The claim: American Red Cross pays its CEO nearly $652,000 while spending $0.09 of every dollar it collects on "people in need."

The claim has been floating around on social media and in forwarded emails for years, but it recently started gaining traction again on Facebook.

The viral post, shared in April 2018 by Mike Totman, shows a woman who is identified as Marsha Evans and says she is the president and CEO of the American Red Cross. It goes on to state her alleged salary and explain how the nonprofit spends its money.

This is not true.

Evans left the nonprofit in 2005. Gail McGovern is the Red Cross current CEO. Shes led the nonprofit since 2008. Her annual salary in 2018 was $694,000.

USA TODAY has reached out to Totman for comment.

Red Cross spending

So, how does the charity spend its money?

Nonprofit groups in the United States have to publicly report what they earn and where they spend it.

The most recent data for the Red Cross comes from its fiscal year ending June 30, 2019. It reported spending 88% (about $2.7 billion) of its $3 billion budget on "program services."

Most of that money, about $1.74 billion, went to what the Red Cross labeled "biomedical services." Thats the part of the charity that collects donated blood and sells it to hospitals and health-care providers. About $667 million went to disaster relief services, according to the annual report.

Selling donated blood is a standard practice, according to a Slate article called "The Business of Blood." Most charities that collect blood will sell it to cover some of their costs. The groups financial statements show more than half the biomedical dollars ($921 million) went to employee wages and benefits.

And what about McGovern? How is she paid?

"Red Cross President and CEO Gail McGoverns salary and benefits are paid from general operating funds," spokesperson Jenelle Eli said. "General operating funds include all revenue and contributions not restricted by donors, contracts or specific program costs."

Those funds amounted to about $103 million, according to the 2019 financial statements.

The American Red Cross also states on its website that "no portion of the compensation paid to McGovern comes from contributions by the public to help people affected by disasters."

What percentage of my donation goes to program services?

"That 0.09 cents statistic is not and has never been accurate," Eli said. "The American Red Cross is proud that an average of 90 cents of every dollar we spend is invested in delivering care and comfort to those in need."

Charity Navigator, a watchdog group that grades charities on their financial health, transparency and fundraising costs, estimated the Red Cross spends almost 90% of its "total expenses spent on the programs and services it delivers."

The Red Cross overall ranking on Charity Navigator is three out of four stars and an overall score of 89 out of 100.

A charity that spent 9 cents of every dollar raised on its programs wouldnt get a good score, Charity Navigator spokesman Kevin Scally said. The nonprofit is working on a new grading system that would automatically fail charities that dropped below 50 cents on the dollar.

"I think its been kind of a long-established golden rule of nonprofits that you want at least 70% going toward your stated cause," Scally said.

A 2014 investigation by NPR and ProPublica said the Red Cross' percentage could be closer to 70%.

The article called the claim by the Red Cross that "91 cents of every dollar that's donated goes to our services" misleading. Fundraising expenses over five years, according to documents reviewed by the news outlets, ranged from 14%-26% of every dollar the Red Cross raised.

Our ruling: False

The post gets both the name and annual salary of the CEO wrong. And though there is some evidence that the Red Cross has spent less than it says on program services over the years, there is no evidence to suggest its ratio is anywhere near as low as 9 cents on the dollar.

Our fact-check sources:

American Red Cross - "Red Cross Statement on Inaccurate Viral Email on Charity CEO Pay"

American Red Cross - "THE AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS Consolidated Financial Statements June 30, 2019"

American Red Cross - How the Red Cross Spends Your Donations

ProPublica - "The Red Cross CEO Has Been Serially Misleading About Where Donors Dollars Are Going"

Slate - "The Business of Blood Does the Red Cross sell your frozen plasma?"

Charity Navigator - "American Red Cross"

Our fact check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook.

astaver@dispatch.com

@annastaver

More here:

Fact check: Does Red Cross really spend only 9% of its money on charity? - The Columbus Dispatch

Its going to be over one day and Im not talking about the end of the world. This pandemic will have an end. When? Nobody seems to have a grip on that. We have become a people who expect an on/off switch for just about everything. The pandemic doesnt have a light switch. Its more like a dimmer.

Basically, it comes down to a feeling of being in control. With the new world of universal knowledge, the vast amount of information (real and fake) leaves an even greater feeling of being out of the drivers seat. The ability to gain knowledge at our fingertips is not working out well. We tend to forget that knowledge has to go through an interpretation lens. Knowledge is not so much the problem. The interpretations of it are.

Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden with Gods truth before them. That darn serpent showed up and gave a different interpretation of the knowledge they had. How did it go from there? Not too well at all.

I have said often I want to get to heaven and have the opportunity to beat the stuffing out of Adam and Eve. I stop and remember that the grace God gives me instead of beating me senseless is to be given to the first sinners. The gospel of hope through Jesus Christ really is amazing, isnt it? We all have to remember we would have done the same thing; dont kid yourself.

So how do we live in light of a relative world in the midst of a pandemic with vast opinions and information waiting impatiently for something to break so we can get back to normal? The great philosopher Francis Schaeffer wrote a book titled "How Shall We Then Live," speaking of living in the decline of conservative Western culture. Maybe it is time for someone to write a sequel.

A sequel is not necessary, actually. A refresher on biblical principles is necessary. Thats all Dr. Schaeffer did. He studied deeply the various aspects of culture and applied biblical truth. Honestly, that is what is needed in any of our life disruptions.

I was thinking about the winnowing down of biblical instruction and practice over the years. In Acts 2, we see the early church dedicating themselves to four principles on a daily basis. Did you catch that? Daily. Every day they gathered together to study the teachings of Jesus, pray, fellowship (that wasnt popcorn and a movie) and break bread (a meal or communion).

Now, fast-forward to today. We think attending church biweekly for the worship service is all we need, with a little 15-minute daily devotional. We dont have a biblically illiterate secular culture. We have a biblically illiterate Christian culture that has been seduced by bright lights, popular music and smiling people.

With the lack of deep biblical instruction, we have morphed into a Christian culture that is seldom united by the Holy Spirit (that was the biblical purpose), but instead places great value on individual interpretation of the minute details. Why? Just like in the pandemic, we value our own interpretation of the information more than that of experts. We have become the experts.

Meanwhile, there are three basic biblical principles that apply to our social distancing protocols. We are guided to decide on wearing a mask or not. We are guided on living in a world that fears great illness and death. We are given hope in what seems like a hopeless estate, especially if one is at risk.

The first principle is "love your neighbor as you would want to be loved." Jesus said this is close to loving Him. By the way, love is defined in the Bible. In John 3:16, the apostle says love is the "laying down of your life for the sake of another." So its not all kisses and ice cream. Its hard. Its sacrificial. Its outside of our opinion and desires. Our neighbor takes a position equal with us.

The second principle is found in Philippians 2 when the apostle Paul writes, "Each of you should not look after your own interests but also to the interests of others." Paul repeats the golden rule. Lets get moving together. "Its not all about me." Repeat again, "Its not all about me."

The third principle takes us to another level when Paul in Corinthians says we are to respond so we dont offend the weaker brother or sister. He upped the ante. He is repeating clear instruction from Jesus in Matthew 25 when we are to live a life that assists "the least of these." Believing in Jesus is not about power, but service. You will find that instruction from Jesus to James and John in Mark 10.

There are very few "but" or "maybe" clauses in the Bible. Jesus never said, "Serve that person unless they are an idiot." We find Jesus washing Judas feet even when he knew Judas would be a traitor before the night was out. There are no "jerk" clauses either. One will not find "wash each others feet unless they are a jerk." Quite the opposite.

Looking out for the weak and least of the human race was to mark the Christian more than the endless quest to moral excellence. We have clear instructions. At the end of the day, I dont like not shaking hands with others. I dont like not getting a warm hug of affirmation. I dont like stepping back instead of being close. I despise wearing a mask.

However, under the instruction of someone far greater than me and you, I will wear a mask, not shake hands and keep my distance. Ill do it with a smile and no grumbling. Thats in the Bible, too. One day it will end. Then we will have to figure out our response to whatever will be the new normal. I will lay odds the answers to that are in the Bible.

