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Sicilian Mafia Meets Its Match in American Pop Culture

Domenico Palazzotto on the right?
It was bound to happen.

Once upon a time, Sicilian mobsters were known as "zips" and were imported to America for very specific reasons.

They were believed to be tougher than American Mafiosi; they had no police records here; they'd kill anyone -- including women and children; and for them, Omerta was not a word, it was a way of life.

If you've got it, flaunt it. Even if you're Cosa Nostra!
Even in their homebase of Sicily, Cosa Nostra was allowed to thrive in the shadows and prosper for decades, blatantly thieving and robbing on an unimaginable scale, primarily because its corruption of politicians allowed it to act with impunity.

From the end of World War II until pretty recently, the Sicilian Mafia was allowed to grow and prosper, especially once "concrete" -- the first post-war building boom -- came to Sicily.

[It's not just Sicily's Cosa Nostra, however, it's all three of the Italian Mafias, meaning the Ndrangheta and Camorra as well.]

So leave it to Hollywood and Facebook to finally find the ultimate weak spot of the young Sicilian Mafiosi... their vanity.

A new generation of Cosa Nostra, weaned on films like Goodfellas, Scarface and The Godfather, are turning to social media to flaunt their criminal exploits and wealth, some published reports have been revealing.

For the new breed "prison is not a disgrace. It is a degree at the academy of Cosa Nostra," which reports how it taunts police and recruits new members over Facebook, according to News Forage.

Alleged Palermo mobster Domenico Palazzotto, 28, reportedly has created a Facebook page under a false name in which he posts pictures of himself cruising on motorboats, dining on champagne and lobster, and posing by luxury sports cars.
Palazzotto allegedly helped to run extortion rackets in the Arenella neighbourhood of Palermo, and on the sites aims insults at police, and swaps messages with an aspiring mobster who wants to be enrolled in the clan.
"Do I need to send a CV?" asked the applicant.
"Yes, brother," replied Palazzotto. "We need to consider your criminal record. We do not take on people with clean records."
The boss then adds: "Join my team… We are the strongest, ha ha ha." Not LOL!

Salvatore D'Alessandro, Palazzotto's alleged henchman, also posted pictures of himself partying around town with his boss on his Facebook page. He even writes of his ambitions to move up the Mafia's ranks.

"For the time being I am one of the small sharks hunting in the deep," he wrote. "But the moment will come when I rise to the surface and will have no pity for anyone," he wrote.

Italian police monitor Facebook; they likely are the ones who leaked the information about the Facebook adventures of the young Mafiosi.

Noted the UK's Telegraph:

They idolize gangsters like Tony Montana, from the 1980s gangster classic Scarface and Ciro Di Marzio, the hot young mafia boss known as ‘the immortal” featured in Gomorrah, the TV series about the Naples Mafia that has taken Italy by storm.
I'm too much! Even for myself!
The emerging leaders may have barely made it through high school but they know how to create imaginary Facebook identities and use social media to issue threats, sell drugs and demand extortion payments from those who fear them.
Nino Spagnuolo, a 30-something Camorra boss in Castellamare di Stabia near Naples, identifies himself as a “businessman” on his personal Facebook page which he has filled with glamorous photos of himself over the years as well as a cake decorated with two chocolate pistols and a legendary phrase from Scarface.
When he was shot in the legs in an attack two years ago, he used Facebook to thank his relatives for their support and issue a warning to his enemies: “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. No mercy for those who do you harm.”

A source quoted by News Forage said that the new generation "does not share the older generation's antipathy for publicity."

As well: "Going online would have been unthinkable for the old guard. They lived in farm houses and existed on bread, cheese and vegetables grown there, without using phones and relying on 'pizzini' (handwritten notes) to get their orders out."

One example: Bernardo Provenzano, the legendary “boss of bosses” of the Sicilian Cosa Nostra, indicted for murder in 1963, had promptly lammed it -- for 43 years. When he was finally found in 2006 he was living in a grubby hut outside Corleone.

As the Telegraph noted: "For the new generation of brash young Mafia bosses the very thought is nothing short of laughable."

Another source quoted in an article said: "The new generation are using Facebook, texts and WhatsApp to show that they are going to the best discos, beaches and restaurants, because they believe that is key to earning respect. The problem is that makes you traceable and they are getting arrested."

In June, Palazzotto was one of 95 suspected gangsters rounded up in 'Operation Apocalypse', which aimed at decapitating the city's new mafia leadership, which is allegedly involved in vote rigging, extortion, drug trafficking and money laundering.

Palermo police found fugitive Antonino Lauricella because he was apparently addicted to his Facebook page.

Also, one of Italy's most wanted Mafia suspects, Pasquale Manfredi, was tracked down by police in Calabria in 2010 via his Facebook account.
Scene from gritty new Italian TV series called "Gomorrah."

Manfredi, who adopted the nickname 'Scarface', was a boss in the notoriously violent 'Ndrangheta organization and was arrested for the murder of a rival in Isola Capo Rizzuto.

Naples anti-mafia prosecutor Antonello Ardituro has warned Facebook is a dangerous propaganda tool for the mob and warned young people were particularly vulnerable because they lacked the ability to identify criminals on social media. “It is difficult to think of ways to fight it,” he told one interviewer.

Italy has another potential problem. A new hit television series -- described as Italy's version of The Sopranos of David Chase/HBO fame -- called Gomorrah seems to be inspiring a new generation of criminals.

Series director Stefano Sollima says he was surprised how closely the crime drama, shot on location in the "squalid, crime-ridden" Naples suburb of Scampia, seems to mimic daily life there.

“When we were in Scampia, we were about to film a scene in a bar that was to be blown up. And one was blown up for real in front of us,” Sollima told Italian daily Il Messaggero.
The show, based on Roberto Saviano’s top-selling book Gomorrah, attracted around 700,000 Italian viewers each week in its first season and shooting for the second season is poised to begin, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

  1. I wonder if the old timers under 416 bis know about this. Will these guys be shelved over the vanity they have? If it can happen to tg graziano it can happen to these guys.

  2. What does TG Graziano have to do with Sicily?

  3. It's an analogy that I made.

  4. Those bonanno boys are a joke compared to the camorra clans. Those camorrista will kill your kid and leave it on your doorstep. It's a sad fact but true

  5. TG got shelved because he couldn't stop his daughters from embarrassing him and the entire Bonanno family not because he has a Facebook account.

  6. I stand corrected. Not going to be an asshole and combat the truth when I'm in the wrong.

  7. Very unfortunate. I feel bad for the victims.

  8. Well to be honest, most of these guys have had fb accounts for years now. Also under an alias, or using their wife's page, etc. Except up until now, they've been on there to interact privately with whoever they're looking to talk with on there. And on their page, they stuck to playing Candy Crush and silly fb games. This is ridiculous and there will be consequences for these guys no doubt. The bosses are not sitting in 41-bis regime for life, only to have some kunckleheads acting openly.

  9. The Sicilians have done the same.

  10. Gomorrah, sounds like a venereal disease

  11. There have been plenty of American Mafiosi who have flaunted their wealth in the past. These days it's very low key. These guys should be whacked for looking like two queers.

  12. In Italy you don't get shelved, you get whacked

  13. Low key is proven best these guys should learn about gotti and don carlo then choose which path to take flashy and flamboyant or clannish and low profile

  14. With all due respect, they should learn about the good Lord Jesus Christ and choose that path. Whether low key or flashy, it won't be a happy ending.

  15. if they aren.t old school they will be when they go to Jail and somebody starts sticking a burrito in there ass philly

  16. How about just do ur own thing this way the only person who could Rat u out is is is ur self and the only person ir ur married u k

  17. NewSchoolWithThatOldSchoolFeelAug 9, 2014, 5:14:00 PM

    With all respect due...old school... If thats your real name. Ha. I think you should burn that good book

  18. Yeah -- I even wrote a story about Camorra members using FB - Mr DeLucca did (Charlie, you out there?). The Italian police orchestrated this particular story for some reason.

  19. I guarantee you I got shoes older than you, kid. It's never too late for redemption.

  20. As a matter of fact Anthony D. might have a point. Don Carlo had a priest come to him while on his death bed and had the last rites administered while Gotti waved off the priest.

  21. Really Old School? I knew that about Gambino but I didn't know Gotti waved him off... amazing, that man was truly amazing. He always was a gambler but that is one bet I would have hedged....

  22. You can take that one to the bank.

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Thursday, July 25, 2013

These Boots Were Made for Walking

Chelsea boots are very on trend at the moment, although they have actually been around for decades. These boots have a distinctive appearance. They just skim the ankle and instead of laces, they come with elastic pieces of fabric on either side, which ensure that the boot fits the wearer's foot perfectly. The toe is typically quite pointed and there's usually a small heel. Because Chelsea boots are not usually flexible around the instep and are designed to be quite close fitting, it is very important to make sure that you choose the right size, as there is not much room for error when it comes to these boots.
Comfort and style

However, once you have the right size, these boots are very comfortable. They have become the daytime footwear of choice for many women, primarily because they don't tend to cause blisters or aching feet. They can be worn even if you are usually on your feet all day. This is perhaps one of the main reasons why Chelsea boots have remained popular over the years. They combine comfort with style. It is not just about the practicality of these boots. In recent years, they have become one of a popular choice of footwear, simply because people like the look of them. Many women find that Chelsea boots serve as a good alternative to heels, as they feel comfortable, but still allow you to look polished and put together.

When to wear Chelsea boots

In terms of when to wear them, there is no definitive rule, but they do work well during the chillier months of the year. While they are technically not winter boots, they are sturdy enough to be worn when it is icy and snow on the roads and will keep your feet warm and cosy when the temperature drops. However, although fashionable Chelsea boots are best suited to the colder seasons, because they are only just ankle skimming, you can get away with wearing them when the weather heats up, making them quite a versatile addition to your wardrobe, although it is probably best to stick with sandals if it's really scorching outside.

