Category: MARYLAND

West Virginia Couple’s Violent Robbery Spree Thwarted by FBI, Local Partners

Robbers Who Targeted Elderly Sentenced

In 2018, a 74-year-old Tennessee woman was attacked in her home by a pair of robbers who ransacked her house and stole her sense of safety.

Days later, a 72-year-old Tennessee man with dementia was attacked outside his home by the same assailants. They forced him inside and threw him down a stairwell after robbing him of a few possessions. Among the items stolen was a bomber jacket from the man’s service in Vietnam. It was an irreplaceable keepsake that investigators never found.

In all, Joshua Small and his girlfriend, Joni Johnson, robbed—and in some cases violently assaulted—seven senior citizens in West Virginia, Virginia, and Tennessee during a short period in the summer of 2018. In several cases, they subdued their victims by punching or hitting them and then tying them up while they ransacked their homes. The robbers held some of their victims at gunpoint or threatened them with guns.

The incidents shook the small, quiet towns where they took place.

“One victim’s son told us, ‘This is a small town. Everyone here knows me or my dad,’” said Special Agent Wesley Leatham, who investigated this case out of the FBI’s Knoxville Field Office along with FBI Task Force Officer Mark Webber of the Knox County Sheriff’s Department. “It really caused a lot of worry and concern in these communities.”

A break in the case came when a tipster saw a couple driving a rental car that matched the description of the robbers’ car and told local police. Pawn shop employees also confirmed that Small had been seen pawning stolen jewelry and other items.

Investigators found overwhelming evidence against the couple once they were identified, including incriminating evidence on their cell phones. Several victims also identified Johnson and Small based on photos.

The couple lived in West Virginia, and they used Small’s employer, a family paving business, to find some of their elderly victims. In other cases, investigators aren’t certain how the robbers targeted their victims, but they were all in their 70s, 80s, or 90s.

“Everyone really wanted to see justice for these victims, especially given their ages and the level of violence they suffered.”

Wesley Leatham, special agent, FBI Knoxville

With multiple sheriffs’ offices involved, the FBI played a key coordinating role. The Bureau also brought resources to the case, including the ability to press federal charges.

“We had great local partners in this case,” Leatham said. “Everybody came together with outstanding coordination. Everyone really wanted to see justice for these victims, especially given their ages and the level of violence they suffered.”

In July 2019, the couple was convicted of kidnapping charges. In January, Small was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison, and Johnson was sentenced to 25 years.

Investigators hope the outcome brought some closure to the victims and communities that were traumatized. One victim died before the trial and some others were unable to travel to it, but their relatives gave powerful impact statements.

“We’ve heard from the victims’ families since then that this has destroyed their sense of safety. They’re constantly checking the door to make sure it’s locked. Visitors have to call before they come over,” Leatham said. “It’s really had a lasting effect on a lot of people.”

Resources

Joshua Small and Joni Amber Johnson Sentenced for Kidnapping Elderly Victims

A Little Girl from Indiana is Pursuing Her Dreams Thanks to Her New Kidney

March is National Kidney Month:

March 2, 2020

—

March is National Kidney Month, which is a month-long, awareness-raising grassroots effort to spread the word nationwide about the importance of kidney health. An Indiana transplant family knows all too well the life-saving difference a

healthy kidney can make.

Paula and David Check of Fishers, Indiana, remember the excitement of learning they were pregnant with their first child. Paula’s pregnancy was normal by all accounts and they were simply counting the days until their precious baby would be born. Baby Lydia arrived in December 2009 and the family of three felt complete. She was an adorable infant who grew into a toddler — her first years of life seemed ‘normal’ to both Paula and David.

But during the summer months of 2014 Paula noticed then four-year-old Lydia was becoming increasingly sick, tired and weak. By the fall months Lydia was vomiting and having diarrhea regularly. She began bleeding from her bowels. Paula remembers taking Lydia to the family doctor several times insisting there was something seriously wrong with their little girl. In January 2015 Lydia’s weight loss became incredibly noticeable; she was literally skin and bones. In February 2015 a gastro intestinal specialist diagnosed Lydia with Ulcerative Colitis, which meant she had bleeding ulcers in her stomach and colon. Eight months later in September 2015 it was determined Lydia also had a serious kidney issue that would require a kidney transplant for her long-term survival.

