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Spokane Journal of Business

Special Report

Emergency bypass surgery comes far in 50 years

A procedure pioneered in Spokane by medical teams led by cardiologist Dr. Francis Everhart and cardiac surgeon Dr. Ralph Berg in 1971 changed the standard of care for people having a heart attack and has led to further advances in emergency ...

Pandemic pushes scores of people toward retirement

Last year, investment adviser Kyle Weir received a call from a client looking to explore her options. Weir’s client, a veteran educator, was right against retirement age....

A home-health care comeback

Following a sharp decrease in demand as the pandemic swept through Washington state in March, in-home care companies now are starting to see an uptick in demand for their services, as isolation and exhaustion lead more seniors to seek outside care...

Vaccinations underway at Spokane retirement homes

COVID-19 vaccines are being administered throughout retirement communities here, and administrators say the process is going smoothly. According to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, more than 63,000 doses of the vaccine had been ...

Five qualities to seek in a financial adviser

Walmart is getting into the business of financial advice? I immediately thought, well, they are no longer as prevalent now that Amazon has taken so much of their market share, and they are trying to stay profitable to the market changes....

The closing chapter on the Metropolitan Mortgage saga

U.S. Bankruptcy Court trusts have issued what might be the final payments to investors who lost hundreds of millions of dollars when Spokane-based Metropolitan Mortgage & Securities Co. and affiliate Summit Securities Inc. shut down nearly two decades ago...

Spokane-area lenders undertake second round of PPP funding

The U.S. Small Business Administration has released a third round of Paycheck Protection Program loan funds, and bankers here say they’re prepared to handle changes made as a result of updates to the program....

Promotion reflects love of community banking for State Bank Northwest exec

The banking field hasn’t lost its luster for Lorilei Bruggink, who has worked in the industry for 35 years and was named president of Spokane Valley-based State Bank Northwest earlier this month....

Federal student aid system undergoes overhaul

Several policy changes were included in the recently approved 2021 Omnibus spending bill that will ease the federal student aid application process and expand Pell Grant eligibility, industry observers here say....

High end, high demand in Spokane’s housing market

The luxury-home market is especially hot in the Spokane-Coeur d’Alene market due to what some agents say is a convergence of factors. ...

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Opinion >  Column

Working with a Spokane guitar shop to re-create Prince’s priceless guitar shows another side of the Artist’s eccentric tastes

UPDATED: Fri., April 16, 2021

Prince loved playing eccentric and wild guitars – often custom instruments designed to make as much of a visual statement as they did a musical statement.

But his favorite guitar couldn’t be more traditional-looking. Telecaster guitars have been a huge part of rock and roll since the 1950s and are instantly recognizable with iconic rockers from Keith Richards to Bruce Springsteen. With Prince’s fondness for not only eschewing but openly flaunting tradition, it seems more than a little odd that his instrument of choice was, well, kinda boring.

Especially for a boundary-breaking musician who once changed his name to an unpronounceable symbol while embodying a style that often pushed gender and racial norms. Yet, there he was primarily playing a guitar that looked like it had been borrowed from Buck Owens.

That’s the thing. The Artist’s go-to guitar wasn’t exactly what it seemed.

Most people assume it was a Fender Telecaster. It wasn’t. It was a Hohner Madcat, which – at first glance – seems very much like a simple tele copycat guitar. But there was more going on there than that.

It was originally designed and made in a Japanese guitar factory in the early 1970s initially released under the name H.S. Anderson Madcat. They weren’t cheap knockoffs. In fact, they were actually kinda pricey for the time because of the materials, hardware and care that went into building the handmade guitars. Adjusted for inflation, the Madcats cost the equivalent of more than $1,000.

The guitars were made primarily of sen ash and a maple top – but with a distinct walnut strip through both the body and neck of the guitar. Though the Madcat’s body shape has a very telecaster look, the guitar’s bridge is like a hardtail Stratocaster with neck and bridge pickups that also are much more like a Stratocaster.

Then there was the part that initially caught Prince’s attention: a pickguard with a leopard print that can be seen on other parts of the guitar, as well. It’s these leopard elements that are often attributed with the guitar’s Madcat name.

At some point, German-based instrument producer Hohner bought the rights to the H.S. Anderson Madcat guitars and continued to have them produced in the same Japanese factory, only with a different name on the headstock — everything else about the guitar was exactly the same.

Those original Madcats are rare.

Fewer than 500 were initially made before a lawsuit from none other than Fender, which basically stopped production of Madcats. Prices for those instruments are all over the place, but if you want an original, plan on spending about what a new car costs. Even modern reissues made in the last decade or so will typically fetch north of $2,000 on the used market.

So, how’s a Prince fan in Spokane, who also happens to be paid a journalist’s salary, get a little guitar goodness that’s reminiscent of his Royal Badness?

It’s complicated. But possible.

You’re going to have to put in a little effort, not be intimidated by a whole lot of Google searches and be willing to buy lots of different parts from all over the planet. And you should have an Etsy account.

The biggest part is finding an affordable guitar that shares lots of the same attributes as Prince’s beloved Madcat guitar so that you have a good starting point. Believe it or not, the interweb is going to have many options. Almost certainly more than you think. It’s just that most of them feel fairly sketchy.

Because they are sketchy. And no one wants an unexpected customs agent showing up at their door.

This is where German-based music retailer Thomann enters the picture.

Thomann is now one of the world’s largest, and most respected, online musical instrument stores. Thomann has its own brand of inexpensive guitars called Harley Benton, which are mostly produced in China and other Asian countries. Once produced, the guitars are then exported to Germany, where Thomann checks them for quality, then prepares them to be shipped to customers.

When you buy a Harley Benton guitar, it’s going to be shipped to you from Germany … so plan on waiting a while before you get to play Purple Rain on it.

There is a Harley Benton guitar called the TE-80 NT Deluxe Series. Reviews are notably mixed. People either love it or hate it. Most really love it. But all agree that it sure looks a whole lot like Prince’s Madcat guitar. As in an almost exact copy.

For $188. Plus shipping costs, which are reasonable.

The problem often is that these exact models are often sold out. The Thomann website currently says a new shipment is expected in 6-8 weeks, and that doesn’t include the time it takes to ship them to the United States

It’s all of that shipping that drives some people crazy about buying a Harley Benton guitar. But if a good one ends up at your door – unscathed from its myriad of journeys from different continents across multiple oceans – it’s also a steal for an instrument of this quality.

However, you’re still going to need to make at least a few cosmetic adjustments if you want it to really look like Prince’s guitar – and a few bigger tweaks if you want the guitar’s sound and performance at the next level.

The first change you’re going to want to make is the pickguard and a few of the missing matching leopard elements. The pickguard on this Harley Benton guitar is fairly close to the one on Prince’s Madcat, but not close enough. At least not for me.

A company in England called Scratch-It makes custom guitar pickguards. One of its biggest sellers is a “Prince Homage” kit that not only includes an incredibly close pickguard to what was on Prince’s guitar, but also the other matching leopard plates that were on other parts of his guitar. Scratch-It has a version of this set that is already pre-sized to fit the Harley Benton guitar perfectly.

This all will set you back about $50. Totally worth it.

Then you’ve got the headstock that says “Harley Benton.” Interestingly enough, it’s designed in a way that has no lacquer on it, meaning it’s extremely easy to sand off the brand logo that clearly wasn’t the one on Prince’s guitar.

This is where you come across a bit of an ethical decision. The decals that are on guitar headstocks are typically called “waterslides” for how they are applied to surfaces. These headstock logos are important because they can actually affect the perceived value of a guitar.

Some guitar restoration websites offer reproductions of different brands’ logos for those who are fixing up an older guitar that may have been damaged or needs fixed for another reason. Waterslides for guitars typically run for $10-$20. They’re easy enough to find on the web, or you can go straight to Etsy or eBay.

The problem with these waterslides is if a “tribute” guitar like the one I was building ends up with someone else who might think it’s a real H.S. Anderson Madcat … when it’s not. So, here’s my advice: Just don’t do it. The logo on my Prince tribute guitar uses the same fonts as the original guitar from the 1970s, but instead spells out H. Benton Madcat. It definitely feels like Prince’s guitar, but this helps clarify that it isn’t.

Thus no confusion. Or deception.

The only other cosmetic option you might want is a replica of Prince’s leopard guitar strap. This is where Etsy really comes in handy. And let’s be honest, if you’ve come this far on a project like this, you’re soon going to own a wild guitar strap to go with it. The strap I got, from Thailand, can be yours for about $45.

Those weren’t the only changes made to my version of the guitar. These are just the ones to refine its looks.

There also were a few changes to help with its sound and playability. That being said, they certainly weren’t mandatory. The guitar really did sound very good straight out of the box and played really nicely, as well.

The stock pick-ups in the Harley Benton were switched out for some high-end, hand-wound Lollar pickups. Loller is a family-owned company based in Tacoma that makes some of the best pick-ups in the world. The tuners were replaced with Grover locking tuners. All of these modifications came to about $250.

The last adjustment was something few would see: a plate on the back of the guitar with Prince’s symbol and the years of his life (about $18 from Etsy).

It’s important to note I’m not handy enough to put together all of these pieces. But I know someone who is.

I’ve written before about how Taylor Roff from the Senator guitar shop here in Spokane has helped me with these types of projects in the past. He’s the one who made all the technical parts of this Prince project happen.

Roff is currently in the process of moving his quirky guitar shop but can still be reached via the shop’s website.

None of this will make you play like Prince. Or look like Prince.