Styling Chelsea boots should not be too tricky, as they tend to come in neutral colours and their simple, clean design means that they can be paired with a number of different outfits. When wearing them with jeans, it is best to opt for skinny or slim fit jeans, as Chelsea boots don't work quite as well with bootcut styles. It is important to consider the length of the trouser leg as well, ideally, if you want to show off your boots, opt for a slightly shorter jean leg length than you normally would. Chelsea boots can also be used to toughen up girl dresses and skirts, adding an edge and making them look a bit more modern. A floaty dress, paired with these boots and a cropped leather jacket would be a good example of this type of ensemble.

Anna Kennedy is a freelance writer who writes about a wide variety of fashion-related topics. She offers tips and advice on everything from how to buy the most fashionable Chelsea boots, to how to create a capsule wardrobe.

  1. Cute boots. and your model is sooo adorable. :-) As much as I would like to wear fancy boots when going out, the weather here in our country is so hot that my feet would be sweating the moment I step out of the house. Sticking to ankle boots while here.

  2. Very adorable model, she makes the boots look great.:)

  3. Those are so totally gorgeous boots!

    I love boots! I'm happy I live in Baguio City where the weather is mostly cool so I can wear boots whenever I feel like a fog is coming on, which is usually most of the time, even during the summer. :P hehe

  4. Those are some awesome boots and it fits her well. She looks lovely. :)

  5. I love her boots. so fashionista. I bet Wrozlie will love it too.

  6. The camera loves your Ms. Burrito! She looks like a model.

I love reading your thoughts. I would be delighted to have you joined this blog and follow it through GFC or Networked blog. Thanks!

Your HONEST opinion in my post is greatly appreciated!


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Why Trump Won’t Start a War With North Korea

Donald Trump isn’t going to start a war with North Korea. That’s just not going to happen.

Not only does the United States not have the ground forces for such a massive operation but, more important, a war with the North would serve no strategic purpose at all. The US already has the arrangement it wants on the Peninsula. The South remains under US military occupation, the economic and banking systems have been successfully integrated into the US-dominated western system, and the strategically-located landmass in northeast Asia provides an essential platform for critical weapons systems that will be used to encircle and control fast-emerging rivals, China and Russia.

So what would a war accomplish?

Nothing. As far as Washington is concerned, the status quo is just dandy.

And, yes, I realize that many people think Trump is calling the shots and that he is an impulsive amateur who might do something erratic that would trigger a nuclear conflagration with the North. That could happen, but I think the possibility is extremely remote. As you might have noticed, Trump has effectively handed over foreign policy to his generals, and those generals are closely aligned to powerful members of the foreign policy establishment who are using Trump’s reputation as a loose cannon to great effect. For example, by ratchetting up the rhetoric, (“fire and fury”, “locked and loaded”, etc) Trump has managed to stifle some of the public opposition to the deployment of the THAAD missile system which features “powerful AN/TPY-2 radar, that can be used to spy on Chinese territory, and the interceptors are designed to protect US bases and troops in the event of nuclear war with China or Russia.”

THAAD is clearly not aimed at North Korea which is small potatoes as far as Washington is concerned. It’s an essential part of the military buildup the US is stealthily carrying out to implement its “pivot to Asia” strategy.

Trump’s belligerence has also prompted a response from the North which has accelerated it ballistic missile and nuclear weapons testing.  The North’s reaction has stirred up traditional antagonisms which has helped to undermine the conciliatory efforts of  liberal President Moon Jae-in. At the same time, the North’s behavior has strengthened far-right groups that –among other things– want to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in the South. By playing to the right wing and exacerbating hostilities between North and South, Trump has helped to fend off efforts to reunify the country while creating a justification for continued US military occupation. In other words.

The crisis has clearly tightened Washington’s grip on the peninsula while advancing the interests of America’s elite powerbrokers. I seriously doubt that Trump conjured up this plan by himself. This is the work of his deep state handlers who have figured out how to use his mercurial personality to their advantage.

A Word About North Korea’s Nukes

Leaders in North Korea don’t want to blow their money on nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles when their people are on the brink of starvation. But what choice do they have? The primary responsibility of every government is to provide security for their people. That’s hard to do when the nation is still technically at war with a country that has toppled or tried to topple 50 sovereign governments in the last 70 years. The Korean War did not end with a treaty, it ended with an armistice which means the war is ongoing and could flare up at any time. And Washington won’t sign a treaty with the North because it despises their form of government, and is just waiting for the opportunity to force them from power. Trump is no different from most of his predecessors in this regard. He hates the leadership in Pyongyang and makes no bones about it.

Bottom line: The US refuses to provide the North with any written guarantees that it won’t resume hostilities, kill its people and blow their cities to smithereens. So, naturally, the North has taken steps to defend itself. And, yes, Kim Jong-in fully realizes that if he ever used his nukes in an act of aggression, the United States would –as Colin Powell breezily opined– “turn the North into a charcoal briquette.” But Kim is not going to use his nukes because he has no territorial ambitions nor does he have any driving desire to be subsumed into a fiery ball of ash.  His nukes are merely bargaining chits for future negotiations with Washington. The only problem is that Trump doesn’t  want to bargain because US geopolitical interests are better served by transforming a few pathetic missile tests into an Armageddon-type drama. No one knows how to exploit a crisis better than Washington.

Does Trump know anything about the history of the current crisis?  Does he know that North Korea agreed to end its nuclear weapons program in 1994 if the US met its modest demands?  Does he know that the US agreed to those terms but then failed to hold up its end of the bargain?   Does he know that the North honored its commitments under the agreement but eventually got tired of being double-crossed by the US so they resumed their plutonium enrichment program?  Does he know that that’s why the North has nuclear weapons today, because the United States broke its word and scotched the agreement?

That’s not conjecture. That’s history.

Here’s a clip from an article in the Independent that provides a brief outline of the so called  Framework Agreement:

“Under the terms of the 1994 framework, North Korea agreed to freeze and ultimately dismantle its nuclear programme in exchange for “the full normalisation of political and economic relations with the United States”. This meant four things:

By 2003, a US-led consortium would build two light-water nuclear reactors in North Korea to compensate for the loss of nuclear power.

Until then, the US would supply the north with 500,000 tons per year of heavy fuel.

The US would lift sanctions, remove North Korea from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, and – perhaps most importantly – normalise the political relationship, which is still subject to the terms of the 1953 Korean War armistice.

Finally, both sides would provide “formal assurances” against the threat or use of nuclear weapons.” (“Why America’s 1994 deal with North Korea failed – and what Trump can learn from it”, The Independent)

It was a totally straightforward agreement that met the requirements of both parties. The North got a few economic perks along with the security assurances they desperately wanted and, in return, the US got to monitor any and all nuclear sites, thus, preventing the development of weapons of mass destruction.  Everyone got exactly what they wanted, right? There was only one glitch: The US started foot-dragging from Day 1. The lightwater reactors never got beyond the foundation stage and the heavy fuel deliveries got more and more infrequent. In contrast, the North Koreans stuck religiously to the letter of the agreement. They did everything that was expected of them and more. In fact, according to the same article, four years after the agreement went into effect:

 “both the US and the international atomic energy agency were satisfied that there had been ‘no fundamental violation of any aspect of the framework agreement’ by North Korea. But on its own pledges, Washington failed to follow through.” (Independent)

There you have it: The North kept its word, but the US didn’t. It’s that simple.

This is an important point given the fact that the media typically mischaracterizes what actually took place and who should be held responsible. The onus does not fall on Pyongyang, it falls on Washington. Here’s more from the same article:

“On its own pledges, Washington failed to follow through. The light-water reactors were never built. …Heavy fuel shipments were often delayed….North Korea was not removed from the state department’s list of state sponsors of terrorism until 2008, though it had long met the criteria for removal….Most importantly, no action was taken to formally end the Korean War – which was never technically ended – by replacing the 1953 ceasefire with a peace treaty. The “formal assurances” that the US would not attack North Korea were not provided until six years after the framework was signed.”  (Independent)

When Bush was elected in 2000,  things got much worse. The North was included in Bush’s the Axis of Evil speech, it was also listed as  a “rogue regime against which the US should be prepared to use force”, and the Pentagon stepped up its joint-military drills in the South which just added more gas to the fire. Eventually, Bush abandoned the agreement altogether and the North went back to building nukes.

Then came Obama who wasn’t much better than Bush, except for the public relations, of course.  As Tim Shorrock points out in his excellent article at The Nation,  Obama sabotaged the Six-Party Talks, suspended energy assistance to pressure the North to accept harsher “verification plans”,  “abandoned the idea of direct talks” with Pyongyang, and “embarked on a series of military exercises with South Korea that increased in size and tempo over the course of his administration and are now at the heart of the tension with Kim Jong-un.”

So although Obama was able to conceal his cruelty and aggression behind the image of “peacemaker”, relations with the North continued to deteriorate and the situation got progressively worse.

Check out these brief excerpts from Shorrock’s article which help to provide a thumbnail sketch of what really happened and who is responsible:

“The Agreed Framework led North Korea to halt its plutonium-based nuclear-weapons program for over a decade, forgoing enough enrichment to make over 100 nuclear bombs. “What people don’t know is that North Korea made no fissile material whatsoever from 1991 to 2003.”

“…the framework remained in effect well into the Bush administration. In 1998, the State Department’s Rust Deming testified to Congress that  “there is no fundamental violation of any aspect of the framework agreement.”

“…Pyongyang was prepared to shut down its development, testing, and deployment of all medium- and long-range missiles.”

“By 1997…the North Koreans were complaining bitterly that the United States was slow to deliver its promised oil and stalling on its pledge to end its hostile policies…”

“It was against this backdrop—Pyongyang’s growing conviction the US was not living up to its commitments—that the North in 1998 began to explore” other military options.”

