Why durability research is accelerating — and which materials are proving most effective.
Modern construction is undergoing a major shift. Because climate conditions are becoming more extreme and unpredictable, researchers and builders are focusing on materials that can withstand storms, heat, flooding, wildfires, and long‑term environmental stress. This applies not only to new buildings, but also to retrofitting older structures so they remain safe and functional.
The studies highlighted in your search results show a clear trend: durability now means climate resilience.
According to recent analyses:
This is why so many studies now focus on materials that can resist wind, water, heat, fire, and impact.
Below is a synthesis of the most climate‑resilient materials identified across the research.
| Material | Resists | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| ICFs | Wind, fire, flooding, heat | |
| Reinforced concrete | Flooding, storms, fire | |
| CLT | Wind, seismic, fire | |
| Recycled steel | Wind, fire | |
| Impact‑resistant windows | Debris, pressure changes | |
| Fiber cement siding | Fire, moisture, impact | |
| Metal roofing | Wind, hail, rain | |
| Cool roofing | Heat | |
| Permeable pavers | Flooding |
Many studies are taken place to best improve the durability of modernized old and new construction commercial and residential buildings. These studies include materials necessary to resist varying catastrophic and harsh climate conditions.
These form the backbone of any building—whether a home, office, or industrial facility.
These materials protect the building from weather and define its appearance.
Increasingly important in both commercial and residential projects.
| Category | Key Materials | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Structural | Concrete, steel, wood, bricks/blocks | Foundations, framing, load-bearing elements |
| Foundation | Aggregates, cement | Slabs, leveling, concrete mixes |
| Exterior | Glass, siding, roofing | Weather protection, aesthetics |
| Interior | Drywall, insulation, flooring | Comfort, layout, finishes |
| MEP | Pipes, wiring, HVAC components | Utilities and building systems |
| Sustainable | Composites, recycled materials | Energy efficiency, modern builds |
Copper alloys are among the most durable, reliable, and high‑performance materials used in mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems. The research you surfaced highlights several reasons why copper alloys remain the gold standard for pipes, wiring, and HVAC components.
Below is a structured explanation grounded in the sources you triggered.
Copper and its alloys have industry‑leading conductivity, which is why they dominate electrical wiring and HVAC heat‑exchange components.
This is why copper remains the preferred material for electrical wiring, busbars, and HVAC coils.
Copper alloys resist corrosion extremely well—even in harsh environments.
Copper alloys form a protective oxide layer that prevents long‑term degradation.
Copper alloys maintain strength and conductivity even at elevated temperatures.
Unlike plastics, copper does not melt, burn, or release toxic fumes.
Copper alloys offer a strong balance of strength, ductility, and formability.
This is why copper pipes often last 50–100 years in buildings.
Copper has natural antimicrobial behavior.
While not the primary reason for MEP use, it’s a valuable added benefit.
Copper alloys are 100% recyclable without losing performance.
Copper is one of the most recycled metals in the world.
| Performance Area | Effectiveness of Copper Alloys | Pros. on MEP Systems |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical conductivity | Excellent—industry leading | Longer service life |
| Thermal conductivity | High—ideal for HVAC coils | Improved energy consumption |
| Corrosion resistance | Strong—protective oxide layer | Reliable power distribution |
| Mechanical strength | High—supports pressure & vibration | Durable piping and reliable fittings |
| Fire resistance | Non‑combustible, stable at high temps | Easy to bend, braze, solder, and join |
| Antimicrobial | Proven EPA‑validated behavior | Cleaner potable water, healthier indoor environments |
| Sustainability | Fully recyclable, eco‑efficient | Supports green building goals and material circularity |
| Performance Area | Why Copper Alloys Excel | Impact on MEP Systems |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion Resistance | Naturally resists oxidation, pitting, and chemical attack | Longer service life, fewer leaks, reduced maintenance |
| Thermal Conductivity | High heat-transfer efficiency | Better HVAC coil performance, improved energy efficiency |
| Electrical Conductivity | Among the highest of all engineering metals | Reliable power distribution, lower energy loss |
| Mechanical Strength | Strong across wide temperature ranges; maintains integrity under pressure | Durable piping, reliable fittings, fewer mechanical failures |
| Formability & Workability | Easy to bend, braze, solder, and join | Faster installation, easier retrofits, reduced labor complexity |
| Antimicrobial Properties | Inhibits bacterial growth and biofilm formation | Cleaner potable water, healthier indoor environments |
| Fire Resistance | Non-combustible; high melting point; no toxic fumes | Safer electrical systems, compliance with fire codes |
| Compatibility | Works well with standard fittings, solders, and joining methods | Predictable performance and easier system integration |
| Longevity | Proven multi-decade lifespan in real-world installations | Lower lifecycle cost and fewer replacements |
| Sustainability | 100% recyclable without performance loss | Supports green building goals and material circularity |
Copper alloys are extremely effective for MEP systems because they combine:
This makes them one of the most reliable materials for pipes, wiring, and HVAC components in both commercial and residential buildings.
In certain locations the readiness of raw materials is industrialized and incorporated within the budget for building adequate buildings reducing on-site maintenance costs. The production of these materials creates more jobs for builders, exploiting expansions of industrial plaza, residential areas and shopping plazas keeping communities engaged within those areas.
Major projects accommodating education, transportation, and Community centers pursuits in these locations.
Copper is one of the most studied and widely used metals in engineering, construction, and MEP systems. Its properties make it indispensable for electrical wiring, plumbing, HVAC components, and architectural applications.
Copper’s physical characteristics are what make it so valuable in electrical, thermal, and architectural applications.
Copper’s mechanical behavior makes it ideal for piping, wiring, and mechanical components.
