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It has been our experience that conservative reformed churches at large are becoming more and more comfortable throwing off the ideal of encouraging daughters and women in the church to embrace the ideals of godly homemaking and motherhood. The Titus 2 mandate of "Older women teach the younger women to be keepers of the home..." is not mentioned in the Westminster Confession perhaps because the Westminster divines did not find that this problem needed to be addressed in their day. Unfortunately today many ladies have lost their way in this world of feminism. Would you have any comments to add on this subject?
Thank you for your question, and for your concern.
Sadly, the issue of godly womanhood isn't simply a modern one, but one rooted in sin throughout the ages. Remember that not only did Paul need to exhort (through Titus) the proper training of younger women, but it was an issue even back in Genesis. The sins and sorrows that came upon Jacob and his family in Shechem began with Leah's "going out to see the women of the land." (Genesis 34). The language indicates that she was spending a lot of time in their company (therefore being influenced by them) rather than learning her role from others of the Covenant household. To suppose that it was not an issue in the day of the Westminster Assembly would be without ground, and a review of the culture of England at the time reveals a lot of sexual sin in the society at large.
The greater part of the problem is to ground our children (sons and daughters) in the absolute authority of the Word of God. When they are committed by faith to living in all of life according to the pattern set out by God in His Word, they will see that every culture conflicts with that Word. Obviously, only a regenerate heart and living faith in Jesus Christ can give that commitment. It may not mean that our daughters only keep the home; don't forget that the "excellent wife" of Proverbs first took care of her family and home, but also engaged in real estate and commerce. So we have to be careful that our own expectations of our children are also directed by Scripture rather than our own upbringing.
Yes, many ladies and men have lost their way these days. Feminism is primarily one aspect of the general revolt against God's rule in this world, but only one aspect. Let us teach and pray and labor for entire godliness for all people.
"Questions and Answers" is a weekly feature of the OPC website. The answers come from individual ministers in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church expressing their own convictions and do not necessarily represent an "official" position of the Church, especially in areas where the Standards of the Church (the Scriptures and the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms) are silent.
The questions come from individuals like yourself. If you have questions about biblical and theological matters, you are invited to send them by e-mail by using the "Pose a Question" link on the OPC home page or by clicking here.
At least one new question is posted each week, so there should always be something new here for you to read. (For those people who would like to look at previous questions and answers, they will continue to be available as well.)
The purpose of the OPC website's "Questions and Answers" is to respond to biblical and theological questions. Matters of church discipline, disputes, or debates go beyond the scope of our work. We recommend that you present your concerns in these areas to the appropriate judicatory. In most cases this will be to a local pastor, elder, or session. We do not want the website to replace personal involvement in, or commitment to, the local, visible church.
While we will respond to every serious questioner, we are not bound to give a substantive answer to every question, should we deem the question to be beyond the scope of our purpose or our own ability to answer.
You will receive an answer by e-mail. Please be patient as many of our respondents are busy pastors. The response to your question may take up to two (2) weeks. Some of the questions submitted will be chosen to be posted here, along with the corresponding answers.
Note that the "Questions and Answers" posted on the site have been editedall personal references are removed, Scripture references or from some source may be added, and sometimes portions are expandedto make the questions and answers more useful to a larger audience.
|© 2020 The Orthodox Presbyterian Church
Chaplains and Military Personnel


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Joan Rivers Hit With Nasty Internet Comments While Hospitalized
The WSJ's Lee Hawkins discusses the wave of comments targeting legendary comedienne Joan Rivers for her sometimes brutal sense of humor. Rivers, 81, is in critical condition at New York's Mount Sinai Hospital, after she stopped breathing Thursday during a doctor visit. She is now "resting comfortably," according to her daughter Melissa.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... I ... I was laying ... or another ... I ... the ... don't River the legendary eighty one year old comedian is in Mount Sinai Hospital after going into cardiac arrest at the doctor's office topping celebrities and fans across the Internet ... to wish her well ... but not all the comments have been favorable their orange rolls of comments on sites like TMZ from people berating rivers for the sarcastic and sometimes brutal sense of humor ... that's meter legendary ... ITMN ... the Nikkei ... the ... the the the the I wanna lay ... so maybe even called it the fact that she's having car trouble ... seeing the didn't know that Joan Rivers even had a heart ... and then there's this one ... can we talk well I guess now ... another one says to Karmin ... Kate speech never pays off in here's one that's more Center ... hope she's okay ... PS she's a common ... don't like or brand of humor ... don't watch it is easy is that ... the latest updates on that and it ... now can I tell you take the millions of people have left the two rivers tilts for decades some over funniest jokes aren't that self deprecating ones they said to me discussing for Victoria's AHL on ... this and that ... I can be I know the ... but because he's famous for never holding then ... I answer in an interview that she's ever felt like she's gone too far probably in heavy ever felt like all should probably apologize for no ... other ... yes so guys if you ... made me ... I ... surely his chance to make people laugh and be silly and a fine ... and so politically correct and I love them I asked ... is that when I start to get a move would need to act ... like ... some pocket will go ... yet mean ... it's a way ... with a fair wage rate the only thing that this plan that will stand up is her favorite ... can be so candid is just part of

subset: commoncrawl


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The following homes are open today in Limestone County and Madison City.
The data relating to real estate for sale on this web site comes in part from the IDX Programs of the Valley MLS. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than RE/MAX Alabama are marked with the IDX logo and detailed information about them includes the name of the listing office. All information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
©2020 Valley MLS. All rights reserved.


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WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — Jerry Sandusky's lawyer faced skeptical questioning Tuesday from three judges on the Pennsylvania appeals court over his client's request that they order a new trial in his child sexual abuse case.
The arguments made on behalf of Sandusky, the former Penn State assistant football coach, include that his lawyers didn't have time to prepare for trial, that a prosecutor made improper references to Sandusky not testifying and that the judge mishandled jury instructions. The Superior Court judges did not indicate when they would rule.
Sandusky, 69, is serving a 30- to 60-year state prison sentence after being convicted last year of 45 counts of child sexual abuse. He was not in the full courtroom for the argument session, held in a county courthouse in Wilkes-Barre as part of the court's initiative to make its business accessible to a wider public.
Sandusky lawyer Norris Gelman told the appeals court that the trial judge should have addressed to jurors the length of time it took Sandusky's victims to report their abuse, in some cases more than a decade.
"No one told the jury, 'Look, you have a 16-year delay here and that has an impact under the law'," Gelman argued. "We're talking severe, aggravated delay."
James Barker of the attorney general's office said jurors were fully informed about the delay issue, even if that did not take the form of a jury instruction. Barker said the defense made it clear that their theory was that there was delayed reporting, and that the victims were motivated by a desire to cash in based on false allegations.
"All of the concepts that needed to be conveyed to this jury were conveyed to them," Barker said. "They knew exactly what was at issue."
Gelman also argued that the case was rushed to trial, with a huge volume of material from prosecutors swamping the defense. But Barker said the material could be contained in two boxes, and the defense team was told that much of what they asked for was not relevant to the trial.
"They ignored that. They wanted it, and so they wasted their time," Barker said. "That's not our fault; it's not the trial judge's fault."
Judge Jack Panella asked Gelman about a statement made after the trial by Sandusky lawyer Joe Amendola. He said that months later, he had not found anything in the documents that would have changed his approach to trial.
"That's after the fact, that's long after the fact," Gelman said. "During the trial he was flying blind — a bad way to try a case."
Gelman argued that a prosecutor's comments about an interview Sandusky did with NBC shortly after his 2011 arrest amounted to an improper reference to the fact that Sandusky did not take the stand in his own defense.
Panella asked whether Sandusky's lawyers requested a curative instruction or mistrial as a result, raising questions about whether that issue was properly before the appeals court. Gelman said they did not, but said the mistake was "so egregious" that the judge should have acted on his own.
Barker said Gelman, in court and in his brief, were taking the comments out of context, and that the proper context was limited to the interview itself, and how Sandusky struggled to respond to questions from NBC's Bob Costas.