“Bush tore up the framework agreement, exacerbating the deterioration in relations he had sparked a year earlier when he named North Korea part of his “axis of evil” in January 2002. In response, the North kicked out the IAEA inspectors and began building what would become its first bomb, in 2006, triggering a second nuclear crisis that continues to this day.”  (“Diplomacy With North Korea Has Worked Before, and Can Work Again”, Tim Shorrock, The Nation)

Now the North has hydrogen bombs and Washington is still playing its stupid games. This whole fake crisis is a big smokescreen designed to conceal Washington’s imperial machinations. Trump is using Kim’s missile tests as a pretext to extend the Pentagon’s military tentacles deeper into Asia so the US can assume a dominant role in the world’s fastest growing region. It’s the same game Washington has been playing for the last hundred years.  Unfortunately, they’re pretty good at it.

MIKE WHITNEY lives in Washington state. He is a contributor to Hopeless: Barack Obama and the Politics of Illusion (AK Press). Hopeless is also available in a Kindle edition. He can be reached at fergiewhitney@msn.com.


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All County, All the Time Since 2010 MAKE THIS YOUR PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY HOME...PAGE!  Tuesday, November 30th, 2021

The diamond in the buff

For years, I’ve gone from pillar to post trying to improve myself. I considered myself a starter home. A fixer-upper. I was under construction so much, I needed a building permit. I was always in search of the next book, the next DVD, class or teacher because I thought it took a village to raise a neurotic. I did everything. I envisioned prosperity, had my colours done. I pushed the envelope; I thought “outside the box,” explored the power of now like there was no tomorrow  I saw Anthony Robbins so many times that he got a restraining order.

My life coach called it perfectionism. Perfectionists call it having standards. This was the same coach who said I needed to love myself. This infuriated me. It’s like someone saying, “Will you calm down?” You just want to ram them with your car. I fired that coach and got a new one who recommended I stand naked in front of a mirror and say I love my body. So I started to take my shirt off and he said, “No, wait until you get home.” See, even he wasn’t committed.

I don’t know why this coach was in such a hurry for me to love myself. It’s like a minister saying, “Go and sin no more.” If people like me weren’t sinning, there’d be nobody sitting in those pews, now would there? So me loving myself would be bad for business. In fact, if I weren’t a seething morass of low self-esteem, these people would be unemployed. And that would be bad for the economy. I am pretty certain my obsessive-compulsive disorder helped my third therapist buy her new house. I said, I am pretty certain my obsessive-compulsive disorder helped my third therapist . . . Oh, never mind.

It’s bad enough that I thought I was broken, but I tried to fix others. I spread the joy around. I tried fixing people who thought they were perfectly fine until I came along. I became a motivational speaker. I motivated everybody. Maybe that old lady didn’t want help across the street. Maybe she was just hailing a cab. I motivated my hairdresser so much that he became my landscaper. Instead of trimming my bangs, he now trims my bonsai.

My kids didn’t escape, either. I dragged them from harp to piano to soccer lessons. I made every event a Kodak moment until I was exhausted, and now if they ever do thank me, it’s usually for something I don’t even remember doing for them in the first place.

I also tried to improve their genetic lot in life. I enrolled them in French Immersion. I can’t speak French. Some of my family members don’t speak English that well, eh? But I wanted them to be bilingual. Now I can’t understand a word they’re saying. They should come with subtitles.

After all of that sacrifice, my kids ran away from home. Sure, it was to start university, but they never even said goodbye. They said au revoir, farewell, so long, auf wiedersehen. And they sang it in three-part harmony, like the von Trapps. Now, I’m left alone in the empty nest that I have to clean myself because I motivated the cleaning lady so much that she’s now in med school.

I’m not worried about it. No, I don’t worry as much as I used to. In the old days, there was worrying to be done and I was the one to do it. I worried on behalf of everybody. My favourite activity was something I liked to call preventative worrying, where you worried ahead of time so that when something did happen you wouldn’t be surprised. Now, I can’t be bothered because everything that I thought could happen to me actually has. Shakespeare said, “Life is but a stage and we are merely players,” but I say by the end of your life you’ve played all the parts. I have been a jerk, been treated like a jerk and been jerked around by a jerk.

I am making friends with my vices. I do things too quickly. My tai chi instructor says I move so fast that it looks like I’m disco dancing. As a survivor of the Donna Summer era, I take that as a compliment.

There is a release in knowing I have no untapped potential. I have also stopped hoping that others have any. Like when people tell me who they are, I believe them. I wasn’t always like this. When I was young, if a boyfriend said, “Hey, I’m bad news,” I thought he was kidding. For me, men were like cigarettes — the warning was right there on the package, but I went ahead and lit up, anyway.

As an aside, I’ve noticed that there is no self-improvement section in the bookstore specifically for men. No book called Men Who Love Too Much. Men tend to fix things, not people. They tinker with engines, not personalities.

So, in 2011, I’ve decided to accept that maybe my house is in order. Sure, I may need a coat of paint here and there, but it’s too much effort to rewire myself. Some may call this denial. I think denial has had a bad time of it in this society.

I don’t mean to be motivational about this, but you have no potential. I mean if I can accept myself, so can you. Go into the bathroom right now and take off your clothes and look in that mirror and say, “Hey I might as well love this body the way it is, because 10 years from now, this one’s going to look pretty darn good.” Do that a few times without puking, and then try it with the lights on.

After all, you are a diamond in the buff.

Besides being a humorist, Deborah Kimmett is a motivational speaker who inspires groups with presentations through her company, Wit with Wisdom. She is also an author and a regular performer on CBC Radio. Visit her at

Filed Under: Deborah Kimmett

About the Author: Deborah Kimmett is not just a funny face. She knows a thing or two about life. Whether on the stage, or in the conference room, this witty and wise woman knows laughing matters. With her hilarious stories and interactive exercises she ignites, inspires and offers strategies for success. Side Effects: You might get your sense of humor back. Visit her at or on youtube at

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EDITORIAL: Trust in leaders a rare commodity

Asbury Park Press Editorial Board
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Americans distrust government. Republicans distrust government even more than Democrats. Most Americans believe government operates largely on behalf of wealthy, powerful special interests and not for the greater public good. Most of us believe our politicians are dishonest.

Those are the findings of a new nonpartisan survey by the Pew Research Center, and they are not even remotely surprising. Our leaders so relentlessly do and say so many things that invite our distrust that we’re frankly amazed anyone expressed much faith at all in our government.

More interesting is that according to Pew, 20 years ago large majorities in both parties and among independents still expressed “trust and confidence in the political wisdom of the American people.” The big decline in that trust began in the 2000s and accelerated in the late 2000s toward the end of President George W. Bush’s administration. The nearly rock-bottom figure now is just 19 percent of Americans believing government does the right thing most of the time.

What happened? A rote assessment of American politics says that the Age of Cynicism began with Vietnam and Watergate. Yet a quarter century after those events, most Americans still trusted the process. The tipping point wasn’t Richard Nixon’s burglars or Lyndon Johnson’s lies.

Could it be generational? As older Americans who remember a time when government leaders were more respected die off, the citizenry is increasingly dominated by those who have known nothing but the post-Watergate era. But that’s a gradual evolution, and wouldn’t explain the late-Bush, early-Barack Obama collapse of trust.

Partisan hysteria has fueled our disgust, to be sure, but has the rancor also been fostered by that same displeasure? Our leaders didn’t suddenly pass a resolution declaring compromise to be evil. What started driving us farther apart?

Theories abound, but one answer is the wealth gap. As income disparities have grown, so has the distrust. We have increasingly become a winner-take-all society, empowering the 1 percent, destroying the middle class, and turning political discourse into blood feuds in which there can only be victors and the slain. The rapid drop in trust in the later 2000s coincided with the economic meltdown, which is hardly a coincidence.

What the Pew poll makes clear is that Americans are unhappy with their leaders most of all, but not necessarily government itself. Respondents give generally strong marks to what government actually accomplishes when asked about specific programs or policy areas.

So we can plead for more honesty and transparency from our elected officials as a means of beginning to restore trust. But even more effective would be the reduction of the wealth gap, giving more Americans the sense that their interests aren’t being ignored. Until that happens, trust in our leaders will be a rare commodity indeed.

This editorial originally appeared in the Asbury Park Press.

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Boonville taking coronavirus measures, tells employees: 'Stay home if you're sick'

Mark Wilson
Evansville Courier & Press
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BOONVILLE, Ind. — In an effort to keep services going, officials in the Southwestern Indiana city on Monday restricted public access to its fire and police department buildings and asked workers to stay home if they are sick.

"Our employees are dedicated to their jobs and want to come to work and not run us short-handed, but it isn't worth infecting others with their illness," Mayor Charlie Wyatt said. "It is our intent to keep city hall open as long as we have healthy employees."

Restricting visitors to the city's police and fire department buildings will help keep employees healthy and able to answer the call when needed, Wyatt said.

Those and other departments will spend their time sanitizing high-touch areas such as door handles, railings, counters and phones, and making sure there is hand sanitizer where it is needed. The Parks and Recreation Department will also focus on sanitizing the surfaces of playground equipment.

Jon Webb:Coronavirus: This will last longer than any of us want to admit

The mayor and department heads also met to update the city emergency plan to include responding to outbreaks such as the current coronavirus crisis.

"We have updated and are implementing our policies to deal with illness and disasters in ways that will continue to provide essential and necessary services in ways that are uninterrupted," Wyatt said.

More:Hospital head urges possible coronavirus sufferers: Call ahead

Water and sewer utility customers have been instructed to pay their bills using the drop-off box at the City Hall front door or its drive-through window to make payments. Bills can also be paid online at the city website,

"Tough times demand resilience, planning, commitment and patience," Wyatt said. "The City of Boonville is a community that is made up of people who care for one another and who value the opportunity to keep its citizens safe."