But it sure is fun. And all of your friends who play guitar are going to be envious.

They might even go crazy.

The Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley is an admitted guitar nerd and can be reached at

More from this author


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Choosing clothing and choosing a destination are often two completely unrelated decisions, in many cases by necessity or due to differences in timing. In short, you choose a jersey in a shop or in front of your computer at one point in time, and decide on a bike ride or a vacation at another.

There are many examples of situations in which an object takes on meaning due to the context, the circumstances, who designs his buildings starting from the context, so that they’re part of the environment in which they will be built. Known for their minimalist style, the tactile quality of their materials, and the careful use of light, his structures exemplify the harmony between architecture and context.

On a bike ride, the setting is always critical in defining an experience. Being in harmony with the place can be fundamental. But what does it mean to be in harmony with the context? First, it means having the inclination to explore it, to discover what it has to offer. To talk to the local residents and taste the local specialties. It means understanding the place and experiencing it with the right attitude.

And then, sometimes, it can mean trying to be part of it visually as well — trying to become part of the context.To be in harmony with, or in calculated contrast to, the colors of the place. We tried it riding between the white towns of Apulia with our Monocrom jerseys.
Solid natural colors against the white background and among the Apulian olive trees. To be part of the context during two days of riding in which we genuinely felt in harmony with the place we were exploring. Sometimes choosing your outfit is part of the experience. It’s not about a cycling kit.


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Morning Dragons,

Thank you all for the great feedback and fantastic pictures of the children working and having fun!

Here are today's lessons/activities:

Lexia: Please access Lexia for 20 minutes every day.

Daily Mile (15 minutes): Choose your favourite sport and practice a range of different exercises associated with that sport – be creative and have fun with your exercises! Get your family involved. Please send me some photos!

Recap your knowledge of sharing objects into equal groups:

Group 1: Sharing into halves to 20.

Group 2: Sharing into quarter to 20.

Group 3: Sharing into halves, quarters and thirds to 30.

Group 4: Sharing into halves, quarters and thirds to 30.

Read the word problems carefully, select the key words and find out how to solve each problem.

Review worksheets.

To find out information about a character by reading the story.

I can create a non-chronological report about a story character.

Read ‘The Oompa Loompa’s’

What is the Loompa Land landscape like? Name three beasts that live there. Why did the Oompa Loompa’s live there? What did they eat? What did they long for? What offer did Willy Wonka make? How did Mr Will Wonka transport them to England?

Make a character profile of an Oompa Loompa. Pick out key features of a non-chronological report.

Create a fact-file on the Oompa Loompa’s.

Group 1 & 2: Draw a picture of an Oompa Loompa and describe it with adjectives.

Group 3: Use headings: Where are they from? What do they eat? How did they arrive at Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory? Hobbies/skills.

Group 4: Create your own headings to use when writing a report about an Oompa Loompa.

Group 1 (page 3) & 2 (page 2): Complete page 5 of the ‘oa’ sound booklet.

Group 3: To write three sentences using ‘tr’ words.

Group 4: To write five sentences using ‘ie’ words.

Handwriting: Complete the next page of your handwriting booklet.

Read through the PowerPoint on Expressing Yourself and look at the attached example poster.

Think of different activities that you do to express yourself - playing games, dancing, theatre, sports, etc.

Make your own poster about ‘How you express yourself’.

A message from the Duchess of Cambridge - Catherine:

Children's Mental Health Week 2021 - a message from our Royal Patron - YouTube

Enjoy the snow while you can!


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SQA News 21 January 2021

Higher and Advanced Higher subject-specific guidance and assessment resources

We have started publishing Higher and Advanced Higher subject-specific guidance on gathering key evidence.

The subject-specific guidance advises the types of evidence you can use to determine a provisional result for each learner, with a focus on the quality of evidence rather than the quantity. This includes additional guidance for Graphic Communication, Design and Manufacture, Media, Music and Music Technology on how learners can progress ongoing work.

Guidance on gathering key evidence

Subject-specific guidance is now available for the following subjects:

You can access this guidance from the relevant NQ subject pages of our website. We will publish guidance for all subjects by Friday 29 January.

Assessment resources

Question papers and marking instructions are now available for the following subjects:

These assessment resources are available from the SQA Secure website. You can arrange access to them through your SQA co-ordinator. We will publish more assessment resources in the coming weeks.

View the publication schedule.

How to use the assessment resources

You have the option to use these assessment resources to support the internal assessment requirements for each subject. They can be used in full or in part, when appropriate.

In its update on 12 January, the National Qualifications 2021 Group has advised that the priority for schools and colleges during January should be to maximise learning and teaching time. Given the move to remote learning and the challenges learners face, the assessment of learner evidence cannot be undertaken unless young people have the foundation of teaching and learning of course content. This will impact on the timing of assessment, which can take place in the later stages of the 2020-21 session.

For more information, visit the NQ 2021 Hub on our website.


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We are proud to offer many extra curricular activities for our children including music, language classes and sports.  Please see the activity sheet below for more details.  For futher infomation, please contact the school office.

Extra-Curricular Timetable

Lunchtime clubs

St. George’s Catholic Primary School
Gordon Road, Enfield EN2 0QA

Tel: 0208 363 3729
Fax: 0208 367 2275


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USPS Restricted Delivery

What Is Restricted Delivery?

The USPS® offers a service called Restricted Delivery, which guarantees that your mail is only delivered to the addressee. Restricted Delivery is designed specifically for sensitive mail such as confidential legal documents, important contracts, classified documents, and high-value packages or papers. When you use Restricted Delivery, the recipient of your mailpiece must positively ID himself before the USPS carrier will relinquish possession of the mailpiece.

Restricted Delivery costs $5.40 per mailpiece and is only available when purchased in conjunction with Certified Mail, Collect-On-Delivery, USPS Insurance greater than $200, or Registered Mail. Restricted Delivery, can be used with most mail classes including First-Class Mail®, Priority Mail®, and Package Services such as Parcel Select Ground and Media Mail.

How Does Restricted Delivery Work?

To use Restricted Delivery, you must either tell the Post Office clerk that you’d like to purchase the service or clearly mark your mail “Restricted Delivery” at the time you hand it over to the clerk. This notification should be placed above the delivery address and to the right of the return address.

If you are a customer and would like to purchase this service without making a trip to the post office, you may select Restricted Delivery from any of the postage windows (except for International) by clicking the “Select” button next to “Add’l Options.” Please note that you must still clearly mark your mailpiece as “Restricted Delivery.”

Add Restricted Delivery to your mailings with

With, you and your staff will never have to stand in another post office line again! Not only does let you print official, USPS-approved postage from the comfort of your own home or office, it also gives you instant, 24/7 access to all the USPS services you need, including Restricted Delivery, Certified Mail, insurance and more.

Free* 5 lb. Digital Scale with Sign-up

5 pound digital scale with envelope on top of it

Every new customer account starts with:

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  • No long-term contracts, cancel anytime
  • Only $17.99 per month plus applicable taxes, if any, including the first month if you stay past the 4-week trial
    *pay only S&H fee


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Blackout Blinds and Shades

Why Blackout Shades?

Blackout Shades help prevent light from entering and protect your furnishings and floors from harmful UV light. Blackout shade are a great choice for bedrooms and media rooms where darkness is desired. Keep in mind you will have a warm glow of light around the edges. If you wish to have extra room darkening we recommend combining your shade with thermal drapery or side channels.

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HS Roundup: Elmira, Horseheads boys play to soccer tie

Waverly girls soccer team edged Notre Dame, 1-0.

Andrew Legare
alegare@stargazette.com | @SGAndrewLegare
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Nick Juan scored for Horseheads and Walker Moss netted a goal for Elmira on Thursday as the teams played to a 1-1 tie in a Southern Tier Athletic Conference game.

Juan's goal, which was assisted by Kellen Boyles, came after he split the defenders before beating the goalie to the right side.

Moss scored the tying goal with 11 minutes remaining off an assist from Luke Baldwin.

Express goalie Luke Baldwin made 12 saves. Horseheads (3-1-2) had a 13-3 edge in shots on goal.

Girls soccer

Waverly 1, Notre Dame 0: Gabby Picco scored the game's lone goal in the 61st minute as host Waverly handed IAC foe Elmira Notre Dame its second loss in a row.

The Crusaders (5-2) lost 3-0 to Trumansburg on Saturday in the championship game of Notre Dame's tournament.

"We played well," Notre Dame head coach Steve Weber said of Thursday's effort. "We played a lot beter than we did last game. That was a good sign."

Picco dribbled through several Notre Dame players to create a breakaway opportunity before scoring her goal. The Wolverines improved to 6-1.

Notre Dame has another test Monday when it travels to Newark Valley.

Corning 1, Ithaca 1: Corning scored late in regulation and played Southern Tier Athletic Conference foe Ithaca to a tie on the road.

Newark Valley 3, Watkins Glen 0: Alissa Franco, Maddy Sherwood and Emily Holt scored goals for Newark Valley in an IAC victory at Watkins Glen.

Girls volleyball

Edison 3, Waverly 2: Thomas A. Edison was a 25-19 winner in the deciding set to pull out an IAC victory over Waverly.

Sami Goodwin had 10 kills for Edison (5-0). Hailey Burdick and Mackenzie Bonyak had six digs each.

Shailei Kraft led Waverly (4-2) with 12 kills.

Binghamton 3, Elmira 0: Lexi Wood had seven kills for Elmira in a 10-25, 26-28, 16-25 loss to STAC opponent Binghamton. Alexis Shaw paced the Patriots with seven kills.