Lydia, with a little help from her mom, has written a narrative about her transplant journey. Here is how Lydia tells her transplant story to date:

Hello my name is Lydia, I am 10 years old, and the last six years have been really difficult. I have been sick since August 2014 with an autoimmune disorder. When I was younger I was weak, tired and had extreme weight loss. My parents took me to the doctor repeatedly, always telling him something was wrong. But my problem went undiagnosed until January 2015. That is when I began treatment for Ulcerative Colitis. After several doctor appointments and medications, it went into remission.

In August 2015 something was not right with my kidney function. Labor Day weekend I was admitted to Riley Hospital for Children and I had a biopsy performed. I spent the entire day in bed. I was required to lay flat on my back to prevent bleeding from the procedure. The next three days in the hospital I was given super strength IV steroids. I initially showed improvement from the steroids and was sent home on Labor Day afternoon. Steroids work great for some people but I was not showing signs of improvement — just the side effects of weight gain, a puffy face, lots of emotions and not being able to sleep through the night. In May 2016 a G Tube was placed in my belly so medications could go right to my tummy. An overnight drip of Pedialyte was started to keep me from dehydrating. Testing determined I have a genetic disease.

Lydia’s diagnosis, Nephronophthisis, is a

genetic disorder

of the

kidneys

that affects children. The disorder is inherited in an

autosomal recessive

fashion and, although rare, is the most common genetic cause of childhood kidney failure. Although the range of characterizations is broad, those kids affected by nephronophthisis typically produce a large volume of urine, drink excessive amounts of liquid, and after several months to years, develop

end stage renal (kidney) disease

— a condition necessitating either dialysis or a kidney transplant in order to survive.

As Lydia’s kidney disease progressed, Paula and David started meeting with the transplant team at Riley Hospital for Children. In January 2017, upon a transplant social worker’s urging, Paula called the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) to learn more about fundraising for transplant-related expenses. COTA is a 501(c)3 charity so all contributions to COTA in honor of Lydia are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law, and COTA funds are available for a lifetime of transplant-related expenses. COTA uniquely understands that parents who care for a child or young adult before, during and after a life-saving transplant have enough to deal with, so COTA’s model shifts the responsibility for fundraising to a community team of trained volunteers. On February 24th Lydia became part of the COTA Family.

A COTA fundraising specialist travelled to Fishers, Indiana, on March 20th to train the family’s volunteers and walked them through the entire process. This group of family members and friends quickly got to work organizing fundraisers to help with mounting transplant-related expenses. According to Paula, COTA’s team of professionals was supportive, encouraging and very helpful every step of the journey.

Once we found out I needed a new kidney, several people started the testing process to see if they could be my living donor. Those tests were unsuccessful. In late 2017 I was approved to be on the national kidney waiting list. However my wait was long and in August 2018 I went from low kidney function to kidney failure.

That is when the doctors told us it was time to begin dialysis. Our family decided hemodialysis was the best choice and I went in for the surgery that would allow me to be on dialysis. During the first surgery I lost a lot of blood and needed a blood transfusion. Then they were unable to get the dialysis machine up to full speed during my first treatment. It was decided there was a problem with my central line and they needed to do surgery again. This time it worked. I was on dialysis four hours a day, three days a week. It was long and exhausting.

On August 31, 2018, right when we got home from dialysis, Mom got a phone call from Riley. They had a kidney match for me! It was an emotional roller coaster. I was happy. I was scared. I had no idea what to expect. The next day on September 1

st

, I received my new kidney and the transplant was a big success. Sixteen days later on September 17

th

I was released from the hospital to go home. Wow.

“I knew Lydia’s transplant surgery and follow-up care and medications and everything would be very expensive. Once we found COTA a huge stressor was lifted from our shoulders. If we had not been introduced to COTA our family would have been very lost during a time of tremendous need. COTA gave us the strength and direction we needed to get through a very challenging chapter in our family’s story,” Paula said.

“The Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) gave us hope when we were feeling hopeless. COTA’s team of professionals were supportive and encouraging every step of the way. Knowing COTA funds are not just for the expenses leading up to a transplant but will be there throughout Lydia’s life is truly amazing. If we had not found COTA, we would have been lost during a time of tremendous need. COTA gives our family strength and direction, and will continue to do so …

for a lifetime

,” Paula said.

