Day: December 10, 2019

Approval Given for Railcar Carrying Dangerous LNG to Gibbstown Port

GIBBSTOWN, NJ–(Dec. 9, 2019)–PHMSA has approved a Special Permit to Energy Transfer Solutions LLC, a New Fortress subsidiary. New Fortress is looking to build an LNG facility in Gibbstown, NJ. The permit requests authorization for transportation of liquefied natural gas (methane, refrigerated liquid) by rail tank car. This material is currently not authorized for transportation by rail tank car although materials with similar properties are authorized for transportation.

Modern tank cars carry all types of liquid and gaseous commodities (image source Wikipedia).

“This proposal is fracking crazy. PHMSA is going to allow a rail tank car carrying explosive LNG through our communities and neighborhoods. Granting this special permit to New Fortress’s subsidiary will mean 100s of trains will be coming through our communities and neighborhoods carrying explosive LNG. Some of our train tracks go back before WWI and are not designed to handle this dangerous cargo. The dangers of a possible derailment, spill, or explosion would be catastrophic. This is an accident waiting to happen. We need to stop the federal government and President Trump from allowing that to happen. More importantly, the Murphy Administration and the DRBC need to protect us and stop Delaware River Partner’s LNG facility proposal in Gibbstown,”

said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.

The rail will transport the LNG from Wyalusing Twp., PA to Gibbstown, NJ. Trains will be transporting 20 or more tank cars under the permit. The permit is good for two years.

“Trump’s PHMSA has sided with polluters over public safety. These trains carrying LNG are compressed at 600 to 1, so if an explosion happens, it can wipe out a neighborhood and be catastrophic .A train derailment carrying LNG will be much worse than what happened in Paulsboro, New Jersey when a tanker derailed and released 23,000 gallons of toxic vinyl chloride gas.  A leak from any of those trains could instantly kill everything within 550 yards. A fireball could have a radius as large as a mile-and-a-half. The blast zone from an explosion could spread as wide as two-and-a-half miles,”

said Tittel. “

These trains will likely be close to homes, schools, businesses, fire-prone forests, critical ecosystems, and critical waterways.”

The safety analyses performed in the development of this special permit only considered the hazards and risks associated with the transportation in commerce.

“Transportation of LNG by rail prompts more fracked gas. Natural gas is primarily methane and is 87 times more potent as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide and can cause major climate impacts, while adversely affecting public health, like causing childhood asthma attacks, other respiratory ailments, and even premature death,”

said Tittel.

According to Army Corp.’s supplemental notice, the LNG product will arrive at the proposed structure via truck or tanker railcar. Approximately 13 trucks per hour would enter the site, 24/7. The proposed operations at the Site will generate approximately 15 trucks in and out of the facility per hour on average. Each truck would carry approximately 12,000 gallons of product.

“There will be close to 1400 trucks that would transport LNG to the site each day. The company will bring 3.5 million gallons of LNG a day to the port from truck or rail, this is equivalent to 2 billion gallons of natural gas. These trucks will be bombs on wheels coming through Pennsylvania and New Jersey,”

said Tittel. “

Bridge and river traffic would be greatly disrupted by a LNG port. The National Guard would have to close off bridges to allow tankers through, as happens in Boston.”

The NJ DEP have approved the Waterfront Development Permits for the LNG facility. The facility still needs approval from FERC and the Army. Corp and a 401 Water Quality Certificate from the DEP.

“Even though PHSMA acted reckless in approving this permit to transport LNG by rail, the Murphy Administration can still step up. The DEP need to do their job and protect our environment and public safety by rejecting Delaware Partner’s 401 Water Quality Permits. More importantly, Governor Murphy can put a mortarium on fossil fuel projects. Without an LNG, there wouldn’t be anything to transport,”

said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.

“Even though the approval of this permit is a bump in the road, it does not mean our battle is lost. We will fight and keep on fighting until this disastrous LNG proposal is dead. It’s too important for safety of too many people.”

Fan-Favorite Broadway Shows in 2020 at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

Tickets go on sale December 13

at

HardRockHotelAtlanticCity.com

and

Ticketmaster.com

or 800-745-3000

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.

(December 9, 2019)

– Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City and Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment announced today a 2020 partnership to co-present three fan-favorite Broadway shows that will take place at the Sound Waves Theatre inside the resort destination.

The announcement follows a successful summer premiere of the Tony®, Grammy® and Olivier® Award-winning hit musical

Jersey Boys

that will now return by popular demand to Hard Rock Atlantic City as one of three featured productions in the 2020 season. The lineup of shows also includes

Jim Steinman’s

Bat Out of Hell

,

and

Chicago

, the longest-running American musical in Broadway history.

“Hard Rock Atlantic City could not be more thrilled to partner with Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment for the second consecutive year, collaboratively bringing more renowned Broadway shows to the iconic Atlantic City Boardwalk in 2020,” says Joe Lupo president of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City. “

Jersey Boys

is coming back to town by popular demand, along with

Bat Out of Hell: The Musical,

and

Chicago

, all of which speak favorably to our brand and customers.”

