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Archive for the 'Cloud of Witnesses' Category
"Sister Love"
Posted in Cloud of Witnesses, Inklings, tagged Christianity, church, Faith, gospel, Jesus, random, spirituality, writing on August 9, 2012| Leave a Comment »
(From "A Cloud of Witnesses")
Sister Brenda was the wife of Deacon Proctor. I always loved to hear her rich melodious prayers, and the way she clapped her hands as she prayed on her knees. She had a beautiful glow about her face, and fiery eyes.
She composed her own spiritual music, and I learned many of her songs. She and her husband would say that Brenda had a terrible speech impediment before she became a believer, and she used to be ashamed to talk to people. But she said when she was reading about Moses and his fear of speaking, the Spirit assured her that He would help her. I couldn't tell that she had ever had a problem, but the deacon says she stuttered badly at one time.
One day in church, Sister Brenda was testifying and said, "Sometimes when I ask people if they are saved, they tell me they are just to keep me from bothering them anymore. So now when they say that, I ask them what they were saved from. If they can't answer that, they probably aren't saved. A person who is truly saved is always anxious to tell people what God delivered them from."
Once Sister Brenda approached me at church and said, "I dreamed about you last night. You were climbing up a ladder, and I was right behind you."
"Wow, that's a really good dream," I said. "I hope you haven't had any dreams about us falling into a pit or anything."
She laughed and shook her head, saying, "Sister Olive, I would've called you if I had a dream like that, and I would've said, 'We need to shape up and get back on track."
Sister Brenda died before I had finished writing about her. It's ironical that she reached the top of that ladder ahead of me, and I am still trying not to lose my balance or fall down.
She passed away suddenly one Sunday morning in June. I was in Tennessee at the time, and Elder Foster called to tell me the bad news. He said, "As I was driving into the parking lot, I heard sirens and saw the ambulances pulling up," he said. "I thought it was one of the older members who had been having health problems, but as I went in, I saw Sister Brenda on the floor in front of the altar and the paramedics working hard trying to revive her. They finally put her on the stretcher and took her in the ambulance, and she died at the hospital the next day." Sister Brenda was among the youngest women in our church, so it was a terrible blow to all of us.
Deacon Proctor lost his mother several weeks after losing his wife, and is still holding on by faith and inner strength. Ella Mae tells me that she finds it almost unbearable for her to hear anyone else sing Sister Brenda's favorite song in church. I can still hear it right now in my mind:
Just another day that the Lord has kept me
He has kept me from all evil
And my mind stayed on Jesus.
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Sister Shirley
Sister Shirley is a radiant saint with a gift of mercy. I have heard her speak about how she loves to visit the elderly people in her neighborhood, and rub them down with oil and give them comfort. She visits people in the care home and sings songs about Jesus to encourage them. She doesn't mind doing the dirtier jobs and dealing with the more aggravating residents who no one else has patience with. There is one woman who always has stool under her fingernails, and a nasty disposition to go along with it, but Sister Shirley sits by her bed and cleans her nails and talks gently with her.
Sister Shirley has had a lot of tragedy in her life, such as the drowning of her son when he was a teenager. One Sunday, Deacon Proctor asked her if it was okay for him to speak about her son and she nodded. But as the deacon talked about being in the hospital room when Sister Shirley's son died, I saw her glasses fogging up with a mist, and she kept taking them off to clear them.
Sister Shirley was once stabbed by a woman and was taken to the hospital. The doctor told her that the knife had missed her heart by less than an inch, and that she could have died. The woman who stabbed her has been released from jail and Sister Shirley always speaks to her with kindness whenever she sees her at the grocery store. The woman glares at her as if she is crazy.
Sister Shirley had a terrible marriage, but remains friends with her ex-husband and often speaks to him about Jesus. She has a son in prison that clings to her desperately whenever she visits and often calls her just to talk.
Sister Shirley has a quiet faith, despite all of the bad things that have happened to her, and she is a beautiful example of the love and compassion of God.
(For More Portraits like this, see "A Cloud of Witnesses" category or page.)
Elder Thomas
Posted in Cloud of Witnesses, Inklings, tagged A Cloud of Witnesses, Christ, church, Faith, gospel, Holy Spirit, random, religion, spirituality, writing on August 7, 2012| Leave a Comment »
"A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth." Isaiah 42:3
I first saw and heard Elder Thomas at the district services. He was hosting a Friday night Missions service, and I had never met him before. He stepped up to the pulpit, a dignified and well-dressed man looking over his glasses at the congregation. Because I thought his voice to be somewhat gruff, I thought that he must be stern and irritable, and that he was someone I would not want to annoy or make angry, because he wouldn't put up with very much. It is funny how we perceive people at first observance.
The second time I saw Elder Thomas was at a pastor appreciation service, and suddenly he ran down from the pulpit area to the front of the altar, where he began to dance in the spirit. My whole conception was thus thrown out the window.
The third time I saw him, he was again at a district service, and he opened the service by saying, "You're in the Holy Ghost headquarters now." I laughed when he said it, and my two guests also laughed about that. I knew then that I really liked this man, and that I needed to hear him preach.
Soon thereafter, I visited a Sunday service at his church for the first time with my son. That Sunday, Elder Thomas preached from Ecclesiastes 12, and it was one of the most enjoyable and concise teachings I had ever heard. Not only did Elder Thomas have a gift of teaching with great clarity, but he could make people laugh and enjoy the studying of it. Whenever I cast a sidelong glance at my son, he was smiling a broad smile or laughing.
I don't know quite where to begin to describe the incredible giftedness of Elder Thomas. He is remarkable in so many ways. He says that when he was a young boy, he knew a great evangelist in the area named Mother Benjamin, and that he sought for God to give him a portion of the Spirit that was upon her. He says it was quite difficult even as a young man to keep up with this tireless woman. But, like Elisha who refused to leave Elijah, he followed her to the best of his ability until she left this world.
Elder Thomas is a gifted preacher, prophet, servant, shepherd, and prayer warrior. He has a huge heart of compassion for the lost and suffering, and has a word from the Father of Lights for every occasion and every need. He knows how to guide God's flock to higher and deeper faith, and to their own personal callings from the Spirit. I have seen people line up at the altar to receive "the Word of the Lord" from his lips, and I have seen God use him as a mighty instrument of mercy.
He has truly touched my life by his earnestness about the things of God, and his desire to see his people grow, and not wax cold and stagnant. He knows how to encourage and how to correct, and with such skill and wisdom that only God could give.
(For more portraits like this, visit the page or category entitled "A Cloud of Witnesses")
Deacon Wayne & Sister Glenda
Posted in Cloud of Witnesses, Inklings, tagged Christ, church, Faith, God, Jesus, love, marriage, random, writing on August 6, 2012| Leave a Comment »
The first time I saw Deacon Wayne in church, I noticed how animated and joyous he was during worship services. He would have made a great Levite priest in the tabernacle, because they had to wear bells along the hems of their garments, and they were forbidden to stop moving. If those bells stopped jingling, they would die instantly by the hand of God. Deacon Wayne was slender and constantly in motion, and was immensely graceful. His bearded face had an Abe Lincoln honesty to it, and I could always see reflections of Christ in his persona and demeanor. A few weeks after I met him, I learned that he was the son of Elder and Mother Foster, and this made perfect sense. He was married to my dear friend Glenda.
Deacon Wayne was an incredible vocalist with the "Men of Faith" singing group. His voice was rich and deep, and my favorite song that he sang was "My soul loves Jesus." He was very modest whenever I complimented him, and would say humbly "Pray for me." Whenever I asked him how he was doing, he would say "I'm maintaining." I liked this saying very much, because we have to maintain our faith, like we maintain our yard, our car, or our marriage.
Sister Glenda has spiritual dreams, and sometimes they reveal future events. When she first recounted one of her dreams to me, her daughter Tameika was twenty-nine and unmarried and feeling that she would never find a companion. Tameika had encouraged by her friends to look for a companion through the internet. She was matched up through a website with a man that she visited, and she found that he was disabled and unable to work or drive. She told her mother about the man, and Glenda told her that God had something better for her if she would just wait on Him. Tameika told her mother that maybe she should give the man a chance, but her mother discouraged the idea. Reluctantly, Tameika listened to the advice of her mother, although still thinking of the man.
About this time, Glenda had a beautiful dream. She dreamt that Tameika was in a gorgeous wedding gown with a huge diamond ring on her finger, and she was just floating with happiness. In the dream, they were in a church in Blountstown. She recounted the dream to her Tameika, who didn't take it very seriously.
A couple of weeks later, in the month of August, Glenda and Tameika were in Blountstown, and a preacher named Christopher came to a house they were visiting. He was immediately attracted to Tameika. The two of them went on a date that same night, and when they returned, the preacher told her family that he had "met his rib". The whole family was shedding tears of joy. Glenda told me that the preacher was "just precious" and that she was so happy for her daughter. Her dream had been fulfilled. The preacher gave Tameika a ring right after Christmas, proposing to her in front of her parents and sisters.
Tameika married Christopher a few months after, and he relocated. I had the privilege of hearing him sing in our Mother's Day service, and he delivered the message the following Sunday. I can only say that he is amazing and kind and humble.
Another amazing thing to me is that Tameika's entire family is so musically talented, and so is the preacher! I have brought my guitar for visits to their house, and we sound like a professional gospel-singing group when we get together. I have learned from them that it is better to wait on God than to try to handle things ourselves, because we can really mess things up on our own.
About a year after their marriage, Deacon Wayne suddenly died. He had just arrived at the paper mill where he worked as a supervisor, and a young woman came in to give him the shift report. As she began to read it, his whole body began to shake, and then he just slumped over. The woman called for emergency help, but he died before anything could be done for him.
I remember that Friday night, because the Foster's were all called out to the hospital from church, and his wife Glenda was supposed to sing a solo that weekend at the district service. I am told that Deacon Wayne was gone before any of his family arrived at the hospital and no one got to say one single word to him.
His wife recounted the night of his death in great sorrow:
"He worked the graveyard shift at the paper mill, and I cooked him fish for his last supper. Oh, Sister Olive, he kept telling me he was so tired, and I was trying to encourage him. I rubbed the bald spot on top of his head while he sat at the table and I kissed him. I reminded him that it was only two weeks until his vacation.
"Our new home had just been finished, and we were moving everything into it. As I think of it now, it seemed like he was in an awful hurry to fix it all up, like he knew something was going to happen. We had been decorating it and dreaming of many years together, and hoping for new grandchildren since our daughter had just gotten married.
"I feel almost like it's my fault, and that I should have made him stay home, or done something different."
She described the children crying themselves to sleep at night in their rooms, and how she was torturing herself inwardly. Mother Foster shared her anguish at church openly on several occasions, and Elder Foster suffered more privately. Seeing the grief that this family suffered made me realize that we have to cherish those that we love, because we never know what can happen. I will always remember Deacon Wayne as a great father and husband and man of God.
Mother Gladys
Posted in Cloud of Witnesses, Inklings, tagged Christ, Christianity, church, Faith, God, Jesus, random, religion on August 5, 2012| Leave a Comment »
"Let your speech be always with grace…" Colossians 4:6
I especially remember Mother Gladys's straw hat, her faded dresses, and her wooden walking cane. I loved it when she would strike the tambourine and begin singing, "Oh I want to see him, look upon His face…" or "It's gonna be the crowning day…" She had a resonant voice, passion for the Lord, and a sweet and humble spirit. She was tall, slender and stately with a broad smile, and it was obvious that she was lovely in her younger days. She had tremendous faith in God and had an air of holiness and grace about her.
After Mother Gladys retired from her job at the school for the deaf and blind, she became the "nurse" of her neighborhood. People say that she would walk house to house taking care of people who were sick or elderly. She was always poor, but if you visited her she would go straight to her garden, and give away some of her fresh vegetables. She never refused anyone the help that they needed.
She was a great encouragement to me personally. After we had been having tent services for several nights and I had testified a few times, she was the first one to approach me with a warm smile and a hug, and say, "There's that missionary." I felt honored by the way that she said it to me.
Mother Gladys was diagnosed with cancer, but she never lost her faith. When I went to visit her she said to me, "If the Lord wants me to get up, I will get up, and if He doesn't, I won't."
Whenever people visited her, she would say that she just wanted to "have church". Sister Doris says that when people would ask her what songs she wanted to hear, she would say, "Anything with blood in it" (referring to the blood of Jesus). She never complained about her suffering, because she did not want to cause her family or friends more grief. So she just stayed in her bed at home, and gradually stopped eating and speaking. She was a sweet and godly woman her whole life.
I did not know her for long enough, because she died soon after I joined the church. It will be amazing to see her again someday in the Kingdom of God.
Elder Burney
Posted in Cloud of Witnesses, Inklings, tagged Christ, Faith, God, gospel, hope, inspiration, Joy, peace, random, seed, spirituality, Tree of Life, writing on August 4, 2012| Leave a Comment »
"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." I Peter 1:23
I had heard Minister Robert Burney speak about his father and the second stroke that impaired him with almost complete paralysis. He said that while his father was in the hospital bed a fellow preacher sent a message to him saying, "Don't forget that you still have a tongue."
At that time, I had never heard the Elder Burney preach, but I finally did during the January district service.
Elder Burney is a broad-shouldered and well-dressed man with a warm and wise face, sitting in a wheelchair. I have never seen such a paradox of weakness and strength in one man, and I was totally unprepared for that mighty tongue.
The elder began speaking in a gentle voice about the woman with the alabaster box of ointment who washed Jesus' feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. He explained how the men who were present when she did this began to mock her and assault her character, but she was so in love with Jesus that she didn't care.
In only a matter of a few minutes, I felt something stirring inside of me. A sudden tide of joy rolled over me like an ocean wave. Before I could catch my breath, another one struck, and then another. I looked over my shoulder and realized that I was not alone. It was high tide. The waves were rolling over the congregation with such force that many people could not remain seated or keep silent. Elder Burney said quietly, "I don't believe in interfering with the Spirit of God." He sat silently as the Spirit burst forth like a tidal wave and flooded the entire room.
I attended another district service a few months later, and I noticed on the program that Elder Burney was the speaker again. I thought to myself that it couldn't possibly be the same as the last time. Lightning doesn't strike the same place twice.
This time, the elder began speaking about the woman at the well, and how Jesus told her He would give her living water, and that she would never thirst again, and that it would be a well springing up into everlasting life. Without warning, water began to flow from my eyes. I was surprised by this, and wondered what was going on, because I was not sad. Then the elder said, "When the Spirit gets ahold of you, water is gonna come out of your eyes when you're not even sad." I began to laugh with surprise.
It's very difficult to explain but it seemed as if the Spirit flowed like waves out of the elder's mouth as he spoke, and began to fill up the room, and then tears sprung out of my eyes.
One great mystery is the way that the elder's preaching lingers with me for a long time afterward. He plants a powerful seed that germinates and flowers into a deeper understanding of God. It reminds of the story of Jack and the beanstalk. Someone gave Jack some magic beans, and he found himself in an amazing adventure. He climbed into the sky to a new kingdom, where he slew a giant, and won an amazing treasure. Elder Burney's preaching is like those magic seeds that have somehow given me a new identity and purpose.
Once he preached a message about the City of God. He said that there are twelve gates to the city, and that he believes we will enter at the Southern gates and the streets will be pure gold. He spoke about the Tree of Life with the twelve fruits that would heal every kind of disease, and the crystal river that flowed from the throne. He said that he had resolved in his mind that he was going to go to that city, and that the power of Hell could not stop him from making it there. He said, "I look forward to seeing my mama and daddy when I get there. But they're gonna have to step aside so I can see Jesus." Soon after that, I dreamed that I was searching for a city, and I saw a familiar man by side of the road. I asked him the way to the gates of the city. He did not speak but simply handed me a key.
In another service I attended, Elder Burney cried out, "I am rich beyond measure! Praise God, I'm rich!" Those words began to sprout within my mind. I knew that he was speaking of heavenly riches. I read the scripture that speaks of how I belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God, so I am an heiress. I found myself beginning to identify with Christ, and not with the world, and it began to transform my whole way of thinking. I realized that I had no need of anything, that the world had nothing to offer me. I became less worried about success and worth in the eyes of other people. I only wanted to please Christ and bless others.
I recognize that Elder Burney has planted some divine seeds in my heart. I am overwhelmed and humbled by the way God has used him as instrument of power and mercy in my life.
"The kingdom of heaven is like unto a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field: which indeed is the least of all seeds, but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree…" (Matthew 13:31-33)
Elder & Mother Foster
Posted in Cloud of Witnesses, tagged Christ, church, Faith, God, Jesus, parents, random, Spirit, spirituality, writing on January 27, 2012| Leave a Comment »
A Cloud of Witnesses: Portraits of Faith
Elder Foster is graceful with hands that swim like fish around him as he speaks. He bows from his slender waist and lowers his head slightly, greenish brown eyes looking up to others with humility. His caramel-colored suit is well-tailored, his shoes polished, his white shirt crisp.
Mother Foster has amazing hats and weathered hands and I have seldom seen her silver hair. She braids it tightly against her scalp and tucks it under her hats. Her waist is nicely trim for an elderly woman, the collar of her dress edged with white lace, her black ballerina slippers small and cozy. Her smile is broad and warm and her eyes always seem to look upward and inward to invisible things.
Elder and Mother Foster are my spiritual parents, and I am just one of their clumsy and confused children.
Elder Foster has ministered to his church for almost forty years, and he is still the most energetic pastor I have ever seen. He seems much younger when he preaches because he jumps and shouts and runs down from the pulpit into the congregation. His agility is amazing at these times.
He can be so fiery during his sermons, yet he is so gentle and humble afterwards, when he shakes my hand and says, "Are you behaving yourself, Sister Olive?" or "Be encouraged, Sister Olive." I guess this is why one preacher who visited our church refers to him as a "Gentle Giant".
Many times Elder Foster speaks directly to me about things in my life that he has no way of knowing, and he encourages or corrects me with great gentleness. I recognize in those moments that the Spirit is speaking to me and that I have to be obedient, if I want to grow spiritually.
Elder Foster once remarked, "You know the trouble with many of us is that we trust the mailman more than we trust God. When we address a letter and put a stamp on it and place it in the mailbox, we have confidence that the mail will arrive where it's supposed to go. We don't call the mailman or the postmaster to keep track of the letter, or call to make sure it arrives at its destination.
"But when we address a prayer to God, we don't have confidence that it will get to God, or that it will accomplish the thing that we are asking. Our lack of faith is why many of our prayers are unanswered."
Elder Foster puts more money into the offering plate than he receives from the district for his services. He is always speaking about people who exemplify the life of faith. He tells of a poor preacher who had no money, but went to the grocery store and got a cart and put the food he needed in it, and he prayed and trusted God to take care of him. The preacher walked up to the cashier lane, and a man stepped up with his wallet open and said, "Pastor, let me take care of that for you."
Our elder also speaks of a minister who heard that someone in his church had died. The minister went to that house and the man's wife had covered him with a sheet as she awaited the mortician. The minister said "The Spirit didn't say anything to me about this brother dying." Then he pulled back the sheet and the man got up.
One Sunday a strange man came into our church to leave an offering envelope for a family member. As he came down the aisle, I noticed the intensity of his face and eyes as he looked around nervously. He hurriedly handed the envelope to Sister Shirley near the altar and left.
Elder Foster was preaching later in the service, and told us that he had had a dream the night before, about being down by the fish creek and meeting a man who was demon-possessed and that he had cast the demon out of the man. When he awoke he thought that he must have eaten something the night before that caused him indigestion and strange dreams. But then the man from his dream walked into church and left the offering.
The elder often speaks about the importance of preaching the gospel "in season and out of season", because you never know when that Death Angel will come around and take someone. He says that one night a phone call came for Mother Foster from a woman that she worked with at the paper mill. Elder Foster did not want to disturb his wife while she was sleeping, so he told the woman to call his wife another time. Mother Foster went to work the next morning and the woman had died.
Elder Foster also recounted this story with great sorrow: "A man came up to me one Wednesday night after the service was over, asking how to get saved. I was in a hurry that night, and asked him to come and see me on Sunday. When he didn't come on Sunday, I inquired about him and found out that he had died. I have learned never to make anyone wait again, because the Devil will try to cut them off beforehand."
Mother Foster is an amazing spiritual leader as well. She diligently taught all of her children about prayer and faith while they were young. Several of the Fosters' sons are preachers now. Mother Foster says that one of her boys, Aaron, used to preach through the open window from his high chair when he was a baby, and would tell people about Christ. She says she used to have terrible migraines until one of them put his tiny hands on her and prayed, when he was only a little baby boy.
She says they have never had a lot of money but they acknowledge that God always provided for their needs. Mother Foster once testified about a woman with five children that lived down the street from her years ago. Sometimes the woman would come to her door and tell her she didn't have any food for her children. Mother Foster said that she always bought just enough food for her family for seven days at a time, but she would open her refrigerator, and give the woman some meat and vegetables and bread for her children. As Mother Foster gave the bag of food to the woman, she would say to her, "Now, come back around here this evening, because I want you to see what the Lord is going to do for me, because I gave you what you needed." She said that without fail, someone would show up before dinnertime, and knock on the door and say, "I just caught some fish, and I have more than I need. Would you like some?" or someone would bring her greens and vegetables from their garden. She says that God always provided whenever she was obedient.
Mother Foster told me an amazing story about a woman who asked her to come to her house: "I went to visit this poor woman and she told me that her husband had been abusive to her for many years, and I told her 'God would never want anyone to place themselves in danger. So we are going to take this problem to God, and pray that your husband will leave and never come back. First I need you to go to the closet and get a pair of his shoes, and bring them here.' The woman went and got his shoes, and I told her to put them right in front of the door, with the toes pointed as if they were about to walk out. She did this and then we started to pray out loud. We prayed and prayed with all our hearts, until I had a clear feeling, and I told her that it was done. I told her she had to believe that God was going to do answer our prayers. I said, 'It might not be today or tomorrow or even this week, but you have to trust God.' Well, it turned out that her husband came home that very night, and took all of his belongings and left, and he never returned home again."
Mother Foster taught me to pray earnestly on my knees until I sense that the work is finished, and then to believe God. My prayers were never answered until I learned to pray in the proper way. Mother Foster taught me that God loves to act of our behalf, when He knows that He will be glorified in it.
I have learned so much from the Foster's about living by faith, and "pressing on" until death, and I am eternally grateful for their testimonies, and their examples.
"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses." (I Timothy 6:12)


