Category: PHILLY & PA. NEWS

Philadelphia CBP Agriculture K9 Detects Prohibited Cheese Wrapped in Animal Skins

Release Date:

December 11, 2019

PHILADELPHIA

– A Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture detector dog led to the seizure of nearly 16 pounds of unpasteurized cheese wrapped in unknown animal skins at Philadelphia International Airport November 16.

K9 Potter, part of CBP\’s

Beagle Brigade, sniffed

out cheese-filled animal

skins from Turkey.

While inspecting travelers from a flight that arrived from Turkey, CBP agriculture K9 Potter alerted to a couple’s baggage. During a secondary examination, CBP agriculture specialists discovered five tanned animal skins balled up and stitched closed. Inside they discovered 7.1 kilograms, or 15 pounds, 10 ounces, of soft cheese. The skins and cheese were prohibited without veterinary certification due to the skins being a potential carrier of animal diseases. The skins and cheese were destroyed.

CBP agriculture specialists observe increases in prohibited agriculture products during the holidays when foreign nations bring traditional meals and products to celebrate with family in the United States.

The couple, who CBP released, were destined to an address in Burlington County, N.J.

\”Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists protect our nation from a variety of potential agriculture threats every day, including from these unfinished animal skins that may carry an economy-damaging animal disease,” said Casey Durst, Director of Field Operations for CBP’s Baltimore Field Office. “CBP agriculture specialists continue to exercise extraordinary vigilance in their fight to protect our nation’s agriculture and economic prosperity from invasive pests and animal diseases.”

CBP agriculture specialists

perform a critical border security role in safeguarding America’s agricultural and natural resources from harmful pests and plant diseases. They have extensive training and experience in the biological sciences and agricultural inspection.

Cheese-filled animal skins from Turkey.

CBP agriculture specialists work diligently to inspect imported air and sea cargo and arriving international travelers every day to intercept pests and potential plant and animal diseases at our nation’s international ports of entry.

During a typical day last year, CBP agriculture specialists across the nation seized 4,552 prohibited plant, meat, animal byproduct, and soil, and intercepted 319 insect pests at U.S. ports of entry. See what else CBP achieved on a

typical day during 2018

,

CBP encourages foreign visitors to ‘

know before you go

’ by viewing general guidelines on a variety of

prohibited or restricted products

, or by visiting CBP’s Travel site at

www.CBP.gov

.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation\’s borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel.

Miss America 2020 Competition Preliminary Hosts and Judges Announced

Preliminary and Final Night Competition

to be Streamed Live for the First Time.

Uncasville, CT  (December 10, 2019)

–

For the first time in Miss America history, the

2020 Miss America Competition

Preliminaries

will be live-streamed from the Mohegan Sun Earth Expo at 7:00 PM ET on Sunday, December 15, and Monday, December 16.

The live stream will be produced by JC Productions and is sponsored by Dakota State University.

In addition, the

2020 Miss America Competition

broadcast will simultaneously be streamed on

NBC.com

on Thursday, December 19, at 8:00 PM ET.

Viewers can now watch, on multiple platforms, the new exciting, interactive, and dramatic selection process

of one young woman who will earn a job with a six-figure salary and the crown of Miss America

.

The Miss America Organization is also pleased to announce the preliminary hosts and judges for the two nights of preliminary competition.

The preliminary competition hosts are:

Sunday, December 15, 2019

Dorothy Benham

Miss America 1977

Monday, December 16, 2019

Susan Powell

Miss America 1981

This year, our judging panel looks different than in years past, reflecting the importance of an exciting format that allows the judges to spend more time getting to know the 51 candidates. Each woman will engage with the preliminary panel of judges in a private interview before the on-stage elements of competition, painting a more in-depth picture of who she is and what she plans to do in this iconic role.

Our world-renowned and distinguished panel of preliminary competition judges are:

Anthony Barfield

Paying tribute to Nia Franklin, Miss America 2019’s social impact initiative that focuses on music composition and advancing the arts in education, the Miss America Organization welcomes Anthony Barfield.

Anthony is the founder of Velocity Music, a music production company based in New York City.