Lydia returned to Fall Creek Elementary and completed third grade with her new kidney. She also was able to return to her beloved dance classes at Wishes Dance Studio. When asked how life has been with her new kidney Lydia said, “I have done amazing things like riding on my very own float in the Fishers Spark Parade, running in a Super Hero 5K, going to my first Indiana Pacers game, and meeting Mickey & Minnie Mouse.” These days dancing remains at the top of the list of the things Lydia enjoys doing, but she also loves singing, pretending she is a Super Hero, cheerleading and meeting Disney princesses. She also loves to tell the story of her transplant journey.

Lydia’s new lease on life has allowed her to start dreaming about a future, which is the best gift Paula and David can imagine for their vivacious girl who has a huge smile and a huge heart. Lydia’s bucket list currently includes taking a Disney Cruise, seeing the Eiffel Tower in Paris, meeting Taylor Swift and having tea with the Queen of England.

In Lydia’s word, “Wow.”

March is designated National Kidney Month to raise awareness about the prevention and early detection of kidney disease. More than 30 million Americans have kidney disease, and many do not know it. There are more than 100,000 people waiting for kidney transplants, with close to 600,000 people in the United States suffering with kidney failure. More than 3,000 new patients are added to the kidney waiting list each month; 13 people die each day while waiting for a life-saving kidney transplant. Every 14 minutes someone is added to the kidney transplant list. You can visit

www.RegisterMe.org

to indicate your wish to be a life-saving donor.

For more information about the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA),

or to find a COTA family in your area, please email

kim@cota.org

.

The Future of Gambling Sponsorship in Sport

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(March 3, 2020)–It goes without saying that bookmakers are inextricably linked with various sports events. Moreover, betting companies have significantly influenced the popularity of some sports. The profitability of some sporting events sometimes reaches several billion dollars. Thanks to this, many companies and clubs can earn significant financial support from sports advertising, ticket sales, gadgets, and so on. Bookmakers strive to promote their brands and ensure a stable income so they sign partnership contracts with many sports clubs. One can frequently see the logos of gambling companies on the T-shirts of the most popular football players, on banners at stadiums, and in other places. However, it would be wrong to deny the fact that gambling in sports really supports athletic events by investing money in world contests. Indeed, it actually helps to promote an active lifestyle among the population even though betting businesses gain profits.

Vulkan Vegas, bet365, and other betting companies as sponsors of Premier League teams

In the UK, bookmakers have long gone beyond the narrow framework of providing their services in their hometowns. Large British betting companies are not just entering the national arena, they are also challenging European leadership. Companies such as

Vulkan Vegas

, bet365, and many others already support a large variety of football clubs in England and Europe as a whole. However, the gambling business cannot yet compete with the world\’s richest titans. For example, Manchester United is sponsored by General Motors, which bought the right to place the name of its Chevrolet car brand on the club’s shirts. Their neighbors, Manchester City, also have a rich supporter – the airline from the Emirates,

Etihad Airways

, which had enough money to buy the name of the stadium.

Sponsorship of mid-range teams

Gambling companies do not yet have such budgets to approach the richest clubs in the league. However, with the mid-range teams, they are already able to reach agreements. At a time when

Tottenham Hotspur

had not yet shown the high results it has in recent years, its partner was Mansion.com and this logo appeared on the team’s shirts from 2006 to 2010. This gambling operator, registered in Gibraltar, began its activities with online casinos and poker but has recently become interested in bookmaking.

The most successful sports and gambling collaboration in England is an agreement between bet365 and Stoke City. Gambling company has managed to not only become the official sponsor of Stoke City in 2012 but also to redeem the right for the club’s stadium to be named after this bookmaker in 2016.

Second division clubs

Championship clubs frequently work with bookmakers. Most of them have sponsorship contracts or partnerships with betting companies. Nottingham Forest has partnered with the 888sport online bookmaker. Starting from the 2017/18 season, Bolton has been placing the logo of the British betting company Betfred on its shirts. This bookmaker also collaborated from 2006 to 2013 with Manchester United as the club\’s betting partner. It seems that it will not be long before every football club in Britain has a sponsor or partner from the world of betting. Moreover, it is likely that the last strongholds of the

Premier League

will soon fall – the richest clubs in England that will not resist the temptations of the contracts offered by local gambling representatives.

The future of gambling sponsorship in sport

Gambling companies will, for sure, strive to become more deeply immersed in world sport in the next years. They invest a lot of money into sponsorship and gain even bigger profits from it. Despite the fact that not every football club is loyal to betting businesses, it is a good opportunity for weaker teams to secure financial stability and use it for improving youth academies, infrastructure, management, etc. That is why the upcoming years will definitely be the years of gambling companies sponsoring local and national teams.