John Ring is minister of family counseling and community outreach at Grace Coastal Church in Okatie.

More:

Ring: One day it will end - The Augusta Chronicle

Albert Browne

Martinsburg

Im so thankful for the caring perspective of Mr. West its a must read for every American that needs to understand important beliefs behind the group BLM, and who supports complete justice.

Article entitled: A Black Mans Letter to Black Lives Matter | CNSNews

https://cnsnews.com/commentary/allen-west/black-mans-letter-black-lives-matter

Mr. West certainly is against unjust brutality and believes that the rule of law is necessary to sustain a civilized society from the anarchy we are now seeing.

Here are some things I want to share: We used to teach the golden rule of How you want to be treated - so treat others. Love does no harm to a neighbor, overcome evil with good, forgive us our trespasses - as we forgive those that trespass against us. Love is the fulfillment of the law. Submit to authority .

I certainly believe people matter and equal justice under the law for all. Im thankful most officials are seeing injustice and are taking lawful action to rectify police brutality yet hopefully still permit the police to do their job. Many of us are concerned that burning looting, rioting, destruction of private property is totally wrong, hypocritical by being unjust to somehow coerce others to be just and non-criminal.

Its never right that any innocents should suffer by an out-of-control mob for the sins of a few. There will always be bad apples in any group yet we are not called to be bigots and stereotype all folk in a group (not even the police) based on a couple of bad apples. There is a proper way to address any injustice and that is through the justice system, peaceful protesting, educating truthfully, calling and writing our reps, voting in the right people and voting out wrong people who support violence, shake-downs, attacking of the police, cover-ups, double standards or harming of innocents or those in the press.

Link:

Law is necessary in civilized society - Martinsburg Journal

AKRON, Ohio, July 9, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --Valmark Financial Group has been awarded a Top Workplaces 2020 honor by The Plain Dealer. Valmark ranked 12th among 100 reputable companies in the Northeast Ohio small business space to be recognized as a Top Workplace. The list is based solely on employee feedbackgathered through a third-party, with the results of top performers published in the Plain Dealer. The survey is anonymous and uniquely measures 15 drivers of engaged cultures that are critical to the success of any organization: including alignment, execution, and connection, just to name a few.

"Valmark being named a Top Workplace is an incredible testament to our people and the workplace culture they create," said Caleb Callahan, President, Valmark Financial Group. "I'm truly honored by this achievement, especially because the judges were our employees."

Valmark employees exemplify on a daily basis actions that are consistent with the company's five core values, the first of which is, "We Live By the Golden Rule", a philosophy that means treating others the way you desire to be treated. "This shapes the way we treat our customers, our industry partners and certainly each other," said Callahan. "Together, we have created a unique culture, and I believe it has been a major contributor to both the success of our customers and our own business."

"I am very proud of the culture we have created and especially Caleb's leadership working with all managers to create increased levels of engagement among our internal team members," said Larry J. Rybka, Chairman and CEO, Valmark Financial Group. "This has helped all of our employees understand that they play a real role in bringing the Golden Rule to life."

Valmark's employee-focused culture is well represented by its engagement program, called simply, Engage. The Engage program is made up of a team of employees from various departments who work together to organize and implement a variety of activities for employees throughout the year. These include unique social events such as food trucks, in-office health and wellness activities, and the Valmark Olympic Games. Additionally, the Engage program also recognizes and awards employees who actively exemplify one or more of the company's five core values each month. "I call this getting caught in the act of doing things the Valmark way," said Callahan.

Part of the draw to Valmark for many employees is Valmark's "Spirit of Generosity." Through the Valmark Global Gift Fund (GGF), the company makes financial gifts to those in need locally and around the world. The GGF focuses on providing basic living needs, such as food, water, clothing, shelter, and basic education needs, to society's most vulnerable members. The GGF also partners with the employee led Engage program to create numerous volunteer opportunities for Valmark employees throughout the year.

"I am so proud of our team and all the wonderful work we do together to serve our customers, our communities and each other," said Callahan. "We are so thankful for this recognition and, more importantly, our employees, who make Valmark a truly special place!"

View Valmark's profile on the Top Workplaces website here. If you have any questions regarding this release, please reach out to Jamie Summerville, VP, Communications at jsummerville@valmarkfg.com.

About Valmark Financial Group, LLCValmarkFinancialGroup is a holding company of several subsidiaries, including: Executive Insurance Agency, Inc., a national producer group; Valmark Securities, Inc., a broker-dealer and member of both FINRA and SIPC; Valmark Advisers, Inc., a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission registered investment adviser; and the Valmark Policy Management Company, LLC, which provides ongoing policy management and monitoring services for life insurance policyholders.With a proud history of workingwith independently owned financial servicesfirms committed to high ethical standards in over 30 statesthroughout the United States, Valmarkoffersa wide range of insurance and investment solutions for high net-worth clients. Headquartered in Akron, Ohio with operations in St. Paul, Minnesota, Valmark, through its affiliated entities, has helped itsmemberfirms place over $50 billion of life insurance death benefits and manage insurance policies with a cumulative cash value of over $8 billion dollars. Valmark's affiliated RIA, Valmark Advisers, has an estimated $5 billion in assets under management, including approximately $2.5 billion in variable sub-account assets withinits TOPSfunds. To learn more about Valmark Financial Group, visitwww.valmarkfg.com.

Securities offered through Valmark Securities, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC.

Contact: Jamie Summerville VP, CommunicationsValmark Financial Group130 Springside DriveAkron, OH 44333P: 330.576.1234 x3609E: jsummerville@valmarkfg.comwww.valmarkfg.com

Here is the original post:

The Plain Dealer Names Valmark Financial Group A Winner Of The Cleveland Top Workplaces 2020 Award - News-Herald.com

Jim, you humans seem to be going around and around about wearing masks and its not even Halloween.

Roxie, you are pulling my leg again. Youve done that so many times, one leg is shorter than the other. You know as well as I do that the discussion about masks has to do with wearing a cloth mask in public during the pandemic.

I was pulling your leg. Ive been writing up the mask controversy in my human watchers guide book. From where I stand or sit or lay down, whether or not to wear a mask in public has become a partisan litmus test.

You are a very wise canine. Indeed it has and thats unfortunate. The medical case is clear. Wearing masks in public cuts down on the infection rate and as we all know, that rate is surging. But at heart, in my opinion this is a question of theology. Am I my brother and sisters keeper or not? How does the Golden Rule apply here? What does wearing a mask have to do with doing unto others as you would have them do unto you?

What do you come up with as you ask those questions about wearing masks?

As you can imagine, it is personal with me, Next month I turn 77 and as weve talked about, Im in the midst of cancer treatment. As far as the virus is concerned, I feel like Im in an iconic Far Side cartoon. Two bears are standing up in the woods. One of the bears has a big bulls eye on its chest. The other bear says, thats a bummer of a birthmark. Im certainly in the high risk group when it comes to the virus. When Im out in public wearing my mask, Im grateful for all the other masked folks. I thank them.

Jim, I know you are anxious. I hear your concern and take a hard look at what is happening during these days of division. It seems to me that we all need to recover the notion that it is not just about me. The world doesnt revolve around me. We are all in this together. Do you think there will be progress toward more humans in our area wearing masks.?

I do. We are lucky to have local public officials who understand the concept of the common good. We are all connected. Im pleased that the Georgetown City Council has passed a mask ordinance and even as we speak, the County Council is getting ready to vote on an ordinance.

On that note Jim, time for Happy Hour. Youll have to pull your mask down as we toast mask wearers. Well continue to keep our social distance.

Amen, Roxie, Amen.

The Rev. Dr. Jim Watkins lives in Pawleys Island. His column is published twice monthly.

View post:

The Rev. Jim Watkins and Roxie Column: To mask or not to mask - Charleston Post Courier

Improve traffic merge

Lets make sure the redevelopment of the dead Pig in West Ashley does not lead to any deaths or injuries at the merge of Old Towne Road and Sam Rittenberg Boulevard.