Watkins Glen 3, Odessa-Montour 0: Watkins Glen swept an IAC match from Odessa-Montour, 25-14, 25-10, 25-21.

Boys golf

Horseheads 210, Binghamton 235: Alan Diffenderfer and Karl Hauptman each shot 4-over-par 40s to lead Horseheads to a STAC victory over Binghamton on the front nine at Willowcreek Golf Club in Big Flats. The Blue Raiders improved to 7-3 (6-3 STAC).

Ithaca 208, Elmira 222: Nick Miller's 3-over 36 led Ithaca (4-5) past Elmira in a STAC meet at Robert Trent Jones Golf Course. Marty Cain paced the Express with a 39.

Girls swimming

Odessa-Montour 49, Whitney Point 41: Tori Reese won the 200-yard individual medley (2:39.42), the 100 breaststroke (1:20.65) and contributed to a win in the 400 freestyle relay as host Odessa-Montour beat Whitney Point in an IAC meet.

Watkins Glen 108, Dryden 70: Peighton Cervoni won the 200-yard freestyle (2:16.12) and the 100 backstroke (1:08.81) as Watkins Glen downed host Dryden in an IAC meet. Cervoni also helped the Senecas take the 400 freestyle relay.

Follow Andrew Legare on Twitter @SGAndrewLegare.

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Keeping a client is typically ten times cheaper and easier than finding a new one. Here are five powerful behaviors you can build into your account plan to support better, more profitable, and more loyal business relationships.

Mike Montague interviews Janice Lintz on How to Succeed at Changing the World.

To celebrate episode #500 and over 2 million total downloads, we flip the tables to get Mike Montague’s top lessons learned from hosting the show!

Here are eight powerful strategies for more effective listening during conversations with prospects.

Recently, the Sandler Research Center set out to discover current operation challenges and changes faced by sales leaders in a more digitally oriented selling environment.

Mike Montague interviews Mark Herschberg, author of Career Toolkit: Essential Skills for Success That No One Taught You, on How to Succeed at Creating a Toolkit. From tracking criminals and terrorists on the dark web to creating marketplaces and new authentication systems, Mark has spent his career launching and developing new ventures at startups and Fortune 500s and in academia.

Mike Montague interviews John Rulin, author of Giftology: The art and science of using gifts to cut through the noise, increase referrals, and strengthen retention, on How to Succeed at Giftology.

Mike Montague interviews Jeff Peek, an immigration attorney, on How to Succeed at Keeping Your Clients.

Mike Montague interviews Brandi Heather on How to Succeed at Moving From Diversity to Inclusion.

Sales leaders: If you could only track one performance metric to evaluate the performance of a member of your sales team, which one would you choose?


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Tahlya Curtis

Actor, Extra, Model, Influencer, Dancer,… more

Worthing, United Kingdom
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Physical Attributes

162 cm / 5ft 4in
50 kg / 110 lbs
White / Caucasian
Skin color:
63 cm / 25 in
Less than 73 cm / 29 in
Dress size:
UK 6 / AUS 6 / US 2
Eye color:
Hair color:
Hair length:
Hair type:

Acting experience

Previous unpaid speaking roles

  • English

Extras experience

No previous extras experience

I don't have any experience in this area, but I love performing and i'm very comfortable in front of camera. I have loved to perform since I can remember, in dance competitions and sport, but it is my passion. I have lots of confidence and I feel I have a good stage presence as well, which can improve on screen attention.

Modeling experience

Beginner, starting out

I have always been asked to model for my college friends for their portfolios in photography which I love. I also go out when I can with friends to do photo shoots, in various places. I am very comfortable in my own skin and when modelling you have to be confident in yourself.

TV & Reality

I don't have any experience in tv but i am very comfortable talking in front of a camera. I feel like i have a good personality for tv and have plenty of stories to tell. As i want to be a tv presenter being happy on tv, and having people understand you is important. I think people would warm to my personality and especially people my age could relate to things i have gone through. I would use tv as a platform to inspire others.

Dancing ability

Dance styles
  • Contemporary
  • Hip Hop

I have loved to dance ever since i was little. I have competed in dance competitions at high school and this was a big highlight for me. I get such a thrill performing on stage. I dance as often as can; my style is commercial but i can do hip hop. Also doing gcse i am confident with contemporary dance as i love telling stories through dance. I feel very comfortable performing. My main goal with dance is to compete with a troupe around the world, but also dancing in music videos for artists, that would be incredible.

TV presenter experience

No previous TV presenter experience

Radio presenter experience

No previous Radio presenter experience

  • English

Again i don't have much experience in presenting, however in college i am always the voice of the group. I will speak when other don't want to and presenting to the class or school i love doing. I find it easy to explain or speak publicly to a group. I can do this confidently with others understanding. In the future i would love to do tv presenting, and i really enjoy using my extroverted personality to my advantage.
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Home Control Solutions – A good Actual Estate Investor’s Best Good friend

Do you possess an expense home that you are leasing out, and you’re at present dealing with all of the chores of becoming a landlord yourself?

Are you considering about investing in rental properties, but you’re not confident if you might be up for the job of getting a landlord?

If you answered indeed to either of these inquiries, no matter whether you are holding onto or contemplating investing in a single-loved ones rental (SFR), duplex, or triplex, you should feel about engaging a expert home administration company to just take the function off your shoulders.

Let’s just take URL LInks appear at what home administration is, what a professional administration business handles, and how to choose not only if it truly is time to employ one but also how to employ the service of the appropriate home management company.

What is Property Management?

Let’s commence off with getting an knowing of what a residence management company does and does not do. There are numerous crucial tasks a home supervisor can assist you with.

Location the proper rental price: You can often ballpark this by searching through the classifieds, but a excellent house management business actually conducts thorough market research to set a rental price tag for your residence. This makes sure you have a wonderful harmony in between maximizing your regular monthly income and maintaining a minimal emptiness price.

Amassing the rent: One of the most hard facets of getting a landlord is amassing the lease. Home management corporations have successful, attempted-and-accurate programs that will do a excellent work of collecting the lease and preserving on-time payments.

Advertising and marketing and advertising and marketing your rental device: When vacancies happen, you want the rental unit occupied as quickly as achievable. A specialist residence administration agency has encounter that assists it market your property in just the charge way to make sure somebody moves in swiftly.

Obtaining and handling tenants: The house management company will get the work out of finding and handling tenants for you. This signifies screening new tenants for felony and credit score checks, collecting references, and getting the lease signed. Once the house is occupied, handling program and crisis servicing and inspections are component of what a expert management organization will do for you.

Handling relationships with contractors and other sellers: Do you have deep-seated associations with all of the maintenance staff, tradesmen, contractors, suppliers, and vendors essential to appropriately deal with your rental? Most likely not. But a residence management agency does and can get you the best function for the very best value, while handling the burden of overseeing needed upkeep initiatives for you.

Maintaining you in compliance with the regulations Housing laws and home legal guidelines are complicated and perplexing when you happen to be leasing and keeping your rental residence. These can contain local, condition, and federal rules, alongside with honest housing regulations like the People in america with Disabilities Act. A property supervisor can preserve you out of very hot water by retaining your residence up-to-day and in compliance with all of these restrictions.

Allowing you to invest from afar: If you have moved to a place where investing in rental units don’t make sense, you may believe that investing in SFRs or other rental properties isn’t really attainable. With a excellent home management firm by your side, you will not be so minimal in your expenditure options.

I only have one property so why do I want a home manager?

If just reading through all of the responsibilities that a residence supervisor can manage for you is not convincing ample, take into account this: do you want to be able to go on holiday without interruption? Do you actually get pleasure from phone calls about backed up plumbing at three:thirty in the morning?

Chances are, you want the freedom to go away city for trip or just have uninterrupted time with household for the vacations. You do not relish the task of working with unexpected emergency upkeep chores in the center of the night, and you possibly dread the thought of making an attempt to locate a excellent tenant when your present ones transfer out.

Even if you only have a single investment property that you’re renting out, you can benefit strongly from employing a home management provider. They have decades of encounter that you’d be difficult-pressed to match yourself, and can make sure your property is maintained impeccably while even now maximizing your profit.

All right, I’m convinced, but how do I know who to hire?

The greatest way to find out about high quality management organizations is primarily based on the knowledge of other people. If you are neighborhood to your rental property, show up at your regional real estate expenditure affiliation conferences to get recommendations from other landlords.

You want to make confident you discover out how several units the company is taking care of, and how several workers they have undertaking the perform. A qualified worker with the correct tools and verified processes can productively deal with among 30 and forty units, as prolonged as they’re not also enjoying accountant.

When you might be interviewing diverse qualified residence management firms, listed here are the queries you should get responses to:

What is the value? Usually, the month to month fee for home administration is between eight and twelve per cent, furthermore bills. Remember you get what you pay out for, so it is essential to equilibrium the cost and companies.

How effectively do they communicate? You want an individual who uses e-mail, but is nevertheless responsive to the phone. If you will not get a reaction in a well timed style, it is time to wander somewhere else.

How simply can I terminate the settlement? If things function out, what will it just take to terminate your settlement? Make confident you know this up front, together with any penalties.

How skilled are they with Section 8? This can be supremely critical, considering that Area 8 housing and tenants are fantastic revenue opportunities. Make sure they have ample knowledge with this kind of qualities.

If you do your analysis, you can easily locate a trustworthy company to manage your rental investments for you. This will free of charge you up to appreciate the fruits of your expense without having as considerably of the problem.