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Kin Insurance Officially Launches With $4M in Funding

Chicago-based home insurance startup, Kin Insurance, announced it has raised $4 million in funding from several investors including: Commerce Ventures, Omidyar Network, 500 Startups, Chicago Ventures and Portag3 Ventures, to name five. “Usually it will take around an hour of form filling to get your application submitted… Depending on the situation, it can be another 6-10 communications to get the whole process done. For us it’s just  three clicks” – founder Sean Harper. Coverager doesn’t approve this message. And not from lack of trying:

Bottom Line: the first market Kin will be available in is Florida. Possibly followed by North Carolina or Oklahoma, where hurricanes, tornadoes and other potential natural disasters allow the startup to apply data and risk models to differentiate itself. Recall 2017 insurance-related investments here.


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Latest Majesco Articles
Featured Jobs
Member News

Katherine Moura Named Chief Marketing Officer at Certificial

By The Certifical Team, Certificial ·

Resilience attracts leading insurance and security talent

By Dan Prince ·

The Five Stages of Accelerated Innovation in Life Insurance

By Dori Degenhardt, RGAX ·

Obie partners with Doorvest to provide coverage to investors

By Aaron Letzeiser, Obie ·

Health Apps Aren't Just for the Young

By Kate Lyons, RGAX ·

Nuon AI and Ignite Systems partner to deliver UK’s first embedded AI pricing service

By Paul Doran, Nuon AI ·

How a US insurer empowered customers to buy term life in 25 minutes or less with Socotra

By Socotra, Socotra ·

New Head of Revenue joins Semsee

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Mobile Apps: Game changer for the insurance industry

By Katarina Matak, Amodo ·

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Do you have any piece of information that's newsworthy? Coverager relies on different sources to tell stories and we invite you to share news with us. You can reach out to us here or you can connect with us here and here.


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  • Spanning over 135,000 sqm of exhibition space the event hosts more than 2,000 exhibiting companies from 135 countries around the world
  • Situated at a cross roads of east meets west, ADIPEC is the largest oil and gas exhibition and conference in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the MENA region attracting 100,000+ trade professionals across the world.
  • The 25 Country Pavilions exhibiting allow your organisation to generate new business and capitalise on existing bi lateral trade opportunities
  • ADIPEC helps you engage with decision makers with real buying power, enabling billions of dollars of business to be conducted during the 4 days of the show
  • Business with 15 International Oil Companies like like BP, CEPSA, Dragon Oil, Eni, ExxonMobil, GS Energy, INPEX/JODCO, Mubadala Petroleum, OXY, Partex, Shell, Statoil, TAQA UAE, TOTAL, Wintershall.
  • ADIPEC allows more and more National Oil Companies to outsource technologies from around the world. Connect with ADNOC, BAPCO, BPCL, CPTDC, Dolphin Energy, GAIL, Gazprom, HPCL, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, JOGMEC, KNOC, Kuwait Oil Company, OGDCL,Oil India Ltd, ONGC India, Petronas, Pertamina, Qatar Petroleum, Saudi Aramco, Sharjah National Oil Company (SNOC).


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Weekly Wrap-Up from Chairman Jerry Kassar

Welcome to the Conservative Party’s Weekly Wrap-Up for June 20, 2019!

 Apparently there are limits for the loony left, even with extremist Gov. Andrew Cuomo as the figurehead for New York Democrats. We saw that this week when legalization of marijuana failed in the New York legislature.

 “It is clear now that [the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act] is not going to pass this session,” said Democratic state Sen. Liz Krueger (D), who was the sponsor of the legislation.

 Cuomo is a major proponent of legalization, and hoped it would be included in this year’s state budget, but those efforts failed. The Conservative Party, who has been fighting to keep a strong prohibition against marijuana in place is celebrating a victory as a result of this news along with SAM who joined our New York fight this year.

 “The predatory pot industry wanted legislators to believe that this was simple,” said Kevin Sabet, who heads the anti-legalization group Smart Approaches to Marijuana. “The industry told people it would rain money for a host of pet projects, that our young people wouldn’t be at risk and drugged driving concerns were overblown. Thankfully, New York’s parents, doctors, law enforcement, teachers and many lawmakers didn’t fall for the con.”

 But the pot smokers  are down but not out, as Krueger notes they will be back during the next legislative session to try their same scheme once again.

 “This is not the end of the road, it is only a delay. Unfortunately, that delay means countless more New Yorkers will have their lives up-ended by unnecessary and racially disparate enforcement measures before we inevitably legalize,” Krueger said.

 Although marijuana legalization failed, a different type of green menace is coming to harm New York residents as a bill is on Gov. Cuomo’s desk that would cripple the New York economy underneath burdensome taxes and regulations meant to stop global warming.

 The “Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act” passed the Assembly by a 104-35 margin and passed the Senate by a 41-21 margin. Gov. Cuomo intends to sign the legislation into law, and far-left environmentalist groups are crowing as a result.

 “New York has now legally committed itself to the strongest climate and clean energy goals of any U.S. state,” said Peter Iwanowicz, executive director of Environmental Advocates of New York. “This will spur innovation, create green jobs, and make New York a true global climate leader.”

 In actuality, the legislation forces the state to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent over the next three decades. It will also mandate that 70 percent of New York’s electricity come from renewable sources within a decade.

 This means that New Yorkers will be paying astronomically higher prices for electricity until this coercive mandate is reversed. Experts say the legislation’s mandates are not even tenable.

 “Even if you put wind turbines on every square mile of land in the state, you would not come close to meeting the state’s existing demand for electricity,” Manhattan Institute adjunct fellow Jonathan Lesser said. “And you would need to cover most of the state with solar panels.”

 “Nothing New York does on its own will have any measurable impact on world climate,” Lesser added. “Nor, if this bill is signed into law, will developing nations suddenly say ‘Gee, New York passed a climate law. Let’s wreck our economies, too, to save the planet.’”

 President Donald Trump officially kicked off his 2020 re-election campaign in Orlando, FL earlier this week, as he hopes to keep America great with another term in the oval office.

 “Since the very first day I walked through the doors of the White House, I have never forgotten who sent me there,” Trump said to a packed house at his first official campaign rally for 2020. “You did.”

 “It turned out to be more than just a political campaign, it turned out to be a great political movement because of you,” he added. “A great movement.”

 Trump hammered the deep state conspiracy against him to undermine his ‘America First’ agenda during his speech.

 “Our patriotic movement has been under assault from the very first day,” Trump said.

 “It was all an illegal attempt to overturn the results of the election, spied on our campaign, which is what they did, and subvert our democracy,” he said.

 Despite the progress he has made as President to bring jobs and honor back to the United States, Trump made clear that his mission to drain the swamp is far from over.

 “The people trying to stop our movement are the same Washington insiders who spend their careers rigging the system so your losses will be their gains,” he said. “You know that.”

 He made clear that stakes are high, and that support for him in 2020 is crucial to keep the radical Democrats at bay while they wage war against the Bill of Rights and Constitution.

 “No matter what label they give, a vote for any Democrat in 2020 is a vote for the rise of radical socialism and destruction of the American Dream,” Trump said. “Don’t ever forget, this election is about you. It’s about your family, your future, and the fate of your country.”

 –Single typo in state bill would have automatically registered non-citizens to vote.

Trump Raises ‘Record Breaking’ Amount Only 24 Hours After His Campaign Kickoff, McDaniel Says

State Department Identifies 30 Security Incidents Related To Hillary Clinton’s Email Server

Netanyahu Unveils ‘Trump Heights’ In Israel’s Golan Heights

Holocaust Research Center Yad Vashem Fires Back At Ocasio-Cortez’s ‘Concentration Camp’ Comparison

BOOM: Keith Raniere Found Guilty on All Charges Including Sex Trafficking From Mexico

Globalist Central Bankers Unite to Derail Trump’s ‘America First’ Trade Agenda

First Libraries, Now Christian Churches Are Being Infiltrated by ‘Drag Queen Story Hour’

Josh Hawley Moves to End Immunity Privileges for Big Tech Monopolies Unless They Protect Free Speech

Republicans Ask DOJ Why Qatar-Owned Al Jazeera Isn’t Registered As Foreign Agent

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Readers ask: Can You Drive Boats At Night Innh?

Can you sleep on your boat in NH?

Can I sleep on my boat overnight? Overnight mooring is illegal in the State of NH, although, it is legal to sleep on your boat overnight while tied to a dock when you have the landowner’s permission. In addition, landowners must notify the Department of Environmental Services in writing.

Is it hard to drive a boat at night?

Slow down Visibility is reduced at night. Distances are harder to judge, obstacles are difficult to see, and moisture and temperature changes create distortion. Boats can come out of nowhere and debris and crab pots are nearly invisible on inky black water.

Can you boat after dark?

Take It Slow. The first rule of boating after dusk is to slow down. Hazards in the water—like exposed rocks, logs, unlit docks and pilings—are harder to see in the dark; taking it slow will help you spot and avoid them.

You might be interested:  Readers ask: Can You Pay Off Boat Loan Early?

Can you kayak at night in NH?

What lights do I need on my kayak at night? If your kayak is less than 26 feet long and non-motorized, you will need a white light on at all times while the vessel is in motion, day or night. Vessels longer than 26 feet are required to have running lights mounted on the sides and a white light on the front.

How long does a NH boating license last?

The New Hampshire Boat Ed Course is valid for only 90 days from the time of registration and payment. If you are not able to complete this course within 90 days, the course will be automatically renewed for another 30 days.

How fast do boats go at night?

The speed limit (restriction) for boating at night lies between 15 mph and 30 mph in general. That’s an average value where most of the state’s speed limit falls on, but to know the speed limit more accurately, you need to look at the state’s (night) boating rules where you are boating.

Why do boats use red lights at night?

Navigation lights help you and other boaters determine which is the give-way vessel when encountering each other at night. The red light indicates a vessel’s port (left) side; the green indicates a vessel’s starboard (right) side.