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About Mosman
Mosman is a place of history and beauty, located 8 kilometres north-east of the CBD on Sydney's lower north shore. It is one of Australia's premier suburbs, with an unmatched setting on Sydney Harbour.
The area is characterised by beautiful localities such as Balmoral, Beauty Point, Clifton Gardens and Georges Heights. Occupying some 8.7 square kilometres, Mosman features numerous stunning bays and beaches punctuated by rugged headlands and sandstone cliffs. Natural bushland areas and foreshore parklands complement busy shopping strips and suburban neighbourhoods. The major thoroughfares of Military and Spit Roads both divide the area and connect residents of Mosman and those from further north to other parts of Sydney.
As a destination, Mosman today is a great place to sample some unique Sydney heritage. The area is home to the world famous Taronga Zoo, as well as excellent harbourside swimming and recreation areas, top restaurants, and high-end retail experiences.


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Book our Drought Home Tune-Up Service to have a licensed, background checked, and insured Plumber inspect your home's plumbing system and make some adjustments as needed. Additionally they will provide you with a plan on how you can implement even more changes to save even more water.
Our Plumber's recommendations range from adding faucet aerators, low-flow shower heads, dual flush toilets, and in some cases localized on-demand water heaters. By delivering on-demand hot water to tubs and showers that are far away from a tanked system, you reduce the amount of water used just to get up to temperature.
While recommendations for every home is different, we find that many of these drought saving improvements are inexpensive to make and can save thousands of gallons of water a year.
Want to save even more? Read our Drought Tips to discover ways to save thousands of gallons in the:


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ATTENTION CUSTOMERS: For information regarding our pending merger with Waste Management (NYSE:WM) announced on April 15, 2019, please see the news release here. If you are a current customer and are wondering if the merger will affect your account, please click here. Thank you.
ATTENTION CUSTOMERS: For information regarding our pending merger with Waste Management (NYSE:WM) announced on April 15, 2019, please see the news release here. If you are a current customer and are wondering if the merger will affect your account, please click here. Thank you.
When governments need partnership or the outsourcing of waste collection and disposal services, Advanced Disposal (NYSE: ADSW) offers its experience and resources. Look into the facilities in the Hatboro, Pennsylvania area to find out what services are currently available for municipal partnership or privatization.
We understand how important making sure communities clean and safe can be, and we get that sometimes a city needs a little help. Advanced Disposal offers municipal and government waste removal services in Hatboro, Pennsylvania so that we can assist you in keeping your citizens happy.
Sometimes a government can't get the necessary funding for a safe, high quality recycling program. Since Advanced Disposal believes in how important recycling can be for the environment and the conservation of energy and resources, we offer the opportunity for Hatboro, Pennsylvania to partner with use and put our experience, knowledge, and facilities to use.
What are citizens to do when cities don't have the necessary equipment, time, or workers to dispose of yard waste? After a long day of yard work, it would be nice if citizens didn't have to worry about how to get rid of all the twigs and branches, leaves, and grass clippings that might result. That's why Advanced Disposal could offer yard waste collection to communities through municipal and city agreements with Hatboro, Pennsylvania.
It's hard for some cities to offer bulk waste pickup, and harder for citizens to deal with their bulky appliances and furniture on their own. With municipal partnership or complete privatization of services, Advanced Disposal can offer bulk waste pickup to Hatboro, Pennsylvania – that means a happy government, and happier citizens.
Proper disposal of waste for cities is important, but we realize that not every city has access to the necessary space, workers, or technology to create their own city-wide waste disposal service. Contact the Advanced Disposal facility closest to Hatboro, Pennsylvania in order to determine what sort of waste disposal services might be available for partnership or privatization in your city.
Safety is important when dealing with special waste. Sometimes, cities and official workers aren't qualified to deal with special waste – but Advanced Disposal is. We offer municipal services for special waste disposal in the city of Hatboro, Pennsylvania and our dedication to environmental safety standards means you never have to worry that we're not doing our best to keep your city and citizens safe.
* This service may or may not be offered on your route, based upon local, municipal guidelines. Please confirm by checking your local municipalities' solid waste department website.
Advanced Disposal (NYSE: ADSW) brings fresh ideas and solutions to the business of a clean environment. As the fourth largest solid waste company in the U.S., we provide integrated, non-hazardous solid waste collection, recycling and disposal services to residential, commercial, industrial and construction customers across 16 states and the Bahamas. Our team is dedicated to finding effective, sustainable solutions to preserve the environment for future generations.
It's not you, it's your zip code. We're sorry but we do not currently provide service for your location.
CLICK HERE to find the nearest Advanced Disposal facility.
If you are a residential customer, please don't forget to regularly visit both your local municipality's solid waste page as well as our local facility and your community's individual page (scroll down slightly on your local facility page to the Guidelines for Municipal Customers tab) and click on the link for your community's garbage collection guidelines and holiday schedule. Thank you!
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More information about our showrooms
Article code : CL-GY-RG-0100R
This jewel is handmade by our goldsmiths in our Antwerp workshop. We produce locally to guarantee fast deliveries without compromising quality. To ensure the best result, we work with the highest quality materials and artisanal production processes. All our efforts will be reflected in the beauty of the jewel.
The solitaire ring is a ring with a single central gemstone. Other jewellery can sometimes also be referred to with the term 'solitaire' when they feature one single diamond or other gemstone. The solitaire ring is the most traditional and definitely the most popular type.
Learn more about the solitaire ring or instantly choose the right ring from BAUNAT.
The tension setting is a sleek and modern setting for the solitaire diamond ring. The diamond is given grooves along the side with laser inscription and is clamped into the precious metal of the ring. It stays in place due to tension. BAUNAT does not recommend this setting.
Learn more about the diamond ring settings or instantly choose the right setting for your diamond from BAUNAT.
You will receive a diamond certificate for every stone larger than or equal to 0.3 carat. At BAUNAT we only work with the most renowned certificates of the diamond industry worldwide: GIA, HRD & IGI.
BAUNAT offers free delivery worldwide. When your jewel is ready, we will contact you to arrange the delivery with you personally. We only work with reliable courier services that have extended experience in the shipment of valuable goods. All our shipments are 100% insured.
Every BAUNAT jewel comes with exquisite jewellery gift packaging, including a BAUNAT jewellery box, shopping bag, guarantee card and cleaning cloth. The packaging is perfectly suited for a present.