“We are proud and excited to partner with Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City to present a new series of Broadway-styled shows,” says Robert Nederlander Jr., President and CEO of Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment. “Hard Rock and Broadway are two great entertainment brands that together promise a unique experience for audiences of all ages. Combining popular shows, historic memorabilia, world-class restaurants and more makes Sound Waves in Atlantic City a new entertainment destination for local audiences and regional visitors.”

Tickets go on sale December 13 at

HardRockHotelAtlanticCity.com

and

Ticketmaster.com

or 800-745-3000. The 2020 shows include:

JIM STEINMAN’S

BAT OUT OF HELL – THE MUSICAL

March 27 – April 5, 2020

Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical

wowed critics and public alike when it played limited seasons at Manchester Opera House, London Coliseum and London’s Dominion Theatre from 2017 – 2019. The musical also ran successfully in Canada, Germany and at New York’s City Centre last summer.

Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical

won the Radio 2 Audience Award for Best Musical at the Evening Standard Awards and was nominated for 8 WhatsOnStage Awards, including Best New Musical.

Bat Out Of Hell

became one of the best-selling albums in history, selling over 50 million copies worldwide.  16 years later, Steinman scored again with

Bat Out Of Hell II: Back Into Hell

, which contained the massive hit “I Would Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That).”

For the stage musical, the legendary and award-winning Jim Steinman has incorporated iconic songs from the Bat Out Of Hell albums, including “You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth,” “Bat Out Of Hell,” “I Would Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That)” and “Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad,” as well as two previously unreleased songs, “What Part of My Body Hurts the Most” and “Not Allowed to Love.”

In

Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical

, the electrifying rock songs of Mr. Steinman propel an epic story of rebellious youth and passion as Strat, the immortal leader of The Lost, has fallen in love with Raven, the beautiful daughter of the tyrannical ruler Falco.

Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical

is produced by David Sonenberg, Michael Cohl and Tony Smith features book, music, and lyrics by Jim Steinman, direction by Jay Scheib, additional choreography by Xena Gushthart, with musical supervision and additional arrangements by Michael Reed, set  & costume design by Jon Bausor, original costume design by Meentje Nielson, lighting design by Patrick Woodroffe, video design by Finn Ross, sound design by Gareth Owen and orchestration by Steve Sidwell

Jim Steinman’s

Bat Out of Hell

– The Musical plays Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, March 27 – April 5, 2020. Performances are Monday at 8PM; Wednesday at 8PM; Thursday at 2PM and 8PM; Friday at 8PM; Saturday at 2PM and 8PM; and Sunday at 3PM. Tickets $34 – $104 for Monday – Friday performances, and $44 – $124 Saturday and Sunday performances. For more information, visit

BatOutOfHellMusical.com

or

hardrockhotelatlanticcity.com

. For theatre groups of 10 or more, call (609)449-6037 or email

boxoffice@hrhcac.com

.

JERSEY BOYS

June 16 – 28, 2020

Jersey Boys

is “working their way back” to Atlantic City with a return to Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City after a sold-out run last summer.

Jersey Boys

is the winner of the 2006 Best Musical Tony Award®, the 2006 Grammy Award® for Best Musical Show Album, the 2009 Olivier Award for Best New Musical and the 2010 Helpmann Award for Best Musical (Australia). Directed by two-time Tony

®

Award-winner Des McAnuff,

Jersey Boys

is written by Academy Award-winner Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, with music by Bob Gaudio, lyrics by Bob Crewe and choreography by Sergio Trujillo.

Jersey Boys

is the behind-the-music story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.  They were just four guys from Jersey, until they sang their very first note. They had a sound nobody had ever heard… and the radio just couldn’t get enough of. But while their harmonies were perfect on stage, off stage it was a very different story – a story that has made them an international sensation all over again. The show features all their hits including “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Oh What A Night,” “Walk Like A Man,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” and “Working My Way Back To You.”

The

Jersey Boys

design and production team comprises Klara Zieglerova (Scenic Design), Jess Goldstein (Costume Design), Howell Binkley (winner of the 2006 Tony

®

Award for his Lighting Design of

Jersey Boys

), Steve Canyon Kennedy (Sound Design), Michael Clark (Projections Design), Charles LaPointe (Wig and Hair Design), Steve Orich (Orchestrations) and Ron Melrose (Music Supervision, Vocal/Dance Arrangements & Incidental Music).

Jersey Boys

is produced by Dodger Theatricals, Joseph J. Grano, Tamara and Kevin Kinsella, Pelican Group, with Latitude Link, Rick Steiner, and NETworks Presentations.

Jersey Boys

plays Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City June 16 – 28, 2020. Performances are Monday at 8PM; Tuesday at 8PM; Wednesday at 8PM; Thursday at 2PM and 8PM; Friday at 8PM; Saturday at 2PM and 8PM; and Sunday at 3PM. Tickets $44 – $124 for Monday – Friday performances, and $54 – $144 Saturday and Sunday performances. For more information, visit

JerseyBoysTour.com

or

hardrockhotelatlanticcity.com

. For theatre groups of 20 or more, call (609)449-6037 or email

boxoffice@hrhcac.com

.