Having worked with artists including Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, and Young M.A, Anthony is a leader in hip-hop and R&B.

Anthony has scored music for film, television, and video games for companies such as EA Sport and Genentech, and recently signed a record deal with Polo Grounds Music,

a subsidiary of Sony’s RCA Records.

Anthony holds degrees from The Juilliard School and The Manhattan School of Music, where he earned his B.M. and then M.M. in trombone performance.  He has performed at the Kennedy Center and at Carnegie Hall, where his composition \”Here We Rest\” was premiered at the New York Wind Band Festival.

He currently lives in New York City with his wife, Alaina, and Pug, Gouda.

Holly Pelham Davis

Recognizing the importance of physical, emotional, and mental well-being, the Miss America Organization welcomes Holly Pellham Davis as our second judge for Miss America 2020 preliminaries.

Holly’s career as a model and actress spans over three decades and naturally led to her founding Clean Fresh Living, where she serves as CEO.

Promoting organic living, Holly and her company are focused on sharing knowledge and building awareness of the importance of healthy living.

Having taken this message to television audiences, Holly has also served as a spokesperson for the

Made in America

and

Made in the USA

campaigns, serves on the board of Constituting America, and has helped raise millions of dollars for a variety of charitable causes.

Holly resides with her husband and two children in Dallas, Texas.

Stephanie S. Streett

Focusing on the importance of the new Miss America advancing her social impact initiative to a broad range of audiences, the Miss America Organization is proud to welcome Stephanie Streett.

Stephanie is the executive director of the Clinton Foundation, overseeing the strategy and management of the Clinton Presidential Center, which provides extensive educational and cultural opportunities for visitors of all ages.

She served in the Clinton White House for eight years, first as Deputy Assistant to the President, and then as Assistant to the President and Director of Scheduling.

Prior to her White House assignments, she worked on Capitol Hill as a staff member for the United States Senate Committee on the Budget.

Stephanie oversees for the Clinton Foundation the Presidential Leadership Scholars program, a unique collaboration between the presidential centers of George W. Bush, William J. Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon Baines Johnson.

This first of its kind leadership development program produces bold and principled leaders committed to solving the world’s greatest challenges.

She and her husband, Don Erbach, are the proud parents of three teenage daughters and live in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Live Streaming

###

The Miss America Organization, a 501(c)4 works to empower young women through education and service. Miss America candidates contribute tens of thousands of community service hours annually and have raised over $19 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and Miss America scholarships since 2007. The Miss America Foundation, a 501(c) (3), provides academic, community service, and other scholarships to young women.

(Video) Fire at Roadway Inn, Gloucester City

image courtesy of WPVi Philadelphia

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (Dec. 12, 2019)–A fire Tuesday night, Dec. 10 at the Roadway Inn,  Rt. 130 and Market Street, was quickly extinguished, according to

https://6abc.com/

Fire crews arrived at the motel around 11:45 p.m. and found heavy smoke coming from one room.  The motel is part of the Royal Farms complex. Firefighters contained the fire to that one room. The cause of the fire is not known. There were no injuries reported.

Related:

Gloucester City News

Fire

CNBNews Tips and Snippets

CNBNews Point of View

BREAKING NEWS

4 Tips on How to Use Social Media to Improve Your Small Business

Did you know that77.6% of small businesses use social media to promote their businesses?

Facebook is the most popular platform for small businesses to use, followed by LinkedIn, Twitter, Google, their own blog, Pinterest, and Instagram.

So if you’re a small business who is looking to improve your business with social media, then you need to discover our top tips on how you can use social media to boost your business.

Be Discoverable

One of the most important things to do to improve your social media efforts is to make sure your business is discoverable. Whether your business is on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, or Pinterest, you need to make sure you are using the right keywords so people can find your business.

Place your keywords in category tags, description boxes, and photos, to ensure your business has maximum coverage. But remember not to keyword stuff, ensure that your phrasing is natural.

