All the Homeowner Tax Breaks for 2022: How to Maximize Your Tax Refund - CNET

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Learn how your home can save you big money on your income taxes.
Peter Butler
Writer
Peter is a writer and editor for the CNET How-To team. He has been covering technology, software, finance, sports and video games since working for @Home Network and Excite in the 1990s. Peter managed reviews and listings for Download.com during the 2000s, and is passionate about software and no-nonsense advice for creators, consumers and investors.
Owning a home might be the American dream, but it can have drawbacks -- such as major maintenance costs -- as well as bonuses. On the plus side, being a homeowner gives you access to a number of tax breaks, which can add up to big money in your tax refund.
For homeowners, learning about your tax benefits now can help you review and adjust your tax situation for when you file your income tax returns in early 2023.
While most homeowners with mortgages know they can deduct payments toward their loan interest, many tax deductions and tax credits involved in owning a house are less obvious. Learn about all the possible tax breaks for homeowners to get the biggest refund possible on your 2022 taxes.
For more on taxes, learn about the new income brackets and standard deduction for 2023, or review our end-of-year checklist for optimizing your taxes.
Note: The 2022 tax forms haven't been completed, so our links currently point to draft versions of 2022 forms from the official IRS site. You can't file your income taxes with these forms -- official tax forms for 2022 will be available in Jan. 2023. (Most online tax software companies launch their new tax software in December.)
Most income tax breaks for homeowners are tax deductions, which are reductions in your taxable income. The less of your income that is taxed, the less money you pay in taxes.
When you file your tax return, you must decide whether to take the standard deduction -- $12,950 for single tax filers, $25,900 for joint filers or $19,400 for heads of household or married filing separately -- or itemize deductions, such as gifts to charity and state taxes.
To take advantage of homeowner tax deductions, you'll need to itemize your deductions using Form 1040 Schedule A. Your decision to itemize will depend on whether your itemized deductions are greater than your standard deduction. All of the best tax software can quickly help you decide whether to itemize or not (as well as help you fill out all of the tax forms mentioned in this article).
Tax credits for homeowners don't require you to itemize. They directly reduce the amount of taxes you owe, and you can usually get those credits whether or not you itemize deductions.
Mortgage interest -- or the amount of interest you pay on your home loan yearly -- is one of the most common tax deductions for homeowners. It's also often the most lucrative, particularly for new homeowners whose payments generally go more toward loan interest during the first years of a mortgage.
Homeowners filing taxes jointly can deduct all payments for mortgage interest on loans up to $1 million, or loans up to $750,000 if made after Dec. 15, 2017. Single filers get half those amounts -- $500,000 or $375,000, respectively.
To deduct your mortgage interest, you'll need to fill out IRS Form 1098, which you should receive from your lender in early 2023. You can then enter the amount from Line 1 on that Form 1098 into Line 8 of 1040 Schedule A.
You can buy mortgage points, also called "discount points," when buying a house to decrease the interest on the mortgage. Each 1% of the mortgage amount that home buyers pay on top of their down payment generally reduces their interest rate by 0.25%, though the exact amount will depend on the lender and the loan.
Discount points can save you big money on a 30-year mortgage by lowering the total interest you'll have to pay across decades, but they can also save you money on your taxes when you buy them. The IRS considers mortgage points to be prepaid interest, so you can add the amount paid for points to your total mortgage interest that's entered on Line 8 of 1040 Schedule A.
Homeowners who have received a Mortgage Credit Certificate from a state or local government -- usually acquired via a mortgage lender -- can get a percentage of their mortgage interest payments back as a tax credit. Mortgage certificate credit rates vary based on states and go as low as 10% in Virginia to as high as 30% in Florida, per Bankrate.
For example, if you paid $12,000 in yearly mortgage interest in Florida with an MCC, you'd get a $3,600 tax credit. That money is nonrefundable, however -- it can only be used against taxes you owe. If you don't owe federal taxes, it won't give you money back.
This homeowner tax tip is most effective if you are a first-time homeowner, which is generously defined as not living in a home that you've owned for the past three years. If you're buying your first home, be sure to ask your lender or mortgage broker to see if you qualify for an MCC.
To file for your mortgage-interest tax credit, use IRS Form 8396. Remember, you don't need to itemize deductions to claim tax credits.
Local and state real estate taxes, more commonly called property taxes, can be deducted from your taxes, but at a far lower amount than before 2017. 
Thanks to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, you can only deduct up to $10,000 combined from your property taxes and state and local income taxes. Before 2017, your entire amount of property taxes was deductible.
To claim your property tax deduction, you'll need to track your annual property tax payments. Your real estate taxes might also be listed in Box 10 of Form 1098 from your mortgage lender. Enter your total amount of real estate taxes paid for the year in Line 5b of 1040 Schedule A. 
Homeowners who use any part of their house, apartment or condo "exclusively and regularly" for their own business or side gig can claim home business expenses using IRS Form 8829. These deductions are available to renters too.
The easiest way to claim a home-office tax break is by using the standard home-office deduction, which is based on $5 per square foot used for business up to 300 square feet. The "regular method" for deducting a home office involves calculating the percentage of your home that is used for business. Both methods use Form 8829 for reporting.
Home-office deductions aren't available to remote employees of companies.
Electric vehicle charging stations can give you money back on your tax bill. If you install any alternative energy charging station in your home, you get a maximum credit of 30% of the cost or $1,000 (whichever is smaller). File IRS Form 8911 to claim your tax credit for the money spent on clean energy installation.
You can get 30% of your solar installation costs back as a tax credit.
If you've made energy-efficient improvements to your home in 2022, you can likely get back some of that money as tax credits, but it gets a little complicated. There are two types of tax credits for home energy improvements -- the residential clean energy credit and the energy efficient home improvement credit.
The residential clean energy credit can give you 30% back on any money you spent installing solar electricity, solar water heating, wind energy, geothermal heat pumps, biomass fuel systems or fuel cell property. The only limit is for fuel cell property -- $500 for each half a kilowatt of capacity.
The energy-efficient home improvement credit, also known as the nonbusiness energy property credit, is then split into two categories -- "residential energy property costs" and "qualified energy efficiency improvements." 
In the first case of energy property costs, you'll get a flat tax credit of $50 to $300 for installing Energy Star-certified items like heat pumps, water heaters or furnaces. In the second case of qualified improvements, you can get a 10% tax credit for the cost of improvements like adding insulation, fixing a roof or replacing windows.
The energy efficient home improvement credit has a $500 lifetime limit for all improvements made after 2005. Starting in 2023, the Inflation Reduction Act will replace the $500 lifetime limit with a $1,200 annual limit for the tax credit.
To claim tax credits for energy-efficient home improvements in 2022, you'll need to document your costs on IRS Form 5695.
Any interest from a home equity loan or second mortgage can be deducted from your taxes just like regular mortgage interest, with the important limit of maximum loan totals of $1 million or $750,000 (for joint filers) if you purchased your home after Dec. 15, 2017.
It's also very important to note that the 2017 tax law limits deductions for home equity loan interest to money that is used to "buy, build or substantially improve" homes. If you borrowed money to pay for a new car or tuxedo, you're out of luck.
If you did pay interest on a home equity loan that was used directly on your residence, you can claim the deduction on the same line as mortgage interest and mortgage points: Line 8 on Form 1040 Schedule A.
Any income you earn from selling a home is taxable as a capital gain (with a notable exclusion -- see below). Your gain is calculated by the difference between your sale price for the home and your "cost basis." That cost basis includes what you paid for the home, the price of improvements that you may have made as well as any property loss from depreciation or casualty.
If you've put in a new roof, replaced a furnace, refinished floors or even landscaped the garden, be sure to include those costs to increase your adjusted basis and reduce the amount of your capital gains on the sale.
When you sell a home, you'll need to pay taxes on the amount of money you earned on the sale as capital gains. However, if you live in the home for two of the previous five years before selling, you get a very large tax exclusion -- $500,000 for married joint filers, or $250,000 for single or separate filers.
All Americans receive this tax exclusion regardless of their age and regardless of how many times they've benefited from it before. Note that the residence requirements apply whether you own the home or not. If you rent a house for two years and then buy it, you're free to sell with the standard residence exclusion at any time.
You'll likely receive the tax information about the sale of your home in a 1099-S form, and you'll report your ultimate gain -- with that $500,000/$250,000 exclusion -- on IRS Form 8949. If you don't receive a 1099-S form and your profit on the house is less than the exclusion, you don't need to report the sale on your taxes at all.
Medical expenses can be a major tax deduction, but only if they go over 7.5% of your adjusted gross income, which is essentially your taxable income. Any home improvements -- safety bars, accessibility ramps, wider doorways, railings and lifts, for example -- related to medical conditions can be included in your tax deductions for medical expenses.
Keep all your receipts and invoices and include the total cost of the improvements or additions with all of your additional medical and dental expenses on Line 1 of 1040 Schedule A.
Despite all of the tax breaks available for homeowners, there are some home-related expenses that aren't tax deductible. 
Everyone's tax situation is unique. Before making major tax decisions, we recommend consulting a tax professional who can help you with both federal and state tax laws.
For more on income taxes, learn how student loan debt forgiveness could impact your tax bill. 