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Minnesota Nice Homes: A massive house and 50 acres of land costs less than $1M
This sprawling estate overlooks the Minnesota River near Mankato.
Adam Uren
Jordan Powers, Mankato Home Tours.
The natural beauty of the Minnesota River Valley surrounds this property near Mankato, which offers bags of space and bags of land for six figures.
On the market for $899,999, this Lake Crystal property is on the south side of the Minnesota River, about halfway between Mankato and New Ulm – perfect for a quick jaunt to the Schell's Brewery.
For your money, you get 6,316 square feet of floorspace set upon 50 acres of land overlooking the valley, which sits back on the end of a long driveway off of Hwy. 68.
It offers privacy, then, making it a possible hideaway for outdoor lovers who can take advantage of sprawling grounds that are a haven for wildlife drawn to the nearby river.
The main house is filled with oak hardwood floors and woodwork, including in the "Great Room" that has for its centerpiece a custom stone fireplace.
The kitchen opens up onto the Great Room, making it an idea entertaining space, while off to the side of the kitchen is a four-season porch that offers views of the surrounding scenery on three sides.
Find more Minnesota Nice Homes.
The grounds also come with a 1,500 square foot "shed" that is effectively a second property, though it is also referred to in the listing as a (sigh) "man cave."
The current owners also own two more parcels of land that comprise 17 more acres, that you can add to the purchase should you so choose.
Dennis and Daniel Terrell of RE/Max Dynamic Agents of Mankato have the listing. He can be contacted on (507) 340-4562, or by emailing dynamicagentsmn@gmail.com. You can see the listing here.
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It was the home of an early Stillwater entrepreneur.
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Thanks for your interest. Amy will contact you shortly!
Your picture is in the dictionary next to Overachiever. You're the perfectionist who never feels good enough, the weary peacekeeper, and the family mediator. You care deeply about your loved ones, but sometimes you want to pull your hair out (or maybe their hair) from the effort of making everyone else happy. You are on the edge of burnout from taking care of others first, and really want to learn how to take care of yourself without feeling guilty for it.
I am passionate about helping you learn to balance taking care of yourself with caring for your loved ones.
I currently offer individual and group therapy for adults as well as individual therapy for teen girls. If you're sick of being pulled in too many directions, feeling not good enough, and feeling guilty for wanting to take care of yourself, give me a call.
It is important that you regularly attend your scheduled appointments. When there are missed sessions, it can cause a lapse in our work which may result in delayed progress. I understand that there may be extenuating circumstances and I can certainly make exceptions for them, but please understand that your appointment time is reserved for you and our work together. For these reasons, I request 24 hours notice for cancelled appointments in order to avoid a cancellation fee. The cancellation fee for less than 24 hours notice is the full cost of the session.