CHICAGO

August 4 – 16, 2020

With a legendary book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb,

Chicago

is now the #1 longest-running American musical in Broadway history –and it still shows no sign of ever slowing down! There’s never been a better time to experience

Chicago

, Broadway’s razzle-dazzle smash. This triumphant hit musical is the recipient of six Tony Awards®, two Olivier Awards, a Grammy®, thousands of standing ovations and now the #1 longest-running American Musical in Broadway history.

Chicago

has everything that makes Broadway great: a universal tale of fame, fortune and all that jazz; one show-stopping song after another; and the most astonishing dancing you\’ve ever seen. It’s no surprise that

Chicago

has wowed audiences from Mexico City to Moscow, from Sao Paulo to South Africa. And now it’s coming to Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City!

Whether you\’re looking for your first Broadway musical, whether you\’ve seen the Academy Award®-winning film and want to experience the show live on stage or whether you\’ve seen it before and want to recapture the magic,

Chicago

always delivers!

Chicago

plays Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City August 4 – 16, 2020. Performances are Monday at 8PM; Tuesday at 8PM; Wednesday at 8PM; Thursday at 2PM and 8PM; Friday at 8PM; Saturday at 2PM and 8PM; and Sunday at 3PM. Tickets $44 – $114 for Monday – Friday performances, and $54 – $124 Saturday and Sunday performances. For more information, visit

chicagothemusical.com/ustour

or

http://hardrockhotelatlanticcity.com

. For theatre groups of 10 or more, call (609)449-6037 or email

boxoffice@hrhcac.com

.

###

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City

Set on 17 acres, with the legendary Atlantic City Boardwalk as its backdrop, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City has become Atlantic City’s go-to entertainment destination, boasting 2,200 slots, 120 table games, more than 20 first-class restaurants and lounges, and world-class entertainment, including Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena, the beachside Sound Waves and Howie Mandel’s Comedy Club. The hotel and casino also features the iconic Hard Rock Cafe, overlooking the Atlantic City Boardwalk, showcasing a brand new elevated menu and state-of-the-art stage, allowing for an amplified level of service and entertainment. Along with an endless array of upscale amenities, including world-class shopping and the brand’s signature full-service Rock Spa® and Salon, featuring 31 treatment rooms, the new, music-inspired property offers lavish guest rooms and suites, with stunning views of the city and Atlantic Ocean. From family vacations and business trips to weddings, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City offers an unparalleled experience. Each of the hotel’s guest rooms and suites radiates a contemporary style, including Hard Rock’s signature The Sound of Your Stay® music amenity program, which allows guests to set the mood with complimentary vinyl records or jam out on a Fender guitar in the privacy of their own room. Hotel guests can enjoy high speed, property-wide Wi-Fi, 24-Hour In-Room Dining, towel and chair service at Hard Rock Beach or at the indoor pool, and access to Body Rock® Fitness Center. For more information and to book your stay, please visit

hardrockhotelatlanticcity.com

.

Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment

Founded in 2000, Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment is part of the Nederlander family of companies which has been a leader in the live entertainment industry for 107 years. Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment is focused on the expansion of the Broadway and Nederlander entertainment brands into new and emerging markets globally.  Today, NWE develops, manages, and operates theatres worldwide including the upcoming 2,000-seat SIIC Broadway Theatre in Shanghai; produces Broadway and related shows in domestic and international markets, such as the Broadway-bound musical

Shimmer

; and undertakes cultural and education initiatives, such as Graduate Certificate in Performing Arts Enterprise, established in partnership with Boston University’s Metropolitan College.

Atlantic City Electric Gift of Energy Program

Program helps bring customers a brighter winter and holiday season

MAYS LANDING, N.J.

(Dec. 9, 2019) – This holiday season, Atlantic City Electric hopes to bring out the spirit of giving in local communities through its Gift of Energy program. For those looking for a last-minute holiday gift idea, Atlantic City Electric offers the Gift of Energy. From helping someone meet their energy needs to giving a gift that’s bright, literally, this program has you covered.

The Gift of Energy allows anyone to purchase credits for Atlantic City Electric customers—including family and friends—that go toward their winter energy bills. The Gift of Energy is an easy way to treat someone you care for this holiday season – all from the comfort of your home or personal winter wonderland.

All that is needed is the customer’s name and address or phone number associated with the account. The gift will appear on the recipient’s future energy bill as a credit.

Those interested in making a purchase can either do so

online,

by calling 800-642-3780 or visiting their nearest Atlantic City Electric payment center.

For those struggling to pay their energy bills, Atlantic City Electric also reminds customers that millions of dollars in state and federal energy assistance is still available. To learn more about state and local payment assistance programs, visit

atlanticcityelectric.com/energyassistance

or call 800-642-3780.

Readers are encouraged to visit

The Source

,

Atlantic City Electric’s online news room. For more information about Atlantic City Electric, visit

atlanticcityelectric.com

. Follow the company on Facebook at

facebook.com/atlanticcityelectric

and on Twitter at

twitter.com/acelecconnect

.