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Downed Power Lines and Safety Tips - City of Detroit

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Be safe! Know the dangers of downed power lines.
Please visit  dteenergy.com/wiresafety for more information.
What To Do If You See A Downed Power Line
Power lines keep the electricity flowing to your household, neighborhood, and local businesses. But, what if that power line in your backyard falls, or even worse, catches fire? What if you’re out running errands and a power line is down in the store parking lot? While downed lines are not a common occurrence, learning how to handle the situation and take action is important. 
 
For all power lines
Regardless of where you are, you should always assume power lines are live and carrying a high voltage. You cannot tell if a power line is energized by looking at it. Sparks or arcs should not be used to determine if the line is safe to be near. In addition, avoid anything in contact with the line.
 
Hanging/downed power lines
If you notice a downed power line, first try to identify where the line is coming from while maintaining a distance of at least 20 feet away from it and anything that the line is in physical contact with. While a hanging power line isn’t as immediate of a danger as a downed power line, you should take the exact same precautions.
Power lines on fire
There are multiple reasons that a power line could catch fire including debris or tree damage from a wind, rain, or ice storm. Regardless of the reason, make sure you stay away from the power line and anything within reach of that power line. Get to a safe location and report the power line to DTE and 911 so that a DTE crew and the fire department can come and get the situation under control as quickly as possible.
Power lines on a car
If you see a downed power line on your vehicle and you are not inside it at the time, immediately call 911 and DTE to report the problem. If you are inside your car, call 911 or DTE for help and remain inside until help arrives and you’ve been notified by emergency services or DTE that it is safe to exit the vehicle. If you are inside your car and need to escape the vehicle immediately, remove any loose clothing and exit the car without touching the frame of the car, and without touching the ground and car simultaneously. With your feet as close together as possible, jump as far from the car as you can while keeping your feet together. Once outside the vehicle, shuffle your feet slowly or hop away from the vehicle with your feet held together. Make sure you are at least 20 feet away from the power line before you begin to part your feet.
 