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Milwaukee father accused of killing son over piece of cheesecake pleads not guilty
MILWAUKEE -- A Milwaukee father accused of punching and killing his five-year-old son over a piece of cheesecake pleaded not guilty on Friday, July 5. Travis Stackhouse is charged with first-degree reckless homicide.
Travis Stackhouse
The incident happened near 26th and Ruby on Saturday, June 22. According to a criminal complaint, Stackhouse's 5-year-old boy had bruising to both eyes, a cut on his lip and sternum. An autopsy revealed he suffered blunt force trauma to the abdomen.
26th and Ruby in Milwaukee
The boy's caretakers reported he fell down the stairs but police didn't believe the injuries were consistent with that. Stackhouse admitted to punching his son in the stomach and hitting him in the face because he ate his Father's Day cake; he only had one piece and was upset others were eating it.
Stackhouse is the father of four other children.
Prior to entering his plea, a Milwaukee police detective testified in a preliminary hearing. The court then found probable cause to bind Stackhouse over for trial. Stackhouse is due back in court on July 16.
Double fatal shooting near Honey Creek and Morgan: police


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Built in 1992 with 196 Units over 38 Floors, 1 to 3BR Floor plans, Pets: OK (verify).
3 Pools, Large Recreation Deck, 2 Whirlpools, Security Guard staff 24/7.
Some of the penthouse units have parking spots with their own garage doors – inside the already secured parking garage!
The Waikiki Landmark condo was built at a time when Japanese investment in Hawaii was at its absolute peak. Stories spread at the time about one Japanese billionaire who would tour local neighborhoods in his limousine. When a home caught his eye, he'd stop and make an offer to the homeowners on the spot. Most amazing of all? It really happened. That was the environment the Waikiki Landmark was built in, which will help you truly understand its story.
1888 Kalakaua Ave #3202 - listing courtesy Lifestyle Homes of Hawaii.


Is no social-media platform safe, no matter how uncool?
In what would appear to be a sign that no social-media platform is truly safe from foreign interference, William Evanina, the head of U.S. counter-intelligence, told Reuters on Friday that Chinese intelligence services have been using LinkedIn to recruit Americans as spies. "I recently saw that Twitter is canceling, I don't know, millions of fake accounts, and our request would be maybe LinkedIn could go ahead and be part of that," Evanina told Reuters. China's "super-aggressive" efforts reportedly include Chinese espionage services creating fake LinkedIn accounts, with the goal of recruiting Americans who have access to commercial and government secrets. According to Evanina, Chinese spies have contacted thousands of LinkedIn users at a time, targeting not only government workers, but specialists in academia and the corporate world, too.
It's not clear how successful the practice has been. We know that in June, Kevin Mallory, a retired C.I.A. officer, was convicted on espionage charges after being recruited via LinkedIn to spy for China (he was arrested while returning from Shanghai with $16,000 in undeclared cash). If anyone else has been recruited, Evanina didn't say. Still, such Chinese espionage attempts wouldn't be unprecedented. German and British intelligence services claimed previously that the Chinese had targeted German government workers. "Chinese intelligence services are using new strategies of attack in the digital space. Social networks, especially LinkedIn, are being used in an ambitious manner to gather information and for recruitment. We are dealing with a broad attempt to infiltrate parliaments, ministries, and administrations," Hans-Georg Maassen, the head of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, Germany's domestic security agency, said in December.
News of the Chinese campaign suggests that foreign intelligence campaigns in the U.S. are likely even more aggressive, and widespread, than is commonly understood. While the majority of media reports surrounding such intelligence operations has focused on Russian activity on Facebook, LinkedIn is a comparatively small and specialized platform, primarily used by job-searchers and recruiters, with about 575 million users worldwide. That LinkedIn, the stodgiest and most utilitarian social-media platform, has been targeted by spies is further confirmation of how dedicated foreign operatives are—and the extent to which they see opportunities to recruit.
LinkedIn "is a victim here," Evanina told Reuters. "I think the cautionary tale . . . is, 'You are going to be like Facebook. Do you want to be where Facebook was this past spring with congressional testimony, right?'" The comparison to Facebook, which is heading to Capitol Hill next week to answer questions from lawmakers about disinformation and has been dogged by scandal for months, is not a flattering one.


text:
Q: Inverse image ideal sheaf and pullback of ideal sheaf Assume that we are given a morphism $m: X\to Y$ of varieties and that $I\subset O_Y$ is an ideal sheaf defining some subscheme $T\subset Y$. Then we have two objects on $X$ associated to $I$. The one is $m^{-1}I\cdot O_X$, the other is $m^*I=m^{-1}I\otimes O_X$. From the inclusion $i: I\to O_Y$ we get $m^*i: m^*I\to m^*O_Y=O_X$ and I found the statement that $m^{-1}I\cdot O_X=(m^*i)(m^*I)$.
Now there are some questions occurring to me.
Relation between the subscheme defined by $T$ and those defined by $m^{-1}I\cdot O_X.$
Let me denote the subscheme of $X$ defined by $m^{-1}I\cdot O_X$ by $S$. Now, if $I_T=\langle f_1,\dots,f_n\rangle$, is $I_S=\langle m^*f_1,\dots, m^*f_n\rangle$? It seems that this should rather be $m^*I_T$ but how does $m^{-1}I\cdot O_X$ then look like?