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COVID-19: Mandatory Guidelines for Visitors and Staff

Effective 5:00pm March 14, 2020, Dementia Care Facilities, Long Term Care Facilities, and Pediatric Transitional Care Homes have new screening and restriction requirements for staff and visitors.

Mandatory Guidelines for Visitors and Facility Staff

File a Complaint

NJDOH operates a 24-hour hotline at 800-792-9770 for complaints about health care facilities

File a complaint

Enforcement Actions

Health Facility Regulation

The New Jersey Department of Health regulates a wide range of health care settings for quality of care, such as hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living residences, ambulatory care centers, home health care, medical day care and others (complete list).

To ensure compliance with regulations, survey facilities investigate complaints and penalize facilities for non-compliance.

Finally, we certify aides and administrators in settings such as nursing homes to ensure their training, experience and background meet state standards.

Apply for a Credential

If you are interested in working in a health care facility, you might require a license or certification from the New Jersey Department of Health. Find out how to get certified.

Find Hospitals, Outpatient & Long Term Care Facilities

Consumer’s Guide

If you are a consumer searching for a health care facility or information about a facility, please see the Consumer’s Guide.

Click for health care facility performance information.

Last Reviewed: 4/21/2020


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Frontex: multi-million euro contracts signed while lobby register still in the works

Frontex has issued 21 calls for tender with an estimated value of over €210 million since the entry into force of its new Regulation in December 2019.

A 34% increase in the agency's budget in 2020, designed to back up its new powers, has stimulated a spending spree on contracts throughout the year. The agency is obliged to introduce a lobbying transparency register, but this is not expected to come into use until early 2021.

Recent tenders issued by Frontex include a range of projects and experiments with new and potentially controversial technologies. A document (pdf) explaining the requirements for a 'Research Study on Technology Foresight on Biometrics for the Future of Travel' cites an expected cost of €500,000. The aim of the study is to provide a methodology that will allow the agency to identify promising new biometric technologies that could be deployed for EU border controls.

Meanwhile, Frontex expects to award €3 million for a pilot project on 'Maritime Surveillance Aerostats' (an aerostat is essentially a hot air balloon tethered to the ground). This is the latest in a long line of experiments with this technology, with which the agency aims to increase what it refers to as its “situational awareness” (surveillance) capabilities.

A further €5 million has been earmarked for a year-long project on satellite radio frequency detection technology. The aim (pdf) is to "increase Frontex’ situational awareness primarily in the maritime domain and also over the land areas," as part of the ongoing expansion of the European Border Surveillance System (EUROSUR).

Not all the services and equipment sought by Frontex are so costly or high-tech, but they give a further indication of the agency’s current planning and practice – for example, “middle to low value contracts”, worth between €15,000 and €139,000, have recently been signed for tear gas, batons and bulletproof vests.

Big money, new register

With this much at stake, there is a clearly a need for measures to ensure that undue influence cannot be exerted on the agency by private interests – and for this reason, Frontex is now obliged to introduce a lobbying transparency register.

The requirement for such a register was introduced by the European Parliament (pdf) during negotiations on the 2019 Regulation, and Article 118 of that Regulation states:

“The Agency shall ensure that there is transparency as regards lobbying by means of a transparency register and by disclosing all its meetings with third-party stakeholders. The transparency register shall include all meetings and contacts between third-party stakeholders and the executive director, deputy executive directors and heads of division in matters concerning procurements and tenders for services, equipment or outsourced projects and studies. The Agency shall keep a record of all meetings of its staff with third-party stakeholders in matters concerning procurements and tenders for services, equipment or outsourced projects and studies.”

Frontex’s press office did not respond to questions from Statewatch on how many meetings between third-party stakeholders and the executive director, deputy executive directors and heads of division have been held since the new Regulation came into force.

However, they did say that the transparency register is “currently under preparation,” and the intention is “to develop the policy and a fully-fledged system by beginning of 2021 the latest.”

In order to prevent conflicts of interest, all Frontex staff are obliged to abstain from “further action in any situation that compromises their independence (objectivity) or that can be reasonably perceived as compromising their independence,” said the press office. “In such situation the staff member has to inform and declare a conflict of interests,” they added.

Questionable practices

The McKinsey scandal, revealed earlier this year by Der Spiegel and the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network, highlights exactly why such transparency procedures are necessary.

Suggestions on how to implement the 2016 EU-Turkey Deal, made as part of supposedly "pro bono" work undertaken by McKinsey for the European Commission, were then reproduced in EU policy implemented in Greece, including the increased use of detention. The management consultancy subsequently signed a €1 million contract with the European Asylum Support Office (EASO), without competition, to assist in enacting the policy.

Some of Frontex’s own contracting appears to have been quite extravagant. In January 2019, the agency concluded a two-year contract amounting to €30 million with Polish company eTravel, for assistance with deportation operations. eTravel is to provide “high quality travel desk services,” such as “booking and ticketing services for the EU Member States who will organize return operations by scheduled flights with Frontex support”.

As detailed in a Statewatch report published earlier this year, eTravel was the only company to bid for the contract, which cost three times the amount projected by Frontex in its 2019 programming document (pdf). According to Frontex, the projected cost “took into consideration only the first tranche of the contract with eTravel,” but the €30 million figure is “intended to cover the return activities from 2019 to 2023.”

This significant amount of money is required because of “the rising volume of Frontex activities in the field of returns, and the new mandate of the Agency, which also allows Frontex to support and finance voluntary returns,” said the press office via email.

Highs and lows

Calls for tender by any public institution in the EU with a value over €139,000 have to be advertised via the TED website, in accordance with EU public procurement rules.

Tenders worth between €15,000 and €139,000 must be advertised on Frontex’s website; there have been been 30 such calls so far in 2020. These include a framework contract for purchase of tear gas (“lachrymatory agents”), batons, bulletproof vests and first aid sterile spray solution, amongst other things.

Calls to tender with a value under €15,000 are not advertised and are typically negotiated with one contractor. A Frontex spokesperson explained:

“The contracts worth less than €15 000 are not advertised, neither in its planned stage, nor after award of the contract, due to the protection of personal data of natural persons that are very often contracted as contractors below this amount”

The details of these “low and middle value negotiated procedures”, including their estimated value, are not made public. However, Frontex did confirm that one such procedure, for “Human Intelligence Training”, was finalised with Chenega Europe, a subsidiary of a US private intelligence, security and military corporation. The European operation is headed by an array of British ex-military personnel who seem to have particular experience of operations in Northern Ireland.

Further reading

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Sunday Service

Date(s) - 04/07/2021
10:00 am - 11:00 am

A service of Holy Communion in Church and broadcast on Zoom.

If you attend in person we will have to take some details to make sure we are Covid compliant and ask that everyone attending maintain social distancing and wear a mask unless medically exempt.

Meeting ID: 857 6546 2389
Passcode: Church

Readings this week:
2 Corinthians 12.2-10
Mark 6.1-13


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Skip to content ↓

Just Different Week

As part of our value of understanding, we held a Just Different Week, covering disability awareness.

The highlight of the week was an inspirational two days in the company of Alison Wright, who showed the children that anything is possible and that 'disability' is only a word. Alison explained her life story, showing the children how she has made a success of her life and the ways in which she has overcome the challenges presented to her.

The week which covered many forms of disability gave the children the opportunity to gain a real understanding of different forms of disability, as well as the knowledge to prepare them for life beyond school.


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Dahlia Blush in Pink from the Dragons & Lanterns collection by Kate Merritt for Cloud9 Fabrics.

100% Organic Quilters Weight Cotton (125 GSM)

44-45in / 111-114cm Wide

Please see Care Information below for washing instructions etc.

Price is per fat quarter so if you require a metre, please add 4 to your basket. If you order more than 1 fat quarter, these will be cut as a continuous piece.

Cloud9 Dragons & Lanterns - Dahlia Blush

SKU: C9FAB000012
  • Wash all fabrics before use.  Shrinkage can occur so please take this in to account when ordering fabric as you may need to order more than a pattern states.

    Cloud9 – Like most cottons, gentle washing preserves colour and fibres longer.  We recommend machine wash cold with like colours in a gentle cycle.  Non-chlorine bleach when needed.  Tumble dry low and remove promptly to avoid wrinkling.  Warn iron if needed.

  • Returns will only be accepted on items that are faulty or damaged. Pre-cut fabrics (i.e. fat quarter packs, jelly rolls etc) can be returned for a full refund within 14 days of purchase, minus return postage costs, unless the item is damaged. No refund will be given on cut-to-order fabrics or remnants, unless they are faulty. Cut fabrics are classed as personalised orders.  Please get in touch if you need to return an item.

    All items are quality checked before they are despatched. Steel City Fabrics cannot be held responsible for items damaged during transit.

    Refunds will be issued within 48 hours of items being received by Steel City Fabrics.


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Step Up In Crisis

Save the Doctors and Nurses who are fighting to save us!

Help us meet a $1.5 million match challenge offered by a group of former and current Google employees to obtain protective gear for those who are risking their lives to save us from COVID-19.

The Crisis

your personal protective equipment Needs and Supplies

Tell us what you need

We will notify you when we get what you need (if you have already registered at, you don't need to register with us because we share the data).

Tell us what you supply

We will let you know if you can help.

Got Questions?

Our Partners


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Nature and Art in Steyl

hidden treasure in gardens, chapels and churches

If the word “thank you“ was the only prayer,
that you ever spoke, it would be enough.