The city and traffic engineers who work for us did a heroic job of soliciting and vetting multiple plans for improving the suicide merge at the intersection.

Those plans were ultimately nixed by the community. It was never clear to me what the vote was to stop the planning.

Now, its time for Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg and City Council to intervene on behalf of the safety of citizens.

The site is going to undergo major changes that will affect road safety planning.

The mayor and council must use the authority given to them by the citizens of Charleston and do what is best for West Ashley citizens.

DR. EDGAR J. WEISS

South Hampton Drive

Charleston

To paraphrase President Ronald Reagan, Here we go again.

So Boeing, which hid, obfuscated and lied about its problems with the 737 Max airliners that killed hundreds of people, is now being bailed out by the Federal Reserve Board and the federal government.

Once again people are crying Too big to fail and pumping out billions of taxpayer dollars and piling up record levels of debt to keep flailing companies alive.

Meanwhile, dare I ask, what restrictions are being put on corporate salaries and bonuses?

Or are we going to have the same situation we had during the Great Recession of 2007-09 when the banks and lending institutions that caused the crisis got off scot-free?

And where are the true conservatives who believe in free markets and limited government in economic affairs?

Where? Theyve run to the hills dropping all of their so-called principles by the wayside.

STEVEN MORRIS

Oconee Loop

Mount Pleasant

A letter in the July 5 Post and Courier asked, Who is Jaime Harrison?

I didnt know much about the Democrat challenging U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham until I attended one of the many town hall meetings he is holding with interested voters.

Participants can learn about Harrisons upbringing, family life, education, previous political and private-sector experience, his wisdom in the ways our government runs, or should run, and his understanding of what leadership entails.

I and many others came away impressed with Harrisons integrity, concern for the needs of constituents, his desire to heal the divisions in our nation and his ability to think independently.

I encourage the letter writer to become an actively informed voter.

Have a look at Harrisons website. It contains a lot of relevant information and outlines what his priorities as senator would be.

Call the campaign office to find out when his virtual appearances are scheduled and sign up to participate in one.

For those who really want to know about Jaime Harrison, information is available to those willing to take responsibility for informing themselves rather than expecting a busy Senate candidate to drop by when he is in town.

KAY K. CHITTY

West Shipyard Road

Mount Pleasant

I was brought up to be considerate of others and I would like to think I still am, but it is becoming more difficult to love my neighbor these days.

Whatever happened to the Golden Rule? Why are so many of our neighbors inconsiderate, insensitive, ignorant and indifferent to others?

When did we turn the corner and cross the line on being good neighbors?

How did we get to a point of caring only for ourselves, doing whatever we want to do when we want and how we want to do it without any sense of responsibility for our actions?

Last week, we celebrated the Fourth of July and the Declaration of Independence, or at least thats what the national holiday is supposed to be about.

How ironic that the primary drafter of this important document was Thomas Jefferson, whose statues are being torn down along with other important figures in American history.

Where is the logic in that?

We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men (and all women of all color, all race and all religion) are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men (and women) deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

Lets not forget who we are and how we got here.

BETTY REED

Ashley Garden Boulevard

Charleston

Read the original here:

Letters to the Editor: Improve traffic merge as part of West Ashley project - Charleston Post Courier

A gap year is a when kids take a year off between high school and college.

Getty Images

With the continued spread of the coronavirus upending plans all across the country most recently on college campuses, where many schools have announced theyll be pursuing an all-digital curriculum in 2020-21 many would-be incoming freshmen are considering taking a gap year.

Gap years, where you take a year break in between high school and university, are pretty common in England, where Im from originally. I knew pretty early I wanted to take one, and my Mum was very supportive of the idea which Im very grateful for because it was a genuinely beneficial and enjoyable experience. So, with so many incoming freshmen potentially considering one of their own, I wanted to share a few things I learned along the way that could influence your decision to take one, or maybe help inform any advice you give to a loved one considering one themselves.

Sure, some well-to-do kids take a gap year, travel and blow through a bunch of their parents money in the process. More power to them, but personally, I think a gap year is more rewarding when you have a side-hustle that provides a little bit of dough for yourself. I lived at home during my gap year and caddied during the week, whenever I wasnt playing in tournaments. My colleague and fellow gap-year taker, Dylan Dethier, wrote about skiing on the side to help subsidize his trip around America.

Look, any money you make on your gap year isnt going to be enough to retire on, but if youre smart about it, itll certainly be enough to come in handy when you need it. You could put it aside for college, or if nothing else, you could use it to spend on a fun experience for yourself, which brings me to my next point

I had a very golf-centric gap year, which is a fancy way of saying I spent a lot of time in my car, road-tripping to and from tournaments. They werent huge trips; most of the tournaments were 36 holes, so the majority of my travels were a night or two somewhere within about eight hours of Hilton Head Island, which is where I was living at the time. Id leave the day before the tournament, try to get to the course in time for a practice round that evening, and usually hit the road after my final round.

At times it was boring I got to know I-95 really well, with the countless number of trips I made from South Carolina to Florida but when youre fresh out of high school and taking trips by yourself, alone for hours in a car, theres a dual sense of adventure and responsibility. You start thinking about stuff, which is mostly good, and learn to fend for yourself a bit.

It also, in my case, helped me see some areas of the country that I hadnt been to before or since. And once again, these werent massive trips. To Alabama for a couple of days, or up to Tennessee for a two-day tournament. But regardless, its a nice feeling, getting to know a little sliver of the country you wouldve never had a reason to go to before.

This one hit me in the winter of my gap year. All my friends were off in college, doing all the things college kids do and coming back with stories about it all, then leaving once again. Itll be a little terrifying at first it was for me at least and the truth is, youre probably not going to make a bunch of new friends during your gap year. Its going to feel pretty apparent when all your old friends are in college, meeting new people. Feeling a little left out is normal, so dont dwell on it. Use it as an opportunity to get out of your comfort zone.

If youre a golfer taking a gap year, even if youre working a bit, youre probably never going to have this much time to work on your game for the rest of your life, so get serious about it. Many juniors may take a gap year to work on their game in hopes of improving their chances of getting a collage scholarship. So if thats your plan, do it right. Find a coach and iron out your swing; hit the gym and gain some speed; play as many holes a day as you can, and learn to score. You have the potential to make some serious improvements that will pay dividends for years. Just because you have a year off doesnt mean its the time to slack off.

A gap year is your opportunity to get outside your comfort zone. When it comes to golf, that means pushing yourself. Id suggest playing a few mini-tour events and Monday qualifiers as an amateur. Get a taste of what its like competing against guys for a paycheck, and see what level youre at compared to them. Spending a day or two playing a mini-tour event can be an eye-opening experience. Even if it doesnt go well it will be valuable, and it might also show the kind of ambition college golf coaches look for.

In retrospect, perhaps the biggest benefit of my gap year is that it gave me some time to think. High school can be a crazy time, and so many of my friends came right out of it and barreled straight into college without much thought. By the time they actually took a breath and started to think about what they wanted to do with the rest of their lives, they were already two years in.

Of course, theres always the potential to change your mind later and discover something new, but use your gap year to ask yourself what you find interesting and might want to pursue. Do some self-discovery, that way you can hit the ground running when you get to school.

Ultimately, the best advice I can give, whether youre a golfer or not, is to stay productive. Learn about yourself, save some cash, work on your game, see new places, push yourself. If youre looking to get recruited by college coaches, be proactive and update them on your progress.

Ultimately, if youre a kid who wants to take a gap year or the parent of one considering it, remember the golden rule: A gap year is only as good as you make it, and its an opportunity that only comes around once.

More here:

I took a golf-themed gap year and loved it. Heres what junior golfers should know about them - Golf.com

When you see a camera flash or a speed camera van in your rearview mirror it can be an agonising wait to learn if you've been caught for speeding.

Many of us have been guilty of this in our lives but the fines, speed awareness course or points on your licence still sting.

But it may not be too late to avoid a fine - thanks to a rule unearthed by The Money Advice Service.

According to the free and impartial advice service a letter should arrive within 14 days, and then youll need to return the completed Section 172 notice within 28 days, reports the ECHO.