Why is $m^*I$ not necessarily a subsheaf of $O_X$?
I know the short answer is that it is because of non-exactness of the tensor product but its hard for me to find an explicit example. This maybe has to do with me not understanding the previous question to well, i.e. not understanding how $m^{-1}I\cdot O_X$ looks like.

If $m^{-1}T=S$, does $m^{-1}I_T\cdot O_X=I_S$ follow?
By $I_S$ I mean the ideal sheaf defining $S$ and by $I_T$ I mean the ideal sheaf defining $T=m^{-1}S$. Since it is an ideal sheaf, the preimage of the ideal defining $T$ would then be the ideal defining $T$ and it looks like this should then give the statement on the ideal sheaves but I am unable to write down a proof.

A: As you said, in general, $m^* I$ is not an ideal sheaf of $O_X$-modules, since the pullback functor is only right-exact, but there is an exact sequence:
$m^* I \rightarrow O_X \rightarrow m^* O_T \rightarrow 0$
and $m^{-1}I \cdot O_X$ is equal to the ideal sheaf generated by the image of $m^*I$ in $O_X$.
I think that the ideal $I_S$ you wrote down in the first question is actually $m^{-1}I\cdot O_X$ (where $m^*: O_Y \rightarrow m_* O_X$ is the canonical map of sheaves associated to $m$), while $m^*I$ has a more abstract definition.
For the last question, if $m^{-1}T$ is obtained by pullback of schemes, then its defining ideal is $m^{-1}I_T \cdot O_X$, hence your statement is true.
You can find all this and the example in Vakil's AG 16.3.9.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Туомас Вилхо Хюрскюмурто (, , Або — , Петроград) — финский коммунист-революционер.

Биография
Был торговцем в Турку. После восстания 1906 года в Хаканиеми был арестован. В 1917 вошел в руководство радикального крыла СДП города Турку и участвовал в создании местных отрядов красной гвардии. Во время гражданской войны в Финляндии был фронтовым комиссаром северного фронта и членом штаба в Тампере. В начальной стадии войны 26 января 1918 года под его командованием кавалерийский отряд из 300 человек захватил Тойяла, — важнейший железнодорожный узел. Запретил брать пленных, и после кровопролития в Суйнуле 31 января 1918 года, Хюрскюмурто получил от белофинов прозвище суйнуловский мясник.

После окружения Тампере белыми войсками покинул город и действовал в Тойяла помощником красного командира Эйно Рахья, пытавшегося прорвать кольцо окружения с юга. По приказу Хюрскюмурто 20 апреля в Мустила были казнены 23 ученика сельскохозяйственного училища. В конце войны бежит в Россию. Покидая Финляндию, оставил Хельсинкскому университету значительное количество иностранной и финской большевистской литературы, которая попала в библиотеку университета.

В Советской России был на организационной работе в центральном комитете коммунистической партии Финляндии. Был убит 31 августа 1920 года в Петрограде в клубе Куусинена. Похоронен на Марсовом поле, его имя находится на камне августовских коммунаров.

Ссылки
 Lars Westerlund (toim.) Suomalaiset ensimmäisessä maailmansodassa. Valtioneuvoston kanslia 2004. Hyrskymurron henkilötiedot s. 189
 Suinulan tapahtumat
 Toijalan tapahtumat
 Veikko Yläjääski: Yliopisto vallankumouksen pyörteissä. Yliopistolainen 6/1998

Социал-демократы Финляндии
Коммунисты Финляндии
Революционеры Финляндии
Участники гражданской войны в Финляндии (красные)
Похороненные на Марсовом поле

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Social neuroscience, especially in the last decade, has made impressive progress in exploring the neural mechanisms regulating social behavior, including consolation, attachment and bonding, aggression, willingness to punish, and the effects of nurturing and social stress on the developing brain. In parallel, behavioral research on nonhuman mammals and birds has revealed the existence of prosocial choice, consolation behavior as well as sharing and caring. In combination, the research raises the wider question of what these various results signify for our understanding of human social motivation in general and moral motivation in particular. Although moral philosophers have discussed norms and values since Socrates and Confucius, the scientific approach has provided new insights and provoked a reconsideration of common assumptions about the nature and origin of moral values. This talk has five parts: (1) the evolutionary origin of sociality in mammals and birds, (2) a brief geography of moral philosophy (3) the role of oxytocin and the endocannabinoids in social bonding, (4) discussion of the links between the reward system and reinforcement learning of social norms and (5) what this all means for understanding moral values.


text:
Facebook said oversight board is delayed but committed $130 million
Nokia agreed on mediation with Daimler and others over SEP licensing issue
ByteDance focusing more on weaker markets to diversify TikTok
U.S. automakers oppose splitting of spectrum reserved for auto safety
French telecom authority outlined 5G spectrum auction procedure
Google is taking measures to let the sites block personalized ads
in Business and Services
AT&T sold Data Center Colocation Unit to Brookfield for $1.1 Billion
by Maria Wiggins January 9, 2019, 4:15 am 2.2k Views
AT&T sold operations and assets of its data center collocation unit to Brookfield. At the start of this month, AT&T had announced completion of sale to Brookfield Infrastructure and its partners.
Brookfield, to better manage the business involved and own and operate the assets, has created a wholly owned company namely Evouqe Data Center Solutions. Colocation services of Evoque will be offered by AT&T to its business customers as Evoque joined the global collocation ecosystem platform of AT&T that offers the clients access to more than 350 data centers around the world.
Over 1,000 companies worldwide, spanning across the variety of sectors like industrial, financial, technology and media, to which AT&T is delivering collocation services through 18 Internet Data Centers (IDCs) in the United States and 13 outside the United States. And after the deal these existing customers of AT&T will be continue to be served through Brookfield owned collocation services.
Brookfield has been managing its assets of worth more than $75 billion across transport, renewable power, energy, utilities, sustainable resources and communications infrastructures sectors and its long track record, as being one of the largest players in the world for investing, owning and operating infrastructure assets globally, will grow the current business of data center collocation.
Last year on June 21, 2018, as part f its strategic plans, an announcement of making of an alliance with Brookfield, including transfer of data center colocation operations and assets, was also announced by the AT&T.
By the end of this year, AT&T has been intending to reduce its net debts to the 2.5X range and the amount of $1.1 billion, which it has received under the terms of the deal, will be supporting it to achieve the goals by lowering its net-debt-to-EBITDA-ratio.
AT&T will be transferring customer contracts, collocation operations supporting staff, facilities, whether on lease or owned, and fixed assets to Brookfield at closure of the deal.
Previous article MoIP will be forcing Banks to align their practices with coming financial era
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Written by Maria Wiggins
Maria Wiggins:- News Stories
I am Maria Wiggins and I have over 11 years experience in the Technology industry giving me a vast understanding of how news affects the financial markets. I am an active day trader spending the majority of my time analyzing earnings reports and watching commodities and derivatives. I have a Masters Degree in Economics from Westminster University with previous roles counting Investment Banking.
More From: Business and Services
Hulu bought back AT&T's stake for $1.43 billion
by Gary Williams April 17, 2019, 2:11 pm
Foxconn rejected patent infringement lawsuit by Microsoft
by Pamela Wilson March 15, 2019, 1:32 am
Hulu & YouTube added hundreds of thousands of TV subscribers in Q4 2018: reports
by Gary Williams March 5, 2019, 12:10 am
Comcast, Electronic Arts and Amazon took part in bid for NXC Corp to expand in online gaming
by Pamela Wilson March 5, 2019, 12:07 am
MoIP will be forcing Banks to align their practices with coming financial era
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© 2019 News Stories World. All Rights Reserved


text:
Q: Не получается передать изображение по сокетам Мне дали задание отправить с клиента фотографию на сервер на питоне по сокетам, я раньше таким никогда не занимался, с сокетами работал но изображения понятия не имею как отправлять, нашел один сайт там приводился код для клиента и сервера, я его под себя немного подстроил и серверу вроде что то отслылается, после сервер сохраняет картинку на рабочий стол (скрипт сервера находится на удаленном компе) но я почему то не могу открыть изображение (пишет типо файл поврежден) вот код который я использую(честно говоря много разобраться и понять в нем не получилось, помогите пожалуйста что исправить и что не так):
Server:
import random
import socket, select
from time import gmtime, strftime
from random import randint

imgcounter = 1
basename = "image%s.png"