- Meister Eckhart

"Earth is crammed with heaven,

and every common bush

afire with God,

but only he who sees

takes off his shoes;

the rest sit round

and pluck blackberries."

- Elisabeth Barrett Browning

"seek and you shall find"
Matthew 7:7

"The Lord is my Shepard,

I shall not want."
Pslam 23

"Beauty speaks to every heart."

Simone Weil


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Striders Committee

The Stilton Striders are an inclusive running club, who pride ourselves on having a fantastic committee who do great work including organizing various running events through out the year.

This is a little bit about each member of the committee.

Chris Genes
Club Chairman

Katie Hateley
Race Director, Female Vice Captain and Welfare Officer

Amelia Fisher
Club Secretary

Andy Nicholls
Club Treasurer

Carl Mead
Mental Health Champion, Health and Safety officer, First Aider, and Run Leader.

Emma Hope
Ladies Captain

Ian Bickle
Men’s Captain

John Houghton

Kaye Mead
Members Liaison, Social Secretary, First Aider, and run leader.

Mark Ashmore
Website Administrator


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Experiential Opportunities

Learning is about more than sitting in a classroom taking notes. For business students at the Tobin College of Business, it's about the practical application of classroom knowledge - through innovative programs like these:

2020 Business Career Placement Report

Our Programs

University Crest on the top of a sign

Executive-in-Residence Program

Provides to both the undergraduate and graduate students in-school opportunities to engage in real-world business consulting with actual business and non-profit organizations.

Floor of the New York Stock Exchange

Student Managed Investment Fund

Designed to give the students a hands-on experience at performing investment research, investing money and managing a portfolio prior to entering the work force.

Business School Students in computer lab

The Applied Finance Institute

The mission of the Applied Finance Institute is to promote the activities of the Tobin College that are related to the practice of finance for the benefit of our finance students. The Institute will provide a focal point, encouraging an applied and experiential learning environment, relevant to the practice of finance, in order to prepare Tobin finance students for successful careers.

Sculpture of the Globe during the sunset

Global Microloan Program

The GLOBE Graduate Affiliate Program actively engages graduate students in international finance and social entrepreneurship through their strategic support of undergraduate GLOBE managers in the provision of microcredit to small entrepreneurs in developing countries.

Street banner with St. John's University logo

Academic Service-Learning

Offered as part of required management courses sophomore year, students develop solutions to immediate short-term problems which organizations encounter while senior students focus on developing long-term strategies.

Male student studying

Undergraduate Internships

The Tobin College of Business offers internships for real life experience and we provide our students with opportunities with employers throughout the Metropolitan area.

Societies and Organizations

Alpha Kappa Psi (Business)

The objects of this chapter shall be to further the individual welfare of its members, to foster scientific research in the fields of commerce, accounts and finance; to educate the public to appreciate and demand higher ideals therein; and to promote and advance in institutions of college rank courses leading to degrees in business administration.

Beta Alpha Psi (Accounting)

The primary objective of Beta Alpha Psi is to ecourage and give recognition to scholastic and professional excellence in the business information field as well as encourage a sense of ethical, social and public responsibility.

Beta Gamma Sigma

Beta Gamma Sigma is the international honor society serving business programs accredited by AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Membership in Beta Gamma Sigma is the highest recognition a business student anywhere in the world can receive in a business program accredited by AACSB International

General Information
Iota Chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma was established at St. John's University in 1968 following the accreditation of the College by the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business.

The Mission of the International Honor Society Beta Gamma Sigma is to encourage and honor academic achievement in the study of business, to foster personal and professional excellence, to advance the values of the Society, and to serve its lifelong members. For more information on Beta Gamma Sigma refer to betagammasigma.org.

Omicron Delta Epsilon (Economics)

Omicron Delta Epsilon, one of the world’s largest academic honor societies, honors outstanding students in the area of economics, encourages collaboration and scholarship, and publishes The American Economist.

To qualify for membership, undergraduate students must have completed at least 91 credits with a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 and at least 12 credits in economics and finance with a minimum 3.5 GPA in those courses. Graduate students must have completed at least 12 credits in economics or finance with a minimum GPA of 3.5 in those courses and a minimum 3.0

Academic Affairs Commission
The Academic Affairs Commission of SGA organizes and presents the concerns of students with regard to academic issues. The Commission addresses academic program concerns and serves as a liaison to faculty and the Peter J. Tobin College of Business.

Gamma lota Sigma
The Alpha Iota Chapter of Gamma Iota Sigma, National Collegiate Insurance Fraternity, is located at the College. Its membership is open to all students interested in insurance as a career. The fraternity sponsors industry lectures, national symposiums, corporate field trips, and participation in regional and national fraternity conferences. The fraternity is dedicated to providing a link between the insurance industry and students on college campuses nationwide.

Graduate Business Association
The Graduate Student Association of St. John's University is designed to serve as a forum for opinions and suggestions concerning education, progress, empowerment, experience and the quality of life as a graduate student.

Organization of Resident Students (ORS)
This organization is comprised of students who assist in developing programs and activities for the students residing at the campus. ORS voices the concerns of residents and strives to create a sense of community for those living at the College.

Student Government Association (SGA)
The Student Government Association is the representative body of all students, undergraduate and graduate, part-or full-time. It meets regularly to discuss issues and affairs of the students and the campus. Any matriculated student in good academic and social standing may run for election as an Executive Board officer or Program Representative, as outlined by the SGA Constitution. SGA meetings are open to all students.

Institute of Internal Auditors Student Chapter (IIA)
The purpose of the IIA Student Chapter is to develop student leadership skills, to raise awareness on campus about the internal audit profession, educate members about the roles and opportunities available in the profession, and to connect students with internal audit professionals.  This Student Chapter is affiliated with the New York Chapter of The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA).

ISACA Student Group
The purpose of the ISACA Student Group is to develop student leadership skills, to raise awareness on campus about the information systems auditing profession, educate members about the roles and opportunities available in the profession, and to connect students with information systems professionals.  This Student Group is affiliated with the ISACA New York Metropolitan Chapter.

Financial Information Lab

Spawning leaders in a host of industries, primarily within financial services, both regionally and globally, The Peter J. Tobin College of Business at St. John's University opened the Financial Information Lab. The lab enhances the education we deliver through the establishment of a learning environment that brings real-time news, market information, financial data and industry-class analytical tools to our students and faculty.

This type of facility enables our students to learn about and live in the financial markets in business environments and situations throughout the world. Students benefit from the most contemporary learning technology and tools of analysis that are available in the marketplace today.

The Tools
The Financial Information Lab offers state-of-the-art software systems and databases to support hands-on, real-world student learning as well as faculty research.  Its core application is FactSet, an extremely flexible set of applications which processes accounting data, securities prices and performance, portfolio analysis, earnings estimates, expansive economics data series, fixed income, and information on mergers, acquisitions, IPOs, and private placements.

All 33 computers upgraded in 2011 and equipped with dual display, side-by-side monitors.
FactSet (www.factset.com) software, a premium suite of financial analytical tools and databases, installed on all 32 stations on the floor and at the podium.
12 stations equipped with both the Bloomberg system and FactSet.
Two printers with ID swipe control.
Wall-Mounted LCD Screens:

Full screen mode for DirecTV, or
A multi-windowed presentation with DirecTV broadcast in the largest window, stock tickers running along the bottom, and market highlights and St. John's announcements displayed in the side window.
DirecTV Channels:

  • Bloomberg
  • CNBC
  • CNBC World
  • Court TV
  • Discovery Health
  • Fox News Channel
  • CNN
  • MSNBC
  • Headline News
  • Current TV
  • Travel Channel
  • Weather Channel
  • C-SPAN
  • C-SPAN2

Audio/Visual Features
A podium is equipped with a computer, dual monitors, a microphone, laptop connector, and DVD/VCR player, along with a control panel.
The microphone and audio feed through six speakers set into the ceiling.
There are three ceiling projectors...one for each of the PC monitors and the third (nearest to the podium) for either a laptop, DVD or VCR image.
World Clocks:
A digital strip of clocks sits above the main entry/exit door between the FIL and Marillac microlab and displays the time in six different parts of the world, starting with New York and moving east to London, Beirut, New Delhi, Hong Kong, and Tokyo.

Tracker Board
The Tracker Board conjures up images of the "big board" at the NYSE. It displays, on a scrolling basis:

The list and current prices of the holdings of The Tobin College of Business undergraduate and graduate Student-Managed Investment Funds (SMIFs).
Values of major domestic and international stock indices.
Futures contract prices.
Currency exchange rates.
Treasury security rates and quotes.
Market prices of major sector ETFs (consumer discretionary, consumer staples, healthcare, utilities, energy, telecommunications, information tech, industrials, materials, financials.)

Competitive Advantage
Building on our traditions of producing business practitioners who recognize opportunities and use these to competitive advantage, the College is moving in a direction that will further build visibility for programs in all of our major areas of study.

  • Risk management students can simulate scenarios using multiple variables to arrive at best formula for risk coverage.
  • Finance and economics students access to real-time business data and news from around the world, aggregated to make the soundest decisions on investment and portfolio management.
  • Decision sciences students can utilize the lab to draw from databases and databanks around the world in making decisions within or across business disciplines.
  • Students of organizations and organizational behavior use the lab to derive the most contemporary business cases for use in strategic and operational analyses.
  • Marketing students use the lab for research and planning relative to new products and services for consumers.

Establishing the Financial Information Lab at the College contributes significantly to our reputation as a leader and innovator in business education, thereby raising the profile of the Tobin degree worldwide.