When boating at night what does a single white light mean?

Powerboat A: When only a white light is visible, you may be overtaking another vessel. Give way to either side. Powerboat B: You are being overtaken. Powerboat A: When only white and red lights are visible, you are approaching the port side of a powerboat.

You might be interested:  Can I Use Regular Hydraulic Oil For Boat Steering?

Is it legal to have headlights on a boat?

Are boat headlights illegal? The United States Coast Guard (USCG) rules do not specify “headlights.” The docking light used when mooring can be considered a headlight. But this light is only used when docking and not when boating.

Can I sleep in my boat?

Overnight boating is all about location. You should find a cozy, protected area that provides you with calm waters. A cove or inlet is a great place to sleep in your boat. You should avoid any heavy-traffic areas or spots that will be hammered by heavy winds.

On which side do you pass a boat?

You must take early and substantial action to keep well clear of the other boat by altering your speed and course. You should pass at a safe distance to the port (left) or starboard (right) side of the other boat. If a safe route exists, you should always attempt to pass the boat on the starboard side.

Do you need a life jacket on a kayak in NH?

New Hampshire law requires the following with respect to life jackets (PFDs). Type V life jackets must be worn to be acceptable. In addition to the above requirements, vessels 16 feet in length or longer (except canoes and kayaks) must have one Type IV USCG–approved throwable device on board and immediately available.

Do you need to wear a life jacket in NH?

Wear Life Jackets or Vests — State law requires one wearable life preserver for each person in a boat. All children age 12 or under must wear an approved vest or jacket. Know the Water — Always carry a chart (map).

You might be interested:  Readers ask: Can You Take A Boat Out On Big Bear Lake?

Do you have to register a kayak in NH?

All motorized vessels of any size must be registered, in addition to sailboats and sailboards 12 feet or longer. (Unmotorized canoes, kayaks and small sailboats do not need to register.) You can register at many marinas and sport shops, town halls and Department of Motor Vehicles offices.

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Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Happy Wednesday!

It's time for The Color Throwdown challenge for the week, and I just love participating! I like that they give a little inspiration sneak peek on Facebook each Tuesday, so I can usually get a card made and ready for the next day when the challenge goes live.

I've been wanting to try out the new MFT Stripes Cover Up die and it worked perfectly for my design! I added a sentiment panel with some die cut letters/numbers and my card was nearly complete.  I stamped a little tied bow and added a flower and some gems and called it done. Pretty quick on this little birthday card today!

Here is the color inspiration for the week.  Be sure to play along too! And remember, you don't have to have the exact colors.  They want you to use the closest match you have.  You can see my blue is a bit more navy - but that's ok. It's all good!

See you tomorrow!

  1. Hi Susie
    Love your web site. Visit you daily. You are so creative . I love your shaker cards too.
    Where can I find the tie bow stamp that you used in today's project?
    Have a great day.

  2. Patty- the stamp set is from PaperTrey Ink. It is the cutest set!!

  3. Wonderful card! Love the MFT striped die and the PTI qbow one too.....are you enabling me :) Thxs for joining us at CTD!

  4. I was just admiring your bow tying - hadn't realised it was a stamp. Love the layout and the colours are fabulous aren't they !!!

  5. This is a great card!! I'm off to check PTI for that stamp set and MFT for the die - love what you did with them :)

  6. Fab take on the colors, Susie! Love how that Cover Up worked for your background!

  7. I just love the sentiment you created, Susie...sooo cute!!!! Thanks for playing along with us this week at the CTD!!!

I love hearing from you! Thank you for taking the time to leave me a comment.


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Drawing Strength From the Psalms

Drawing Strength From the Psalms

When I ask someone what they’re reading in their Quiet Times, especially when they’re not in a structured study, I often get the response, “I’m spending time in the Psalms.”

I think we’re drawn to the Psalms because we can see ourselves in the words expressed by the psalmists. We can identify with their struggles, battles, discouragement, pains, and insecurities. The Psalms comfort us because we realize we’re not the only person who feels these things.

The Psalms have always been one of my favorite go-to books in the Bible. They were especially meaningful to me during my mom’s final year. Many times I cried out to God, as the psalmists did, and asked, “Why? How long will this go on?”

Every psalm points us to God.They challenge us to do several things.

Be occupied with God.

The Psalms magnify and exalt Him as the Sovereign Creator and Ruler of the universe. The more occupied with God we are, the less the world can distract us or make us anxious.

How occupied with God are you? What occupies your time and attention? What distracts you from being occupied with God?

Spend time praising God.

The Psalms teach us how to praise God as the authors model praise in all situations.

Do you praise God from the heart, or has your praise become mechanical, just repeating words without thinking about the meaning? Do you spend more time praising Him or asking Him for things?

Trust God.

Many of the psalms begin with discouragement and questioning God. But by the end of the psalm, we see their trust in God as they turn to praise, regardless of their situation. They teach us how to trust God in every conceivable situation that life throws at us.

How do you respond to God in the midst of difficult situations? Do you trust His hand, even when you don’t understand why?

Pour out your heart to God.

God wants us to pour out our hearts to Him and be honest with how we’re feeling.The Psalms teach us how to do that in a positive way. We can be honest with God about our feelings, discouragements, fears, but we should always turn back to praise, as the psalmists did.

Are you pouring out your heart to God and being honest with Him? If not, what’s holding you back?

The Psalms express our emotions and address our needs. They are soothing to the soul. Let God use them to comfort and strengthen you as you draw near to Him.

I’d love to hear from you. Do you have a favorite psalm? Why is it special?

Leave a Reply


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Junior/Mid-Level SQL Database Administrator – Remote/UK

Website Crimson Limited

Junior/Mid-Level SQL Database Administrator – Remote/UK

Junior/Mid-Level SQL DBA required for a leading UK organisation, where you will be responsible for working with another more Senior SQL to monitor, configure and maintain the on-premise SQL Servers to ensure continuity of service and performance. Within the role, you will also get the opportunity to work with other technologies and BI Development if this was of interest to you.

The ideal candidate will have some previous experience as a SQL DBA, and will be looking to work with a Senior DBA to further advance their career.

Overview of the role

  • Conduct Database Administration (DBA) of OLAP and OLTP database environments using MS SQL Server
  • Assist internal end users in defining change requests to ensure specifications are clear and agreed
  • Develop training and user support material for Business Intelligence systems and solutions
  • Develop and maintain technical and IT support documentation
  • Create and maintain tools to track trends in server usage statistics
  • Utilise your knowledge of SQL and data warehousing concepts, whilst monitoring the organisations SQL Servers.

The salary for this position is between £30,000 – £40,000 per annum, depending on experience, plus excellent benefits. The role can be performed fully from home.

Interested?! Apply with your up to date CV for Ian Tittley at Crimson to review

Crimson are acting as an employment agency in regards to this vacancy

Junior/Mid-Level SQL Database Administrator – Remote/UK

To apply for this job please visit www.aplitrak.com.


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You can find more information about XML sitemaps on sitemaps.org and Google's list of sitemap programs.

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Episode 40

An Interview with Jon Fox and Sloane Brakeville from Fr8

In this episode, we interview Jon and Sloane from Fr8 blockchain enabled logistics. Fr8 is a decentralized protocol & marketplace for the global logistics industry. They are building the efficiency layer to solve today’s challenges and power the future of freight – from AI and automation to self driving trucks.

  • What problems is Fr8 trying to solve?
  • What is the Fr8 Protocol?
  • How are Fr8 going to attract users?
  • How does the token work in the Fr8 system?

Ways to connect with Fr8

Ways to connect with Cryptopulse

Cryptopulse Highlights

Listen to our EPIC interview with the UK’s #1 Crypto Expert, Phillip Nunn.

Go here!

New to Cryptopulse and want to go back to the start?

Episode One!

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4cm 25g Epidote from Imilchil, Atlas Mountain Range, Morocco

- Liquid error (sections/template--product.liquid line 241): Computation results to '-Infinity'%
  • $27.80
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Type: Specimens
  • Origin: Imilchil, Atlas Mountain Range, Morocco
  • Size (approx.): 1.6 x 1.2 x 0.6 in / 4 x 3 x 1.5 cm
  • Weight (approx): 0.06 lb / 25 g

This brilliant and mezmerizing green Epidote stone specimen is perfect for personal use or as a gift. Let the powerful vibrations of this natural raw green Epidote crystal fill your private or professional space with the vital energies of growth, abundance, and cheer. Perfect for all spiritual applications and more, including reiki, cleansing, balancing, other energy work, meditation, and home decor. Gift it to a loved one, or keep it for yourself!


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TORONTO -- More than three quarters of Canadians nearing or in early retirement are worried about their finances, at a time when more and more Canadians plan to age at home for as long as possible, a new survey has revealed.

The survey from Ryerson University’s National Institute on Ageing (NIA),conducted in collaboration with HomeEquity Bank, found that 77 per cent of Canadians within the 55-69 age demographic are worried about their financial health.

Additionally, 79 per cent of respondents aged 55 and older revealed that their retirement income -- through RRSPs, pension plans, and old age security -- will not be enough to be a comfortable retirement.

“Determining where to live and receive care as we age has been an especially neglected part of retirement financial planning,” Dr. Samir Sinha, NIA director of health policy research, said in a news release.

“These are vital considerations that can also be costly. With the vast majority of Canadians expressing their intention to age at home, within their communities, it is essential that we find both financial and health care solutions to make this option comfortable, safe and secure.”

As the COVID-19 pandemic revealed some shortcomings in the long-term care system, 44 per cent of respondents are planning to age at home, but many don’t fully understand the costs involved, the study notes.

Nearly half of respondents aged 45 and older believe that in-home care for themselves or a loved one would cost about $1,100 per month, while 37 per cent think it would cost about $2,000 per month.

In reality, it actually costs about $3,000 per month to provide in-home care comparable to a long-term care facility, according to Ontario’s Ministry of Health.