Copper’s chemical behavior is central to its corrosion resistance and antimicrobial performance.
| Property Type | Key Characteristics | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Physical | High electrical thermal conductivity, ductile, malleable, corrosion‑resistant, moderate melting point | Copper mineral |
| Mechanical | Strong, formable, ductile, good tensile strength, work‑hardening | Copper Alloys |
| Chemical | Oxidation states +1/+2, forms oxides, corrosion‑resistant, catalytic, antimicrobial | Copper Catalysts |
Modern research overwhelmingly confirms that copper and its alloys naturally kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi without needing chemicals or coatings. This antimicrobial action is intrinsic—it comes from the metal itself.
Below are the key scientific findings supported by peer‑reviewed studies and authoritative reviews.
Extensive research shows that copper ions trigger the formation of reactive oxygen species, which damage microbial cells.
Why this matters: ROS generation is a built‑in chemical property of copper—this is one of the strongest proofs that its antimicrobial activity is intrinsic.
Copper ions penetrate and destabilize microbial membranes.
Why this matters: Membrane disruption is a universal antimicrobial mechanism effective against bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
Copper ions bind to and degrade genetic material.
Why this matters: This explains why copper kills even antibiotic‑resistant bacteria and enveloped viruses.
Historical and modern studies show copper kills bacteria, fungi, and viruses at extremely low concentrations.
Why this matters: This broad‑spectrum activity is rare and demonstrates copper’s intrinsic toxicity to microbes.
Scientists have repeatedly demonstrated that copper alloy “touch surfaces” destroy harmful microorganisms.
Why this matters: This is why copper is used in hospitals, transit systems, and high‑touch public environments.
Copper ions exhibit the “oligodynamic effect”—a toxic effect on microbes even at very low concentrations.
Why this matters: This effect is a fundamental chemical property of copper, not a surface treatment.
Across multiple independent studies:
These findings confirm that copper’s antimicrobial behavior is intrinsic, natural, and scientifically validated.
| Property | Value / Description |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Reddish‑orange metallic luster |
| Density | 8.96 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | |
| Boiling Point | |
| Thermal Conductivity | 401 W/(m·K) |
| Electrical Conductivity | Very high (second only to silver) |
| Electrical Resistivity | 16.78 nΩ·m at 20°C |
| Thermal Expansion Coefficient | |
| Crystal Structure | Face‑centered cubic (FCC) |
| Heat of Fusion | 13.26 kJ/mol |
| Heat of Vaporization | 300.4 kJ/mol |
| Molar Heat Capacity | 24.44 J/(mol·K) |
| Magnetic Behavior | Diamagnetic |
| Color | Red‑orange / reddish‑gold |
| Property | Value / Description |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | Moderate (varies by alloy and temper) |
| Yield Strength | Moderate (increases with work‑hardening) |
| Ductility | Very high — easily drawn into wires |
| Malleability | Very high — easily shaped or rolled |
| Hardness | Soft to moderately hard (depends on temper) |
| Elastic Modulus | ~110–128 GPa |
| Shear Modulus | ~48 GPa |
| Poisson’s Ratio | ~0.34 |
| Fatigue Resistance | Good — suitable for vibration environments |
| Impact Resistance | Moderate |
| Work‑Hardening | Strong — copper becomes harder when deformed |
| Property | Value / Description |
|---|---|
| Atomic Number | 29 |
| Atomic Symbol | Cu |
| Common Oxidation States | +1, +2 |
| Reactivity with Oxygen | Forms Cu₂O and CuO |
| Reaction with Water | Does not react with pure water |
| Reaction in Air | Forms protective oxide layer; develops green patina over time |
| Corrosion Resistance | High — stable oxide films prevent degradation |
| Antimicrobial Behavior | Intrinsic; copper ions disrupt microbial membranes and DNA |
| Catalytic Activity | Acts as a catalyst in many reactions |
| Solubility | Insoluble in water; soluble in acids like nitric acid |
| Electronegativity | 1.90 (Pauling scale) |
| Alloy | UNS Number | Composition | Key Physical Properties | Key Mechanical Properties | Key Chemical Properties |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C11000 – Electrolytic Tough Pitch (ETP) Copper | C11000 | ~99.9% Cu | High electrical & thermal conductivity; density 8.96 g/cm³ | Tensile strength ~200–250 MPa; excellent ductility & formability | Oxidizes to Cu₂O/CuO; high corrosion resistance; antimicrobial |
| C12200 – Phosphorus‑Deoxidized Copper (DHP) | C12200 | Cu + small P | High thermal conductivity; good weldability | Tensile strength ~200–250 MPa; good ductility; excellent tube formability | Resistant to hydrogen embrittlement; stable oxide layer |
| C26000 – Cartridge Brass | C26000 | 70% Cu, 30% Zn | Good thermal conductivity; golden color | Tensile strength ~300–500 MPa; high ductility; good cold‑working | Good corrosion resistance; susceptible to dezincification in harsh environments |
| C28000 – Muntz Metal | C28000 | 60% Cu, 40% Zn | Good conductivity; higher strength than C26000 | Tensile strength ~350–550 MPa; good hot‑working | Better corrosion resistance than typical brasses; forms protective oxide |
| C70600 – 90/10 Copper‑Nickel | C70600 | 90% Cu, 10% Ni | Moderate conductivity; excellent seawater resistance | Tensile strength ~275–380 MPa; good toughness; good weldability | Exceptional resistance to seawater corrosion, biofouling, and stress corrosion |
| Alloy Name | UNS Number | Typical Composition | Key Physical Properties | Key Mechanical Properties | Key Chemical Properties |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ETP Copper (Electrolytic Tough Pitch) | C11000 | ~99.9% Cu | Very high electrical & thermal conductivity; density 8.96 g/cm³ | Tensile strength ~200–250 MPa; excellent ductility; soft to moderately hard | Forms Cu₂O/CuO; high corrosion resistance; antimicrobial; stable oxide layer |
