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The Middle East’s shifting balance of power favors Turkey and IsraelSaturday, December 21, 2024 Introduction: A Tale of Two Cities Rome and Dubai , the capitals of Italy and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) , stand as two of the world’s most visited cities, yet they represent vastly different approaches to tourism. Rome , the birthplace of Western civilization, is steeped in ancient history, religious significance, and timeless art. In contrast, Dubai has emerged as a modern marvel—an epitome of futuristic architecture, luxury, and innovative experiences. Despite their differences, both cities have managed to establish themselves as major global tourism hubs, attracting millions of travelers each year. But what exactly makes these cities so appealing to tourists? How have they adapted to changing trends in the travel industry, and how do they compare in terms of tourism growth, demographics, and economic impact? This article delves into these questions, exploring how Rome and Dubai offer different, yet equally captivating, tourism experiences, and how each city contributes to global travel trends. The Impact of Tourism in Rome: An Ancient Legacy with Modern Appeal Rome , often referred to as the “Eternal City,” has a unique ability to transport visitors through time. Known for its history, art, and religious significance, Rome offers an immersive journey into the past, while simultaneously engaging with contemporary life. With its Roman ruins , Renaissance art , and baroque churches , Rome stands as a living museum, where visitors can touch the stones of ancient history while enjoying vibrant modern-day culture. Tourism Statistics and Growth in Rome Before the pandemic, Rome consistently welcomed between 9 to 10 million visitors annually, making it one of the most popular European destinations. However, like most of the world’s tourism industry, Rome’s visitor numbers fell significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these setbacks, the city has made a remarkable recovery. In 2023, Rome welcomed approximately 7 million tourists during the first half of the year, signaling a strong rebound. While this was still a drop compared to pre-pandemic numbers, it marked a 16.7% increase from 2022—a clear sign of recovery. The return of pilgrims to Vatican City and the gradual reopening of international travel have been key drivers of this recovery. Rome’s appeal as a cultural and religious destination continues to attract millions of visitors each year, whether they are there to explore the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites or to experience the spiritual heart of Catholicism. Key Demographics of Rome’s Visitors The visitors to Rome are as varied as the city’s history itself. The primary demographic groups that make up the bulk of Rome’s tourists include: Famous Attractions in Rome Rome’s allure lies in its deep history and artistic treasures. The city is home to some of the most iconic landmarks in the world: Dubai: A Futuristic Marvel with Luxury at Its Core While Rome is the epitome of history and tradition, Dubai is a city defined by its futuristic vision and opulence. Over the past few decades, Dubai has transformed itself from a small desert trading port into a global metropolis known for its cutting-edge architecture, luxury shopping, and extravagant entertainment options. The city caters to those seeking the height of modern luxury, with iconic structures like the Burj Khalifa and Burj Al Arab offering both awe-inspiring views and experiences. Tourism Statistics and Growth in Dubai Unlike Rome , which has a long-standing history of tourism, Dubai’s rise as a global tourism hub has been much more recent. Nevertheless, the city has seen explosive growth in the past two decades. In 2023, Dubai welcomed over 14 million visitors, representing a strong recovery from the pandemic, with numbers nearing 93% of pre-pandemic levels. The city saw an 18.3% increase in tourism compared to 2022, highlighting its continued appeal as a luxury and leisure destination. Dubai’s success in attracting tourists is due in part to its aggressive marketing strategies and its ability to diversify its tourism offerings. In addition to high-end shopping and luxury hotels, Dubai has invested heavily in entertainment, leisure, and cultural tourism. The city’s iconic landmarks, like the Burj Khalifa and Palm Jumeirah , continue to attract millions of visitors each year, while its vibrant nightlife and world-class events appeal to a younger, more cosmopolitan crowd. Key Demographics of Dubai’s Visitors Dubai’s appeal spans a diverse array of demographics, with the city’s luxury offerings attracting high-net-worth individuals, while its adventurous side draws thrill-seekers. Key visitor demographics include: Famous Attractions in Dubai Dubai’s tourism offerings are diverse, ranging from record-breaking skyscrapers to unique entertainment experiences. Some of its most famous attractions include:

NoneBOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) — Adam Jones ran for 197 yards and two touchdowns and Montana State ran over Montana 34-11 on Saturday to reclaim the Brawl of the Wild trophy. The Bobcats (12-0, 8-0 Big Sky Conference) wrapped up the 123rd meeting in this rivalry with 420 yards, 326 on the ground. Montana State capped its first unbeaten season and can match the school record for consecutive wins with a playoff win in two weeks. The Bobcats, ranked second in the FCS coaches poll, should be the top seed in the playoffs after top-ranked North Dakota State lost its finale to fifth-ranked South Dakota. Montana (8-4, 5-3), ranked 10th, is expected to add to its record 27 FCS playoff appearances but will not have a first-round bye in the 24-team bracket. Montana State quarterback Tommy Mellott was 6-of-12 passing for 94 yards with a touchdown in poor conditions and added 50 yards and a touchdown on the ground. He has helped the Bobcats score at least 30 points in every game this season Mellott had a 5-yard touchdown run on MSU's first possession and Mellott found Jones for a 35-yard touchdown early in the second quarter for a 14-3 lead. Myles Sansted had two field goals in the final two minutes, including a 49-yarder as time expired for a 20-3 halftime lead. Jones dominated the second half and scored two short touchdowns. Eli Gillman scored on a 1-yard run for Montana's touchdown between the Jones' touchdowns. The Grizzlies had just 234 yards and went 2 of 12 on third down. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football . Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25The former Labour PM said the death of his newborn daughter in 2002 did “not convince me of the case for assisted dying; it convinced me of the value and imperative of good end-of-life care”. In a rare intervention ahead of the Commons debate on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill on Friday, November 29, Mr Brown shared a glimpse of the time he and his wife Sarah spent with their baby, Jennifer, who died when she was only 11 days old. Writing in the Guardian newspaper, Mr Brown said: “We could only sit with her, hold her tiny hand and be there for her as life ebbed away. She died in our arms. “But those days we spent with her remain among the most precious days of my and Sarah’s lives.” While he acknowledged that at the heart of the assisted dying debate is a “desire to prevent suffering”, the former Labour MP called for a commission on end-of-life care to be set up, instead of the law change which MPs will consider. This commission, he said, should work to create a “fully-funded, 10-year strategy for improved and comprehensive palliative care”. “When only a small fraction of the population are expected to choose assisted dying, would it not be better to focus all our energies on improving all-round hospice care to reach everyone in need of end of life support?” he said. Mr Brown added: “Medical advances that can transform end-of-life care and the horror of people dying alone, as with Covid, have taught us a great deal. “This generation have it in our power to ensure no-one should have to face death alone, uncared for, or subject to avoidable pain.” Kim Leadbeater, the Labour MP sponsoring the assisted dying Bill through the Commons, said she was “deeply touched” by Mr Brown’s decision to share his story. The Spen Valley MP said she agreed completely with his calls for better end-of-life care. But Ms Leadbeater added: “He and I agree on very many things but we don’t agree on this. “Only legislation by Parliament can put right what Sir Keir Starmer calls the ‘injustice that we have trapped within our current arrangement’. “The need to address the inability of the current law to provide people with safeguards against coercion and the choice of a better death, and to protect their loved ones from possible prosecution, cannot wait. “So for me it isn’t a case of one or the other. My Bill already includes the need for the Government to report back to Parliament on the availability and quality of palliative care, and I strongly support further detailed examination of its provision. We need to do both.” Though Ms Leadbeater made reference to the Prime Minister as she set out her difference from Mr Brown’s position, Sir Keir has opted not to say whether he will support the Bill. MPs will be given a free vote on the legislation, meaning their political parties will not require them to vote for or against it, and it will be a matter for their personal consideration. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is the latest senior minister to disclose her position on assisted dying, signalling to broadcasters on Friday that she may support the Bill. “I continue to support the principle of needing change but also to ensure that we’ve got the proper safeguards and systems in place,” she told ITV’s Good Morning Britain. Asked if that meant a “yes” when the Bill comes to the Commons, she replied: “I think I last voted on this about 20 years ago and so I have supported the principle in the past and continue to believe that change is needed but we do need to have that debate on the detail and I’ll continue to follow that debate next Friday.”The summer of 1979 featured disco in the nightclubs, “Saturday Night Fever” on the radio, and long lines at the gas pumps, where prices were high and supply was short. High unemployment, inflation and the energy crisis engendered by foreign oil producers crippled