Our mobile app is available at

atlanticcityelectric.com/mobileapp

.

AG Bill Barr Blasts ‘Completely Irresponsible Press,’

Hits FBI For ‘Gross Abuses’ In Trump Probe

CHUCK ROSS

INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER

Attorney General William Barr blasted the “completely irresponsible press” Tuesday as well as the FBI for their respective roles in pushing the debunked theory that the Trump campaign colluded with the Russian government in 2016.

Barr said in

an interview

with NBC News he disagreed with

a Justice Department inspector general’s report

, released Monday, that said the FBI had a legitimate rationale to open an investigation into Trump campaign associates in July 2016.

Barr said he believes the FBI may have acted in “bad faith” in opening the investigation.

“I think there were gross abuses … and inexplicable behavior that is intolerable in the FBI,” Barr told NBC News. “I think that leaves open the possibility that there was bad faith.”

WATCH:

The inspector general’s office said the FBI had a proper predicate for opening the investigation; however, the report also laid out extensive evidence of FBI agents omitting and withholding information regarding the Steele dossier, which the bureau used in applications to conduct surveillance against former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page.

(RELATED: Watchdog Report Puts Final Nail In Steele Dossier’s Coffin)

The report said FBI agents working the case failed to disclose exculpatory information regarding Page and George Papadopoulos, another former Trump aide. FBI agents also withheld information that called the credibility of dossier author Christopher Steele into question.

Barr doubled down in the interview on remarks he made earlier this year that he believes the U.S. government spied on Trump campaign associates.

“It was clearly spied upon,” Barr said of the FBI’s actions towards the Trump campaign. “That’s what electronic surveillance is … going through people’s emails, wiring people up.”

Barr criticized the press on two fronts. He faulted the industry for largely ignoring the parts of the inspector general’s report that undercut the collusion conspiracy theories. He also accused news outlets of overhyping allegations of Trump-Russia collusion.

He lamented that the inspector general’s report has not been “accurately reported by the press over the last day.”

Barr also added: “I think our nation was turned on its head for three years based on a completely bogus narrative that was largely fanned and hyped by a completely irresponsible press.”

The special counsel’s report, which was released on April 18, said there was no evidence that the Trump campaign conspired with Russia or that any Trump associates acted as agents of Russia. The FBI opened its investigation on July 31, 2016 to find out whether anyone on the campaign was working with Russia to hack and release Democrats’ emails.

As part of the probe, the

FBI relied heavily on the unverified Steele dossier

to assert that there was probable cause to suspect that Page was conspiring with Russia to release emails.

Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact

licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org

.

published here with permission

A Shepherd Visits The Infant Jesus

A Nativity Scene was erected in a church yard. An abandoned dog was looking for a comfortable, protected place to sleep. He chose baby Jesus as his comfort. No one had the heart to send him away all night. We should all have the good sense of this dog and curl up in Jesus\’ lap from time to time. This is too sweet not to share.  No one mentioned that the dog breed is a \”shepherd!\”  (

Catholic Study Fellowship)

submitted by former Gloucester City resident Nancy F.

Photo Pop Philly’s Winter Wonderland Debuts

Special Holiday-Themed Philadelphia Phillies Motion Capture

Experience

PHILADELPHIA, PA (December 2019)

— After major success this past summer,

Photo Pop Philly

is back this holiday season! The first ever holiday installment of the pop-up opened in November and includes more interactive art than ever before. Photo Pop is ready for guests to immerse themselves in the joyful enchantment of Winter Wonderland. Over

15 local Philadelphia artists

, some new and some returning, have presented ideas of what “Winter Wonderland” means to them in the exhibit which includes over 30 installations and murals.

Photo Pop Philly proudly announced its newest partner, the

Phillies

, this past month. Photo Pop\’s Operations and Technology Director, Andrew Stapp, created an amazing motion capture experience for guests to enjoy that incorporates the latest partnership. With this installation, guests can participate in an interactive winter experience that makes you feel like you’re right in front of Citizens Bank Park. \”When I created the motion capture experience, I envisioned guests enjoying the best part of winter; the snow! Merging snowmen and baseball together was a no brainer,\” explained Stapp. Stapp is also the owner of

Xplore VR Studios

, a Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality development studio.

The Phillies Snowmen aren\’t the only new additions popping up for December. In Photo Pop’s newly designed motion capture room, guests can dance as all kinds of holiday characters in various winter settings.

With the addition of this Phillies themed motion capture experience, the winter season is sure to be a home run at Winter Wonderland. As the oldest, continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in American professional sports, Photo Pop is proud to be partnering with a team that has such strong roots in Philadelphia.

Photo Pop Philly is open to the public from now until January 5th. General admission tickets are on sale now at

PhotoPopPhilly.com

. Connect with Photo Pop by visiting their

website

and following along on

Instagram

,

Twitter

, and

Facebook

. For media inquiries, please contact

Molly@PhillyPRGirl.com

.