Conclusion

It is impressive how gambling has incorporated itself in sport sponsorship at the world’s largest event. Currently, almost every football, basketball, or hockey club has a sponsor connected to betting. For sure, such a tendency has some negative features, since bookmakers might be able to insider sports betting, but the fact that gambling companies invest in sport, making it thrive definitely covers the drawbacks of betting sponsorship in sports.

Animal News: Rescue Puppy Named New Voice Of The TurfMutt Foundation

(NAPSI)—A puppy named Mulligan has big paws to fill, but the mixed breed rescue dog is up to the challenge of becoming the new voice for the TurfMutt Foundation, says his new owner and guardian, Kris Kiser, President of the organization.

Since 2009, Kiser’s rescue dog, Lucky, “pawed it forward” by leading the Foundation’s environmental education and stewardship program for students in grades K to 8. Sadly, Lucky passed away recently, but his superhero cape is being picked up by perky Mulligan, who was found by Kiser last month during Lucky’s Mutt Madness, a national pet adoption event organized by the Foundation during GIE+EXPO, the nation’s leading trade show for outdoor power, landscaping and hardscaping industry professionals, held each October in Louisville, Ky.

Mulligan was not the only rescue pup to find a new home. Fifteen other dogs from the Kentucky Humane Society also went home with new owners.

Carl Bennett and his family brought home a beagle mix puppy, named Jovial. “She is completely living up to her name. She’s happy and sweet and loves everyone. She’s very smart and is already learning tricks,” said Bennett.

Bennett admits they weren’t planning to bring a puppy home but added, “When we saw her sweet little face and floppy ears we all fell in love. We never expected to adopt but something told us she needed to be a part of our family.

A ten-year-old dog named Mama went home with Mark Potocki. He was concerned she wouldn’t get the love she deserved because she was older. “Once I had the chance to hold her, she curled up in my arms and my decision was made,” said Potocki.

He said Lucky’s Mutt Madness was a wonderful experience. “What a great event. The vibe of the afternoon was fun and drew attention to the need for pet adoption,” said Potocki.

Kiser is deep into puppy training for Mulligan. “As a spokesdog, TurfMutt has to visit schools, and sometimes goes with me for public appearances and on TV sets, so Mulligan needs to be well-socialized and know how to behave.”

“Mutt Mulligan” marks a new page in the TurfMutt platform, which grew from a youth education program launched in 2009 in a handful of Sacramento and Washington, D.C. schools to reaching 70 million students, teachers, and families with its message that everyone can help save the planet, starting with their backyard.

Kiser added, “People can understand the value of a living landscape, when they see it through the eyes of a dog. You suddenly realize that soft grass is kinder to paws than hard concrete and that you need shade and a variety of plants in your yard.”

The TurfMutt program has become a national platform, appearing on every major television network, The Hub, Animal Planet and more, including the award-winning show, “Lucky Dog,” for three seasons; being featured in Parade magazine’s Earth Day issue; and winning awards. TurfMutt is an official USGBC Education Partner and part of its global LEARNING LAB, and has been an education resource at the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools, the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Green Apple, the Center for Green Schools, the Outdoors Alliance for Kids, the National Energy Education Development (NEED) project, Climate Change Live, Petfinder and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

More information on Lucky’s Mutt Madness event and the program is at

www.TurfMutt.com

.

Federal Court Orders Deposition of Hillary Clinton on Emails and Benghazi

Court: ‘It is Time to Hear Directly from Secretary Clinton’

(Washington, DC) March 2, 2020–

Judicial Watch today announced that U.S. District Court Judge Royce C. Lamberth

granted

Judicial Watch’s request to depose former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton about her emails and Benghazi attack documents. The court

also ordered the deposition of Clinton’s former Chief of Staff, Cheryl Mills and two other State Department officials.

Additionally, the court granted Judicial Watch’s request to subpoena Google for relevant documents and records associated with Clinton’s emails during her tenure at the State Department.

The ruling comes in Judicial Watch’s

lawsuit

that seeks records concerning “talking points or updates on the Benghazi attack” (

Judicial Watch v. U.S. Department of State

(No. 1:14-cv-01242)). Judicial Watch famously uncovered in 2014 that the “talking points” that provided the basis for Susan Rice’s false statements were

created by

the Obama White House. This Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit

led directly

to the disclosure of the Clinton email system in 2015.