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Dedicated to every wonderful mother…
May Allah's mercy and love always be bestowed upon you, Amen!
She gained weight through carrying me, lost weight after she had me, but the stretch marks remained.
When she was upset from me, when she cried over me, when she was disappointed in me, wrinkles formed in her forehead. Those wrinkles are now permanent.
Her soft hands that used to caress me, hold me, take care of me, wash me, dry me, and clean after me, have hardened as she aged.
From the day she had me, the day she thought she lost me, the days she witnessed me accomplish something big or small, and the day she looked at me and found I grew, her eyes weakened, because she never forgot to cry out of her love for me.
"I hate you!"
"Leave me alone!"
"You don't know anything about me or how I feel!"
Words that cut her heart deeply, yet still as deep as they were, she was able to forgive me. And when anyone hurt me, even before my own, her hands were the first to wipe the tears off my cheeks.
At no matter what age we are, we will always find comfort in our mother's arms, and still I can hear her saying: "You will always be my little baby."
My mother stands old, frail, and weak. Yet her heart is the most beautiful; her soul is the most pure; her arms are the most affectionate; her words are most compassionate; and her eyes are most kind.
She is an amazing teacher, the kindest nurse, the most wonderful chef, and the strongest person I'll ever know.
Past and present, no one is equal to her, and no one will be equal to her.
She is irreplaceable– a classic, antique, unique figure.
And just as beautiful as figures can be, nothing is as elegant as my mother's beauty.
|PowerPoint: My Mother's Beauty–Dedicated to Every Mama
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Connection Finder
20,779,370 people are connected to each other on our global family tree.
Enter any two WikiTree IDs below to see their connection. more information
Member of the Week: Margaret Allison is a member of the New Zealand Project, where she's been contributing to profiles of women who signed the Suffrage petition in 1893, and the Scotland Project, where she's been improving her research skills on the "Tartan Trail." Check Wagner-2968's connection. Check Suppes-27's connection.
Profile of the Week: Vlad of Wallachia, the "real" Dracula. Check Wagner-2968's connection. Check Suppes-27's connection. Which Dracula are you most closely connected to?


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Your Weekend Weather update is presented by Gannon Insurance Agency –where customer needs come first! Gannon Insurance Agency is your independent, one-stop insurance center for all Bucks County insurance needs. Just one call can get you a customized proposal package with rate quotes from a variety of quality companies for your individual, family and business insurance needs.
Gannon Insurance Agency, Inc.'s is one of the most comprehensive and full-service insurance agencies in the Bucks County, Philadelphia and Montgomery County area.


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EXCERPT: "No" I said looking down at my shoes. "Then...
Best friends {COMPLETE}54381625
- by ℓσνєℓуу_мє
- Rating:
- Published: 23 Mar 2014
- Updated: 27 Jun 2014
- Status: In Progress
Hey I'm Angelina. My best friend is a guy. His name is Jack. Jack Dail. He's been my best friend since I can remember. He's always there for me when I need him. But when I get my new boyfriend. I think he gets a bit jealous...
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Russian cosmonauts and military paraphernalia inspires Small's collection
Even from the very start of the James Small show, deep down in the Somerset House catacombs (at least that's how it felt), it was clear what the 'Ground Control' collection was all about. Small, a long time associate of Kim Jones, sent out model after model in refined, altered and deconstructed formal wear. Short-sleeved suit jackets and fusions between waistcoats and tailored jackets were just two examples of the 29-year-old's obsession.
But denim wasn't left alone; he used panelling and patchwork to make them stand out, and also basic white shirts were given the Small treatment. Often he didn't use other colours than black and white, although a few navy, beige and grey pieces crept out. Sometimes the contrasts between his formal and casual wear took the spectators with surprise; a check shirt and a silver puffa jacket (think a futuristic version of MJ's Thriller jacket) kept everyone on their toes.
It's always good with new blood on the fashion circuit, and Small has quietly been around for ages. This – a collection inspired by Russian Cosmonauts, military uniforms, evening and work wear – left most people hungry for more. Starting with a re-make of eveningwear is a bold move, but James Small pulled it off, and even if it was a small step for James, it turned out to be a bigger one for London's menswear scene.