ABOUT PHOTO POP PHILLY

Photo Pop Philly is an interactive art exhibit that strives to design thought-provoking and wholesome experiences weaving art, pop culture and seasonal celebrations together.  Guests can escape reality, have fun, and express themselves, all while taking one-of-a-kind photos. It’s the first of its kind in Philadelphia. Winter Wonderland is Photo Pop’s third exhibit.

How Vegas hotels inspire loyalty among patrons

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(Dec. 10, 2019)–The customer, like all businesses, is the most important person in both the hotel and casino industry and by extension, their loyalty is vital to their success.

Loyalty schemes and bonuses aren’t anything new – just about every business offering a product or service utilizes them. Pick up a coffee at any local shop and you’ll fill another space on the loyalty card, log on to an online casino and you’ll be able to claim comp points for the games that you play.

Loyalty schemes and rewards aren’t anything new, but how effective each method is is still up for debate. But those discussing will struggle to argue that the Vegas hotels and casinos are at the forefront of the loyalty business.

There are

so

many different hotels in Vegas and with each one competing for the same customers, it’s hardly a surprise that loyalty is a serious business. So, how exactly do hotels inspire loyalty among patrons?

The brand itself

The single most important marketing consideration that any business faces is the brand itself and, done correctly, this is enough to make for strong loyalty.

By marketing the hotel for the correct audience and selling the lifestyle rather than the hotel itself, businesses are much more likely to receive new customers that they may otherwise fail to have caught. This can be done in a number of different ways, perhaps the most interesting in recent times being

digital and social media marketing

.

Branding is particularly important through the hotel itself too with the decor, feel and staff all linking to the lifestyle that the brand portrays. In the era in which the everyday person chooses to share their life online – everything matters and the good (and bad) will be shared.

Traditional loyalty schemes

A traditional loyalty scheme structure seems to be the preferred way for the Vegas hard-hitters to instill loyalty and create a loyal fanbase.

From offers and discounts on rooms, the chance to bag tickets to events before the rest of the crowds and VIP treatment wherever you go – it does a very good job of keeping customers happy. But this doesn’t tend to come easily and there’s a price to pay before the benefits can be reaped, often in the form of

tier credits

. The more tier credits earned, the better the benefits that can be claimed.

The best we to run through this to give you an idea of what to expect is to have a look through a case study and get to grips with the loyalty offered.

Case study: MGM Resorts – M Life Program

Maybe the

best example of hotel loyalty

schemes comes from the bosses at MGM Resorts and their loyalty program “M Life” consistent across all hotels owned (MGM Grand, Bellagio, Mirage, etc.).

The company uses a five-tier system with each tier offering bigger and better benefits for those staying at any of the MGM resorts.

A certain number of tier credits is required before the next level can be reached which are earned with spending on gaming activities, hotel rooms, dining, entertainment, etc. If you’re spending money at the resort, chances are that

you’re collecting tier points

in doing so.

Sapphire

The first loyalty level that all guests will receive is the Sapphire status – the level received for simply signing up for the rewards scheme.

Members will receive a 10% discount on rooms at valid MGM properties with an additional 5% discount at the participating shops found at the resort. There’s even the chance to earn early access to tickets for events at MGM resorts around the globe.

Pearl

Next up is pearl, the status reached when earning 35,000 tier credits inside a program year.

Alongside the benefits earned from Sapphire, members will find themselves with a 10% points-earning from slot play and an additional six months of expiration time. There’s the chance to be invited to members-only events and the shopping discount is bumped up to 10% at those stores participating.

Gold

Gold follows Pearl and requires members to earn 75,000 tier credits per program year to qualify.

The benefits of Pearl will still stand, but there’s a 20% bonus on slot play and express comps, the availability of priority check-in lines and room upgrades for hotel stays. Gold members will also be able to make priority reservations at restaurants as well as VIP lines in both buffets and select nightclubs.

Platinum

A huge 200,000 tier credits inside a singe program year are required to reach the Platinum level and the benefits that come with it.

Those at the Platinum level are entitled to one free cruise per program year on either Royal Caribbean of Celebrity in either the Bahamas or the Caribbean for 3, 4 or 5 nights depending on gambling history. That’s just the start and Platinum members should also be able to earn 30% on slots and express comps alongside a 15% discount at shops.

Noir

The highest tier available in the M Life Program is Noir, an invitation-only program that’s rumored to only be available for those spending $250,000 or more per year in MGM casinos.

Benefits include a complimentary week-long cruise, a 40% bonus on slots play and express comps, VIP check-in services, private lounge access, guaranteed hotel and restaurant reservations, complimentary limo service from the airport to the hotel and the list goes on…

To cut a long story short

To cut a long story short, there’s a huge number of ways that Vegas hotels

could

inspire loyalty among patrons, but, as our case study points out, it’s the traditional loyalty scheme that proves popular with the Vegas hard-hitters.

By introducing a tier-system, customers have the incentive to try and earn tier points and move up the levels to gain access to improved benefits and amenities. With cruises, slot and express comp bonuses, shop discounts and even limo service all available and working with the brand itself, it’s not difficult to see why the

loyalty schemes are so effective

.

images courtesy of unsplash.com

Holiday gifts teachers really want

Looking for a special teacher gift for the holidays? Take a tip from teachers themselves.

by:

GreatSchools Staff

|

December 5, 2012

Sure that “World’s Best Teacher” coffee mug is cute, but imagine how many of them an experienced teacher already has! Here, teachers share what gifts they’d really like, and it turns out that gifts from the heart are among the most appreciated.

