Summer's Over, and it's Back to School

School days...

See you later.

It's official. Summer is over, Abbey Jackson reports on businessinsidercom.

And Friday's the first day of school in Darien and many other places across the country.

For more on school districts that have pushed up the fall semester start day: http://www.businessinsider.com/summer-vacation-ending-when-2017-8

Summer's officially over for life guards, students and many others.

Photos: Pinterest, businessinsider.com

Next time on The Allen Report: 

The Latest Darien Real Estate Update.

Quantum Computing: IBM, Google are Betting on it

Weird physics...

An IBM research scientist working on a quantum computer.

Quantum computing has long lingered somewhere between reality and fantasy, fastcompany.com reports.

Whatever the facts, the underlying science is very real and very weird.

See how IBM, Google and others are betting on it, along with a video explaining quantum computing that an expert, with a wink and a nod, says even your grandmother might understand:  https://www.fastcompany.com/40458829/explaining-quantum-mechanics-computers

Photo: Pinterest.

Next time on The Allen Report:

Summer's Over and it's Back to School.

If Sea Levels Rise, How Will Your Town Fare?

Climate change...

How climate change could change New York.

The coast is kind of a favorites place. People love to visit, sit on the beach, and most of all, we really, really love to live there, James Gaines reports on upworthycom.

But as much as humans like living near the ocean, we don't tend to like living in the ocean, he added.

As the Earth gets warmer, melting ice caps and other forces could cause the average sea level to rise by as much as two meters by the year 2100. And to avoid living underwater, a lot of people might end up needing to move, Gaines wrote.

To see how some towns may fare in the future: http://www.upworthy.com/a-researcher-predicted-where-rising-tides-will-force-people-to-move-how-did-your-city-do?c=ufb2

According to one prediction, 2.5 million people could leave Miami.

Photos: Pinterest.

Next time on The Allen Report:  

Quantum Computing: IBM, Google are Betting on it.

Spectacular New Tappan Zee Bridge Opens

$4 Billion span...

The new Tappan Zee Bridge spanning the Hudson River alongside its original on the left.

After two decades of dithering by government officials and four years of herculean drilling, pounding, hauling and lifting by 7,000 workers, a new 3.1-mile bridge opened at the Tappan Zee in the early hours of Saturday, the first crossing on that scale that has been built in the New York region in more than half a century, Joseph Berger reports on nytimes.com.

My wife and I lived within a mile of the bridge many years ago and used it frequently.  The new span is a much needed improvement.

For more:  https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/24/nyregion/tappan-zee-bridge-opening.html

For a video on the new bridge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrixHMbXM1M

For a video of a trip across the new span on its opening day last Saturday: http://westchester.news12.com/story/36223197/opening-day-onnewtappan-zeebridgeshows-sleek-design-new-features

Workers move a huge section into place on the new Tappan Zee Bridge.

Photos: nytimes.com, Pinterest.

Next time on The Allen Report:

If Sea Levels Rise, How Safe is Your Town?

Smile: The Famous Badminton Rant

Fun...

Just warming up.

Back in 2004 at the summer Olympic games in Athens, Mary Carillo described badminton in a way never heard before.

For the video of her wonderful rant that has become a classic: https://www.reddit.com/r/videos/comments/4woo9w/the_best_piece_of_olympic_broadcasting_ever_aired/

I've got it!

Photos: Pinterest.

Next time on The Allen Report: 

Spectacular New Tappan Zee Bridge Opens.

Musical Moments: Schubert, Symphony No. 8

An old favorite...

Day's end.

Musical Moments features music and artists I've enjoyed over the years.

Today's selection is an old favorite by Schubert, his famous Unfinished Symphony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRurBkG9MRg

Photos: Pinterest, YouTube.

Next time on The Allen Report: 

Smile: The Famous Badminton Rant.

Darien Ends Mixed Summer Real Estate Week

Weekly update...

A day at the beach.

Darien ended a mixed residential real estate week today.

Results, according to the Darien MLS, were:

-- Three new listings of property for sale;

-- Five price changes;

-- Two accepted offers;

-- No properties going under contract, and

-- 12 closings.