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Our passion for doing well and giving back
We want Chiquita to be the banana of choice in every market we are in, providing our customers with the highest quality product and service. We want to create consistent value for the Chiquita Brand, our customers, suppliers, associates and the community whilst respecting the environment. We want to do so in the spirit of doing well and giving back, with respect for the environment and everyone involved in our business.
150 years young
Chiquita is approaching 150 years young - a good moment to reflect on our achievements but, more importantly, to focus on the road we need to follow for the 150 years in front of us. Now in private ownership, with a vision for the long term, we want to build a resilient company able to cope with both the cycles inherent in the fruit business as well as the unpredictability of Mother Nature.
To achieve this we need to be part of a healthy and competitive industry. We have to generate consistent returns over time in order to invest for the future. Also, and unambiguously, we need to run a truly sustainable and responsible business model. We want to respect and protect our natural resources. We want to support the communities where we work and, above all, place our proud and skilled employees at the center?of all our activities. That is why we are committed to the broad spirit of doing well and giving back.
We want to do well and grow. That is good business but, also, we want to give back to our employees and our communities. Today we are investing in our sustainable future proactively. Our decision-making focuses on a long-term view. We try to steer clear of 'quick fixes' for short-term gain. We are farmers at heart with a focus on growing, sourcing and delivering our best to our consumers in all aspects. We do so not just with a sense of integrity and humility but with bold commitment. We manage our operations with a hands-on, practical approach from shareholder to farm worker. That's why CSR is not a separate, independent function in Chiquita. It is now embedded ′North, South, East and West' in all our daily operations.
Our initiatives for sustainable business
We want to make sure that our iconic Blue Sticker stands for both sustainable bananas and our inspiration for doing well and giving back. Efficient and sustainable business processes throughout the whole supply chain with a healthy, motivated workforce is at the core of how we run our company.
We have a duty and commitment to our communities, and we know that their success translates in to our success. That is why we support our communities with a variety of projects. The initiative Children and Education is our answer to the need to educate our younger generation. Furthermore, we will continue to support our longstanding biodiversity projects in Latin America.
Being the existential basis and Alimentary subsistence for millions of people, we want to bring the industry together in order to ensure our ability to address issues like TR4. The disease is endangering not just our banana farms, but those of our suppliers and competitors, too - across countries and markets.
Behind the Blue Sticker
Today we are and will be focusing our sustainability strategy on 3 essential initiatives: Firstly, we want to ensure that our iconic blue sticker stands for high-quality, delicious, and - above all – sustainable bananas. For this reason the Behind the Blue Sticker initiative comprises numerous innovations in farm management and logistics with an impact on waste, emission reduction, CO2 and water footprint and much more.
Our most notable sustainability initiative under this heading is the ongoing farm rejuvenation program to improve efficiency and environmental footprint. As of today 39% of the farmland we own has been rejuvenated. Our goal is to reach 76% by 2020. To achieve this we need skilled and motivated employees. That is why we place employees at the very core of our efforts. We provide them with a comprehensive set of programs and benefits related to workplace safety, healthcare, collective bargaining agreements, women's rights, education and training as well as competitive wages and savings plans.
Being a Good Neighbor
Secondly, we aspire to Being a Good Neighbor. As a good neighbor and citizen, we recognize?we have a duty and commitment to our communities, suppliers, customers, partners, consumers and the environment. We initiate and support community projects such as investing in school infrastructure, helping children receive an education, creating environmental awareness and promoting social empowerment.
We provide disaster relief when needed and work closely with NGO partners on selected charity programs. In terms of the environment, we continue to support our longstanding nature conservation projects.
For the Greater Good
Thirdly, for the global banana industry to be viable and durable over time, we, as industry leaders, must leverage resources and know-how in an industry-wide approach working For the Greater Good. Bananas are the world's fourth most important food crop after rice, wheat and maize. Indeed bananas are an essential and important food staple for millions.
We want to bring industry players together to address issues like the threat of the TR4 banana disease. In our globally connected world TR4 knows no boundaries. We recognize?our duty and responsibility to take the lead and proactively work for the future of our industry together with all stakeholders.
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Engagement Rainforest Alliance
1st farms in Costa Rica certified 2000-2012 100% owned farms certified
Business for Social Responsibility &Ethical Trading Initiative
Costa Rica owned farms certified?
Colombia & Panama owned farms certified
1st Colombia, Costa Rica & Panama owned farms certified
Social Accountability International Advisory Board
Citizens of Americas Award
100% owned farms certified
WWF Mesoamerican Reef
100% owned farms certified
Nogal Project with Migros & GTZ
Corporate IFC Labor Advisory Group
Biodiversity Partnership with REWE, GIZ, CORBANA
Carbon Footprint with MIT
Women's Committee with IUF/COLSIBA
IPL/ASDA Join Nogal Project?
Water Footprint WWF
66% pineapple volume certified
Container fleet upgrade, reducing energy consumption by 35% to 58%
24 years with Rainforest Alliance?
Upgrade of Swedish Banana Ripening Center, enabling 45% energy savings
German retailer REWE Customer Award as one of their most sustainable products
Corporate Sustainable Champion Award from Rainforest Alliance for exceptional commitment to sustainability & improving livelihoods
World's largest solar tracking system on a roof now complete at Chiquita facility in US


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Sunday Worship Online
9:00 & 11:00 a.m.
View event info
From I-77
View Directions
From I-85
View Directions
6100 Sardis Road
Charlotte, NC 28270
This section will help you to find your place to serve within the church.
Greeter Team
A wonderful way to be a part of the Sunday service is to greet our visitors and get to know other members as they enter the Sanctuary. Members of the Greeter Team volunteer to serve at either the 9:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. service twice a year. This is a great way to serve without a huge time commitment.
Contact: Jim Monroe TO SIGN UP TO BE A GREETER, CLICK HERE
Usher Team
Ushers serve an integral role in the worship services by providing warm greetings and distributing bulletins, collecting offerings, and straightening up the sanctuary at the end of the service. This is another great way to serve without a major time commitment and dates are flexible. Contact: Tom Reeder TO SIGN UP TO BE AN USHER, CLICK HERE
Sound Team
Members of the Sound Team are trained to operate the sound and light equipment during worship services and other services in the Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall. Contact: Jared Daugherty
Video Team
The video team is trained to operate the video equipment in the narthex which transmits video to the screen in the Chapel as well as records the services. Contact: Jared Daugherty
Work with Children and Youth
When a child is baptized, the church members pledge to provide support and Christian nourishment. Church members are encouraged to become involved in our young people's lives by assisting with the nurseries, teaching Sunday School, or serving as Youth Advisors. Contact: Katie Harrington or Adrian Martin
Sanctuary Flower Ministry
Decorate someone's life with flowers! The Sanctuary Flower ministry offers two weekly opportunities for those who enjoy flowers and bringing happiness to others. Flower arrangers make the beautiful large flower arrangements portable by placing in smaller vases after the 11:00 a.m. service. They are handed on to our flower deliverers. Flower deliverers take the smaller vases to a member who can no longer come to services, or who is hospitalized. Sometimes we deliver to assisted living facilities to decorate their dining room. Families can include the children in giving flowers to our shut -ins. It doesn't take long, but it brings so much joy to those receiving the lovely bouquets. Volunteer for once a month, every other month, whatever your schedule allows. Contact: Sheila Duyck
Serve During the Week
Bereavement Meals
A meal for the extended family is prepared and served prior to or following a funeral service. Help prepare food in your home to be delivered to the church.
Centering Prayer Ministry
Contact: Anita Kirby
Church Mouse
Be a "Secret Pal" to our collegians and help them stay in touch with their church families with cards and remembrances.
Contact: Georgia Pressly
Funeral Reception Ministry
Welcome guests to our church for funerals.
Note Writing
Prayer Chain
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Join other "stitchers" in knitting and crocheting shawls to be donated to local hospitals and nursing homes.
On the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month at 2pm., Parlor Contact: Peggy Baird / 704.366.3282
Stephen Ministry
Sardis is a Stephen Ministry Congregation. Stephen Ministers are lay people who have been trained to provide caring, Christian listening for individuals who are going through a difficult season or transition in their lives. If you want to learn more about Stephen Ministry of if you would like to request a Stephen Minister to provide support for you, contact Joe B. Martin.
9:00 & 11:00 a.m.
View event info
10:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m.
View event info
Oct 25, 2020
8:00am - 12:30pm
Sunday, October 25: Sign up now to give the gift of life!
Urban Ministry Center needs donations and Amazon wishlist items.