| Oxygen‑Free Copper (OFHC) | C10200 | 99.95% Cu, very low O₂ | Highest electrical conductivity among copper alloys; excellent thermal conductivity | Tensile strength ~220–260 MPa; high ductility; excellent formability | Extremely low oxygen prevents embrittlement; excellent corrosion resistance |
| Phosphorus‑Deoxidized Copper (DHP) | C12200 | Cu + 0.015–0.040% P | High thermal conductivity; good weldability; non‑sensitive to hydrogen | Tensile strength ~200–250 MPa; good ductility; ideal for tubing | Resistant to hydrogen embrittlement; stable oxide film |
| Cartridge Brass | C26000 | 70% Cu, 30% Zn | Good thermal conductivity; golden color; moderate density | Tensile strength ~300–500 MPa; excellent cold‑working; high ductility | Good corrosion resistance; may dezincify in harsh environments |
| Muntz Metal | C28000 | 60% Cu, 40% Zn | Good conductivity; higher strength than C26000 | Tensile strength ~350–550 MPa; good hot‑working | Forms protective oxide; better corrosion resistance than typical brasses |
| Aluminum Bronze | C95400 | ~85% Cu, 10–11% Al, 3–4% Fe | High strength; good thermal conductivity; bronze color | Tensile strength ~500–700 MPa; excellent wear resistance | Exceptional corrosion resistance, especially in seawater |
| Silicon Bronze | C65500 | ~97% Cu, 2.8–3.8% Si | Good conductivity; high corrosion resistance | Tensile strength ~350–550 MPa; good toughness; good formability | Excellent resistance to atmospheric and chemical corrosion |
| 90/10 Copper‑Nickel | C70600 | 90% Cu, 10% Ni | Moderate conductivity; excellent seawater resistance | Tensile strength ~275–380 MPa; good weldability; good toughness | Outstanding resistance to seawater corrosion and biofouling |
| 70/30 Copper‑Nickel | C71500 | 70% Cu, 30% Ni | Lower conductivity; very high corrosion resistance | Tensile strength ~350–500 MPa; high strength; good fatigue resistance | Superior resistance to erosion, stress corrosion, and seawater |
Copper and its alloys stand out as some of the most reliable and durable engineering materials used in modern construction and MEP systems. Their exceptional mechanical strength, corrosion resistance, and long service life make them ideal for demanding environments ranging from residential plumbing to large‑scale commercial HVAC and electrical infrastructure. Copper’s excellent formability allows it to be drawn, rolled, extruded, or shaped into complex components without losing structural integrity, supporting efficient manufacturing and installation.
Beyond performance, copper is inherently sustainable. It is 100% recyclable without any loss of properties, enabling a fully circular material lifecycle that reduces environmental impact. Its intrinsic antimicrobial behavior—a natural ability to deactivate bacteria, viruses, and fungi—adds a unique health and safety advantage, especially in high‑touch or high‑traffic environments.
Copper alloys such as brasses, bronzes, and copper‑nickels expand this versatility even further. By adjusting alloying elements like zinc, tin, aluminum, or nickel, engineers can tailor strength, corrosion resistance, conductivity, and wear performance to meet specialized requirements. This combination of reliability, durability, sustainability, formability, and intrinsic functional benefits is why copper and its alloys remain foundational materials across the built environment.
During autumn months most of leaves on trees turn to red, yellow, orange, brown and pale green colors due to the cold weather. The temperature in these regions gets cold and harvesting, canning, crafts and sales takes place. On some occasions, storage of goods can be costly driving up liquidation.
Most parks and trails are packed with campers, others come during the day just to enjoy nature walks and picnics playing games, having marshmallows’ smores, telling folktales and gathering around campfires in the evenings and nights.
The fallen leaves create openings inviting distance scenes with attractive colors spreading and creating dramatic sceneries. As the fallen leaves’ scatters, they reveal glimpses of distance landscapes, where vibrant colors tend into breathtaking scenes.
With these fallen leaves, emerging distance places framed by stitches of autumn hues, paints dramatic sceneries. The shedding trees open windows to faraway views where brilliant colors ripple across the land in spectacle of seasonal drama.
It’s always necessary to eat together as a family. During mealtime, coming together and having a common meal gives everyone a chance to have open interactions and discussions about the meal and whatever is going on around us and globally.
Discussions during family meals can be broadly categorized into catching up on the day, sharing stories, discussing opinions and planning for the future.
The topics range from daily events, schoolwork, and current events to personal memories and future plans, creating an opportunity for communication, bonding, and family connection.
Each member shares highlights or challenges from their day.
Discussing upcoming tests, homework, or professional projects.
Talking about sports, clubs, or other activities.
Personal experiences and stories.
Remembering about funny, happy or significant family stories from the past.
Sharing stories about where your ancestors originated.
Discussing hobbies, books, or new things learned online.
Opinions and Perspectives
Discussing age-appropriate activities and news or interesting topics from the world.
Posing questions to encourage different perspectives and opinions.
Transmitting family values and beliefs through conversations.
Future plans and coordination for Upcoming events:
Discussing upcoming holidays, family events or weekend plans.
Confirming schedules and who is responsible for what.
Talking about personal or family goals for the coming week or year.
Parents can ask questions to learn more about their children.
Keeping the atmosphere light and fun with jokes and pleasantries.
Eating dinner with family provides time for conversation.
Parents can teach healthy communication skills without distractions from smartphones.