In December 2018, Judge Lamberth first

ordered discovery

into whether Secretary Clinton’s use of a private email server was intended to stymie FOIA; whether the State Department’s intent to settle this case in late 2014 and early 2015 amounted to bad faith; and whether the State Department has adequately searched for records responsive to Judicial Watch’s request. The court also authorized discovery into whether the Benghazi controversy motivated the cover-up of Clinton’s email. The court

ruled

that the Clinton email system was “one of the gravest modern offenses to government transparency.” The State and Justice Departments continued to defend Clinton’s and the agency’s email conduct.

Judge Lamberth today overruled Clinton’s and the State and Justice Department’s objections to limited additional discovery by first noting:

Discovery up until this point has brought to light a noteworthy amount of relevant information, but Judicial Watch requests an additional round of discovery, and understandably so. With each passing round of discovery, the Court is left with more questions than answers.

Additionally, Judge Lamberth said that he is troubled by the fact that both the State Department and Department of Justice want to close discovery in this case:

[T]here is still more to learn. Even though many important questions remain unanswered, the Justice Department inexplicably still takes the position that the court should close discovery and rule on dispositive motions. The Court is especially troubled by this. To argue that the Court now has enough information to determine whether State conducted an adequate search is preposterous, especially when considering State’s deficient representations regarding the existence of additional Clinton emails. Instead, the Court will authorize a new round of discovery …

With respect to Clinton, the court found that her prior testimony, mostly through written sworn answers, was not sufficient:

The Court has considered the numerous times in which Secretary Clinton said she could not recall or remember certain details in her prior interrogatory answers. In a deposition, it is more likely that plaintiff’s counsel could use documents and other testimony to attempt to refresh her recollection. And so, to avoid the unsatisfying and inefficient outcome of multiple rounds of fruitless interrogatories and move this almost six-year-old case closer to its conclusion, Judicial Watch will be permitted to clarify and further explore Secretary Clinton\’s answers in person and immediately after she gives them. The Court agrees with Judicial Watch – it is time to hear directly from Secretary Clinton.

“Judicial Watch uncovered the Clinton email scandal and we’re pleased that the court authorized us to depose Mrs. Clinton directly on her email conduct and how it impacted the people’s ‘right to know’ under FOIA,” stated Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton.

Two wells near Dover AFB have possible elevated PFOS/PFOA levels

DNREC, EPA told results from USAF sampling are not yet validated

Dover, Del. – The U.S. Air Force (USAF) and Dover Air Force Base (AFB) notified Delaware’s

Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) that preliminary (i.e., not yet validated) results show two wells near the base have possible elevated levels of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). The preliminary results indicate concentrations above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s lifetime health advisory for these substances of 70 parts per trillion (ppt).

The preliminary, unvalidated results for these two wells are in addition to validated detections of PFOS and PFOA for four wells announced in July 2019. The USAF continues to provide alternative water supply to those properties. The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is working with DNREC, USAF, Dover AFB, and the owners of the affected wells to protect public health. The owners of the two wells, who each provide water to a single commercial business, have been notified and provided with bottled water by Dover AFB.

The unvalidated results of water samples recently collected by the USAF from ten other wells reported PFOS and PFOA below the federal health advisory level. Although the recent test results are unvalidated at this time, validation of the data is expected within 30 days.

PFOS and PFOA are part of a group of synthetic chemicals known as perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) used in a variety of products that over time have become widely distributed in the environment. These chemicals have been found at Dover AFB and other air bases and airports in firefighting foam. The USAF and EPA have been working with DNREC and DPH to determine the impacts of PFOS and PFOA on private wells in proximity to the base.

A USAF fact sheet about the Dover AFB PFOS and PFOA sampling published in spring 2019 indicated that groundwater samples collected in shallow monitoring wells on the base also showed levels of PFOS and PFOA above EPA’s 70 ppt health advisory.

No PFOS or PFOA have been detected in five nearby municipal water wells tested by Dover AFB’s water supplier, Tidewater Utilities. Tidewater sampled four on-base municipal supply wells and the off-base municipal supply well nearest the base. All these wells draw water from a deep, confined aquifer. There were no PFOS or PFOA detections in any of them.