Then youll be sent a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN).

This is where you can plead guilty or not guilty.

However - before you do this put the brakes on and check if a golden rule has been followed by the police.

The Money Advice Service confirm on their website: "If the ticket was issued written up, created outside of 14 days after the speeding incident, then there may be a possibility the ticket could be time barred (cancelled)."

However, they say the rules are more complicated than that.

They say: "All the police need to do is show the ticket should have reached the vehicles registered owner under normal circumstances within 14 days.

"This means the letter could go to an old address if youve not updated your licence, it could go to a hire company or to your work address if the vehicle isnt yours."

Put simply - if it gets to one of these within 14 days, it does not matter if it doesnt reach your address for another fortnight.

It also means delays caused by postal problems dont affect the rule if it was posted in time for a normal service to get the letter to you, a four-day strike wont sway the courts.

And by contesting the ticket, you could end up with abigger fine and more points.

If you get 12 points or more over a period of three years, you could be disqualified from driving.

There are also more severe bands D, E and F, which are used for very serious speeding and driving offences.

The maximum fine is 1,000, rising to 2,500 if you were driving on a motorway.

Of course the most sensible and foolproof way to avoid a speeding ticket is to stick to the laws of the land in the first place.

Read the rest here:

A little-known law that could stop you getting a fine and points on your licence - Cambridgeshire Live

Obviously, you should stick to the law and not speed, but many drivers will admit that they have sped once or twice, perhaps by accident or because they were in a desperate rush.

Then comes the fine, speed awareness course or points on your licence.

It hurts, and hopefully you learn your lesson.

But in some cases you might not actually have to pay the fine, thanks to a rule unearthed by The Money Advice Service.

For more news and features about London directly to your inbox sign up to our newsletter here.

According to the free and impartial advice service, a letter should arrive within 14 days, and then youll need to return the completed Section 172 notice within 28 days, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Then youll be sent a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) - this is where you can plead guilty or not guilty.

However - before you do this, put the brakes on and check if a golden rule has been followed by the police.

The Money Advice Service confirm on their website: "If the ticket was issued written up, created outside of 14 days after the speeding incident, then there may be a possibility the ticket could be time barred (cancelled)."

However, they say the rules are more complicated than that.

They say: "All the police need to do is show the ticket should have reached the vehicles registered owner under normal circumstances within 14 days.

"This means the letter could go to an old address if youve not updated your licence, it could go to a hire company or to your work address if the vehicle isnt yours."

Put simply - if it gets to one of these within 14 days, it does not matter if it doesnt reach your address for another fortnight.

It also means delays caused by postal problems dont affect the rule if it was posted in time for a normal service to get the letter to you, a four-day strike wont sway the courts.

And by contesting the ticket, you could end up with a bigger fine and more points.

If you get 12 points or more over a period of three years, you could be disqualified from driving.

We've created a Facebook group for people who use the M25 to keep up to date with what's happening on the motorway.

We will keep you informed about the latest news that affects your daily commute to work, as well as at the weekend.

We'll also let you know in advance if there are any roadworks or closures you should know about, or if there are any problems at the Dartford Crossing.

Join the group here.

There are also more severe bands D, E and F, which are used for very serious speeding and driving offences.

The maximum fine is 1,000, rising to 2,500 if you were driving on a motorway.

Of course the most sensible and foolproof way to avoid a speeding ticket is to stick to the laws of the land in the first place.

Read the original here:

The little-known law that could stop you getting a fine and points on your licence for speeding - MyLondon

If you spend several hours each day working at a desk, youve probably experienced the ache and pain that comes with poor posture. Were talking wrist pain, neck and back issues, hip soreness and even an increase in headaches all due to improper setup.

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services.Policy

Add in the new challenge of working from home during a pandemic and you might be wondering how to set up your new workspace to be productive and avoid pain.

Luckily, there are tips and tricks to setting up your office (or makeshift home office) to achieve good posture and ergonomics. Chiropractor Andrew Bang, DC, discusses what to keep in mind to avoid discomfort and injury.

Its no surprise that sitting all day (especially if youre hunched over pounding away on a laptop) can have some undesirable consequences to your health. From increased risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, to painful injuries like carpal tunnel and a stiff neck, properly setting up your desk and workspace should be a priority on your wellness list.

When it comes to good ergonomics, its really about positioning yourself to avoid injury, pain and fatigue and just improve your overall work performance, says Dr. Bang.

And who wouldnt want to achieve all those things?

Dr. Bang explains that there are four key areas to focus on when it comes to your setup:

These four fundamentals are the golden rules of ergonomics (whether youre working in the office or remotely).

I tell my patients when theyre setting up their workstation, think: head right, arms right, back right and move right, he explains. So if you do those four things correctly, it allows you to be in a position where you can avoid pain and a whole list of other injuries.

Dr. Bang dives further into the four key areas of proper setup.

Your head is like a 10 pound bowling ball when your spine is in a neutral position, explains Dr. Bang. And if you get into the wrong position, your spine takes on more of that weight.

So the farther your head moves away from your neutral spine, the more the weight goes up. Even moving your head 15 degrees forward (so slightly looking down), your head goes from 10 pounds to about 24 pounds! Thats a big increase on your spine, which can quickly lead to neck and back pain.

Add in looking down at a piece of paper and the pressure on your neck and shoulders jumps to almost 40 pounds. Do this for several hours and were talking major pain and damage, says Dr. Bang.

For this reason, always focus on your spine and head being in a neutral position. Place your computer screen straight in front of you where your eyes are looking primarily at the area of the screen that you use the most. Use books or a box to prop the screen up to the appropriate level.

If you have two screens, put the primary screen right in the center and the secondary screen off to your left or to your right.

If you can, try to move your secondary screen around, says Dr. Bang. Have your secondary screen to the right for a few weeks and then change it to your left in another couple weeks. Good ergonomics is about keeping your neck moveable and avoiding repetitive movements.

If you use a laptop, you might run into the issue of having your screen up so high that you cant reach the keys. For this reason I always recommend using a wireless keyboard, says Dr. Bang. If you cant type comfortably, youre going to be straining, which will quickly cause neck, trap and wrist issues.

Whether youre sitting or standing, the preferred position of your arms is going to be 90 degrees. So that means your shoulders need to be down at a resting position (not hunched up to your ears) and your elbows should be bent with your wrists staying neutral.

When it comes to your computer mouse, Dr. Bang recommends using an ergonomics mouse verse a traditional mouse. A normal computer mouse forces your wrist to twist, which can irritate carpal tunnel syndrome or give you general wrist pain. An ergonomics mouse allows the wrist to maintain a neutral position, almost like youre shaking someones hand.

Its also a good idea to move around your mouse pad from time to time to create a little variety in your positions. Again, focusing on reducing repetitive movement to avoid injury.

Most standard computer chairs have built in lumbar support and the ability to change your height, which is great for customizing your workstation, says. Bang. But if youre working with a normal chair, maybe even at home, theres a few things you can try when it comes to supporting a good back position.

You first want to make sure your legs and thighs are parallel with the cushion of your seat. This allows the pressure of your weight to be evenly distributed and reduces the risk of thigh or leg pain. Make sure your legs arent dangling or that youre not using the rungs of your chair to prop your feet up. If needed, get a box or stool to rest your feet on.

Sometimes, when were really engaged in our work, we tend to lean forward a bit, but your back needs to be placed up against the back of the chair, explains Dr. Bang. If youre constantly leaning forward youre going to get tired and fatigued and thats going to lead to tightness and back pain.

Instead, try using a lumbar support pillow, which will allow you to sit with the natural curve in your back. Place the pillow in the small of your back and adjust it so that your head is over your neck and shoulders. This even works with a regular, small pillow.

Think of the curve of your spine like a spring.As gravity bears down on it, the spring can change pressure and distribute it evenly. If you straighten your spine out or overly curve it because youre in a weird position, youre going to start to have some discomfort.

Along with the lumbar support pillow, you can get a chair cushion, which is also going to help distribute your weight. Some cushions have a cut out for your tailbone, which is a common complaint, either from a previous injury or from childbirth.

