the cars that were imported in the 50's were there to stay. The communist leader also banned the import of car parts, according to the "Independent UK Newspaper."
Read MoreWhat Cuba Could Be
The sun falling on downtown Havana showed the true Cuban dream of success had washed away into the Caribbean years ago. An area that was alive with music, families and more in the 1940's and 50's is decaying as if it was struck by a curse in 2000's.
Read More9:30 at Night - Capital of Cuba
Cuba at 9:30 PM Eastern Time: The capital of Havana is only a whisper outside on a Thursday night, other than a few passing cars. As you walk into one of the many apartment buildings you hear kids playing in one unit and as you continue down the florescent lit hallway, you hear the sound of a small yelping dog.
Read MoreA tune for the plants with a touch of aqua
Hours passed as he sat on the curb of a Cuban hotel in downtown Havana strumming his ukulele. As the hours went by he would get up and pour some of his water bottle on the plants directly behind him, one by one.
Read MoreOcoee River
There was lots of action on the Ocoee River this weekend. The river flows through the Southern Appalachian Mountains of the Southeastern United States. Whitewater competitions got underway this past Friday.
Hear the complete story below (5 Min and 45 Sec)....
Broke Back, but Sober... Laughter Wins
His Starbucks Coffee had the name Patricia on it, his leftover food on his chair to the left of his foot was handed to him by a passerby, he broke his back.... but, he had humor and sobriety on his side.
Jason, who is on the streets of Seattle, Washington, knows that laughter helps him and others make it through the ups and downs in life.
A 2017 article in Forbes Magazine by David DiSalvo highlighted the pros to laughing and feeling good noting:
Laughter is an endorphin releaser
Laughter forms social bonds
Laughter fosters brain connectivity
Women typically laugh 126% more than men
Men usually instigate laughter
Laughter activates the release of the neurotransmitter serotonin
Laughter helps your heart... it has an anti-inflammatory
“Live with intention. Walk to the edge. Continue to learn. Play with abandon. Choose with no regret. Laugh! Do what you love. Love as if this is all there is.”
Help for the widowed and disabled
Today I got a phone call from Fox 17 asking to meet at Select Inn to visit with Kathy, who was told she has to be out of the hotel by Tuesday morning at 11 after they extended her stay from the original ouster date of Friday. Keep in mind, it is not about rent being paid as it is always paid. It is instead about cleanliness.
After interviewing Kathy, who talked about her urgent need of getting into the government assisted Westbrook Towers or else she will be on the street Tuesday, Matt Alvarez (Fox 17) spoke to the manager. After that talk, things changed.
You may recall, Kathy is the woman with Cerebral Palsy who lost her husband about 6 months ago. The two once lived in the hotel together.
In closing, Kathy will be allowed to stay at the Select Inn, enjoy their free breakfast for nightly guest as long as someone can volunteer to help with the following, perhaps a church small group project for the next 6 to 9 months?
1. Help with bathing (wheelchair bound)
2. Help cleaning her room
3. Paying for / delivering a small amount of groceries
Photo: Kathy listens intensely as the manager of the hotel on South Church Street talks to Fox 17.
Wheelchair bound since 2010 - Today Jimmy walked out of the hospital
Do to MRSA (Mer-sa), which is a staph infection, doctors had to amputate his right leg. After the surgery, he was wheelchair bound and fell into depression that lasted for years. S
Read More12 Days Ago, Phillip Received a Brand New Heart
In this 7 minute podcast, WGNS' Scott Walker spoke to new heart recipient Phillip Mclanahan...
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Visiting a closed down TN Department of Corrections Facility
PRISON: In 2014 the state proposed closing the Charles Bass Correctional Complex in Nashville with a goal of saving over $16 million per year.
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Kay at 72
Kay currently calls a wooden park bench home during clear days and sometimes a covered bus stop is her home on days that are not so clear. However, she does not let the weather bring her down.
In this interview, Kay talked about her past child sexual abuse and how so many others on the streets suffer from the same haunted background. Ms. Kay spoke to me (Scott Walker) about the devastating impact child sex abuse has on someone as they age.
At age 72, Kay says she is ready to go home when her body is ready to lead her that direction. In other words, she is not afraid of death as she clearly says, "I know where I'm going."
To pass time and to fill her own mission, she ministers to those who are also homeless and living with addiction.
BONNAROO 2018: The family concert
BONNAROO 2018: Ahhh, the family concert... the family who see's Eminem together at midnight sticks together.
BONNAROO 2018: The American Flag
BONNAROO 2018: She showed vigorous support for America with not only her outfit, but also her blanket as she sat in the midst of thousands of people walking from concert to concert.
Some may disagree as they were taught not to wear or sit on the flag. Others may high five her, which is the Bonnaroo way.
"How do I look," she asked. The shutter shut, "Great," I quietly responded as she handed me her cellphone. "Would you take my picture with my phone," she asked.
Another shutter click and I disappeared into the crowd where I next came across a large shirtless man that had a "Lost Soul" tattoo across his stomach. He was carrying a unicorn... I will get to that photo later.