Here are some practical ways they can foster strong communication habits:
Sitting together and sharing a meal provides families with an opportunity to bond, improve their nutrition, better academic performance, healthier habits, and emotional well-being.
Sharing meals fosters connection. It’s a chance to talk, laugh, and check in with each other — building trust and emotional closeness.
Families who eat together tend to consume more fruits, vegetables, and balanced meals. Home-cooked food often means fewer processed ingredients and better portion control.
Children who regularly eat with their families often show improved vocabulary, reading skills, and school performance — thanks to richer conversations at the table.
Family meals help establish routines, reduce risky behaviors in teens, and promote mindful eating. Kids learn by watching adults make healthy choices.
Eating together provides a sense of stability and belonging. It can reduce stress, anxiety, and feelings of isolation — especially during busy or challenging times.
Dinnertime is a time of respite despite the hustie-bustie of everyday life.
In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, dinnertime offers a rare pause — a moment to reconnect, reflect, and recharge. It’s not just about food; it’s about presence, conversation, and the comfort of shared routine.
Family can review the day’s events and plan accordingly for future days.
The science behind family Dinners – It’s not just about family meals, is that they bring so many good things that’s have nothing to do with the meal.
“I believe that sitting around the table with the family can make a significant difference in physical health, psychological status and can strengthen family bonds.”
This simple act — gathering for a meal — nurtures more than just the body. It fosters connection, stability, and shared values in a world that often pulls us in different directions.
In a world of packed schedules and digital distractions, making time for shared meals is a conscious choice — and a powerful one. Here’s why that commitment matters:
The American Pelicans are impressive bird in many ways. Its wingspan is one of the widest of any North American bird. It’s also one of the heaviest flying birds in the world, weighing up to 30 pounds. Pelicans breeds on islands in freshwater lakes, wetlands, and oceans. Forages on fresh or saltwater estuaries, marshes, lakes, or rivers.
The American Pelicans are impressive bird in many ways. Its wingspan is one of the widest of any North American bird. It’s also one of the heaviest flying birds in the world, weighing up to 30 pounds. A flock of these pelicans on the water or soaring high in blue sky creates an impressive sight.
Both sexes of American Pelicans look alike, with snow-white plumage set off by black wing feathers that are most noticeable in flight. Bill, legs and feet are pale orange. Juveniles are dusky white or brown with pale yellow bills and feet.
Like many waterbirds such as the Great Egret, the American Pelicans becomes more colorful during its breeding season, with the bare skin around the eye, legs and feet changing to a vivid red-orange, and a light-yellow crest growing atop its head.
A more unusual feature of this species is the strange-looking “horn” or ridge that grows atop its upper bill during the breeding season.
The “horn” on the upper bill of an adult American Pelicans are fibrous growth known as the nuptial tubercle. This odd growth develops in both sexes during the breeding season and is thought to contribute to its mating displays and perhaps signal breeding fitness. The nuptial tubercle frays and splits as the season goes on, and eventually sheds off, to regrow the next year.
The adult American Pelicans are silent species, only giving low, grunting calls, usually heard at colony sites. The young are far noisier – even pelican embryos can emit loud squawks inside the egg in response to overheating or chilling. Groups of young make loud begging calls, raising a clamor that can be heard from a long distance away!
Listen to a variety of American Pelicans sounds here.
The American Pelican are highly social and seasonally monogamous, pairing up quickly after arriving at their large colony sites, usually located on isolated lake or marsh islands. Courtship consists of circular flights over the colony, often in groups, and a variety of displays on the ground, including strutting, bowing, and head swaying.
A mated pair works to build their nest, a simple scrape on the ground, sometimes edged with a shallow rim of vegetation. Average clutch size is two eggs, and both adults share incubation duties for close to a month, warming the eggs under their large, webbed feet, a behavior that occurs only in pelicans and some pelican-like birds, such as Brown Booby and Brandt’s Cormorant. The young hatch naked and blind, but their eyes open within a day, and they quickly develop coverings of brown/white/black down.
Life in the nest is competitive and dangerous. Older nestlings often kill their younger siblings or push them out of the nest, particularly in times of food scarcity. This seemingly cruel behavior, called siblicide, has a practical purpose: If there is enough food, more chicks survive; if not, only the strongest make it to adulthood. Siblicide occurs in other birds such as the Great Horned Owl, Red-tailed Hawk, and Great Blue Heron.
Both pelican parents feed their young by regurgitating food. After several weeks, hatchlings leave the nest and congregate in large groups, known as pods or crèches. These groups provide protection from predators while parents are away foraging. Young pelicans leave the pod each day to return to the vicinity of their nest, where their parents continue to feed them. The young fledge after 2-3 months and leave the colony soon after.
Unlike the Brown Pelican, which usually plunge and dives for food, the white Pelicans feeds on or just below the water’s surface. Groups cooperate to drive prey into shallow water for easier capture, then feed in graceful, synchronized dipping maneuvers, sometimes completely encircling their prey while they feed.
Small fish, amphibians, smaller marine life and shrimps are favored food items, but this species is opportunistic and will alter its diet in response to changing water levels or prey abundance. Migrating birds will readily forage at aquaculture farms.
Like the Bald Eagle, the American Pelicans are also a kleptoparasite, stealing food from other birds, including other pelicans and cormorants, when the opportunity presents itself.
The American Pelicans nests in two fairly distinct populations. The first concentrates west of the Rocky Mountains in British Columbia, California, Nevada, Utah, and Idaho. These birds winter along the Pacific coast, from California south to Nicaragua.
The second population of American Pelicans nests in the Canadian prairie provinces and upper Midwest states, migrating primarily southward and eastward towards the Gulf of Mexico.
