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The 2024 Paris Olympics are in full swing, with athletes like Jordan Chiles, Tyler Downs, and Sunny Choi ready to bring home medals for Team USA. It’s a packed 19 days of events in a massive city — which is to say, it’s both thrilling and overwhelming to experience. (And I say this as a spectator, so I literally cannot imagine competing.)

For introverts or sleepy girls looking for a place to decompress between events, the Team USA House is here for you. It’s a fun spot to hang out, stock up on themed merch, and meet other Americans or other USA fanatics in town for the Games — and if you plan your visit properly, you may spot an Olympian or two.

It’s also pretty pricey, so if you’re considering splurging on a day pass, here’s what to know before you go:

The Team USA House Is A Luxe Fan Experience

The immersive activation is located in the Palais Brongniart, a 19th century building commissioned by Napoleon that used to house the Paris stock exchange. It’s open now through Aug. 11 (with the exception of Aug. 5, when it’s closed for a private event) from 12 p.m. to midnight, and will be open again during the Paralympics from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8.

You can purchase a day pass for 325 Euros, or $350 U.S. dollars, which allows you unlimited entry and exit over the course of your chosen day.

The house’s main draw is that it offers a dedicated space to hang out and watch the events on screen with other fans, in the comfort of air-conditioned quarters with drinks and snacks.

Once you go through security, get a wrist stamp, and walk inside, you’re immediately greeted by a palatial room decked out in USA colors. There’s a large central seating area, a stage, and screens everywhere broadcasting the events live. You can grab a beverage (alcoholic or NA) and a sandwich, fruit salad, or dessert, sit with your friends, and recharge from an afternoon gallivanting around Paris.

I visited on the day of the opening ceremony on Friday, July 26, with the flirting app Rizz, so the Games hadn’t started yet. The TV screens were playing previews and commentary, but I didn’t get to experience the camaraderie of watching a big event with other fans.

Because of the entry cost, I’d recommend strategizing your visit to a day when there’s a major sporting event or a talk you’re interested in. The women’s gymnastics finals are currently sold out, and tickets normally run more than $600 in Category A seating — so that could be an event worth watching at Team USA House instead.

You can check out the schedule for talks here, with Olympians like swimmer Missy Franklin and figure skaters Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir stopping by the house to meet and chat with fans.

If You’re Going, Budget For The Merch

The best perk of Team USA House, in my humble fashion girl opinion, is the retail area. Official Team USA partners Ralph Lauren and Nike created exclusive collections for the Paris Olympics, and you can browse all the items in person — some of which you can’t get anywhere else.

My personal favorite item was the Ralph Lauren jacket worn by the likes of Lady Gaga and Beyoncé, which was selling for a cool 1,300 Euros. (If anyone wants to get me a late birthday present…)

The Outdoor Cafe Is Themed, Too

There’s also a Ralph’s coffee shop on the front patio (you still need tix to access it) and Ralph’s Olympics-themed merch in the shop, like baseball caps and water bottles. My friends and I fueled up with lattes, soft-serve ice cream, and cookies for typical coffee shop prices before we made our way to the opening ceremony later that evening.

All in all, Team USA House is a fun fan experience if you’re in town for the Games, and it would be especially special during a big event if you don’t have tickets to watch the athletes compete in person. (Cheering on Simone Biles in the company of other Team USA fans? Worth it.)

Because of the steep entry cost, I would plan your visit carefully to make the most out of it. Be prepared to drop some money when you’re there, too, especially if you want to bring home souvenirs from your time in Paris. C’est la vie!

Joplin, Mo, – Active Lifestyle Events, ALE, a 501(c)3 organization devoted to promoting health and fitness in our community, will be presenting a check to representatives of Bright Futures Joplin on Wednesday, July 31st at 10:00 a.m. 

The presentation will take place at the Joplin Schools Memorial Education Center, located at 825 S. Pearl in Joplin.     

The donation was funded by proceeds from past Joplin Memorial Runs and will be used to feed food insecure students through Bright Future Joplin’s Snack Packs Program.  Bright Futures Joplin began in 2010 as a way to connect students in need with available community resources and support, so they are able to reach their full potential.  The Snack Packs program provides food to early-childhood, elementary and middle school students. 