The lab enables faculty to provide instruction that is exciting, informative and engaging. Equipment and tools in the room support numerous applications, some of which are:

  • Direct analysis of a business case with up-to-the-minute financial information
  • Follow news with a class of major corporate mergers or financial market events via one of the business cable news channels on the LCD screens
  • Perform research in support of strategic business plans (EIRP)
  • Access a mergers and acquisitions database for case analysis of accounting treatment
  • Chart and/or download thousands of global macroeconomic variable series
  • Download historical price data for financial instruments for analysis·
  • Download historical financial statement data into Excel instantaneously
  • Evaluate the implications of a marketing plan
  • Create stock analysis research reports
  • Track the performance of a stock portfolio

The laboratory environment holds virtually unlimited promise as a mechanism for provision of training, updating of skills or corporate education in innumerable fields of business, such as financial services, business journalism, e-commerce, management of risk, insurance and quantitative finance.

For more information about this exciting new venture, please contact John Neumann at 718-990-88829 or [email protected]

Submit your business plan by March 1, 2019 and compete to win one of six cash prizes topping out at $5,000.

The James and Eileen Christmas Business Plan Competition is open to all undergraduate and graduate St. John's University students from all majors (maximum team of five). Write a 15-page business plan and win a chance to present your plan on Thursday, April 11, 2019.

If your business plan is not selected to be one of five finalists in the competition, you may still be selected to take part in the Pitch Event. Ten contestants will be able to pitch their business idea in three minutes and three will win cash prizes.

The James and Eileen Christmas Business Plan and Pitch Event, underwritten by James W. Christmas '70CBA and Eileen Christmas, is hosted by The Peter J. Tobin College of Business and the St. John's University Office of Alumni Relations.

2019 James and Eileen Christmas Business Plan Competition and Pitch Event

Date: April 11, 2019
Time: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Location: The Peter J. Tobin College of Business, Rooms 201-202

To submit a business plan, go to https://app.reviewr.com/s1/site/ChristmasBPC2019. The submission deadline is Friday, March 1.

Click here to read the Competition rules.

For more information, contact the Competition's director, Professor of Management William Reisel, Ph.D., at [email protected].

James W. Christmas '70CBA began his professional career by securing an internship at the accounting firm of Arthur Andersen when he was still an undergraduate at St. John’s University.  His internship led to a paid position at the firm, which he immediately started on a day between his last final examination and commencement. During his career at Arthur Andersen, Christmas worked with a variety of clients, primarily in the energy areas of oil, gas and electric utilities.

Christmas left Arthur Andersen as Senior Manager in March, 1978 to accept the position of Corporate Controller at National Utilities and Industries, a diversified gas utility company with a variety of ancillary energy businesses. While at National Utilities and Industries his responsibilities included troubleshooting problems at a number of subsidiary companies, and his success led him to also serve as President and/or Vice President at several of these subsidiaries.

Christmas had been serving as Vice President of Planning and Development when he orchestrated the spinoff of National Utilities and Industries’ non regulated businesses in 1988 and became President and CEO of KCS Group, a newly created company which later became KCS Energy.  Under his leadership, KCS grew from a tiny startup to a nearly $2 billion enterprise.  In 2006 KCS Energy merged with Petrohawk Energy Corporation, an independent energy company engaged in the acquisition, production, exploration and development of oil and gas, with properties concentrated in North Louisiana, Arkansas, East Texas, South Texas and Oklahoma. Petrohawk became one of the premier oil and gas companies involved in the new shale gas technology which is adding significantly to the nation’s gas supplies.  In 2011 Petrohawk was acquired by BHP Billiton for $15 billion.

Christmas is retired and currently serves as a Director of Petrohawk Energy Corporation and as Chairman of its Financial Reporting Committee.  In addition, he is a Director of Halcon Resources, Inc. and serves as Chairman of its Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and a member of its Audit Committee. He is also a Senior Financial Advisor to a private oil and gas company and a member of The Peter J. Tobin College of Business Advisory Board.

Eileen Christmas also shares a commitment to the mission and students of St. John’s University.

Growing up in a devout family that stressed the importance of religion, she attended her parish elementary school, followed by high school at The Mary Louis Academy and college at Niagara University. It was at Niagara that she met her husband, and they married at the completion of her Sophomore year.

The couple relocated to Queens and Jim transferred to St. John’s University to complete his degree while Eileen began teaching at a local Catholic elementary school. She put her career on hold to raise her family, and over the years has put her Vincentian ideals into action by devoting herself to countless volunteer activities within the Catholic Church.

She has taught Pre-Kindergarten and Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (C.C.D.) classes in her parish school, served as a member of the Religious Education Committee and shared her faith with those in need as both a Eucharistic Minister and a Consolation Minister.

Both James and Eileen Christmas are committed to providing opportunities for hardworking students to secure a quality education by taking advantage of all that St. John’s has to offer.


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Q&A with Maria Canatselis, Home Care Coordinator at St Louis. Why Your Home Care Coordinator Plays a Key Role in Home Care

Maria is a Home Care Coordinator at St Louis and in her role, she supports St Louis’ clients to develop a lifestyle that helps them enjoy their elderly years at home, by developing a custom home care package suited to their needs.

It is possible to manage your own home care package, but the outcomes you want may be harder to achieve. Below we discuss why having a Home Care Coordinator makes the difference between a good experience of home care and a great one.

Q: What is the primary role of the Home Care Coordinator?

As a Home Care Coordinator, I advise and support our clients on how to make the most of their home care package navigating the home care system to get the services they need to stay at home and plan for the future. We help people to achieve the best outcomes.

It is important that as coordinators we are giving appropriate help and support to empower people to make decisions for themselves wherever possible. The way care is delivered is up to our clients and they know they always have the choice to have care delivered in the way they want it.

The Home Care Coordinator is a bit like a personal assistant. They have many roles but the main one would be that they are responsible for helping clients to access a range of different services.

The role also includes case management, assessment, care planning, service coordination, managing budgets and regularly reviewing how everything is going.

Services are individualised and can include personal care, domestic assistance, home maintenance, and respite options.

Social support that helps our clients stay engaged in their interests and their local community is also an important aspect of home care. Read our blog about 21 ways to use your home care package to stay socially connected.

Q: What are the concerns that people have when they are about to start a Home Care Package?

Quality of care - mostly people are concerned with the quality of care that they will receive, even though they have most likely done their research and selected their preferred provider. But this is understandable, starting a home care package where someone else is caring for you in your own home is a big transition.

Is my package flexible? – as people get older their needs change so the home care package needs to be flexible to change with them. Our role is to make sure their package is always delivering what they need so we will regularly review how they are going in order to deliver additional or different services, within their existing home care package.

What will I pay and what are the rates? – we provide the costs up front and make sure that our clients understand their monthly invoices so that they are always aware of what the fees are.

Am I getting the most value from your package? This is what the home care coordinator role primary focusses on, to make sure we are optimising your home care package so that you are happy with the care you are receiving.

I haven’t been assigned the correct level package – sometimes people will be assigned a lower level package to get them started with some home care as they wait for their higher level of care to be approved. We will help people through this transition and ensure they are getting the help they need. We may suggest supplementary private home care or we can ensure we are making the most of the lower level package focusing on services that are a priority.

We understand the concerns people have during this transition time, we have had lots of experience and we gently help people work through their concerns.

We keep ongoing communication open between you and your home care coordinator, we are here to assist you every step of the way, and to address any concerns regarding your home care package - whether it has to do with the budget, the care you are receiving or your changing needs.

Your home care package is completely flexible so you can swap and change services if you need different care. We can also advocate with the government on your behalf so your home care level can increase if you need further support.

Is the Home Care Coordinator only involved at the start or is it an ongoing role?

It is an ongoing role and we are always working with the client to support their changing needs and to link them to the services and other resources that they require. We provide advice and support to our clients to enable them to make their own decisions for their ongoing care needs.

The care plan is often an ongoing dialogue with the coordinator, family and friends about how to meet their current needs and those that can be anticipated in the future. We conduct ongoing monitoring and formal reassessment to ensure that care and services continue to meet their needs.

What do you think would happen if people did not have a Home Care Coordinator?

People would need to manage their own budget and be able to keep track of their available funds and expenditure for their package. They would need to have the knowledge of how to write up a care plan which sets out the day-to-day services that will be provided and how they will be delivered.

They would need to select, hire and schedule their own care workers. Therefore, without the support that a home care coordinator offers, the added stress of people managing their home care package could result in not maximising the use of their home care package, resulting in early entry to residential care.

Call St Louis today to enquire about how we will help you make the best of your home care package

Call St Louis Home Care in Adelaide on 08 8332 0950 or St Louis in Victor Harbor on 08 8552 1481 to discuss an existing home care package or applying for a new one.

Want to learn more?


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My take on MSFT bid for YHOO

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Ballmer has been chasing Jerry Yang for a year, and today he ran out of patience. Interestingly enough, I learned it from CNBC first time (around 5:30 AM central time). Note, last time I watched early CNBC, it was Jan 22 global crash…so the lesson for me don’t get up too early 🙂

The desperation of Microsoft
After all these efforts, MSN search, MSN live space, blog, MSFT is still playing catch up with GOOG. Since it can not afford to buy GOOG, it is determined to get the No. 2 guy in web search, by paying more than 50% premium over yesterday’s YHOO closing price.