 
Learn more about downed power line safety here: https://empoweringmichigan.com/downedwiresafety/
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The Best New Patios for a Business Lunch in L.A.’s High-End Districts - Hollywood Reporter

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Reservations in Beverly Hills are up 13 percent over 2019, as industry insiders say the power lunch scene is revitalized: "I think people are trying to make up for lost time."
By Elycia Rubin
With close to 365 days of flawless weather, outdoor dining is a year-round occurrence in Los Angeles, and even more so during a pandemic. And now that summer is officially here, there’s nothing like a lively patio, especially in the power-lunch centers of Beverly Hills and Century City, where the majority of talent agencies and entertainment law firms are perched.
Industry regulars say that patios throughout Century City and Beverly Hills are bustling these days. “As Beyoncé declares in her new single, ‘Break My Soul,’ we are ‘back outside’,” says Patrik-Ian Polk, co-executive producer of Starz’s P-Valley. “As convenient as Zoom meetings are, nothing beats the in-person L.A. business lunch circuit. It’s a vital part of the entertainment industry social scene that was sorely missed.” UTA partner Darnell Strom tells THR that he feels it’s harder to get a reservation “last second” right now in the area. “People are really wanting to spend more time dining at restaurants,” he adds. “I think people are trying to make up for lost time.”

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Statistics from booking app OpenTable bear this out. From January to May, reservations at participating Beverly Hills restaurants that have an average check of $50 a person were up 30 percent over 2021 and 13 percent from 2019. There’s been a vibe shift in recent months, according to writer and documentary producer Irena Medavoy, compared with 2021, which saw a rash of high-profile crimes in the area. “Beverly Hills took a big hit with the smash-and-grabs and when that person got shot at Il Pastaio,” says Medavoy, referring to an attack on a jewelry dealer on the restaurant’s patio in March 2021. “I think it made everybody pause, but everyone is back now.” But film campaign consultant Terry Press, a regular at The Palm on Canon Drive, says she feels power-lunching hasn’t fully returned to pre-pandemic levels. “You know what took over the business lunch? All the delivery services,” she says.
Even so, the area’s restaurant landscape is set to be more crowded this year when a new Jon & Vinny’s (on North Bedford) and Daniel Boulud’s first L.A. outing (at the Mandarin Oriental Residences on Wilshire Boulevard) are both slated to open. In the meantime, these five al fresco dining options (all opened since the pandemic began) can help seal a deal while enjoying atmospheric settings.

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With its prime perch across from CAA, the iconic Fairmont Century Plaza reopened late last year after a five-year, $2.5 billion renovation. Boasting a rich history as a mecca for celebrities including The Beatles and Sonny & Cher and as President Ronald Reagan’s hotel of choice, the 400-room luxury property and residences hosted the Critics Choice Awards in March and is home to French restaurant Lumière. Furnished with antiques, the spot has a bistro-style menu with dishes such as a knockout chicken liver mousse with olive oil jam. The patio feels like a slice of Provence with an herb garden, fountain and lush lavender plantings. 2025 Avenue of the Stars, L.A.
With views of Century City’s neighboring high-rises, Nerano’s swanky patio — opened in 2020 in a onetime parking lot — offers an oasis in the middle of the city. The cuisine, inspired by the Amalfi Coast, includes spaghetti with squash blossoms and the same Tuscan-style thin-crust pizzas served at sister restaurant Toscana in Brentwood. “It’s fantastic food with a great outdoor area, chef, maitre d’ and staff,” says CAA agent Ted Miller. 9960 S. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills
Located inside The Crescent Hotel (near the offices of Live Nation and UTA), 1-year-old Nua feels like a Tel Aviv-style cafe that landed in Beverly Hills. Regulars, who include Columbia Records president Ron Perry, come for chef Yoav Schverd’s modern Mediterranean cuisine, including charred eggplant with tomato salsa and date syrup, and shakshuka featuring slow-cooked tomatoes and poached eggs on a perfectly chewy Jerusalem bagel. The small, intimate patio, hidden from the street, woos diners looking for a serene lunchtime escape. “Nua is a cozy, tucked-away spot with delicious food,” says Gersh partner Roy Ashton, “and the staff makes you feel like you’re at a friend’s house.” 403 N. Crescent Drive, Beverly Hills

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Flanked by lemon trees, potted plants and white parasols adjacent to the Beverly Canon Gardens, the sun-drenched scene at The Terrace oozes Mediterranean elegance. Located at The Maybourne Beverly Hills hotel — sister property to Claridge’s in London — the restaurant features items such as decadent homemade corn agnolotti with black truffle and steak tartare with lemon crème fraîche. The hotel also recently enchanted guests with a quintessentially British afternoon tea courtesy of Claridge’s world-renowned midday ritual. While the crumpet-laden experience was a pop-up, the splendor will become a permanent fixture after the ongoing lobby renovation is complete. Until then, tea is offered at The Terrace every weekend from 2 to 5 p.m. “The food is great,” says Medavoy, who along with husband Mike recently lunched there with producer-director George Stevens Jr. and his wife, Elizabeth. Adds Strom: “The Terrace Restaurant at the Maybourne Hotel is my favorite place for a business lunch. The outdoor patio is spacious, the food is delicious, and if you squint for a second, you feel like you are dining outdoors in Europe.” 225 N. Canon Drive, Beverly Hills
The well-connected manager at industry-beloved Craig’s for many years, Tommy Salvatore is the man behind Tommy’s. Located just across from The Terrace in the former location of Thomas Keller’s Bouchon, the restaurant serves up chef Vartan Abgaryan’s Italian fare, including antipasti platters, spicy meatballs and cacio e pepe pasta alongside such options as a burger and a mixed wild rice bowl. Lunch and happy hour happen at the vine-covered patio at The Café on the ground floor, while the main restaurant upstairs serves dinner. Says Polk: “Tommy’s is the perfect power-lunch spot. The vibe is cozy, and the food is to die for. And Tommy himself walks around greeting tables, the nicest guy and an L.A. legend.” 235 N. Canon Drive, Beverly Hills
This story first appeared in the July 15 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe.