the country. The 444 days of the crisis when a newly revolutionary Iran took and held American hostages, coupled with the deaths of eight servicemen in a botched rescue attempt, had begun. In 1980, Russia invaded Afghanistan, and the U.S. response was a boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics. Confidence in the American way of life waned and convinced many Americans that the man in the White House, Jimmy Carter, was inept, unlucky or both. His approval rating plummeted to a record low as a recession and a growing perception of weakness took hold. It was a crushing blow to an administration that began with promise and optimism. “The tragedy of Jimmy Carter is that his fourth year was disastrous,” Robert A. Pastor told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was a Carter adviser and professor of international relations at American University before his death in 2014. “The number of setbacks that occurred ultimately set the stage for his defeat and has colored the way people look at Jimmy Carter,” said Pastor. “And it has prevented them from appreciating what he did do.” Carter rose from relative obscurity to the presidency in two years, with the help of his family and the Peanut Brigade, friends from Georgia who knocked on hundreds of thousands of doors across the U.S. to vouch for him face-to-face with Americans. He offered “a government as honest as the people,” after the national embarrassment of President Richard Nixon and the Watergate scandal. Carter’s first three years in office yielded “extraordinary accomplishments,” Pastor says. The president brokered the Camp David Accords, a peace agreement between Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian Prime Minister Anwar Sadat. That led to the two foreign leaders winning the 1978 Nobel Peace Prize. He normalized relations with China and made human rights a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy. Carter signed the Panama Canal treaty, established the departments of energy and education, and vastly expanded national parks and recreation areas and preserves, including the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area — one of metro Atlanta’s favorite green spaces. Carter — as a Democrat — deregulated airlines, transportation, financial institutions and lifted sanctions on actions such as the home brewing of beer, which eventually led to America’s craft-brewing boom. Definitively, he cut oil imports by half in an effort to free the nation from energy dependence on foreign nations. That dependence had become frighteningly clear from an oil embargo by OPEC nations, which had jacked up fuel costs, caused shortages and hamstrung a faltering economy. Carter tried to address the economic and other problems in what came to be known as the “malaise” speech, even though he never uttered that word. His fifth major address on the energy crisis, the speech was complex, preachy and prescient. The speech was well received until, as historian Douglas Brinkley noted in a PBS documentary, “it boomeranged on him” with a series of following events. In the speech, he asked American’s to return to their roots of optimism and faith in democracy and each other. He described an erosion in trust among neighbors and a gridlocked government beholden to special interests as a “crisis of confidence.” “In a nation that was proud of hard work, strong families, close-knit communities, and our faith in God, too many of us now tend to worship self-indulgence and consumption,” he said. “Human identity is no longer defined by what one does, but by what one owns. But we’ve discovered that owning things and consuming things does not satisfy our longing for meaning. We’ve learned that piling up material goods cannot fill the emptiness of lives which have no confidence or purpose.” Carter urged a new age of limits and sacrifice. “The solution of our energy crisis can also help us to conquer the crisis of the spirit in our country,” he said. To some, it came across as more of a sermon from the life-long Baptist Sunday school teacher than a presidential address. A week later, Carter asked his entire Cabinet to resign, a poorly managed house-cleaning that suggested the White House was falling apart. Many came to believe that Carter — not the loss of vision and hope by the American people — was the problem. As the economy’s fluttering drift continued, the former Navy engineer was criticized as being a micro-manager and more interested in the process of setting up policy than he was in producing effective ones. He had to fend off attacks of being too much of a D.C. outsider to get much done inside the Beltway, and he suffered other inside attacks for being too conservative for the liberal wing of his party. And when he ran for reelection, he was challenged in his own Democratic primary by U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy, which made matters worse. A year later, Ronald Reagan defeated Carter in a landslide. Carter returned to Plains to lick his wounds and begin the long work that 24 years later would earn him the Nobel Peace Prize. Carter admitted his mistakes as president three decades after leaving the White House, but said he didn’t regret what he did. “I never have felt discouraged or disappointed