The primary step necessary to protect the public’s health from exposure to PFOS and PFOA in drinking water is to use an alternate water source until a permanent solution can be determined, which may consist of treatment, connecting to a new system, or other solution. DPH encourages the impacted businesses, office building, and dwellings in the affected area to use the bottled water provided by the DAFB until a permanent solution is in place. Anyone with specific health concerns or questions about potential health impacts is encouraged to contact their primary care provider. General questions about the health effects from, and exposure to, PFAS can call DPH at 302-744-4546.

At this time, there is no federal or state required standard for PFAS substances in drinking water supplies, so actions taken are based on the federal lifetime health advisory level.

CNB Hunting/Fishing NJ: The Largest Black Bear on the North Continent Harvested in NJ

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(March 2, 2020)–The biggest black bear ever killed with a bow and arrow in North America was taken last year in New Jersey according

to Fox News.

The 700-pound bear was shot by Jeff Melillo on Oct. 14, 2019 in Morris County during NJ\’s bow season.

Jeff Melillo shot a 700-pound black bear in Morris County, NJ on Oct. 14, 2019. The bear was the biggest taken in North America, according to the Pope and Young Club, a national bowhunting organization

In February the Pope and Young Club, a national bowhunting organization, announced that there was a new world record for the largest bow-harvested black bear on the

continent.

On Feb. 8, the bowhunting and conservation group Pope and Young Club assembled a special panel of judges during the Great American Outdoor Show in Harrisburg, Penn. to verify the record, the club said in a

news release.

Melillo’s bear scored 23 5/16, toppling a record set in 1993 by a hunter in Mendocino County, Calif.

\”It has been an inspiring journey, to say the least,” Melillo, a native of New Jersey, said in a statement. “Many years ago, I read an article in Outdoor Life magazine stating that the new world record black bear will most likely come from New Jersey. They were spot on, and I never doubted it for one second.”

Eli Randall, records director for the Pope and Young Club said, \”I knew I was going to be looking at an impressive black bear skull, as it was officially measured at over 23 inches and weighed in at 700 pounds. I was not prepared for the amount of mass the skull possessed, not only was the skull huge, but the bone structure was the heaviest I had ever seen.”

Preserved through taxidermy, the 700-pound bear will be displayed at the Pope and Young Annual Convention in Chantily, Va. in March.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

(continue to read)

How to Understand that the Girl Is in Love with You

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(March 2, 2020)–Love is not one of the most understandable and studied things, even in the simplest of its components. Very often it is impossible to catch even elementary signs of whether a person feels something to you (even though there are some feelings).

There could be some additional difficulties, for example, the difference in mentality. When you are dating Russian women for marriage on

https://ladadate.com/russian-brides

, it may be difficult to understand whether the girl really likes you. At the same time, it is really important. So, how to understand that a girl is in love but hides it?

1. Her cheeks turn red when you are together

The red color will always be a sure sign of love! Here are the definite signs:

she is very shy when you are together;

she does not know what to say, what to do or how to behave;

she is embarrassed when you look into her eyes and blushes.

When a girl doesn’t care, she is not embarrassed, does not blush and does not hide her eyes.

2. She wants to be your best friend

Being the best of friends is the first phase for the most honest, long-term and happy relationship. You can count on her and know that she will always be there if you feel depressed or need some support. She may argue with you because of stupid things, but she will never leave you, and she will always apologize if she was really wrong about something. In a word, she wants to be your closest person!

3. She goes first to talk

There is a myth in our world that the function of initiating a conversation is always for a man, and it is not the woman’s duty to do this. Her role is playfully blinking and waiting. In fact, if she never takes the initiative to talk with you, to find out what is happening in your life and how you are doing, it simply means that she is not interested and this is not about gender roles.

4. She always plans to spend time with you

In any relationship, spending time together is a must! If you do not spend time with each other, you really do not know anything about your partner. She does not hesitate to take your time, loves to invite you on dates, loves to watch movies together. In general, the first who comes to her mind with plans for any activity is you!

5. She is waiting for your advice

She always asks for your opinion and says that this opinion is very important for her. She shares every problem with you and seeks your participation in it. Trust your intuition when you assume what is good for her and what is bad.

6. She wants to know everything about you

She likes to listen to you. She wants to know everything about your family, friends, work, childhood memories, likes and dislikes, about your interests, hobbies — about everything.

