What to know about the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment
Tens of millions of older Americans will see a modest increase in benefits in January when a new cost-of-living adjustment is added to Social Security payments
2023-10-13 03:52
Restaurants are charging ‘vomit fee’ at bottomless brunch
Some restaurants in California are charging an additional fee to customers who throw up in the public space after drinking too many mimosas during bottomless brunch. A restaurant based in San Francisco, Kitchen Story, first made customers aware of the cleaning fee with a sign in the bathroom, as reported by SFGate. In its message, the popular brunch spot – which offers bottomless mimosa for 60 minutes – encouraged customers to drink responsibly, before describing the rules they should follow if they don’t want to be charged extra. “Dear all mimosa lovers,” the sign reads. “Please drink responsibly and know your limits. A $50 cleaning fee will automatically be included in your tap when you throw up in our public areas. Thank you so much for understanding.” Speaking to SFGate, Kitchen Story owner Steven Choi specified that the sign has been up ​​for nearly two years, after staff members had to spend a lot of time cleaning customers’ vomit. “This was still during the pandemic and it became a very sensitive issue for customers and staff having to clean up,” he said. “But this is not unique. It’s there to make the customers stop and think about other people.” Chaiporn Kitsadaviseksak, the co-owner of Kitchen Story, said that the sign has successfully prevented customers from getting sick in public spaces of the restaurant. Although he couldn’t recall the last time that someone was charged with a clean-up fee, there were multiple instances of customers throwing up before the sign went up. “People were scared with Covid. And this was happening a lot. My workers don’t want to do that,” he said. “It got better. Now [customers] know they have to pay. They understand.” Another restaurant in San Francisco, Home Plate, had a similar sign as Kitchen Story, warning customers about the cleaning fee if they vomit. The sign on the wall of the eatery read: “Please Drink Responsibly. $50 Cleaning Fee for any incident incurred as a result of intoxication.” Speaking to SFGate, owner Teerut Boon said that customers vomiting after drinking was an issue in 2021, which is why he instituted “pretty much the same policy” as Kitchen Story. While customers complained about the sign, prompting it to be taken down in July, the fee still applies. In fact, the same warning from the sign is on the bottom of Home Plate’s menu, right under the price of bottomless mimosas per person. The menu also specified that customers can only do bottomless mimosas for 75 minutes. Although it’s not the same rule as Home Plate and Kitchen, a gastropub in San Francisco, The Sycamore, has its own way of making sure that customers drink responsibly. Speaking to SFGate, restaurant co-owner Liz Ryan said that although the eatery doesn’t charge a fee to customers who throw up in the restaurant, there is one staff member who keeps an eye on how much people drink. “We have a staff member who is a mimosa fairy. They bring a pitcher around that they use to refill glasses,” she said. “There’s a [mimosa] station and it says this is for staff use only so please do not help yourself,” She also noted that during the two-hour brunch, the “mimosa fairy” goes to the dining area every 15 minutes or so to pour more of the drink for customers. Throughout the time, workers also examine how customers are behaving. “Our staff is trained to make sure our customers don’t overdo it. Nobody wants to see people throwing up. That sort of spoils the party vibe that we’re trying to create,” she said, referring to a Responsible Beverage Service training from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. As noted by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, the service “teaches servers to responsibly serve alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption and mitigate alcohol-related harm in California communities”. During the interview, Ryan also claimed there have been “ways to cut people off” from drinking without them realising it. “This is the kind of thing they teach you. We practice eye contact and engagement, we come by with a pitcher of water,” she said, before acknowledging that there have been people who step outside to throw up and then come back into the restaurant after drinking too much. “People can get carried away.” Read More How to spend a day in Capitol Hill, Seattle’s trend-setting neighbourhood Film, food and festivals: experience these Maltese must-dos Amsterdam travel guide: Best things to do and where to stay for a 2023 city break Brits pay more for wine when trying to impress guests, survey finds Spice up your life: Three recipes from Nadiya Hussain’s new book that bring the heat Obsessed with Boursin? It’s the perfect way to elevate your leftovers