Bonnie-Jeanne MacDonald, the NIA’s director of financial security research, said it’s important Canadians understand the true costs of aging while they plan for their future.

“Canadians retiring today are likely going to face longer and more expensive retirements than their parents – solving this disconnect will need better planning by people and innovation from industry and government,” she said.

To help with their financial future, the researchers suggest Canadians should delay receiving any Canada Pension Plan or Quebec Pension Plan payments as the monthly payments increase with year of deferral. For example, someone receiving $1,000 per month at age 60 would receive $2,218.75 per month if they wait until age 70 to begin collecting.

The researchers also suggest leveraging home equity and purchasing private long-term care insurance as ways to help with financial stability for the later years.


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Former Charlotte priest admitted he sexually abused boy, document says Kelleher, a former Charlotte priest, charged in Albemarle; more victims are alleged.

The Charlotte Observer/December 2, 2011

A Catholic priest who served in Charlotte confessed to police that he sexually abused a 14-year-old boy from Albemarle 34 years ago, according to court documents filed this week by a prosecutor.

The documents also indicate that the case against Father Joseph Kelleher may be broader than previously reported.

"Multiple victims have come forward with allegations that they were also sexually abused by Father Joseph Kelleher ... at various locations where (he) was assigned," the documents state. Kelleher, who is 83 and retired in Winston-Salem, declined Friday to comment and referred questions to his attorney, Charles Brown of Albemarle. Brown could not be reached.

Kelleher was criminally charged last year after a man sought advice in an Internet chat room for clergy-abuse victims. The man said a priest had molested him years ago. People in the chat room urged him to contact police, which he did.

Kelleher was charged with taking indecent liberties while pastor of Our Lady of Annunciation in Albemarle in the mid-1970s.

A week later, a second man accused Kelleher of fondling him at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church in Charlotte in 1981. Charlotte police investigated, but have not filed any charges.

Kelleher also served at the Cathedral of St. Patrick in Charlotte, other churches in North Carolina, his native Ireland and in New Zealand. He was serving as chaplain at Bishop McGuiness High School in Kernersville when arrested in July 2010.

The accusations against Kelleher come more than 10 years after widespread reports of child sexual abuse by Catholic priests and cover-ups by their bishops. The Catholic Church has paid more than $2 billion in abuse settlements in the United States, including a $1 million settlement in Charlotte involving the Rev. Robert Yurgel, now in prison.

Kelleher allegedly assaulted the 14-year-old boy in the parlor of the rectory at Our Lady of Annunciation in Albemarle, according to documents filed by Kisha Scott, an assistant district attorney. "Father Kelleher admitted to touching the victim's penis ...," the documents stated.

The documents asked that the Catholic Church turn over all records pertaining to Kelleher, including his personnel file, any secret files and any records for treatment of psycho-sexual issues, sexual addiction or alcoholism. Diocese of Charlotte spokesman David Hains declined to comment about the case, but said the diocese has routinely cooperated with law enforcement.

In a related lawsuit, the alleged victim and another man have sued the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, saying diocesan officials should have known that abuse was taking place at Our Lady of Annunciation Church in Albemarle and at Our Lady of the Assumption in Charlotte. Attorneys Seth Langson of Charlotte and Leto Copeley of Durham, who filed the civil case, declined Friday to comment on the revelations in the criminal case.

"All we want is for justice to be done," Langson said, "whatever that might be."

To see more documents/articles regarding this group/organization/subject click here.


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CC Outtake: VW Type 2 and Rabbit Pickups — Zwei Kleine Lastkraftwagen

1969 VW T2 pickup Woodlands TX 20130824

There’s something about the Woodlands, TX, where I currently live, that makes it a bit of a mecca for obscure old vehicles.  They seem to be mostly hidden away in garages and behind gates, but occasionally one will suddenly materialize out of the deep woods, like a shy bunny, and then disappear again. Equally occasionally, I have my camera ready for one of these elusive creatures. Case in point, this rather nice ’69 Volkswagen bay window (T2a) pickup, snapped as it clattered by the car wash where I was a giving my old Subaru one of its rare baths. Given that the owner apparently has a thing for air-cooled, rear-engine trucks, wonder if he’s got a Corvair pickup at home as well?

cover 1969 VW bus

New for 1968 and replacing the original split-window Transporter variants, this model was powered by a 1600cc engine putting out a stonking 47 HP. The single-cab pickup was one of four “commercial” body styles offered in the US that year, and probably the second most rare (after the double-cab version, which I don’t remember ever having seen on a domestic road). As far as I can tell, very few T2a truck versions were sold in the US after 1971: the infamous “chicken tax”, adding a 25% penalty tariff to foreign-made trucks, was a fairly effective sales killer.

I couldn’t find sales figures specific to VW pickups imported to the US, but it appears about 54,000 Type 2s of all styles were imported in ’69 and the pickup versions were likely a small fraction of the total. With only about 34,000 of the T2a pickup versions sold worldwide that year, I guess it’s no wonder if these don’t turn up on the road very often.

1980-82 VW Rabbit Pickup LX Woodlands 20121013

Speaking of shy bunnies, at least once the enchanted Woodlands has also coughed up an example of another VW foray into light trucks, in this case a 1981-82 VW pickup (or Caddy for the non-Yanks among us).  Look closely and you’ll see it’s towing a trailer full of landscaping equipment, so it’s a bona fide worker, still earning its keep.

1981 VW rabbit pickup

Obviously based on the series I Golf/Rabbit, and built at VW’s short-lived Westmoreland facility in New Stanton, PA, gas-engine models came with a 1600cc (later 1700) in-line four, good for 78 HP, and with a 1500cc diesel available as an option. The ‘LX’ emblem haphazardly stuck to the rear quarter panel identifies this as the deluxe model, with extra chrome and a slightly fancier interior.

About 75,000 Rabbit-based pickups were built during the model years 1980-82, so one supposes these are not quite as rare as ’60s Type 2s. They are still infrequently seen in this part of Texas, however, especially in as decent shape as this one appeared to be. I owned a ’75 Rabbit, and while it remains one of my favorite vehicles of all time for its handling and drivebility, it had a well-deserved reputation for rust-through and general flimsiness.

Now, if I had only had my camera ready for some of the other unicorns I’ve seen here, like a Citroen DS, or Aston Martin DB2, or…


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lisätty Kassa

Cioks Power Supply Expander Kit - Cioks 4

3 kpl jäljellä

Cioks Power Supply 4 Expander Kit adds four isolated outputs to an existing power supply. If you need a stand-alone power supply that you can use without any other power supply, please see Cioks Power Supply 4 - Future Power Generation

CIOKS 4 power supply is the perfect companion to CIOKS DC7 in case you would like four additional outlets with four selectable voltages on each tap (9, 12, 15, and 18V DC) which can each deliver 660mA at 9V DC. Simply connect CIOKS 4 to your CIOKS DC7 via its 24V outlet and you are good to go.

But that is definitely not all – what makes CIOKS 4 truly unique is the fact that you can power it with anything from 9V to 24V DC or 9V to 12V AC via the non-polarized DC socket input. Furthermore, CIOKS 4 can even be powered by connecting it to a USB power bank via its 5V USB C input or by using a tablet or laptop power supply with a USB C plug. This flexibility means that you can use CIOKS 4 as a stand-alone unit and power it with almost any adapter including the 1-SPOT, GigRig Generator, or your iPad charger. You can also use the 24V output on a Strymon Zuma unit to power the CIOKS 4. It can also convert an unused AC outlet on your existing power supply into 4 isolated DC outlets.

• CIOKS 4 has the same groundbreaking 1-inch profile (25,4mm) as CIOKS DC7
• Ultra-low noise achieved by multistage filtering
• 4 isolated DC-outlets, 6W each
• 660mA at 9V DC on each outlet
• 4 selectable voltages on each outlet
• 5V USB C Input for powering the unit with a power bank or USB C adapter
• Non-polarized input DC socket which accepts anything from 9-24V DC or 9-12V AC
• Global overload status LED
• Mounting hardware for Pedaltrain included
• Compatible with CIOKS Mini GRIP for drill-free mounting on Pedaltrain boards
• 5 Flex cables included
• 24V link cable included
• Designed in Denmark, assembled in Poland
• 5-year worldwide warranty

Input 1: 5V DC (USB C socket)
Input 2: 9-24V DC or 9-12V AC (non-polarized 5,5/2,1mm DC socket)
Outlet 1-4: 9V DC / 660mA or
12V DC / 500mA or
15V DC / 400mA or
18V DC / 330mA each

Flex cables included:
• 2x 1030 – Type 1 - 5,5/2,1mm DC-plug, centre negative, L-shape, 30cm (black)
• 2x 1050 – Type 1 - 5,5/2,1mm DC-plug, centre negative, L-shape, 50cm (black)
• 1 x 1533 – 3-way daisy chain Flex type 1, 30+30+50cm (black)
• 1 x L2050 – A link cable to connect Cioks 4 to a Cioks DC7

Tuoteryhmät: Cioks, Virtalähde

Kategoria: Cioks -virtalähteet

Toimitukset Suomeen

Lähetys saman päivän aikana


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The Current Landscape: An Interview With Our Traders
May 20, 2020
A laptop showing price fluctuations in monochrome

With the current market volatility due to the coronavirus pandemic, we thought it would be interesting to hear from our team members for some inside information ontrading at Czarnikow, and how the trading team have been impacted. We asked Christopher Morrow, who works on the EU trading desk, some questions about the practical challenges of keeping supply chains moving at present and the crucial skillsets which being a trader requires. You can read the full interview with him below:

Christopher Morrow

The Interview

You can read the full interview with Christopher below:

How long have you worked at Czarnikow?

9 years

What product(s) and geographical trade flows are you managing?

Sales of bagged sugar and ingredients to our industrial consumers across Europe

Are you finding that the demand from your industrial buyers’ from a volume perspective are changing as a result of COVID 19 and is there a trend?