ALE has given over $300,000 to organizations such as The United Way of SWMO, Rebuild Joplin, the Bill and Virginia Leffen Center for Autism, Bright Futures, Ronald McDonald House, the Joplin Boys & Girls Club, Joplin Family YMCA, the Cornerstone Spartans, Stained Glass Theatre, One Joplin and others. 

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The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.

The 2024 Paris Olympics are here and one of the most anticipated events during the two weeks will be the swimming competition, which features stars like Katie Ledecky, Caeleb Dressel and Simone Manuel, as Team USA tries to top its 30-medal haul from Tokyo.

At a glance: Swimming at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics

The Paris Olympics swimming event runs from July 27 to Aug. 4, with athletes taking to the pool at the Olympic Aquatic Centre in Saint-Denis. Want to watch swimming at the Summer Olympics on TV and online? Here’s what you need to know.

How to Watch Swimming at the 2024 Paris Olympics on TV

NBC is the official broadcast network of Paris 2024, so if you want to watch the Olympics swimming competition on TV, you’ll need a basic antenna or cable package that includes NBC.

Select swimming events will also air on USA Network (including the heats) and synchronized swimming will air on E!.

How to Watch Swimming at the 2024 Paris Olympics Online: Livestream Free

Want to watch Olympics swimming online without cable? There are a few options to livestream the events online, including ways to stream the races for free.

OFFICIAL STREAMER

Peacock

Peacock is the official streaming home of the 2024 Summer Olympics, and the streamer will have live coverage of every single race online, from qualifying heats and prelims, to the final medal races. A subscription to Peacock costs just $7.99 and lets you watch Olympic swimming (and all the Olympic events) online without needing cable.

LIVE TV STREAMING

DirecTV Stream

If you want to watch NBC’s Olympic swimming coverage online, we recommend DirecTV Stream, a live television streaming service that includes NBC as part of its channel offerings. DirecTV Stream is currently offering a five-day free trial for new users to test out the service — more than enough time to catch the first few events online for free. Continue on with one of DirecTV Stream’s many sports and entertainment packages from $79.99/month or cancel before your free trial is up to avoid being charged.

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Fubo

One of our favorite streaming services for live sports is Fubo, which offers a live feed of NBC so you can watch swimming at the Olympics online without cable. Fubo lets you livestream the swim competition from your phone, tablet, computer or smart TV (through the Fubo app). Test out the service with a generous seven-day free trial here, then continue on with Fubo from $69.99/month. A bonus: Fubo’s free trial comes with free DVR, so you can record the swimming events to watch back a replay on-demand later.

BEST VALUE

Hulu + Live TV

Everybody knows Hulu as a destination for acclaimed TV shows, movies and specials, but the streamer’s Hulu + Live TV option also gets you access to 90+ live television channels, including NBC and USA. Use this three-day free trial to watch Olympics swimming on Hulu for free. Your free trial includes access to the entire Hulu library of on-demand content. Subscribe to Hulu + Live TV after your free trial is up for only $76.99 and get bonus access to Disney+ and ESPN+ for free.

The U.S. and Australia are once again expected to battle it out in the pool to top the medal standings. Other top teams include Canada, China and Italy, who will not only give Team USA a battle in the individual events but will also be formidable in the relays.

Watch swimming at the 2024 Paris Olympics on NBC and stream the swimming races online free with DirecTV Stream here.

COACHELLA, Calif. (AP) — Claudia Lua Alvarado has staked her future on the rows of towering date palms behind the home where she lives with her husband and two children in a desert community east of Los Angeles.

It’s not solely due to the fleshy, sweet fruit they give each year. Their ample shade and the scenic backdrop they form draw scores of families seeking an event space to host celebrations ranging from weddings to quinceañeras, traditional coming-of-age events for girls’ 15th birthdays that are observed in Latin American cultures.

Lua Alvarado is one of several dozen owners of small ranches that produce dates and double as event venues catering to the Coachella Valley’s predominantly Latino community.

“This is what sells our property,” said Lua Alvarado, a 42-year-old fashion designer who bought the 8-acre (3.2-hectare) plot seven years ago. “It feels like we’re in Hawaii or some other tropical place.”