American Pelicans are daytime migrants, travelling in V-shaped flocks of up to several hundred birds. Like the Turkey Vulture and Swainson’s Hawk, it takes advantage of energy-saving thermals as it flies. Non-migratory populations are resident in Texas and Mexico.
American White Pelicans populations declined by the mid-twentieth century due to overhunting and chemical pesticides such as DDT. Although these issues have been largely addressed, this species remains vulnerable to habitat loss on its foraging and breeding grounds. They may also be shot as pests at aquaculture farms.
The American White Pelicans especially sensitive to human disturbance and will abandon its eggs and young if a breeding colony is approached too closely.
St. Patrick’s Day is a famous celebration of Irish culture and activities. This celebration takes place in most popular cities nationwide, Europe, Ireland and in other parts of the world. The festivities includes’ parades, fine arts activities, dinning and drinking. Some of the restaurants serves green dish meals and corn beef hotpot casserole which is one of the most favorite.
A shamrock is a type of clover, used as a symbol of Ireland. Saint Patrick, one of Ireland’s patron saints, is said to have used it as a metaphor for the Christian Holy Trinity
St. Patrick’s Day, named for Ireland’s patron saint, is celebrated around the world on March 17 with parades and other festivities. The earliest recorded parade was held in 1601 in what is now St. Augustine, Florida. The parade, and a St. Patrick’s Day celebration a year earlier, were organized by the Spanish Colony’s Irish vicar Ricardo Artur.
In the 1760s in New York City Irishmen serving in the British military organized their own St. Patrick’s Day parade. During the 1800s, when Irish Catholic immigrants faced discrimination in Protestant-majority America, St. Paddy’s Day parades became an opportunity to show strength in numbers. Today, cities across the U.S. have longstanding traditions of St. Patrick’s Day parades, and the holiday is commemorated by people of many ethnic backgrounds. However, in Ireland, where St. Patrick’s Day has been a religious feast day since the 17th century and a public holiday since 1903, it wasn’t until the late 20th century that the government started sponsoring a large-scale, international festival and parade in Dublin, the capital city.
One of the earliest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in America took place in Boston in 1737, when a group of Irish Protestants gathered to honor their homeland’s saint, a 5th century Christian missionary who died on March 17, 493, according to some claims. In the 1760s, when America still consisted of 13 British colonies, a group of Irishmen serving in the British army in New York City started the tradition of parading on St. Patrick’s Day. In the 1800s, Irish fraternal and charitable societies in New York sponsored their own parades in various parts of the city before merging these individual events into a larger parade.
As Irish Catholic immigrants came to the U.S. in increasing numbers in the 19th century (from 1820 to 1860, more than a third of all immigrants who arrived on American shores were Irish), they encountered prejudice and discrimination. In the 1840s and 1850s, the Know-Nothing movement promoted a nativist, anti-Catholic agenda. (When those involved in the movement were questioned about their activities, they were supposed to say, “I know nothing,” which is where the name came from.) Against this backdrop, St. Patrick’s Day parades in New York and other U.S. cities became a chance for the Irish to show strength in numbers as well as pride for their cultural heritage.
Today the parade, which travels 1.5 miles up Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, is billed as the world’s oldest and largest St. Patrick’s Day parade. Among the approximately 150,000 marchers are politicians, school children, bands, bagpipers, police, firefighters and other municipal workers. In accordance with tradition, a green line is painted along Fifth Avenue to mark the parade route, and floats and cars are banned from the procession. Since the 1850s, the parade has been led by the 69th Infantry Regiment. Formed as a militia unit composed of Irish Catholic immigrants, the 69th Infantry started heading up the procession in order to protect marchers from potential violence by those who disliked the Irish.
The biggest St. Patrick’s Day parade in New York took place in 2002, with an estimated 300,000 marchers and 3 million spectators. The entire parade paused for a moment of silence to honor the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which had devastated the nation six months earlier. In 2020, the New York City parade was one of the first major city events to be cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; the parade was again cancelled in 2021. It resumed in 2022.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 32.7 million Americans, or one-in-ten, identified themselves as being of Irish ancestry, making it the second-largest ancestry group in the U.S. after Germans. Boston, a city with a large population of Irish Americans, has officially held a St. Paddy’s Day parade since 1862. Philadelphia traces its tradition of parades to 1771. Savannah, Georgia, has been hosting a parade since the early 1800s, and today it’s one of the largest in the country. Chicago has three processions—the South Side Irish Parade, the Northwest Side Irish Parade and, since 1956, a big parade downtown.
The now-famous Windy City tradition of dyeing a section of the Chicago River green in honor of the holiday started in the early 1960s. Since 2004, Hot Springs, Arkansas, has been home to what’s labelled the world’s shortest St. Patrick’s Day parade. It covers a distance of 98 feet and draws some 30,000 spectators. Additionally, there are more than a dozen communities in the U.S. named Dublin. Those that hold parades include Dublin, California and Dublin, Ohio.
A religious feast day in Ireland since the 17th century, St. Patrick’s Day became a national holiday in 1903. Low-key observances were typical into the 20th century, and until the 1970s many pubs were closed for the day. (Before the pub rules changed, the Royal Dublin Dog Show, which fell on St. Patrick’s Day, was a popular destination for dog lovers and non-dog lovers alike because it was the only place in the city where alcohol was sold legally).
Starting in the 1920s, there was a military parade in Dublin. In the 1950s, the parade’s focus shifted to promoting Irish industries but by the 1970s it had become a more standard procession, intended to entertain. In the mid-1990s, the Irish government, in an effort to boost tourism, launched a multi-day St. Patrick’s Day Festival, featuring a parade, performances and other events. The annual parade now attracts more than half a million spectators, many of whom sport shamrocks and the colors of the Irish flag, green, white and orange. (Irish eyes weren’t smiling in 2001, when the parade was postponed for two months due to an outbreak of foot and mouth disease.)