Yes. The retail sector has seen a growth in sales compared to the food service sector which has seen a dramatic fall. This adjustment is a direct result of the change in consumer habits given the closure of restaurants and bars across Europe. Ultimately, we see greater consumption of sugar in processed products and therefore an overall fall in demand is inevitable in this current market.

How are you able to deal with these volatile demand conditions?

Our European business model has always aimed at having a balanced portfolio of clients and our supply chain has been designed to accommodate our individual clients’ needs. We therefore have a lot of experience managing modified supply chains which has helped to us to be flexible during this time.

Given that you have multiple sales and purchases across your supply chains, how do you go about managing so many different operations at once?

From a commercial perspective, our goal is to run efficient supply chains that generate sustainable returns. Different clients have different requirements, and this commercial understanding allows us to best match our suppliers and buyers. Furthermore, we are supported by excellent operations and finance teams who we work very closely with to ensure the successful completion of our contracts.

Are you experiencing issues with different types of transport? e.g. trucking, rail, sea-freight

We have seen some costs increase, but our approach is to agree long term freight and haulage contracts, which has helped to ensure our supply chain has been largely unaffected to date.

What other challenges have you faced within your supply chains at present? e.g. documentation, customs clearance, port closures

Our operations teams have made a commendable effort in adapting to working from home and managing documentation in a new and innovative way. This combined with working alongside our logistics partners across Europe has seen us manage our way through these challenging times.

In your opinion, what strategies do you as a trader at Czarnikow employ to manage/resolve these challenges?

In physical trading, relationships with every stakeholder across our supply chain is what ensures success. With travel and face to face meetings not possible, we have made use of technology to ensure we strengthen our relationships by keeping in regular contact with everyone involved.

Is it likely that these challenges will persist throughout the course of COVID 19 or will they become more manageable as we adapt?

I think the reality is that as people get used to working in our current climate, inevitably things will become more routine and therefore more manageable.

If you could name one key skillset for a Czarnikow trader to apply during these times what would it be?

What aspect of your role as a trader do you find the most enjoyable?

The varied nature of the job means every day is different and there are new opportunities we can develop every day.

Finally, do you see any new opportunities for Czarnikow arising from these unprecedented times?

We will certainly see new opportunities as trade flows change given the fact that supply has been affected across a number of raw materials in previously unimaginable ways. Supply chain management is what we do. Czarnikow has remained open and fully operational and has thrived in these challenging conditions. We trust this will help us to achieve our goal of being the leading partner across the ingredients and packaging markets.

Author: Betty Rook


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Crafter’s Fortune

School transmutation; Level alchemist 1, sorcerer/wizard 1; Domains [subdomains] Artifice [industry]

Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S, F (a tool)

Range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Targets one creature
Duration 1 day/level or until discharged (D)
Saving Throw Will negates (harmless); Spell Resistance yes (harmless)

The target is struck by inspiration and gains a +5 luck bonus on its next Craft skill check.

Section 15: Copyright Notice

Advanced Player’s Guide. © 2010, Paizo Publishing, LLC; Author: Jason Bulmahn.


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Thursday, September 19, 2019

Chase d'Arnaud

I met him at Spectrum Field in Clearwater, Florida in 2017, when the Atlanta Braves came to play the Philadelphia Phillies in a spring training game.

I had met his brother, Travis, two years earlier.

Chase signed a 2012 Topps card #102.

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The Daily Cardinal Est. 1892
Tuesday, November 30, 2021
PAVE and Dreamers of UW-Madison meet to discuss domestic violence amidst national awareness month.

PAVE and Dreamers of UW-Madison meet to discuss domestic violence amidst national awareness month.

PAVE at UW-Madison advocates for an end to sexual violence on campus

Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment hosts events and promotes outreach to foster a campus community that works to end sexual assault and violence.

The UW-Madison student organization that was established in 2001, PAVE works by facilitating workshops on gender-based violence, allyship, rape culture and dating norms. They also offer volunteer opportunities and host campus-wide events to educate and raise awareness.

“It’s a movement against violence by students for students,” said PAVE Chair Elias Tsarovsky. “So we are able to relate to students in a way that is much different than like a [University Health Services] or a Title IX training because we are able to talk honestly about the current climate of campus.”

During the spring 2021 semester, PAVE is launching media campaigns to increase awareness, looking at campus policy to aid in violence prevention, planning collaborations with the Greek organizations on campus, working with the UW-Madison Student Title IX Advisory Committee and hosting events for community members.

“Knowing a lot of people who have been affected by these issues, this is something that needs to end now,” Tsarovsky said. “It's very much a motivator. I can make a difference doing this, and I know that my involvement in this will actually provide the people who want to make a difference the ability to make a difference.”

Tsarovsky encourages UW-Madison students to get involved in PAVE through their volunteer leadership program, where students can contribute to projects that support PAVE, or as a peer educator, where students are trained to run PAVE’s General Workshop.

“I want every single person to be a part of this movement because there is a place for everybody to be a part of this,” Tsarovsky said.

On Monday, PAVE hosted the “Indigenous Women’s History with Professor Sasha Maria Suarez” discussion in collaboration with Wunk Sheek, one of the student organizations on campus dedicated to students of indigenous identity.

Next week, the Social Justice Hub is joining PAVE for their bi-weekly discussion on Monday, March 22 at 6 p.m. over Zoom which will cover rape culture on campus.

PAVE also plans to host their Women’s History Month program featuring Wanda Swan, a speaker, published scholar and anti-violence advocate, on “Reframing Violence Prevention as Anti-Oppression Work.” Members of the UW-Madison community can attend this Zoom discussion from 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 24.

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Photo via Freed Photography

Check out 9-year-old Katie Ledecky meeting Michael Phelps for the first time

Even before she had Olympic gold, Katie Ledecky was cooler than all of us.

Lyz Lenz

Published Aug 11, 2016   Updated May 26, 2021, 6:58 am CDT

At 19, Katie Ledecky is a world-class swimmer and three-time gold medalist. But before she even got into the pool, it would seem that she was destined for greatness. By the age of 2, Ledecky had already made an appearance on Today.

Also when she was 2, Ledecky met basketball great Michael Jordan, who appears to have been an early fan.

Ledecky met Jordan at a Washington Wizards game with her uncle Jon Ledecky, who was once part owners of the Washington Capitals. Not only did she charm Michael Jordan, but she networked with Wizards co-owner Ted Leonsis and attorney George Stamas as only a toddler can.

But it was in 2006 that Ledecky met her future teammate Michael Phelps. The picture of the meeting, which was shared with ESPN reporter Darren Rovell by her parents, shows the elated 9-year-old standing across the table from the record-setting Olympian.

Now, any one of those men could be standing in line for Ledecky’s autograph.

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*First Published: Aug 11, 2016, 11:47 am CDT


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GOP contenders for Kane County Board District 25 talk issues

Posted1/31/2010 12:01 AM

The Republican primary for Kane County Board District 25 features two candidates who are longtime American Legion friends but split over several issues.

Incumbent Robert Kudlicki, a seven-year board member, former Hampshire mayor, lists making Kane County "greener" and improving transportation for the far western portion of the county as campaign priorities. Challenger Thomas, "TR" Smith, of Maple Park, said he wants to focus on balancing the county's budget and prioritizing spending during difficult economic times. To do so, Smith has advocated eliminating any future spending projects of the county other than additional police coverage.

Kudlicki has not sought a single endorsement.

Smith, on the other hand, says he is endorsed by Kane County State's Attorney John Barsanti, County Clerk John Cunningham, Treasurer David Rickert, Recorder Sandy Wegman and Auditor Bill Keck.

His political experience is as chairman of the Western Kane County Township GOP and as a member of the Burlington Park District board. He has said he would quit the park board if elected.

Both men are military veterans and members of Hampshire American Legion Post 680.

The two candidates are split over how to provide equalized pay and benefits for county workers and board committee pay and attendance.

Smith believes that in order to equalize pay and benefits across county departments, a citizens committee should be put together to look at the department heads' salaries, as it has in the past for elected officials, he said.

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Kudlicki believes the county has taken steps to make sure union and nonunion workers are currently treated the same. Kudlicki did not specify what those steps were, however.

The candidates also differ on whether the county board members should be paid for serving on various committees. Kudlicki said he believes getting paid forces members to attend. Smith said they should not receive extra pay in addition to their annual salary of $23,000.

District 25, in western Kane County, covers Hampshire, Rutland, Burlington, Plato and Virgil townships.


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Healthy Coghlan looks to nail down starting spot with Cubs

  • After some solid contribution in 2014, Chris Coghlan starts spring training as the Cubs left fielder.

    After some solid contribution in 2014, Chris Coghlan starts spring training as the Cubs left fielder. Associated Press/2014 file

Posted3/4/2015 1:00 AM

Once upon a time in the not too distant past, Chris Coghlan was the hot prospect.

He proved himself early, winning the National League Rookie of the Year award in 2009, batting .321 in 128 games and smacking 9 homers.

But in the baseball world, 2009 is ancient history, and that year's Rookie of the Year just as well could be today's journeyman trying to hold on.

Coghlan knows the feeling.

Through determination and with the good fortune to stay healthy last year, he produced enough for the Cubs to become one of those rare birds to find new life in the game after nearly being discarded.

He enters Cactus League play as the Cubs' starting left fielder at age 29, one year after going to spring training as a nonroster invitee and playing the first month of the regular season at Class AAA Iowa.

Coghlan was called up on May 3, and from then on he put up a nice line of .283/.352/.452 with 9 homers, 41 RBI and 109 hits in 125 games.

"I was just grateful for an opportunity," he said at the start of training camp in Mesa, Arizona. "They don't hand out opportunities here, man. You've got to earn them and kick doors down. There are not many second chances in this game. It's a prospect world right now. I was grateful for just an opportunity and that I was able to succeed in that little opportunity I got."

