Governor Rick Scott awarded 121 Florida veterans with the Governor’s Veterans Service Award for their service to Florida and the nation How do you stop tantrums in a 3-year-old? My daughter never went through the “terrible twos,” but began throwing wild tantrums shortly after her third birthday.
Faith is a word the carries a lot of providence to many people and many religions. Most of us pray about something at least those of us in the faith. We pray to God for many things like health, love, prosperity, wisdom, and other things to numerous to contemplate. The Association of Mature American Citizens is actively encouraging Congress to act on Social Security in a timely and comprehensive manner. Dan Weber, AMAC president, said “we can’t afford to just kick the can down the road with interim fixes that will likely result in hardship both for those who are still paying into Social Security and for those who are depending on SS income in their old age.”
Can American history teach us anything about how to eradicate economic inequality? It can and what it tells us is not reassuring. Historically, American reform occurs sporadically, lasts briefly, and brings about only incremental changes. It took the Great Depression to create the opportunity to only partially fix the excesses of American capitalism. And historians have long argued that it was not FDR’s New Deal which ended large-scale unemployment but World War II. A federal judge ruled that BP will be held responsible for spilling nearly 4 million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico during the 2010
HINTS FOR HOMEBUYERS How To Purchase Your First Home In 2015 (NAPSI)—The American dream of homeownership may not be as hard to attain as many people seem to fear. A few intriguing facts and hints can help.
The Facts While existing home sales have risen recently, the National Association of Realtors’ annual Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers found that the share of first -time buyers recently fell to its lowest level (33 percent) in nearly three decades. Many first-time buyers experience obstacles on the path to homeownership, including difficulty saving for a down payment and tight credit conditions.
DECORATING IDEAS
New Life For Flea Market Finds
The Hints Consider these tips: • Find and work with an expert Realtor who knows the neighborhood. Nothing can replace the local knowledge and real insight that professional Realtors can provide to first-time buyers as they navigate the complex home buying process.
(NAPSI)—Restore, refinish, repurpose: The R’s have it when it comes to decorating your home. You can give used furniture new life with some imagination and a little bit of elbow grease. From turning a discarded door into a stately headboard to making a coffee table out of a wooden pallet, the possibilities are endless when you do it yourself.
• According to the Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, while most home buyers in the past year began their home search online, 90 percent ended up purchasing their home through an agent. Realtors are not only the source of online real estate data, they also use their unparalleled local market knowledge and resources to help close the deal for buyers and sellers. • Meet with a lender to determine how much you can afford. Last year, the median price a first-time buyer spent on a home was $169,000. Chances are, you don’t have that amount of cash lying around. That’s why 95 percent of first-time buyers who bought a home in the past year financed their purchase. Find out what you can afford with a preapproval from a lender. A lender will check your credit history, current debt obligations and other expenses to determine the amount of money you’re qualified to borrow at a specific interest rate. Don’t forget to consider the other costs of homeownership, such as taxes, insurance and utilities. • Identify your housing wish list. Although 46 percent of first-time buyers got a single-family home in the suburbs, you may prefer a condo in an urban environment near public transportation. Regardless of your preferences, identifying and sharing your wish list can help your Realtor focus on the right home for you, scan listings and connect with those who represent sellers to zero in on homes for sale that meet your budget and criteria.
Your local flea market, or even your own attic, is a great place to start. Keep an open mind during your search for the perfect piece, and remember that even the dingiest furniture can be easily transformed with the right tools. To help, wood finishing expert Bruce Johnson offers these tips: • Check the wood for excessive dryness or splintering. A light sanding and dust removal will prepare the piece for refinishing. • For beautiful results in a short amount of time, choose a one-step product such as PolyShades—it’s a rich stain color and clear protective finish, all in one. It can be used on bare wood or over an existing polyurethane finish. • Using this product, as with all stains, let the first coat dry completely before applying additional coats. For quick and easy touch-ups of nicks and scratches, use Minwax Stain Markers in a color that matches your wood. Follow with Minwax Paste Wax for a hand-rubbed finish.
By following these simple tips and keeping in mind the three R’s, you can give your home a distinctive look that is full of personality. Best of all, you will be able to say “I did that!” Learn more at www.minwax.com.
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CAR CARE CORNER
BE CAR CARE AWARE
When The Check Engine Light Is On, Don’t Ignore It (NAPSI)—Don’t take this lightly: One of the most vital signals of an improperly functioning vehicle is the check engine light and, when illuminated, it alerts the driver to a variety of existing potential problems. Nevertheless, vehicle checkups during car care events throughout the country reveal that the check engine light is on in nearly one out of 10 vehicles. Some common malfunctions that can cause the check engine light to illuminate include a faulty oxygen sensor, mass airflow sensor, or spark plugs and wires. If the light flashes, the condition is more critical and must be checked immediately to prevent severe damage, which may include catalytic converter damage.
Get The Most From Your Car’s AC Year-Round (NAPSI)—It may seem surprising to some, but the road to a healthy vehicle air-conditioning system in the summertime— begins in the wintertime. That’s because in addition to cooling your vehicle, one of your air conditioner’s primary functions is to remove humidity from inside your vehicle, and it works especially well when you need to remove fog from the windshield to improve visibility. It is, therefore, a good idea to run the defrost mode of the air conditioner once a week for 10 minutes—even when it’s cold outside—to help maintain the system and prevent mildew and musty odors.
Helpful Hints Here are more tips to help you get more mileage out of your air conditioner-so you don’t lose your cool. • Because refrigerant gas can slowly leak from the system, have your air-conditioning system inspected and, if needed, recharged by a trained technician about every two years in the spring—before the weather really heats up. • Consult your owner’s manual to see how your system works. With today’s automatic systems, the quickest cooldown comes by setting the temperature as low as it will go at first, then adjusting it later. • Newer models have cabin air filters that clean the air entering the heating and air-conditioning system. Check your owner’s manual for location and replacement interval. • If possible, slightly lower the windows on hot days to reduce heat buildup in a parked car. Your air conditioner works by removing heat and humidity, so the cooler the interior, the easier and faster the A/C can do its job. • When you return to a hot, closed car, open windows or doors to vent the hot air before turning on the system. • If your cool air smells musty, set the system to the “outside” air mode.
“When the check engine light comes on, it means that a vehicle system such as the ignition, fuel injection or emission control is not operating properly, even if the vehicle appears to be running normally,” explained Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council, the source for the “Be Car Care Aware” campaign Serious air-conditioning issues should be addressed by a promoting regular professional service facility with the proper tools, training and vehicle care, maintenance and repair. parts. For example, ACDelco Professional Service Center Program technicians have access to top-quality ACDelco AC “A glowing check engine light doesn’t mean you have to immediately pull the compressors, accumulators/driers, blower motors, condensers, car to the side of the road, but it does mean you should get the car checked out as filters, refrigerant, evaporators and engine- cooling motors. soon as possible. Ignoring the warning light could result in costly repairs. At the For your additional peace of mind and assurance, the very least, the light could alert you to an engine problem that is negatively company’s parts and labor are covered by a 24-month/24,000impacting fuel economy,” he added. mile (whichever comes first) limited warranty. When scheduling service, make sure the automotive shop that examines your vehicle has professional technicians who are trained and certified in OBDII diagnosis and repair. The technician will connect your vehicle’s computer system to a diagnostic scan tool, which will indicate why the light was activated.
For further facts and tips and to find the nearest provider, visit www.acdelco.com.
At the same time, the technician can analyze idle speed, throttle response, engine temperature, fuel system pressure, manifold vacuum, exhaust emission levels and many other key indicators. Once the problem is fixed, the car’s computer is reset to initiate its release process. The technician should then be able to tell you what needs to be done and discuss potential warranty coverage and further testing, if necessary. Learn More For a free “Car Care Guide” or for further information, visit www.carcare.org.
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BOOK NEWS AND NOTES Frank Perdue Bio Collects Business, Life Lessons (NAPSI)—It takes a tough man to build a thriving business, and Frank Perdue was certainly the man for the task. From a small chicken farm on the eastern shore of Maryland he built a family company that today employs 19,000 people and sells in more than 100 different countries. But Frank Perdue was a gentle and caring man, too, and his legacy is filled with employees and charities that valued his friendship and largesse. “Tough Man, Tender Chicken: Business & Life Lessons from Frank Perdue,” published Dec. 1, 2014 by Significance Press, is an insightful biography of the person so indelibly identified with chickens. Frank’s widow, Mitzi Perdue, has exquisitely painted a life portrait of her husband, whose down-home presence in groundbreaking TV commercials won the hearts of millions and created the first successful branded chicken products in the world. Frank Perdue was an incisive businessman, able to cut to the heart of a problem in a flash and lead an ever-growing enterprise to new levels of innovation and accomplishment. He knew his company down to the smallest detail, often calling his managers in the middle of the night when he had a new idea or discovered the solution to a vexing problem, and he encouraged his co-workers to take risks and make decisions to build and improve the business. Yet, he was a compassionate man who visited workers in the hospital, called them personally to express his sympathy when a parent died, and supported the small farmers who worked Perdue Farms to bring the best-quality chicken to consumers across the country and around the world. But this book is more than a biography; it is an opportunity to learn from Frank Perdue. Every chapter is summed up with his lessons that apply both to business and life. Mitzi Perdue also highlights the Ethical Will that her husband left for his heirs— along with a unique, thriving company.
Frank’s mandates to “Be honest always,” “If you say you will do something, do it,” “Treat all people with courtesy and respect, no exceptions” and so many more are hallmarked throughout the book in the story of this remarkable man. Whether your interest is business, self-help, biography or history, “Tough Man, Tender Chicken” is an indispensable reading and learning experience. It is available at www.frankperduebook.com, amazon.com, and via Kindle and Nook.
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CAREER CORNER IT Innovation Is Creating Career Opportunities (NAPSI)—Technology is a driving force in today’s economy, powering innovation and creating jobs. The rapid adoption of cloud computing, mobility, social media and other innovations has accelerated the importance of technology in the workplace—and the need for information technology (IT) technicians. Desktop support has long been one of the most fundamental jobs in all of IT. However, what was once a reactive job— waiting for the phone to ring or an e-mail to arrive summoning you to fix a broken PC—has evolved into a proactive position that’s far more critical to day-to-day business operations.
More Than Maintenance Technology “maintenance” is much more sophisticated in 2015 than it was 20, 10 or even two years ago. Today, it involves supporting handheld devices (iPads and Androids), rolling out software to thousands of computers and conducting server migrations. Today’s IT technicians get hands-on experience and insight into fast-changing technologies, including cloud computing, cyber security, data analysis, mobility and telecommunications. There remains in some corners a misperception that the majority of IT support jobs have been shipped overseas. The reality is that in many organizations, there are new, more significant opportunities for technicians. And the IT technician’s role remains the best, first step someone can take to launch a career in technology.
Knowledge Workers Today’s engineers and technologists are knowledge workers, possessing a unique combination of skills that can’t be easily outsourced or delegated. With IT departments becoming more closely integrated with other lines of business, the technical knowledge and skills employed by IT technicians are something that can’t be delivered efficiently or effectively over the phone from a call center.