On the island of Montserrat in the British West Indies, St. Patrick’s Day is a public holiday that’s celebrated with a weeklong festival and parade. The island was colonized by Irish Catholics in the 17th century and early generations of European settlers were Irish. Nicknamed the Emerald Isle of the Caribbean, Montserrat’s official passport stamp is a green shamrock.
Among the many other locations where St. Paddy’s Day now is observed, the Canadian city of Montreal is the site of a large annual parade that’s been held continuously since 1824. There’s been a parade in Tokyo, Japan, since 1992, and one in Oslo, Norway, since 2000. Auckland, New Zealand, has had a parade and festival since 1995. People there can get a jump on the majority of the planet when it comes to celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, as Auckland is 13 hours ahead of Dublin and 17 hours ahead of New York City.
Rapid recovery happens on the cellular level. Nutrient-rich nano-sized water clusters activate your cellular metabolism to support energy and hydration while removing toxins. Out with last night, on with today. Smog Armor Co.
Combination of adaptogens that normalize the body and help it respond to various types of stress, known for stimulating the nervous system, increasing focus, mental well-being and energy while increasing blood flow and providing anti-oxidant protection.
District NoHo will be constructed in multiple phases over a 15-year period. The first phase will include the consolidation of the transit facilities at Metro’s North Hollywood Station. This would begin after project approval by the City and the Metro Board, which was anticipated in early 2024.
NoHo Arts is attracting newer generation of Arts enthusiasts. This is drawing a different crowd into visual arts platform with a twist to boost the interest of Arts lovers coming up with attractive pieces for indoors and outdoors decorations.
Art lovers have a plethora of options for creating attractive indoor and outdoor decorations. Here are some popular pieces:
These pieces can help you create beautiful and inviting spaces both indoors and outdoors.
In Los Angeles, NoHo Arts Festival drew many artists from mixed generations expressing their love using NoHo media to demonstrate old and new expressions and impressions.
The NoHo Arts Festival in Los Angeles is a vibrant celebration that brings together artists from various generations. They use a mix of traditional and contemporary media to express their creativity and share their unique perspectives. This festival is a fantastic opportunity to see a diverse range of artistic expressions, from paintings and sculptures to digital art and performance art.
It’s always inspiring to see how different generations interpret and convey their love for art.
Most people know the importance of setting good financial habits and practices that helps them reach their short and long-term life goals.
However, a common mistake many people make when deciding to improve their financial lives is getting ambitious. They may try to follow too many habits and struggle to maintain these financial habits.
What’s the solution to this recurring issue? Tanya Peterson, vice president of brand with Achieve, said to start with choosing just one or two habits. Here are eight financial habits you can set, and follow, each day to improve your overall financial health.
You might already be practicing this financial habit on a regular basis! Make bill payments on time. Peterson said you can do this by setting up a system. Consider using an app, online calendar or a paper file on your desk that you’ll use consistently to make timely bill payments.
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How much do you have in checking and savings? Valerie Moses, senior relationship manager at Addition Financial, said to get into the habit of checking your accounts each day.
There are a few benefits to checking in daily. Moses said you’ll know how much money is available at all times and will be able to avoid overdrawing your accounts. It’s also an easy way to detect any fraud that may have taken place. If you believe something has happened, Moses said you can stop it in its tracks and mitigate its effects. It’s also easier than ever to keep an eye on our finances by using online and mobile banking apps.
What is habit stacking and what does it have to do with personal finance? Alvin Carlos, financial planner at District Capital Management, said habit stacking is the practice of attaching a financial habit with an existing habit. This helps to stay focused on the financial habit.
Carlos uses the example that you may check your finances after going for a weekend run or after having coffee on Saturday morning. He also recommends adding a recurring event in your calendar that allows you to review your finances once a month.
As soon as you are able, Peterson said to make saving a habit. Start by saving 10% (more if possible and less if necessary) from each paycheck.
“Make it a habit by automating, so it doesn’t become a decision on ‘should I or should I not save’ a certain amount,” Peterson said. “Banks and credit unions generally let you arrange automatic withdrawal from your checking account to a savings account. Employers often can do automatic deposit of a portion of a payment into a savings account, too.”
If you don’t already have a budget, it’s time to create one. If you do have a solid budget, continue to keep using it. Moses said that creating and sticking to a budget is one of the best financial habits anyone can implement.
“Having a budget in place will give you direction on where your money is going and help you make every dollar count,” Moses said.
Remember, however, that every budget looks different depending on the unique needs and priorities of your household. Moses recommends reevaluating your budget regularly to determine what’s working and what isn’t.
Amid inflation and rising cost-of-living expenses, Peterson recommends looking for small ways to save money. Think washing clothes in cold water instead of hot water and creatively making a few meals using what you have in your pantry and refrigerator instead of running out to the store.
“Perhaps small things will seem insignificant, but getting in this habit develops smart spending,” Peterson said. “Small things will add up — and you might find you’re eating and living healthier, too.”
Financial habits made to stick require purpose. Once you know which financial habits you’d like to start using and you’re able to follow through with these habits, Peterson recommends taking time and effort to determine how these habits will allow you to reach short- and long-term financial goals. This includes retiring at a certain age, going on vacation, having time to pursue a hobby or buying a new TV.
Moses said that keeping financial goals in mind also makes it easier to avoid impulse purchases and stick to your budget. Financial goals not only improve your daily life, but set you up for success in the future.
“Once you focus on what you want to do in life, creating the saving and spending habits that will get you there will become infinitely easier,” Peterson said.