While the region is known for blistering heat and the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival that draws thousands of people each year, it’s also responsible for more than 80% of the country’s dates thanks to the arid climate and ample groundwater, according to the California Date Commission.

Most dates are grown by large-scale producers that also pack and ship the fruit. Lua Alvarado and other small producers harvest dates from their land and sell them to big producers, but that’s not enough to make ends meet.

Many have other jobs ranging from landscaping to horse training and run the ranches, or ranchos as they’re known in Spanish, as event venues providing large outdoor spaces for family gatherings at a more affordable price than posh hotels in the resort areas around Palm Springs.

Ranchos have existed for decades in the Coachella Valley and have grown in number along with the region’s population and a desire by many in the Latino community and others to host more events outdoors, especially since the coronavirus pandemic.

But the weekend parties began drawing complaints from some neighbors seeking rural quiet, which prompted local authorities to cite the venues for noise and code violations.

Mounting fines drove rancho owners to organize and seek special rules authorizing them to host private events — much like other properties do for concertgoers to the annual music festival — and keep their date palms thriving.

Riverside County’s board of supervisors voted in June for a plan that would allow ranchos at least 4.5 acres (1.8 hectares) in size that remain 40% dedicated to agriculture and 20% to dates to do so, and includes provisions for parking and safety.

V. Manuel Perez, a county supervisor, compared the plan to efforts to develop wine country in a nearby community known for grapevines and hot air balloon rides. He said it’s vital in a region home to Latino farmworkers and their children who want to celebrate family milestones and their culture on a budget.

About 70% of the area’s population is Latino and the median household income was $65,000 a year in 2022, about $20,000 less than in the county as a whole, U.S. Census Bureau data show.

“In 10 years, the Coachella Valley will be seen as date country,” said Perez, who recalled attending parties at ranchos as a child. “We felt this would be a unique way to ensure the success and the continuance — the further expansion if you will — of having something accessible, an event space that is accessible, that is affordable for people.”

Dates have been cultivated in the Coachella Valley for more than a century since offshoots were brought from the Middle East to see if they would grow in the Southern California desert due to similarities in climate. The valley is the top date-growing region in the country, and last year Riverside County had nearly 10,000 acres (4,046 hectares) of date palms that produced more than 38,000 tons (34,473 metric tons) of the fruit, according to the country agricultural commissioner’s office.

Mark Tadros, who hosts educational events and grows dates at Aziz Farms, said ranchos aren’t the biggest growers but when you calculate the fruit they sell to packing houses, it makes a difference. He plans to apply for the new permit for his 10-acre (4-hectare) farm and hopes that requiring landowners to devote a set share of their properties to the trees will encourage those who may not have enough date palms to plant more of them.

“I think the more people who have stake in this industry and in this game, the better off we’ll be,” Tadros said, adding he has seen many date growers get out of the business.

Carlos Ulloa has come to appreciate date palms after buying land seven years ago in Thousand Palms. His vision was to create a place where he could keep his horses and have a working ranch with lambs and peacocks while hosting events where families could have ample space to invite their relatives to a celebration without going broke.

Dates didn’t figure into the equation, so Ulloa had the prior landowner — a date farmer — take most of his 500 palms and leave only about 150 behind. Ulloa later learned that each tree sold for as much as $1,000. He enjoyed their shade so much that he’s now taking offshoots to grow more palms and repopulate his ranch with them, something he is especially eager to do since only date properties will qualify for the new permit.

Ulloa, who previously worked as a hotel event coordinator, said the ranchos fill a niche by allowing families to pay a few thousand dollars for an event and bring their own food or make decorations to cut costs, and they do so beautifully.

“We’re providing the opportunity to people that are not as well off to, you know, have their celebrations, and not just our celebrations, but to follow our traditions, because a quinceañera — it’s more Latino than no other,” he said.

___

This story has been updated to correct that Alvarado is 42, not 49.

Copyright
© 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.

Happy International Tiger Day: The rapidly advancing and globalizing world will unite once more to commemorate International Tiger Day on July 29, 2024. To ensure a secure and prosperous home for tigers, share these inspiring quotes, speeches, and activities.