HOST = '0.0.0.0'
PORT = 6666

connected_clients_sockets = []

server_socket = socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_STREAM)

server_socket.setsockopt(socket.SOL_SOCKET, socket.SO_REUSEADDR, 1)
server_socket.bind((HOST, PORT))
server_socket.listen(10)

connected_clients_sockets.append(server_socket)
buffer_size = 4096

while True:

    read_sockets, write_sockets, error_sockets = select.select(connected_clients_sockets, [], [])

    for sock in read_sockets:

        if sock == server_socket:

            sockfd, client_address = server_socket.accept()
            connected_clients_sockets.append(sockfd)

        else:
            try:
                print (' Buffer size is %s' % buffer_size)
                data = sock.recv(buffer_size)
                txt = str(data)

                if txt.startswith('SIZE'):
                    tmp = txt.split()
                    size = int(tmp[1])

                    print ('got size')
                    print ('size is %s' % size)

                    sock.send("GOT SIZE")
                    # Now set the buffer size for the image
                    buffer_size = 40960000

                elif txt.startswith('BYE'):
                    sock.shutdown()

                elif data:

                    myfile = open(basename % imgcounter, 'wb')

                    # data = sock.recv(buffer_size)
                    if not data:
                        myfile.close()
                        break
                    myfile.write(data)
                    myfile.close()

                    sock.send("GOT IMAGE")
                    buffer_size = 4096
                    sock.shutdown()
            except:
                sock.close()
                connected_clients_sockets.remove(sock)
                continue
        imgcounter += 1
server_socket.close()

Client:
import socket, select
from time import gmtime, strftime
from random import randint

image = "/Users/gamerboss/Documents/tux.png"

HOST = '94.103.88.125'
PORT = 6666

sock = socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_STREAM)
server_address = (HOST, PORT)
sock.connect(server_address)

try:

    # open image
    myfile = open(image, 'rb')
    bytes = myfile.read()
    size = len(bytes)

    # send image size to server
    sock.sendall(("SIZE %s" % size).encode())
    answer = sock.recv(4096)

    print ('answer = %s' % answer)

    # send image to server
    if answer == 'GOT SIZE':
        sock.sendall(bytes)

        # check what server send
        answer = sock.recv(4096)
        print ('answer = %s' % answer)

        if answer == 'GOT IMAGE':
            sock.sendall("BYE BYE ")
            print ('Image successfully send to server')

    myfile.close()


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From these and other sources, the following lists have been prepared. One list covers all air-to-air victories claimed by the IDF/AF that pass historical scrutiny (there have been some that didn't) and the other is an accounting of air-to-air victories scored by individual pilots. The former list is believed to be fairly accurate and complete, but there are no guarentees. The latter list is believed to be complete up to June 5, 1967, the beginning of the Six Day War. After this point, there are many missing attributions and a lot of sketchy detail.
The companion page to this one lists all IDF/AF air combat victory claims that can be attributed to indvidual pilots.


text:
Rensselaer Debuts Business Analytics Case Competition
Tracey Leibach2015-05-15T16:13:21-04:00May 1, 2015|
The Lally School of Management and the Rensselaer Institute for Data Exploration and Applications (IDEA) hosted 15 teams at the inaugural Business Analytics Case Competition on April 8. Undergraduate and graduate student teams analyzed a case study, utilized provided data sets, and presented their findings to a panel of judges at the competition.
"The Rensselaer Business Analytics Case Competition brings together students from across all academic and research disciplines who are challenged with a real-world problem in the data analytics domain," said Dorit Nevo, associate professor of information systems at the Lally School of Management. "Students get to experience analytics firsthand and apply what they have learned in their courses in an exciting competition format."
Advances in data analytics are creating many significant transformations in the way that businesses around the world are operating. This competition gives our students an opportunity to explore problems and create solutions for tackling data-driven issues in business and research."—James Hendler
"Advances in data analytics are creating many significant transformations in the way that businesses around the world are operating," said James Hendler, Tetherless World Senior Constellation Professor and director of the Rensselaer IDEA. "This competition gives our students an opportunity to explore problems and create solutions for tackling data-driven issues in business and research."
Zezhen Qiu '15, Danjie Zhou '15, and Kelly He '15, all master's students in business analytics, won the first-place team prize of $1,500. Trent Shapiro '15, who is a co-terminal student earning a bachelor's in aeronautical engineering and master's in business analytics, and Anders Hur '15 and Sivabalamunees Meyappan '15, both master's students in business analytics, won the second-place prize of $1,000. Pablo Campos de Carvalho, Victor Shen, and Josh Reynoso, Ph.D. candidates in management, won the third-place prize of $500.
The competition was sponsored by the Rensselaer IDEA, a key component exemplifying The New Polytechnic at Rensselaer, with a goal to maximize the capabilities of new tools and technologies for the purpose of expediting scientific discovery and innovation, developing the next generation of digital enablers, and preparing students to succeed and lead in a data-driven world.
First Place Team
(Left to right): Zezhen Qiu '15, Danjie Zhou '15, and Kelly He '15, M.S. in Business Analytics.
Second Place Team
(Left to right): Trent Shapiro'15, B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering, M.S. in Business Analytics; Anders Hur '15 and Sivabalamunees Meyappan'15, M.S. in Business Analytics.
Third Place Team
(Left to right): Pablo Campos de Carvalho, Victor Shen, and Josh Reynoso, Ph.D. candidates in Management.


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Over the past thirteen, I've been investigating products for safety in my own home. Writing Green Enough gave me the opportunity to share those better products with you. Here is where you'll find most of the products I recommend (based on hormonal impact to your family) in the book that are available on Amazon. From kitchen appliances without non-stick PFOA chemicals to safer personal care products, I've got your back girl! And as I find more, I'll add more to this section.


text:
Stefanie Kreuzer (* 1975) ist eine deutsche Germanistin und Literaturwissenschaftlerin.

Leben
Von 1995 bis 2002 absolvierte sie ein Doppelstudium Germanistik/Deutsch und Kunst/Visuelle Kommunikation für das Lehramt an Gymnasien (1. Staatsexamen 2001) sowie Bildende Kunst (Abschluss 2002) in Mainz, Paderborn und Kassel. Nach der Promotion 2005 im Fachbereich Neuere Philologien an der Goethe-Universität  bei Burkhardt Lindner, Brigitte Scheer und Helmut Scheuer und der Habilitation 2012 an der Universität Hannover mit der Venia Legendi Neuere Deutsche Literaturwissenschaft ist er seit 2017 Professorin (W3) für Neuere Deutsche Literaturwissenschaft/Medienwissenschaft an der Universität Kassel.

Ihre Forschungsschwerpunkte sind Traum und fiktionales Erzählen in Literatur, Film und bildender Kunst, transmediales Erzählen und Narratologie, Phantastik und Postmoderne, Intertextualität und Intermedialität – Literatur, Film, Fotografie, bildende Kunst, Literatur des späten 18. bis 21. Jahrhunderts (insbes. Romantik, Vormärz, Realismus, Jahrhundertwende, Literatur nach 1945, Gegenwartsliteratur) und Experimente und/als transmediale Erkundungen in den Künsten (Literatur, Theater, Film, Musik, bildende Kunst).

Schriften (Auswahl)
  Literarische Phantastik in der Postmoderne. Klaus Hoffers Methoden der Verwirrung. Heidelberg 2007, ISBN 3-8253-5325-7.
 Hg.: Experimente in den Künsten. Transmediale Erkundungen in Literatur, Theater, Film, Musik und bildender Kunst. Bielefeld 2012, ISBN 3-8376-2098-0.
 Traum und Erzählen in Literatur, Film und Kunst. Paderborn 2014, ISBN 3-7705-5673-9.
 mit Uwe Durst (Hg.): Das Wunderbare. Dimensionen eines Phänomens in Kunst und Kultur. Paderborn 2018, ISBN 3-7705-6239-9.

Weblinks
 stefaniekreuzer.de

Germanist
Literaturwissenschaftler
Hochschullehrer (Universität Kassel)
Deutscher
Geboren 1975
Frau