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While Rookie of the Year campaign with the Marlins looked like the start of something big for the 36th overall pick in the 2006 draft, injuries hit and kept on hitting.

Knee surgery ended his 2010 season after 91 games. He missed two months of the 2011 season with inflammation in the knee. In 2012, Coghlan was optioned to Class AAA New Orleans in late April after batting just .118. A calf injury put him on the DL in 2013 from June 9-Sept. 1.

The Marlins chose not to tender Coghlan a contract after the 2013 season, and he signed a minor-league deal with the Cubs in January 2014.

Although there were questions about him, Coghlan said he never doubted he could produce if his health held up.

"No, because I had done it," he said, emphatically. "If I had never done it, then I would have that (doubt). But I guess the only doubt I ever had was, 'Will there ever be an other opportunity,' because I knew how hard it was.

"They forget about you real quick. It wasn't necessarily, 'Could I do it' as was, 'Was there going to be an opportunity,' because if you look at my track record whenever I've stayed healthy I've produced."

Still, Coghlan agrees it's amazing how fast a player can fall from grace.

"It's humbling, man," he said. "It's sobering. But that's the world we live in. It doesn't matter what it is. It's always, 'What have you done for me lately?' That's just the reality. So you can bark and complain all you want, but it doesn't do anything.

"Every day, you got to produce. Every day, you got to prove yourself. There's always somebody younger, better, more sexy who's coming up who's supposed to take your job. So you just fight until you can't fight anymore. That's the beauty of this game. It's the competition and competing and fighting every day to prove that you're worth being out there."

Coghlan is a left-handed hitter who batted .294 against right-handed pitching last year, with 7 of his 9 homers, compared to .247 against lefties. He figures to share time with right-handed hitting Chris Denorfia, who spent time with San Diego and Seattle last year, putting up a combined line of .230/.284/.318. For his career, Denorfia has hit .292 against lefties.

Given his history, Coghlan is not taking a spot on the team for granted. He says he wouldn't want it any different.

"It's a blast," he said. "Competing and fighting is what I love to do. That's what gets me going. It's what gives me the adrenaline rush. That's what gives me the excitement and the passion to play this game.

"So I wouldn't want it any other way, because then I would lose my zeal for the game. So I love that you have to prove your worth every day. I love that there's a winner and a loser every day. To fight to be the winner is the goal every day."

• Follow Bruce on Twitter@BruceMiles2112.

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Division doings: Cubs looking to get back up to speed in NL Central

  • Wade Miley, here pitching against the Cubs in August in Cincinnati, was claimed off waivers by the Cubs in the offseason.

    Wade Miley, here pitching against the Cubs in August in Cincinnati, was claimed off waivers by the Cubs in the offseason. Associated Press

Updated 11/25/2021 9:59 AM

A powerhouse team in the NL Central from 2015 to 2020, the Cubs took a serious tumble last season.

Not only did they finish fourth with a 71-91 record, the Cubs traded fixtures Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Javier Baez in July after dealing Yu Darvish and cutting ties with Kyle Schwarber and Jon Lester last winter.

Jed Hoyer inherited a colossal mess when he took over for Theo Epstein shortly after the 2020 season. Just about all of the dirty work is done, and multiple roster holes need to be addressed.

"We're going to be active," Hoyer said. "We have a lot of areas we need to improve so I think we'll certainly be active. But I think we need to be active in a way that we feel we're getting the right value for the dollars we're spending and we're also making sure that we're not hindering ourselves going forward with expenditures for right now."

Here's a look at the early moves in the NL Central this offseason:

There's not much left to dump, so it makes sense the Cubs have made two additions so far.

One of them is notable, starting pitcher Wade Miley was claimed off waivers from the Reds and the veteran left-hander is set to make $10 million next year after going 12-7 with a 3.37 ERA and throwing a no-hitter for Cincinnati last season.

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Harold Ramirez is the other newcomer. Most likely in the mix for a reserve outfield job, Ramirez was acquired from Cleveland Monday for cash considerations.

The Cubs still need more pitching help and, as Hoyer mentioned, they have to shore up a lot of other areas.

Saddled with a 71-69 record in early September, St. Louis caught fire, rattled off 17 wins in a row and made the playoffs as the National League's second wild-card team.

After losing to the Dodgers and going home, the front office still felt a change was needed. Mike Shildt wound up taking the fall and 35-year-old bench coach Oliver Marmol takes over as manager.

That's been the Cardinals' biggest offseason transaction. Adding another starting pitcher was the logical first roster move and St. Louis landed free-agent lefty Steven Matz on a four-year deal.

David Stearns is staying in Milwaukee, and that's an early offseason win for the Brewers.

The Mets' request to interview Stearns for their president of baseball operations job was turned down, so the 36-year-old wunderkind is returning for his seventh season with Milwaukee.

The Brewers are stacked with pitching and that's going to help them make a run at a fifth straight trip to the playoffs.

Milwaukee needs offensive help after likely losing Avisail Garcia and Eduardo Escobar to free agency.

Cincinnati GM Nick Krall describes it as "aligning our payroll with our resources."

Reds fans describe it as dumping salary and beginning another rebuild.

Star right fielder Nick Castellanos opted out of his contract, catcher Tucker Barnhart was traded to the Tigers and Miley wound up being claimed by the Cubs after being placed on waivers.

After making the playoffs in 2020 and staying in contention until the final week last season, Cincinnati looks to be regressing back to the team that finished last in the NL Central from 2015 to 2018.

Thanks to years of poor showings that resulted in high draft picks, the Pirates are loaded with minor league talent.

Starting pitcher Quinn Priester, a Cary-Grove High School product, is a high-end prospect that should be on Pittsburgh's roster in 2023.

In the meantime, the Pirates are destined for another last-place finish in the NL Central. They did sign Jose Quintana, a washed-up starter who has pitched for the White Sox and Cubs, to a one-year, $2 million deal.

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I went into the garage to do something and banged my toe on a barbell, tripped over a hockey stick, and stumbled into a basketball. I wanted to give the basketball a World Cup penalty kick. But didn't. Chances are it would have broken something I own, which is no punishment for the culprit who left it in the way.

So I just entertained Dad thoughts: ''Don't leave stuff in the way. That's all I ask. I'll show 'em. I'll take all of it and ...''

Seems like the NBA owners tripped over a basketball, too. Or maybe their wallets. Whatever, they told the players to go home. The game is over. Don't mess with us.

Which is the correct Dad thing to do. No matter it is Fourth of July weekend and the players won't be putting on uniforms for at least another three months. No matter that the fans have gone out to the other ballgame, the one of home runs and hot dogs.

That's why the owners declared a lockout earlier in the week. The owners decided up finally has been reached. The players are making too much money now and will be making way too much money in the future. So owners put away the basketballs, locked the doors, and told the players to go home.

All of professional sports goes through this kind of purge every decade or so. Owners decide players make too much money. The games are put on the shelf while this dispute is worked out. Everything is cool for a year or two. Then salaries begin to creep back up to a level the owners consider robbery. At that point, it's time for another purge.

It has happened in every professional sport except soccer. Once U.S. fans decide soccer is fun, thus creating demand, it will happen in there, too.

The hilarity is the owners themselves do the bidding on players looking for work - these players are called free agents - or pay huge amounts of money to make sure their star players don't become free agents. Even more hilarious is the fact this cost of doing business invariably is passed on to the customers in the form of higher ticket prices or that bribery NFL season ticket holders pay.

Remember when you were a kid and wanted to move up in the lunch line? You'd find a likely suspect and offer him some money to let you in line ahead of him. Give you a quarter if you let me cut in. The others in line didn't like it much but what the heck.

Basically, that's what the bribery fee is all about. You pay a bunch of money to cut in line and get a crack at buying a season ticket so you can sit close to your buddies or at least where you don't have to worry about some big dude plunking down in front of you and blocking the view.

And you will fight for the chance to pay all of this money because you would do anything to watch big-name NFL players do things you wish you could do.

What wonderfully goofy stuff.

Equally goofy is this NBA lockout. The owners have decided they don't want to hand out any more raises.

The players are the game. And every few generations an athlete comes along who is so special, so good, he raises the roof. He demands and gets top dollar. He becomes the standard and because of him all other athletes get raises.

Babe Ruth did it for baseball in the 1920s. Jim Brown did it for football in the 1950s. And Michael Jordan did it for basketball in the 1980s.

What should the owners do? Enjoy the crest on which Jordan has them surfing. They should behave themselves and not bid so much for free agents. Most of all, they should remember why fans are buying the tickets. Fans want to watch players play. They don't want to watch owners own.

- Skip Miller can be reached at 247-4639.


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• Aileen Wingblad/MediaNews Group

    Jevon Hairston at his 2019 preliminary exam.

  • Oakland County Sheriff's Office

    Jevon Hairston

  • Photo shared by family

    Demarco "DJ" Kinel

A Pontiac man has pleaded no contest to the 2019 murder of another Pontiac man, shot dead on a street.

Jevon Hairston, 28, entered his plea Dec. 16 for the July 19, 2019 homicide of Demarco “DJ” Kinel, and related firearms offenses.

An Oakland County Sheriff’s Office detective who testified last year during a preliminary exam for the case stated that Hairston initially told authorities that he and Kinel had an “exchange of words” before shots rang out, but he didn’t see who was firing. He next pinned the shooting on his brother who was with him at the time, and then “laughed and said ‘yes’ when asked if he was the shooter,” according to Det. Brian McLaughlin.

McLaughlin also testified that Hairston told police that he believed that he and Kinel were about to fight in the street, and that he felt threatened as Kinel walked toward him with his hands in his pants.

Also at the preliminary exam, Hairston’s attorney had indicated a possible self-defense strategy.

Hairston is scheduled for sentencing Jan. 21 in Oakland County Circuit Court.

A no contest plea is not an admission of guilt but is treated as such at sentencing.