Happy International Tiger Day: Inspiring speech, quotes and activities to protect tigers | Canva

New Delhi: On July 29, 2024, we will celebrate International Tiger Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the conservation of one of the most magnificent yet endangered species on our planet. The question that often arises in the minds of intellectuals and curious souls is, “Why is International Tiger Day celebrated on July 29?” The answer lies in the alarming reality that tigers were once on the verge of extinction. Hence, this day is observed globally to raise awareness about tiger conservation methods and to combat their declining numbers.

International Tiger Day 2024 seeks to preserve and enhance tiger ecosystems while increasing awareness of the critical issues that threaten their survival. These issues include habitat destruction, warming temperatures, hunting, and poaching. Habitat destruction, primarily due to deforestation and urbanization, has significantly reduced the natural habitat of tigers, forcing them into smaller and fragmented territories. Warming temperatures, a result of climate change, have also affected the ecosystems tigers rely on, disrupting their prey availability and natural behaviour.

Global Tiger Day 2024 will not only focus on these critical conservation issues but also aim to promote collaborative efforts to save tigers from extinction. Conservation organizations, governments, and local communities will come together to create and implement effective strategies to protect and restore tiger populations.

Here are some inspiring quotes, speeches, and activities to help raise awareness and contribute to the global effort to protect our wild kings.

International Tiger Day speech

Speech 1: The Importance of Tiger Conservation

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today, we gather to celebrate International Tiger Day, a day dedicated to one of the most magnificent creatures on our planet. As we unite on this significant day, we are reminded of the critical role tigers play in our ecosystem and the urgent need to protect them.

Tigers are not just symbols of strength and beauty; they are essential to the health of our forests. As apex predators, they maintain the balance of our ecosystems by controlling the population of prey species. This balance is crucial for the well-being of our forests, which in turn support countless other species, including humans.

Sadly, the majestic tiger is an endangered species, with its population dwindling due to habitat destruction, climate change, poaching, and illegal wildlife trade. Forests are being cleared for agriculture, urbanization, and infrastructure, fragmenting the tiger’s habitat and reducing their territories. Climate change exacerbates these challenges, altering habitats and affecting prey availability.

Despite these challenges, there is hope. Conservation efforts around the world have shown that with collective action, we can make a difference. By protecting tiger habitats, enforcing anti-poaching laws, and promoting sustainable practices, we can create a safer environment for tigers to thrive.

On this International Tiger Day, let us renew our commitment to tiger conservation. Let us raise our voices to spread awareness, support conservation initiatives, and inspire others to join this crucial cause. Together, we can ensure that future generations will witness the beauty of tigers in the wild.

Thank you.

Speech 2: The Global Effort to Save Tigers

Distinguished Guests,

Today, we stand together on International Tiger Day to honor and protect one of nature’s most iconic creatures – the tiger. This day is a powerful reminder of our responsibility to safeguard these majestic animals and their habitats.

Tigers once roamed vast stretches of Asia, but today, their numbers have drastically declined. The primary threats they face include habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict. As forests are destroyed for agriculture and development, tigers are forced into smaller, fragmented areas, making it harder for them to find food and mates.

The illegal wildlife trade is another grave threat. Tigers are hunted for their skins, bones, and other body parts, which are highly valued in traditional medicine and as status symbols. This illegal trade continues to thrive despite international bans, posing a significant threat to tiger populations.

However, we are not powerless in this fight. Conservationists, governments, and local communities have made significant strides in protecting tigers. Through habitat restoration, stricter anti-poaching measures, and community engagement, we have seen positive changes. In countries like India, Nepal, and Russia, tiger populations are gradually increasing due to dedicated conservation efforts.

Today, as we celebrate International Tiger Day, let us recognize the importance of these efforts and pledge our support. Every individual can contribute to tiger conservation – whether by supporting organizations, spreading awareness, or advocating for stronger wildlife protection laws.

Let us use this day to inspire action and make a difference. Together, we can ensure that the roar of the tiger continues to echo through our forests for generations to come.

Thank you.