Teachers tell us what they want

There is a perfect gift for every teacher, as comments from these teachers show:

“I am a teacher so I have plenty of knowledge on this topic. Gift cards are a beautiful thing; restaurants, stores, movies, grocery cards are all really great gifts. Flowers are also a nice gesture.”

“I always enjoy getting flowers or a gift card,” adds Dr. Ruth Jacoby, an educational consultant in Florida and co-author of the

School Talk! Success Series

. “Many of my parents usually ask other staff what my likes are. One school at the beginning of the year sent a survey to all staff members on likes and favorites, so many times I get gift baskets with my favorite coffee, snacks, and books.”

The always popular gift card

Teachers told us that gift cards they can use to treat themselves to something special or buy supplies for the class are always appreciated. You can even pick up a wide assortment of gift cards at many grocery stores, making this gift even easier!

Homemade gifts and cards

A teacher in Washington, writes:

“My students always ask me what I want for Christmas. My answer is the same every year. I ask for a homemade Christmas ornament with the child’s name and year on it.

“Each Christmas, as I hang these ornaments made by precious hands, I remember those students. I reflect on the difference that I made in those lives and my new year’s resolution is already made, to continue to make a positive difference in the lives of my students!

“I have over 25 years of ornaments that I now display. Each one is filled with memories.”

A gift for the whole class

“My favorite gifts to receive from my students are those that I can use at school,” writes a Mississippi teacher and mother of two.

“Because of tight supply budgets, practical items like pens, pencils, cap erasers, paper clips, sticky notes, and lined notebook paper make ideal gifts for teachers. A personal note from the student that the teacher can place in his/her ‘memory’ file will make the gift special.”

Other teachers agreed that gifts to teacher supply stores, bookstores, or other places they could buy much-needed things for the classroom were greatly appreciated.

One teacher suggested that parents can tap their own skills to make a special contribution to the classroom: “One of the best gifts that I ever received as an educator was the donation of a parent’s carpentry skills to put a door on an ugly sink cupboard for my classroom.”

Donations in the teacher’s name

Several teachers told us that they love to see students helping others in their honor. Margaret Wallace, a special education teacher in Queensbury, New York, said, “The only gift giving these days which I support is donations to causes which one cares about.”

Of course, most teachers care deeply about education, so if your child’s school is lucky enough to have most everything it needs, a donation to

DonorsChoose

may be a great way to honor your teacher. DonorsChoose is a nonprofit that allows teachers to post specific requests for their classrooms and donors to directly fund them. You can fund a project in the name of your child’s teacher or give the teacher a gift certificate to use to help the project of her choice. There are classrooms all across the country looking for help paying for field trips, science equipment, and more.

Get a wish list from the teacher

One parent shared this practical approach for pooling resources and getting teachers things they need:

“Most teachers equip their classroom using their own money. I ask the teacher what he/she could use for the classroom and put together a wish list and pass that out to the parents.

“I found that most teachers wish for a globe, a stack of books, dictionaries, craft material, replacement parts for the computer like a mouse or mouse pad. Often these items are more than what an individual parent wants to spend, but if two or three join together the item can be bought. This helps the teacher by keeping those coffee cups to a minimum and helps your child too, by providing better instructional materials.”

You can also:

• Donate a book to the school library in honor of the teacher.

• Make a donation in honor of the teacher to the PTA, a school foundation or a children’s charity.

• Give a gift certificate good for “One day of cutting out art projects from Jane’s Mom.”

If you really want to buy something…

Mary Beltran, a second-grade teacher in Pacifica, California, says:

“Most teachers I know always appreciate gift [cards] to Starbucks, Target, school supply stores, or bookstores. New teachers, who spend a lot of their own money on books and supplies, especially appreciate these gifts.”

She also emphasized that a personal touch makes a gift special, as she says, “I always get a kick out of gifts that have been chosen or made by a child.”

Scrip gifts

Marcie Wollesen, a third grade teacher in San Francisco, suggests that parents consider purchasing their gifts through scrip organizations. Scrip brokerages, such as

eScrip

, are groups that coordinate merchants and schools for mutual benefit, with a percentage of the profits going to the school of your choice. “Scrip gives money back on purchases, so that makes so much sense to me,” says Wollesen.

If your school isn’t already raising money with scrip, consider starting a scrip program so that parents can buy from participating retailers and see a portion of their money go back to the school. Parent groups can work with merchants directly or through a scrip broker who does the coordinating in return for a portion of the profits. Be sure to choose your scrip broker carefully by checking credit references and contacting other parent groups.

Donate to a teacher’s favorite cause

Peggy Mannion, an eighth grade social studies teacher in San Francisco, remembers one especially meaningful gift:

“A student made a donation to the American Cancer Society in my name. I liked that, because, you know, I don’t need anything! I mean if somebody said ‘I gave ten dollars to a homeless person instead of buying you a gift,’ I’d be thrilled!”