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Monrovia Halloween: Trick-Or-Treats, Haunts & Pumpkin Patches 2022 - Monrovia, CA Patch

MONROVIA, CA — Halloween and fall festivities are underway in Monrovia and throughout the San Gabriel Valley and nearby neighborhoods.
Before you can say "boo," the season will be over. So grab your calendars, peruse Patch's annual list of autumn events, and get to planning.
Find trick-or-treat trails, Dia de los Muertos celebrations, fall fests, haunted houses, over-the-top pumpkin patches and more extravaganzas near you.
Enjoy the season, and Happy Halloween, from Patch!
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OCT. 27: HallowZine Workshop. "Supplies and inspiration will be provided."
OCT. 27: Sheriff's Station Halloween Trunk-Or-Treat: Farnsworth Park. Back after a two-year absence!
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OCT. 22-23 & 29-30: Fall Fun Fest, Pumpkin Patch & Kid Rides: Santa Anita Park Racetrack. Ferris wheel, trackless train, bouncers & more on the infield.
OCT. 28: Halloween Haunting & Trick-Or-Treat. A hauntingly good time with lots of candy, spooktacular displays & community spirit.
THROUGH OCT. 31: 'Freaky Flora' Experience: Los Angeles County Arboretum. Discover eerie side of the garden's collections.
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OCT. 29: Trick -or-Treat Village. With trick-or-treating, costume contest & more at Valleydale Park.
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OCT. 27: Trick-Or-Treat With The Cops. Annual community fun at police station.
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OCT. 22: Skate Oddity Halloween Edition: 80's Slashers on Skates: LA Kings Burbank Sports Center. "Roller skate (or blade) back in time to days of Chucky, Michael Myers, Jason, Freddie Krueger and more!"
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OCT. 21-22: Terror Trail & Halloween Trunk-or-Treating Festival. Is the urban legend of the missing psych patients true? Be brave & check it out!
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OCT. 22: 40th Annual Village Venture Arts & Crafts Faire. An autumn tradition!
OCT. 29: Halloween Spooktacular, Dog & Kid Costume Contests & Movie. Sign up for the kiddo & pup costume contests!
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OCT. 29: Halloween Party, Doggie Costume Contest & Trick-Or-Treat. "At Pantera Park with games, prizes, costume contest and plenty of candy!"
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OCT. 31: Halloween Howl & Trick-Or-Treat: Royal Oaks Park. Watch out for wandering zombies!
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OCT. 23: Halloween Puppet Show. Performance with Joe Selph and Rene's marionettes.
OCT. 27: Paper Mache Halloween Masks Workshop: Center for the Arts Eagle Rock. Great time for individuals or family groups.
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OCT. 22: Halloween Trunk-Or-Treat with Varrio Vamps Car Club & Chulita Vinyl Club DJs. At Edendale Library Parking Lot.
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OCT. 29: Halloween Carnival: Finkbiner Park. Includes carnival games, bounce houses, food, attractions & more.
OCT. 30: Real Life Neighborhood Halloween Party. With dinner, bouncers, crafts, slides & trick-or-treating trail.
OCT. 31: Halloween Walk & Trick-Or-Treat: Glendora Village. "Bring your little monsters to the Glendora Village for treats and fun!"
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THROUGH NOV. 6: Bob Baker Marionette Theater Hallowe’en Spooktacular. Sold out.
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OCT. 28-31: Mama G'S Horror Camp Musical Massacre: Bourbon Room Hollywood. A spooktacular featuring the best songs of past decades.
OCT. 29: Día de los Muertos & Noche de los Muertos: Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Tickets on sale for daytime & night extravaganzas.
OCT. 29: Halloween at Tropicana Party: The Hollywood Roosevelt. Legendary Halloween bash to feature DJ Fries.
THROUGH OCT. 31: 'Hollywood True Crime & Haunted Tales' Walking Tour. "A fright-filled walk down the Boulevard of Broken Dreams to visit haunted hotels, theaters & landmarks."