International Tiger Day quotes

1. “The tiger is a symbol of beauty, strength, and the importance of preserving the wild.” – Unknown
2. “When a tiger walks in the forest, every step is a testament to the power and majesty of nature.” – Unknown
3. “Saving tigers is not just about saving a species; it’s about saving our planet’s biodiversity.” – Unknown
4. “Tigers are not just creatures of the wild; they are guardians of our forests.” – Unknown
5. “The survival of tigers is a testament to the health of our natural world.” – Unknown
6. “Each tiger is a masterpiece, a living embodiment of nature’s art.” – Unknown
7. “The extinction of tigers would be a dark chapter in the history of humanity.” – Unknown
8. “Protecting tigers means protecting the delicate balance of our ecosystems.” – Unknown
9. “A world without tigers is a world without one of nature’s most magnificent creatures.” – Unknown
10. “The roar of a tiger is a call to action for us to protect our wildlife.” – Unknown
11. “Tigers are a reminder that we are stewards of this planet and must act responsibly.” – Unknown
12. “In saving tigers, we save ourselves and future generations.” – Unknown
13. “Tigers teach us the value of strength, resilience, and the beauty of nature.” – Unknown
14. “Each tiger in the wild is a triumph of conservation over destruction.” – Unknown
15. “Tigers are more than just animals; they are symbols of our natural heritage.” – Unknown
16. “Our actions today determine the fate of tigers tomorrow.” – Unknown
17. “The true king of the jungle is not the lion, but the tiger.” – Unknown
18. “Tigers are a symbol of wilderness and the fight to preserve it.” – Unknown
19. “To lose the tiger would be to lose a vital part of our natural world.” – Unknown
20. “Every effort to save tigers is a step towards preserving our planet’s future.” – Unknown

International Tiger Day 2024 activities

1. Tiger Safari and Nature Walks: Organize guided tiger safaris and nature walks in national parks and tiger reserves such as Ranthambore, Bandhavgarh, and Sundarbans. These excursions not only offer a chance to witness tigers in their natural habitat but also educate participants on the importance of tiger conservation and the challenges these magnificent creatures face.
2. Educational Workshops and Seminars: Host workshops and seminars in schools, colleges, and community centers to raise awareness about tiger conservation. Invite wildlife experts, conservationists, and forest officers to speak about the current status of tigers in India, ongoing conservation efforts, and how individuals can contribute to saving tigers.
3. Community Engagement and Awareness Campaigns: Launch community engagement programs in villages and towns near tiger reserves to promote coexistence between humans and tigers. These programs can include activities such as street plays, puppet shows, and interactive sessions that highlight the importance of tiger conservation and the role of local communities in protecting tiger habitats.
4. Tree Plantation Drives: Organize tree plantation drives in and around tiger reserves and buffer zones to help restore and expand tiger habitats. Engage local communities, school children, and volunteers in planting native trees and plants that support the ecosystem and provide cover and prey for tigers.
5. Art and Photography Exhibitions: Hold art and photography exhibitions featuring works that depict tigers and their habitats. Encourage artists and photographers to showcase their work and use the platform to educate the public about the beauty of tigers and the urgent need for their conservation. Proceeds from the exhibitions can be donated to tiger conservation projects.

To ensure a secure and prosperous home for tigers, share these inspiring quotes, speeches, and activities.

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The 2024 Summer Olympics are here, with athletes from more than 200 countries descending upon Paris for the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad.

The Olympics run from Friday, July 26 to Sunday, Aug. 11, and will air live on NBC, with at least nine hours of coverage each day, followed by recap shows in the evening and into the night. Want to watch the Paris Olympics on TV? Here’s everything you need to know, including a channel guide, viewing schedule and ways to watch the Olympics on TV without needing a cable subscription.

At a Glance: How to Watch the 2024 Olympics on TV

What Channel Is Airing the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics?

Want to watch the 2024 Paris Olympics on TV? This year’s Summer Games will be airing exclusively on NBC and on Telemundo for the Spanish-language feed. Certain events will also air live on NBCUniversal-owned channels including USA Network, E!, CNBC, GOLF Channel and Universo.

USA Network will air the Olympic events in 4K HDR and 5.1 surround sound, with some carriers offering the coverage in Dolby Vision and Atmos.