Just say thanks!

Many teachers told us their favorite gift was as simple as positive or grateful words. As one Oregon teacher noted, don’t underestimate the value of praise.

“A supportive, positive letter, with a copy to the teacher’s administrator and/or school board would be a wonderful gift,” the teacher wrote. “And don’t forget those marvelous ‘Letters to the Editor’ in newspapers.”

“Heartfelt letters mean the most,” said Washington teacher Sandi George. “I always keep them in my teaching album,” she said. “It’s important for parents to let us know how much they appreciate all we have done. We work hard at what is often a thankless job.”

Florida teacher Cynthia J. Bradford wrote:

“The best gifts I have gotten are the ones my parents have given me — tears at hearing their child read for the first time in 6th grade, a letter to the superintendent about how their child is reading for the first time in the 8th grade, and a letter to the BOE (Board of Education) and the local paper telling how their child is reading and going back to church because he can read.

Former Gloucester City Firefighter Michael Malinowski Dies Suddenly; Age 40; Services Saturday in Morton, Pa

William E. Cleary Sr. | CNBNews

MORTON, PA (December 10, 2019)—Former Gloucester City firefighter Michael Malinowski died suddenly on December 3.   Malinowski was a volunteer firefighter with the Gloucester City Fire Department from 1996 to 2015. A few years back he and his family moved to Morton, Pa where he continued to serve as the captain of the Morton Rutledge Volunteer Fire Department.

Michael Malinowski Sr.

On Monday evening, Dec. 2 Malinowski responded to the report of trees and wires down just after 8 p.m. in Nether Providence, Pa. Following the call, Malinowski reported to officers that he was feeling ill, according  to the

DelcoTimes

.

“He was running the duty engine Monday night when they came back he let some of the crew know he wasn’t feeling well,” said Morton Rutledge Fire Chief Don Holstein. “He went to work the next morning, had tightness in his chest and was taken to the hospital where he died.”

Malinowski\’s wife, Melissa Anne posted on her Facebook page,

“My world came crashing down when Michael Malinowski unexpectedly passed away,” she posted on his Facebook page Wednesday.

“I drove him crazy but he loved me, Harper, Cooper, Matt, Michael, & Bailey with all that he had. There were some days the fire house or cooking might have topped us though. I keep wishing we would all wake up from this nightmare. Please keep me, the kids, his mom, his sister, and the rest of his family in your thoughts. I love and miss you so much.”

Malinowski had been with the fire company for five years after being a firefighter in Gloucester City, N.J. Holstein said he was promoted to captain in the past two years.

“You’d walk in and he was the guy who was always there,” Holstein said. “He was all about helping others, either in community or helping friend. If you needed someone one to help you move he was there, an outstanding individual.” reported the

DelcoTimes

.

Holstein said Malinowski was involved in numerous aspects of the fire company from being on the board of directors to training, fund raising and running the website. \”There wasn’t anything you asked that he wouldn’t get done.\”

Since his death the American flag at the fire station on Alfa Terrace has been flying at half staff and black bunting is wrapped on the trucks as Holstein and his 25- 30 fellow firefighters came to gripes with losing one of their own.

Gloucester City Battalion Chief Pat Hagan said, \”Michael was a dedicated volunteer firefighter for the city of Gloucester City for 19 years. He gave his all to serving the residents of our community and our fire department. He will be missed not only by his friends in Gloucester City but also by those he served with in Morton, Pa. Our prayers and condolences are with his family.\”

Hagan said some members of the Gloucester City Fire Department will travel to Morton, Pa for the services.

\”We are very saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Firefighter Malinowski,\” said Gloucester City Mayor Dan Spencer.

\”We are grateful for his service to the citizens of Gloucester City. His sacrifice is certainly noticed and appreciated. Our heartfelt sympathy, thoughts and prayers are with his family and the Firefighter Family during this difficult time. May he rest in peace,\” said the Mayor.

Delaware County Department of Emergency Services Executive Director Timothy Boyce said his office was informed of Malinowski’s death and notified state officials.

Boyce said there is a window of coverage for first responders that may have had a medical event while on duty pending an investigation.

The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 27 and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 654 are collecting toys for the Malinowski five children (ages 3 to 17). Gifts can be dropped off at Folcroft police or the IBEW Local Union 654. Business Office -3729 Chichester Ave. Boothwyn, PA 19061.

Predeceased by his father Robert Malinowski, Sr.

Survived by his cherished wife Melissa (nee Aglidian) Malinowski; adoring children; Harper, Cooper, Matthew, Michael Jr., and Baily Malinowski; his beloved mother Lucille (nee Pratz) Malinowski; loving brother of Robert Jr., and Theresa Malinowski; his in-laws, Sally and Hans Aglidian, Thomas Aglidian (Maureen) and Shannon Hollar (Alex).

His funeral service will take place Saturday, Dec. 14.  A viewing and service will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 2130 Franklin Ave. in Holmes from 9:30 a.m. to noon. A funeral Mass will follow in the church at noon.