text:
Being a RA During the Pandemic: New Challenges and New Experiences
Mark Makela
Photo found on Google Images showing a sign with COVID-19 safety policies during a college move-in day.
At Shawnee State University, Resident Assistants (RAs) are an essential part of our campus community and leadership. In their usual role of creating a fun and safe environment for students, RAs are able to create helpful relationships with and between residents while enforcing university policies. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has readjusted the scope of the RA position and brought forth new challenges.
The Selection and Training Process
RAs at SSU are selected and interviewed during the academic year before they begin serving. Normally, the Resident Coordinators and those assisting with the selection process are able to interact with the candidates in person, allowing for a better atmosphere to connect with them. Due to COVID-19, this process has become almost completely virtual. Along with the selection process, RA training also had to become a mostly virtual experience. Sthefany Thomas, a SSU Resident Coordinator, said that the training content for this year's RAs was provided through virtual presentations and pre-recorded sessions. "This year's training topics covered new COVID-related policy and procedures, student engagement, connecting virtually with residents, caring for students in distress and self-care," said Thomas.
First year RA, Callista Link explained that COVID-19 created an interesting experience during training. She observed that the Resident Coordinators and Training Committee were very proactive and flexible about keeping up communication and information for the trainees, though the constantly changing policies made it difficult. "Each RA would sign into a Zoom call and we would have either a special guest or our own fellow coworkers talk to us about the basics of everything we need to know, or could possibly encounter as RAs," said Link. Some in-person sessions were able to be held in small groups while wearing face masks to address specific topics like the MyRA system.
The RA Role Evolution
As SSU RAs have been adapting to this new world because of COVID-19, it has not always been this way. "The Resident Assistant role used to focus on your housing community and upholding a healthy environment for your residents while providing minimal operational help to the Housing and Residence Life Office and SSU," said third year RA and second year Senior RA Michael Shoemaker. Now, however, RAs help more with operational aspects of the Housing Office while still performing the usual RA responsibilities in combination with COVID-19 restrictions. "We are still trying our best, and experimenting, and finding new ways to create the communities that we used to with COVID-19, but we have not gotten anywhere near where we were," said Shoemaker.
Link spoke on her experience as a new RA this year and how she had to readjust her expectations. Entering the RA position, she wanted to build a comforting sense of community while letting her residents know that they were not alone as she and others had been through their first year of college already. "COVID-19 really put a damper on this idea of mine due to the fact that no one has been through COVID before, so we were all facing new challenges head on together," she said.
Being a RA now means enforcing COVID-19 safety policies, like wearing face masks and ensuring social distancing between students, keeping our campus community healthy. Residents have been responsive to these policies and leadership, according to Shoemaker, understanding the sudden role RAs have been put in. However, there has also been a challenge for the RAs to create connections with their residents. "Even for long-time RAs like me, it is very hard to create those relationships and let our residents know that we are here for them," said Shoemaker. Not only this, but students are also experiencing "Zoom fatigue" from being in online classes all day. It's not too often that students will want to sit down and join a Zoom event in the evening as well.
Adjusting Building Events and Programs to a Virtual Format
With a lot of classes being online or virtual this year, many students have opted to stay home instead of living in campus housing. Due to this, the Housing and Residence Life Office made the decision to lower the amount of RAs for the 2020-2021 school year. This in combination with Zoom fatigue has made the student/resident attendance rates lower than ever for RA hosted events and building programs. "Participation has been a challenge but every RA is thinking outside of the box to engage with our housing students and make SSU feel like home during this pandemic," said Resident Coordinator Thomas.
Despite the challenge of creating fun and enticing virtual events, the RAs have been able to hold several events for their residents throughout the year that students have responded positively to. Senior RA Shoemaker discovered that the majority of his residents have interests in art and gaming, so he was able to use this to cater events toward them. So far, his residents have enjoyed a gaming tournament, winter break goody bags and a virtual escape room. Fellow Senior RA Jacob Smathers hosted an Among Us game night and a face mask tie dying event, both of which allowed for great community development and fun interactions between residents.
A Learning Experience for the Future
Being a RA during the COVID-19 pandemic has provided many opportunities for learning and gaining unique experience toward different skills for the RAs, while allowing for some positive experiences for students as well. During the training sessions this past year, the theme was 'flexibility' which taught RA trainees to adapt to quick changes and concerns brought on by COVID-19. Along with flexibility, RAs have also been able to learn about communication and collaboration according to Link.
The Senior RAs noted how the pandemic has created an atmosphere where residents who were normally not as responsive to their RAs in past years are now more understanding and appreciative toward them. "One thing I have found though is that students who do actively participate truly value the events we put on as it serves as a much needed break from their day-to-day lives," said Smathers.
Moving toward the future, students and residents have multiple ways they can help out and support their RAs. Keeping up interaction and communication with RAs is extremely helpful and attending their events and building programs means more to the RAs than most students may realize. According to Shoemaker, RAs are often told policy changes and news at the last minute, so students should try to be flexible with the RAs as well. Shoemaker recommends giving thanks and appreciation to SSU RAs and Resident Coordinators for their hard work throughout the past year and these difficult times.
"RAs have stepped up in a major way being leaders on campus, and have learned the true definition of flexibility and rolling with the punches. While the RA position may look a little different than years past, our staff is resilient, creative, and dedicated to supporting our housing students," said Resident Coordinator Thomas.
The current RAs are looking forward to beginning to integrate more outdoor and in-person events as we enter into warmer weather, remaining positive and optimistic for the future.
Resident Advisor
Jerilyn Garrett, Editor
Jerilyn Garrett is a junior in her second year at Shawnee State University, majoring in English/Humanities with a concentration in Communications. After...
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Amanda Blackburn was shot in the head Tuesday in her home after her husband had left for the gym.
WHITESTOWN, Ind. — Rock songs praising Jesus filled the auditorium of Traders Point Christian Church as people gathered for the memorial service for a minister's wife who was shot in the head Tuesday in her home.
Photographs of Amanda Blackburn's life — making goofy faces with her husband, Davey, posing with her family, decorating the Christmas tree — filled screens as more than 2,000 people filed in Sunday for the service.
Just below the stage was Blackburn's coffin, surrounded by photographs and wreaths.
"Some people have funerals, and then some people have celebrations. And in the 28 years that she was with us, Amanda gave us a lot to celebrate, would you agree?" said Pastor Perry Noble of NewSpring Church, who delivered the eulogy.
Four churches came together to coordinate the service, including NewSpring Church, the church the Blackburns attended in South Carolina; and Resonate Church, the Indianapolis church where Davey Blackburn is pastor.
Members of Resonate's worship team provided the live music, which played intermittently throughout the service. A video was shown of Amanda Blackburn's family and Resonate church members remembering her.
"Amanda was a gift from Day One. I'm not just exaggerating because I'm emotional right now and I'm sad. That girl didn't give me five minutes worth of trouble in her life," Amanda Blackburn's mother, Robin Byars of Bristol, Ind., said in the video.
Noble, who met Davey Blackburn when he was a college student, told humorous anecdotes about the couple. Amanda Blackburn died Thursday of her injuries.
She was 12 weeks pregnant and was also mom to a toddler son, Weston.
"I remember thinking about Davey, 'Something's not right with that boy,' " Noble said to the audience's laughter. He recalled meeting his fiancée for the first time when the couple became engaged. "They walked in, and I said that thing that hasn't been quite right with Davey just got made right when she walked in. She truly was the person that completed him and made him a better man."
Things took a somber note when Noble described receiving a text the day Amanda Blackburn was shot, which said she had suffered a head wound.
"For me, in the world that I live in, I thought, maybe she's climbed up on the kitchen cabinet trying to get something and she fell and hit her head," Noble said. After he was told what happened, "I thought, 'No, God, not her.' "
Onstage were a table and some chairs that she had restored.
"Over time, she was able to take something in her hands and turn it into something beautiful and desirable and usable," Noble said, using it as a metaphor for how God takes a bad situation and turns it into something good.
"One day, we'll sit down at a table," Noble said near the close of the service, starting to tear up, "and we will celebrate what is breaking our hearts right now."
Amanda Blackburn was found fatally wounded at 8:30 a.m. ET Tuesday in her Indianapolis home. Police think she was the victim of an attempted burglary because of surveillance video in the area, but the suspect has not been arrested.


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Mithra Announces Completion of Recruitment in Donesta® Phase II Study
© Mithra
Research , Patients , Clinical Trials
Mithra (Euronext Brussels: MITRA), a company specialized in Women's Health, today announces the completion of recruitment in the E4 Relief Phase II study of Donesta®, Mithra's next-generation hormone therapy (HT) candidate with oral administration of Estetrol (E4) for Vasomotor Menopausal Symptoms (VMS) relief. Top-line data, based on 12-weeks of treatment, remain on track to be reported late in the first quarter of 2018.
The E4 Relief dose-finding study includes centres in the Czech Republic, Poland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Ireland and the UK, with subjectsreceiving Donesta® for a treatment period of 12 weeks. The primary objective of the Phase II clinical trial is to identify the oral daily minimum dose of Donesta® required to effectively treat VMS, or hot flushes, in post-menopausal women. In total four dose levels of Donesta® are being tested compared to placebo in this double-blinded study. Secondary outcomes include an evaluation of other menopausal symptoms such as vulvo-vaginal atrophy (VVA), or vaginal dryness, lipid and glucose metabolism as well as bone metabolism markers. The study will also analyze key safety issues including endometrial thickness.
Research shows that current HT-based treatments may increase the risk of breast cancer and venous thromboembolic events (VTE) such as blood clots1,2. Thanks to the unique mode of action of the native estrogen E4, Donesta® has the potential to offer an improved safety profile, addressing the unmet medical need in menopause3,4,5.
The global menopause market currently stands at USD 8.6 billion and is expected to grow to approximately USD 16 billion by 2025, driven by growing awareness for Women's Health issues, the unmet medical need in menopause, and the aging population, in addition to market expansion with the availability of new treatment options that provide a safer alternative to currently available therapies.6
François Fornieri, CEO of Mithra, commented:
"Today's news is an important milestone in the development of Donesta®. The study is on track to report top line results in Q1 2018, and the results may corroborate earlier studies indicating E4's unique potential to address menopausal symtoms with an improved safety profile versus current estrogen based HT products. We are encouraged by the number of women that have already completed the full 12 weeks of treatment, providing an indication of the user acceptance of Donesta®. If approved, Donesta® could represent an important novel and differentiated therapy in the very large, and rapidly growing, menopause market."
1 Roehm E. A reappraisal of Women's Health Initiative Estrogen-Alone Trial: long-term outcomes in women 50-
59 years of age. Obstet Gynecol Int 2015; 2015:713295.
2 Baber RJ, et al. 2016 IMS Recommendations on women's midlife health and menopause hormone therapy.
Climacteric 2016; 19:109–150.
3 Coelingh Bennink H, et al. Pharmacodynamic effects of the fetal estrogen estetrol in postmenopausal women:
results from a multiple-rising-dose study. Menopause 2017 (Vol. 24:6)
4 Gerard C, et al. Combined estrogenic and anti-estrogenic properties of estetrol on breast cancer may provide
a safe therapeutic window for the treatment of menopausal symptoms. Oncotarget 2015; 6:17621–17636.
5 Abot A, et al. The uterine and vascular actions of estetrol delineate a distinctive profile of estrogen receptor
modulation, uncoupling nuclear and membrane activation. EMBO Molecular Medicine 2014 6 1328–1346.
6 Transparency Market Research 2017
About the E4 Relief Donesta® Phase II study
Donesta® is a next generation orally administered hormone therapy based on E4 for vasomotor menopausal symptoms (VMS). In May 2016, Donesta® entered into a European Phase II dose-ranging study, E4 Relief (MIT-Do0001-C201) in 260 women aged 45-65 in the Czech Republic, Poland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Ireland and the UK, for a treatment period of 12 weeks. Four doses of Donesta® (2.5mg, 5 mg, 10 mg and 15 mg) compared to placebo are being tested to establish the minimum effective dose. For non-hysterectomized women, E4 therapy is followed by a progestin therapy (Dydrogesterone 10 mg) for 2 weeks as a protective measure to curb any endometrial growth.
The primary endpoint is an evaluation of the changes in frequency and severity of moderate to severe VMS (vasomotor sypmtoms or hot flushes). Secondary outcomes include: (1) evaluation of the effects of different doses on vulvovaginal atrophy, on vaginal maturation index and on vaginal pH; (2) evaluation of additional secondary endpoints, including bone parameters, lipid & glucose metabolism, hemostatic laboratory variables, PK and women satisfaction; (3) a safety assessment, with most importantly a measurement by transvaginal ultrasonography of the change in endometrial thickness at each study visit.
Mithra has contracted Synteract HCR as CRO for the E4 Relief study
About Mithra
Mithra (Euronext: MITRA) is dedicated to providing innovation and choice in Women's Health, with a particular focus on fertility, contraception and menopause. Mithra's goal is to develop new and improved products that meet women's needs for better safety and convenience. Its two lead development candidates – a fifth generation oral contraceptive Estelle® and next-generation hormone therapy Donesta® - are built on Mithra's unique natural estrogen platform, E4 (Estetrol). Mithra also develops, manufactures and markets complex therapeutics and offers partners a complete spectrum of research, development and specialist manufacturing at its CDMO. Mithra was founded in 1999 as a spin-off from the University of Liège by Mr. François Fornieri and Prof. Dr. Jean-Michel Foidart. Mithra is headquartered in Liège, Belgium. Further information can be found at: www.mithra.com