PETS ARE THE BEST: Giving The Gift Of Love

(NAPSI)—Most people would agree, the best gift during the holidays—and all year round—is the gift of love. For thousands of families, that means welcoming a puppy into their home. For those considering getting a new best friend for themselves or someone else, remember that choosing a puppy is a big decision. It’s also one you should think about carefully—for both your sake and the dog’s.

Consumer groups report receiving nearly 10,000 complaints about puppy/dog businesses in just the last three years, with 60 percent of consumers indicating they never got the pets they purchased, received pets that had health or genetic problems, or got no documentation for their pet. Just as concerning, most people don’t know how to make sure they are getting their pet from a reputable breeder and not an inhumane and substandard puppy mill. While everyone is encouraged to look to their local shelters and rescues, roughly a quarter of new pet parents obtain their puppies from breeders, whether because of allergies, size or temperament, or just because they have their hearts set on a particular breed of dog.

Whatever your motivation, you should make sure you know that the organization you use to find your new best friend is legitimate and will secure you a happy, healthy and responsibly bred pet.

To help you avoid scams and find properly raised puppies, here are some important tips from the experts at American Humane—the country’s first national humane organization and the largest certifier of animal welfare in the world—and PuppySpot, a placement service committed to helping responsible breeders place healthy, happy puppies with caring individuals and families:

• INTEGRITY:

Find a source you can trust.

• SUSPICIOUS PHOTOS:

Don’t be swayed by a fancy website or puppy photos that look like stock photos that are perfectly posed, don’t look real, or are found on multiple websites.

• PRICING:

If the price looks too good to be true, it generally is. People should avoid buying from a company that says it will transport a dog by air if the full purchase price seems to be less than or similar to the price of a flight.

• WIRING MONEY:

Never wire money to anyone you have met only online and avoid major money wiring companies and mobile payment service apps.

• BAD GRAMMAR OR MISSPELLINGS:

Be sensitive to strange language choices in puppy listings or communications. The vast majority of scammers are from foreign countries.

• BOGUS STORIES/EXCUSES:

Scammers often come up with complicated reasons they need immediate wire transfers or can’t deliver the puppy to you based on current events. Be on alert for bogus stories or excuses for why more money is requested after initial payment.

• REFUSAL TO SUPPLY DOCUMENTATION:

A responsible breeder, shelter or rescue organization will provide registration, vaccination and veterinary health records on request. Refusal to supply medical records or pedigree documentation is a red flag.

Bringing a new best friend into your home should be a positive and joyous experience. By following these guidelines and using diligence and common sense, you and your family may avoid unnecessary heartache and find the healthy, happy puppy of your dreams.

Learn More

For further information, please visit

www.AmericanHumane.org

and

www.PuppySpot.com

.

\’I am my brother’s and my sister’s keeper\’

By

Steven B. Brooks

FEB  2020

Topsham, Maine–

There have been times when those participating in Corey E. Garver American Legion Post 202’s Winter Classic in Topsham, Maine, have slid on ice trying to run to first base, broken through a crusty layer of snow running down a fly ball, or even disappeared into a fluffy, four-foot pile of the white stuff attempting to dive for a ball in foul territory.

Not ideal conditions for softball, but that doesn’t matter at all to those who have been taking part in the annual fundraiser – some for all six years of its existence. From sub-zero temperatures to snow drifts lining the field adjacent to Post 202, the conditions don’t matter as much as the event’s cause: raising money to help end the veteran homelessness issue in Maine.

The motto for the event, which took place on Feb. 22 this year, is concise and to the point: “We play in the cold so that veterans don’t have to live in the cold.”

“That’s all this is about,” Post 202 Commander Nancy Laffin-Gillespie said. “Yes, we’re having fun. It’s a unique thing playing in the snow. But the reality is people live in the cold. Everybody here knows the reason why they’re here is to keep people out from the cold.”

The idea for the Winter Classic came from former Post 202 Commander Nik Hamlin, who helped save a nearly defunct Post 202 in 2013 and now is a member of American Legion Post 158 in Lisbon to be closer to home. But Hamlin doesn’t like to take credit for a vision that has grown bigger every year.

“I can’t take credit for this event because it’s a community event,” Hamlin said. “I can’t do this without everybody. When it comes to tackling any kind of issues that affect society, it’s going to take the community to do it.”

Laffin-Gillespie said the post is in the right community to make something like the Winter Classic a success. “We are very lucky here in the state of Maine. Our veteran community is amazing,” she said. “We all come out together and try to help in any way we can for any veteran problems.”