Even if I sit in the best possible position, if I stay there for too long, its going to cause me some pain and discomfort, says Dr. Bang. Whenever you get stuck doing the same thing, youre going to get injured. Repetitive movement is a big cause of injury.

Our joints are made to self-lubricate when we move. (Thats why movement is so good for us!) When we move our muscles we also stretch out from being tense or overstretched from sitting or standing too long.

I learned a saying from one of my patients that I think is so important motion is lotion, says Dr. Bang. We need to get up and move throughout the day.

Set a timer, schedule it on your calendar or make a rule for yourself that during every conference call youll try to incorporate movement, even if its a simple neck stretch. Try to figure out times throughout your day where a little bit of movement or stretching wont affect or impact your work.

Blend tasks together. So while youre reading a long email, youre stretching. If youre waiting for your lunch to heat up in the microwave, throw in some movement while you wait. Take advantage of bathroom breaks to make sure you get up every 45 to 60 minutes. Or if you have a standing desk, switch from sitting to standing every hour and the back again.

Creating variety throughout our day is going to help us combat pain and discomfort, says Dr. Bang. Movement is an important piece of good workspace ergonomics.

View original post here:

Here's How to Set Up an Ergonomic Home Office to Avoid Aches & Pains - Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic

(Dana Amihere/LAist)

Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily newsletters. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.

I was on KPCC's Take Two news talk show for less than two weeks when I produced my first conversation about race in Los Angeles. It was April 2015: one hell of a time to wade into the debate over race and policing. But it was also the month that I learned what it truly meant to amplify Black voices.

On April 5, Walter Scott, a Black man in South Carolina, was shot in the back by Michael Slager, a White police officer; the heinous execution was captured on camera for the world to witness. Less than two weeks later, 25-year-old Freddie Gray died in the custody of Baltimore police after a so-called "rough ride" resulted in injuries to his spinal cord. The uprisings that followed shook Obama's America and reminded even the most naive of us that a racial reckoning was long overdue.

Enter me: A fill-in producer fresh out of news radio powerhouse KNX1070. Less than a week after I was laid off in a round of budget cuts, I went from a legacy newsroom with 30-year employees and 30-second news holes to a comparatively newer house of journalism with 12-minute segments and more millennials than I could count. I relished the opportunity to help Los Angeles have some much-needed talks about race. But it hasn't been easy.

As the third Black person on the team, I had some great mentors in Joanne Griffith and Stephen Hoffman. Each of us carried a unique perspective on the Black experience. But in those first few weeks, I felt that my segments about race were embarrassingly basic. There's no other way to say that.

Even when I received kudos from our predominantly White leadership, their idea of a productive conversation often felt very different from my own. Deep down, I knew that the impact of any segment about race was almost entirely determined by the extent of my own knowledge and reflection on the subject. How could I "go there" if I didn't know where "there" was?

I started easy: a conversation about the use of the word "thug" when talking about Baltimore protesters with a young Jamelle Bouie. That same show, I produced a roundtable featuring a Black professor and a Black community leader from the city. A journalist, an academic, and a faith leader. How do I say this? Sigh.

In times of racial strife, the obvious decision for every outlet should be to "amplify Black voices." The difficult question that invariably follows is: "Which ones?"

In the beginning, I, like many journalists, fell into a familiar media trap. I chose to put a microphone in front of the Black community's polished gems, rather than its uncut diamonds. Subconsciously, I thought I was doing my people a favor by presenting its most assimilated voices. This was my takeaway after four years in commercial news. But if truth and accuracy are the foundation of true reconciliation, then accurate representation is non-negotiable. All Black experiences matter.

As April wore on, the news industry's dearth of nuanced coverage became increasingly apparent. I realized that I would have to become my own critic and develop a mental rubric for booking guests and writing interview questions that were free from the vestiges of inherent white supremacy.

Over the next month, I took listeners along on my personal journey. I produced a discussion about the often-problematic reporting around the Baltimore unrest. UCLA Dean of Social Sciences Darnell Hunt called out the news outlets that focused on the crimes committed during the protests rather than the frustration behind them. The goal was admittedly subversive: I wanted people to understand that those who create the narrative hold the very reins of social change. In retrospect, the conversation was for my own edification as much as anyone else's.

The turning point in my production work came in August. Longtime NAACP chairman Julian Bond had died. I was tasked with producing a roundtable discussion about the state of Black leadership in America. It was after nearly a week of production that I reached the limits of my own understanding.

So I got on Twitter and just started DMing Black people all kinds of Black people. Some days, I did nothing but talk to Black people. I called up activists, asked open-ended questions, and then I sat back and listened. It was commentator Jasmyne Cannick who got me thinking the most during this time.

"There is a huge disconnect from the folks who the media calls on as representing Black people and how Black people actually feel about those people who are out there claiming to represent them," Cannick explained on the phone with me and later on the air.

In the end, Cannick proved to be the right voice for our radio panel. What resulted was a frank discussion about the past, present, and future of Black leadership.

Though the segment existed for just shy of 15 minutes on the air, it gifted me with three lessons that I now use to measure all coverage of the Black experience.

Lesson 1: Times change.

Black people in Black spaces are having conversations about race that never make it to the mainstream media. They're discussing and dissecting social and economic dynamics that would likely sound foreign to more than half of the country. Failure to stay in the loop inevitably results in shallow coverage the journalistic equivalent of AstroTurf. Some listeners can't tell the difference, but Black people can.

Lesson 2: Let the story tell you how to tell it.

In the world of broadcast news, time is at a premium. The environment rarely lends itself to amplify Black voices. Finding the right voice takes time. Listening to that voice in a non-exploitative way takes time. Rewriting your entire narrative to reflect the fullness of the story takes time. Breaking out of colonial structures and power dynamics takes time. In this way, I believe, a news organization's dedication to Black lives can be accurately measured by the time they allow their journalists to pursue the stories of Black people.

Lesson 3: Love Black people.

The final lesson incorporates all lessons. I consider it my Golden Rule. Loving Black people doesn't mean giving them special treatment. It means giving their voices the same respect we've historically given to the police. It means respecting Black anger. It means celebrating Black intersectionality. It means recognizing Black individuality. And yes, it means hiring, training, and retaining Black talent.

Five years later, I can say that I'm still learning how to amplify Black voices. Mastery will always be just out of reach. But during this time, when the voice of Black America is too loud for any newsroom to ignore, it is my prayer that the practice of journalism will not emerge from this chapter unchanged and that we too will become part of the history we write.

Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly said Darnell Hunt was a dean at USC. He is a professor and dean of social sciences at UCLA. LAist regrets the error.

MORE FROM AUSTIN CROSS:

MORE FROM OUR RACE IN LA SERIES

See more here:

What It Really Means To Amplify Black Voices - LAist

In a Nutshell commentary by Trevor Barnes

Trevor Barnes.

Speaking for myself, what is more welcoming than a warm and genuine smile, be it from a person with whom you are on personal terms or from a total stranger?

Be it from a pretty girl or from your boss at work, a smile is the easiest way to show acceptance and approval from another person. The smile that emanates from the face of that person, also infiltrates the windows of the soul, and the eyes join the whole experience in a happy engaging twinkle.

In times of uncertainty and doubt Let a smile be your umbrella and when despair is eating at your fragility, Smile and the world smiles with you, cry and you cry alone.

The humble smile has probably mended fences between wrangling neighbours, saved you from a spanking, smoothed the path back into lovers good graces and helped you side-slip out of a sticky situation.

ALSO READ: Live for today and dont take anything for granted

0343126021

0343126021

0343126021

0343126021

0343126021

0343126021

0343126021

0343126021

0343126021

Hospitality managers working at reception at holiday resorts and hotels are now not able to welcome guests with a toothy grin. Another casualty of the face mask wearing regime are those people who are deaf and need to see the mouths of those people who are communicating with them.

Unfortunately, the present Covid-19 pandemic has thwarted this means of social intercourse, instead, below the eyes, is this unfashionable and blandly boring cloth face garment, which has now become a permanent part of our going-out wardrobe, when we will be in the presence of other people.