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THROUGH OCT. 31: 'Carved' - Jack-O'-Lantern, Halloween Walk-Thru: Descanso Gardens. Don;t miss this dazzler!
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THROUGH OCT. 30: Heritage Foundation Pumpkin Patch, Tractor Rides & Petting Farm. Don't miss this annual event!
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THROUGH OCT. 31: LA’s Haunted Hayride: Griffith Park. Return to Midnight Falls, if you dare, for Hayride, Trick or Treat, Midnight Mortuary & (S)Laughterhouse, a newly revamped maze for 2022.
THROUGH OCT. 31: 'Hollywood True Crime & Haunted Tales' Walking Tour. "A fright-filled walk down the Boulevard of Broken Dreams to visit haunted hotels, theaters & landmarks."
OCT. 20-31: Halloween Movie Series: DTLA Rooftop Cinema Club. Perfect place to get your spook on.
OCT. 22-23 & 27-31: Cemetery Lane: Trick R Treat Experience 2022: Heritage Square. "Explore neighborhood of Victorian manors & haunted houses where neighbors are dying to celebrate Halloween."
OCT. 28: Young Guns 80s Halloween Party. At Grand Annex & costumes encouraged!
OCT. 28-31: Skybar Los Angeles Halloween Weekend Happenings. Four nights of events for 21+ crowd, including a Halloween carnival.
OCT. 29: Haunted Little Tokyo Block Party. Free with RSVP & then you'll get secret location spot!
THROUGH OCT. 31: Mr. Jack O' Lanterns Pumpkin Patch, Games & Critters. With games, decorations, activities & more.
THROUGH OCT. 31: Boo At The L.A. Zoo & Halloween Trick-Or-Treat Weekends. Trick-or-treating stations planned on two weekends.
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OCT. 30: A Haunted Happening @ the Aztec Hotel. Join the hunt for the supernatural.
OCT. 31: Trick-Or-Treat Halloween Bash & Costume Contests. There's a costume contest for your four-legged family members, too!
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OCT. 31: Halloween Spooktacular & Trick-Or-Treat. "This perennial favorite is a true family event full of traditional tricks and treats as well as a few surprises."
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OCT. 22-23 & 27-31: Cemetery Lane: Trick R Treat Experience 2022: Heritage Square. "Explore neighborhood of Victorian manors & haunted houses where neighbors are dying to celebrate Halloween."
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THROUGH OCT. 29: Haunted Barn Maze & Pumpkin Patch: BIADIA Foundation. Be brave! The maze is 2 acres.
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OCT. 28: Dia de los Muertos Celebration. With dance, art, crafts, food & altars.
OCT. 29: Halloween Monster Mash Dance Party: The Mixx. Costume contest, too.
OCT. 29: Giggles & Screams Halloween Block Party. Jam-packed event includes trunk-or-treat, haunted house, dog & kid costume contests & more.
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NOV. 5: 'En Memoria' Dia de los Muertos Event: Fairplex. Bringing together visual artists, lowrider culture, art, music & great food.
THROUGH NOV. 20: 'Delusion': Interactive Horror Theatre: Phillips Mansion. A spine-tingling, theater performance where attendees "uncover the truth behind The Hollows." Book soon, as expected to sell out.
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OCT. 20-22 & 27-29: 'Hall Of Horrors' - LACHSA Halloween Haunt. "The creative brainchild of students at Los Angeles County High School for the Arts." For ages 10+.
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OCT. 28: Halloween Trunk-or-Treat, Costume Contest & Movie: Lacy Park. A ticketed event with wristbands on sale.
NOV. 4-6: Fall Plant Sale: The Huntington Library, Art Museum & Botanical Gardens. Make your fall garden plans & shop the nursery sale.
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OCT. 31: Halloween Trick-Or-Treat, Costume Contest & Parade. Enjoy a full slate of Halloween activities.
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OCT. 22: 28th Annual Music Box Steps Day Family Festival. A fall fest honoring the 133 stairs made famous by Laurel and Hardy.
OCT. 29: Rose Scharlin's 19th Annual Halloween Hullabaloo. Free admission to event with games, bouncy slide & more.
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OCT. 28: Halloween Spooktacular: Orange Grove Park. Featuring carnival games, prizes, inflatables, food & more!
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THROUGH OCT. 31: Halloween Horror Nights: Universal Studios Hollywood. Summon your scream squad! "Terror Tram," "The Horrors of Blumhouse," "The Weeknd: After Hours Nightmare" and, or course, Michael Myers await.
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THROUGH OCT. 31: 'Fright Fest' Halloween: Six Flags Magic Mountain. Among the terror-filled agenda: Ride most extreme coasters … with the lights off.
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OCT. 31: 'Mostly Ghostly' Halloween Fun & Trunk-Or-Treat. Costume contest too!
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Waves off the California coast are glowing neon blue, video shows. What’s happening? - Sacramento Bee

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The 40 Best Google Tools For Productivity And Marketing …And Other Small Business Tech News This Week - Forbes

(Photo Illustration by Chesnot/Getty Images)
Here are five things in technology that happened this past week and how they affect your business. Did you miss them?
1 - These are the 40 best Google tools for productivity and marketing according to Search Engine Land.
The staff at tech website Search Engine Land recently put together a list of the 40 best Google tools for productivity and marketing. The list includes tools such as Gmail for its secure email service, Google Ads for targeting ideal customers, Google Alerts to help monitor your business’s reputation, Google Analytics to help measure website traffic and app usage, and more. You can view the entire list here. (Source: Search Engine Journal)
Why this is important for your business:
I was mostly aware of all the tools – many free – that Google provides for small businesses to help with productivity and marketing but this great list compiled by Brian Frederick not only refreshed my memory but also surprised me with a few unknowns. And wow…there are so many of them! If you run a small business it’s worth taking some time to go through these apps – you’ll also be surprised.
2 - American Express and TikTok have launched the #ShopSmall Accelerator to help small businesses reach new audiences on Small Business Saturday.
American Express announced this past week that it is launching the #ShopSmall Accelerator in partnership with TikTok. The program is aimed at helping small business owners expand their audiences to encourage a new generation to shop on Small Business Saturday. American Express supports small businesses throughout the year with its goal to power $100 billion in small business spending between 2021 to 2025. (Source: Yahoo Finance)
Why this is important for your business:
Starting this past week, the #ShopSmall Accelerator will include an offer for eligible small business owners to earn a $100 TikTok advertising credit. In addition, small business owners will be given access to tools and resources to think like TikTok creators, including a tutorial at AmericanExpress.com/ShopSmallAccelerator on how your business can stand out on the platform. These are good incentives to help expand your business to the millions of potential TikTok customers.
3 - KnowBe4 has released a holiday kit with cybersecurity resources.
Security platform KnowBe4 recently announced its roll out of a tool kit with essential, new resources for the holidays. As the provider of the globe’s biggest simulated phishing and security awareness training platform, KnowBe4 released the tool kit in an effort to help users stay protected during the cyber chaos that the holidays bring on. (Source: PRNewsWire)
Why this is important for your business:
As you’re probably aware, ransomware and other malware attacks have exploded over the past few years, particularly because so many people are working from home in unprotected environments. KnowBe4 has become a very popular tool with my clients that want to test their employees on the latest threats because many studies have shown that it’s poor training and people errors that are causing most of the security problems we face.
4 - GoFreight has raised $23 million to become the “Shopify of freight forwarding.”
Startup GoFreight recently raised $23 million and aims to become the “Shopify of freight forwarding.” GoFreight plans to use the new funding toward developing features to help with purchase order management, rate management, and smart quotations. (Source: TechCrunch)
Why this is important for your business:
This is a vertical application specifically designed for companies in the transportation, logistics and freight-forwarding industries with power features to help with shipment management, security, container tracking, booking, quotes, accounting and reporting. The startup’s backend software helps make operations run more efficiently and its frontend software enables users to give quotes and establish a storefront in mere minutes.
5 - Amazon plans to test facial recognition technology to verify seller identity.
Amazon recently announced its plans to test forgery detection, facial recognition, as well as additional automated tech to provide an alternative to identity verification of those selling online. The test will initially be voluntary for potential U.S.-based sellers. Those who do not want to participate will be given the option to have a video call with human reviewers. Amazon said the biometric data will be used only for identity verification. (Source: GeekWire)
Why this is important for your business:
Like it or not, passwords are going to be a thing in the past within the next few years. Amazon and other big brands are testing biometric security – fingerprints, eye scans and facial recognition- as a more reliable way to validate a user’s identity. Ultimately this will be something your business will implement.