For more:

Next time on The Allen Report: 

Musical Moments: Schubert, Symphony No. 8.

Aging Parents With Stuff Their Children Don't Want

A quandary...

Attic treasures?

Mothers and daughters talk about all kinds of things, Tom Verde reports on nytimes.com.

But there is one conversation Susan Beauregard, 49, of Hampton, Conn., is reluctant to have with her 89-year-old mother, Anita Shear: What to do — eventually — with Mrs. Shear’s beloved set of Lenox china?

For insights into dealing with a quandary facing families with aging parents: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/18/your-money/aging-parents-with-lots-of-stuff-and-children-who-dont-want-it.html

For a good video on cleaning up clutter: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2014/05/13/retirement-clearing-out-clutter/7702039/

Photo: Pinterest.

Next time on The Allen Report:
The Latest Darien Real Estate Update.

Paris: Redesign set for the Tour Montparnasse

Controversial Paris skyscraper...

Tour Montparnasse stands 690 feet tall and is the third largest building in Paris.

A Parisian landmark will soon undergo a redesign, Nick Mafi reports on architecturaldigest.com.

No, it's not the Eiffel Tower or the Arc de Triomphe, but the 44-year-old skyscraper Tour Montparnasse that some consider an eyesore, Mafi wrote.

For more:  https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/studio-gang-studio-naom-selected-as-finalists-to-redesign-paris-tour-montparnasse?mbid=social_twitter

To some, this is a case of Beauty and the Beast.

Photos: Pinterest.

Next time on The Allen Report: 

Aging Parents With Stuff Their Children Don't Want.

The Most Expensive House for Sale in the U.S.

Price: $250 Million...

The $250M mansion for sale in Los Angeles' exclusive Bel Air gated community.

For a video of the most expensive house for sale in the U.S.: https://twitter.com/businessinsider/status/899037535220842496/video/1 (If audio doesn't play, stop and restart video.)

Photo: Pinterest.

Next time on The Allen Report: 

Paris: Redesign set for the Tour Montparnasse.

Little Stray: Runner Finds New Friend in the Gobi Desert

Incredible journey...

Dion Leonard and his new friend Gobi at the finish of a 155 mile desert marathon.

Dion Leonard, the Australian ultramarathon runner, was in the Gobi desert on June 18, 2016, when he noticed the cute little stray dog he had seen at camp the night before, Alice Barron reports on upworthy.com.

Gobi kept up with Dion for 78 miles — half of the race, through the hot desert sand and rough mountainous terrain — though he carried her across rivers when they came to them, Barron wrote.

"When she came into camp, she followed me straight into my tent, laid down next to me, and that was that -- a bond had been developed," Dion says.

For more:  http://www.upworthy.com/this-adorable-stray-dog-found-a-new-home-after-following-a-runner-into-a-race?c=ufb1&s=p

For a buzzfeed report on Leonard and how Gobi is being adopted: https://www.buzzfeed.com/h2/vflt/tanyachen/gobi-and-leonard?utm_term=.no48l938R&sub=4328918_9379234#.neJyOd5yj

Time out for new friends.

Photos: Pinterest.

Next time on The Allen Report: 
For Sale: The Most Expensive House in the U.S.

Watch Temps Tumble During Tomorrow's Eclipse

Turning day into night...

What will an eclipse mean for solar power? Find out below.

Getting ready to watch the solar eclipse? 

Bring a sweater along with those special glasses because the mercury could dip as the moon’s shadow crosses the land, Brian Sullivan writes on bloomberg.com.

Millions of Americans across a 70-mile-wide (113-kilometer) corridor from Oregon to South Carolina will see the sky darken as the sun disappears from view, albeit for only a few minutes at a time, he wrote.

Temperatures in those areas could tumble by as much as 10 degrees Fahrenheit (5.6 Celsius), according to Paul Walker, a meteorologist with AccuWeather Inc. in State College, Pennsylvania. 