when I look back at those four years,” he told TV interviewer Charlie Rose during a media tour in 2010 to promote his book “White House Diary.” To “60 Minutes” reporter Lesley Stahl he said, “I think I was identified as a failed president because I wasn’t reelected.” Carter told interviewers that his proudest achievement was that “all the hostages in Iran came home alive.” They were released moments after Reagan took the oath of office. If he could do anything differently, he has said, he would have sent one more helicopter in an attempt to rescue the hostages. Three of the eight helicopters failed, causing the mission to abort. The botched rescue further entrenched his perception of ineptitude. He was tagged as weak “because I didn’t bomb Iran,” he told Rose. His biggest mistake? “Not becoming a trusted and supported leader of the Democratic party,” he told Rose. “I ran as an outsider,” he recalled. “I rode the wave of dissatisfaction with the government.” “Americans were discouraged and embarrassed,” as he ran for president, he told Rose. The Vietnam War had just ended, Richard Nixon had resigned the presidency after Watergate. The country had witnessed the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. Americans were cynical and deeply distrustful of government. “I capitalized on the displeasure of the American people,” he said. But as president, he also pursued an aggressive agenda to right the ship that confused voters and alienated lawmakers. He had big and futuristic ideas, but some analysts said he struggled to explain those to voters in ways that resonated with them. Reagan took office, welcomed home the U.S. hostages from Iran, and removed the solar panels that Carter had installed on the roof of the White House. Carter went on after his presidency to establish a continuing life on the world stage through his work at the Carter Center, eradicating diseases, brokering peace between warring nations, ending hunger, fighting for the environment and human rights without the constraints of having to answer to a voters, a political party or Congress. He and his wife Rosalynn, blessed with long lives, persisted in the work for more than 40 years. Rosalynn Carter died at age 96 on Nov. 19, 2023. The former president died at age 100 on Dec. 29, 2024. In his book “Sources of Strength” he wrote that one should not concentrate on the number of years one might have left, “at best, life is short, and its duration is unpredictable.” Instead, he wrote, use whatever time you have to make life meaningful. “I feel at ease with history,” he told a USA Today interviewer in 1986. “I feel that our record will stand the test of time.” ©2024 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Visit at ajc.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr sustained a left hand injury and possible concussion in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 14-11 victory over the New York Giants. The Saints feared Carr fractured the hand, per reports, and he was slated to undergo further testing. He reportedly had a cast on the hand when exiting the stadium. Saints interim coach Darren Rizzi said Carr may have to enter the concussion protocol. Carr was injured when he tried to leap for a first down late in the final quarter. He was near the sideline and went airborne, landing hard on the left hand with this face then slamming into the turf as he landed out of bounds with 3:59 left in the game. Jake Haener finished up the game for the Saints. Carr completed 20 of 31 passes for 219 yards, one touchdown and one interception for New Orleans. Overall, Carr has passed for 2,145 yards, 15 touchdowns and five interceptions this season. He missed three games earlier this season due to an oblique injury. --Field Level MediaCharlotte 39, FAU 27STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Jaylen Reed’s hands were still dirty and his face smeared with eye black as he took a seat in the Beaver Stadium media room. The hard-nosed veteran of nearly 50 college football games looked weary after Penn State pounded Maryland on Saturday, but lit up as he watched media members gather around teammate Audavion Collins next to him. The sophomore was excitedly describing his first career interception. Reed grinned, his pride was evident. One of Penn State’s captains, Reed loves when underclassmen earn playing time. He knows, especially on defense, the No. 3 Nittany Lions (11-1, 8-1 Big Ten, No. 4 CFP) will likely rely on them to make a run at their first national championship since 1986. “Having that type of depth, having that type of guy that can step up and play the game every week, that’s something that’s going to help us down the stretch,” Reed said. “Having depth at all positions, I feel like that’s the main thing and I feel like we have huge depth.” Reed knows Collins is far from the only reserve player who has been effective for Tom Allen’s defense this season. Heading into Saturday’s Big Ten championship game against No. 1 Oregon in Indianapolis, Penn State has used 39 players on a defense that ranks seventh nationally against the run and pass. Meanwhile, the Nittany Lions are fourth overall in total defense (266.8 yards) and sixth in scoring defense (14 points) entering the showdown with the Ducks' 15th-ranked offense with a College Football Playoff first-round bye at stake. It’s not just the starting 11 getting it done. Since mid-October, Penn State has regularly rotated at least nine defensive linemen, six linebackers and nine defensive backs early and midway through games. As a result, seven players have snagged their first interceptions this season, while five others have recorded their first sacks. “We believe in everybody coming in behind us,” linebacker Tony Rojas said. “Our defense, we know what we’re capable of and I feel like our defense is top tier, if not the best.” It technically hasn’t been at full strength since Week 2 of the season. Then, star safety KJ Winston was lost to an unspecified long-term injury. He tried to play at Wisconsin on Oct. 26, but hasn’t seen action since. In the meantime, Winston’s absence has allowed Allen and head coach James Franklin to get a good look at Collins and other young backend players like Eliot Washington, Zion Tracy and Dejuan Lane. Tracy and Lane have seen their snap counts go up since November, and both have interceptions since. The Nittany Lions haven’t been immune to injuries up front, either. Star end Dani Dennis-Sutton was limited midway through the season by an unspecified ailment. Before last weekend’s game against Maryland, Penn State listed defensive tackles Alonzo Ford and Kaleb Artis and defensive end Zuriah Fisher out with injuries. While not near 100% healthy, Dennis-Sutton continued to suit up, but yielded reps to Amin Vanover and Smith Vilbert. Vanover and Vilbert are seniors who were slowed over the years by injuries but have stuck around, and are now shoring up the team’s depth. “I think getting Dani back healthy, that’s been important,” Franklin said. “I think this was his first game back where he was really healthy, Abdul (Carter) the second half of the season, has gotten very comfortable playing defensive end. We’ve been able to rotate and get production out of guys like Amin as well, so I think all those things have been really important.” So is the fact that Penn State’s defense has continued to close out games. The Nittany Lions have allowed just 445 yards on 125 third-quarter plays this season. Meanwhile, they’ve outscored opponents 192-55 in the second half and overtime and held 19 of their last 22 Big Ten opponents to fewer that 100 rushing yards. Like Reed, senior Dvon J-Thomas spent much of the second half against Maryland cheering on his freshman teammates. Notably, tackle Ty Blanding who had his first career tackle for loss in his first defensive series. “I’ve seen a tremendous leap in their attention to detail,” J-Thomas said. “There’s not a lot of moments or times in your career where you’ll have an opportunity like this and I think they realize that." Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

Something to look forward to: Dual monitors are quite common in desktop setups these days, but enjoying the same experience on the go has rarely been an option. However, a new product from Minisforum – a portable monitor that unfolds into two screens – could change that. The MDSA156 is a unique portable monitor that unfolds to reveal two 15.6-inch 1080p IPS displays connected by a 315-degree hinge. The bottom screen includes a built-in kickstand, allowing you to prop it up in various orientations and angles to suit your needs. Weighing just 2.2 pounds, it's impressively lightweight for a dual-screen setup. With dual USB-C ports and an HDMI input, the MDSA156 easily connects to laptops, tablets, or even smartphones, providing a quick and convenient way to expand your screen real estate on the go. The monitor also features stereo speakers and consumes up to 30 watts of power, though actual power usage is typically lower than the advertised maximum. Minisforum highlights a variety of use cases, including office work, business meetings, stock analysis, gaming, travel, and online courses. Promotional graphics showcase versatile configurations, such as vertically stacking the dual screens to mimic a larger monitor, angling them apart for easier sharing between two users, or folding them completely flat for single-screen use when needed. Additionally, the company emphasizes that the monitor's unique design promotes ergonomic comfort, reducing neck strain during prolonged use and supporting a more natural posture for reading and typing. The package does come with some compromises. The 250-nit peak brightness and limited 45 percent NTSC color gamut (equivalent to roughly 100 percent sRGB) make it less suitable for professional photo or video editing or other color-critical work. That said, at $231, the MDSA156 offers an affordable price point for a unique dual-screen form factor. While it may not replace a full desktop monitor setup, it's an ingenious solution for digital nomads looking to boost productivity and multitasking without adding significant bulk to their gear. However, if your workflow involves graphically intensive tasks and requires high color accuracy, you might consider alternatives like the Edge 4K OLED Ultralight Portable Magnetic Monitor. This model boasts 100 percent DCI-P3 color gamut coverage, 10-bit color support, and a peak brightness of 400 nits, making it ideal for professional-grade work.