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Museum's Fall Arts & Crafts Fair - Sedona.biz

Sedona News – The gift-giving holiday season is fast approaching and the Sedona Heritage Museum hopes to make the lives of local shoppers just a bit easier by once again hosting their annual Fall Arts & Crafts Fair on October 22.
This long-time Museum tradition is the ideal way to “keep it local”. The Museum curates this show with a focus on supporting local artisans and crafters who have unique, quality items to offer and as a way to ensure that residents can find one-of-a-kind pieces for holiday gifts or for their own enjoyment.
This celebration of the Fall season and local arts will be open only from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday the 22nd. The Fair will be set up in the historic Jordan apple packing shed and surrounding historical park. The Museum hopes to make holiday shopping easy for guests.

This show is an old-fashioned arts and crafts show like were held in the good old days. There will be a large variety of handmade and one-of-a-kind offerings. The artist or craftsman sits behind each table to personally tell visitors how they make their pieces, where they find their unusual materials or what inspires them. Many of these people only do this show or a very limited number of other shows making their items unusual and uncommon.
At this show customers will find fine art, quilted and fiber art items, wood and metal art pieces, gourd art, baskets, and home and garden decor items of all kinds. Jewelers will show Native American, beaded, glass, gemstones, and other original materials made into jewelry. There will be beautiful wearable art, accessories, quilts and items for children and even pets. Ornaments, photography, malas, dish gardens, whimsical oddities and gifts galore like, greeting cards, hand-crafted soaps & lotions, candles and many, many other unique choices round out the extensive selection. One of the soaps and lotions vendors is bringing a baby goat for guests to meet and pet.



Artists and crafters range from members of pioneer families to Sedona newcomers and friends who are looking forward to this chance to share their passion and the products of their talent.
This show has matured over the years to over 45 vendors, sold-out vendor space, and a large attendance. Admission to the Fair and Museum are free all day.
The Sedona Community Center will be serving lunch on site including a vegetarian option, so attendees can stay through lunch. Lunch proceeds benefits the Community Center. In addition to the arts and crafts booths, the Museum will hold a bake sale of only home-made goodies from 9:00 am until they are all gone. These proceeds benefit the Museum. The Museum Gift Shop will also be open for holiday shopping, and will be hosting a clearance sale.
Follow the signs from SR 89A in Uptown Sedona to the Museum and Fair and parking. For more information call 928-282-7038. The Sedona Historical Society operates the Sedona Heritage Museum in the old Jordan farmstead home and orchard sheds in Jordan Historical Park at 735 Jordan Rd. in Uptown. The buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places. SedonaMuseum.org.






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 THE MOMENT IS UPON US
Dear Sedona,
The moment is upon us. The time for a united effort to shift the focus back to our community is now.
The ability to thrive in our community, our environment, our workforce, and the tourist industry, is entirely possible because we have all the resources needed for success.
Still, we need a council that isn’t afraid to ask the hard questions, that makes decisions based on data and facts, and through discussion, rather than moving and voting in group unison as they so regularly do.
https://sedona.biz/the-moment-is-upon-us-paid-political-announcement-by-samaire-for-mayor/
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The 15 Best Music Books of 2022 - Pitchfork

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Parma’s Schnitz Ale Brewery opens new patio, eyes product expansion in Northeast Ohio: Photos - cleveland.com

Parma’s Schnitz Ale Brewery, located at 5729 Pearl Road, recently opened a new patio.
PARMA, Ohio -- After opening up for business last November, Schnitz Ale Brewery recently unveiled its 1,200-square-foot patio that includes a dozen four-seat tables.
Schnitz Ale Brewery Operations Manager Igor Djurin said even though the project was delayed, it was well worth the wait.
“Obviously, the summertime in Cleveland is so limited, so we wanted to make sure we had a space for people to enjoy the sun,” Djurin said.
“This is still only the first phase. By spring of next year, we’re looking to do an overhead awning and add an additional fireplace to the patio.
“It’ll be a very traditional-style beer garden with cushioned seats. We’re looking to do some entertainment in the future, acoustic music.”
As for the 9,000-square-foot restaurant and brewery, which has ties to Djurin’s family-owned and operated Das Schnitzel Haus located directly across the street, the venue is in the process of expanding.
Currently offering a dozen taps, the owner said the number will soon be increasing to 20 craft beers.
“We have a company lined up to help us expand our tap room,” Djurin said. “About 80 percent of our beers are German style, from Kolsch to lagers to pilsners to hefeweizens. We have some IPAs as well.
“We do throw in some seasonals. We also brewed a pumpkin ale that will be coming out at the beginning of September. We also do Christmas ales.”
There’s also a new production facility in Schnitz Ale Brewery’s future. The owner said they just purchased a Progress Drive property in Strongsville.
While the Parma venue’s product is currently available in roughly a dozen area stores, the plan is for the new 20-barrel system to allow for Schnitz Ale Brewery beers to be sold in early 2023 throughout Northeast Ohio and beyond.
So far, Djurin said Parma’s first microbrewery has been a success.
“The reception has been absolutely wonderful,” Djurin said. “It’s a nice place for the whole community to come in and enjoy fresh beer made in-house right here in Parma.”
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A new kind of wood-based plastic could enable circular home ... - Science Daily