The presidential working group will work to develop a federal regulatory framework for crypto markets. The group will be chaired by White House AI and crypto czar David Sacks and include the treasury secretary, SEC chair, and other various financial regulatory heads.
Trump coin surged to a market cap of $73 billion within 48 hours of its debut, beating out DOGE as the most valuable meme coin. But it soon dropped and is now worth around $7 billion on Thursday. Melania coin hovers in the $700 million range.
The argument over which type of account to use typically revolves around how much money you make. Early-career, low-income workers are better off in a Roth, the thinking goes, because they’d save money by paying taxes when they’re in a low bracket instead of waiting until they’re bringing in more in retirement. High earners, meanwhile, are generally steered toward traditional accounts and their upfront tax break.
The key difference between traditional and Roth retirement accounts is when you pay taxes. Here are some additional insights:
It’s always a good idea to consult with a financial advisor to determine the best strategy for your specific situation.
Minneapolis-based Target cut its full-year forecast and reported slumping profits and flat comparable sales growth of 0.2 percent over last year, lower than Wall Street analysts expected. Shares of Target dropped almost 22 percent by midday Wednesday.
The company reduced its annual earnings forecast by about 8 percent even as it heads into the busiest shopping season of the year. Target thrives on shoppers making impulse purchases in discretionary categories such as home, apparel and sporting goods, but the company warned consumers are still feeling pressure on their wallets and are seeking out sales and value.
“The current consumer mood is one that is not aligned in Target’s favor,” Neil Saunders, a managing director of GlobalData, said in an analyst note.
Target’s news also comes on the heels of glowing quarterly results from its fiercest competitor. While Walmart has edged out Target over the past few years thanks to its lower prices, its recent quarterly results showed a stark shift in priorities for consumers of all income levels. The Bentonville, Arkansas-based retailer, which raised its full-year outlook Tuesday, noted shoppers from households earning more than $100,000 made up 75 percent of its market share gains in the third quarter. Walmart said it was seeing positive results in its discretionary categories, suggesting that consumers who may have once browsed those aisles at Target are now trading-down at Walmart.
Walmart also has an edge over Target in the grocery category as consumers battle high grocery prices. In addition to Target having a more limited selection at most stores than Walmart, it also can’t compete on price. The company announced in May that it was lowering prices on 5,000 items, including food and household staples. Target said Wednesday that by the end of the year, it will have cut prices on over 10,000 items.
Same-store sales for Target fell 1.9 percent in the third quarter compared to the same period last year. Total revenue was $25.7 billion, about 1.1 percent higher than 2023, and total sales increased just 0.9 percent. Target chief executive Brian Cornell said Wednesday that the results show that consumers are “shopping carefully as they work to overcome the cumulative impact of multiple years of price inflation.”
Target chief commercial officer Rick Gomez said in an earnings call Wednesday that consumers have become more “resourceful” and deals-focused. For example, Gomez said, sales dipped leading up to the Target Circle week in October that starts the retailer’s holiday shopping push and fell again after.
The U.S. dollar retreated in early European trade Friday ahead of the key monthly jobs report, while sterling edged higher after the result of the U.K general …
AI is at the core of a secular software transition – from descriptive systems to predictive systems. CIOs continually rank AI as the top game-changer technology for their companies.
Customer growth of 82% AI is exceptional, although its off of a small base. Importantly, C3.ai is targeting large strategic customers for its market entries. These customers represent some of the largest industries’ opportunities for AI over time. Additionally, industry leaders, are pose to drive C3.ai adoption amongst other industry peers. The following screenshot provides roadmap to C3.ai’s existing customer base.
Read more on this topic.
$3 Trillion Asset Financial Institution: $3.5 Billion Per Year
With a net worth of $250 billion, Elon Musk is officially the wealthiest person on earth.
And with an IQ of 155, he’s also one of the smartest.
However, by openly advocating for a type of energy that the U.S. military says could have a “significant impact on the army, our allies, the international community, the commercial power industry, and the nation…”
I believe Elon Musk has put a target on his back.
And even though you may not know it, or even care…
The coming war on Elon Musk is going to have a direct impact on you, your family, and your financial investments in the years to come.
In this new exposé, you’ll learn what it is that Elon has discovered, and how you can profit from it in the months and years to come. Check it out here…
It was the best half-year for billionaires since the back half of 2020, when the economy rebounded from a Covid-induced slump.
The gains coincided with a broad stock market rally, as investors brushed off the effects of central bank interest rate hikes, the ongoing war in Ukraine and a crisis in regional banks. The S&P 500 rose 16% and the Nasdaq 100 surged 39% for its best-ever first half as investor mania over artificial intelligence boosted tech stocks. Here’s a link to this article.
PayPal is carving out gains today following its earnings beat and fairly encouraging outlook in Q4. There was some uneasiness heading into PYPL’s report, illuminated by the stock slipping roughly 10% from February 2nd highs after some of its competition and partners, like GOOGLE, Amazon, and Affirm, delivered concerning quarterly reports. Although there were still a few areas of concern within PYPL’s Q4 results, the company dished out confidence-inspiring numbers for the most part, and CEO Daniel Schulman, who announced his retirement within the next year, carried an optimistic tone throughout the call.
Overall, PYPL rang up a decent quarter, especially after some nerve-racking reports by a few of its peers. As it is well-known and likely priced in by now, FY23 will probably not be smooth sailing. However, PYPL is conducting the right moves through cost-cutting measures and streamlining operations, which will position it nicely to step on the gas once e-commerce growth reaccelerates.
Implementing the 80/20 rule to your monthly income, you would have to calculate 20% of your net income and automatically allocate that amount to your savings account or debt repayment first. The remaining 80%, distribute it towards your necessary expenses and discretionary spending throughout the month; essentially, “paying yourself first” by prioritizing savings before other expenditures.