*weirded out!* you know what? one of these days im gonna take over the world and where will YOU be?
Find your original Harry Potter icons. Instant messanging is the best way to find new friends. Icons are suitable for AIM, MSN, Yahoo messangers and ICQ photos. Express yourself with a custom created aim expressions.
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BURKE COUNTY, GA (WFXG) - Highway 56 in Burke County between Old Waynesboro Road and Highway 80 is closed due to a crash.
The collision reportedly involved a car and a dump truck. The Burke County Sheriff's Office is on the scene along with EMA crews, who are working to extract the occupants of the car.
Officials say Highway 56 will be closed for an extended time while the crash is being investigated.
The project will widen Gordon Highway to 4 travel lanes with a depressed grass median from near the City of Harlem to Fort Gordon's proposed construction site for a new Gate 6.
Slab repairs on interstate 20 is slated to begin on Monday Mar. 25 near mile marker 175 westbound.
Accident under I-520 bridge on Deans Bridge Rd.


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The Latvians
CWT Travel Package
Travel to Latvia
Reasons to visit Riga
About CSDD Biķernieki Circuit
Getting to the CSDD Biķernieki Circuit
TIMERZYANOV TAKES MAIDEN WORLD RX WIN AT SPA
12th May 2019 FIAWORLDRALLYCROSS.com Photos: FIAWORLDRALLYCROSS.com
Timur Timerzyanov claimed an emotional maiden world championship victory to crown a spectacular World RX of Benelux at Spa-Francorchamps, the third round of the FIA World Rallycross Championship presented by Monster Energy. Andreas Bakkerud, the Monster Energy RX Cartel pole-sitter, was second, while Timerzyanov's GRX Taneco team-mate Joni Wiman, was third.
Timerzyanov's victory came after 64 race starts in World RX. He provided plenty of drama in pulling off two pulsating airborne passes over the jump in an all-action qualifying performance en route to the final. The emotional Russian struggled to find the words to accurately sum up his feelings after his World RX breakthrough.
"I still can't believe that I have practised for this moment 64 times, it feels unbelievable," the Hyundai i20 driver Timur Timerzyanov said. "This is my life. Every day I wake up in the morning and I only think about rallycross. It's in my blood."
"I have been asked to go to circuit racing and I said 'no' because rallycross is the only thing I want to do. I love this sport. There's so much action, so much adrenalin. In the final, I was planning to just hold the guys behind and then at the first corner everything opened up for me. I saw a gap and I thought 'this is my chance' and I took it. I really didn't know what to do when I was leading. It's the first time I have been there in a final. I just tried to concentrate on my race and control my driving. I had so much fun this weekend, The circuit is really something special and it suits my driving style. You can really fly on the gravel section and going up Eau Rouge is awesome. Now I am looking forward to the SpeedMachine Festival at Silverstone in less than two weeks."
It was also the first World RX victory for GRX, the team overseen by former WRC icon Marcus Gronholm.
Bakkerud followed up his third place in Barcelona with another strong weekend in the Audi S1. He had his chances in the final but was delighted that it was Timerzyanov who took the spoils. "Argentina 2016 was my last win and I had one little finger on the trophy but if there was one guy who I would want to win this weekend if it wasn't me, it's my good friend Timur," Bakkerud said. "Of course I would have loved the win but he really deserved it. He is a true character of the sport. "My race was OK but I overshot the first turn with Joni (Wiman) and went wide, then I saw Timur's yellow rocket coming through and that was the end of the story. After a bad start in Abu Dhabi, two podiums in a row feels good. We are finally winning some qualifying heats. We need to take it step by step. We started late getting the RX Cartel together but now we've found a much more organised way of working and I'm sure things will continue to improve for us."
Wiman, entered in the event as a wildcard, was drafted in as a late replacement to score teams' points for GRX in place of Niclas Gronholm, who was recovering from illness. He was the revelation of the weekend in only his second World RX event, his last being four years ago. In the final, the Finn was caught up in the first-corner melee and dropped to last position but recovered with a clever tactical drive.
"This is my second ever world championship event and to get to the podium is a great feeling," Wiman said. "I started the weekend quite slowly but went flat out today. After the semi-final win I was quite confident that I could be competitive in the final. I tried to go for the win in the first corner but I got stuck in the wall for a while and I was lucky to recover. A first and third for the team is really nice."
Timmy Hansen, so dominant in Barcelona, at the wheel of the Team Hansen MJP Peugeot 208, was fourth in the Spa-Francorchamps final ahead of Latvia's Janis Baumanis in the Team STARD Ford Fiesta.
"I am the happiest about my performance in the semi-final. After Q4, we managed to find the necessary speed. Starts and the first corner were what I enjoyed the most here. In each race, we made good tactical decisions, which I managed to follow on track.
I had a real Spa massage today from Liam Doran. We had some contact in the final as well. After it, my rear wheel was bent and the battle for a better position was effectively over, despite my attempts.
Thank you to all my team and fans for their support! I have to take my hat off to the team and am happy with my own results as well, especially after what happened in Q1. I am the only driver to have reached all three finals this year, which is definitely a great feeling," commented Jānis Baumanis after the race finish.
Bakkerud's Monster Energy RX team-mate Liam Doran, despite setting the pace on Saturday, had contact exiting Eau Rouge in the final, came to grief at the Raidillon hairpin and finished sixth.
Kevin Hansen bumped door panels with Doran over the jump on the final lap of the first semi-final and was denied a spot in the final by a tenth of a second. The clash resulted in his Peugeot grinding to a halt after nudging the wall at the finish line. Mattias Ekstrom, the 2016 world rallycross champion battled his way to the semi-final in the JC Raceteknik-prepared Audi S1. However, a coming together with Timmy Hansen at turn one in the second semi-final relegated the 40-year-old Swede to the rear of the field.
GC Kompetition team boss Guerlain Chicherit was another to engage in aerial combat over the jump – with EKS Sport's Krisztian Szabo in Q4 – meaning the Frenchman missed the semi-final cut. Fellow GCK team members, Anton Marklund and Cyril Raymond did make it through as did Szabo. Timo Scheider in the ALL-INKL.COM Muennich Seat Ibiza finished fourth in the first semi-final, just ahead of Szabo. Xite Racing's Oliver Bennett took his Mini Cooper to a race win in Q4 but narrowly missed a semi-final spot as did GCK Academy's local hero Guillaume De Ridder, who was hampered by mechanical trouble in the Renault Clio RS.
The trio of Belgian newcomers to World RX at Spa recorded mixed results despite being cheered on by their raucous compatriots. Enzo Ide in his maiden World RX outing at the wheel of the JC Raceteknik Audi S1 and Gregoire Demoustier in a Peugeot 208 were off the pace most of the weekend. WRC veteran Francois Duval, replacing Rokas Baciuska in the ESmotorsport – Labas Gas Skodia Fabia, had contact with Raymond in Q4 resulting in a DNF and ending his slim hopes of advancing to the semi-finals.
Pal Try in the Team STARD Ford Fiesta found the going tough on his return to action after sitting out the Barcelona round but the Norwegian did manage to record a race win in Q3. Frenchman Herve Knapick was at the tail of the weekend race standings in the Citroen DS3.
Despite missing the final, Kevin Hansen maintained his championship lead. He is on 69 points with a nine-point buffer to his older brother Timmy. Timerzyanov's win moves him to third place on 53 points.
In the team's standings, GRX have closed the gap to one point to Team Hansen MJP with Monster Energy RX Cartel third with 94.
After a typically wet and wild day Spa-Francorchamps Saturday, the sun shone on the famed circuit for Sunday's final. A crowd of over 17,500 turned out during the course of the weekend and a packed grandstand created a gladiatorial atmosphere on final day.
See full results from World RX of Benelux HERE.
WILDCARD NITISS TAKES STUNNING PODIUM IN HOLJES
NESTE WORLD RX OF LATVIA, MOST LIKELY, NOT FOUND ON THE 2020 CALENDAR
IMG CONFIRMS PROJEKT E AS PART OF WORLD RX WEEKEND FOR 2020
Organiser: 10B Melnsila st., Riga, LV-1046, Latvia info@raevents.lv
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McNabb's Family Resource Center, Kids Company Too!, assists students and their families with health and social services referrals, employment counseling, job placement for youth, support groups, homework fairs, tutoring, mental health screenings and referrals, parenting seminars, drug prevention and self-esteem programs, services to GED participants, summer camp and Peer Mediation. Advisory council meets on the second Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. Contact director Latoya Benberry via phone at 270.444.5684, or via e-mail.


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MTSU's Huff named C-USA defensive player of the week
Huff played a major role in Saturday's win.
MTSU's Huff named C-USA defensive player of the week Huff played a major role in Saturday's win. Check out this story on dnj.com: http://on.dnj.com/2ddZ2PK
Aldo Giovanni Amato, agamato@dnj.com Published 10:57 a.m. CT Sept. 19, 2016 | Updated 11:30 a.m. CT Sept. 19, 2016
MTSU defensive lineman Shaquille Huff was named the defensive player of the week.(Photo: John A. Gillis/DNJ)Buy Photo
MURFREESBORO — MTSU's Shaq Huff was tabbed as this week's Conference USA defensive player of the week.
Huff had eight tackles, two for loss, one sack and a fumble recovery and helped the Blue Raiders shut out a Falcons' squad that put up 21 points in the first half.
Huff's fumble recovery late in the second half set up MTSU's go-ahead touchdown that pushed the score to 28-21.
He joins I'Tavius Mathers, who collected the offensive player of the week award Monday.
Oakland's McGowan adjusts to leadership role, first-time coach
Lady Raiders notch 13th consecutive win over FIU
Blackman wrestlers outduel Oakland in battle for first in District 10-AAA
Oakland football players learn a lot about recruiting process
Lady Raiders win turnover-filled contest against the Owls
JaCoby Stevens to return to LSU for senior year


Manila, capital of the Philippines, is a city struggling with poverty, drug addiction and an interesting new President flexing his muscle on the world stage. Tourists do not seem to flock to Manila the way they do to other parts of the country and destinations touted in the guide books were sparsely attended. The much hyped Chinese Cemetery where there is whole neighborhood of mausoleums that boast of running water, electricity and even toilets was devoid of any tourist activity. Only cemetery workers, squatters and stray dogs were found walking the streets. Walking in Manila was deemed unsafe by the locals we surveyed, and taxi drivers repeatedly told us to lock the doors when entering the car. It was not unusual to see men carrying guns tucked in the waistband of their pants.
A side trip to the island of Corregidor to see the ruins of Fort Mills and to learn about the important role the island and fort played in WWII history reflects the imprint that the war continues to have over the area. Plus, no one lives on the island so it is quite peaceful.
The old walled city of Intramuros is a nice way to spend the afternoon seeing the sights and the many churches. Beware: if you turn down a wrong street you will find yourself in a shantytown. Or you can embrace the experience as we did and had our tuk-tuk driver take us past his makeshift home in the squatter area.
The best part of Manila were the people. The Filipino people are the warmest and kindest people with a wonderful and genuine laugh.
As one local stated, "We suggest to visitors to fly into Manila and catch the next flight to one of our islands. That is where the true beauty of the Philippines lies." My next visit to the Philippines I am going to heed their advice.


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Royal Holland – The House of Orange-Nassau
The members of the House of Orange-Nassau have created and shaped Holland. Every stadtholder, king and queen worked to better Holland in their own way, for instance by defending freedom and independence, stimulating art and culture, or improving social coherence. The rich history of the House of Orange-Nassau has left its mark on various places in Holland: palaces, mausoleums, historic places and monuments tell the stories of royal Holland.
© Marielle Houben
The House of Orange-Nassau is over 800 years old.
Discover the rich history of the House of Orange-Nassau.
The first Orange-Nassau
The first roots of our Royal House can be found in Breda. The Breda native Johanna van Polanen weds the German Engelbrecht I of Nassau-Dillenburg in 1403. With their large court and interest in culture, art, design and fashion, the Nassaus foster a flourishing economy in the fifteenth and sixteenth century. When the son of Henry III, René of Chalon, inherits the principality of Orange in France, he becomes the first Orange-Nassau. His cousin becomes the most famous descendant of the Orange-Nassaus from Breda, William of Orange. However, due to the revolt, William of Orange is forced to leave Breda.
Watch this video: The House of Orange-Nassau
Father of the nation
In 1572, William of Orange moves into the Prinsenhof in Delft, where it remains fairly quiet and peaceful during the revolt. He leads the revolt against the Spanish from Delft. And successfully so! In 1579, the Union of Utrecht is arranged and signed by William of Orange, laying the basis for the nation we are today. At that time however, Holland was not yet a kingdom.
Because of his significance during the revolt and the creation of Holland, William is given the title Vader des vaderlands or Father of the Nation, an honorary designation for a respected (political) leader of great significance to the creation of a country. He is murdered by Balthasar Gerards in 1584 and, because Breda is still occupied, is buried in the Nieuwe Kerk in Delft. Ever since, this church has been the final resting place of many members of the Royal Family.
The beautiful Veluwe region is a perfect location for a country residence. Stadtholder William III commissions Het Loo Palace in Apeldoorn, which is surrounded by luxuriant palace gardens. After he becomes the King of England, the palace functions primarily as a hunting lodge. It remains an important location for the Royal Family for centuries. King William III and his daughter, Queen Wilhelmina, in particular use it as their main residence. After Princess Wilhelmina passes away, Het Loo Palace is converted to a museum that devotes ample attention to the residence's relationship with the House of Orange-Nassau.
Court Capital
The Hague has been the Court Capital of the nation since the end of the sixteenth century. This is when Prince Maurits, one of William of Orange's sons, takes up residence on the Binnenhof. Stadholders and later kings and queens have been residing in The Hague for over four centuries now. They have left their mark on the city and its environs. Several palaces were built and used as residences and offices. Some of these are still used today. Important royal traditions are still being upheld, such as Princes' Day and the ceremony in which newly appointed ambassadors present their Geloofsbrieven or Letters of Credence to the King.
King of Orange-Nassau
While the House of Orange-Nassau has a history that goes back over six centuries, the country does not have its first King of Orange-Nassau until 1815. After the Emperor Napoleon is defeated, Prince William is asked to return to Holland from England. When he is crowned in 1815, the Kingdom of Orange-Nassau emerges.
The stadtholders and kings of Orange-Nassau have not always been equally popular and powerful. During the so-called stadtholder-less periods in the 17th and 18th century, the members of the House of Orange-Nassau were displaced by political opponents. The Royal Family went through some critical moments in the 19th and 20th centuries, too. In 1918, the socialist political man Troelstra tried to start a revolution and dethrone Queen Wilhelmina. This dualism is part and parcel of the nature and culture of Holland.
Discover all about Royal Holland and the House of Orange-Nassau. Visit historic royal cities, such as Delft, Breda, Apeldoorn, and The Hague.
Royal Holland Holland Stories


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Exempt Services in relation to the transport of goods through national waterway, inland water and coastal shipping in certain cases - 30/2009 - Service Tax
Exempt Services in relation to the transport of goods through national waterway, inland water and coastal shipping in certain cases
Notification No. 30/2009 - Service Tax
New Delhi, the 31 August, 2009
G.S.R. 619(E). - In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 93 of the Finance Act, 1994 (32 of 1994) (hereinafter referred to as the Finance Act), the Central Government, on being satisfied that it is necessary in the public interest so to do, hereby exempts the taxable service provided to any person in relation to the transport of goods, the description of which is specified in column (2) of the Table, through national waterway, inland water and coastal shipping as referred to in sub-clause (zzzzl) of clause (105) of section 65 of the Finance Act, from the whole of service tax leviable thereon under Section 66 of the said Act.
2. This notification shall come into force on the first day of September 2009.
Foodstuffs including edible oil seeds and edible oils; food grains (cereals and pulses) and flours; fruits, vegetables and flowers; agricultural, fishery, marine produce; meat and poultry; water; tea and coffee; salt, sugar, sugarcane; grocery; milk and milk products; livestock and cattle fodder; dhoties , sarees and voils; long cloth, sheeting
Fertilizer whether inorganic, organic or mixed;
Petroleum and petroleum products;
Hank yarn made wholly from cotton;
Raw jute and jute textile;
Seeds of food crops and seeds of fruits and vegetables; seeds of cattle fodder and jute seeds;
Medicine/pharmaceutical products;
Relief materials meant for victims of natural or manmade disasters, calamities, accidents and mishap;
Defence/ military equipments.
Luggage of passengers, whether carried as personal luggage in the ship or booked separately as consignment/ postal mail / mail bags/Household effects
Newspaper/magazines registered with Registrar of Newspapers
F. No. 354/163/2009-TRU
(Prashant Kumar)


The Director General of the National Agency for Food andDrug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Professor Christianah Mojisola Adeyeye, has assured Nigerians that the return of the agency to the nation's ports and borders will enhance the regulation of importation of narcotic drugs and hazardous chemical substances, reports NaijaAgroNet.
This, she also said, would boost up the regulation of hazardous substances identified to be grossly abused and consequently, posing public health and security threats to the country.
NAFDAC DG noted that the return to ports and borders will once again, restore NAFDAC's key responsibility of monitoring imports of controlled drugs and chemical substances which come in various forms, thus requiring expertise to monitor their industry-wide application and use.
The agency commended ONSA, the Chemical Society of Nigeria and other key stakeholders for recognizing NAFDAC as a key player in the national security architecture by this singular act of restoring the presence of NAFDAC officials at all designated Ports of entry and land borders.
She recalled that the laws establishing NAFDAC empowered the agency to statutorily operate at the ports.
"The clearance of regulated products outside of the current legal framework poses immediate and life threatening risks to the public as unregistered, spurious and falsified products exit the ports without recourse to the agency's approval for such products to be in the market," she said.
Prof. Adeyeye further assured members of the public that NAFDAC will continue to contribute its quota to government's efforts in securing lives and property by ensuring that only quality, safe, efficacious and wholesome regulated products and are consumed by Nigerians and smuggling of chemical weapons, harmful drugs and substances into the country is checked.