Use Statistics and Analyse Your Results

Understanding Facebook statistics

can greatly impact the success of your social media efforts. For example, if you know who your audience is, where you can find them online, and what time or days they use Facebook then you should be able to target your key audience using carefully thought out campaigns. This works with other platforms too, so make sure you research who is most prominent on each channel and what time they use it most.

You can also use your own Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn statistics to figure out what type of content creates the most engagement and what your audience wants to see. Once you’ve worked out what works best make sure you create more content like it.

Create Relevant Content

So many businesses and brands make the mistake of creating content that their audience doesn’t care about. When it comes to social media you need to make sure that you create relevant content for your audience. For example, create useful how-to blogs about your products, create exciting videos about your business, and post images that your followers want to see.

The best way to find out what is relevant is by testing the waters and seeing what your audience responds and interacts with most. If you get the most engagement from posting photos and videos, then focus your content in this format.

Don’t Promote Yourself Too Much

Businesses that always post about their products or services often lose followers and don’t gain much engagement, that’s because your audience doesn’t always want to be sold your business, they also want fun content. The social media rule of thumb is to post 80% of your content so that it can inform, educate, or entertain your audience. The other 20% of your content can be directly promoting your business.

 

Using Elaborate Fraud Scheme Gang Stole Over $3 Million from Various Banks

Only in New Jersey!!!

Three defendants pleaded guilty to third-degree charges and were sentenced to probation. Five defendants were admitted into the Pre-Trial Intervention Program and had their charges dismissed ~

CNBNews editor

TRENTON

–Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal announced that a fourth leader was sentenced to state prison today in connection with an elaborate fraud scheme in which the participants used fictitious identities to obtain credit cards and open bank accounts that they used to steal approximately $3 million from various banks. A total of 14 defendants were charged in the joint state and federal investigation.

Aqeel Sheikh, 58, of Newark, N.J.

, was sentenced today to seven years in state prison by Superior Court Judge Candido Rodriguez Jr. in Union County. He pleaded guilty previously to charges of conspiracy and money laundering. Another ringleader was sentenced last month.

Naim Tahir, 51, of Clark, N.J.,

was sentenced on Nov. 15 to seven years in prison by Superior Court Judge Robert Kirsch. He also pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy and money laundering.

Two additional leaders of the scheme were sentenced to prison earlier this year by Judge Rodriguez as a result of the investigation.

Shaikh Dawood, 61, of Cranford, N.J.

, pleaded guilty to second-degree theft by deception and was sentenced to eight years in prison on March 8, 2019.

Mohammad Zaman, 46, of Staten Island, N.Y.

, pleaded guilty to second-degree theft by deception and was sentenced to five years in prison on Feb. 1, 2019. A fifth defendant,

Hassan Shahbaz, 46, of Jersey City, N.J.

, pleaded guilty to first-degree charges of conspiracy and money laundering. He faced a recommended sentence of eight years in prison, with three years of parole ineligibility, but he was deported prior to sentencing.

Deputy Attorney General Thomas Huynh and former Deputy Attorney General Brian Faulk took the guilty pleas, and DAG Huynh handled the sentencing hearings for the Division of Criminal Justice Financial & Cyber Crimes Bureau. The defendants were charged in an investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, New Jersey Office of Homeland Security & Preparedness, U.S. Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, and New Jersey Department of the Treasury’s Office of Criminal Investigation. Those agencies were assisted by the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, Union County Sheriff’s Department, Clark Police Department, Secaucus Police Department, and Jersey City Police Department.

“This type of credit card fraud involving stolen and false identities imposes huge costs on the financial services industry and ultimately on consumers,” said Attorney General Grewal. “We are committed to working with the industry and our state and federal partners to investigate and aggressively prosecute these crimes.”

“This was a complex case involving hundreds of fraudulent credit cards and millions of dollars in transactions,” said Director Veronica Allende of the Division of Criminal Justice. “I commend the attorneys and detectives in our Financial & Cyber Crimes Bureau and all of the agencies that partnered with us to skillfully investigate this criminal ring and secure prison sentences for its leaders.”