Is It Right For You? If you have an interest in technology, along with the ability to solve problems and possess strong people skills, you may be a candidate for a career change and step into a job as an IT technician with a minimal amount of training—either in a classroom, online or through self-study. One way to tell if you have the aptitude is the CompTIA IT Fundamentals certification. This professional credential is available through CompTIA, the nonprofit association for the IT industry. The exam covers five categories: software, hardware, security, networking and basic IT literacy. Earning a credential from an organization well known and widely respected for its certification program demonstrates to prospective employers that you’re ready to enter the IT workforce. It can also serve as a springboard to more advanced IT skills certifications and set the stage for new career opportunities and advancement. To learn more, visit http://certification.comptia.org/getCertified/ certifications/comptia-it-fundamentals.
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ACROSS 1. Artillery burst 6. Knife 10. No more than 14. Extraterrestrial 15. Sea eagle 16. 1 1 1 1 17. Tricks 18. Compassion 19. Central points 20. Showman 22. Component of urine 23. Container weight 24. To wit 26. Faux pas 30. An unskilled actor 31. Coloring agent 32. A coniferous tree 33. Bit of gossip 35. Provide with a permanent fund 39. Attribute 41. Performing 43. Step 44. Storage cylinder 46. Unit of land 47. Expression of admiration 49. Mesh
50. Scallion 51. Of mountainous areas 54. Outbuilding 56. King of the jungle 57. Disinfectant 63. Out of control 64. Rind 65. Carried 66. Express in words 67. By mouth 68. Flip over 69. Being 70. Gestures of assent 71. Ganders DOWN 1. Indian dress 2. Astringent 3. Speech disorder 4. Swerve 5. Beginning 6. Divides 7. Ancient Roman galley 8. Against 9. Farther along 10. Significant 11. Habituate 12. Renegade
13. An analytic literary composition 21. Sir, in India 25. Yeses 26. Resorts 27. Enumerate 28. Ancient Peruvian 29. Edible marine gastropod 34. Mounds 36. Small freshwater fish 37. Monster 38. Seven days 40. Weightlifters pump this 42. Jottings 45. In lieu 48. Knife or gun 51. Winged 52. Not lemons 53. Ponds 55. Remove errors from 58. Roman emperor 59. Bishop of Rome 60. Tall woody plant 61. Hotels 62. Formally surrender
SUDUKO 1
beginnings celebration century christmas confetti confidence determination expections festivities first guests hotel improvement january millenium noisemakers parties reflection remembrance resolution restaurant sleepovers thanksgiving times square
ANSWER TO SUDUKO 1
ANSWER TO SUDUKO 2
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ANSWER TO CROSSWORD PUZZLE
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SUDUKO 2
According to the Wall Street Journal, in-state tuition and fees for public colleges have been rising by about 8 percent annually – more than twice the rate of inflation over the past 30 years. In 1982, my undergrad degree cost $10,000. Had college costs risen at the rate of the consumer price index, that degree today would cost $21,000.
By Ron Hart
Instead, it now costs about $60,000. If colleges cared about kids, they would have kept costs down.
January 13, 2015 President Obama came to Knoxville, Tenn., last week to give away $60 billion more in taxpayer money. He said he wants to give most There is also an oversupply of educated and debt-burdened everyone free community college. What a guy! There is nothing more graduates. A recent study showed that 44 percent of graduates with a magnanimous than giving away other people's borrowed money to political BA degree were in jobs that did not require one. supporters. Four-year colleges ought to switch to three years, anyway, or, as Obama was elected with the support of college kids, the unemployed and students would see it, one less college football season. union members, the same cohorts who elected Budweiser "The King of Beers," and for the same reason. Obama and Bud both provide a temporary, drunken, There are great public/private partnerships, like one Tennessee's feel-good shield from reality – until you sober up, and the tab comes due. Chattanooga State University has formed with Volkswagen. Chattanooga VW workers make about $27 an hour in nonunion wages In a Pew study, 57 percent of parents say higher education no longer and benefits. Joint venturing with technical schools makes sense. But provides value for the money spent. Parents have to start considering that was outrageous college costs within the framework of the basic tenets of economics. That way, their kids do not become tenants in their parents' basements. Tennessee's idea, and the feds don't need to monkey with it. Federal government's involvement never makes anything better. Student loan defaults are near record highs, and student debt burdens many. The first thing graduates learn in the real world is to watch to whom they lend My home state of Tennessee gets a lot right and does so with zero money. If federally funded student loans teach them anything, it's how to loan state income tax. It's called the Volunteer State because Tennessee shark. knows it can't make you live there. You have to want to. That's why the auto industry flees the unionized North for innovative and cooperative Students now pay only 16 percent of the cost of community college. It's not Southern states. like anyone who wants to work cannot attend. Pell Grants already cover lowerincome students, so Obama's speech and promises ring hollow. Why should taxpayers further support a costly, government-run education system that has failed us? To paraphrase P.J. O'Rourke: If He already said, in 2010, that he was going to see to it that we had 5 million you think community college is expensive now, just wait till it's free. more community college graduates by 2020. According to the American Association of Community Colleges, enrollments are down since Obama's Resourceful folks can pay for college. The London Mail reported on proclamation: another O-Harmony success story. an online site called "Sponsor a Scholar," where older men give college grants and aid to young women in exchange for sex. And a Brazilian co Obama is right about encouraging two-year technical degrees. We need a -ed auctioned her virginity for $700,000 to pay for college. If these skilled workforce. We don't need another English Literature grad from Belmont women are not political science majors who end up in Washington, they University with a $150,000 sheepskin that says he or she studied Comparative have missed their calling. Lit. Ron Hart grew up in Tennessee and began writing a column for his hometown paper in I guess it's nice to have a BA in Chaucer Studies in order to impress your co 2002. He attended The University of Memphis and the Institute for Political and Economic -workers at Starbucks. But that degree comes with crippling student loan debt. Systems at Georgetown University. Ron graduated Magna Cum Laude and was elected student government president. Upon getting his MBA, he went to work for Goldman Sachs. College has priced itself out of the market for the value it provides. Years of He was appointed to the Tennessee Board of Regents by then Governor Lamar Alexander wasteful liberal academic spending have increased the cost of college at twice and is now an investor. the rate of inflation, with no accountability for its product. Ron's book There's No Such Thing As A Pretty Good Alligator Wrestler was awarded the 2011 With federal money and student loan handouts to any knucklehead who Benjamin Franklin Award for Humor/Satire. He appears on CNN and FOX and has been quoted in numerous publications including the Wall Street Journal. Ron and his wife Jackie have applies, college costs have skyrocketed. Colleges, like the three children, the oldest of whom is an MD in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He currently splits his time between Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee. University of Michigan, have 53 percent more administrators than faculty. Ron's columns reflect a rare combination of Southern libertarian views and humor and have At least 40 college presidents make over $1 million per year. been described as "Lewis Grizzard meets P.J. O'Rourke with a dash of Will Roger's horse sense". His columns are carried by 50 newspapers with a total weekly circulation of Penn State's president makes about $3 million. For what? Running Jerry approximately 1.5 million readers. Sandusky youth football camps? Ron can be reached at: ron@ronaldhart.com or RJH1010@gmail.com.
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A DOG-GONE story gone GOOD Last week, Tuesday as a matter-of-fact, I was returning to Wewa after having gone to the VA for a Dr.'s appointment in Tallahassee. When I was approaching Bristol, late in the day, I decided to stop at Ramsey's Piggly Wiggly to buy some California Carrots. I feed my horses and cows the fresh carrots but only as a treat.
After I parked my car and was walking across the parking lot I saw a pretty little Chihuahua dog darting hither and yon in the parking lot. The little dog appeared to be searching for his owner/family, if I may, but couldn't locate who or what it was he was searching for. I went inside, made my purchase of carrots and as I left the store observed the little dog still searching. I lay my carrots down near the automatic door and proceeded to pick up the little dog. The little do growled lightly like Chihuahua's do. He looked like a Husky breed with the perked up ears and the upturned and curled tail. He was also tricolored. Generally Black with a Red/Brown muzzle and a large white spot on his shoulder. A very pretty little dog and one that had a nice personality. After asking numerous people about the dog and not getting a positive ownership response I went inside, the dog in my arms, and asked that the store personnel make an announcement on the PA www.GrassRootsVOICEofAmerica.com
asking for the dogs' owner to come to the front of the store. There was no response there either. An employee said the little dog was there on Monday. At this time I made the decision to take the little dog home with me. I left a business card or two at the store advising that I was taking the dog with me and departed for Wewa. As I drove through Bristol, I called the Liberty County Sheriffs Office and advised them of the situation and that I had the little dog. I left my name and number with the dispatcher. On the way home I called my wife and advised her that I was bringing a little dog home and to get the pet taxi ready. When it was time to walk the dogs we already have I took the little dog out but with a collar and lease. You guessed it, the little dog turned around, twisted his head and was loose and then began running away. His escape speed was like he was riding on a rocket. All during the night I got up and called and whistled for the little dog. I never got a response and obviously the little dog was gone, disappeared. He was looking for Bristol I suppose. I called or texted all of our neighbors but no one had seen him. At about noon on Wednesday, I called "Rollin", the Animal Control Officer and he said another neighbor, Lisa, had called him about a little dog she had picked, up more than a mile from our home, as she was on her way to work. I called Lisa and she said she did have the little dog and she had bathed him during the day. I asked her to go by Pet Smart and see if he was "chipped". No chip, no help, nothing and noowner. Catherine, my wife, received a phone call from Bristol, late in the afternoon on Wednesday, inquiring about the dog. She advised the frantic telephone stranger we had the dog and we would take the dog to them as soon as we had him back in hand, explaining what had happened with "Mannie" the little dog. Catherine was informed that us taking him back to Bristol wasn't necessary, she would come get him. Mannie's owner, of 8 years, did come to get Mannie. She came to the back door, which is a double full glass door. We watched Mannie as his owner stepped up to the glass door. He ignored her thru the glass but when she quietly stepped inside he stood looking at her in disbelief for a few moments then reared up like a stallion and was obviously very excited. Mannie placed his paws around her neck and snuggled tightly to his owner.
And readers, this is a true DOG-GONE story........ (from Gulf County, Florida)..........gone GOOD. Have a Great Week and Pray without Ceasing.
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What sort of vegetable can your father make with scissors? Pa snips. The mushroom is a vegetable of high morel standing. The pod vegetables I bought for the gumbo I was making were so-so. They were medi-okra. Her ability to always find fresh vegetables on sale was uncanny. What is a dolphin's favorite TV show? Whale of fortune! Knock, knock. Who's there? Me. Me who? MEOWWWWW! I had to decide between making salad with my mom or playing catch with my dad, it was a toss-up.
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I am a parent first and foremost Every family law case I have, I draw upon my experiences as a parent and love for my children. I know what is at risk, and how much it means to my client. I personally know what my client is feeling, and I believe that makes me a stronger advocate for them. Every minute you can spend with your children is a blessing, and unfortunately sometimes you have to litigate to preserve it. This firm is dedicated to representing parents, and preserving your bond with your children.
in house investigator and other experts in their field. The purpose of the approach is to gather and evaluate evidence quickly to resolve cases through settlement or to have the matter ready for trial. It is my sincere belief by having a During my practice of law, and judicial campaign I have had an opportunity to speak with network of experts at our disposal will be a great help to our clients. countless individuals regarding family law matters. These conversations, led me to form a “We are changing the way you think about lawyers, one case new law firm that addressed the most common concerns. This new approach is a team at a time.” Gerard Virga effort. The team handling your case will be headed up by a lawyer, but will also consist of an
A Unique Approach Dedicated to Producing Results
When you hire us, I know that you have put upmost trust in our professionalism and us personally. Too often, lawyers are the punch lines of jokes for not caring about their clients. My professionalism, and the trust you have put in me are no laughing matter. If given the privilege of representing you, I will make myself available to you. Each one of my clients is provided my cell phone number, and I understand that bad things happen after five o’clock and on weekends so our phone system goes directly to my cell phone. That is how I would want to be treated by a professional who was handling my case, so I believe my clients deserve no less. My approach is a purpose driven practice. This philosophy means that everything we do , and how we handle your case will be carried out in a professional manner with the purpose of adequately presenting your case to the court.
AN ADVERTISMENT
No lawyer can ever guarantee an outcome, but they should be able to guarantee that they are prepared, knowledgeable, and have a working knowledge of the facts unique to your case.
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BP Underestimated Gulf Spill, Federal Judge Finds By SABRINA CANFIELD NEW ORLEANS (CN) - A federal judge ruled that BP will be held responsible for spilling nearly 4 million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico during the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster, a decision that could lead to a penalty of $13.7 billion. U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier's ruling came just days before the third phase of a civil trial over the oil spill is set to begin. It effectively lowers the bar on the penalties the energy giant will face as a result of the mishap. Prior to Thursday, higher estimates for how much oil spilled put the maximum fine BP could have faced at $18 billion. Still, the new maximum possible fine would be the highest fine yet paid in the U.S. over environmental pollution. Quantifying the volume of oil that ended up in the Gulf is essential for assessing fines, even if, as U Judge Barbier pointed out in his 44-pgae ruling, "There is no way to know with precision how much oil discharged into the Gulf of Mexico."
The judge found a total of 4 million barrels of oil gushed from the well during the incident, 3.19 million of which ended up in the Gulf of Mexico. In a separate ruling over the oil spill in September, Barbier found that BP had acted with "gross negligence" in events leading up to the April 20, 2010 blowout that killed 11 workers and unleashed one of the worst offshore oil spills in history. That ruling was significant because it means BP could face up to the maximum possible damages of up to $4,300 in Clean Water Act fines per barrel of oil spilled (as opposed to the minimum possible fine of $1,100 per barrel). Barbier additionally ruled Thursday that punitive damages will not be sought from BP. During the second oil spill trial that this ruling relates to, attorneys representing the United States and the Gulf Coast States each presented evidence BP had publicly low balled its estimates for how much oil was flowing from its broken well, even while knowing the figures must have been much higher than presented. Barbier ruled that while there is no "dispute that BP lied about the amount of oil that flowed" from the well, it has not been proven that BP's lies kept the well from being capped or delayed progress with stopping the oil flow. For that reason, the judge settled on a finding BP did not act with gross negligence in the way it sought to control the broken well once oil was coming out. Scientists working for the federal government during the oil spill later testified that BP's low ball estimates of flow rate weren't taken seriously anyway, the judge ruled. Dr. Marcia McNutt, Director of the federal flow rate technical group, testified at trial that "no one in the government had any confidence in BP's 5,000 barrels per day
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estimate," anyway, Barbier said. Also, "The Court finds that BP's oil spill response plan, including the limited source control aspects, complied with federal regulations and industry practice existing at the time," Barbier said. Immediately after the oil spill began, the United States Coast Guard was put in charge of well control operations, with BP acting as a lesser entity but in conjunction with the Coast Guard. As such, Barbier found that "When it came to source control, BP could not act unilaterally" because the federal government had ultimate say. The judge found BP's source control actions were not unreasonable and that BP's plan of action - though meager actually complied with federal standards of the time. Both BP and the United States and Gulf States, acting together, agreed that 810,000 barrels of oil were collected during the oil spill. Barbier also agreed. The U.S. proposed that 5 million barrels gushed during the spill (or 4.19 million barrels into to Gulf of Mexico after the 810,000 that were collected is deducted); BP estimated 3.26 barrels were released (or 2.45 million barrels).
"There is no way to know with precision how much oil discharged into the Gulf of Mexico," since the well itself had no gage to measure oil as it was lost, Barbier concluded in his ruling. "After weighing all of the evidence and considering all of the arguments, the Court finds that 4.0 million barrels of oil released from the reservoir. After deducting the Collected Oil from this amount per the parties' stipulation, the Court finds for purposes of calculating the maximum possible civil penalty under the CWA that 3.19 million barrels of oil discharged into the Gulf of Mexico," Barbier ruled. In a statement Thursday, BP acknowledged that Barbier will weigh various factors to determine the rightful penalty and said it believes a penalty "on the lower end of the statutory range" is appropriate.
Trial opens in Barbier's court at which Barbier will determine the actual amount of the fines BP faces. This will be the third phase in a three part trial.
Greens Sue USA to Protect Gray Wolves By JAMIE ROSS TUCSON (CN) - Environmental groups have sued the Secretary of the Interior for calling the endangered Mexican gray wolf an "experimental population," and allowing them to be killed. The Fish and Wildlife Service's treatment of the Mexican gray wolf as an experimental population limits the number of the wolves in the wild and lets them be killed, the Center for Biological Diversity and Defenders of Wildlife. They sued Interior Secretary Sally Jewell and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, challenging a revised rule placing a cap on the wolf population and allowing the wolves to be captured and killed. The 83 wolves that live in a small area of eastern Arizona and western New Mexico have "not flourished, in significant part because, to date, FWS has imposed numerous restrictions on the Mexican gray wolf reintroduction program that impede efforts to bring this rare subspecies back from the brink of extinction," the groups say.
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Welcome to this, our much expanded GrassRoots VOICE of America print edition. GrassRoots VOICE of America has been published for 5 years, starting off as a single sheet, and now grown to 40 pages. In addition to the print edition, we have our own website www.GrassRootsVoiceofAmerica.com and a facebook page of the same name, please “like-us” on facebook. The original theme of the GrassRoots, the vision by founder Beth William of Panama City will continue, but with much more content. During 2014 Bay Graphics Publishing purchased the publication. As publishers we are best know for our weekly COUNTY PRESS, which will continue as it has done for now 21 years, thank you Bay County!!!!!!!! The award winning COUNTY PRESS has worked closely with law enforcement and CrimeStoppers to bring readers news from Bay and Gulf Counties. Our readers have reports the whereabouts of more that 1,500 individuals who have been wanted for outstanding warrants...a true testimony to the people of Bay County doing their part to make our area safer.
GrassRoots VOICE of America will be available in many of Bay Counties gas and connivance stores, sold at the same price as the County Press. If your local store does not carry our publications, please ask them to call our distribution department at 850-774-0977 for supplies. As with all print publications, we depend of the support of local businesses for advertising. We would like to think that your enjoyment and pleasure from reading the GrassRoots will be shared with your favorite businesses, encouraging them in their continued support of our publication.
The editors of the GrassRoots Voice of America invite your articles, announcements, event news, reports from clubs and organization, photos, and of course you comments on any subject. Please email to: thecountypresseditor@gmail.com or mail to: P.O. Box 482, Fountain, Fl32438
Publishers of the GrassRoots VOICE of America
© 2015 BAY GRAPHICS PUBLISHING P.O. Box 482, Fountain, Fl 32438 Phone 850-774-0977 Email: thecountypresseditor@gmail.com WEBSITE: www.GrassRootsVoiceofAmerica.com
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GUNS GAS
GROCERIES Hard to find Ammo Unique Gifts Camo Clothing First Stop Southern Express Dee Warren Sales Representative
Pro Gear 850-722-7338 progearpc@gmail.com
905 Hwy. 231 Bear Creek
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We carry something for everyone's budget Designer wear such as Miss Me, Rock Revival, Bke and more! 10% off your entire purchase "Affordable style, priceless service!" Kristina Taunton
Peace is not absence of
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SKIN CARE NEWS & NOTES
About Face: The Skin Care Transition (NAPSI)—When the seasons change, many women have found, it's wise to adjust their skin care regimen to take a defensive stance against changes in weather. "As temperatures begin to dip down, you should be thinking about ways of adding moisture to the skin and body," says New York City dermatologist Dr. Gervaise Gerstner. A decrease in moisture and lower humidity can deplete hydration levels and exacerbate skin conditions, making it appear dull and sallow. Spending more time indoors during cold weather increases exposure to heating, which can cause dry skin. "Nip moisture loss in the bud by switching from cleansing waters and lotions to those with creamier textures and from a lightweight moisturizer to something thicker. A night cream or overnight mask is a must to ensure you wake up looking and feeling refreshed," recommends Dr. Gerstner. In addition, drink lots of water, increase your intake of good omega fats, take warm showers, not hot, and use a humidifier anywhere you spend a fair amount of time—such as at the office and in your bedroom. Cold weather can be a good time to try a facial oil. For example, L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Glow Renewal Facial Oil deeply nourishes and replenishes dull, dry skin with a unique blend of eight essential oils, including lavender and rosemary. Dr. Gerstner recommends adding a few drops of the nongreasy, luxuriously lightweight formula for all-day hydration or anytime it's needed. Regardless of the season, protection from the sun is an evergreen step that everyone should be taking. "Winter, spring, summer or fall, morning, noon or night—SPF is a must. While it's easy to grab and go with a spray in warmer months, I prefer richer SPF creams in chilly climates. That way, you can feel good about protecting and treating skin concerns at the same time," the doctor notes. A nurturing daytime formula that contains a broad-spectrum SPF 15 to protect the skin from the damaging effects of the sun is L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renewal Day Cream SPF 15. It immediately smoothes the complexion and helps stimulate skin renewal, making it look more supple. It should be used not only on the face but also on such commonly overlooked areas as the hands, neck, chest and ears. Any skin subjected to even the slightest sun exposure should be protected.
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VETERANS NEWS & NOTES
How Veterans Help Other Veterans (NAPSI)—A look at one man’s story may inspire many people, veterans or not, to help others overcome difficulties such as blindness. Consider the case of First Sergeant Danny Wallace (Ret.). He enlisted in the Army as an infantryman, completing one-stop training that included basic airborne school at Fort Benning, Georgia. He served for a total of 20 years as a rifleman, radio transmitter operator, team leader, squad leader, ranger instructor, platoon sergeant, company executive officer, and company first sergeant. During a tour in Iraq, Wallace’s life changed forever. Two weeks before Christmas, a car bomb attack in Tal Afar left him totally blind. After multiple surgeries—to attach both retinas, replace the cornea in his right eye, and stitch severe wounds to his face and neck—he was still blind in one eye but had limited vision in the other. Wallace remained on active duty for two years after his injury. Upon retiring, he struggled with the transition to civilian life. “I felt distant and unwilling to participate in any veterans organization,” he recalled. Finding Help This isolation lasted about eight years. Then, he attended the Central Blind Rehabilitation Center at Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital just outside Chicago. There, he found out about the Blinded Veterans Association, or BVA. Soon after that, BVA invited him to participate in its Operation Peer Support initiative. It connects combat-blinded veterans of World War II, Korea and Vietnam with the newly blinded who have been wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan. Operation Peer Support activities also provide informational seminars that touch on topics such as education, rehabilitation through sports and recreation, technology, and career development. It helped Wallace rediscover purpose in his life and the experience had a ripple effect as he now serves as a BVA peer mentor for newly blinded veterans such as Mark Wilson, who lost his sight as a result of a gunshot wound to his face. Wilson’s mother says that meeting Wallace through BVA has literally “transformed” her son. Over the past two years, Wallace’s eyesight has begun to decline even further. Nevertheless, he remains driven to serve. And he is once again a Sergeant, this time for BVA. “Early in 2014, I had the privilege to be selected as the Sergeant-at-Arms for the Blinded Veterans Association,” he explained. “Words cannot express how grateful I am. Now it is my turn to help other veterans feel that they belong as well.” What BVA And Operation Peer Support Are All About Founded in 1945 by a group of combat-blinded veterans of World War II, BVA was and is the only veterans service organization exclusively dedicated to serving America’s blind and visually impaired veterans. Membership is not a requirement to get help nor does vision loss have to have occurred during military service. The organization also represents the interests of blinded veterans before the legislative and executive branches of government and encourages them to participate in VA blind rehabilitation programs and VA national sports events. BVA counsels blinded veterans and links them with benefits, services and job opportunities. It also advocates for blinded veterans in the VA claims process.
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30 Fun Facts About Birthday Girl Betty White! Betty paved the way for women in television. From 1953 to 1955 she produced her own TV series, Life With Elizabeth. She was one of the first people to have creative control in front and behind the camera.
Can you believe Betty could have been Blanche on The Golden Girls?
FOR MORE GO TO www. Etonline .com
But it all changed after they shot the pilot. Betty revealed at The Paley Center for Media why the director had a change of heart. “I had come off the Mary Tyler Moore Show playing the neighborhood nymphomaniac, Sue Ann Nivens…So I was thrilled at Blanche,” Betty continued. “I thought that was wonderful and then all of a sudden somebody said, you know, it was Jay Sandrich in his genius. He said, ‘If Betty plays another man hungry, their going to think its Sue Ann re-visited. So let’s make her Rose.”
Her career was revitalized in 2010 after she starred in a Snickers Super Bowl commercial. Later that year she went on to become the oldest person in history to host Saturday Night Live. But it almost didn’t happen! “I had such a panic attack when the whole thing came about,” Betty told ET. “I said thank you so much but no I can’t and my agent said yes you will, you have to do that.”
So how does the soon to be 93-year-old do it all? Betty told ET, “I think it goes back to genes, my folks blessed me with some good genes and I have lots of energy, I'm blessed with good health and I love what I do and you can't get a better combination than that!” Betty told ET. www.GrassRootsVOICEofAmerica.com
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HAPPENING in BAY COUNTY THURSDAY, JAN. 22
WINTER RESIDENTS PROGRAM Monday through Friday at The Ark, 19208 Hibiscus St., Panama City Beach. Wood Shop 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.;
Pine Needle Weaving 10 a.m. to noon; Golf Ball Carving 1-3 p.m. 3D Paper Tole Workshop 1-3 p.m.; Stained Glass – 1:30- 3:30 p.m.; Karaoke – 7-9 p.m. Details: 249-1980
CityArts Cooperative’s mission is to serve the needs of visual, literary, and performing artists by providing studio space, meeting rooms, classrooms, and a gallery; giving local artists a community within which they can create, teach, and learn. CityArts believes that providing artists with a relevant system of support and resources enhances their creative output, enabling them to make greater and more meaningful contributions to our communities and society as a whole. http://cityartscooperative.com
HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION ASSISTANCE 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Panama City Beach Library, 12500 Hutchison Blvd., Panama City Beach. Get assistance from the Bay County Property Appraiser’s Office Details: 233-5055 NWRLS.com
PCB STORYTIME 10 a.m.at the Panama City Beach Library, 12500 Hutchison Blvd., Panama City Beach. Suggested ages 3 years and up Details: 233-5055, NWRLS.com
CLASSIC LINE DANCING 10-11:30 a.m. at the Frank Brown Park gymnasium, 16200 Panama City Beach Parkway, Panama City Beach. $2 per dancer. Details 784-7780 or 233-5045
PRESCHOOL STORYTIME 10:30 a.m.at the Bay County Public Library, 898 W. 11th St., Panama City. Suggested ages 3 to 5 years. Details 522-2118 NWRLS.com
ARTISTS IN ACTION 1-6 p.m. at CityArts Cooperative, 318 Luverne Ave. Free. Details 769-0608 CityArtsCooperative.com
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Sister's Medical Clinic in Panama City, FL has been offering preventative care and maintenance to North Florida patients for over 35 years. We offer "old fashioned caring" without the long wait. Call for your same day or next day appointment. Sister's Medical Clinic's Services Include: Family practice School, Coast Guard and sports physicals Certified Medical Examiner for CDL physicals Drug screening On-site lab We file almost all insurances Medicare, TriCare, Blue Cross/Blue Shield providers, United Health Care, Beech Street Dr. Beth Guy, ARNP, DNP has been treating patients in Northwest Florida since 1974. She is a graduate of the Florida State University College of Nursing.
Call Sister's Medical Clinic today at 850-763-4669 to schedule an appointment. If you have any other questions or comments, please contact us at sisters1@knology.net. Sister's Medical Clinic 510 Airport Road, Panama City, FL 32405 Hours of Business: Monday - Thursday: 8am - 5pm Friday: 8am - 12 noon
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www.rxexpresspc.com
…...About Us
Here at Rx Express Pharmacy we understand that your time is valuable. Why wait 2 to 3 hours for your prescription to be filled? We fill your prescriptions fast and accurately! We are here to help you with all of your prescription needs. We offer traditional retail pharmacy services as well as specialized compounding to meet all of your individualized needs. Specialty compounding services include Bio-identical Hormone Replacement, pet prescriptions, and topical pain creams, just to name a few. We want to be your hometown pharmacy! Our Amazing Team ……...Laura Gould, RPh Laura Gould, RPh, is the Pharmacist/Owner of RX Express Pharmacy of Panama City. Laura has over 30 years experience as a registered pharmacist in Florida including retail and hospital practices. She graduated with a BS in Pharmacy from Auburn University. She is a certified immunizer. She attended compounding training at the University of Florida sponsored by Medisca. Laura provides you the best pharmaceutical care.
Sara Williams, Registered Pharmacy Tech A Panama City native. Sara graduated from Gulf Coast College in 2009. Sara spent a year working as a pharmacy tech in a closed door setting. She then moved to a retail setting where she prefers the personal interaction and customer service. Pat Hoyt, Registered Pharmacy Tech A Blountstown native. Pat has worked in pharmacies all of her life. She enjoys customer service and being part of her customers' family. Pat worked at Bay Med Pharmacy for over 23 years. She enjoys seeing many of her old customers from Bay Med at RX Express Pharmacy.
Scott Boatright, Registered Pharmacy Tech Scott has lived in Panama City for over 20 years. Scott is a Registered Technician and owner of Rx Express Pharmacy of Panama City. Scott has a background working in pharmacies as a tech and as a drug rep for a major drug wholesaler.
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Thousands of present day students, like many of our Founding Fathers, are being taught at home. Ernest Istook
The Founding Fathers gave the free press the protection it must have to bare the secrets of government and inform the people. Hugo Black
Hey, our hair g n o l e r o w s ather 't see Founding F n o d I s g i dw and powdere o look like them ng t anybody tryi look to o d e w t u B . . . today, either dels. o m e l o r s a them erg Leigh Steinb
Only in Am erica can someone sta rt with noth ing and achieve the America n Dream. Tha t's the great ness of this coun try. R afael Cruz
not e r a s r e h t a F g The Foundin pened p a h t a h t le p o e just some p ago and e im t g n lo a d to get ma dom. e e r f ir e h t t n a w people in l ia c e p s e r e w y The atural n ir e h t t a h w o addition t . yearnings were Rush Limbaugh
Ameri invent ca did not huma n In a v ery re rights. a huma n righ l sense Ameri ts invente d ca. Jimm y Carter
men and g in t h ig f 's America o ensure t h c u m e ic if r c a women s ays free. t s n io t a n t a e r g that our de to the u it t a r g f o t b e d We owe a ate im lt u e h t id a p e soldiers that hav ell as for w s a , e s u a c is h t price for enough d e s s le b e r a o h those w he to return from t ed. h t a c s n u ld ie f le t bat Allen Boyd
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Bay County Churches Guide to Churches in Bay County Florida
Note: The data was downloaded from the Association of Religion Data Archives, and were collected by Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies.
Leading Christian Denominations in Bay County Florida Evangelical Denominations 39,815 Catholic Church 7,025 Assemblies of God 3,808 Christian Churches and Churches of Christ 286 Church of the Nazarene 164 Episcopal Church 1,426 Evangelical Lutheran Church 359 Presbyterian Church 1,260 Seventh-Day Adventist Church 519 United Methodist Church 9,658 Non-Denominational Christians in Bay County Florida Independent, Charismatic Churches1,150 Independent, Non-Charismatic Churches 465
About Bay County Florida Background Information Total population 163,505 Population per square mile 194.0 people Births 2,248 Median income $38,972 Average travel time to work 21.6 minutes Number of companies 13,034 Size of Bay County Florida 763.68 square miles Source: 2000 census, U.S. Census Bureau
Would like to have your church news published? The GrassRoots VOICE of America is greatly expanding our content coverage. If your church would like to have either an advertisement or event news, please send the info to Email: TheCountyPressEditor@gmail.com or call 850-774-0977 The GrassRoots VOICE of America print edition is published every two weeks, the online edition is available 24/7 at www.GrassRootsVoiceofAmercia.com
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The Army of the Lord A friend was in front of me coming out of church one day, and the preacher was standing at the door as he always is to shake hands. He grabbed my friend by the hand and pulled him aside. The Pastor said to him, "You need to join the Army of the Lord!" My friend replied, "I'm already in the Army of the Lord, Pastor." Pastor questioned, "How come I don't see you except at Christmas and Easter?" He whispered back, "I'm in the secret service."
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THE MEANING OF
family [fam-uh-lee, fam-lee]
Living with Children John Rosemond Copyright 2015, John K. Rosemond
Q: How do you stop tantrums in a 3-year-old? My daughter never went through the “terrible twos,” but began throwing wild tantrums shortly after her third birthday. This coincided with the birth of a sibling, a boy, but she’s very affectionate and helpful toward him so I don’t know if there’s any connection. I’ve tried everything I can think of to prevent and stop the tantrums—things I’ve seen recommended in various places—but nothing has worked. She throws one whenever she doesn’t get her way. Help! A: Tantrums are fairly common in toddlers and even if properly handled can persist well into the fourth year of life. Furthermore, they occur with or without the birth of new siblings, so one can never know whether or not your second child was the trigger. In your case, given that your daughter shows no jealousy otherwise, I rather doubt that her younger brother has anything to do with her meltdowns. In my estimation and experience, the standard advice given concerning tantrums is not generally helpful. One website offers six different methods, including what they call the Yuk It Up method, in which the parent begins doing silly things like dancing around and singing loudly. Yes indeed, that may be enough of a distraction to stop a particular tantrum, but it will not solve the problem. The same website also lists whispering, ignoring, repeating the rule over and over again (e.g. “You must hold my hand in a parking lot, you must hold my hand in a parking lot….”), trying to engage the child in a game, and picking him up and holding him close. The question becomes, which of the six recommended methods should a parent use at any given time? And how long does one try a method before going to another? To be brutally honest, having raised two kids who threw tantrums as toddlers and having counseled many, many parents of tantrum-tossers, I give these six recommendations a rating of “fairly worthless.” When my daughter Amy was three, she began throwing tantrums. They began as protests over green things on her plate and quickly expanded from there to include anything and everything she didn’t like. After floundering around for several weeks, my wife and I identified the downstairs half-bathroom (aka powder room) as Amy’s “tantrum place” and told her that she could only throw tantrums there. “These tantrums you’re having,” I said to her, “are very special things, Amy, so you need a special place in which to have them. We’ve decided that this bathroom is going to be that special place. See? If you scream so loud that you have to use the potty, there’s one right here! And there’s a rug you can roll around on! And you can even get a drink of water!” From that point on, whenever she launched into a fit, we simply directed her (or took her) to the bathroom. “Come out when you’re done!” we’d say, closing the door. Immediately, the tantrum would stop. Then, a minute or so later, the door would open and Amy would appear, scowling. To be honest, it was hard to keep from laughing.
Her tantrums stopped in no time at all. On to back-talk! It never ends, does it?
noun, plural families. a basic social unit consisting of parents and their children, considered as a group, whether dwelling together or not: the traditional family. a social unit consisting of one or more adults together with the children they care for: a single-parent family. the children of one person or one couple collectively: We want a large family.
the spouse and children of one person: We're taking the family on vacation next week. any group of persons closely related by blood, as parents, children, uncles, aunts, and cousins: to marry into a socially prominent family. all those persons considered as descendants of a common progenitor. a group of persons who form a household under one head, including parents, children
Family psychologist John Rosemond: johnrosemond.com, parentguru.com.
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Bay County Animal Services Facility 6401 Bayline Dr Panama City FL 32401 Beginning Dec. 1, 2014 New Shelter Days/Hours Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 10 AM – 6 PM CST Saturday, 10 AM – 3 PM CST
Closed Sunday and Wednesday
Shelter: (850)767-3333 for information regarding lost, found or adoptable pets Dispatch: (850)248-6034 to request an Animal Services Officer bcas@baycountyfl.gov https:// www.facebook.com/ Petfinder
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Asking a Friend or Family Member to Officiate? You may find that a close friend or family member is best fit for the job. How to get them ordained? Here, the oft-asked marriage ordination questions and answers.
How do you get ordained? Look to online ministries. Many are nondenominational or interfaith, while others are for certain religions. Just make sure you doublecheck the affiliation before you go through the process. Some ministries require applications to convey your intentions, while others ask for simple paperwork.
Can my friend or family member get ordained to perform a ceremony of any religion? Though some online organizations are for specific religions, many are either nondenominational or interfaith. The American Fellowship Church (AFC), which has been ordaining people since 1975, ordains people of any religion, and those who go through the process are also able to perform nondenominational services.
How do we find a credible organization? There are a few large organizations that will ordain you via the Internet. Some of the most common online ministries are American Fellowship Church, Universal Life Church, Universal Ministries, and Rose Ministries. Once you find one that seems to suit you, check with your Secretary of State's office for legitimacy. The American Fellowship Church, for example, is legally registered with the California Secretary of State's office as a nonprofit religious organization in good standing.
These applications were made in the Bay County Courthouse between January 12th and 16th 2015
How long does it take to get ordained? The process varies depending on what organization you go through. The American Fellowship Church ordains instantly via the Internet and sends ID cards and minister's licenses immediately afterward. Check with the organization to find out the specifics.
Does it cost money to be ordained? Again, this depends on the organization you go through. Some, like the Universal Life Church, ordain for free but charge for certificates of credentials ($5 for a certificate). Others, like the American Fellowship Church, charge $25 or a comparable price for the ordination. A quick tip: Before getting ordained, find out whether the ordination will be for life or for a limited time. If it’s for a limited time, find out if it costs anything to renew the ordination.
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850-245-4144 Tobacco_Free_Florida@doh.state.fl.us
they can be as addictive as, or more addictive, than cigarettes. Smokeless tobacco causes many significant health problems, including several types of cancer. Smokeless users have an 80 percent higher risk of oral cancer and a 60 percent higher risk of pancreatic and esophageal cancer. Smokeless tobacco products can also increase the risk of a fatal heart attack and stroke.
Mailing Address Florida Department of Health Bureau of Tobacco Free Florida 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Mail Bin C-23 Tallahassee, Florida 32399
How Does Tobacco Affect My Health? Every year, we learn more about how devastating tobacco can be to the human body and how damaging secondhand smoke is to those around it. In fact, 28,600 adults in Florida die from smoking (443,000 deaths a year nationwide) every year. For every person who dies, another 20 suffer from one or more serious illnesses from smoking. Cigarette smoking is the major single cause of cancer death in the United States. Lung cancer is not the only type of cancer that can be caused by smoking. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2013, about 174,100 cancer deaths will be caused by tobacco use. Smoking can cause cancer almost anywhere in your body including cancers of the lung, mouth, nose, throat, larynx (voice box), trachea (wind pipe), esophagus, kidney, ureteral, bladder, cervical, bone marrow and blood. Smokeless tobacco products have taken a backseat to smoking for decades, but are recently gaining ground in overall usage and use among young people. Smokeless tobacco includes chew, spit, dip, snuff, snus and a host of new dissolvable products. They are simply not a safe alternative to smoking and www.GrassRootsVoiceofAmerica.com
In addition, there is no scientific evidence that using smokeless tobacco products can help a person quit smoking. Using smokeless tobacco can lead to nicotine addiction and dependence.
How to Quit Tobacco Free Florida knows quitting can be very hard, but it’s not impossible. In fact, there are more former smokers than current smokers in Florida. With the right help, resources, and the support to keep you going, Tobacco Free Florida can give you the best chance to quit for good. For each person, overcoming nicotine addiction is different and we can help you choose a path to quitting that works for you. In fact, Tobacco Free Florida's quit services can double your chances of quitting any form of tobacco for good. PAGE 32
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AMAC Seeks to Make Social Security a Priority for Congress Posted 01/16/2015 - AMAC Authors, In The News,
Social Security Cards ‘We can’t afford to just kick the can down the road with interim fixes’ WASHINGTON, DC, Jan 16 – The Association of Mature American Citizens is actively encouraging Congress to act on Social Security in a timely and comprehensive manner. Dan Weber, AMAC president, said “we can’t afford to just kick the can down the road with interim fixes that will likely result in hardship both for those who are still paying into Social Security and for those who are depending on SS income in their old age.” Weber praised the House for taking a “bold” step when on the first day of the new session when it passed a measure that “gets the ball rolling.” The bill, sponsored by Representative Sam Johnson of Texas, prohibits the transfer of funds from Social Security’s retirement program (OASI) to the Social Security disability program (SSDI) unless Congress enacts legislation to address and improve the program’s long-term finances. “Over the years, the retirement program has been used as a slush fund for the disability fund, which is quickly being depleted and will become insolvent next year as a result. The problem has been the lack of accountability in defining who is eligible for Disability Insurance. DI is there for individuals who can’t work due to disability,
but as the economy worsened in recent years, people who were enduring financial hardship have been using it as a kind of unemployment fund.” Weber said Congressman Johnson’s measure is a “good start” and can slow the leak, but more is needed. “Congress is likely to enact legislation combining the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Trust with the Federal Disability Insurance Trust. But that would be a band aid, resulting in increasingly higher taxes down the road.” In the most recent edition of AMAC’s Advantage Magazine, Weber wrote that “Congress should not raise taxes, but should take a common sense approach similar to AMAC’s
your weight down, according to the Association of Mature American Citizens. A study conducted at the University of Georgia's College of Pharmacology and published in the journal Pharmaceutical Research indicates that the chlorogenic acid [CGA] found in coffee reduces the buildup of fat. Yonglie Ma, who headed up the research project, noted that "Previous studies have shown that coffee consumption may lower the risk for chronic diseases like Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Our study expands on this research by looking at the benefits associated with this specific compound [CGA], which is found in great abundance in coffee, but also in other fruits and vegetables like apples, pears, tomatoes and blueberries."
Gotcha!
Social Security Guarantee, which increases benefits for low income retirees while allowing all workers to accumulate more money voluntarily. This can be done without raising taxes. Since there has to be Social Security legislation passed in 2015, I urge Congress to break their gridlock, work together and finally solve this problem for generations to come.” The Social Security Administration states flatly on its Web site that: “legislative changes are necessary to avoid disruptive consequences for beneficiaries and taxpayers. If lawmakers take action sooner rather than later, more options and more time will be available to phase in changes so that the public has adequate time to prepare. Earlier action will also help elected officials minimize adverse impacts on vulnerable populations, including lower-income workers and people already dependent on program benefits.” Weber concluded that Social Security is “an urgent need” and called on Congress to make it a priority this year. “Social Security is not an entitlement handout, as many would suggest; it’s an annuity that American workers paid for all their working lives, a retirement fund that was supposed to be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. Thus, we owe it to ourselves, to our children and to our grandchildren to ensure the viability of this essential program.”
Let's have another cup of coffee More good news for coffee drinkers: a new study shows that the beverage can help keep
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Most bad guys haven't a clue that police now have access to technology that can provide a "Snapshot" of those who commit crimes even if there were no witnesses, according to the Association of Mature American Citizens. Parabon Nanolabs located in Reston, VA developed the "Snapshot" process, which is already in use by several police departments in the U.S. and abroad. The police provide a DNA sample found at a crime scene and the company puts it through a process known as phenotyping. "Snapshot translates this raw genetic code into predictions of physical traits. These are combined to create a highly accurate composite profile, or 'digital mugshot' of an unknown suspect," according to the company.
Fear of aging Perhaps it is a fear of growing old that induces some younger people to have a negative perception of the elderly around them, says the Association of Mature American Citizens. Anne Karpf, who wrote the book, How to Age, said in a recent New York Times Opinion Article: "Ageism has been described as prejudice against one's future self. It tells us that age is our defining characteristic and that, as midnight strikes on a milestone birthday, we will become nothing but old - emptied of our passions, abilities and experience, infused instead with frailty and decline." Be that as it may, a number of recent studies have shown that the older folks among us are happier and more content than those youthful offenders, says AMAC. As Karpf, who is 64, put it: "old people simply care less about what others think, but also, I think, that our sense of what's important grows with age. We experience life more intensely than before, whatever our physical limitations, because we know it won't last forever."
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CHILD CARE Monkey Business CHILD CARE, ATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO 101 Bluefish Drive Panama City Beach, FL 32413 Office: (850) 899-7529 PCB Academy CHILD CARE, SCHOOLS/ EDUCATION 16910 Innocente Avenue Panama City Beach, FL 32413 Office: (850) 234-0929 St. Bernadette Child Development Academy RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS, CHILD CARE 1214 Moylan Road Panama City Beach, FL 32407 Office: (850) 233-1177 Surfside Day Care CHILD CARE 12017 Panama City Beach Parkway Panama City Beach, FL 32407 Office: (850) 249-4444
GYM Panama City Health Club & Spa HEALTH & WELLNESS, GYM/ CROSSFIT & TRAINING 1598 N. Balboa Ave. Panama City, FL 32405 Office: 850-914-BFIT (2348)
For a FREE LISTING Please call 850-774-0977
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Bay County Association of Realtors 1123 Harrison Avenue Panama City, FL 32401 Office: (850) 763-8078 FSU Panama City SCHOOLS/EDUCATION 4750 Collegiate Drive Panama City, FL 32405 Office: (850) 872-4750 Gulf Coast State College SCHOOLS/EDUCATION 5230 W. Highway 98 Panama City, FL 32401 Office: (850) 769-1551 Willows British Tea Room TEA ROOM, RESTAURANTS 461 Harrison Ave. Panama City, FL 32401 Office: (850) 747-1004
For a FREE LISTING Please call 850-774-0977
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Baking Powder Pointers (NAPSI)—At holiday time, successful baking is more important than ever; favorite recipes, family dinners and annual traditions count on it. With baking season right around the corner, here is a fresh idea for better baking: Start the season with new ingredients. For the best baking results, ingredients such as baking powder, baking soda, and flour must be fresh. According to a recent survey of home bakers, freshness is very important. More than 70 percent of people surveyed ranked freshness as a significant factor when buying baking ingredients and 74 percent say they look for the manufacturer’s expiration date when shopping and when baking. To ensure freshness of your baking powder, the makers of Clabber Girl are introducing a new “fresh lid” that encourages you to write the “opened date” on the top of the can. To get the best leavening, it’s not
only important to know the expiration date, but also to remember when you opened the can. Baking powder starts to react as soon as the can is opened and the powder is exposed to heat and moisture. That’s why you should get a new can after six months. The manufacturer’s date stamped on the bottom refers to the latest date you should open the sealed can. After that, the baking powder may not react well. Smart Storage Baking powder should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from heat or moisture. Make sure the lid is on securely at all times. Don’t store it in the refrigerator or freezer. Condensation will gather on the inside of the can, causing the powder to react in the can. If you’re not sure whether your powder has been properly stored, you can test it easily. Take 1 teaspoon of baking powder and mix it with 1/3 cup very hot water. If it fizzles and bubbles, go ahead and bake away. If it doesn’t react or the reaction is delayed or weak, it’s time to get a new can. Once you know your powder is fresh, you may care to try it out
with this delicious cake: Bourbon Pecan Pound Cake Cake: ½ c. vegetable shortening ½ c. butter 1½ c. granulated sugar 2 c. cake flour 1½ tsp. Clabber Girl Baking Powder ¼ tsp. Clabber Girl Baking Soda ½ tsp. salt ⅓ c. sour cream 3 Tbsp. bourbon whiskey 4 eggs ¾ c. chopped pecans Glaze: 1 c. confectioners’ sugar 1½ tsp. bourbon whiskey 1½ Tbsp. water Instructions: Set oven rack to middle location and preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cake: In a large bowl, cream together shortening, butter and sugar until smooth then set aside. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, Clabber Girl Baking Powder, Clabber Girl Baking Soda and salt; combine well, add to
creamed mixture, and mix on low speed 1 minute. Add sour cream, whiskey, eggs, and beat on medium speed 2 minutes; mix in pecans. Pour batter into greased 9-inch tube pan or 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pan. Bake (middle rack) at 350 degrees F for 55 minutes or until cake tests done. To test cake, insert a toothpick into the cake and visually check to ensure toothpick is clean when removed. Allow cake to cool before applying glaze. Glaze: Beat sugar, whiskey and water together until smooth. Pour over cake.
COOKING IDEAS (NAPSA)-Here’s sweet news for anyone who finds gluten difficult to digest: You can still enjoy delicious desserts, confections and snacks with the great gluten-free (and dairy-free) recipes-with a cherry on top-from the National Cherry Growers and Industries Foundation at www.nationalcherries.com. www.GrassRootsVOIVEofAmerica.com
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Job Center Phone: (850) 872-4340
Fax: (850) 872-4346 625 Highway 231 Panama City, FL 32405 Hours: 8 am to 5pm Monday through Friday Construction Superintendent #9951560 No minimum education Salary $1,200.00$1,400.00 per week DOE. Will work 50+ hours possible per week. Must have 60 months experience in construction. Must have access to vehicle to get to and from work sites. Must have access to a cell phone. Job Knowledge: Strong background in construction, light commercial preferred. Must be a self-starter. Must be willing to work out of town up to two months at a time. Be in charge of light commercial and new construction and or remodel projects. Must have the ability to run the project from permitting to project close out. Bookkeeper #9977715 High School Diploma or GED Salary DOE. Full time position working 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday to Friday. Position requires 12 months of work experience as a Bookkeeper. Preferred knowledge with Quick Books, employer will train. Will work in all general ledger aspects and some tax knowledge needed. Duties: A/R, A/P, taxes, collections, basic clerical tasks such as answering telephones, & data entry as needed. Tax Preparer #9977708 No minimum education Salary $12 per hour. Full time or Part time position - 8-5 daily. Opportunity to advance. Employer will conduct background and reference check Position requires 36 months of work experience in Income Tax Preparation. 1040 experience required. Seasonal or year round flexible. We are seeking a tax professional. Drake software experience preferred but will train on software. Accounting background a plus, QuickBooks and Peachtree experience a plus but not required. Duties: Prepare federal and State tax returns for individuals and business entities, some accounting. Candidate must be reliable. Data Entry Clerk TEMP-TO-HIRE #9977696 No minimum education Salary $12 per hour. ***This position is being offered through a no-fee agency*** Work Location is Panama City Beach. Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-5:00 pm. The candidate will work in a banking environment as a data entry clerk. Will enter mortgage and loan processing information into a Windows based computer system and review for accuracy. Intermediate computer skills and ability to master new programs. Must be able to multi-task and work independently. Need 12 months data entry related work experience. Receptionist #9977191 High School Diploma or GED Salary $9 per hour plus benefits. Will be working at location on Panama City Beach. Full time position. Will work Monday to Thursday 8:00 am to 6:00 pm and Friday 8:00 am to 12:00 or 1:00 pm. Hours may vary depending on patient work load and staff coverage. Position requires 12 months' work experience as a receptionist, prior work experience in a medical office desired. Typing speed of at least 46 wpm. Must have excellent customer service skills and ability to answer the phone in a courteous manner. Experience with Medisoft program preferred but not required. Responsible for greeting patients and checking them in, scheduling, entering data into computer programs, answering phones and taking messages, collecting money along with any other tasks that may be assigned by the supervisor or management. The position will require, but is not limited to sitting, standing, lifting (less than 50 pounds) typing and interaction with patients in a medical setting.
Master Diesel Shop Manager #9978950 No minimum education. Full time position - 40 hours a week. Salary range of $40K to $60K annually or commission. To be discussed. Position requires 10 years work experience as a diesel mechanic to include supervisor experience. Need to be DOT certified, Valid driver's license - CDL preferred. Must be knowledgeable with computer diagnostics. Manage shop and oversee mechanics, will conduct diagnostics and repairs, test drive trucks. Construction Laborers #9978918 No minimum education Salary $9.00 per hour. Help brick masons and block masons by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment. No experience required Staff Assistant II – Engineering #9978356 High School Diploma or GED. Salary $12.93 $20.05. Opening Date: 01/14/15 Closing Date: 01/19/15 05:00 PM Full time, permanent position - Monday-Friday 8:00 am-5:00 pm. Benefits provided. Minimum Qualifications: 2 years' experience in clerical and/or administrative work. Valid Florida driver's license. Essential knowledge of and ability to use MS Word, Excel, and Outlook and any related software. LPN / RN (Bay Co.) 9961587 2 years College, Technical or Vocational School Salary DOE. Hours will vary. No Experience Required. Applicant is required to have current Florida License and Certificates. Employer will conduct Background and Drug Screening. Executive Housekeeper #9960366 High School Diploma or GED Salary $40,000.00. Full time year around position. Days and hours working will vary - Must be able to work nights, weekends and holidays. Position requires a minimum of 5 years of hotel housekeeping work experience with at least three of those years at management level. Must be a strong leader and highly organized. A "can-do" attitude is essential and needs to be a team player. Must have a valid Florida driver's license. Will be responsible to oversee housekeeping staff at a large, busy beach resort. Will be conducting training, performing quality control inspections, and organizing deep cleans in off season. Internal Medicine Medical Biller/Primary Care #9960866 No minimum education Salary DOE. Benefits offered. Permanent Full time position working Monday-Friday 8:00 am 5:00 pm, (will discuss days & hours). Seeking a highly professional person with 1-3 years' experience in medical billing. Must be well organized and responsible. Submit insurance claims, work directly with insurance companies reviewing and appealing unpaid or denied claims. Verify insurance, coding, answering patients billing questions and handling collections on unpaid balance.
Front Desk Clerk – Nights #9978952 No minimum education Salary $9.75 per hour. Full time position - Days and hours working will vary - Must be flexible and able to work weekends and holidays. Location – Panama City Beach Position requires six to twelve months of work experience as a front desk clerk or receptionist - Must be computer literate and have customer service skills - Must enjoy working with people.
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774-0977 www.GrassRootsVOICEofAmerica.com
Job Center Phone: (850) 872-4340 Fax: (850) 872-4346 625 Highway 231, Panama City 32405 GCSC Job Placement Office Phone: (850) 769-1551 ext. 3339 Student Union, 5230 W. Hwy 98, Panama City 32401
JOBS CONTINUED…. Food Service Worker P/T #9978962 High School Diploma or GED Salary $8.30 DOE. The job will be performed in the Bay County area. Part time position - working Monday to Friday. Days and hours vary. Holidays and summers off. Must be able to work well under stress. Previous prep or cooking employment preferred. Must be able to pass a federal background check. Must be able to pass a drug test. Responsibilities include but not limited to working with children. Have great people skills and a good attitude. Must be able to work in a team environment. ****Employer WILL provide any additional training**** Paint Mixer/Tinter #9978138 High School Diploma or GED Salary DOE. Benefits offered. Monday thru Friday 7:00 am - 3:30 pm. Need a minimum of 12 months' work experience with in store paint tinting Must be able to lift 50 lbs. Experience in manufacturing or production beneficial but not required. Duties: making batches, tinting, pouring and mixing. General Building Maintenance Worker #9978711 No minimum education Salary $9.50 -$10 per hour DOE. Full time position Shift will vary between 7:00 am to 3:30 pm and 3:30 pm to 11:00 pm. Days working will rotate. Will be required to work weekends and holidays. Two positions open. No experience is required. Need basic knowledge and skills in building and grounds maintenance. - Employer will conduct background check and drug screening. Maintain inside and outside of Condominium units - Cleaning common area bathrooms, elevators, windows, cut grass, edge grass, pick up trash, some landscaping and painting.
Training Center at GCSC Phone: (850) 872-3853 Fax: (850) 913-3269 5230 W. Hwy 98, Panama City 32401 Training Center at Haney Technical Center Fax: (850) 481-1678 3016 Hwy 77, Panama City 32405 Training Center GCSC Gulf/Franklin Center Phone: (850) 227-9670 ext. 5504 3800 Garrison Ave, Building A, Port St. Joe, Fl 32456 Port St. Joe Community Resource Center Phone: (850) 229-1641 Fax: (850) 229-1642 401 Peters St, Port St. Joe, Fl 32456
We are the region’s one stop career center serving Bay, Gulf, and Franklin Counties in Northwest Florida. CareerSource Gulf Coast is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. Whether you're an employer or a job seeker, please be sure to first register with Employ Florida Marketplace—your online resource for local and state workforce services. Also be sure to check back regularly for up-to-date information on our programs, services, upcoming events, news headlines and more.
Employment Services
Connecting with a new job, new career, or educational opportunities has never been easier. Our easy four-step process below will get you on the right path. Register with EmployFlorida.com- Employflorida.com is the state of Florida’s official website for employment/workforce services. Used by CareerSource Gulf Coast and other one stop career centers around the state, it offers job seekers access to thousands of employment listings. The Marketplace is the state’s most comprehensive database of job openings, pulling job listings from MyFlorida.gov, the website for Florida government job openings, as well as from jobs posted directly by registered employers, and jobs listed on the Web sites of Florida businesses, among other popular sources. If you need Go there, but come back here for even more support. Meet with a Career Counselor- Our resource room support staff and career counselors are dedicated to help you get on the right track for finding training and employment. Whether you need help with the resources in our one-stop center, need assistance with our Web site, need to learn about our free training opportunities, or need connections to open positions, we are here to help. Our career counselors have more than 40 years of combined experience helping others find work, and they have great relationships the area's employers. Stop by a center or call today. You can also receive services via e-mail at customerservice@careersourcegc.com. Attend a Job Fair- Job fairs provide an opportunity to connect with companies face-to-face at CareerSource Gulf Coast or other locations. These events are designed for quick hiring. If you attend, come dressed and ready for an on-the-spot interview.
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Falling oil prices hit Venezuela, Iran and Russia hard As oil prices continued to plunge last week, it was instructive to watch the disparate reactions of three governments whose whopping losses are likely to produce some of the biggest international stories of 2015. There was the panicked scrambling of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who skipped his own state of the union speech for a desperate world tour in search of loans or promises of $100 oil. He got neither, even as rumors flew back home about whether he would be allowed to stay in office on his return. Jackson Diehl is deputy editorial page editor of The Post. He is an editorial writer specializing in foreign affairs and writes a biweekly column that appears on Mondays. View Archive There was the cool response of Vladi-mir Putin, whose ministers announced drastic cuts in government spending — except for defense. Russia’s proxy forces in eastern Ukraine meanwhile launched a new offensive. And there was the energetic engagement by Iran’s foreign minister in negotiations on a nuclear deal that would lead to a lifting of U.N. sanctions. This followed an argument back in Tehran between the country’s president and its supreme leader about whether Iran should pursue an opening to the world or a warlike “resistance economy.” Those snapshots fairly reflected the betting in Washington about the likely consequences of a sustained drop in oil prices for Venezuela, Russia and Iran, three troublesome nations that depend on energy exports for anywhere between 68 percent and 95 percent of their external revenue. Venezuela appears on the edge of a political chasm. Putin will try to fend off domestic upheaval with more foreign aggression. And Iran will make a fateful choice between forging a lifeline to the United States and Europe and consciously embracing isolation and harsh austerity. FOR MORE GO TO: http://www.washingtonpost.com
Colbert King: Don’t sugarcoat Islamic terrorism D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) was right to speak out on the terrorist attacks in Paris. Washington and Paris have been sister cities since 2000. Those heinous acts against freedom of speech, Bowser noted, only strengthen the bond between the two capitals. Washingtonians know what it’s like to fall victim to cowardly acts. D.C. public school children were on board American Airlines Flight 77 when it plowed into the Pentagon at 9:37 a.m. on Sept. 11, 2001. As Bowser said, “The District stands in solidarity with the people of France.” Another similarity: The response to Islamist terrorist attacks in Paris and 9/11 in the United States. After news broke about the Paris slaughter, I received an e-mail from the Muslim Times condemning the attack and stressing Islam’s peaceful nature. “We condemn every act of terrorism. Human life is sacred and killing one innocent person is like triggering genocide,” the message said. Likewise, the Grand Mosque of Paris announced: “We strongly condemn these kind of acts and we expect the authorities to take the most appropriate measures. Our community is stunned by what just happened. It’s a whole section of our democracy that is seriously affected. This is a deafening declaration of war. Times have changed, and we are now entering a new era of confrontation.” The post-attack narrative is always the same: Radical Islamists do not represent Islam’s true nature, which embraces justice, equality and compassion; those who believe their barbarism is divinely sanctioned are, at best, misinterpreting Islam or,
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worse, using it to justify acts of violence for their own ends; and it’s wrong to fear, hate or condemn a religion because of the misguided actions of a few. Among my many limitations is a lack of an in-depth knowledge of Islam. Frankly, it’s all I can do to deepen my understanding of my own faith. FOR MORE GO TO: http://www.washingtonpost.com
A Revolution of Values: Martin Luther King Jr. and the Poor People’s Campaign January 18, 2015 by Gary May A striking Atlanta sanitation worker kneels at the grave of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. after a rally by Southern Christian Leadership Conference supporting the strike in Atlanta on April 4, 1970. King was killed in Memphis, Tenn., two years ago while supporting a sanitation workers’ strike there. The picket signs reading “I Am A Man” were first used in the Memphis strike. (AP Photo/BJ) A striking Atlanta sanitation worker kneels at the grave of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. after a rally by Southern Christian Leadership Conference supporting the strike in Atlanta on April 4, 1970. King was killed in Memphis while supporting a sanitation workers’ strike there in 1968. The picket signs reading “I Am A Man” were first used in the Memphis strike. (AP Photo/BJ) Can American history teach us anything about how to eradicate economic inequality? It can and what it tells us is not reassuring. Historically, American reform occurs sporadically, lasts briefly, and brings about only incremental changes. It took the Great Depression to create the opportunity to only partially fix the excesses of American capitalism. And historians have long argued that it was not FDR’s New Deal which ended largescale unemployment but World War II. Perhaps the most revolutionary effort to end American inequality occurred almost 50 years ago and was led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Similarly, Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society was the product of the traumatic Kennedy Assassination and Johnson’s triumph over Barry Goldwater in 1964. Much was achieved in helping minorities and the poor but by 1967, LBJ was on the defensive, his power weakened by urban riots and the Vietnam War. Perhaps the most revolutionary effort to end American inequality occurred almost 50 years ago and was led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The urban riots that occurred between 1964 and 1967 in New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Cincinnati, and, worst of all, in Newark, New Jersey, where 44 people died, convinced King that his movement had done little to improve the lives of those trapped in American ghettos. Even before the 1967 Newark tragedy, he decided to dedicate his life to the elimination of poverty. “I choose to identify with the poor,” he told his congregation in August, 1966. “.. If it means dying for them, I’m going that way, because I heard a voice saying, ‘Do something for others.’” Those words summed up the last two years of his life. He could not have chosen a worse time to mount a “Poor People’s Campaign.” The Vietnam War had torn the Democratic Party apart, breaking its reform coalition. On April 4, 1967, King officially joined the anti-war movement. http://billmoyers.com/2015/01/18/revolution-values/
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8:30AM—6:00PM MONDAY—FRIDAY 8:30AM—4:00PM SATURDAY
Bullying by Definition An unhappy teen boy walks away from bullying girls. Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Both kids who are bullied and who bully others may have serious, lasting problems. In order to be considered bullying, the behavior must be aggressive and include: An Imbalance of Power: Kids who bully use their power—such as physical strength, access to embarrassing information, or popularity—to control or harm others. Power imbalances can change over time and in different situations, even if they involve the same people. Repetition: Bullying behaviors happen more than once or have the potential to happen more than once. Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose.
There are three types of bullying: Verbal bullying is saying or writing mean things. Verbal bullying includes: Teasing Name-calling Inappropriate sexual comments Taunting Threatening to cause harm Social bullying, sometimes referred to as relational bullying, involves hurting someone’s reputation or relationships. Social bullying includes: Leaving someone out on purpose Telling other children not to be friends with someone Spreading rumors about someone Embarrassing someone in public Physical bullying involves hurting a person’s body or possessions. Physical bullying includes: Hitting/kicking/ pinching Spitting Tripping/pushing Taking or breaking someone’s things Making mean or rude hand gestures
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What is Cyberbullying Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place using electronic technology. Electronic technology includes devices and equipment such as cell phones, computers, and tablets as well as communication tools including social media sites, text messages, chat, and websites. Examples of cyberbullying include mean text messages or emails, rumors sent by email or posted on social networking sites, and embarrassing pictures, videos, websites, or fake profiles.
Why Cyberbullying is Different Kids who are being cyberbullied are often bullied in person as well. Additionally, kids who are cyberbullied have a harder time getting away from the behavior. Cyberbullying can happen
24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and reach a kid even when he or she is alone. It can happen any time of the day or night. Cyberbullying messages and images can be posted anonymously and distributed quickly to a very wide audience. It can be difficult and sometimes impossible to trace the source. Deleting inappropriate or harassing messages, texts, and pictures is extremely difficult after they have been posted or sent. Kids who are cyberbullied are more likely to: Use alcohol and drugs Skip school Experience in-person bullying Be unwilling to attend school Receive poor grades Have lower self-esteem Have more health problems The 2010-2011 School Crime Supplement (National Center for Education Statistics and Bureau of Justice Statistics) indicates that 9% of students in grades 6–12 experienced cyberbullying. The 2013 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey finds that 15% of high school students (grades 9-12) were electronically bullied in the past year. Research on cyberbullying is growing. However, because kids’ technology use changes rapidly, it is difficult to design surveys that accurately capture trends.
Rejoice with your family in the beautiful land of life! ~Albert Einstein
We all grow up with the weight of history on us. Our ancestors dwell in the attics of our brains as they do in the spiraling chains of knowledge hidden in every cell of our bodies. ~Shirley Abbott Family: A social unit where the father is concerned with parking space, the children with outer space, and the mother with closet space. ~Evan Esar
It is not flesh and blood but the heart which makes us fathers and sons. ~Johann Schiller
The family is a haven in a heartless world. ~Attributed to Christopher Lasch Nobody has ever before asked the nuclear family to live all by itself in a box the way we do. With no relatives, no support, we’ve put it in an impossible situation. ~Margaret Mead Families are like fudge — mostly sweet with a few nuts. ~Author Unknown The thing about family disasters is that you never have to wait long before the next one puts the previous one into perspective. ~Robert Brault, rbrault.blogspot.com If you don’t believe in ghosts, you’ve never been to a family reunion. ~Ashleigh Brilliant
A family is a unit composed not only of children but of men, women, an occasional animal, and the common cold. ~Ogden Nash
The family. We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another’s desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together. ~Erma Bombeck
Win Incredibalm products to Change your Skin! Incredibalm urges its consumers to stop the use of harsh chemicals and switch to their 100% organic aromatherapy cosmetic line. Incredibalm produces therapeutic lip balms, body balms, facial cleansing oils, toning mist, and face masks that will change your skins look and feel. Each product is formulated with organic ingredients like Shea butter and Coconut oil, offering ultimate healing qualities and revitalization properties; these ingredients also help to promote softer and younger skin. Heather Jablonski, entrepreneur and creator of Incredibalm, started her company with a mission to provide superior moisturizing products that are chemicalfree and completely natural.
Prize pack includes: 1 Body Balm 1 Lip Balm Prize: 1 prize pack Sponsor: Incredibalm Location: USA Start/End Dates: 1/18/2015 - 1/31/2015 GO TO: http://thecelebritycafe.com/contests/win-incredibalm-products-change-your-skin TO ENTER www.GrassRootsVoiceofAmerica.com
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Panama City Oral Surgeon Launches New Online Resource for Enhanced Education Panama City, FL Within the next year, global online video traffic will account for 55 percent of all Internet traffic. This progressive shift in activity confirms how popular videos are becoming in today’s modern world, and solidifies how effective this medium is for communicating information. Eric Claussen, DMD, PA of Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center of Panama City has embraced this new reality by creating an online resource for patients that provides them with pre-operative and post -operative instruction videos, patient testimonial videos, and procedure videos, explaining everything a patient needs to know in order to experience the best surgical outcome.
meet Dr. Claussen and his staff, and learn about the state-of-theart resources that are available to patients through the practice. “We are fortunate to be a part of such a phenomenal community here in Panama City, and it’s important for patients to know about the local resources available to them,” said Dr. Claussen. “I feel honored to work hand-in-hand with some of the most talented dentists, prosthodontists and orthodontists in the area to help patients in need of oral surgery.” The new online resource at http://oralsurgerypanamacity.com provides visitors with informational videos on the range of services that Dr. Claussen offers, including wisdom teeth removal, dental implants, full arch implant rehabilitation, facial trauma surgery, and others. In addition, patients can view shortformat videos of Dr. Claussen’s past patients sharing their stories about their experience during their surgery, as well as referring doctors describing what it is like to work with Dr. Claussen. By watching these testimonial videos, patients will gain genuine insight into a typical experience at Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center of Panama City. For more information about Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center of Panama City,
The launch of the new online resource at http://oralsurgerypanamacity.com coincides with the reveal of the practice’s new brand, which has been revamped to reflect the advancements in Dr. Claussen’s scope of work and the extension of his service to patients in the greater Panama City, FL area.
please visit http://oralsurgerypanamacity.com.
About
“This is an incredibly exciting time in the industry, because we as medical providers have the opportunity to educate patients in a whole new way,” said Dr. Claussen. “I am thrilled to be able to provide surgical instructions for patients through a medium that will really resonate with them, so they are fully prepared for their procedure and comfortable throughout the entire process.”
Eric. R. Claussen, DMD, PA Dr. Eric Claussen is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and a licensed dentist. He has extensive experience in all facets of oral and maxillofacial surgery, anesthesia and dental implant-related surgery. Dr. Claussen places specific emphasis on patient safety and comfort, as well as treatment efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Dr. Claussen and the staff of Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center of Panama City recently hosted a Grand Re-Opening party to introduce the practice’s new image and services to the community. Local doctors and their staff members were invited to
HEALTH MATTERS
“B” Free Of Mouth Pain (NAPSI)—There’s now a pleasant, natural way to relieve temporary pain from mouth sores, cuts, wounds and mouth ulcers and to support a healthy mouth lining. It’s done with a dose of bioactive B12 (methylcobalamin) and hyaluronan in the form of a little disc you let dissolve in your mouth. You simply place the H-B12 Melts® disc near (not on) where the pain is— mouth tissues are delicate, so you don’t want to stick the disc right on the sore where it can disrupt the healing. The disc coats and soothes while it dissolves and supports natural healing. It works with braces and dentures and releases bioactive B12 for absorption by mouth cells. Called H-B12 Melts, the oral adhering discs are available at CVS pharmacies or by calling (877) 672-6541. Learn More: For further facts, visit www.oracoat.com
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Dr. Claussen began his education at the University of Florida, earning his Bachelor’s degree in Finance. He also received his dental degree at the University of Florida. From there, he completed his residency in oral and maxillofacial surgery at Indiana University, gaining hands-on experience at Wishard Hospital, Methodist Hospital, Riley Children’s Hospital, and University Hospital. 850-215-0798
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VA and U.S. Tennis Association Foundation Partner to Make Tennis More Accessible to Veterans January 16, 2015 Washington – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is partnering with the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) Foundation, Inc., to make exercise more readily available to VA patients. The VA/USTA Foundation partnership will facilitate the formation of tennis clinics at VA medical facilities, link VA medical facilities with community resources and provide consulting and design services for VA facilities interested in upgrading or building tennis courts. “Exercise and physical activity is an important component of health and wellness and has been shown to provide numerous physical and mental health benefits,” said Interim Under Secretary for Health Carolyn M. Clancy, MD. “We are very excited to be partnering with the USTA Foundation to improve Veterans’ physical fitness and ultimately their overall health and well-being.” The USTA Foundation will support VA in the form of coaching, instruction, equipment or use of courts or other technical assistance to sustain a tennis clinic, along with the recently developed “Warrior Tennis Curriculum,” an electronic manual that provides rehabilitation therapists guidance through text, pictures and videos on how to use tennis as a therapeutic option to help Veterans stay fit and active. “The USTA Foundation is honored to partner with the Department of Veteran Affairs in helping to enhance and improve the rehabilitation needs of our country’s Veterans through tennis,” said Dan Faber, Executive Director, USTA Foundation. “We are committed to providing the tools needed for VA facilities around the country to incorporate tennis into their existing rehabilitation programs. Together, we are striving to provide an opportunity for our Veterans to stay active and fit in tribute to their sacrifice and bravery.” With more than eight million Veterans enrolled, VA operates the largest integrated health care delivery system in the United States. The USTA Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the US Tennis Association.
Mr. and Mrs. Albert Lewis, moments after saying ‘I do.’ By Tom Cramer, VA
You have less than six months to live What would you do if your doctor gave you news like this? Visit Egypt and see the pyramids? Blow your life’s savings in Las Vegas? Head for that place where they let you swim with the dolphins? Albert Lewis, a 56-year-old Army Veteran who’s undergoing cancer treatments at the Buffalo VA, chose none of the above. Instead he chose to marry Dorothy, his girlfriend of 17 years. “When I found out I was in Stage 4,” Lewis said, “my first reaction was, ‘How am I going to explain this to Dorothy? How can I tell her I’m going to be leaving her?’ “So I sat down with her and talked to her. We decided we weren’t going to let this get the best of us. We decided it doesn’t have to be the end; it can be the beginning of something.”
Governor Scott Honors 121 Veterans with Governor’s Veterans Service Award TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott awarded 121 Florida veterans with the Governor’s Veterans Service Award for their service to Florida and the nation. The Governor’s Veterans Service Award honors Floridians who have served in the U.S. Military. The front of the medal depicts the Great Seal of the State of Florida. The back of the medal displays the five seals representing the five branches of U.S. Military with an inscription that reads “Honoring Those Who Served.” we’ll go through this together. I’m at his side every step of the way, and I always will be.” “She’s always been in my corner,” Lewis agreed. He noted that in addition to her courage and steadfastness, Dorothy has other attributes that make her a good catch. “She has a smiling personality,” he observed. “And her eyes are irresistible. And she can cook! If they can cook, you know you got it made.“When you find a woman with all the right ingredients,” he added, “you’ve got to grab her before someone else does.” So Lewis did just that. He and Dorothy tied the knot on, in a small chapel located on the Buffalo VA’s third floor.“It was a long time coming,” Dorothy said. “We had a lot of support from the VA. They helped us. All the doctors and nurses were there at the ceremony. They supplied the food, the flowers, the music. We had a piano player, and a guitar player…
Ups and Downs
“Some of the staff even made me a corsage,” she added. “I thought that was nice.” They showed me that I wasn’t just a patient with a tag on my arm. They showed me I was a person. — Albert Lewis See more at: http://www.va.gov/HEALTH/ NewsFeatures/2015/January/Dying-Veteran-Gets-Marriedat-Buffalo-VA.asp#sthash.FxVUiUHK.dpuf
“We’ve been through a lot of ups and downs together,” said Dorothy. “And
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Faith of Misery By William E. Fisher, Jr Faith is a word the carries a lot of providence to many people and many religions. Most of us pray about something at least those of us in the faith. We pray to God for many things like health, love, prosperity, wisdom, and other things to numerous to contemplate. Our faith based in love through Jesus Christ teaches us to love one another and treat our fellow man and woman as equals with respect. But now our culture, our religion everything our Lord and the framers of our constitution built for our freedom and freedom of religion is under attack. As our forefathers were writing the constitution as Christian men at least most of them anyway never dreamed the day would come! When an outside force would come into their country and try to replace their work with something as archaic as a religious law that promotes such things as rape, murder, torture, and other practices to sick to mention. Recently it was posted in the Jews News on 01-11-2014 that Mustafa Carroll, Director of CAIR, Texas, U.S.A. Stated (If we are practicing Muslims, we are above the law of the land.”). Another Muslim cleric Anjem Choudary was quoted on January 10, 2015 by Joe Newby that Anjem Choudary stated warnings of a blood bath’ if the West doesn’t stifle freedom to appease Muslims. Also to add insult to injury the alleged president of the United Stated said back September 2012 at the general assembly of the United Nations! (The future must not belong to those who slander the prophet of Islam). Wow! Really! What about those who defame and slander the name of Jesus Christ? The only Man on earth to ever walk on water, and come back from the dead who is still alive to this day! It seems that those doing things like rape, murder, and other atrocities don’t seem to be on his radar screen! Until it hits the press loyal to him and becomes an embarrassment even to them! In this country today we do not have a proactive administrative government we are stuck with a reactive administrative government. It’s like a car going down the highway on cruse control but there is no driver in the car to make any course corrections! Our president and government are more worried about Americans with guns then Radical’s infiltrating our country as they have in France, England, and other European countries! The only two reasons it’s not
that bad here yet! We own guns and unlike our God! They can’t walk on water! But Obama the Trojan horse is paving the way for them everyway possible. In the world today many countries are outlawing the Muslim religion. Radical Islamic Doctrine does not work in any civilized society where Christians dwell. Why? It’s very simple! Many of today’s Muslim’s are being educated in hatred towards Christians. America has been a wonderful country and we have defended and give food to many over our country’s history. People can come here from another land and become one of us by just fallow our laws and abiding by our constitution that stands for all of us! But don’t you dare come here calling us infidels and try to replace our God, and way of life with something less then we already have! America and Americans can only be pushed so far! I believe we are near the point of making a decision to give up everything we have built up, to those who want to recreate the middle ages with lawless barbarism! Or like other countries get our hands dirty and bloody to run those followers of this sick cult out of America. Don’t come to our country and try to force feed our people or youth with your anti soulless doctrine. We The People will fight for our rights and our religion no matter who sets in the White House. Never make the mistake of thinking you can use our freedoms written in the Constitution against us to come here to subvert our Country and culture. We can and will force those out that think they can conquer us from within. We will not be enslaved by anyone including fools in government thinking they can. If you are thinking our laws don’t apply to you then in my book you’re done! We also have the right to kick you out by any means necessary! Keep pushing us and you’ll soon discover that although you have freedom of speech and religion that does not cover the subversion of our government and freedom to be Christians or Americans! Take your Faith of Misery back with you!
We don’t need it
A couple of Sunday’s ago, we saw the last of a long running series of TV shows, the Bill Moyer’s Show. Bill Moyers’ broadcast commentaries have become an institution in public media. Connecting dots of history, evidence, personal experience, and logic, Moyers shares his honest take on the relevant events and controversies of our times. At the close of the show, Bill shared his thoughts for the future ….So to this new generation I say:
over to you, welcome to the fight. And to all of you who have been loyal to these broadcasts, and to my colleagues who produced them and our funders who kept on giving despite my foibles and flaws, I say: thank you. This series ends, but not our website -BillMoyers.com. I’ll see you there, and I’ll see you around.
Racism in America: How Did We Get Here? The protests that erupted following the deaths of unarmed black men by police officers in Ferguson and New York have led us closer to a “national conversation on race in America.” These conversations rarely progress beyond the exchange of angry recriminations because race is a difficult issue to discuss — its influence on our society exists in both past and present, and it manifests itself in both explicit racism and, making matters more complicated, subconscious racial bias. It doesn’t help that the mainstream cable news nets are poorly suited to handle such a difficult topic in a way that offers some illumination. Much of their coverage boils down to shouting at each other about whether race even plays a role in American society today — a debate about whether people of color are treated differently by the criminal justice system, or face economic challenges that their white counterparts don’t. But this is not a serious matter of debate — denying that race matters is akin to denying that human activity is warming the planet. It flies in the face of rigorous empirical research by sociologists, historians and economists. Bill Moyers has taken another approach, conducting interviews that grapple honestly with our history — and our present. http://billmoyers.com/2015/01/01/get-bill-talks-race-america/
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