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I did some flying from Seattle into the Olympic Mountains with my T-6B Texan II from IRIS Simulations today.
The view is really nice at times. But Prepar3d v2.5 still seems to have some problems with blurry ground textures when using photo scenery.
Another thing I'm missing is some nice autogen trees. The photo scenery made all terrain flat which doesn't look very nice when flying low above the ground.
I already made some good looking autogen for my hometown with the excellent tools from scenerydesign.org. I will try if I can put some trees onto the flat photo scenery.
I'm very pleased with the combination of Active Sky Next + REX Texture Direct + REX Soft Clouds. The result is really nice to look at^^


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I used to visit Dr. Rostami back in Arizona few years ago. I was on my business trip in Toronto last week and all of a sudden before my meeting one of my front teeth filling came out while I was flossing, shocked and didn't know what to do, thanks god I remembered my Canadian dentist back in Mesa, couple of minutes search in the Internet I looked her up and she saw me the same day. I just want to say how I appreciated your help and we all in Arizona have missed you doc.
Simon Goli
Thank you very much! It was so easy to recommend your office to my husband. My family had seen Rita Rostami for years and now Rita Rostami is really great! Anytime someone I know needs a dentist, I'll refer them to you. Thank you again,
Peter Jackson
I wanted to let you know how much I appreciated you getting me in on such short notice. Your compassion and understanding has contributed to my strength. Lorrie and the rest of your staff take the steps to make me feel comfortable and at ease. I look forward to seeing you at my treatments
Smith Jones


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Peden + Munk
Adding veggies to the marinade while warm helps them absorb more flavor.
- Yield
- Makes 6 servings
- Active Time
- 30 minutes
- Total Time
- 1 1/2 hours
- 3 summer squash or zucchini (about 1 pound), sliced on a diagonal 1/2" thick
- 3 red, orange, or yellow bell peppers, cut into 1" strips
- 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons Sherry or red wine vinegar
- 4 sprigs oregano
- Place racks in upper and lower thirds of oven; preheat to 475°. Place squash and peppers on separate baking sheets. Drizzle each sheet of vegetables with 1/2 tablespoons oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat. Spread out in a single layer, turning peppers skin side up.
- Roast peppers on upper rack and squash on lower rack, turning squash once, until tender, 15-20 minutes. Let cool slightly; remove skins from peppers.
- Whisk garlic, vinegar, and remaining 3 tablespoons oil in a large bowl; season with salt and pepper. Add vegetables and oregano; toss to coat. Cover and let sit at least 1 hour.
- DO AHEAD: Vegetables can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and chill; bring to room temperature before serving.


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Last week, GameTrailers' Geoff Keighley, Shane Satterfield, Wedbush Morgan's Michael Pachter and Kotaku's I talked about the future of video game controls. This week, we do it some more.
In part two of our Bonus Round discussion, we chat about the high-definition "Wii Plus," Project Natal (again), the possibilities for PlayStation Eye, and if the video game controller as we know it will ever go away. We also get a very up close and personal look at the naked ankles of Michael Pachter. This episode is also solid proof that going back to the gym was a good idea for yours truly.
Motion control enthusiasts, this one's for you!
Bonus Round: Episode 306 - Part 2 HD [GameTrailers]


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Des Moines, Iowa (CNN) -- It's difficult to find an Iowa Republican who thinks Michele Bachmann has an easy road ahead.
Terry Kach is one of them.
The Ankeny retiree traveled to Ames last month, put on a bright orange "Bachmann Volunteer" T-shirt, and helped the Minnesota congresswoman to a dominant victory in the Iowa Straw Poll.
But as he watched Bachmann speak to a small Tea Party Express rally in Des Moines on Wednesday, her first appearance in the state since her big straw poll weekend, Kach explained how Texas Gov. Rick Perry's entrance into the presidential race has complicated Bachmann's chances.
"I think Perry took some of the pizzazz away from Bachmann," said Kach, who noted that he could switch his support to Perry. "She has got time to get some of it back before the caucuses. It's going to depend on how Rick Perry presents himself from now on. But they are two of a kind, so they are going to take some votes away from each other."
Perry's entrance and impressive surge to the front of the polls, both nationally and in Iowa, have unquestionably altered the political terrain for Bachmann.
Her path forward may become even more daunting in the coming weeks if another prominent conservative, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, decides to join the race.
And former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney could also shake up the Iowa race if he decides to step up his campaign efforts here in order to blunt Perry's momentum.
It was just four weeks ago that Bachmann stood alone as the Iowa front-runner and the darling of both tea party activists and social conservatives who typically attend the caucuses, the opening act of the Republican nomination fight.
Today, Republicans in the state are openly wondering if Bachmann can withstand the Perry juggernaut and survive the growing level of media scrutiny that has accompanied her swift rise.
Bachmann is also fighting the troubling storyline, already gaining traction within the Iowa political class, that she has difficulty functioning outside a tightly controlled bubble of advisers and aggressive security personnel.
Her advisers forcefully reject the accusation.
"This idea that she is a diva is absurd," said state Sen. Kent Sorenson, Bachmann's campaign chairman in the state. "She stays there after every event. She shakes everybody's hands. She will answer questions one-on-one for any voter who approaches. People who are trying to paint her as being in a bubble are absurd."
The caucuses are at least four months away -- an eternity given the unpredictable nature of the 2012 cycle so far -- and Perry still has to show that he can maintain his newfound popularity through a gauntlet of nationally televised debates and attacks from his GOP rivals.
But the stakes are already getting higher for Bachmann in Iowa.
Her campaign signaled this week that Bachmann intends to dial back her efforts in the first-in-the-nation primary state of New Hampshire, putting even greater pressure on the candidate to perform well in the leadoff caucus state.
Bachmann spokeswoman Alice Stewart said the campaign is "working hard to get delegates in each of the early states," but her advisers have made clear from the outset of the campaign that her hopes of winning the nomination rest on winning Iowa.
Tim Albrecht, a Republican strategist working for Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, said the arrival of Perry is "a big additional challenge" for Bachmann in Iowa.
"Bachmann is no stranger to challenges," Albrecht said in an e-mail. "Her solid debate performances and impressive win at the Ames straw poll demonstrate that she is a serious candidate. Rick Perry will force her to take it up a few notches, and it remains to be seen if she will be viable with him in the race. This, as they say, is why you play the game."
Even some Bachmann supporters acknowledge that Perry is no Tim Pawlenty, the former Minnesota governor who dropped out of the race after failing to match Bachmann's appeal to grass-roots conservatives.
John Kline, a Bachmann volunteer who attended the Des Moines tea party rally this week, said he has been working phone banks for the candidate in the weeks since her straw poll victory.
He said "80%" of the targeted Bachmann voters he calls are still backing the Minnesotan and preparing to caucus for her. But some other Bachmann fans are now eyeing Perry, he said.
Kline, a retiree from Des Moines, said the Texas governor will "definitely" make it harder for Bachmann to win Iowa.
"He came out and went right to the head of the class," he said. "He is presidential looking, too, which counts. He has got a good message. He has a great state down there that's got great employment."
Other Bachmann backers were far less charitable when asked about Perry.
Sorenson, her state chairman, blasted Perry's "horrible" record on immigration policy and said his 2007 attempt to mandate HPV vaccinations for sixth-grade girls in Texas is sure to chafe Christian conservatives.
He also jabbed Perry for supporting Al Gore's Democratic presidential bid in 1988.
"When you look at his record in politics, it's not as stellar as it seems," he told CNN. "Was Al Gore ever conservative? It's real easy when you announce your campaign to come out like a flash in a pan. But can you sustain it? I believe Michele can sustain it. Otherwise I'd be wasting my time."
Brad Zaun, another state senator working behind-the-scenes for Bachmann, said the campaign has a head start on Perry thanks to its straw poll efforts.
"We have identified hard-core supporters of Michele in all 99 counties," he said. "The straw poll forced us to do that work, whereas Rick Perry hasn't had that opportunity to do that sort of work."
Both Zaun and Sorenson said Bachmann's Iowa game plan remains the same as it was on the day she entered the race in June: to introduce herself to voters and deliver a consistently conservative message.
Steve Deace, an influential Iowa conservative radio host, said he doubts that Bachmann can compete with Perry's sophisticated campaign organization and deep pockets.
But he said Bachmann can still win Iowa if she doubles down on her outsider message and focuses on "issues and governing philosophy," while contrasting her conservative record with Perry's.
"The more this becomes about who looks most electable and most presidential, the more problematic this becomes for Michele Bachmann," Deace told CNN.
"She doesn't fit the profile of who we vote for for president," he added. "Perry does. She has to get out from behind the talking points, stop listening to her national people and really become the grass-roots conservative revolutionary that won the straw poll."