How Yahoo got here

Continue reading My take on MSFT bid for YHOO


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Inventive Designs for Small Bathrooms

Wet floors make smaller rooms feel much larger - this shower room has been completely transformed with the removal of the old shower enclosure.
Wet floors make smaller rooms feel much larger – this shower room has been completely transformed with the removal of the old shower enclosure.

A compact bathroom can still have style and comfort. The trick is to maximize the space.

The smallest room may be the main bathroom in a small house or the second or third bathroom in a large house. An en-suite bathroom can be designed to fit the narrowest of settings. They’re often incorporated into loft conversions to make the best use of available corners.

Whatever the scenario, innovative bathroom designs can change the smallest room in your house into a practical and attractive place.

Storage and Space

It’s easy for bathrooms to become chaotic scenes, especially busy family bathrooms. Shelves and window sills are covered in cosmetics, toothpastes, hair gels; the list of health and beauty products is endless.

Clever storage is a must, especially in bathrooms with limited space. Wall cabinets positioned high on walls utilise vertical areas and keep potions and lotions out of reach of small children. Another good use of wall space is floating shelves. Supported on concealed brackets they provide a neat solution for a bathroom packed with products.

Tiered wire baskets are useful for holding towels and wash bags and can be easily moved when required. A rail of hooks is also a helpful fixture for a door or wall. It provides a handy place to hang damp towels or dressing gowns and robes.

Instead of trying to squeeze in a floor-level radiator, you could try replacing it with a heated towel rail. A mounted towel rail can be positioned pretty much anywhere and switched on and off as needed.

If you rarely use the bath, why not take out the bathtub, and invest in a square shower cubicle. From a practical sense, a combined bath and shower provides the most functional solution. However, if you do lose the bath, that area could then become home to a large storage cabinet or vanity unit. In an odd gap, a wall-hung vanity unit can provide invaluable extra storage and maximise floor space.

Reflection and Light

Glass and mirrors are a simple but effective way to reflect light. They give the illusion of depth and height.

Large mirrored cabinets or long wall mirrors can help to make a narrow location appear wider. A wall mirror above a vanity unit with a glass top looks glossy and elegant.

A glass bath screen allows light to flow through, adding a bright and airy feel. Another trick is to use frosted film on a window instead of blinds to give privacy but retain maximum light from outside.

Tips and Tricks

Neutral wall and floor tiles create a consistency throughout that gives a feel of spaciousness and light. Whereas dark flooring can shrink small dimensions even further.

Plain vinyl flooring is a good option as it provides a uniform surface with no lines or breaks. This creates an open, fluid foundation for everything else. It’s also durable and easy to clean, making it an ideal choice for a much used family bathroom.

You may think squeezing a tub into your small bathroom is out of the question. But there are a couple of attractive alternatives to a full length bath. A compact corner bath or a tiny square hip bath is perfect for making the most of awkward angles, and it becomes an unusual feature.

Alternatively, if you’ve always hankered after a freestanding bath, then look out for one with squared-off edges. These smaller, roll top baths have been designed to fit tidily into corners.

In summary, there are plenty of innovative ideas and practical tricks that can turn the smallest room in your house into a valuable asset.

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We are pleased to welcome you back to the showroom. We would recommend booking an appointment prior to your visit.

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Aerial Mapping System STORMBEE

STORMBEE UAV-20 is used for aerial surveys of industrial facilities, storage areas, forestry and agricultural land and the other spaces difficult to reach in a road vehicle. STORMBEE UAV-20 has a light carbon fiber frame and can be equipped with any FARO 3D laser scanner.

Stormbee UAV

  • Dimensions: 145 cm x 150 cm x 60 cm
  • Size for transport: 70 cm x 60 cm x 40 cm
  • Weight: 15 kg (excluding scanner)
  • Fully automatic takeoff, flight trajectory, and landing via iPad control station.
  • Flight time: 15 minutes
  • Flight Speed: 0 to 15 m/s
  • Altitude: 10 to 100 m
  • Wind resistance: 30km/hr
  • Operating environment temperature: -5°C / 45°C
  • Full carbon fiber frame with foldable motor arms
  • Vertical field of view: 300°
  • Absolute point cloud accuracy @ 30m: 5 cm
  • Relative accuracy: 1-2 cm
  • Export formats: LAS, E57
  • Compatible with any Faro terrestrial laser scanner
  • Measurement range dependent on Faro scanner option
  • Built-in power supply for Faro scanner
  • Included software: flight planning, GNSS post-processing, and point cloud reconstruction
  • GNSS base station can be used optionally for best results at remote locations

Applications of the Aerial Mapping System STORMBEE UAV-20

STORMBEE UAV-20 is a turn-key solution for any business interested in scanning its property and monitoring its security and safety. STORMBEE UAV-20 equipment is used for pipe lines, bridges, industrial plants etc. The STORMBEE can be used in both autonomous and piloted mode and generates a precise geo-referenced point cloud. STORMBEE equipment is delivered complete with the control station, power supply, charger, software and user manual. Piloting the STORMBEE requires a preliminary 2-3-day training course.

    Are You Interested in Our Equipment?
    Leave Your Email and We Will Call You!

      Let’s Get In Touch or
      Reserve Your System

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Knetz throwback the cute combination of BLACKPINK Jisoo, NCT Doyoung and GOT7 Jinyoung as MC together.

 Is it MC time??

Post response : 469

Netizens comments :

- Yeah~

- JinJiDo as Inkigayo MC.

- Is it the last show for the MC.

- It's the last day of their broadcast.

- JinJiDo ㅠㅠㅠ I miss you ㅠㅠ

- The face combination is the best.

- They look like rabbit.

- Wow, their face is amazing. You're the first one to hug like the youngest. Cute.

- JinJiDo I love you..

- I really like them ㅠㅠ

Post a Comment


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Knetz were go crazy over NU'EST Ren's new teaser for the upcoming comeback!

The other pictures also amazing.

Post response : 102

Netizens comments :

- Ha Choi Minki really pretty.

- So pretty.

- Wow... fancy looks really good on you.

- He's a fairy..

- It's really no joke ㅠㅠ

- Crazy.

- Choi Minki ㅠㅠㅠㅠ

- Wow his face is crazy, it looks fancy.

- The best ㅠㅠㅠ

- He looks so cool ㅠㅠㅠ

Post a Comment


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Welcome to St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church

Welcome, and thank you for visiting St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church online. We hope that our Web site highlights the wide variety of worship, fellowship, and service opportunities available. Please feel free to read more about our parish on this site, or come in for a visit. We would love to greet you and share with you our love for Jesus Christ.

Saturday, July 24 | 5:00 pm

Saturday, June 5 | 5:00 pm

Knights of Columbus
Council 10884 - Itasca

Schedule of Services

Saturday (Vigil Mass)

5:00 pm

8:30 am | 10:00 am | 11:30 am

8:00 am M-F and First Saturday

Saturdays | 4:15 - 4:45 pm

Wednesdays | 8:30 am
(following 8 am Mass)

First Saturdays | 8:30 am
(following 8 am Mass)

Also available by appointment

First Friday of the month.

Begins following 8:00 am Mass
and concludes at 8:00 pm.

Adorers are needed every hour.

Visit catholicmasstime.org
for the location and schedule of
Masses throughout the U.S.

Parish Center Hours
Monday  Thursday

8:30 am to 2:00pm

CLOSED (or by appointment)

Emergency Number

630-773-1272 (ext. 1)

As of June, 2021, St. Peter's has received $500.83 from AmazonSmile proceeds.
Please sign-up for AmazonSmile and help support the parish when making your Amazon purchases.
Every little bit helps!

- PHASE 5 COVID-19 Protocols -
Guidelines for Mass Attendance and Parish Activities

(as of June 11, 2021)

The state of Illinois entered Phase 5 on Friday, June 11, 2021, which means that all sectors of society will fully reopen. The Diocese of Joliet will follow Illinois public health guidelines and offers. Click on the link below for details for church services and activities effective June 11, 2021:

NOTE: MASS SIGN-UP IS NO LONGER NECESSARY. Parishioners are invited to Mass without registration or seating restrictions. In accordance with current Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance, fully-e individuals can participate in indoor and outdoor activities, large or small, without wearing a mask or physical distancing. (“fully-vaccinated” refers to people who are two weeks past their last required COVID-19 vaccine dose.) Individuals who have not been vaccinated should continue to wear masks.

For those who still prefer to adhere to safety protocols, "Safe Seating" is now provided at ALL masses. Please use the front left section of the Church if you wish to maintain social distancing at mass. Alternate row seating will be in place; masks and hand sanitizer will be optional.

Click HERE to see a chart of the "safe seating" section.

During these unprecedented and ever-changing times, this section of the website will continue to provide updates to reflect changes to St. Peter the Apostle Parish activities and events, including weekend and weekday Mass schedules. Blast emails are also being sent out weekly to keep parishioners informed. Links to copies of the emails are included below.

If you are not currently registered to receive emails, you may sign up by clicking HERE.

Fr. Noesen continues to monitor the situation and will take guidance and direction from the Diocese of Joliet and will follow any protocol that may be deemed necessary by Bishop Ronald Hicks.

Everyone is urged to use personal judgment and be prudent in making decisions related to any activities for themselves and their families. For more information and recommendations, please visit the website for the Center for Disease Control and Prevention:

As of July 24, 2021:

> Weekly Updates (07/24/2021) can be viewed HERE


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Summertime often gives families a chance to get outside more, whether it’s a picnic or a day at the beach. It’s important to get in the habit of making good choices when you’re going to be outside in the bright summer sun.