Each year the money raised has gone to a local or state program that includes among its mission eradicating veteran homelessness. This year’s funds went to Maine Veterans In Need, a non-profit that consist of members of the Maine American Legion, the Bureau of Maine Veteran Services, the Department of Veterans Affairs and other service organizations.

Teams were asked to donate $200, but many upped that donation. Additional funds raised and donated, along with a raffle and 50-50 drawing, brought this year’s total raised to more than $4,500 – triple what the event raised in 2019.

While Hamlin was pleasantly surprised by the donation total, “I feel if I wasn’t able to (donate that amount) this whole thing would feel hollow,” he said. “To be able to do that … I can see the fruits of my labor. I can see where the money goes. I can see those affected by it. I owe it to the people that come here to donate it to a place that’s a good place to accomplish the mission.”

Post 202 has thrived in part because while embracing traditional American Legion programs, it also takes a unique approach to carrying out its other missions – such as the Winter Classic.

“What we found with this is you can do it in a fun way,” said Department of Maine Commander Matthew Jabaut, a member of Post 202. “Too many times our events are maybe a little too solemn or a little too formal. If you can do a lot of cool, good, serious work in a fun way, it’s able to reach people, and then people really want to get active and engaged and be part of that. And then there’s that good feeling when you leave … and you’re not just having fun to have fun. You’re also doing it for a good cause.”

Laffin-Gillespie transferred to Post 202 around two years ago because of what the post has been able to accomplish over the past six-plus years. “I really like this post has a good grasp on the mission of The American Legion,” she said. \”It has a good grasp on veteran issues that need raised (and) that people need to be educated on. And we make progress in trying to help these problems.”

One of those problems is veteran homelessness, which has dropped considerably in part due to the efforts of Maine Veterans In Need, but still remains an issue in a state with a long, brutal winter season. “Veterans, especially when they’re transitioning, can fall into a lot of holes. I, myself, was a couch surfer for a while when I got out,” Laffin-Gillespie said. “Having a place that’s your home – your own home – means a lot. That’s why it’s important to me that I can help any veteran that I can. If this helps them to get a hotel room for five days just to get them off the street … that’s great.”

Those who participate in the Winter Classic share the same sentiment. Russ Taylor, a longtime member of the Sons of The American Legion and the current SAL Squadron 86 commander, has been a part of four of the six years of the Winter Classic, playing on a team consisting of American Legion Family members from Post 86 in Gray, Maine. Every year Post 86 has fielded a team for the event.

“We’ve never done very well, but we have fun and it’s for a good cause,” Taylor said. “We can go play in the snow for one day (and) a homeless veteran doesn’t have to live in the cold – that’s why we do it.\”

Team Grateful, which plays out of Lovell, Maine, has won the past two Winter Classics. But while the squad celebrated after its most recent championship, that’s not what motivated the squad to drive 90 minutes each way to play at Post 202.

Rich Massey, a member of Team Grateful, has participated in five Winter Classics with his team. “I think the biggest reason I do this is I didn’t serve,” he said. “This is how I try to pay it back: doing stuff like this and contributing any way I can. We love this, and we’ll be back every year.”

The double-elimination tournament started at 10 a.m. and wrapped up at around 5:30 that evening. Music played throughout the day, while those attending could get assistance from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ mobile Vet Center, which was set up outside the post.

Also in Post 202’s parking lot was a trailer converted over to

temporary homeless veteran housing

by Charles E. Sherman Jr. Post 36 Legionnaires Ed Harmon and Arthur Richardson. The Winter Classic gave participants and spectators a chance to check out the trailer, which is intended to be a prototype for a larger future fleet of similar trailers.

Harmon said it’s important to work together to end veteran homelessness. “It’s going to take a team to solve this issue,” he said. “It won’t just be one individual.”

But the Winter Classic started with one person: Hamlin. And it’s a cause that gets him emotional at times. Prior to the start of this year’s tournament, he shared with the participants the story of Navy veteran Russell Wilson, who died this winter in his sleeping bag near railroad tracks in Brunswick.

“We’re here to stop that. We’re here to make that (stuff) never happens again,” Hamlin said, his voice breaking a bit. “Help me make sure that never happens again. It takes a community to save a community.

\”I am my brother’s and my sister’s keeper.”

SOURCE THE AMERICAN LEGION