In the past, young ladies never left home without money for a taxi or a telephone call home and boys always made certain they had a handkerchief in their pocket.

What the practical use of a handkerchief in an emergency was I do not know! Now, the call is Dont forget your face mask!. When this nightmare will be over is anybodies and every bodies guess, but if the clever people do not know, surely then neither do we.

All that remains is to mask up, wash hands frequently and endure the golden rule of social distancing, and no sneaky kisses in the lift please!

So for the protection of your own life and those of your family, say safe.

Here is the original post:

A smile has the power to change the world - Newcastle Advertiser

Lolita BundeLet your one chunky piece shine and stand out (Pinterest)

Chunky accessories are bold and literally big, obviously not everyones cup of tea. They demand a certain kind of fashion discipline in order to pull off the look. They are not just the kind of accessories you wake up in the morning, throw on and leave. You have to think about your outfit, match it upfront and only add a chunky piece to gauge the final look.

ALSO READ: #FridayFashionInspo: Be curvy and free like Joy Kendi

Although putting them on may seem tedious but the final look always pays off and you will keep heads turning in admiration.

Chunky accessories are easy to pull off, you only need to keep the following rules in mind:

Minimize on other accessories

When working with chunky accessories, be it a bangle, dangling earrings or a necklace in order for them to stand out and play their part you need to keep other accessories on the minimum. Let your one chunky piece shine and stand out.

When you want everything else to stand out you may end up looking tacky and unsure of what you are doing.

One chunky at a time

I cannot stress this rule more, when rocking chunky accessories always go for one at a time. If you decide to work with a chunky necklace, do not put on your dangling necklaces plus your extra-large bangles. You may end up looking like a clown.

ALSO READ: #FashionTips: Five ways to pull off a good monochrome outfit

Maybe you can get away with a chunky necklace paired with chunky bangles but when it comes to the neck area, do not mix chunky necklaces with chunky earrings.Chunky necklaces look better when dressed with bare shoulders (Pinterest)

Be wary of your outfit

When it comes to matching your accessories to your outfits, always be wary of the designs. Not all pieces in your closet will match with accessories or are even meant for accessories. Chunky necklaces look better when dressed with bare shoulders, like when putting on off shoulders.

However dangling earrings look better when you put on turtlenecks, it spices up the long and dull outfit. Also you dont expect to put on chunky bangles with long sleeved blouses or coats, when will you show off the bangle?

Go for clothes with solid colours

This is the golden rule to wearing chunky accessories. Always go for solid colours, avoid prints and patterns. Your chunky accessories are vintage in a way and are already extra, when you do printed outfits the final look will be too heavy and confused.

Solid colours are plain and subtle and they will let your chunky accessory to all the talking and shining. They will also draw attention from your boring top or dress. Chunky accessories can come in handy when you want to keep your clothes simple but still look like a million dollars.

ALSO READ: #FashionTips: What to wear when you dont know what to wear

Hair up always

Last but not least, your hair should always be up. Forget every other rule but this one. Whether you are in braids or your natural hair, always keep your hair up when wearing chunky accessories. If you have short hair, the better.

Having your hair down will take the spotlight from your chunky accessories. When you pull your hair up it leaves your neck bare giving more room for your accessories to shine. Furthermore, when you leave your hair loose it is likely to get tangled in the accessories which might get uncomfortable.

See the original post here:

#FashionTips: Five rules to live by when wearing chunky accessories - The Standard

On our wedding day

Once Pete was out of the rehab centre, he took me for dinner in the city, and a kind waiter read us the menu.

Soon, friendship blossomed into love.

Our connection felt so genuine none of it was based on looks; it was about our energy and personalities. Pete was always making me chuckle with silly jokes, so I knew he was the one for me.

As hed had vision in the past, he would tell me about things I never knew.

When youre speaking to someone, its important to look at them. It lets them know youre interested in what theyre saying, he said.

After four years together, Pete and I got married.

Moving in together, we put braille labels on things to help us out.

My confidence definitely encouraged him, but Petes determined attitude meant he usually wanted to work things out for himself.

Living without vision had its challenges, though.

One time, I got home to Pete boiling some cabbage for dinner. But instead of salt, hed poured powdered Ajax all over it!

Eventually, Pete got his first guide dog, Jasper, who made such a big difference. Our ambassador, he helped us socialise and led us through life.

Wanting to help others, we set up a charity, travelling the world and supporting blind kids from disadvantaged areas.

David, Winsome, Pete and me

We also went on to have our own children, Winsome and David. Id often put the kids on a rein and attach them to me, so I knew where they were.

My sister-in-law, Jenny, guided me through things such as changing nappies and feeding, so that I could gradually do it alone.

I would sometimes get covered in the kids mess though!

At bedtime, instead of reading books to them, Pete would make up incredible stories.

We also had a regular support worker, and I joined a blind mothers club, where I learned a lot.

To clear up after the kids, I was taught to shut them out of the room and feel around, putting any toys in a big bag.

When I dressed them, Id work out what colour an item was by feeling the texture.

Sometimes, Im sure their socks were mismatched!

As they got older, our golden rule was that if we called their name, they had to answer immediately so we knew where they were.

Over the years, I wished I could see their faces change.

When they brought home schoolwork, Winsome and David would take our fingers and carefully trace over their words or drawings.

They helped me at the supermarket too, but sometimes theyd take full advantage of my low vision.

Do you really need all of those lunch wraps? a checkout lady asked one day.

Id asked Winsome to grab a pack and she cheekily piled about 50 into the trolley!

Pete, Kobie, Gracie and me

Pete, Kobie, Gracie and me

Winsome, now 52, and David, 50, have both gone on to have their own children.

How did you both do it? Winsome often says in awe.

Pete and I both have a guide dog I have Gracie, and Kobie is Petes. Theyre smart animals and make a big impact on our lives. If I lose Pete in the supermarket, Ill say to Gracie, Find Pete, find Kobie, and shell work her way around the store until she finds them.

Gracie and Kobie enable us to experience so much; simple things like going for a coffee or enjoying a walk.

Pete and I have been married for 55 years now.

Like any marriage, weve had our ups and downs.

Pete sometimes quips, Love is blind, but marriage is an eye opener!

But we both know we are so lucky to have each other were kindred spirits.

Support Guide Dogs Australia by walking for theirPawgustcampaign.

See the original post:

Love is blind - meet the Aussie couple who have been married for 55 years - That's Life!

In this weeks Jacksonville Fishing Report, read about what you need to know heading into this years red snapper season.

The circus returns to Mayport on Friday, the long-awaited opener of this years four-day red snapper season.

The season runs from July 10th to July 12 and will reopen for the final day on July 17. Youre now required to register for a free State Reef Fish Angler endorsement from FWC if you will be bottom fishing. And starting July 15, bottom anglers will also be required to have a descending device on their boat.

Snapper have been abundant on local reefs this summer, even on the public inshore numbers. The hard part will be finding a parking spot at the boat ramps, even for boaters not participating in the highly popular season. If your boat doesnt live at a marina, you better wake up early this weekend.

RELATED | Read more Outdoors coverage

I wont get into the controversy surrounding the red snapper regulations, because the world has more than enough problems right now. Please do your best this weekend to avoid becoming another one. Practicing the golden rule and respect for our daily afternoon thunderstorms would be a good start.

Mother Ocean has signed up as a sponsor for this years snapper season, as the weather forecast calls for Lake Atlantic conditions through the weekend. Just dont forget about that nasty thunderstorm that will be waiting for you back on the hill.

Nearshore/offshore

The bad news about bait is the pogie pods remain elusive. But on the days theyre flipping, the pogies are big. And theres a good chance a tarpon is nearby.

"I had five tarpon bites yesterday in the pogie pods on the beach, but the bait is there one day, gone the next," said Capt. John Eggers in a text message Wednesday.

Some nice kingfish were caught over the weekend, including a 37 pounder by Chuck Darner and his grandson Byron. This is welcome news a week ahead of the Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament.