“This complex sort of scheme of credit card fraud harms both commerce and consumers and nationwide results in billions of dollars in financial losses yearly,” said Brian Michael, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Newark. “In this case, all of the underhanded maneuvering of the defendants was no match for the cooperative efforts of law enforcement that exposed the scheme and delivered justice.”

“This investigation is an excellent example of a partnership between state and federal law enforcement agencies, working together to bring down a sophisticated bank fraud network,” said USPIS Inspector In Charge James V. Buthorn. “I fully commend the hard work put forth by all of the agencies involved, which resulted in bringing this group of fraudsters to justice. Postal Inspectors will continue to tirelessly investigate these types of financial crimes that utilize the U.S. Postal Service to facilitate illicit activities.”

“This elaborate scheme harmed not only the financial services industry, but also the integrity of the Social Security number as an identifier,” said John Grasso, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, New York Field Division. “I want to thank the Attorney General’s Office and our Federal and State law enforcement partners for pursuing this investigation and dismantling the scheme. We will continue to work with other agencies to prevent the misuse of Social Security numbers for personal gain.”

“A criminal enterprise of this scale and sophistication speaks to the modern challenges of protecting consumers and financial institutions from fraud,” said N.J. State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio. “Treasury is proud to have contributed to this successful effort and we stand ready to continue working with our state and federal partners to ensure that perpetrators of similar financial schemes are brought to justice.”

Three other defendants – Rilvan Junaid, Mohammad Shakeel and Mohammad Khan – pleaded guilty to third-degree charges and were sentenced to probation. Five defendants – Aqeel Ahmed, Shama Musir, Faisal Mushtq, Shakeela Ahmed, and Huda Ahmed – were admitted into the Pre-Trial Intervention Program and had their charges dismissed. One defendant, Muhammad Bhatti, 68,

remains a fugitive.

The defendants created “synthetic” identities by pairing stolen Social Security numbers with fictitious names and birth dates, using them to open numerous checking and credit card accounts. They opened the accounts online to avoid face-to-face interaction with the financial institutions. Tahir was primarily responsible for creating the synthetic identities and applying for the bank accounts and credit cards, using personal identifying information supplied by Zaman.

Bad checks were deposited into the bank accounts so they could be used to make payments on the credit cards, which temporarily inflated the lines of credit on the cards. In addition, funds were withdrawn from the bank accounts via ATM and U.S. Postal Money Order Purchases before the bad checks were discovered. The defendants ultimately “busted out” the credit cards by running up the unpaid balances until they reached or exceeded the credit limits.

The scheme included a group of “merchants,” led by Shahbaz and Sheikh, who in many cases ran shell businesses set up solely to participate in the fraud. Under the direction of Dawood and other defendants, the merchants swiped the fraudulent credit cards using point of sale terminals and received reimbursement from credit card processing companies via wire transfer, while never actually providing any merchandise or services. The defendants split the proceeds. The bank accounts of the shell companies also were used to launder the proceeds of the scheme, with checks being written from one company to another as if they were conducting business.

Shahbaz, Sheikh, and Dawood set up USA United Trading, a business owned by Shahbaz that was opened for the sole purpose of defrauding financial institutions. USA United Trading held itself out as a carpet retailer, with a store front in Jersey City. USA United Trading conducted approximately $1.2 million in fraudulent credit card transactions.

The investigation began when the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) received a referral from Wells Fargo Bank about a bad check case the bank was investigating. USPIS enlisted agents of the Social Security Administration and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations in Newark, who in turn enlisted the state agencies.

Former Deputy Attorney General Anthony Torntore presented the case the state grand jury for the Division of Criminal Justice Financial & Cyber Crimes Bureau. The lead investigators were Special Agent Bradley E. Greenberg of U.S. Homeland Security Investigations; Postal Inspector Brian Macdonald; former Lt. Harry Maronpot, former Detective Katelyn Prata, and former Detective James Gallo of the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice; Special Agent Kristie Morgan of the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General; and former Special Agent Matthew Henderson of the New Jersey Department of the Treasury’s Office of Criminal Investigation.

Defense Attorneys:

For Sheikh: Gregory S. Mullens, Esq., Calcagni Kanefsky LLP, