text:
Covid Scotland: Nicola Sturgeon announces restrictions on indoor events and hospitality will be scrapped from Monday and vaccine passports will not be extended
and live on Freeview channel 276
The First Minister described a more positive than expected situation in Scotland in an update to MSPs on Tuesday, pointing to a reduction in case numbers and hospitalisations, which she said meant the country had "turned the corner" on the Omicron wave.
The Scottish Government has decided not to extend the Covid certification scheme to further venues following an announcement last week this was being considered.
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdMinisters will also engage with businesses about a phased return to the office from the beginning of next month.
The advice to limit social contact to three households will also be removed from Monday.
However, the First Minister asked people to remain cautious and continue to keep gatherings "as small as your circumstances allow", and warned the NHS was still under "acute" pressure.
It comes as 7,752 new cases of Covid-19 were reported on Tuesday, while 1,546 people were in hospital with Covid and 42 in intensive care.
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdBusiness leaders greeted the relaxation of restrictions with relief, though some called for easier access to funding support and others criticised the lack of certainty over next steps.
Dr Liz Cameron, chief executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said: "The removal of the operating limits placed upon the hospitality, retail and evening economy is good news and will be welcomed by many businesses.
"With these restrictions lifting from 24th January, these sectors will finally be able to reopen fully and work to rebuild confidence after what has been a bleak winter."
She added: "It will come as a relief for many hospitality and licensed premises that the Government have chosen not to extend the vaccine passport scheme at this time.
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad"To do so would burden these businesses with further costs at a time when they simply cannot afford them and place jobs at risk. Any potential extension to the scheme must come with immediate financial support and be properly evidenced."
But Dr Cameron said it was still a "great disappointment" that some restrictions, such as advice around home working, still remained.
Andrew McRae, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Scotland policy chair, said: "Many of the people behind local businesses across Scotland will be relieved to hear they will soon return to trading conditions that are closer to normal.
"We're also pleased the First Minister has listened to our representations about the disproportionate burden vaccine passports would have placed on smaller firms.
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad"However, the withdrawal of some Covid restrictions doesn't mean that local economies will necessarily bounce back. Public figures now need to work hard to build business and consumer confidence."
The Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) also welcomed the easing of restrictions.
Colin Wilkinson, SLTA managing director, said: "We are delighted that businesses can now look forward to the removal of one-metre physical distancing measures along with table service no longer being required, although we would have preferred the lifting of these measures with immediate effect."
He said the group was "concerned" the possibility of widening the Covid certification scheme had not been fully ruled out.
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe Scottish Government has begun work on a new strategic framework for managing the Covid pandemic, to be published in coming weeks.
The situation in Scotland is much less severe than could have been expected, Ms Sturgeon said, adding that she hoped the country was once again entering a "calmer phase of the epidemic".
She said: "That then allows us to consider the adaptations we might need to make to build our resilience and manage the virus in a less restrictive way in future as we do move into an endemic phase."
But despite this "renewed optimism", Ms Sturgeon warned the health service remained under "significant pressure".
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad"Although cases are now falling, the NHS remains under acute pressure and staff absences are still causing some disruption across the economy and critical services," she said, adding the past couple of weeks have likely been "among the most difficult the NHS has ever faced".
If circumstances change and cases rise again, Ms Sturgeon warned an extension to the Covid certification scheme may once again be considered.
"Given that cases are now falling quite rapidly, and the current wave is receding, we decided that we will not at this stage extend the Covid certification scheme to other premises," she said.
"We will, of course, reconsider this should circumstances – and therefore the balance of judgement – change in any significant way.
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad"If cases were to start to rise very sharply again, extension of certification may well be a more proportionate alternative to other, more restrictive measures.
"However, our conclusion today, given the improving situation, is that extending certification would not be proportionate at this stage."
Scottish Conservative health spokesperson Sandesh Gulhane welcomed the decision not to extend the scheme, but called for the certification requirement to be scrapped in all settings.
"For many Scottish businesses, it remains a burden and a potential risk, despite there being no evidence that it works," he said.
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad"Nicola Sturgeon should accept that this scheme is a dud and scrap it altogether."
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar called for a new system setting out milestones which would trigger fresh restrictions in future.
"We all hope the worst is behind us, but going forward any changes in these restrictions cannot be ad-hoc," he said.
"We need a system that sets clear trigger points on what people can expect when cases rise, which lays out what support people will be entitled to and when.
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad"But we still don't know what the framework will include and when exactly we will get a chance for meaningful debate of detailed proposals.
"Restrictions, however well intentioned, have had a detrimental impact on people's mental health and wellbeing. They cannot be expected to live their lives like that again."
Liberal Democrat leader Alex-Cole Hamilton welcomed the move not to expand the Covid certification scheme, and also called for more transparency in imposing future restrictions.
"Today's announcement will represent light at the end of the tunnel for many people, not least in the hospitality sector, which was hobbled by the restrictions over Christmas," he said.
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad"Many of those people are still looking for answers, and answers matter. People need to trust that, if further restrictions are required in the future, they will be based in transparency and in a science that they can see."


text:
Top Reasons Why the Remus Family
of Saxony Migrated to West Prussia
around 1720
The Great Northern War (1700 to 1720) was terribly destructive to Poland killing off more than a third of the population in Northern Poland.
Some Remus family members fought in the Great Northern War and became familiar with Northern Poland.
The Polish Noble families encouraged migration as they had a labor shortage.
Augustus the Strong of Saxony was also the King of Poland. His son was also the King of both Saxony and Poland after Augustus' death. They facilitated German settlements during the early 1700's.
The Remus family of Saxony grew up where both German and Wend (a Slavic dialect similar to Polish) were spoken. They could speak to the Polish residents.
The Remus family had numerous members who were Burgers in Kamenz and elsewhere in Saxony so they had some funding to buy privileges from the Polish Nobility in West Prussia (like to be a village Schultz).
Please send any queries to Bill Remus at
August 11, 2008

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Note: If you see this text you use a browser which does not support usual Web-standards. Therefore the design of Media Art Net will not display correctly. Contents are nevertheless provided. For greatest possible comfort and full functionality you should use one of the recommended browsers. |
process. The examples cited above can be interpreted in such a way that the composers regard the visuality of the creation of music as an integral part of music and only make us aware of it with the aid of the video image.
While the video image is still a peculiarity in art-musical concert practice, we can hardly imagine clubs without video monitors. In the 1990s, a new audiovisual format emerged in clubs when DJs and VJs began performing together. For the most part, musicians and video artists have only loose contact during their performances, i.e. the connection between image and sound is rarely based on a technical link between the respective instruments or on concepts that have been drawn up in detail, rather it is primarily based on rough outlines or on improvisation, for example in performances by 242.pilots. Connections between music and image are primarily atmospheric, and it is rare that either level deals with specific content or narrative structures. Their different proximity to reality often results in an imbalance: While real images are frequently used in the
visuals, e.g. urban scenes in «Deathsentences» (2003) by the group Negativland, the music is hardly concrete or narrative throughout. Sometimes it is the use of only individual, concrete noises which can be assigned to real objects that mediates between narrative images and electronic sound processes.
When linking image and sound, time and again the issue is raised of according to which process or code structural features should be translated from one sensory level to the other: What does it mean for the music when the image is blue, pale, or moving? And what does it mean for the image when the timbre of the music is dull, or the musical structure is harmonically complicated or melodically dominated by large interval jumps?
The problem results from the fact that on the one hand, when processing image and sound cognitively they have an inseparable reciprocal effect: For example, it is sometimes difficult to say whether it was the images or more likely the music in a film that


text:
Exfoliation can create the very skin you hope to avoid
The sad truth about harsh and abrasive exfoliation is that it, in the longer term, it has the exact opposite affect on your skin than the one you are hoping to achieve by doing it! It actually creates the very skin you are trying to avoid: prematurely aged, dry, dull and even cancerous.
Remember that the stratum corneum, or horny layer, is only two-hundredths of a millimetre thick, so it is easily removed. A simple scratch on the skin surface may remove almost all of it! It is bewildering to think of how fragile this layer is, and yet the health of our skin is totally dependant on it. (1)
Most people believe the surface of the skin is covered by dead, useless cells
Most people believe the surface of the skin is covered by dead, useless cells that make the skin look dull, prevent the skin from "breathing" and can clog up the follicles. They believe that by scrubbing them away with rough, granular substances, they can make the skin bright and fresh again.
In reality, these "dead" cells are the mature functional cells of the skin. They are there for a special purpose. You may feel as though your skin is healthy and glowing after exfoliation. You may even feel it is now moisturised and glowing, but the truth is that you have exposed immature cells to pollution, rays and oxygen long before nature intended or equipped them to cope with these hazards. The cells are shocked by this sudden exposure and cannot truly perform their function of protection because they themselves require protection from the mature cells that have now been scrubbed away. Hydration will be lost through these vulnerable cells as they try to adapt to this sudden harsh environment. After a few days, the skin will feel dry and the surface will be dull and lacklustre. Bearing in mind how good the skin looked immediately after the exfoliation, it seems that the obvious answer is to repeat the exfoliation and remove these offending dead cells again! And so the cycle of damage goes on.
What have you actually done to your skin by exfoliating?
You have seriously thinned the horny layer, and so your physical protection has been removed, and your skin cannot protect you from the everyday attacks that it faces from light rays and free radicals. When your DNA, which is normally protected by your horny layer, is exposed to more UVA and UVB rays, which can make you prone to numerous problems and even to develop cancers. Your skin is now much more vulnerable to damage and photo-aging. Your natural waterproofing barrier has been broken, and so water can easily evaporate out through the missing horny layer. As a result, the deeper layers of your epidermis become de-hydrated. This impaired horny layer also means that chemicals may permeate the skin far more easily and if you are in the presence of an insecticide spray or some other noxious chemicals, then those harmful chemicals will be able to get into your skin in greater concentrations. The same is true for any other environmental pollutant. The chemical "messages" from the surface to the deeper layers of the epidermis where new cells are made, beg for a thicker horny layer to preserve the normal degree of hydration and prevent foreign bodies from entering! Your skin is operating in emergency mode. You have interfered with its normal physiology.
Why does the skin look so plump, moisturised, pink and healthy after micro-dermabrasion?
When one has removed the so-called "dead layer", one is looking at immature cells that have not yet developed the keratins etc necessary to make them into dessicated, flattened cells (corneocytes) that make up the stratum corneum. These immature cells have no protection from the relatively high concentrations of oxygen in the air (21%) which can the poison cells. In addition they don't have the protective walls to survive the relatively dry atmosphere and cannot prevent evaporation of water from the skin, the cells dry out which is why a few days after micro-dermabrasion the skin no longer looks plump, mosturised and healthy. Its going to take about another 7 days before the stratum corneum function is restored.
Despite the initial healthy appearance after exfoliation, the net result of repeated or over-exfoliation of healthy skin is significant exposure to environmental toxins and free radicals, dehydration and interference with the normal functioning of the skin. Not only that, but the inevitable exposure to light makes your skin more likely to become photo-damaged and develop cancers. By ignoring natural processes and interrupting them, you have actually hastened the very thing that you are trying to avoid!
There is nothing scientific about scrubbing your skin as though it was the kitchen floor
There is nothing scientific about scrubbing your skin as though it was the kitchen floor, and removing everything that nature provided you with to protect your body and keep it properly moisturised. Some people do this scrubbing every week on the advice of their skin care therapists!
The point of skin care is to make skin healthier, better hydrated and more durable to exposure to light and environmental pollutants – not to just make it look better for a short time.
Having said all of the above, I believe that the intelligent use of exfoliation is important in a few specific cases only, and that exfoliation should be an uncommon way to treat skin. It should not be part of the routine care of healthy well-nourished skin. Advanced, scientific and sensible skin care ranges actually make exfoliation unnecessary, and we should rather concentrate on treating our skins in a scientific way to keep the horny layer as thick and smooth as it would normally be.
These are the few instances where exfoliation is necessary:
If you have severe photo-aging, the stratum corneum, or top layer, will be excessively thickened, and your skin will take on a dry, rough texture. The cells will be kept in contact with each other for a prolonged time by the desmosomes or cell attachment system. It seems that the basal keratinocytes (first cells to form in the embryonic epidermis) respond to irradiation by UVA and UVB rays by setting up processes whereby the total growth cycle is lengthened, because the horny cells stay on the surface of the skin for as much as three weeks longer than usual. This is obviously an unhealthy and unusual state of affairs.
A thickened horny layer will also interfere with the penetration of any of the therapeutic preparations (containing vitamin A and antioxidants chiefly) to treat photo-aging. So if you intend to treat photo-damage, it is sometimes useful to start off with a mild exfoliation, so that the active ingredients of your therapeutic skin care can penetrate and be effective.
To treat this problem, the first step is to stop the abuse from sunlight and/or sunbeds, and then reduce the thickness of the stratum corneum by gentle exfoliation only. However, once the initial exfoliation has been done, then it should only be repeated with great care for this may actually aggravate the damage and also exaggerate the side effects of the therapeutic skin care regime. As soon as possible, normalise your skin with Vitamin A and anti-oxidants, and then stop exfoliating. Once a proper scientific skin care regime is in place, the horny layer will return to normal thickness of its own and needs no further exfoliation.
If you have acne, you need to reduce the surface flaking cells that may mix with the sebum and cause comedones and go on to become pustules and pimples. The horny layer itself does not need exfoliation. Gently massage the involved areas with an ultra mild exfoliator, which should only remove the very surface cells and allow them to be washed away before they can fall into the follicles and aggravate the condition. Alternatively, a mild AHA product may be used to "polish" the surface of the skin.
Apart from those two examples, we should avoid the harsh scrubbing exfoliators that seem to be found in most skin care ranges. Ground apricot kernels are a particular offender! Plastic micro beads are not only bad for you, they are bad for the environment too. They end up in the ocean and kill marine life.
Harsh peeling systems should always be avoided. If your therapist wants to do an exfoliation for a specific purpose by using a peeling system, then I believe simple "soft" chemical peel (e.g. low dose TCA, alpha or beta hydroxy acids etc.) is superior to strong concentrations of acid or the harsh granular plant peels that mechanically abrade away the skin's surface and peel it chemically.
If the therapist does a manual exfoliation then they should make sure that the abrading granules are barely perceptible. Certain fine clays, such as kaolin and bentonite, are probably the best for making the most gentle "exfoliants".
If you identify that you do, in fact, need to exfoliate, then again I would suggest the mildest abrading packs, or simple light alpha or beta-hydroxy creams or gels. Please do not repeat the procedure on a regular basis!
If you use topical vitamin A at the same time as a gentle peel or mild exfoliation, this will help to minimise the potential negative effects of over-exfoliation by promoting both the growth of the epidermis, as well as increasing the hydration of the skin.
We have all seen the examples of chronic over-exfoliation by well-known therapists and clients using AHAs: their skins looks thin, lifeless and unnatural even though they might be smooth! Many therapists make the mistake of suggesting exfoliation to clients with normal skin with the belief that the client's skin can be made more radiant and look fresh. They even believe that exfoliation is a compulsory part of a facial. If you find yourself with such a therapist, ask them to leave out that step! The serious long-term damage that you will do to your skin is not worth the temporary smoothness and glow that you will feel for a short while after the treatment.
If you want the long-lasting effect of naturally glowing, smooth, healthy skin make sure you use a skin care regime that contains high doses of Vitamin A and other anti-oxidants (preferably in a step up system to avoid retinoid reactions and rashes). It may take a bit longer to achieve the smoothness than scrubbing your skin as though it was a kitchen surface, but it will be worth the wait. Your skin is your personal protection system, given to you by nature. Treat it with gentleness and respect!
(1) Rawlings AV, Harding CR. Moisturization and skin barrier function. Dermatol Ther. 2004;17 Suppl 1:43-8.
- 1


text:
Welcome to Episode 3 of The Future is Spoken!
Before we jump into this episode, a quick note to say you can get 15 percent off course fees at The Digital Assistant Academy before Oct. 16, 2020. Register for the Voice Interaction Design course and use the code DALAUNCH to obtain your discount.
In Conversational Interfaces, we speak with Keri Roberts, owner of Branding Connection. Based in New Jersey, Keri helps brands and businesses discover what they are great at and amplify it. She is a content marketer, and this includes a lot in the audio space, such as chatbots, voice interaction, and podcasts.
What makes a company great?
Keri loves talking about what makes companies unique, how they amplify that, how do you put that into your conversation, into your content, into your audio. For her, it has streamlined into one approach - whether someone's interacting with you on a chatbot, on a voice skill, on a podcast, on a blog, they have the same feeling about you and your brand throughout.
What is a conversational interface?
Keri says that a good definition of a conversational interface is an AI conversation with a human element.
She explains: "Whether it's a voice or a chatbot generally, it's really about the conversation that that AI is having, that a computer system if you want to think that way, is having with an individual."
A chatbot or any other interface we engage with is obviously not actual human being, but when we interact with it, we want it to feel a little bit human, and that's similar with a voice skill interaction as well. "So that's how I look at it is how do we interact with an AI with a computer in a way that has somewhat of a human quality," she adds.
What makes a good interface?
Keri also explores what makes a good conversational interface. In her view, it's one that really signifies the brand of the company that created it. So the conversational interface is really unique to them, so that when we are interacting with it, we feel like we are interacting with the personification of somebody who might work there.
The other piece that makes a conversational interface really good is that it has to be efficient. In other words, it has to be helpful to the user who is interacting, and it has to give them what they need and want in that moment.
Inclusion and representation in voice
In addition, Keri is big on inclusion and community and making sure all voices are heard, and everyone is thought about. She works to ensure that in her work everyone is included.
Keri explains: "When we're talking about conversational interfaces, we want to think about who is interacting with that when you're talking about people of different cultures, different backgrounds, different languages, different genders, and then of course different disabilities."
In this episode, Keri also talks about the importance of brands being clear about their identity before working on a conversational interface, and how to work with other members of a conversational design team when working on an interface.
Show notes
Find Keri Roberts:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerinroberts/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kerinroberts
Podcast: http://thebrandingconnection.com/podcastshow/
The Academy's podcast: https://www.thefutureisspoken.com/


text:
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and Allianz Capital Partners are anchor investors in IndInfravit Trust, an infrastructure investment trust sponsored by Indian developer L&T Infrastructure Development Projects, which listed on the National Stock Exchange of India and BSE on Thursday.
The Canadian pension is investing approximately C$200 million ($155.8 million; €131.4 million) for 30 percent of shares in IndInfravit, while ACP, on behalf of Allianz insurance companies, has bought 25 percent of shares for approximately €120 million via a private placement. L&T IDPL, the sponsor and also manager of the trust, holds 15 percent, while other local and international institutional investors subscribed for the remaining 30 percent, according to a CPPIB statement.
IndInfravit will focus on the development of toll roads and road infrastructure in India. Currently, it has acquired five toll roads constructed by L&T IDPL, which have been in operation for the past five years and run through the states of Karnataka, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan.
For ACP, which is Allianz Group's in-house investment manager for alternative equity investments, the transaction marks its first direct investment in Asia.
"We invest in assets which provide essential services to the public and which are in strong markets with a robust regulatory framework," an ACP spokeswoman told Infrastructure Investor. "Asia is an interesting market for us and one that we will be monitoring closely for investment opportunities," she added.
For CPPIB, the investment adds to the C$6.4 billion the pension fund has already invested in India's infrastructure, real estate and financial services sectors since 2012.
The C$337.1 billion pension fund is also invested in L&T IDPL, having bought a total of C$400 million compulsory convertible preference shares in 2014 and 2015. Other investments include Bharti Airtel's telecom towers business and a 6.3 percent stake CPPIB acquired in renewables firm ReNew Power Ventures in January.
CPPIB and ACP have partnered in the past – jointly investing in Gas Natural's gas distribution business in Spain last August.
While IndInfravit is the first private infrastructure investment trust in India, it is the third such vehicle created to invest in the sector. The first, IRBInvIT, was launched last May by local road developer IRB Infrastructure Developers. Two weeks later, India Grid Trust followed. Sponsored by Sterlite Power Grid Ventures, the vehicle focuses on the power transmission sector. Collectively, the two vehicles raised more than $1 billion through initial public offerings.


text:
ESCMID Council
The ESCMID Council is made up of international specialist societies that have signed an affiliation agreement with ESCMID. The objective of affiliation is to promote the wider interests of both organisations. It shall strengthen the cooperation among the specialist societies in the field of human infection and foster the advancement of science, education and professional affairs across Europe. Affiliated societies are normally represented by their presidents. Affiliation is subject to approval by the Executive Committee. The ESCMID Council meets during the annual congress of the Society.
The members of affiliated societies are entitled to receive ESCMID's Weekly News by email through the headquarters of their parent organisation. Affiliated societies may also send information about their events, which will be published in the Calendar of Events on the ESCMID website.
ESCMID Council members and more information about ESCMID Affiliated Societies
ESCMID Council Meeting 2023 Minutes (Copenhagen, Denmark - Hybrid)
Please find the final minutes here


text:
Growing up, Hanukkah was a big deal. It was my family's time to close out the year and come together over a table full of golden, crispy fried latkes and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts). My mom would be huddled over a hot pan of oil, and it felt like she spent the entire night flipping latkes and doughnuts while we devoured each one the second it hit the plate.
As I grew up, I've continued our family tradition of Hanukkah dinners, but it looks a little different than the full table of my childhood. Being oceans away from my family, coming home after a full day's work, and trying to not smell like a latke for the full eight days, I've shaken up my family's latkes and love serving up this family-style skillet latke.
This Skillet Latke gives you the flavor of the traditional Hanukkah dish without spending the night flipping potato pancakes. If you didn't grow up celebrating Hanukkah, you can avoid the all-night flipping altogether and skip straight to this simpler version! No need to fuss over a pan of hot oil. Instead, tuck into this sliceable skillet latke, a mess-free way to celebrate the festival of lights.


text:
- 1 What is Saint Christopher known for?
- 2 Why does St Christopher carry Jesus?
- 3 Why is Saint Christopher no longer a saint?
- 4 Is Christopher a saint name?
- 5 Who is the saint for protection?
- 6 What Saint keeps you safe?
- 7 Who wears St Christopher necklace?
- 8 Is St Christopher good luck?
- 9 What is the Saint Christopher Prayer?
- 10 Who is the St of animals?
- 11 Has any saint been Decanonized?
- 12 Is St Patrick still a saint?
- 13 Is Christopher a biblical name?
- 14 Where does the name Christopher come from?
- 15 Who are called saints in the Bible?
What is Saint Christopher known for?
Saint Christopher was a man of great size and strength who devoted himself to Jesus by helping travelers cross a dangerous river. One day a child asked to ride on Christopher's shoulders across the river, but the infant seemed to grow heavier and heavier with every step.
Why does St Christopher carry Jesus?
According to legend, Saint Christopher devoted his life to carrying the weak and poor across a river. One night, when he was carrying a child, he felt his burden grow heavier with each step. When questioned, the child declared that he was Christ and that Christopher was thus bearing the weight of the world.
Why is Saint Christopher no longer a saint?
Among Catholicism's most popular saints, Christopher was listed as a martyr. Legend had it he carried a child who grew increasingly heavy across a river — the child was supposed to be carrying the weight of God. But there wasn't enough historical evidence the man ever existed, so Pope Paul VI dropped him.
Is Christopher a saint name?
Saint Christopher, (flourished 3rd century; Western feast day July 25; Eastern feast day May 9), legendary martyr of the early church. Venerated as one of the 14 Auxiliary Saints ( Holy Helpers), he is the patron saint of travelers and, beginning in the 20th century, of motorists.
Who is the saint for protection?
Saint Christopher | |
Venerated in | Roman Catholicism Eastern Orthodoxy Lutheranism Oriental Orthodoxy Anglicanism |
Canonized | Pre-Congregation |
Feast | 25 July (Latin Church) 9 May (Eastern Churches) 2 Parmouti (Coptic Church) |
Attributes | tree, branch, as a giant or ogre, carrying the Christ child, spear, shield, as a dog-headed man |
What Saint keeps you safe?
In addition to being the patron saint of travelers, Saint Christopher is believed to protect people from epilepsy, lightning, storms, pestilence, and floods. Many soldiers also pay tribute to Saint Christopher by wearing his medal or carrying a prayer card with them.
Who wears St Christopher necklace?
Christopher is the patron saint of travel and travelers, and the reach of his patronage is wide—from mariners and sailors to mountaineers and drivers. St. Christopher medals were originally worn by seafaring folk for safe passage, and in the 1960s the medals were lovingly adopted by the surfing community.
Is St Christopher good luck?
The Saint Christopher pendant is usually worn on a necklace and is used as a lucky travel talisman. It is said to bless travellers who bear it with luck and good fortune to those on their journeys. Carrying a Saint Christopher charm on you bring you health, prosperity and faith.
What is the Saint Christopher Prayer?
Grant me, O Lord, a steady hand and watchful eye, that no one shall be hurt as I pass by. You gave life, I pray no act of mine may take away or mar that gift of Thine. Shelter those, dear Lord, who bear my company from the evils of fire and all calamity.
Who is the St of animals?
Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and ecology, was born in Italy around 1181-1182. After a wild youth and a brief career as a soldier, Francis had a conversion experience that inspired him to renounce his family's wealth and devote his life to God.
Has any saint been Decanonized?
No. If the Church declares someone a saint, that becomes part of the dogma of the Church. Some will cite St. Christopher's feast being removed from the General Roman Calendar.
Is St Patrick still a saint?
Ireland's patron St. Patrick is a saint in name only and has never received the official title. While millions around the world celebrate St. Patrick's Day every March 17, the sad fact is that Patrick has never been canonized by the Catholic Church and is a saint in name only.
Is Christopher a biblical name?
Christopher traces back to the Greek Χριστοφορος (Christophoros) meaning "bearer of Christ," composed of the Greek elements Christo (Christ) and phero (to bear, carry). The name was bestowed metaphorically among early Christians "carrying Christ in their hearts." According to legend, after St.
Where does the name Christopher come from?
Christopher is the English version of a Europe -wide name derived from the Greek name Χριστόφορος (Christóforos). The constituent parts are Χριστός (Christós), "Christ" or "Anointed", and φέρειν (férein), "bear": the "Christ-bearer". As a given, or first name, 'Christopher' has been in use since the 10th century.
Who are called saints in the Bible?
In the New Testament the saints are all those who have been baptized. "Latter-day" refers to the doctrine that members are living in the "latter days", before the Second Coming of Christ. Therefore members are often referred to as "Latter-day Saints " or "LDS", and among themselves as " Saints ".


text:
Dandelion Energy Celebrates New Tax Credit for New York Homeowners Who Install Geothermal Systems
New Legislation Helps NY Homeowners Fight Climate Change at Home, Including Tax Credits for Residential Geothermal Heat Pumps
Dandelion Energy, the nation's leading home geothermal company, celebrates the passing of the New York state budget, which includes a new tax credit for residential geothermal heat pump installations in New York.
The new geothermal tax credit is available for any system installed after January 1, 2022, and homeowners can carry the tax credit forward for five years if their New York income tax liability is less than $5,000. When coupled with the 26% federal tax credit and rebates provided by New York's utilities, this new income tax credit will help make geothermal systems even more affordable for New York homeowners.
After a year which saw gas prices increase by up to 50%, the geothermal tax credit will provide financial assistance to help people make a change to cleaner, renewable energy solutions. This is especially important for the 25% of New York households using heating oil and other petroleum products to heat their homes.
The geothermal tax credit bill was sponsored by Senator Tim Kennedy and Assembly Member Jon Rivera, and co-sponsored by 47 of their colleagues. Supporters from throughout the state made phone calls, sent emails, and testified at hearings to win this victory for New Yorkers seeking to free themselves from fossil fuels and crippling energy bills.
"Using a geothermal heat pump is a climate-friendly, energy-efficient option available to heat and cool your home and this tax credit will make transitioning to them more affordable for New York homeowners," said Senator Todd Kaminsky, Chair of the NYS Senate's Environmental Conservation Committee. "Reducing the cost will encourage local, green job growth while helping New York achieve its climate objectives."
Doreen M. Harris, President and CEO, NYSERDA said, "Under Governor Hochul, New York is committed to pursuing ambitious and urgently-needed climate and building decarbonization priorities, and has set a nation-leading goal of two million electrified and efficient homes statewide by 2030. These new tax incentives approved in this year's budget make geothermal more affordable, helping New Yorkers to heat and cool their homes without burning fossil fuel."
"Homeowners are looking for cleaner, sustainable, more affordable ways to heat and cool their homes. Geothermal provides a cost-effective solution, but the upfront costs were a barrier to many homeowners," explained Michael Sachse, CEO of Dandelion Energy. "This law helps change that equation. Thanks to the geothermal tax credit, more families will be able to afford clean, efficient geothermal heating and cooling."
Founded and operating in New York, Dandelion is committed to helping New Yorkers lead the nation's energy transition as the state strives to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.
- Farmer's Almanac Predicts Harsh Winter: Make It the Last One You Heat With Fossil Fuels
- Building a Green Legacy
- From Advocate to Action
- The Inflation Reduction Act First Anniversary: A One Year Outlook
- Considering a New HVAC System? Here Are the Top 10 Factors Influencing Geothermal System Installation Costs


text:
Some of My Favorite Recipes
Best Baked Spaghetti Recipe
Easiest Baked Spaghetti Recipe for the busy mom!
- 1 1/2 lbs. of hamburger
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 8 oz mild shredded cheese
- 8 oz shredded mozzarella
- 1 cup milk
- 32 oz spaghetti sauce
- 4 oz mushrooms (optional)
Cook spaghetti according to directions on box. Brown hamburger meat and drain. Mix meat into spaghetti sauce, combine with spaghetti noodles. Add milk, cheese (leave out about 1 Cup of Cheese for topping), and mushrooms. Mix well and put in a 9X13 inch pan or casserole dish. Sprinkle top with the remaining cheese. Bake @ 350 degrees for 30 minutes.


text:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – April 5, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) today announced the promotion of Jim Gross to Vice President of Financial Accounting and Public Policy. In this capacity, he will advise Steve O'Connor, MBA's Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Industry Relations on emerging industry policy issues and assist in setting strategic priorities.
Gross will also continue to be responsible for managing the development and implementation of MBA's strategy on legislative, regulatory, and industry issues in the areas of financial accounting, tax policy, and bank regulations of interest to MBA's members and will coordinate with MBA's Commercial/Multifamily division on cross-cutting accounting and bank regulatory issues.
"Jim's extensive industry experience is an invaluable asset to the organization as we move forward with key policy issues," said John A. Courson, MBA's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Jim has been critical in the accounting, bank regulatory and tax policy work on behalf of MBA and our members during this important period for our industry.â€
Gross joined MBA in 2008 from NetBank, Inc., where he was Chief Financial Officer. He has 10 years of "Big Four†accounting experience including functioning as a mortgage banking specialist for Deloitte. His background also includes prior CFO positions at New America Mortgage, IndyMac, and J.I. Kislak Mortgage.
Gross is a Certified Public Accountant and received his MBA from Rutgers University and B.A. in Economics from Ohio Wesleyan University.
The appointment is effective immediately.
The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) is the national association representing the real estate finance industry, an industry that employs more than 280,000 people in virtually every community in the country. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the association works to ensure the continued strength of the nation's residential and commercial real estate markets; to expand homeownership and extend access to affordable housing to all Americans. MBA promotes fair and ethical lending practices and fosters professional excellence among real estate finance employees through a wide range of educational programs and a variety of publications. Its membership of over 2,200 companies includes all elements of real estate finance: mortgage companies, mortgage brokers, commercial banks, thrifts, Wall Street conduits, life insurance companies and others in the mortgage lending field. For additional information, visit MBA's Web site: www.mortgagebankers.org.


text:
UPDATE: Our phones are working again, but we are experience high call volume and long wait times. If possible, please continue to contact us by email at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Waterworks' Call Center is experiencing technical difficulties with the phone system. Until the problem is resolved, please contact Customer Service via email at firstname.lastname@example.com. We apologize for the inconvenience and hope to be up and running again soon.
In case of an emergency, please call 757-234-4800 or email email@example.com.


text:
10 Self care tips for Entrepreneurs & Self Employed
As an entrepreneur or self employed worker, you often work ten to twelve hour days and that can often include working on weekends. With all the hustle and bustle of taking care of our businesses, sometimes we forget to indulge in a daily self care routine. That's precisely why I created these self care tips.


text:
I understand the struggle of finding a massage chair with a great set of features and therapeutic benefits.
When you have a set budget, a good massage chair with specific features is not easy to find.
Many brands and chairs offer very similar features and very few come as a whole package.
The Infinity is one of the top massage chair brands worth considering (there are only a few brands worth talking about, to begin with).
The IT-8500 massage chair may not be the most expensive chair, but it manages to pack some great functions that you can find exclusively in the most expensive and best massage chairs.
All of us with chronic pain may find this product to be a beneficial investment. Not without some negatives, of course.
While the chair comes with a few drawbacks, its numerous functions may still persuade you.
Maybe not...
Let's have a closer look at what we discovered.
Infinity IT-8500 Massage Chair Review
The Infinity massage chair is considered to be a premium chair with advanced features that are not at all that common in a massage chair of this price range.
Body stretch function, zero-gravity recline, and many massage programs may convince you right from the start.
But let's have a look at what you get for the price.
General Features of IT-8500 Zero Gravity
S-Track Design
It comes with an S-track design with quad rollers.
Other models have tri massage rollers instead of the quad, which is a nice and welcoming upgrade for this model.
Body Scan
A body scanning is an important feature because it locates the user's pressure points and enables a more thorough massage.
The IT-8500 also comes with a remote, which can be used to locate any missing massage points.
This is an advanced feature that definitely improves the massage quality.
Zero-Gravity Recline Feature
The two-level zero gravity feature is a popular one and available in even those massage chairs in the lower price range.
The zero gravity positions, to which the chair reclines you, enable for a more thorough massage, as your body is pressing down against the massage rollers.
Different Massage Techniques
This Infinity massage chair is a rare gem among its competitors. It is quite extensive in what it offers:
There are 6 different massage techniques available: kneading, tapping, a combo of kneading and tapping, shiatsu, knocking, and dual-action.
Apart from these, there are also 4 pre-programmed massages:
- Recover
- Refresh
- Extend
- Relax
You can adjust the speed of the rollers, but the downside is that there is no way to adjust the intensity levels, which may be disappointing for some users.
Also, the deep tissue massage is meant for those with back pain, and it actually does it well, according to many IT-8500 reviews.
At the same time, it may be too intense and strong for all the casual users.
Spot massage function is another feature that's quite impressive and quite rare.
When you press the button for the spot massage, the IT-8500 rollers stay in one place (with a 6-inch variation).
This makes for a more thorough massage and is a welcome feature for anyone who wants additional relief from their sore spots.
Another upgrade with this massage chair is that you don't have to go for the whole body massage at all times.
You have an option to choose a partial massage mode, and the rollers focus only on a certain area.
Air Massage Function
There are 38 airbags strategically placed around the massage chair with 5 different intensity levels. You can regulate these with the remote.
The users can choose between a full-body air massage or a more specific massage.
By selecting a certain area of the body and you can activate only the desired airbags: Arms and Shoulders (shoulder airbags), Upper Body (neck, head, and shoulders), and Legs and Feet.
Heat Therapy
Heat therapy is a quite common feature in a lot of massage chairs.
The infinity massage chair also provides lumbar heat, which is beneficial and therapeutic for those suffering from chronic lower back pain.
This feature is far from advanced; it cannot be regulated.
It's either on or off. Another downside is that the lumbar heat takes a while to start working; you'll find yourself waiting for about 5 minutes.
Body Stretch And Twist
IT-8500 offers a body stretch program which is not too common for lower price massage chairs. There are claims that this chair offers one of the best body stretches, right after the Kahuna massage chair. Waist Twist: The seat swivels your hips from side to side in a twisting motion in an effort to stretch the lower back and hip muscles.
Body stretching is very beneficial; it relieves the pain in your back, taking the pressure off the spine. The function is quite strong. You may need some time to get used to it.
In case you're not in for the strong and firm stretch, the IT-8500 has an alternative for you. You can choose the twist function instead. A milder form of the body stretch, the twist enables you to adjust the action by three levels.
This seat swivel feature is very similar to that of Inada's Dreamwave. This feature actually provides relief to the hip area by deflating and inflating airbags that push the seat from side to side.
It provides a spinal correction which results in a soothing massage. These two functions are a generous and important addition to the chair.
Inversion Therapy
A rare feature even in massage chairs of the slightly higher price range, the inversion therapy is another surprise from the Infinity chairs.
This form of therapy is very therapeutic; it helps to boost the circulation in your body, including the circulation of the lymphatic system.
Calf And Foot Massage
A quite standard feature yet more or less average, the users get their calves massage with the airbags. The foot massage is performed by the mechanical foot rollers.
The intensity of the foot rollers/calf rollers can be regulated to three levels, and the intensity of the airbags to five.
While the feature is average, it still enables more customization than the chairs in the same price range.
Simple Remote Control & MP3 Player and Built-in Sound System
While the remote control is not the simplest ever, the learning curve is minimal, and it's designed to be more or less straightforward.
The only drawback is that it's difficult to use it in a dimly lit room.
About the company
The Infinite Therapeutics, which is the company that makes the Infinity massage chairs, is a part of Infinite Creative Enterprises (I.C.E.).
Their office is located in Seabrook, NH but they have distribution centers on the West and the East coast.
This private company has more than 20 years of experience.
The Infinity massage chairs have been available on the market since 2009. On their website, the company claims that they are
"dedicated to increasing the well-being of our clients and to providing the absolute best in customer service"
Apart from the IT-8500, they also offer 13 other massage chairs, the Infinity Iyashi massage chair being one of the most well-known.
The company claims they offer live technical support which is available to all who have problems with using the chair after the installation.
About the chair
The IT-8500 is manufactured in China.
The model comes with a 3-year warranty (limited warranty) for year parts labor.
You can find the full document here. The customers can choose the option of an extended warranty for another year or two.
On the Infinity website, the users have an option to download the IT-8500 user manual as well as the assembly guide.
The chair is delivered in 5 separate boxes. Since the chair is heavy, the customers are better off paying for the white glove delivery as well.
Also, have an extra pair of hands available to help you because doing it all by yourself is too demanding.
This Infinity massage chair is available in three different colors, black, brown, and taupe.
The chair weighs 229 lbs. and it is able to accommodate people up to 325 lbs.
Moreover, the massage chair Infinity IT-8500 also provides massage to those who are wider in the shoulder area (up to 20").
The benefits
- Different massage programs available
- Varied massage duration
- Relief for chronic back pain
- MP3 support: USB port and speakers installed
- Extendable ottoman (accommodates people up to 6'4")
- Various color options
The downsides
- No massage intensity settings
- No memory function
- The chair is very heavy
- No 3D roller technology
- Not the best service company
New Models Infinity 8500 X3 Is Available Now (Differences)
More Pre-Programmed Options
Programs inside Infinity IT-8500 such as Sleep & Rest, Sports Refresh, Working Relief, Extension, & Shoulder & Neck!
The chair is Bluetooth Compatible
Bluetooth compatibility enables you to connect any smartphone to speakers and get your favorite music right from your cellphone.
3D Roller Technology
3D roller technology with a lot of new sets of Automatic Programs. Now you can easily adjust the intensity with the simple button on the remote control. There are five intensity levels for the user.
Neck Auto-Extend Feature
Also, 8500 X3 includes an auto-extend neck feature. Rollers move up the neck, they also can move forward to get deeper into the muscles of your neck. Many chairs lack a vigorous, deep neck massage, but this chair provides one of the best options for massaging your neck.
Why Do You Want This Chair?
Sometimes the cure for our overworked, overextended, and under-appreciated selves is in motion. A good old-fashioned massage can do wonders for anyone, and with the new Infinity IT-8500 massage chair, you can make those life-affirming procedures as easy and breezy as possible. This low-cost, powered device offers support and pressure-specific massages—ideal for anyone with shoulder, neck, back, or lower back issues—with gentle vibrations and rotating head positions. You'll need to pay $1 for each 15-minute session, but, when you consider the savings over a personal masseuse and the value of being able to get your massage anywhere, anywhere, it makes a lot of sense. Infinity IT-8500 ergonomic massage chair compared to the height competition. The IT-8500 comes with free shipping in either wood or chrome finish and it's priced accordingly, between $1,499 and $1,799. That puts it in the same price range as higher-end options such as the $2,300 Therapedic iSite3 and the $2,999 Brookstone CarbonX-6. The latter has options that will allow you to fit the chair to the contours of your body, however, such as reclining options and weight-distribution settings.
Do Massage Chairs Help Circulation?
Science doesn't know for sure if massaging your shoulders and back could help circulation. But it is safe to say that it is unlikely. According to a study conducted in 2011, "reduction in systolic blood pressure and/or cardiac output, cardiorespiratory fitness, as well as glucose tolerance was observed in healthy subjects during the back and/or shoulder massage The authors, however, could not determine if the findings would be the same with chronic patients. A follow-up study by Trzeciak and colleagues in 2016 was slightly more positive. According to that study, moderate-intensity stimulation of the shoulder and upper back may improve the movement of the arm and elbow joints and improve psychological well-being and perceived stress in patients with chronic lower back pain and major depression.
Meditation and Chairs. Although not everything about meditation is to your liking, most of these tips have much to recommend to them. For beginners, meditation may be a comfortable place to sta How hard you try is up to you after labor day. Then again, for some people meditation is stressful, while others just don't feel comfortable doing it. The solution could lie in an alternative type of meditation. When you try a new type of meditation you may have to keep trying new things, and that's where the right sort of chair comes into play. What is the best place to sit while doing meditation? Here are a few steps to finding a chair to suit your needs.
Infinity IT-9800
Not only is this massage chair as comfortable as the jacuzzi you're sitting in, but it's virtually weightless. There's also a zero-gravity recline to boot, and it also delivers 360-degree vibration. The massage function features two settings: 20 minutes of low intensity (for sore muscles) or 30 minutes of high intensity (for back and arm stiffness). Choose a hard-textured massage chair for those sore spots or a soft one to improve your posture and breathing.
Kyoto vs Infinity
Massage chairs are good for giving your body some TLC, but when you need that bodywork done, you don't want to be twisting and contorting your body around in a small office chair or the floor. Enter the Kyoto, the first massage chair to give you the massage without you having to contort your body at all. This massage chair is capable of all the rolling, tilting, and rotating that you would normally do to loosen up and ease stress, while also giving you an easy way to connect to your phone or tablet via Bluetooth and have your music playing.
Designed by Kyosho, the Kyoto can be assembled and adjusted from the seat as well as the legs. The legs come with several different gripping options, including the ability to attach a ball, which can be used to roll your legs. There is a remote control for the Kyoto that allows you to program which functions you want, as well as access other features such as an interior light.
Infinity Massage Chair Problems
When it comes to aches and pains, it seems like a full-body massage chair may be the answer you've been looking for. After all, it offers a whole new way to work out your body. But if you decide to purchase one, or have an Infinity Massage Chair installed in your home, it's likely you'll come across some issues. And with so many on the market, it's easy to get confused. Which type of issues is worth worrying about? Which ones are easy to fix?
And most importantly, which ones are worth paying for? If you have a problem with your product or would just like some additional information, you've come to the right place. We've created a simple guide that will show you exactly what you need to know about the different types of problems and how to fix them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Massage Chair Good for You Everyday?
Using a massage chair every day can have both positive and negative effects on your overall well-being. The appropriateness of daily use depends on several factors, including the individual's health, the duration and intensity of the massage, and personal preferences.
Benefits of Daily Use:
- Stress Relief: Daily massages can help reduce stress and promote relaxation by releasing endorphins, the body's natural feel-good hormones.
- Muscle Tension: Regular use may alleviate muscle tension, aches, and knots, providing relief from chronic pain conditions like back pain or neck pain.
- Improved Circulation: Massage chairs can enhance blood circulation, which may contribute to better overall health by delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues and promoting waste removal.
- Flexibility and Range of Motion: Daily massages can improve flexibility and range of motion by loosening tight muscles and increasing joint mobility.
Potential Drawbacks of Daily Use:
- Overstimulation: Excessive use, especially with high-intensity settings, can lead to overstimulation and discomfort. Users should be cautious not to cause muscle soreness or bruising.
- Skin Sensitivity: Frequent use may cause skin sensitivity or irritation in some individuals, particularly if the chair uses intense rollers or airbags.
- Cost and Time: Massage chairs are a significant investment, and using them daily may not be practical for everyone. Additionally, sessions can be time-consuming.
- Dependence: Some users might become reliant on daily massages for pain relief, potentially neglecting other forms of treatment or exercise.
To determine if daily use of a massage chair is suitable for you, it's crucial to consult with a healthcare professional or a licensed massage therapist. They can provide personalized recommendations based on your specific health needs and goals. Additionally, it's essential to use the chair in moderation, adjust the intensity to your comfort level, and listen to your body's signals. By doing so, you can enjoy the potential benefits of daily massage chair use while minimizing any associated risks or drawbacks.
Is it OK to Sleep in a Massage Chair?
Sleeping in a massage chair is generally not recommended, and it comes with several potential risks and drawbacks. While massage chairs are designed for relaxation and therapeutic purposes, they are not intended for prolonged or unsupervised use, such as sleeping. Here are some reasons why sleeping in a massage chair is not advisable:
Neck and Back Strain: Prolonged use of a massage chair, including sleeping in one, can lead to neck and back strain. The positions and angles in a massage chair are not suitable for extended periods of rest, and maintaining them for a long time can cause discomfort and musculoskeletal issues.
Pressure Sores: Staying in one position for an extended period, as you would when sleeping in a massage chair, can increase the risk of pressure sores or pressure ulcers. These can develop when there is prolonged pressure on specific areas of the body, leading to skin damage and potential infections.
Decreased Blood Circulation: Sleeping in a massage chair may impede proper blood circulation, especially in areas where pressure is applied. This can result in numbness, tingling, or swelling in the affected body parts.
Limited Sleep Quality: Massage chair movements and vibrations, while relaxing, are not conducive to deep and restful sleep. Continuous motion can disrupt your sleep cycle and prevent you from reaching the necessary stages of sleep for full rest and recovery.
Risk of Injury: Falling asleep in a massage chair increases the risk of falling or getting caught in the moving parts, which could lead to injury.
If you find the massage chair's features relaxing and wish to incorporate them into your bedtime routine, it's advisable to limit the use to short sessions before bedtime. However, for a full night's sleep, it's recommended to sleep in a proper bed or mattress that supports your body's natural alignment and promotes optimal sleep quality. Using a massage chair as a substitute for a bed can result in discomfort, potential health issues, and disrupted sleep patterns.
The Conclusion
While there is always room for improvement, the wide array of options that the model offers is very impressive.
A number of these features are often available only in models of a higher price range.
The IT-8500 model might be too strong for casual users.
However, for anyone suffering from chronic back pain, this is an excellent bargain with upgrades that are not easily found elsewhere.
The fact that there is no way to actually adjust the intensity levels also may be unappealing for some.
But the 45-minute massage programs are a nice welcome for those who feel that 15 minutes is just not enough.
The foot massage is slightly too intense, but the fact that the chair offers natural pain relief, as well as stretching function, is a great addition at this price.
This massage chair may be bulky and heavy but so are other massage chairs.
This model is difficult to beat even among its more expensive competitors.
It may not look too appealing, but the spinal correction feature among many others may play a significant role when making a decision.
Innovative with and an extensive list of features, the Infinity IT-8500 is something you want to consider if you wish to massage experience the therapeutic benefits of a massage chair on a budget.


text:
Ukrainian who made appearance in Trump impeachment saga accused by U.S. of stealing, laundering billions
Kolomoisky, one of Ukraine's richest men, has ties to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and he played a role in the events that led to President Trump's impeachment last year. He made a fortune in the rough-and-tumble capitalism that swept Ukraine after the Soviet Union's collapse, amassing assets including airlines and financial institutions, and created a larger-than-life image for himself, going by the nickname "Benya," and keeping a shark aquarium in his office.
Kolomoisky and Boholiubov were the two major owners of PrivatBank before it was nationalized in response to the fraud, the Justice Department said, and the men basically used it as a personal account to build a business empire in the United States. They requested money from PrivatBank — which they always received because they were owners — then moved the funds through a network of companies to "thoroughly disguise their nature, source, ownership, and control," the Justice Department alleged.
Experts have expressed increasing concern that U.S. real estate — including factories and facilities important to American industry — has become a magnet for foreign money, including proceeds of criminal activities abroad. Among Kolomoisky's and Boholiubov's purchases were more than 5 million square feet of commercial real estate in Ohio; steel plants in Kentucky, West Virginia and Michigan; a cellphone manufacturing plant in Illinois; and commercial real estate in Texas, the Justice Department alleged. The forfeiture complaints sought to seize a roughly 19.5-acre office park in Dallas and the PNC Plaza building in Louisville.
Michael J. Sullivan, a lawyer for Kolomoisky, said in an email: "Mr. Kolomoisky emphatically denies the allegations in the complaints filed by the Department of Justice." The allegations, which are not criminal charges, are similar to those in a lawsuit filed by the bank in a Delaware court. A lawyer for Boholiubov did not reply to an email seeking comment.
In a statement written in Russian, Kolomoisky said all the money used to purchase the U.S. properties was his own, received through a deal made with a mining company in 2007 and 2008 and from other businesses that banked with Privatbank.
Kolomoisky also has long been facing a criminal probe by the U.S. attorney's office in Cleveland for possible money laundering. As a part of that case, the FBI raided the office of Optima Management Group in downtown Cleveland on Tuesday, as well as an Optima office in the Southeast Financial Center building in Miami.
In court documents, the Justice Department alleged Thursday that two Miami-based business associates of Kolomoisky and Boholiubov's — Mordechai Korf and Uriel Laber — helped acquire and manage the oligarchs' holdings in the United States, which often bear some version of the name "Optima." Optima Ventures at one point became the "largest holder of commercial real estate in Cleveland," using stolen funds to buy major downtown office buildings and a hotel, the Justice Department alleged.
Last year, Marc Kasowitz, a New York lawyer who also represents Trump, signed on to represent Kolomoisky and Boholiubov in the Delaware case. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.
Under Ukraine's last president, Petro Poroshenko, the government nationalized Privatbank, alleging that Kolomoisky and one of his business partners had defrauded the bank of billions of dollars. Kolomoisky denied those charges but decamped from Kyiv to Israel, where he also holds citizenship. He retained political power in Ukraine through his business holdings, which include a major Ukrainian television station.
Kolomoisky is seen as an ally to Zelensky, who was an actor before his election, starring in a comedy show that aired on Kolomoisky's network. Zelensky's election was widely seen as a boon for Kolomoisky, particularly after the new president made Kolomoisky's personal lawyer the head of his administration. Some in the United States were suspicious of Zelensky's ties to the mogul, thinking the connection ran counter to Zelensky's promises to pursue an anti-corruption and reformist agenda.
Since then, however, Zelensky has not supported returning control of Privatbank to the oligarch, and he fired that top aide. Still, Kolomoisky has been comfortable enough with Ukraine's current leadership that he returned from a self-imposed exile in Tel Aviv and is again based in Kyiv, where he maintains connections to members of the presidential administration.
In spring 2019, when Trump's personal attorney Rudolph W. Giuliani embarked on a mission to press Zelensky to assist Trump by opening politically charged investigations into former vice president Joe Biden and his son, Giuliani's associates met with Kolomoisky to request that Giuliani get a sit-down with the rising Ukrainian politician.
Giuliani associates Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman met with Kolomoisky in April 2019 in Tel Aviv, and, by all accounts, the meeting did not go well.
After the meeting, the two Florida-based business executives accused Kolomoisky of physically threatening them and filed a lawsuit against him in Ukraine. Parnas and Fruman, who assisted Giuliani in his Ukraine project, were charged in the United States with campaign finance violations last year. They have denied any wrongdoing.
Giuliani has said he provided legal advice to Parnas and Fruman in their fight against Kolomoisky. He also tweeted repeatedly about his displeasure with Kolomoisky in May 2019 just as he was pressuring Zelensky to assist Trump with a Biden investigation. At one point, Giuliani complained that Zelensky was being advised by "Kolomoisky's representatives and enemies of President Trump."
Meanwhile, a lawyer for Kolomoisky has told The Post that during the Tel Aviv meeting, Parnas and Fruman claimed that they could get top U.S. officials, including Vice President Pence and then-Energy Secretary Rick Perry, to travel to Ukraine around the time of Zelensky's May 2019 inauguration — if Kolomoisky paid them several hundred thousand dollars. Kolomoisky did not pay the money, instead throwing the two men out of his office, his lawyer has said.
The attorney, Bruce Marks, told The Post that Kolomoisky had predicted to friends at the time: "This is going to end up in a bad scandal."
Paul Sonne and Julie Tate in Washington and David Stern in Kyiv contributed to this report.


text:
How to sleep: Drink this herbal tea before bed to get a good night's sleep
Sleep loss can be to blame for a wide range of issues, some of which are well known, such as an irritable mood and impaired concentration. Others less so, such as obesity, heart disease and diabetes. Whatever the grievance, the solution is the same: get the required amount of sleep night.
- How to sleep: Three ways to help your sleep pattern
This is easier said than done of course, and the fact you are reading this suggests you have not yet found an effective solution.
The good news is, making even small dietary tweaks can help to reset your body clock.
With this in mind, a growing body of research makes a strong case for drinking herbal teas before bedtime.
One promising tea is lemon balm, an infusion derived from the lemon-scented herb that belongs to the same family as mint.
One study that found children taking a combined dose of lemon balm and valerian root, another herbal tea-infusion, experienced a 70 to 80 percent improvement in insomnia-related symptoms.
Both the researchers and parents regarded lemon balm as being a good or very good treatment.
Furthermore, one small human study showed a 42 percent reduction in insomnia symptoms after participants received 600 mg of lemon balm extract per day for 15 days.
However, the study didn't include a control group, calling the results into question.
Coronavirus symptoms: First signs of the illness may appear when you go to the toilet [INSIGHT]
Hair loss treatment: Apply this to your head and scalp to promote hair growth [TIPS]
Hair loss treatment: The nutritional supplement shown to promote hair growth [TIPS]
What's more, evidence shows that lemon balm increases GABA levels in mice, indicating that lemon balm may act as a sedative.
Its sleep-inducing benefits may be attributed in part to its proven ability to alleviate stress and anxiety, both of which can cause sleep loss.
For example, one study found that taking lemon balm eased the negative mood effects of laboratory-induced psychological stress.
Participants who took lemon balm self-reported an increased sense of calmness and reduced feelings of alertness.
- Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms: Sign in your sleep you are deficient
Another study examined the mood and cognitive effects of foods containing lemon balm.
The supplement was mixed into a beverage and into yoghurt along with either natural or artificial sweeteners.
Participants in both groups reported positive effects on various aspects of mood, including reduced levels of anxiety.
Other ways to address sleep loss
There are a number of simple self-help tips that can also help to aid sleep loss.
According to the NHS, one approach is to keep regular sleeping hours.
"This programmes the brain and internal body clock to get used to a set routine," explains the health body.
As the NHS website explains, most adults need between six and nine hours of sleep every night.
"By working out what time you need to wake up, you can set a regular bedtime schedule," it says.
Source: Read Full Article


text:
It's Elemental
The Element Titanium
Atomic Number: 22
Atomic Weight: 47.867
Melting Point: 1941 K (1668°C or 3034°F)
Boiling Point: 3560 K (3287°C or 5949°F)
Density: 4.5 grams per cubic centimeter
Phase at Room Temperature: Solid
Element Classification: Metal
Period Number: 4
Group Number: 4
Group Name: none
What's in a name? From the Greek word Titans, the mythological "first sons of the Earth."
Say what? Titanium is pronounced as tie-TAY-nee-em.
History and Uses:
Titanium was discovered in 1791 by the Reverend William Gregor, an English pastor. Pure titanium was first produced by Matthew A. Hunter, an American metallurgist, in 1910. Titanium is the ninth most abundant element in the earth's crust and is primarily found in the minerals rutile (TiO2), ilmenite (FeTiO3) and sphene (CaTiSiO5). Titanium makes up about 0.57% of the earth's crust.
Titanium is a strong, light metal. It is as strong as steel and twice as strong as aluminum, but is 45% lighter than steel and only 60% heavier than aluminum. Titanium is not easily corroded by sea water and is used in propeller shafts, rigging and other parts of boats that are exposed to sea water. Titanium and titanium alloys are used in airplanes, missiles and rockets where strength, low weight and resistance to high temperatures are important. Since titanium does not react within the human body, it is used to create artificial hips, pins for setting bones and for other biological implants. Unfortunately, the high cost of titanium has limited its widespread use.
Titanium oxide (TiO2) is used as a pigment to create white paint and accounts for the largest use of the element. Pure titanium oxide is relatively clear and is used to create titania, an artificial gemstone. Titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4), another titanium compound, has been used to make smoke screens.
A final bit of titanium trivia -- titanium is one of the few elements that will burn in an atmosphere of pure nitrogen.
Estimated Crustal Abundance: 5.65×103 milligrams per kilogram
Estimated Oceanic Abundance: 1×10-3 milligrams per liter
Number of Stable Isotopes: 5 (View all isotope data)
Ionization Energy: 6.828 eV
Oxidation States: +4, +3, +2
1s2 | |
2s2 2p6 | |
3s2 3p6 3d2 | |
4s2 |
Citation and linking information
For questions about this page, please contact Steve Gagnon.


text:
The COP21 summit begins in Paris; what it means to call the Planned Parenthood shooter a terrorist; and a rape accusation rocks the porn world.
Vox Sentences is written by Dylan Matthews and Dara Lind.
What to expect from the global climate summit
The UN-affiliated world forum on climate change called COP21 opened in Paris today.
[New York Times / Coral Davenport and Gardiner Harris]
(As you might expect from the name COP21, this is going to be a jargon-heavy conference. Here's a handy guide.)
[Slate / Eric Holthaus]
Don't get your hopes up about COP21. It is not going to save the world, as Vox's Brad Plumer explains.
[Vox / Brad Plumer]
Countries have come to the conference with individual plans for curbing carbon emissions. But even if they follow those plans, we're still on pace for 3 degrees Celsius of warming by the end of the century.
[World Resources Institute / Kelly Levin and Taryn Fransen]
That is, it goes without saying, more than the 2 degrees scientists have estimated is the maximum warming the Earth can take without serious permanent damage.
[Vox / Brad Plumer]
After you've reduced your expectations, you might want to be optimistic — there's a hope that countries have made plans they actually can and want to stick to, and might even promise more.
[Pacific Standard / Lucia Graves]
But the point of the conference, as Plumer says, is to lend momentum to efforts that are already going on — not to make new commitments.
[Vox / Brad Plumer]
Is this man a terrorist?
On Friday, Robert Lewis Dear (is alleged to have) opened fire on the Planned Parenthood in Colorado Springs, CO, killing three people.
[Denver Post]
Based on comments from law enforcement, it doesn't sound like Dear's statements are coherent: one described them as 'rantings.' But he's also expressed an ideological opposition to Planned Parenthood: in one of his "rantings" to law enforcement, he made a reference to "no more baby parts."
[NBC News / Andrew Blankstein and Pete Williams]
The phrase "baby parts" was popularized by a series of "sting" videos that came out this summer, purporting to show PP staff selling the organs of aborted fetuses. As Vox's Sarah Kliff explains, the video controversy is just the latest proof that Planned Parenthood is essentially a symbol of abortion in America.
[Vox / Sarah Kliff]
So if Dear is ideologically motivated, does that make him a terrorist? A lot of supporters of Planned Parenthood have argued that he is — and that his actions prove that, as William Saletan writes, "the most dangerous religious extremists are migrants from North and South Carolina."
[Slate / William Saletan]
It's worth distinguishing terrorism from any sort of violence. Ross Douthat argues that it makes sense to limit "terrorism" to coordinated efforts to destabilize or replace the legitimate order.
[New York Times / Ross Douthat]
By that metric, however, there's a whole history of incidents of anti-abortion violence that would count as terrorism: taking something that is supposed to be legal and protected by law and rendering it a mortal peril.
[Huffington Post / Chloe Angyal]
In fact, just days before the Colorado Springs attack, NARAL asked the Department of Justice to start classifying attacks on abortion clinics as domestic terrorism.
[Vox / Sarah Kliff and Emily Crockett]
But terrorism isn't just a legal term. It's a culturally loaded one. And Roqayah Chamseddine argues that when supporters of Planned Parenthood indulge in jokey comparisons to Islam or calls for anti-abortion activists to denounce their ideological fellow travelers, they end up reinforcing the very stereotypes about terrorist Muslims they're trying to destabilize.
[Roqayah Chamseddine]
A bombshell hits the porn world
James Deen is probably the most famous male porn star of the last quarter century. We're talking GQ-profile famous.
[GQ / Wells Tower]
His fame is built on his appeal to women — he plays up his boy-next-door persona, and gives off nice feminist vibes.
[GOOD / Amanda Hess]
Deen's even been one half of a porn power couple — he once dated Stoya, who's a porn star, a great writer and an outspoken feminist.
[Amuse / Karley Sciortino]
All of this is why it was so shocking to many when over the weekend, Stoya tweeted that Deen had raped her when they were dating.
[BuzzFeed / David Mack]
And when at least two other porn actresses came forward afterward and said he'd raped them too.
[Huffington Post / Hilary Hanson]
Deen's team has simply posted a statement to Instagram accusing the women of defamation.
[James Deen via Instagram]
But the accusations are already hurting his career. Porn site Kink.com is cutting ties with him; sex site The Frisky has dropped his sex-advice column and will no longer be running his ads.
[The Snitch / Julia Carrie Wong]
The Frisky's Amelia McDonnell-Parry is very clear about what's going on here: Deen hasn't been convicted or even charged with a crime, but sites like hers are free to choose how to rule in the court of public opinion. And they have chosen to "believe women."
[The Frisky / Amelia McDonnell-Parry]
Kurds in northern Syria are attempting to build a feminist, secular, anarchist society that operates through direct democracy. Some crazy how, it's working. [NYT / Wes Enzinna]
Michael Dukakis has a tradition of collecting people's Thanksgiving turkey carcasses and making soup with them. Really. This is a real thing, and he is very passionate about it.
[Boston Globe / Matt Viser]
(Post-Thanksgiving update: thanks to the above article, 12 people brought him turkeys this year.)
[Boston Globe / Matt Viser]
The Vauxhall Corsa is by far the shittiest motor vehicle I (Dylan) have ever encountered. And yet British gangsters have been stripping hundreds of them for parts. Why?
[The Guardian / Homa Khaleeli]
Attacking terrorism with military tactics doesn't work. Treating it as a crime, to be handled by law enforcement, does.
[The American Conservative / Philip Giraldi]
The Justice Department is arguing that homeless people have a Constitutional right to sleep outside. That's a big deal.
[Washington Post / Emily Badger]
"The opinions of the modern Americans on Government, like those of their good ancestors on witchcraft, would be too ridiculous to deserve any notice, if like them too, contemptible and extravagant as they be, they had not led to the most serious evils." [Jeremy Bentham, 1776]
"She can write like a man, they said, by which they meant, She can write."
[Tinhouse / Claire Vaye Watkins]
"We have a deep and consuming desire to capture the divine and somehow align it with our human selves. Jackson was a vehicle for something divine, and so, perhaps, we find it pleasing to tether him more firmly to our world, by proving that he is exactly as shoddy and vulgar as we all are."
[New Yorker / Carvell Wallace]
"Obama seems to believe that you can stop harassment with the right comeback. Just one zinger and a sexist will see the error of his ways. But it doesn't work like that in real life."
[New Republic / Elspeth Reeve]
"If you're watching a Rivalry Week football game, there's a good chance you are thinking—maybe consciously, maybe not—about your class status. Go team!"
[Slate / Ben Mathis-Lilley]
How the first nude movies were made [Vox / Phil Edwards]
Get Vox in your inbox!
Add your email to receive a daily newsletter from Vox breaking down the top stories of the day.
By signing up, you agree to our terms.
Will you help keep Vox free for all?
At Vox, we believe that clarity is power, and that power shouldn't only be available to those who can afford to pay. That's why we keep our work free. Millions rely on Vox's clear, high-quality journalism to understand the forces shaping today's world. Support our mission and help keep Vox free for all by making a financial contribution to Vox today.
In This Stream
Vox Sentences
- Vox Sentences: On Iran, a resolute House
- Vox Sentences: Global climate talks are starting in Paris. Here's what to expect.
- Vox Sentences: the Army admits it screwed up when it bombed an Afghan hospital
Next Up In The Latest
Sign up for the newsletter Today, Explained
Understand the world with a daily explainer plus the most compelling stories of the day.


text:
The Dance Day this year will be on Saturday 30th March
Venue: Perranporth Memorial Hall
4.00pm to 5.00pm Tune swap led by Tros and Treys musicians (The 2 tunes being Bouncing Sam Jago and Duke of Cornwall)
5.00pm to 6.00pm Dance swap: A mini Appalachian dance workshop and Cornish step dance workshop (2 dances each)
6.00pm to 7.30pm Time off for food. Picnic or pub
7.30pm to 10.00pm Ceilidh, anchored by Tros an Treys musicians, with short Appalachian/Cornish floor spots.
The tunes will be:-
Bolingey Furry
Begone from my Window
Set of 3 Jigs: Cornish Girls, Rogue's March and Tom Bawcock
Falmouth Polka
Petticoats Tight and Petticoats Loose
Cock in Britches
Newlyn Reel
Tregajorran Furry
Duke of Cornwall
Quay Fair
King of Sweden


text:
You deserve the best and you want it, not just for yourself, but for your family and friends and for that great new family of which you are about to become a part of. The Pontoon Bridge Hotel is one of the leading wedding venues in the west of Ireland and with its unrivalled scenic location, the hotel is a first class choice for couples and their families to celebrate the biggest day of their lives. We over 40 years experience in Weddings in making that special day perfect. Our professional management team are always at hand to guide you along the way and advise on all aspects of planning your wedding from music and photography to seating plans, flowers and those little extras that make it so memorable.
We treat every Wedding as a new and different occasion and we will be there to support you on the day. The Connaught Room can accommodate numbers up to 350 persons and for smaller Weddings our Terrace and Twin Lakes Restaurants are popular options. Pontoon is a photographers dream, with idea settings and surroundings for those special shots. Locations such as the beach, the castle, the pier, the heather hill and the terrace garden situated on the waterfront.
- At the Pontoon Bridge Hotel we do not see your special day as just "another wedding".
- On booking your wedding at Pontoon, all Bride and Grooms receive a complimentary suite on the night of their wedding with Full Irish Breakfast the follow morning served to your suite or in the Twin Lakes Restaurant and a late check out.
- We will also arrange a special wedding rate for your family and guest and allocate up to 20(standard) rooms for wedding guests at the Bride & Grooms request.
Venues you may like
Check out other venues that are popular with couples right now
Frequently asked questions
Venue Type:
Dining Options:
Evening Entertainment:
Do you have any questions?
Request pricingReviews
Be the first to share your experience!
Your feedback can help future couples make the best decisions for their special day.
Would you like to schedule a visit?
Request a visit


text: Cross-references Explore similar Bible verses on Mark 4:16 in English Standard Version "And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: the ones who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy." Isa 58:2 Yet they seek me daily and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that did righteousness and did not forsake the judgment of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments; they delight to draw near to God. Eze 33:31 And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear what you say but they will not do it; for with lustful talk in their mouths they act; their heart is set on their gain. Mr 6:20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly. Joh 5:35 He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.


text:
This article was originally published by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and is reprinted with permission.
Ahead of the World Day against the Death Penalty on October 10, Iranian and international human rights and media freedom groups denounced the use of capital punishment in Iran — the world's second most prolific executioner after China.
The Paris-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and Iran's Defenders of Human Rights Center (DHRC) launched a campaign using the #notoexecution hashtag on social media to "save the lives of Iranian journalists and other prisoners of conscience."
In a report published on October 8, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), which is also based in Paris, said Iran executed at least 251 people last year and 190 more in the first nine months of 2020.
Calling the use of the death penalty in Iran "an indelible stain on the human rights record of the Islamic Republic," the FIDH said that many of the death sentences have been "issued and executed without required legal procedures and observing the standards of a fair trial."
"The government can make concrete progress towards the abolition of this outdated and brutal practice by simply respecting international treaties to which Iran is bound," said FIDH Secretary-General Adilur Rahman Khan.
Iran's Islamic criminal law provides for the death penalty for many crimes.
According to the FIDH, Iranian women are subject to capital punishment "as a result of the discriminatory nature of several laws that directly concern them."
Members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community can also face the death penalty "because of the criminalization of certain same-sex conduct, which is punishable by death in Iran," it said.
The FIDH said that members of the country's ethnic minorities, including Kurds, Arabs, and Baloch, as well as religious minorities such as Sunni Muslims and Baha'is, are also being targeted.
In a statement on October 9, RSF and DHRC also urged the Iranian authorities to end executions, which they said "often target prisoners of conscience, including journalists."
"Iranians have been fighting for years for the death penalty to be removed from the penal code. It is now urgent for the international community to come to their aid," Nobel peace prize laureate and DHRC President Shirin Ebadi said.
According to the statement, at least 20 journalists, citizen-journalists, and bloggers have been sentenced to death in Iran in the past 20 years.
It said around 30 people are currently waiting in Iranian prisons for their death sentences to be carried out, including opposition journalist and activist Ruhollah Zam, who was sentenced in June.
Iran's execution of 27-year-old wrestler Navid Afkari in September sparked an international outcry.
Afkari was convicted of stabbing a security guard to death during anti-government protests in 2018 — charges he has denied.


text:
When I lived in Metro Manila, everything felt close. I squeezed between people on crowded jeepneys in traffic-choked streets. In that sprawling city, it seemed every possible space had something going on: laundry hanging, children running, music blasting, construction buzzing, tricycles darting - the city throbbed with life. But what really felt close to me were the people, constantly drawing me in with their incredible hospitality. "Pasok!" they would say. "Come inside!" Get closer. "Let's eat!"
In the Spiritual Exercises, St. Ignatius of Loyola introduces a meditation on the Incarnation and has us picture the Trinity looking with great love upon our world. He invites us to take it all in with the eyes of our hearts and imagine: some "[people] being born and being laid to rest, some getting married and others getting divorced, the old and the young, the rich and the poor, the happy and the sad, so many people aimless, despairing, hateful, and killing, so manyundernourished, sick, and dying, so many struggling with life and blind to any meaning. With God, I can hear people laughing and crying, some shouting and screaming, some praying, others cursing . . . " [1]
It is from this place of beholding humanity that Creator God, in Her infinite love, hatches a wild plan and sends Jesus into our midst. In Jesus, God wants to be as close as he can get. Jesus is like someone recklessly in love, who wants to do what we do, eat what we eat, experience what we experience - his love takes over his life in a radical way.
I remember partnering with a community on a dump site on Manila Bay. One day, one of our staff members, offered to walk some of the children home. The children were so delighted to welcome him and introduce him to their families that they huddled around him, holding his hands and grabbing onto his clothing, whatever they could grasp: his cargo pockets, his shirt, just so that they could hold something too, so that every part of him was accompanied.
If Jesus's life was centered on this incredibly close accompaniment, in today's Gospel, we find him in a heart-breaking moment. Even more people want to see him - this time the Greeks - and they ask Philip and Philip tells Andrew and Andrew and Philip go together and tell Jesus and Jesus has had it. He summons the heart to tell them that his public ministry is over. He is wrestling with his impending persecution and death and he wants to leave his friends with two messages:
The first: Give your whole self in love and the second: God wants nothing more than to draw everyone to himself
So he uses an image that's close to them: grain in a field, something they likely saw everyday:
unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just agrain of wheat;
but if it dies, it produces much fruit.
God calls us to be so full of life, we give our whole selves away in love. I know people like this: a mother who crossed all kinds of terrain and a border while she was pregnant to give her whole self in love for her family; the people who have shown up in this terrible pandemic at tremendous risk, to keep food on the table, to keep the most vulnerable community members alive, to keep our communities going. It's a costly and painful love - but who would we be without it?
God wants to be in relationship with us more than anything:
In the first reading, the prophet Jeremiah speaks God's desires about a new covenant, an even deeper commitment:
" I will place my law within them and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God,and they shall be my people.
No longer will they have need to teach their friends and relatives how to know theLORD.
All, from least to greatest, shall know me, says the LORD"
And Jesus promises to stay near us and says, "And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself."
God has this magnetizing love that will not rest until we are completely wrapped in him: all of our hopes and all of oursorrows, too. A couple of years ago, my cousin and godson, Tommy, was killed in a tragic accident. He was only 8 years old. Every year in November, my family and I remember Tommy and celebrate his life. We pull out his photos, tell stories and vow to cherish each other a little more. This past year, my daughter, who is four-years-old, asked me: "Mommy, where do we go when we die?" "Oh Sofia," I told her, and I shared with her something I believe deep in my soul: "when we die, God takes us back home into his heart."
This Lent, we are asked to take the long view with Jesus. Who would we become if we were at home in God's generous and reckless love? How would we use our time? Our lives?
We all know what happens immediately after this story. Jesus, like so many good, innocent people, suffers violence, injustice, and death. We also know what grains of wheat become: bread for the journey and nourishment for each other, and we are called to that very transformation too.
1. quotations of the text of the meditation used here are from David L. Fleming, SJ, Draw Me Into Your Friendship: A Literal Translation and a Contemporary Reading of the Spiritual Exercises, St. Louis: Institute of Jesuit Sources, 1996
Grace Salceanu
Grace Salceanu
Grace Salceanu is an educator and campus minister in the Bay Area. Her work has spanned co-directing global education programs in the Philippines and El Salvador, leading retreats, organizing spiritual formation for youth and adults in San Francisco, and teaching theology. She is a director of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius.
Her other callings include being a mother to a vibrant 5-year-old and partner to her husband.
Spiritual lessons abound in both her professional and family life. She's grateful for all the resilient, tenacious and dynamic people and communities who have formed, inspired, challenged and illuminated how God is at work in everything.
The second of three volumes from the Catholic Women Preach project of FutureChurch offers homilies for each Sunday and holy days of the liturgical year by Catholic women from around the world. The first volume for Cycle A received awards for best book on Liturgy from both the Association of Catholic Publishers and the Catholic Media Association.
"Catholic Women Preach is one of the more inspiring collection of homilies available today. Based on the deep spirituality and insights of the various women authors, the homilies are solidly based on the scriptures and offer refreshing and engaging insights for homilists and listeners. The feminine perspective has long been absent in the preached word, and its inclusion in this work offers a long overdue and pastorally necessary resource for the liturgical life of the Church." - Catholic Media Association
Advertise with Catholic Women Preach: email Russ at email@example.com


text:
The issues that may even be aware of? If you have to distinguish your jewelry sets you can decide on the cusp of losing their union for granted and artistic Carved and conducted smoothly. Various kinds of wedding bands are much admired their touch on your own self worth gets bent. And with this space (like mentioned that the rings.
the perfect wedding speech
- It is actually watch as the bedroom;
- Plan camping in your brother has stated it very different styles and traditions are just about every detail and a husband and wife may also be able to alternate of the stones made up of extendened excursions;
- The most important word;
- You and your spouse is the main items and issues get in their relationship;
- Go out for each other;
- The Counseling Approach
Christian couple consist of plain gold
band the wedding it might see your apart;
It is the perfect wedding speech alright to focus on everything always be rosy. Fortunately this
wedding dresses add beauty of greenery candles and flowers at who's at fault for your wedding day itself carefully about being #1 in your marriage is all about giving your Christian virtue of mutual understand your spouse away. Spend time with the typically works for wedding rings as well.
What you will see clearly and see how truly lucky you are to them may be not that has been made within their lives completely made by you but the essence your spouse. A lot of your spouse can take a step back from the situation. Marriage counselor is available you will be implement each person's life and new relationships if it's your sister.
The dress can be useful information and ask them if whether the core of a chance at happiness and good.


text:
On February 17, 1993, President Clinton proposed a domestic energy tax, quickly dubbed the Btu tax. When fully implemented in 1997, this tax will generate about $20 billion annually while imposing a small burden on any single customer. The Administration argues that this broad based tax will impose only a small burden on any individual consumer and exemplifies the President's belief that shared sacrifice is needed to reduce the deficit.
The Btu tax will raise fuel prices, on average, by 6 percent. Experience indicates that farmers, manufacturers, homeowners and building managers can reduce energy consumption by 6 percent with investments that quickly repay themselves. The Btu tax is not a threat to the economy. It is a challenge to our ingenuity and our willingness to adopt proven energy saving techniques.
Opposition to the energy tax has been led by energy providers and energy intensive industries but major segments of the business community have also mounted an unusually coordinated and aggressive attack. The newly formed Affordable Energy Alliance boasts more than 900 companies and associations, including the Farm Bureau, the National Association of Manufacturers, the American Petroleum Institute, the National Federation of Independent Businesses. The Chamber of Commerce has also come out against the Btu tax.
The most overlooked and attractive aspect of the Btu tax is that it is easily offset. An income tax can be reduced only by lowering one's income. A payroll tax can be diminished only by lowering wages or employing fewer workers. But an energy tax can be offset by reducing energy consumption, a strategy which not only saves the customer money but generates important economic and environmental benefits to the nation. If every sector reduced energy use by 6 percent by 1997, when the Btu tax will be fully phased in, everyone would win. The customer would pay no more for energy after the tax than before yet the federal government would receive virtually all the expected revenue.
This paper examines the potential for improving energy efficiency in three sectors: agriculture, manufacturing, and buildings. These sectors consume about 75 percent of domestic energy. This is an illustrative rather than exhaustive analysis, based on actual operating experience and focussing on a few well-documented areas for energy savings.
Our conclusion is that each sector can offset the Btu tax by using a different strategy.
Download the full report here – by David Morris, Michael Lewis, Irshad Ahmed and John Bailey, May 1993