For more: https://www.bloomberg.com/amp/news/articles/2017-08-18/eclipse-turning-day-into-night-to-send-temperatures-tumbling

For what the eclipse means for solar power:  https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/18/climate/eclipse-to-test-solar-power-grid.html?smid=tw-nytimes&smtyp=cur

If it's cloudy or you're stuck indoors, here's how to watch the eclipse on the Internet: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/14/smarter-living/solar-eclipse-watch-time-location.html

For a terrific National Geographic video on eclipses: http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/short-film-showcase/this-guy-explains-why-the-solar-eclipse-will-blow-your-mind?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Social&utm_content=link_tw20170819video-eclipseguy&utm_campaign=Content&sf107497483=1

Photos: nytimes.com, Pinterest.

Next time on The Allen Report: 
New Friend: Runner Finds Puppy in the Gobi Desert.

Musical Moments: Sibelius, Karelia Suite

Popular...

Sit back and relax.

Musical Moments features music and artists I've enjoyed over the years.

Today's selection is one of Sibelius' most popular works -- his Karelia Suite: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adKwG9ZuzFw

Photos: Pinterest.

Next time on The Allen Report: 

Watch the Temps Tumble During Tomorrow's Eclipse.

Darien Finishes Busy Summer Real Estate Week

Weekly update...

The garden enjoys a summer shower.

Darien finished a busy summer residential real estate week today.

Results, according to the Darien MLS, were:

-- Four new listings or property for sale;

-- Three price changes;

-- Three accepted offers;

-- Two properties going under contract, and

-- 13 closings.

For more:

Next time on The Allen Report:

Musical Moments: Sibelius, Karela Suite.

Gatorade's Amazing Water Droplets Ad

Wonderful...

A human-like figure created with just water droplets.

Gatorade has created an incredible ad using just water droplets and a camera.

For a wonderful video:  https://twitter.com/businessinsider/status/891041587672653824/video/1

(Note: If audio doesn't play, stop and restart video.)

Photo: Pinterest.

Next time on The Allen Report: 
The Latest Darien Real Estate Update.

How to Deal With Stress

Tips...

Don't let stress grind you down.

Stress is unavoidable in modern life, but it doesn’t have to get you down. Work, money and family all create daily stress, while bigger issues like politics and terrorism contribute to our underlying stress levels, Tara Parker-Pope reports on nytimes.com.

But approach it the right way, and it won’t rule your life -- it can even be good for you, she wrote.

Here are ways to deal with stress, reduce its harm and even use your daily stress to make you stronger: https://www.nytimes.com/guides/well/how-to-deal-with-stress

Photos: Pinterest.

Next time on The Allen Report: 
Gatorade's Amazing Water Droplets Ad.

Wow: Driving the New $3.5M Bugatti Chiron Hypercar

Amazing...

Bugatti's new Chiron hypercar can top 250 mph.

What's it like behind the wheel of the amazing new Bugatti Chiron, one of the fastest cars in the world?

Here's a report and video you won't want to miss:https://twitter.com/businessinsider/status/894031283831005184/video/1 (If audio doesn't play, stop and restart video.)

A Chiron out for a night on the town.

Photos: Pinterest.

Next time on The Allen Report: 
How to Deal With Stress.

What it Takes to Raise Good Kids

Back to basics...

Getting into the swim of things.

Beneath the madness of modernity, the basics of raising a moral child haven't really changed, Maz Ali reports on upworthy.com.

Parents want their kids to achieve their goals and find happiness, but Harvard researchers believe that doesn't have to come at the expense of kindness and empathy, Ali wrote.

They say a few tried and true strategies remain the best ways to mold your kids into the morally upstanding and goals-oriented humans you want them to be.

For six practical tips: http://www.upworthy.com/harvard-psychologists-have-been-studying-what-it-takes-to-raise-good-kids-here-are-6-tips?c=ufb9

Can't see me!

Photos: Pinterest.

Next time on The Allen Report: 

Wow: Driving the New $3.5M Bugatti Chiron Speedster.

Smile: Cruise into Your New Week with Some Fun

Fun...

Thriller: Skimming down a rocky New Zealand river in a jet boat.

For fun videos to start your new week: 

-- Chevy: Valet: https://www.ispot.tv/ad/wOQI/2018-chevrolet-equinox-valet

-- Chevy: Cruz Hatchback: https://www.ispot.tv/ad/A4Wr/2017-chevrolet-cruze-hatchback-two-opinions

-- Chevy: Babysitter: https://www.ispot.tv/ad/7BTK/2015-chevrolet-tahoe-babysitter

-- Chevy: Mobile Office: https://www.ispot.tv/ad/AZQT/2016-chevrolet-silverado-mobile-office

-- Chevy: A Man and His Truck: https://www.ispot.tv/ad/7qBv/chevrolet-silverado-a-man-and-his-truck-song-by-will-hoge

Photos: Giphy, Pinterest, ispot.tv.

Next time on The Allen Report: 

What it Takes to Raise Good Kids.

Musical Moments: Remembering Glen Campbell

An extraordinary man...

Glen Campbell.

Musical Moments features music and artists I've enjoyed over the years.

This week we lost Glen Campbell, an extraordinary singer, songwriter, musician, television host and actor.

Here are two of his famous songs.

Wichita Lineman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HFCuBLAjXo and

Gentle On My Mind: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VecunpIqlg0

Photos: Pinterest, YouTube.

Next time on The Allen Report: 

Smile: Cruise Into Your New Week With Some Fun.

Darien Ends Slower Summer Real Estate Week

Weekly update...

Nice.

Darien residential real estate activity slowed in the week ending today.

Results, according to the Darien MLS, were:

-- Three new listings of property for sale;

-- Five price changes;

-- Three accepted offers;

-- One property going under contract, and

-- Seven closings.

For more:

Next time on The Allen Report:

Musical Moments: Remembering Glen Campbell.

Why Some People Like Certain Real Estate Agents

Creating memorable relationships...

An agent's dream: You're great.  Just what I was looking for.  I'll buy it.

There are many reasons why some people are drawn to certain real estate agents, Steve Bunker reports on rismedia.com.

But the best advice an expert offers is,  “Be yourself, be genuine, and truly learn the needs of your clients,” says Dr. Richard Shuster, a psychologist, Bunker wrote.

“The mindset of needing to be a chameleon is a false narrative because people buy from those that they first trust, and, second, see intrinsic value in what they are offering, Shuster said.

"REALTORS® aren’t selling houses; they are selling a shorter commute, a place to start a family, a better school for their son or daughter. Find out what your client really wants by asking meaningful questions," Shuster added.

For more of a fascinating report: http://rismedia.com/2017/08/08/neuroscience-behind-choosing-realtor/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=eNews

Photos: Pinterest

Next time on The Allen Report:

The Latest Darien Real Estate Report.

Happy Anniversary: The U.S. Air Force at 70

From early jets to stealth aircraft...

Graduation day at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

The U.S. Air Force celebrates its 70th anniversary as a separate service this year, cnet.com reports.

I enjoyed serving in the Air Force, where I made some life-long friendships and had some fascinating assignments.

For a slide show of Air Force planes spanning seven decades: https://www.cnet.com/pictures/us-air-force-at-70-from-early-jets-to-stealth-aircraft/?ftag=ACQb4020c1&vndid=1861538549&nan_pid=1861538549&ad_id=6793916

Photos: Giphy, Pinterest.

Next time on The Allen Report: 

Why Some People Like Certain Real Estate Agents.

Game Changer: The New Tesla Model 3

The peek into the future...

The new Tesla Model 3, an electric car for everyday road trippers.

If you’ve ever driven Tesla’s flagship vehicle—the $140,000 Model S P100D—you’ve experienced an unparalleled version of driving power. Zero to 60 in 2.3 seconds punches you back in the seat while making the stomach turn somersaults.  Some people live for that feeling.  I'm not one of them, Tom Randall reports on bloomberg.com.

Sure, driving a fully loaded electric beast is as thrilling as the fiercest roller coaster—but not everyone wants their daily commute to be the Kingda Ka, Randall wrote.

After taking one of the first drives of Tesla’s new Model 3 last week, I came away thinking that CEO Elon Musk has finally delivered an electric car for the everyday road tripper like me, Randall added.

For more, including a video: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-07-31/driving-tesla-s-model-3-changes-everything

Photos: Pinterest.

Next time on The Allen Report: 
Happy Anniversary: The U.S. Air Force at 70.