The junior tournament will be held July 14, and the two-day general tournament will be on July 16 and July 17. The contest will pay 10 places deep, with the winner taking home a 24-foot Contender with a 300 horsepower Yamaha outboard and trailer thats valued at $141,000.

This years contest will not require a check-out. Entry is $305, and registration is open until July 15.

Capt. Kirk Waltz said the kingfish bite has been great between 3 and 9 miles off the beach despite the pogie problems. The good news is that theres plenty of bait to be jigged up if you have sabiki rigs on the boat.

"I caught some cobia this week too, and the tarpon are starting to show up in good numbers," Waltz said in a text message.

Capt. Kris Kell said he isnt going any further than 12 miles offshore to find his kingfish, and hes found plenty this week. Hes also seven cobia, but all but one was too short to keep.

Sailfish are also lurking at the nearshore wrecks, and Capt. Steve Mullen caught a beautiful one over the weekend while slow trolling for kingfish.

Inshore

Capt. Tony Bozzella fished Wednesday with Craig and Shopia Meyer. They fished lures early during the high outgoing tide and found a steady bite of spanish mackerel, blue fish, jacks and ladyfish. As the tide dropped, they moved back into the shallow waters of Hannah Mills Creek and caught a 25-inch trout, 27-inch redfish and a flounder to bring home an inshore slam. They caught the fish on shrimp and quarter-ounce jig heads.

Capt. Ron Schurr said the backcountry bite has been surprisingly decent despite the hot muddy water. He said hes catching most of his fish around dead low tide on jigs and shrimp.

Eggers said the redfish have been biting well during low incoming tides in the morning on topwater plugs. When the tide turns, hell switch to mud minnows on jig heads to target a "pretty good" flounder bite. Hes finding fish along dropoff edges of the Intracoastal Waterway and grass lines during high tide.

Surf

Surf anglers have been catching lots of big whiting and a few nice pompano during the last week, said Spencer Brogden.

It can be easy to overlook surf fishing during the summer, but last week proved you dont have to go far to fill the cooler. My advice is to follow Brogdens "Brokenreel23 Northeast Florida Surf Fishing" group on Facebook, where he provides daily updates on whats biting at our local beaches.

Freshwater

South of downtown Jacksonville, the croaker and yellow mouth trout bite has been "on fire" in the St. Johns River at Mile Markers 18 and 19, said Jon Hamilton. He also said the striped bass are chewing well under the Buckman Bridge and in Doctors Lake.

Go here to read the rest:

Jacksonville Fishing Report: Red snapper season is (almost) here. - The Florida Times-Union

The city still has concerns about how to open it safely with restrictions on crowd size due to the coronavirus.

GOLDEN, Colo. Access to Clear Creek within the City of Golden will remain closed this weekend, but city staff members are looking into ways to safely reopen it in the future. Until they can do that, the city the will keep it closed.

Last week, the city announced that the area would be closed ahead of the 4th of July weekend in an effort to prevent large gatherings, which are prohibited under guidelines related to the coronavirus pandemic.

The decision to close it was made after large crowds were observed during prior weekends. Temporary fencing is being used to close access to the creek.

Last weekend, some residential streets were blocked off; the city said that will not be the case this weekend. The downtown area is open for business, but the streets have been narrowed slightly to allow for expanded seating at restaurants and shopping.

"Crowding along Clear Creek is the biggest problem spot weve seen, which is why it is the focus of these decisions, Golden City Manager Jason Slowinski said last week. We understand closing off access to the creek wont solve all the problems we face with protecting ourselves and others against the spread of the virus. But it may help keep our city from becoming a hot spot.

On Thursday night, Golden City Council unanimously passed an emergency ordinance which expands current mask requirements to include indoor and outdoor areas of the city. The new rule goes into effect Friday.

Follow this link:

Access to Clear Creek in Golden blocked again this weekend - 9News.com KUSA

By Joe SouthernFaith, Family & Fun

If youve ever shared a meme or Facebook post that includes the words you are part of the problem, chances are pretty good that you are part of the problem.

Im sure Im guilty of that at some point, however, I make it a personal policy to not share mean and hurtful (hateful?) things on social media, specifically Facebook. I have other social media accounts, but Facebook is the one I use the most. I have a bi-polar love-hate relationship with it, but like an abused spouse I cant seem to pull away from it.

I have more than 1,000 friends on Facebook, but I bet Ive unfollowed or snoozed about half of them because of all the nasty stuff they keep sharing. Most of it has to do with hating the media (hey, thats me!), or just the lies, hatred, and flat-out meanness of their posts.

I highly doubt that most people realize that by sharing such things they are engaging in cyberbullying. Even if what they are sharing is correct (or at least is in line with their beliefs or political persuasion), just the simple act of sharing it is in itself vile and divisive. It doesnt help anyone. As I said earlier, if the post has the words you are part of the problem, then the post itself is derogatory and a form of bullying. This needs to stop!

I realize at this point that some of you might be getting ready to hit back at me with the whole First Amendment free speech spiel but hear me out. Im not saying you shouldnt exercise your right to free speech or free expression, Im simply calling for civility, decency, fairness, and honesty.

Before sharing or posting anything on any social media platform, ask yourself a few simple questions. I like to see if it passes the four-way test of the Rotary Club: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better relationships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned? If the answer is no to any of those four questions, then dont do it.

If that isnt enough of a filter, ask yourself if you would say that to your mother or grandmother. You could also ask yourself what would Jesus do? Also, would you say it face-to-face with each person you are trying to reach? At the very least I bet youd tone down the rhetoric or at least clean up the language.

This brings us to the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. If you dont want people lying or saying terrible things to you, then please dont do it to them. If you feel so compelled to talk politics, try to avoid tearing down the other side and instead use positive, persuasive terms to build up your side. Rather than bashing the other party or candidate, promote your own.

The same thing applies to debates over masks and shutting down businesses to combat COVID-19. Youre not going to convince anyone that its right or wrong to wear masks if youre calling them a moron for doing or not doing so. The only thing youll succeed at is making a jerk of yourself and losing friends and/or respect.

I could go on with many other examples, but I want to go back to the 2016 election for a minute. Does anyone recall the news about how Russian bots were generating inflammatory social media posts with the intent to influence the outcome of the election? Has it occurred to anyone that bots might be doing the same thing again? Im not saying they are, but I think its well within the realm of possibility.

In addition to the aforementioned questions, I ask that before sharing a post on social media that you please consider its source. Is it from someone you know (and not just shared by them)? Is the root source a trusted person or media site? Is the information factual and presented in a positive tone, or is it only partly true or just a headline or photo that gets you fired up?

Before sharing a click-bait headline, have you actually read the article or watched the video it takes you to? Quite often headlines online are misleading or have nothing to do with the story. Most people are not going to bother to check the link before sharing it. Dont be that person. Dont be part of the problem. Lets work to be the solution and put the social back in social media.

See the original post:

Are you part of the problem? - Sealy News

"Valmark being named a Top Workplace is an incredible testament to our people and the workplace culture they create," said Caleb Callahan, President, Valmark Financial Group. "I'm truly honored by this achievement, especially because the judges were our employees."

Valmark employees exemplify on a daily basis actions that are consistent with the company's five core values, the first of which is, "We Live By the Golden Rule", a philosophy that means treating others the way you desire to be treated. "This shapes the way we treat our customers, our industry partners and certainly each other," said Callahan. "Together, we have created a unique culture, and I believe it has been a major contributor to both the success of our customers and our own business."

"I am very proud of the culture we have created and especially Caleb's leadership working with all managers to create increased levels of engagement among our internal team members," said Larry J. Rybka, Chairman and CEO, Valmark Financial Group. "This has helped all of our employees understand that they play a real role in bringing the Golden Rule to life."

Valmark's employee-focused culture is well represented by its engagement program, called simply, Engage. The Engage program is made up of a team of employees from various departments who work together to organize and implement a variety of activities for employees throughout the year. These include unique social events such as food trucks, in-office health and wellness activities, and the Valmark Olympic Games. Additionally, the Engage program also recognizes and awards employees who actively exemplify one or more of the company's five core values each month. "I call this getting caught in the act of doing things the Valmark way," said Callahan.