Plastics used in home furnishings and constructions materials could be replaced with a new kind of wood-based degradable plastic with semi-structural strength. Unlike thermoplastic, the material can be broken down without harm to the environment, researchers in Sweden have reported.
One of the goals of renewable wood composite development is to make materials strong enough to replace fossil-based materials used in home construction and furnishing, such as bathroom cabinets, doors, wall-boards and countertops. And it needs to be sustainable, or circular.
"Degradability enables circularity," says Peter Olsén, a researcher at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm. "By degrading the plastic, the fibers can be recycled and the chemical components from the plastic reused."
High fiber content is the key to the strength of materials like fiberglass, but it's difficult to deliver a degradable wood composite without intensive heat damage from processes like melt-compounding.
Olsén and fellow researchers at KTH report that they've found a way to deliver both high fiber content and degradability.
"No one has been able to make a degradable plastic with fiber content this high before, while having good dispersion and low fiber damage," Olsén says. "This enabled the material properties to be improved dramatically compared to previous attempts."
In order to achieve higher fiber content, the researchers combined polymer chemistry with process technology similar to what is used for carbon fiber composites.
Everything is based on cheap and available raw materials, Olsén says. The degradation products are also harmless to the environment, and can be reused -- enabling what Olsén calls "a fully-circular product concept."
And it could actually save trees. "It invites recycling of wood fibers to enable reformation of the material," he says.
But in order to move on to commercialization, Olsén says the formula needs to be optimized. "The key to the work is that it shows a new way of how we can create degradable biocomposites with high fiber content," he says.
Their findings were reported recently in the scientific journal, Nature Communications.
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8 Small Pantry Ideas to Free Up Space in Your Kitchen - Yahoo Life

Stay organized even in the smallest pantries with these smart tips to maximize space. Anthony Masterson Between cramped corners, poor lighting, and multiple people rummaging through contents daily, small pantries can be tricky to keep organized. If you’re working with a small or practically nonexistent pantry, it can feel downright impossible to make room for everything, let alone keep it tidy. Fortunately, there are plenty of small-pantry storage ideas. Between simple DIY projects and innovative solutions, we’ve rounded up ways to make the most of what you’ve got. Get inspired with the following small pantry organization ideas for your own home. When pantry space is at a premium, it’s important to be resourceful. Turn cabinet doors into extra storage with shallow shelves. They can be affixed to the inside so long as there’s clearance for the door to close. Dowel rods keep small items, such as spices and condiments, in their place. Arrange larger bags and boxes of snacks directly on the shelves of the cabinet. To optimize vertical space, especially if your small pantry lacks adjustable shelving, stack cans and containers whenever possible. Whether you’re working with a small closet or a bit of blank wall space, a customizable track system can do wonders to keep pantry goods organized. These closet systems can be installed by a professional or on your own if you're handy. Open shelves and pull-out drawers can be added and adjusted as your needs change. To optimize track shelving in a small pantry, decent ingredients into food-safe containers and incorporate a lazy Susan for condiments and risers to organize cans. Marie Flanigan Think outside the box, or even the room, when it comes to organizing a small pantry. While most food items belong in the kitchen, overflow can be stored off-site if necessary. Give new life to a closet in the mudroom, laundry room, hallway, or basement if it’s temperate. Store bulk buys, such as cans and bottles, for anything you need to replace in the main pantry on a regular basis. Laura Moss For tight spaces, a narrow pull-out cabinet can be a game-changer for pantry storage. Purchase standalone rolling units that fit the dimensions between gaps anywhere in the room, or install one as part of the cabinetry for a camouflaged look. On the slim shelves, line up cans of soup, boxes of pasta, and bags of snacks by category. Before heading to the grocery store, simply slide it open and do a quick scan of inventory. Everything should be clearly visible and yet hidden away when not in use. Anthony Masterson Deep cabinets might seem like an asset, and they do make sense as a spot to store pantry goods, providing plenty of room for bulky boxes of pasta and cereal along with big bags of chips. However, smaller items like cans and jars undoubtedly get lost in the mix. Prevent expired food by installing pull-out drawers either in lieu of shelves or directly above them. Roll the drawers out to see exactly what you have on hand without making a mess or winding up with food waste. James Schroder Even in a small walk-in pantry, decanting non-perishable goods is a smart move to save as much space as possible. Everything from pasta and cereal to rice and lentils and even crackers and chips can be stored in airtight canisters to get rid of bulky or awkward packaging. Use coordinating bins to house snacks, including individual grab-and-go items. Even pantry-friendly produce, such as potatoes and onions, can be sorted and kept in baskets. In addition to maximizing space, this method allows you to see and reach for anything you need with ease. Ed Gohlich If a pull-out pantry doesn't have enough space to fit your family’s needs, add some shelf storage nearby. Hang a handful of floating shelves to hold everyday items such as tea bags or the snacks that kids ask for regularly. Since they’ll be out in the open, consider decanting the items into matching jars or bins to keep visual clutter to a minimum. While you’re at it, follow this method for anything in the pantry. Airtight food containers not only keep things fresher longer, but they also help maximize space, especially if you can stack them. Edmund Barr This idea is ideal for temporary situations, such as if you’re renting or saving for a future kitchen renovation. A stylish stand-alone cabinet can serve as a perfectly hidden pantry. Find one with doors that fits your style, space, and stuff. You can even recycle and refinish a vintage find to keep storage personal and eco-friendly. Within the cabinet, sort your stuff by category to keep your small pantry organized. : Keep your household cleaners out of sight but always on hand. If you're ever been in the process of baking a pie, cake, or tart and been a few tablespoons of butter shy of what's needed, try these substitutes. When it comes to keeping things tidy, you can't go wrong with the best shoe organizer. Whether you live in a place where it snows most of the year, and you need to keep your boot collection in check, or you're someone who owns boxes and boxes of heels, rest assured that your stems are in good hands. From affordable shoe racks that hook onto the back of a door (freeing up your valuable floor space) to luxurious cabinets that fold out to reveal specialized compartments for your favorite pairs, these shoe organizers are nothing short of impressive. Baked salads, salads in which all of the ingredients are baked, are taking over TikTok. Here's what they are and how to make them. Spitting is important for brushing teeth and eating, but it takes years for kids to master the skill. "The View" co-host gets candid about her struggle with body image. Experts explain how parents can model a sincere apology — and why it's important for kids. Need some new tech to expand your setup? Check out these brrr-eathtaking deals, up to 30% off. Snag one for your bike, car, desk and more! The mom of three gushed over her little ones first birthday in a sweet Instagram post. source https://1home.streamstorecloud.com/8-small-pantry-ideas-to-free-up-space-in-your-kitchen-yahoo-life/?feed_id=21773&_unique_id=63d697eea093e