— BIRTH NAME: — BORN: at the Wise Clinic in Plains, Georgia, the first U.S. president born in a hospital. He would become the first president to live for . — EDUCATION: Plains High School, Plains, Georgia, 1939-1941; Georgia Southwestern College, Americus, Georgia, 1941-1942; Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, 1942-1943; U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, 1943-1946 (class of 1947); Union College, Schenectady, New York, 1952-1953. — PRESIDENCY: Sworn-in as 39th president of the United States at the age of 52 years, 3 months and 20 days on Jan. 20, 1977, after defeating President Gerald R. Ford in the 1976 general election. Left office on Jan. 20, 1981, following 1980 general election loss to Ronald Reagan. — POST-PRESIDENCY: Launched The Carter Center in 1982. Began volunteering at Habitat for Humanity in 1984. Awarded Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. Taught for 37 years at Emory University, where in 2019, at age 94. — OTHER ELECTED OFFICES: Georgia state senator, 1963-1967; Georgia governor, 1971-1975. — OTHER OCCUPATIONS: Served in U.S. Navy, achieved rank of lieutenant, 1946-53; Farmer, warehouseman, Plains, Georgia, 1953-77. — FAMILY: Wife, , married July 7, 1946 until her death Nov. 19, 2023. They had three sons, John William (Jack), James Earl III (Chip), Donnel Jeffrey (Jeff); a daughter, Amy Lynn; and 11 living grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. ___ Source: Jimmy Carter Library & Museum The Associated Press

( MENAFN - IANS) Washington, Dec 25 (IANS) US President-elect Donald trump slammed outgoing President Joe Biden's decision to commute the sentences of 37 individuals on federal death row. "Joe Biden just commuted the Death Sentence on 37 of the worst killers in our Country. When you hear the acts of each, you won't believe that he did this. Makes no sense," Trump said in a post on his social media platform Truth Social. Trump's remarks came one day after Biden made the announcement that he was commuting the sentences of 37 of the 40 individuals on federal death row to life sentences without the possibility of parole, Xinhua news agency reported. "Make no mistake: I condemn these murderers, grieve for the victims of their despicable acts, and ache for all the families who have suffered unimaginable and irreparable loss," Biden said in a statement. "But guided by my conscience and my experience as a public defender, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Vice President, and now President, I am more convinced than ever that we must stop the use of the death penalty at the federal level," Biden said. "In good conscience, I cannot stand back and let a new administration resume executions that I halted," said the outgoing President. In another post Tuesday, Trump said that as soon as he is inaugurated, he will direct the Justice Department to "vigorously pursue the death penalty" to protect American families and children from "violent rapists, murderers, and monsters." "We will be a Nation of Law and Order again!" Trump said. The commutations are only for the 37 facing federal death penalty and not in the States. There are in all - including those on death row in the states - 2250 prisoners on death row across the US, according to the Death Penalty Information Centre, a non-profit organisation that says its mis­sion is to serve the media, pol­i­cy­mak­ers, and the gen­er­al pub­lic with data and analy­sis on issues con­cern­ing cap­i­tal pun­ish­ment and the peo­ple it affects. MENAFN24122024000231011071ID1109028628 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.TURTLE RIVER TOWNSHIP — If you saw him today, you’d never think Robb Carothers once had a fast-paced career in the high-tech world. His simple off-the-grid home and shop east of Bemidji belies his former life. The 55-year-old Carothers was an information technology specialist at Concordia Language Villages and Bemidji State University for more than 20 years, but left BSU in 2018 after his father was diagnosed with cancer. He wanted to spend more time with his dad, who lives in Rhode Island, and his mother, who lives in Pennsylvania where Carothers grew up. It was during one of those visits out east that Carothers discovered a new passion. He was introduced to woodturning, and has since become an accomplished artist. He named his business Swamp Hill Carpentry, and his work is on display this winter at Wild Hare Bistro and Coffeehouse in downtown Bemidji. “I can’t believe it sometimes,” Carothers said last week while taking a coffee break in his cozy self-built home. “To me, it’s just been so satisfying to take that leap and find a way to do woodturning. I’ve been so much happier since I’ve left the daily grind. I’ve certainly not regretted it.” Carothers came to Bemidji in 1989 to enroll at Bemidji State. His father worked for Minnesota’s state university system at that time. Ross