2023-10-13 03:48
King Charles III’s Newest Coins Celebrate UK’s Flora and Fauna
New coins marking King Charles III’s ascension to the throne will enter circulation by the end of the
2023-10-13 02:18
Florida law targeting drag shows can't be enforced for now, appellate court says
A ruling prohibiting the enforcement of a new Florida law targeting drag shows will stay in place for the time being
2023-10-13 00:45
Sharon Osbourne says she and husband Ozzy plan to die by assisted suicide if their mental abilities decline
Sharon Osbourne has reminded her children of her and husband Ozzy Osbourne’s plan to die by assisted suicide, if their physical and mental health takes a severe decline. The former music manager and The Talk panellist, 71, initially discussed her end-of-life plans while promoting her 2007 memoir Survivor: My Story – The Next Chapter. In an interview at the time, Sharon said that she and Ozzy had come to the decision to visit a euthanasia facility in Switzerland, where the practice is legal. “Ozzy and I have absolutely come to the same decision,” she told the Mirror. “We believe 100 per cent in euthanasia so have drawn up plans to go to the assisted suicide flat in Switzerland if we ever have an illness that affects our brains. If Ozzy or I ever got Alzheimer’s, that’s it – we’d be off.” Sharon confirmed that their position on the matter hadn’t changed on the most recent episode of The Osbournes Podcast, hosted alongside Ozzy, 74, daughter Kelly, 38, and son Jack, 37. “Do you remember when Mum and Dad did that interview, talking about how they were gonna go and die through assisted suicide, and we were like ‘What the f*** is this?’” Kelly asked Jack. Jack replied: “They were like, ‘If we get terminally ill, we’re going to go to Switzerland and assisted suicide ourselves.’ Is that still the plan?” “Do you think that we’re gonna suffer?” Sharon asked, before laughing. To Jack’s proposal that “we [are] already all suffering”, she continued: “Yes, we all are, but I don’t want it to actually hurt, as well. “Mental suffering is enough pain without physical. So if you’ve got mental and physical, see ya.” She then clarified that if she had the chance to live longer while struggling with mental and physical issues, she’d decide against it. “What if you survived and you can’t wipe your own ass, you’re p***ing everywhere, s***ing, can’t eat,” Sharon said. “So, what’s different about your life [now]?” Kelly joked. Sharon’s strong view on having an assisted death is largely influenced by watching her father, music manager Don Arden, suffer from Alzheimer’s disease before his death in 2007. Then, in 2014, Ozzy spoke of his desire to die by medically assisted suicide in the case of any “life-threatening condition.” “If I can’t live my life the way I’m living it now – and I don’t mean financially – then that’s it...[Switzerland],” he told the Mirror. “If I can’t get up and go to the bathroom myself and I’ve got tubes up my ass and an enema in my throat, then I’ve said to Sharon, ‘Just turn the machine off.’ If I had a stroke and was paralyzed, I don’t want to be here. I’ve made a will and it’s all going to Sharon if I die before her, so ultimately it will all go to the kids.” If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you. Read More Inside the secret network of women naming and shaming their bad exes How to really tell if you’re Posh (or not) The rise of ‘Ozempic face’ and why it’s here to stay Billy Connolly says reports of his ‘demise have been greatly exaggerated’ How to get rid of bedbugs: Signs and symptoms amid threat of UK invasion Dawn O’Porter: ‘I fantasise about the other side of menopause’
2023-10-12 23:17
'The Care & Keeping of You' author and her podcast co-host break down puberty for today's parents
The average onset of puberty is about two years earlier than a generation ago
2023-10-12 21:45
Dolly Parton used to create her own makeup with 'stuff that grew wild in the fields'
Dolly Parton says that she had to utilise what she could forage during her rural upbringing to create her own makeup.
2023-10-12 21:27
Social Security benefits will increase by 3.2% in 2024 as inflation moderates
Millions of Social Security recipients will get a 3.2% increase in their benefits in 2024
2023-10-12 20:56
Michael Strahan's style reflects his personality
Michael Strahan has revealed that he loves feeling like the "black James Bond" when he wears a suit.