The 80-20 rule is a principle that states 80% of all outcomes are derived from 20% of causes. It’s used to determine the factors (typically, in a business situation) that are most responsible for success and then focus on them to improve results.
What is the 80/20 rule in Agile?
One of the core principles of Agile development is the Pareto Principle. It basically says 80% of the impact can be generated by focusing on 20% of the problems. Rapidly iterate on the set of problems by focusing on solving only the 20% that provide 80% impact each iteration quickly, faster and faster every time.
There are many ways in which you can put the Pareto principle to good use. Here’s a couple of ideas:
Since 20% of your effort amounts to 80% of the effect of your work, you should consider which activities comprise the vital few you need to focus on. To maximize your efficiency, you must identify them and work on them first. Mind you, though, you should not neglect the other tasks. Move on to doing them once you clear the big ones.
As an executive or manager, you may feel that time isn’t exactly on your side—this is when delegating comes in handy. However, it may be a bit of a problem to decide which things you should do yourself and which ones could be handed over to your team. Not if you know the 80/20 rule. Focus on the vital 20% and delegate the rest.
How to monitor risks? Once you realize that 20% of risks can cause 80% of setbacks, you’ll know that to minimize any possible damage you must identify and closely monitor the 20%. The rest needs to be monitored too, but the relative damage it can cause is much less serious.
If 80% of your income comes from 20% of your customers, optimize your products, services, and advertising for the 20%. Even if not everyone ends up happy about your choices, the bottom line will be in your favor.
Knowing that 20% of your posts generate 80% of your traffic, identify which types of posts perform best. Then, design a content marketing strategy that incorporates more similar posts.
“Focusing on a narrow set of the most impactful changes that can be made in your personal of professional life can bring about great improvement but also highlight the concentrated risk that exists with any changes in these decisions. In other words, changing 20% of your life or work represents a high risk/high reward scenario. If handled well, it can lead to disproportionate improvements, while handled poorly, it can result in outsized detrimental impact.
In my business environment, I attempt to isolate central touchpoints for all other areas of my work responsibilities. From there, I seek ways to automate or improve those processes in the hopes of benefits cascading throughout my work. However, because of the centrality of these activities, I need to be extremely careful when implementing changes as they can lead to widespread problems.”
One of the most common contexts for the 80/20 rule is in the marketing and sales activities of companies. While it’s often repeated that 80% of any company’s profit is generated by 20% of its customers, the same proportions could extend to other areas of business activity, for example:
What does this mean in practice?
To maximize their efficiency businesses should focus on the vital 20% of activity.
So—in this case, the Pareto principle becomes the Pareto methodology. And the first step to implementing it is to identify which activities comprise the vital 20%.
When applied to work, it means that approximately 20 percent of your efforts produce 80 percent of the results. Learning to recognize and then focus on that 20 percent is the key to making the most effective use of your time.
While not as well-known as the bell-shaped Normal (Gaussian) distribution, the Pareto distribution is a powerful tool for modeling a variety of real-life phenomena. It is named after the Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto (1848-1923), who developed the distribution in the 1890s as a way to describe the allocation of wealth in society. He famously observed that 80% of society’s wealth was controlled by 20% of its population, a concept now known as the “Pareto Principle” or the “80-20 Rule”.
The Pareto distribution is a power-law probability distribution, and has only two parameters to describe the distribution: α (“alpha”) and Xm. The α value is the shape parameter of the distribution, which determines how distribution is sloped (see Figure 1). The Xm parameter is the scale parameter, which represents the minimum possible value for the distribution and helps to determine the distribution’s spread. The probability density function is given by the following formula:
When we plot this function across a range of x values, we see that the distribution slopes downward as x increases. This means that the majority of the distribution’s density is concentrated near Xm on the left-hand side, with only a small proportion of the density as we move to the right. For reference, the “80-20 Rule” is represented by a distribution with alpha equal to approximately 1.16.
Figure 1: Pareto Distribution (various alpha)
Pareto in the Real World
The Pareto distribution has major implications in our society. Consider its original use case, describing the distribution of wealth across individuals in a society. The vast majority of the world’s citizens are clustered at a low level of wealth, while a small percentage of the population controls the vast majority of all wealth. Policymakers may not realize that wealth is distributed according to a Pareto distribution rather than a normal distribution, and this gap in understanding could lead to suboptimal policy decisions in countries around the world.
Perhaps equally profound is the ability to model productivity according to a Pareto distribution (while productivity and wealth are both distributed in the same manner, their correlation at the level of individuals is a matter of dispute and varies by context). In most professions it is hard to precisely quantify a worker’s productivity, but Major League Baseball (MLB) teams are experts in exactly this exercise. Using the Wins Above Replacement (WAR) metric as an estimate of a player’s value, we can see that MLB players are able to produce wins for their team in a Pareto-distributed fashion. It is amazing that even among the best 1,500 baseball players in the world, they are still distributed in this extreme way.
Figure 2: Distribution of WAR, 2021 MLB Players
There is anecdotal evidence of the Pareto Principle in other professions, for example it is commonly noted that it seems like a small number of software engineers are responsible for the majority of important code written at a firm. There are other cases of Pareto-distributed instances: the size of cities, value of oil wells, popularity of songs and videogames, size of insurance claims, and much more. By better understanding the underlying distribution of the phenomena around us, we can build better models and make more intelligent decisions. The Pareto distribution is just one option for building this understanding, and it is a powerful tool.
“The existence of Humans creates opportunities for Humans.” By Valerie Njee.
Kgoo Episode 59
SVENFLY 