Funeral Services are under the direction of the D\’Anjolell-Barone Memorial Home, 2811 West Chester Pike, Broomall, PA 19008

Phone

:

(610) 356-4200.

Interment Private. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his name made to the Morton-Rutledge Fire Company 38 Alfa Terrace Morton, PA 19070 would be appreciated.

published

Gloucestercitynews.net

Related:

Gloucester City News

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BREAKING NEWS

Can CBD Oil Help with Essential Tremor?

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(Dec. 10, 2019)–If you’re not fully clued up with the condition, essential tremor is a nerve disorder that is characterized by uncontrollable shaking in different areas or sides of the body.

The most commonly affected areas include the hands, arms, head, larynx (voice box), tongue and chin and, although rare, the lower body can also be affected.

The condition is not life-threatening providing that the affected individual is not restricted in their ability to care for themselves.

Most of those suffering will be able to live normal lives, although difficulty in everyday tasks may be found (eating, dressing, writing etc.).

If the case in which tremors become severe, disability may be caused and full-time carers may be required.

What causes essential tremor?

Prevention and treatment of essential tremor are difficult without first knowing what causes the condition and, although mountains of research have been conducted, the true cause is not fully understood.

As of current, it is thought that

abnormal electrical brain activity

that causes tremor is processed through the thalamus, a structure deep in the brain responsible for coordination and muscle activity. Genetics is thought to be responsible for approximately half of all of those suffering from the condition with children born to a parent suffering essential tremor having a 50% chance of inheriting the gene responsible, although they may never experience any of the symptoms.

Essential tremor does become more pronounced with age, most notably between the ages of 40 and 50, although it can strike at any age, affecting up to 10 million people in the US alone.

What are the symptoms of essential tremor?

The symptoms of essential tremor are the most likely areas that

CBD will be able to improve

with consistent CBD dosages.

Some of the most noteworthy symptoms surrounding essential tremor include the following:

Uncontrollable shaking occurring for brief periods of time

Shaky voice

Nodding head

Tremors worsening during emotionally stressful periods

Tremors worsening with purposeful movement

Tremors lessening with rest

Balance problems (in some rare cases)

However, the characteristic uncontrollable shaking found with those suffering from ET is not unique to the condition and many others can also cause tremors. With Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), brain tumors, metabolic abnormalities, and drug withdrawal, just to name a few – it can be very difficult to pinpoint the condition.

Typical essential tremor treatments

As of current, for those looking for treatment for essential tremors, there are

three main options

to choose from with medication, surgery and MRI-guided focused high-intensity ultrasound.

Medication

The first choice of treatment comes in the form of medication and, specifically oral drugs can significantly reduce the severity of essential tremor.

Some typical medications include:

Propranolol (Inderal)

Primidone (Mysoline)

Gabapentin (Neurontin)

Topiramate (Topamax)

Benzodiazepines Lorazepam (Ativan)

Clonazepam (Klonopin)

Diazepam (Valium)

Alprazolam (Xanax)

Botox injections – particularly effective for those suffering vocal and head tremors.

Surgery

If and when it comes to surgery, patients have the option to choose a Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) procedure.

The surgery, a treatment option for those suffering from severe tremors involves the implantation of electrical leads into the thalamus. This area of the brain, responsible for coordination and muscle control, is the area thought to be responsible for the tremors felt.

MRI-guided focused high-intensity ultrasound

Finally, MRI can be used to focus ultrasound with the goal to destroy the tissue in the thalamus.

Patients will remain awake during the procedure, something that isn’t comfortable for many of those suffering who opt against.

CBD oil to treat essential tremor

This moves us on to the alternative treatment of

CBD

to treat essential tremor and with evidence surrounding the potential for the treatment of MS, Parkinson’s and substance withdrawal, it’s something that has perked the interest of health professionals around the world.

When it comes to the power of CBD, it’s the direct connection to the endocannabinoid system (ECS) that comes with the most interest. The ECS and the endocannabinoid receptors are the main regulators of the majority of the body’s functions (pain, hunger, emotions etc.). That means that when there’s a problem with the body, it’s up to that system to begin the healing processing and, when consuming CBD, this

healing process is enhanced

with the increased production of endocannabinoids.

When the

CBD oil

is used for the purpose of treating essential tremor, the cannabinoids within the oil are able to both target and regulate the ESC receptors, located in both the brain and throughout the body, responsible for muscle movement. These receptors can be regulated by the CBD oil that enables relaxation, reduces inflammation and, as a result, eases the symptoms of tremors and confirming CBD can effectively act as a neuroprotectant – something that

studies have confirmed

.

The University of California in San Diego Research has officially begun an FDA approved trial to view the effects of CBD and THC on essential tremor. Although we’re still waiting on the outcome at this current moment in time, the lead investigator, Dr. Fatta Nahab, is one individual that’s very excited about the prospect of a symptom reliever:

“Essential tremor is 10 times more common than Parkinson’s and yet nobody really knows about essential tremor. That we’re finally getting to a potential therapeutic option in an area that is untapped is a big deal.”

image courtesy of unsplash.com