Part of the draw to Valmark for many employees is Valmark's "Spirit of Generosity." Through the Valmark Global Gift Fund (GGF), the company makes financial gifts to those in need locally and around the world. The GGF focuses on providing basic living needs, such as food, water, clothing, shelter, and basic education needs, to society's most vulnerable members. The GGF also partners with the employee led Engage program to create numerous volunteer opportunities for Valmark employees throughout the year.

"I am so proud of our team and all the wonderful work we do together to serve our customers, our communities and each other," said Callahan. "We are so thankful for this recognition and, more importantly, our employees, who make Valmark a truly special place!"

View Valmark's profile on the Top Workplaces website here. If you have any questions regarding this release, please reach out to Jamie Summerville, VP, Communications at [emailprotected].

About Valmark Financial Group, LLCValmarkFinancialGroup is a holding company of several subsidiaries, including: Executive Insurance Agency, Inc., a national producer group; Valmark Securities, Inc., a broker-dealer and member of both FINRA and SIPC; Valmark Advisers, Inc., a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission registered investment adviser; and the Valmark Policy Management Company, LLC, which provides ongoing policy management and monitoring services for life insurance policyholders.With a proud history of workingwith independently owned financial servicesfirms committed to high ethical standards in over 30 statesthroughout the United States, Valmarkoffersa wide range of insurance and investment solutions for high net-worth clients. Headquartered in Akron, Ohio with operations in St. Paul, Minnesota, Valmark, through its affiliated entities, has helped itsmemberfirms place over $50 billion of life insurance death benefits and manage insurance policies with a cumulative cash value of over $8 billion dollars. Valmark's affiliated RIA, Valmark Advisers, has an estimated $5 billion in assets under management, including approximately $2.5 billion in variable sub-account assets withinits TOPSfunds. To learn more about Valmark Financial Group, visitwww.valmarkfg.com.

Securities offered through Valmark Securities, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC.

Contact: Jamie Summerville VP, CommunicationsValmark Financial Group130 Springside DriveAkron, OH 44333P: 330.576.1234 x3609E: [emailprotected]www.valmarkfg.com

SOURCE Valmark Financial Group

http://www.valmarkfg.com

Originally posted here:

The Plain Dealer Names Valmark Financial Group A Winner Of The Cleveland Top Workplaces 2020 Award - PRNewswire

On this celebration of the founding of our country and its independence, as for the past many decades, I am very proud to be an American!

I was born in the US, a white male, and am characterized as enjoying "white privilege. Like many others in the South, the privilege that benefited me most was that my parents were totally devoted to each other and to their children. The church was an important part of my life and theirs, and though I strayed and disappointed them at times, I knew that there was a Creator God who created me and all humans in His image, and that every person deserves to be treated as such.

My parents modeled that belief in their attitudes and activities and instilled it in me and my brother. We were taught to work hard and to be fair and honest in all our dealings. We were certainly not wealthy, but we became part of the middle class over the years of working. The Ten Commandments were the foundation of morality and the Golden Rule was the embodiment.

To the best of my knowledge, we never oppressed or mistreated anyone. And without digressing to the "good old days," we didnt know we were poor, our doors were never locked, keys left in the car overnight, and we played in the streets and nearby wooded areas without adult supervision.

This particular 4th is one of great concern to me and my family. Our nation has never in my lifetime been as divided as it is today, and the next election will determine if we continue as a Democratic republic that has been a beacon for liberty in the countries of the world.

I am confounded by the Democratic Partys goal to transform the USA to a socialist country. Anyone that studies history and current affairs would know that every attempt to achieve the government goal of socialism or communism has led to a totalitarian form of government that strips the citizens of their rights and substitutes the government as the sole authority.

I can only conclude that the Democratic Party and the Cultural Elite is trying to achieve the power over our country by fueling the fires of discontent and divisiveness.

As a Christian, the platforms of the two parties leads me no alternative but to vote Republican. The Democratic Party has demonstrated that Christians have no place in their Party. The major voting blocks aligning with the Party are Planned Parenthood, the LBGTQ organizations, the activist Black organizations, billionaire elitists, and liberal press and "progressive" education groups.

Any Democrat who shows any concern about full support of any of these groups is essentially drummed out of the party. The motivating force behind all these is the "feelings" of the individual. If you disagree with their goals, youre labeled a racist, a homophobe, or a woman hater. The option of having a disagreement that leads to discourse and discussion is no longer viable. Freedom of speech is only viable if you agree with the progressive agenda.

Our Country has survived many crises in the past. We were founded on a model that understood the nature of Divine Providence, and the understanding that unless powers are divided and checks and balances provided, the rights of the citizens could suffer.

And by the way, the Founding Fathers and most of the signers of the Declaration of Independence did so because they were committed to the principals it detailed. Most of them lost their homes and their lives for that stand. Our Constitution is unique and has evolved over time, always to improve and protect the rights of all citizens. Our government isnt perfect and will never be, largely because we have lifetime politicians who are always running for reelection and seeking power and fame.

That is a situation our founding fathers never foresaw. However, throwing out the Constitution and starting over will destroy the only society that has continued for so long to protect the rights and privileges of all citizens. Think carefully about the next election.

See more here:

GUEST OPINION: Inability to discuss issues will hurt country - The News Herald

The 5 Very Best Hair Steamers and How TF to Use Them Correctly

I get it: There are legit so many hair steamers on the market right now that it's kinda impossible to know which ones are worth the $$$ (and, like, which ones are worth skipping). So rather than leaving you to read the fine print of every Amazon review (or, worse, buy one that lowkey destroys your hair), I went ahead and got a professional hairstylist to share everything you should know about hair steamers for natural hairincluding, yes, how to actually use them correctly. Keep reading for the ultimate guide, plus the best steamers to shop RN.

If you ask the experts (and anyone who has tried them), the answer is a thousand times yes. When you stick your head under a steamer, the moist heat helps hydrate strands, promote scalp circulation, and open the hair cuticle (which can help amp up the effects of your hair and scalp products, especially if you have low-porosity hair). Oh, and they're also relaxing as f*ck. According to Anthony Dickey, hairstylist and founder of Hair Rules, hair steamers are great for four things in particular: hydrating dry hair, soothing your scalp, pre-cleansing on wash day, and deep conditioning.

"Steamers can do a lot for anyone who's trying to get their natural, dry texture to be softer," says Dickey. "It just makes the hair more manageable so you have more styling options." He also adds that wavy and straight hair textures can benefit from steamers, tooparticularly those with longer lengths or color-treated hair. "Everyoneregardless of their hair texture and hair typeis looking for their hair to be more manageable and shiny," he says. And that's where steaming can help.

If you're hung up on exactly how to use a hair steamer the "right" way, don't freak: "There really aren't any real rules for using a hair steamer," he says, especially if you're working with a hair texture that's naturally dry (but, hey, I like tutorials too, so if you need a visual, check out this tutorial on how to steam type 3 curls, and this tutorial on steaming type 4 hair).

There is one thing you'll want to keep in mind though: Your steaming sessions shouldn't last any longer than 30 minutes (in fact, most experts say 20 minutes is the sweet spot). You actually run the risk of damaging your hair bonds when you over-expose your hair to steam, so even though you might be tempted to sit under your steamer for hours on end, it's best to set an alarm for 20 or 30 minutes max.

Once you've got the feeling of steaming down, though, here are Dickey's favorite ways to use a steamer:

That depends entirely on your hair. Those with extremely dry or damaged hair can steam as frequently as once a week, whereas folks with minimal damage can pare back to once a month. At the end of the day, only you (and, okay, probably your hairstylist) know what's best for your hair. Just remember the golden rule: No steaming for longer than 30 minutes at a time.

Glad you asked! There are three types of at-home hair steamershooded, tabletop, and cappedand it's all about personal preference. It's really about what feels comfortable, what you're used to, and what you have space for. But to make things extra easy for you, I rounded up the five best hair steamers to try at home, below.

See the rest here:

The 5 Very Best Hair Steamers and How TF to Use Them Correctly - Yahoo Lifestyle