How to Watch 2024 Paris Summer Olympics on TV

You can watch the Summer Olympics on TV with any basic cable package that includes NBC, USA and the aforementioned channels above. Here are a few other ways to watch the Olympics on TV without cable.

CHEAPEST OPTION

Vragey Amplified TV Antenna

If you just want to watch the Olympics on TV through the main NBC feed, your cheapest option is to purchase a digital antenna, which will pick up your local NBC affiliate station (in addition to all the other major networks). This Amazon option has up to 1000 miles of range and gets you a live feed of NBC in full HD quality. Setup is super simple and the slim design helps the indoor antenna tuck easily behind your TV set or on a shelf. Buy the digital antenna once and get “free” cable for life. Bonus: apply the on-site Amazon coupon to save an additional 5 percent at checkout.

LIVE SIMULCAST

Peacock

Peacock is the official streaming home of the 2024 Paris Olympics, but it will also have a live simulcast of the NBC broadcast that you can watch through your smart TV. Sign up for Peacock here, then use the Peacock app to watch live Olympics coverage on television. Don’t have Peacock? A subscription starts at just $7.99 and will let you watch the Paris Olympics live on TV in addition to streaming every event online.

WATCH LIVE TV ONLINE

DirecTV Stream

Want to watch the Olympics on TV without cable? Try an OTT service like DirecTV Stream, which gets you 90+ live TV channels that you can watch through your internet connection (including NBC, USA, CNBC, E! and more). Download the DirecTV Stream app on any streaming device and use it to watch the Olympics live on TV. DirectTV Stream is currently offering a five-day free trial that you can use to watch the Olympics without cable for free.

FREE DVR

Fubo

Another way to watch live TV coverage of the Paris Olympics is through Fubo, which lets you watch NBC and USA Network on TV through the Fubo app. Fubo is currently offering a seven-day free trial for you to test out the service with no commitment. Fubo’s free trial includes free DVR, so you can record your favorite Olympic events live and watch a replay on-demand later. Fubo just recently inked a deal with NBCUniversal to offer multiplatform coverage of the upcoming Paris Olympics to its subscribers.

LIVE + ON-DEMAND

Hulu + Live TV

Your best value is to sign up for Hulu + Live TV. As its name suggests, the service lets you watch the Olympics live on TV on all the NBCUniversal channels. You also get access to the entire Hulu library of on-demand movies, shows, documentaries and specials (think shows like The Kardashians and buzzy docs like Perfect Wife). Hulu + Live TV currently offers a three-day free trial that you can use to watch the Summer Olympics on TV from home without cable.

What Time Do the Olympics Start? Broadcast Viewing Schedule

NBC will have coverage of the Olympics throughout the day, beginning at midnight PT/3 a.m. ET to 3 p.m. PT/6 p.m. ET every day, followed by a nightly three-hour Olympic primetime show at 8 p.m. PT/ET with behind-the-scenes interviews and highlights from the day’s events. Coverage continues after local news with a late-night recap show.

Telemundo, meantime, will have a two-hour recap show in Spanish, each weekday at 9 p.m. PT/12 a.m. ET.

Keep in mind that Paris is six hours ahead of New York (ET) and nine hours ahead of Los Angeles (PT), hence the early start times.

Olympics Channel Guide: How to Watch Each Sport on TV

As mentioned, NBC will be the main TV network for Olympics coverage, and will have all the major events, including the opening and closing ceremonies, swimming finals, track and field, gymnastics finals and more.

USA Network will be home to U.S. team sports and swimming heats, track and field, soccer, basketball and 3×3 basketball, beach volleyball, rugby, cycling, volleyball, water polo, and more.

CNBC will feature boxing, cycling, rugby, skateboarding, and more.

E! will feature coverage of track & field, artistic and rhythmic gymnastics, canoeing, diving, equestrian, artistic (synchronized) swimming, breaking, fencing, water polo and more.

GOLF Channel will be the place to watch the Olympics golf tournament on TV.

2024 Paris Summer Olympics Schedule

Though the opening ceremony is July 26, several sports have already begun regular events. See the start and end dates for the games below, and see the full Paris Olympics schedule here.