2023-10-12 19:23
How Taylor Swift’s style has evolved over the years
Taylor Swift graced the burgundy carpet at the Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour world premiere last night (Wednesday 11 October), in a floor-length baby blue Oscar de la Renta gown. The halter neck dress featured bold floral details, including huge appliqué flowers, which Swift paired with stiletto heels in the same colour. The event took place at MC The Grove 14 in Los Angeles, as stars including Beyonce and Julia Garner gathered to mark the launch of the singer’s concert film, directed by Sam Wrench. Taylor’s look showcased her love for mixing up fun, sophisticated and never-dull outfits. But if you think back to when the 33-year-old first walked a red carpet as an emerging artist in 2007, it’s easy to see how much her style has evolved over the years since crossing over into mainstream pop. Here’s how Swift’s red carpet looks have gone from strength to strength… 2007 American Music Awards Swift made her first appearance at the American Music Awards in 2007. Arriving at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, the fledgling star wore a mid-thigh-length black halter neck dress, with a pleated skater style skirt and embellishment detailing down the middle and around the waist, paired with black cowboy boots. 50th Grammy Awards in 2008 Still styling her hair to the side with curly lengths, Swift upped the glam factor in 2008 at the 50th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. This time, the singer wore a lilac satin floor-length corset gown, with an organza skirt featuring petaled detailing. 2012 ACM Awards The 47th annual Academy of Country Music Awards in 2012, which took place in Las Vegas, saw Swift grace the carpet in a bright white floor-length gown, with metallic gold detailing and cut-outs at the sides. The curls and side parting were replaced by loose lengths and a statement fringe. 2014 Capital Jingle Bell Ball Swift attended the 2014 Capital Jingle Bell Ball at the O2 Arena, London, loud and proud with a no ‘do – a shoulder-length inverted bob. Sporting a multi-coloured, patterned mini dress, paired with black peep toe platform heels, her look was fun, bold and fabulous. 2015 Brit Awards Scooping her first Brit award – for Best International Female Solo Artist – the songwriter wowed in 2015 in a high neck black grown, complete with a trail and red dragon design wrapped around her body. 2019 Time 100 Gala Swift went for a bohemian look at the Time 100 Gala in 2019, in a salmon-pink strapless flowy maxi dress, with yellow panelling and flower embroidery details. She paired it with detached balloon sleeves and a delicate flower detail headband. 2019 Billboard Music Awards Held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Swift attended the 2019 Billboard Music Awards in a mini lilac dress, with frill details aplenty. It also featured lace detailing on the chest and long sleeves. She wore it with beige barely-there heels, still rocking her bangs. 2022 MTV Video Music Awards Swift’s look for the 2022 MTV Awards red carpet brought the glitz and a racy edge. The star wore a see-through and heavily embellished camouflage halter neck mini dress, with low thin straps – paired with a deep red lip and small drop silver earrings to match. 2023 MTV Video Music Awards Before taking home the top prize at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards, for her Anti-Hero music video, Swift made a sophisticated statement in a floor-length black halter dress, complete with button detailing and a thigh split. She paired it with a collection of necklaces and strappy stiletto heels. Read More ‘She taught me to to defy industry norms’: Taylor Swift hails Beyoncé as ‘guiding light through my career’ Taylor Swift channels her 1989-era for Eras Tour premiere Taylor Swift announces Eras Tour concert film will release today in surprise for fans Model Emily Ratajkowski unveils latest fashion campaign 10 ways to cosy-up your home for an autumnal vibe 5 must-have bag trends for autumn
2023-10-12 19:20
Serena Williams poised to receive Fashion Icon Award
Serena Williams will be given the Icon Award at the 2023 CFDA Fashion Awards.
2023-10-12 19:20
Barcelona pushes cruise ships out of its city center
Barcelona has closed down one of its central piers for cruise ships, which will now have to dock further out from the city center. The wharf will be transformed into public space, while cruise ships will dock a half hour's walk from the city center.
2023-10-12 19:18