New bill in Maui will restrict outdoor lighting to protect birds - The Washington Post

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In 1886, after meeting the inventor Thomas Edison in New York, Hawaii’s King Kalakaua enthusiastically began electrifying the grounds of his new residence — and within a year, 325 incandescent lights had the Iolani Palace fully aglow.
The king wouldn’t be able to pull off the same feat these days on Maui. Much of the island’s outdoor illumination soon could violate a new ordinance intended to help the island’s winged population. Fines could reach $1,000 a day.
The measure restricts outdoor lighting in an effort to keep endangered birds — and Maui has some of the world’s rarest — from crashing into spotlighted buildings. But Bill 21, signed into law last week, is ruffling feathers because its provisions also could keep flagpoles, church steeples, swimming pools and even luaus in the dark.
“People have told me they’ve seen birds falling on the ground in town, up country, all over the place,” said the bill’s author, Kelly Takaya King, who chairs the Maui County Council’s Climate Action, Resilience and Environment Committee.
Maui is a veritable Eden for species such as the wedge-tailed shearwater, white-tailed tropicbird, brown booby, myna, kiwikiu and nene — the state bird and the world’s rarest goose.
The island also is home to some 170,000 people, however, and the new law is pitting the avian paradise against the human one. The ordinance imposes a near-total ban on upward-shining outdoor lighting and limits short-wavelength blue-light content. Similar laws are in effect in many jurisdictions nationwide to protect various local interests, including the night skies in Arizona and the wilderness in New Hampshire. Maui has a more complicated set of priorities.
The outdoor light restrictions effectively prohibit nighttime hula dances and luau performances — local cultural signatures. Indoor alternatives are impractical. “Customers do not want to be in a ballroom or enclosed facility — they can go to Detroit and do that,” wrote Debbie Weil-Manuma, the president of a local tourism company, in a letter of opposition.
At the same time, Maui is grappling with an invasive species arriving in flocks of up to 35,000 a day: tourists. Local officials are considering caps on hotel and vacation rentals.
Birds can be disoriented by artificial light, sometimes confusing it for moonlight, and end up slamming into a building’s windows or circling until exhausted. In a single night in May 2017, 398 migrating birds — including warblers, grosbeaks and ovenbirds — flew into the floodlights of an office tower in Galveston, Tex. Only three survived. This danger is why the Empire State Building in New York City, the former John Hancock Center in Chicago and other landmark skyscrapers now go dark overnight during peak bird migration periods.
One tall building. One dark and stormy night. 395 dead birds.
Yet, most mass bird fatalities occur in urban centers with tall buildings in high density. Maui is rural, and its kalana, or county office building, is only nine stories tall.
Jack Curran, a New Jersey lighting consultant who evaluated the science behind the bill, said the council “clearly didn’t do their homework.” The bill also requires that lighted surfaces be nonreflective, with a matte surface if painted. As the island is coated in compliant black paint, Curran joked, “Maui will wind up looking like Halloween.”
Even support for the regulation is fractured. “This bill does provide good benefits,” said Jordan Molina, Maui’s public works director, “but it doesn’t have to do so recklessly.” The new law, he added, will make his office the “blue-light police.”
Although the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service did not oppose the bill, it recommended creating a habitat conservation plan unless the county could devise a foolproof lighting policy.
According to public records, the council relied on a single, non-peer-reviewed study funded by an Arizona company, C&W Energy Solutions, that lobbied for the bill. (The county’s attorneys issued a memorandum in July warning of the “potentially serious conflict of interest,” which the council ignored.) And King’s efforts were propelled in part by conservation groups’ lawsuit alleging that a luxury resort’s lights disoriented at least 15 endangered petrels between 2008 and 2021, resulting in at least one petrel’s death. (By contrast, the Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project has focused on the continuing “depredation by feral cats,” which number in the thousands on the island.)
Still at issue are the measure’s conflicting exemptions. For example, lights at public golf courses, tennis courts and schools’ athletics events are allowed, but not lights at hotel-owned golf courses or tennis courts. Conventional string lights are permitted for holidays and cultural festivals but must be “fully shielded” for all other uses, including weddings. The county fair is also exempt. So are emergency services and emergency road repairs.
The law will inhibit TV and film crews’ night lights, such as those used by “Hawaii Five-O,” “NCIS: Hawai‘i” and “The White Lotus.” The latter was honored in October by the Maui County Film Office for giving the island national and international recognition.
To guard migratory birds, Philadelphia plans to cut its artificial lighting that can fatally distract flocks
King told local media that compliant lights are widely available online. But when asked recently for online links to such bulbs, her office sent just one — for a bedside night light that can double as an outdoor bug light, although it was unclear whether the bulb meets all of the ordinance’s specifications.
“Appropriate lighting is not available,” King then conceded. “We’re hoping it will be in the next few years. When you pass a lot of these environmental laws, you kind of have to go in steps to get them passed.”
As passed, the bill explicitly removed exemptions for field harvesting, security lighting at beaches run by hotels or condominiums, safety lighting for water features, motion-sensor lighting, and lighting on state or federal property — including Maui’s harbors and even the runway lights at its airports.
Council member Shane Sinenci supported the ultimate provisions. “Our unique biodiversity is what makes us appealing to both visitors and to residents alike,” the Maui News quoted him as saying before the final vote. “We are often underestimating the value of a healthy ecosystem and all the benefits that comes with it.”
The law takes effect in July for new lighting and requires existing lighting to be in compliance by 2026.
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