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School Calls Cops Over Water Pistol; Vows To Track Down Owner Using Surveillance Cams
Superintendent: "You can't take any of that stuff lightly"
It is now a daily occurrence for school officials somewhere in America to freak out, call the police, and discipline students over anything vaguely resembling a gun. On Monday it was the turn of Malden High School in Massachusetts.
A teacher at the school reportedly glimpsed sight of a "gun", and alerted police who rushed to the scene only to discover a neon water pistol.
"A teacher reported hearing a clicking motion, and thought a student may have had a gun," Superintendent David DeRuosi told reporters.
After school was dismissed, police located the harmless toy and filed a report, according to Malden Police Lt. Det. Marc Gatcomb.
"…no persons were threatened that we know of," Gatcomb wrote in an email.
Any rational person may have concluded that that was the end of the matter. Not in America 2.0, however.
School officials are now on the hunt for the culprit who brought the water pistol on to school grounds.
"You can't take any of that stuff lightly today," Superintendent DeRuosi said, adding that state of the art surveillance cameras that were recently installed as part of the school's renovation, will help track down the student responsible, and allow officials to hold him or her responsible for such a heinous action.
Once apprehended, the student will face internal disciplinary action for the incident, school officials said.
As we have seen over the past few weeks, in the wake of the Sandy Hook shooting, these kind of ridiculous knee jerk overreactions at schools are now a daily occurrence.
Earlier this month, a 7-year-old boy from Maryland was suspended for unintentionally biting his pop tart into the shape of a gun. The incident was the latest in a long line of ridiculous suspensions and disciplinary actions against students for anything even remotely gun related. It prompted Maryland Sen. J. B. Jennings to introduce a bill to stop such idiotic over reactions being played out over and over again in schools.
And boy are they being played out.
Last week a third grader in Michigan was reprimanded by school officials when he brought a cupcake to school with a plastic toy soldier, holding a gun, on top of it.
A ten year old Virginia boy who was arrested for taking a plastic toy gun to school is now facing a potentially permanent criminal record over the incident.
A student in Florence, Arizona was recently suspended because he had a picture of a gun on his computer.
A six-year-old kindergartner in South Carolina was suspended for taking a small transparent plastic toy gun to school for a show and tell.
A day before that incident we reported on the five-year-old in Massachusetts who faced suspension for building a small toy gun out of lego bricks and play-shooting his classmates.
We also reported on an incident that erupted when a discussion between two children about a toy nerf gun caused a lockdown and a massive armed police response at two elementary schools in the Bronx.
In another incident, a Long Island high school was also placed on lock down for 6 hours in response to a student carrying a toy nerf gun.
In yet another recent incident, a five-year-old girl was suspended after a three hour grilling, and described as a "terroristic threat" when she brought a pink bubble gun to school.
A South Philadelphia elementary student was searched in front of classmates and threatened with arrest after she mistakenly brought a "paper gun" to school.
A 6-year-old boy was suspended from his elementary school, also in Maryland, for making a gun gesture with his hand and saying "pow".
Days after that incident, another two 6-year-olds in Maryland were suspended for pointing their fingers into gun shapes while playing "cops and robbers" with each other.
In Oklahoma, a five-year-old boy was also recently suspended for making a gun gesture with his hand.
And finally, a 13-year-old Middle School seventh grade student in Pennsylvania was also suspended for the same hand gesture.
via » School Calls Cops Over Water Pistol; Vows To Track Down Owner Using Surveillance Cams Alex Jones' Infowars: There's a war on for your mind!.


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Svenskt Tenn's classic cushions are loved all over the world; from Stockholm to New York and Shanghai. This linen cushion has the Elefant print.
Svenskt Tenn's founder Estrid Ericson travelled a lot to different places around the world. She always looked for beautiful items and textiles and souvenirs that she could take home and sell in the store on Strandvägen in Stockholm. She designed this print with small elephants, based on a model from the Belgian Congo. The Elefant (Elephant) textile was printed for the first time in the end of the 1930s.


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Poll: Clinton Loses Lead, Romney Out In Front
Clinton Still Seen As Most Electable Democrat
A new poll shows that while the frontrunner for the Republican nomination for president holds a comfortable lead in New Hampshire, the Democratic race has tightened dramatically.
|Results: Democrats | Republicans
According to the latest WMUR/CNN poll, Hillary Clinton's 20-point lead has vanished. She now has 31 percent support, with Barack Obama in a statistical tie at 30 percent. John Edwards is third with 16 percent, and Bill Richardson has slipped slightly to 7 percent.
The poll was conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center over the weekend and has a has 5 percent margin of error for each party.
On the Republican side, Mitt Romney is leading with 32 percent support. Rudy Giuliani and John McCain both have 19 percent. Mike Huckabee has climbed slightly to 9 percent, and Ron Paul has 7 percent.
Clinton had a 20-point lead over her closest rival in the fall and was considered by some to be the presumptive nominee. But analysts said Obama's message of change could be attracting a critical group of voters in the final weeks before the primary -- independents.
The poll shows that Obama now leads Clinton among independent voters 36 to 26 percent.
Obama may have received a bump from Oprah Winfrey, who hosted a rally for Obama in Manchester on Sunday night. The event might symbolize Clinton's other problem -- her appeal to women.
Last month, Clinton had 42 percent of women's primary votes. Now, she has 33 percent to Obama's 28 percent.
"As Democrats see Clinton's electability become damaged, the next best thing is Obama right now," pollster Andy Smith said.
Although the race has tightened, there are reasons for Clinton's camp to remain calm. She still leads among Democratic voters 34 percent to 27 percent. She's also seen as the most experienced, with 44 percent saying she's strongest on the issue compared to Obama's 11 percent.
Clinton is also seen as the best bet to beat a Republican candidate, with 49 percent picking her, compared to 22 percent for Obama. Smith said that could be the deciding factor.
"What Democrats and Republicans are looking for is someone who's electable," he said.
Edwards saw his support increase 3 percent, but Smith says it would take an Edwards win in Iowa or an unexpected stumble by Obama or Clinton for him to make a major move in the New Hampshire race.
Richardson's campaign might also have run out of oxygen with so much focus on the others, Smith said.
But the poll shows that there still may be room for a candidate to move up. About 43 percent of likely Democratic voters said they are still undecided and won't pick their favorite until the final week.
Romney Holds Onto Lead Similar uncertainty on the Republican side means that race isn't over, even with Romney maintaining his lead. The poll shows 55 percent of likely Republican voters haven't fully decided whom to support.
Nonetheless, Romney is seen by 38 percent as the most electable Republican, compared to 30 percent for Giuliani. In September, Giuliani held the edge in electability, 32 to 21 percent.
"Romney is seen as the candidate most likely to win in November," Smith said. "(Giuliani) ceded lots of ground to Romney in the early parts of the campaign. It's harder to get that back than to gain support freely early on."
Giuliani has recently invested more in TV ads in New Hampshire and is locked in a fight with McCain to be the leading alternative to Romney.
"Giuliani has more money, but McCain may be in a better strategic position because Giuliani and Romney are fighting each other," Smith said.
McCain still has deep ties to the Granite state and is seen by likely voters as the most positive and most believable candidate.
Huckabee has improved, but it's unclear whether he can emerge as one of the top candidates in the state. Paul has remained steady but is not moving.
"(Paul has) been at 7 to 8 percent all this time, but I think there's a ceiling here," Smith said. "I could see him top out at 10 to 12 percent."
The major candidates in each party will debate in New Hampshire on Jan. 5 before voters head to the polls on Jan. 8.
Previous Stories:
- November 20, 2007: Clinton Slips As Richardson Gains Momentum
- November 19, 2007: Poll: Romney Gains While Giuliani Slides
- September 26, 2007: Poll Shows Republican Race Tightening
- September 25, 2007: Clinton Builds On Lead In N.H. Poll
- July 18, 2007: McCain, Edwards Fall Back In N.H. Primary Polls