  1. Wear Sunscreen

Damage from UV rays can result in sunburn, skin cancer, heat rash, or premature aging. But luckily, it’s completely preventable. The CDC recommends wearing a sunscreen with at least SPF 15 combined with layered clothes. You can also check the UV index before applying sunscreen. When there’s a higher UV index, you’re at risk of a more severe sunburn and therefore should wear a higher SPF and maybe even wear a hat or plan on staying in the shade while outside. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, even on an overcast day up to 80 percent of UV rays can penetrate clouds. So if you’re going to be outside for more than 10-15 minutes, It’s best to be prepared.

  • Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated in the summer is important, whether you’re at the beach, playing sports, gardening, or just going for a walk. The American Heart Association says that keeping the body hydrated helps the heart more easily pump blood through the blood vessels to the muscles. And, it helps the muscles work efficiently. Dehydration can cause any number of problems like headaches or even heat stroke. John Batson, M.D., a sports medicine physician with Lowcountry Spine & Sport in Hilton Head Island, S.C., says that “If you get thirsty, you’re already dehydrated”. Each person’s daily water intake needs may vary, but Mayo Clinic suggests about 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids for men and 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids for women daily.

  • Wear Sunglasses

Sun damage doesn’t just affect your skin, it affects your eyes too. And according to healthline, not all sunglasses can protect your eyes from harmful UV light. So when shopping for sunglasses, it’s important to look for a pair with a tag that promotes their UV-blocking capabilities. Dr. Amanda Rights, an optometrist and brand ambassador for the company that makes Transitions lenses, told Healthline to “…only buy lenses that provide at least 99 to 100 percent protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Even better, look for shades that block 75 to 90 percent of visible light.”


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Top 5: Best Compact Cars for Golfers

28th Apr 2021

Require a car that can fit golf clubs in? Step this way

There are lots of things to take into consideration when buying a car, but for golfers, space is certainly at the top of the checklist. Not everyone wants a large car though, so we have picked out some small cars that can fit golf clubs in the boot.

There is an excellent mix of comfortable and sporty cars; each version is available as both a 'normal' petrol or diesel car, as well as a sports version too.

All of our selections are great to drive and carry the much-needed premium badge for clubhouse kudos, from manufacturers including MINI, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Jaguar.

MINI Clubman

MINI Clubman, Rear Doors Open

The MINI Clubman is longer than the regular hatchback for those who need to carry larger items such as golf clubs. It sports a 'barn door' (split side-opening) style rear tailgate for easy access to the sizeable rear cargo area.

Rear storage room can be increased considerably by folding down the rear seats too, making room for two sets of clubs and a change of clothes.

Best of all, it still drives like a MINI, with go-kart dynamics and responsive steering. All the engines in the range are popular, but you may well gravitate towards the Cooper S version, which adds hot hatch-like performance whilst still offering more than decent fuel economy.

Search Used MINI Clubman

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Mercedes-Benz A-Class A 250e

The A-Class has undergone somewhat of a renaissance in recent years, transitioning from the MPV-like bodystyle to a more traditional hatchback shape with unmistakable Mercedes-Benz styling. The latest generation is also available as a compact saloon too, if that is more your style.

The boot is large and a good shape, meaning golf clubs will fit in without a problem. There is a wide choice of petrol and diesel engines depending on your preference too, including a plug-in hybrid version.

The A 35 and 45 AMG versions will give you plenty of power and excitement on your way to and from the golf club, and the Mercedes-Benz badge on the front will give you the all-important car park bragging rights.

Search Used Mercedes-Benz A-Class

BMW 1 Series

White BMW 1 Series 128ti

BMWs have been a favourite of golfers for many years; they are great-looking premium cars with excellent driving dynamics, and of course golf club-friendly boots.

Easily slot your clubs into the sizeable boot of the 1 Series, and drive to and from the golf course in perfect bliss in a car that is not too big and not too small.

A performance version comes in the form of the M135i xDrive, which makes use of a turbocharged engine that packs a serious 302bhp punch as well as all-wheel drive. The 265bhp 128ti, pictured, is no slouch either. The prestige of the BMW badge will go down well in the clubhouse, too.

Search Used BMW 1 Series

Audi A1 Sportback

Audi A1 Sportback, Blue

The Audi A1 is the smallest car in this list, but do not let that put you off. It is surprisingly roomy, especially in 5-door Sportback form.

The boot is plenty large enough for a set of golf clubs, and if you fold the rear seats down you will have room for a lot more items too.

Audi cars are beautifully made and the plush interior is unusually luxurious for a car in this class. It looks good too, with Audi's trademark sharp styling and instantly recognisable grille fitting in nicely with the rest of the premium cars in the golf club car park.

Search Used Audi A1

Jaguar E-PACE

Grey Jaguar E-Pace, Driving

From the smallest car on the list to one of the largest, the E-PACE is Jaguar's compact SUV, which was orginally released in 2017.

It is a handsomely styled car and the SUV proportions give it an advantage over hatchback rivals in terms of interior space. It is still compact though, and in fact it is actually shorter in length than the latest generation of Mercedes-Benz A-Class.

The boot is a good size, certainly large enough for golf clubs, and Jaguars have long been recognised as one of the top cars to be seen in at the golf club.

A great choice if you prefer a higher driving position, both physically and psychologically.

Search Used Jaguar E-PACE

Find your perfect premium used car at Stratstone

There are plenty of different premium and luxury vehicle options when looking for a compact car that will still fit a set of golf clubs, and associated paraphernalia, inside.

Major brands such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and even Jaguar have launched competitive smaller cars in recent years, while the MINI Clubman continues to impress with its unique styling and quirky interior.

At Stratstone, we stock all of the above compact premium models and many more too, with thousands of used cars available through our extensive network of luxury car dealerships.

Search All Used Cars


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Basim's Classroom
Basim (wearing brown scarf)

Basim (wearing brown scarf)

Basim is a gifted child with a talent that is special to a child of his age. He is a nine years old boy who likes fashion design and tailors dresses for dolls. He dreams of becoming a fashion designer.

He likes drawing and coloring and invites his friends home to share their hobby together. They spend hours drawing nice paintings and eating Mulukhia which is his favorite meal. In addition, Basim likes to play the piano and the guitar.

Huda, his mother who is a teacher, says that her son is very talented in fashion design as he designs dresses for dolls then sews them very nicely. She always encourages him to practice his hobby and expects that when he grows up, he will succeed in this field”. She added that her son is a brilliant 3 rd grade student. He has been honored by his school for top performance in Arabic, French and English languages. He likes studying languages and loves his school and friends.

Basim's Classroom

Basim’s Classroom

Basim have been displaced with his family from Al Hamidiah neighborhood in Homs almost six years ago. They are currently renting an apartment in Jaramana area in Rural Damascus after Basims’s father has lost all his possessions because of war. Basim still recalls some of the incidents they have gone through in Homs before displacement; when mortar shelling starts in Jaramana, he remembers the way they fled and starts asking if they will have to leave their home once again.

Huda added,” Basim has the right for a good education and I want him to continue going to school; it is not his fault that our country is suffering from a war and I do not want him to pay for the deterioration of our financial situation after my husband lost his shop in Al Hamidia which was our sole source of
income. After losing the shop and our home in Homs, we own nothing anymore and our economic situation is difficult as we have to pay for the rent of the apartment and the shop where my husband works in selling
generators’ spare parts. We barely afford paying other expenses of a decent life.”

Huda learned from one of her relatives that MECC is assisting the parents who cannot afford school fees for the education of their children. She rushed to ask for help to guarantee a decent education for her son.She stressed that MECC team responded to her request and covered the school fees for Basim.

Text and photos prepared by MECC Team

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Serving God is one of the most important principles of the Christian faith, as believers are expected to serve the church with a joyful spirit.

Serving at St. Thomas encompasses a variety of roles filled by members of our congregation who are passionate about serving Christ. We praise Him through a variety of responsibilities.

John 12:26  (NRSV)

26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honour.

Eucharistic Assistants

Eucharistic Assistants are appointed annually at the General Vestry meeting by the Incumbent. They aid the presider with distribution of the sacraments.

Lay Readers

Lay Readers have made a specific commitment to their Bishop, their Parish priest and Church wardens to use their skills and their developing gifts in ministry to the glory of God and for the benefit of the people within and beyond their own congregations. The service of Lay Readers is performed in the conduct of public worship, instruction in the Christian faith, the provision of pastoral care within their community and other duties as requested of them. Authority is given by the Bishop in the form of a license following a probationary period of training.

The duties of a Lay Reader will vary according to Parish needs. Each Lay Reader must give prayerful consideration to how best to reconcile the concept of their vocation with the whole-hearted cooperation and support of the Incumbent. Typically Lay Readers perform such functions as reading lessons, administering the chalice, leading the Prayers of the People, sharing leadership in and planning for public worship services,

The Parish is fortunate to have a number of individuals who have volunteered to take part in the ministry of reading God’s word as part of the services.

The Servers are robed members of the Ministry team and have numerous responsibilities during services. They are trained to carry the Cross during the Processional and Recessional Hymns and receive the Offertory plate at the Chancel steps. It is their responsibility to serve the Priest at the Altar as he prepares the Eucharist and to ensure that all members of the Congregation are invited to receive Communion.

The word “sidesman” originally referred to a lay church official who stood “at the side of” the church wardens, assisting them in gathering the collection. Today, in addition to collecting the offering, sidespeople act as ushers: greeting people, handing out liturgical leaflets and books and organizing the seating of the congregation. This ministry is critically important in helping people to form their first impressions of the Cathedral community.