had visited his dad in the summers and on one of those trips they trekked to Bemidji. “I fell in love with this place,” Carothers said. He majored in geography and international studies at BSU, even spending a year at the school’s sister university in China. “I traveled a bit, but ended up back in Bemidji,” he said. “I was always good with computers and technology, so I got the job at Concordia and spent about 18 years there.” He took a similar position at Bemidji State, but when he learned of his father’s illness, Carothers decided it was time to reconnect with his parents. “I just wanted to spend more time with Mom and Dad,” he said. “So I left my job at BSU so I could hang out with them and make memories while we still can.” On one of those first visits to Rhode Island, his dad’s friend asked what Carothers was going to do while his dad was at work. He wondered if Carothers wanted to learn how to turn bowls. “That sounded interesting,” Carothers said. “I’ve always been interested in woodworking, poetry, and music. I’ve always enjoyed doing creative things.” He got hooked on woodturning while spending time with his dad’s friend. So much so that before he returned to Minnesota, Robb knew he had found his passion. “I just thought it was fascinating, and I loved it,” Carothers said. “By the time I left there to come back here I had already ordered a lathe, and it was waiting for me when I got home.” He turned his small guest house into a shop. And a mere five years after being introduced to woodturning, he has become a true craftsman. At first, Carothers wasn’t sure woodturning would become his full-time business. “I just thought it was something I could do,” he said. “I considered going back to work, but I knew I still wanted to do those trips (out east) every year. It’s kind of hard to find a job that will let you disappear for about three months a year. So I thought maybe I could sell a few bowls and that would be enough to pay some bills." Carothers noted that, while woodturning might not make him rich, it's a fulfilling business that allows him to explore his passion. "It’s not enough really to survive on, but it’s a little cash in the pocket from time to time," he said. "I don’t think I’ll get rich doing this, but it’s certainly satisfying, and I enjoy it." He especially enjoys working with wood that he finds locally, either from his own property or from others. “We have some really beautiful stuff,” Carothers said. “After doing this for 4-5 years now you sort of get known as the guy who likes interesting wood, so I started getting phone calls or people would reach out and have some interesting pieces of wood for me. " When he first started woodturning, materials were hard to come by. Fortunately, he was able to find some downed trees with the help of local wildlife. "There are lots of downed trees in the swamp area on my property," he said. "The beavers are pretty prolific at doing that. So I went out and found some trees that the beavers had dropped, and those were some of my first pieces." He also makes good use of trees that have been knocked down by wind storms. "It seems like every year we have one or two good wind storms and the trees come down," he said. "I would reach out to people and ask if anybody lost anything. My deal is that if you have some interesting wood I will make a free bowl for you in exchange for the donation (of wood). I’ll come get it, too." In addition to bowls, Carothers has been making urns from local wood. That niche started when one of his good friends was dying. “He had an amazing property of sugar maples,” Robb said. “They were just thick, growing like grass. When I started getting into (woodturning) he told me, ‘I bet there’s stuff out here you could use. Just don’t cut down any live trees.’" Carothers was able to find some "nice pieces" on the property to use for his woodturning projects. "He was sick, and he wasn’t going to live much longer," Carothers said about his friend. "The family knew that, and they asked if I would make an urn for him, and I had just the piece for him from his forest. So I made an urn from the forest that he loved to hang out in, and he can continue to do that forever." Carothers estimates that he makes about 50 to 60 bowls in a year, although "I sell far less than I make." Despite having an IT background, he does not have a website and only uses Facebook to connect with people online. He is a regular vendor at the annual Blackduck Woodcarvers Festival in July and sells his work at art fairs and events. His pieces will remain on display at Wild Hare at least through the end of January.

OpenAI Culminates 'Shipmas' Event With The Unveiling Of o3 & o3-Mini LLMs, Here's What We KnowAttorneys want the US Supreme Court to say Mississippi’s felony voting ban is cruel and unusualThomas Jr. scores again as Titans get swept by Jaguars

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