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Springfield Ward 10 Ald. Tim Griffin says he's considering seeking to be the next city council coordinator instead of running for re-election.
Springfield Ward 10 Ald. TIM GRIFFIN says he's considering seeking to be the next city council coordinator instead of running for re-election.
But, said Griffin, 56, he has yet to make a decision.
"I would … have to do some real soul-searching," Griffin told me.
Getting the new post would mean he'd forgo the chance for a third consecutive term as Ward 10's representative.
JOE DAVIS, who has been in the coordinator's job since it was created in 1993, is planning to retire Jan. 26. The next city council general election is April 7.
Griffin called the coordinator's job "cool."
"You're involved in politics, but you're not playing politics," Griffin said. "You don't have to worry about the political side of it and the raising money and the running. But … you still get to help."
He's impressed that Davis has worked as "a go-between between the mayor's office and the department heads and the aldermen."
While Davis is a Democrat who gave up political campaigns when he took the coordinator job, Griffin is a Republican who says he also works well with people regardless of party. The council is officially nonpartisan.
"I trust that guy 100 percent," Griffin said of Davis. "I just really respected the way he's done that job. That's why it looks attractive. I think I have that integrity."
Filing for aldermen and other elected city offices is Nov. 17-24.
Griffin is a senior retirement counselor for the Illinois Teachers' Retirement System. He's been doing it for almost 20 years and is paid about $67,800 annually. He's been a state worker since 1979.
"I really like my job," he said.
Griffin is also paid $15,450 annually as an alderman.
Davis' salary tops $100,000. The council has the authority to name his replacement and set the salary.
Another possible applicant for the job is VICTORIA RINGER, 52, who for a decade has been executive director of Downtown Springfield Inc. She had 22 years with the state, where her jobs included being legislative director for the lottery and the Department of Labor. She said when she saw that Davis is retiring, she thought, "Wow, I'd really be interested in it," and others have talked to her about it.
"I love what I'm doing, but I'm always looking for opportunities and growth," she said.
Meanwhile, Ward 7 Ald. JOE McMENAMIN said he thinks ERNIE SLOTTAG, retired city communications director, would be a good fit for the job. Slottag, 67, said he hasn't been thinking about it but would consider seeking the post.
Hasara for Palazzolo
Former Springfield Mayor KAREN HASARA is backing Sangamon County Auditor PAUL PALAZZOLO for mayor in the spring.
"I signed on with him right after the last election," Hasara said. She said she didn't expect Mayor MIKE HOUSTON — who ran in 2011 saying he planned to serve just one four-year term — to be running in 2015, so she committed to Palazzolo.
"I think he would be a great mayor," Hasara said of Palazzolo. "He's smart. He's had a lot of good experience, and I think he really has the desire to have the job."
Hasara is co-chair, with Sangamon County Board member GEORGE PRECKWINKLE, R-District 25, of Palazzolo's finance committee.
"I obviously have great respect for Mike," Hasara said of Houston, "and for anyone who's ever been the mayor."
Another member of Palazzolo's finance committee is former state Sen. LARRY BOMKE. The Springfield-area Republican said he'll probably endorse Palazzolo, but not if the Sangamon County GOP backs somebody else.
"I've known Paul for quite a number of years and have been impressed with his finance ability, and I think … he would do a wonderful job as mayor," Bomke said. "I have a good relationship with Mayor Houston, and I'm really kind of sorry to see both of them in the race."
Bomke said the third candidate in the race, city Treasurer JIM LANGFELDER, is also a friend, and Langfelder's father, former Mayor OSSIE Langfelder, was a good governmental colleague and has long been a client in Bomke's insurance business.
Bomke lives in Gardner Township — outside Springfield — but he did represent Springfield in the Senate and is a former chairman of the Sangamon County Board. Bomke's endorsement helped boost the winning March 18 primary campaign of Sangamon County GOP sheriff candidate WES BARR.
Houston said it is still early, and he expects there will be a primary on Feb. 24 — which is required if there are at least five candidates, including write-ins.
"When the primary is over, I would welcome their support," Houston said of Hasara and Bomke.
Jim Langfelder, a Democrat, said that though city elections are nonpartisan, it doesn't surprise him that Hasara and Bomke would favor Republican Palazzolo.
"I hope to get everybody's support — Republicans, independents, Democrats," Langfelder said. He also hopes people "keep an open mind" as city issues are discussed.
Topinka's son
When Comptroller JUDY BAAR TOPINKA was at a bill-signing event with Gov. PAT QUINN in Washington, Illinois, on July 7, she made some news by seeming to ask Quinn, near an open mic, about a possible job for her son, JOE, at Southern Illinois University.
"No, no, no," Topinka said outside a GOP meeting at the Hilton Springfield last week when a reporter wanted to know if she asked the governor to put her son, who was an Army major and lawyer, on the SIU payroll.
"I did not do that," she said. "I just asked if he would consider him. … I'd like to reverse the trend of people leaving Illinois. I can actually bring a family back."
"I've put it out there for anybody," she said of her son's resume, "in the private sector as well. … You get jobs and you work by virtue of relationships; I mean, it's not just putting a blind ad in the paper."
She said her son, who lives in San Antonio and recently retired after 20 years in the Army, is teaching a course at Dominican University in River Forest part time via computer — instructing social workers how to deal with returning veterans — and has multiple degrees.
"I'm a mom," Topinka said. "I would like to have my family close to me, and that's all I'm doing." Her son is married and has a young daughter.
DAVE MELLET, campaign manager for Democratic Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon, who is running against Republican Topinka for comptroller, said: "What Judy Baar Topinka has admitted to is attempting to use patronage to obtain a job for her son, which is wrong and possibly illegal. In Judy Baar Topinka's world, a resume is something you submit to the governor. For everyone else in Illinois, a resume is submitted to human resources."
Topinka spokesman BRAD HAHN said that, with Simon down in the polls and with 11 weeks go to the election, "we expect her to get more desperate and pathetic with each passing day."
The election is Nov. 4.
Contact political columnist Bernard Schoenburg: 788-1540, firstname.lastname@example.com, twitter.com/bschoenburg.


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LITCHFIELD >> Early Tuesday morning, the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested and charged Litchfield resident Richard Doyle, 63, with a federal criminal complaint for the receipt and distribution and possession of child pornography, according to a release sent by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Doyle is listed as a member of the theater staff at the Taft School in Watertown and has been on staff there since 1989.
The school released a public statement saying that Doyle has been placed on "administrative leave pending an investigation of the charges."
Taft School also said that they had no indication that any of the students of the school were at risk or involved in any way.
The criminal complaint alleges that on Oct. 24 and 27, a law enforcement agent logged into a publicly available Internet file sharing program and downloaded images of child pornography from shared directories maintained by Mr. Doyle, according to the release.
Doyle was arrested at his home in Litchfield. Law enforcement agents also seized computers, thumb drives and related computer components from his home and his job.
According to an affidavit from the U.S. District Court, Connecticut Child Exploitation Task Force Officer Jeffrey Suchy, who is assigned to the New Haven Division of the FBI, signed into a publicly available peer-to-peer file sharing program while working in an undercover capacity and was given access by a user later identified as Mr. Doyle. The investigator selected 17 images and proceeded to download them, the affidavit said.
The affidavit describes five of the 17 images, and one of common theme is that the photos show white males under the age of 16 or 12 with their genitals exposed
On Nov. 27, a federal search and seizure warrant was sought and obtained, according to an affidavit. During the execution of the warrant, Doyle admitted to using, for the last two years, the publically available peer-to-peer file sharing program that was the subject of law enforcement's investigation.
"He admitted to downloading child pornography images from other users, as well as offering images for other users to download," according to the affidavit.
Suchy's primary duty is to identify, investigate and assist in the prosecution of the people who violate federal laws involving crimes against children, including violations pertaining to the production, distribution and receipt and possession of child pornography.
Mr. Suchy is assigned to the Connecticut Child Exploitation Task Force, a multi-agency unit tasked with investigating various crimes related to the sexual exploitation of children including crimes related to the distribution and receipt of child pornography over the Internet.
The charges Mr. Doyle faces carry a minimum term of imprisonment of five years, a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $250,000.
The charge for the possession of child pornography carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000, according to the release.
He was scheduled to appear before the United States Magistrate Judge Holly B. Fitzsimmons in Bridgeport at 3 p.m. Tuesday.


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Study Ties 'New' Cell-death Mechanism To Developmental And Degenerative Brain Disorders14 years, 7 months ago
Posted on Mar 04, 2006, 7 a.m.
By Bill Freeman
An international research team has provided the first conclusive evidence that neurodevelopmental disorders such as mental retardation and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and ataxias can be caused, at least in part, by specific gene defects that interfere with the electrical impulses of rapid-firing brain nerve cells called bursting neurons.
An international research team has provided the first conclusive evidence that neurodevelopmental disorders such as mental retardation and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and ataxias can be caused, at least in part, by specific gene defects that interfere with the electrical impulses of rapid-firing brain nerve cells called bursting neurons.
The implicated gene, KCNC3, and two mutations are described in the journal Nature Genetics, published online Feb. 26, 2006. Until now, theories on degenerative cell death have centered on defective proteins and/or their accumulation and aggregation in the brain.
"The neurodegeneration field has been dominated by the hypothesis of misfolded proteins and their aggregation, but the identification of KCNC3 mutations and their functional characterization represent a novel avenue for understanding cell death," said Stefan M. Pulst, M.D., director of the Division of Neurology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, holder of the Carmen and Louis Warschaw Chair in Neurology, and principal investigator of this study.
KCNC3 forms a potassium channel, part of a biochemical mechanism that regulates the electrical impulses of bursting neurons. Although potassium channel mutations have previously been linked to episodic disorders such as seizures, this is the first time they have been identified as causative factors -- and potentially therapeutic targets -- in neurodegenerative diseases.
"Very recent neurophysiological studies of bursting neurons have led to speculation that voltage-gated potassium channels could be involved in human neurodegenerative disease, but proof has been lacking," Pulst said. "This is the first time neurodegeneration has been directly linked to potassium channel mutations."
In the Nature Genetics article, the researchers describe their analysis of two ataxia-causing mutations of the KCNC3 gene -- one present in a Filipino family and one in a French family. Although both mutations affect the firing of cerebellar neurons, they impact them in different ways and apparently lead to different disease manifestations.
The Filipino family's ataxia is an adult-onset type with prominent motor coordination symptoms and cerebellar atrophy. The French family's ataxia is a childhood-onset type, with mental retardation and seizures in some individuals. With mental retardation as one of the consequences, the KCNC3 potassium channel mutations are linked to neurodevelopmental as well as neurodegenerative disorders.
Spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA) include a number of hereditary neurological disorders, some of which emerge in childhood and others in adulthood, affecting one in 17,000 people. Ataxias affect coordination and many basic functions such as walking and speaking. They also may lead to eye movement abnormalities, cognitive decline, epilepsy and other significant deficits.
Twenty-seven specific locations on human chromosomes have been identified for involvement in the development of ataxias, and 10 causative genes or mutations have been determined. The gene and mutations in this study affect the SCA13 gene.
Ataxias are characterized by degeneration of nerve cells in the cerebellum, while the cell death of Alzheimer's disease takes place in the hippocampus of the temporal lobe and that of Parkinson's disease occurs in the substantia nigra of the brain stem.
Pulst said the new findings on neurodegeneration do not necessarily supersede the prevailing hypothesis of defective proteins. In fact, the two may be linked.
"It could be that the behavior of the nerve cell is altered, making it more susceptible to the onslaught of misfolded proteins, and it could be that misfolded proteins interfere in channel functions," said Pulst, who led a team of scientists from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, the University of California, Los Angeles, the Mayo Clinic and the Pasteur Institute in France.
Funding for the study was provided by the National Institutes of Health, the National Ataxia Foundation, Programme Hospitalier de Recherche Clinique, the Verum Foundation, and the EuroSCA Integrated Project.


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Graduate Jobs in Gauteng in Last Week
Although Gauteng is the country's smallest province, it also has the largest population. Not only is Gauteng the place where most of South Africa's research and development takes place, due to it being home to many of the country's core biotechnology companies, but the province has the most important educational and health centres in the country. Those living in Gauteng have the highest per capita ncome level in the country. The most significant economic sectors found in Gauteng are financial and business services, logistics and communications, as well as mining.
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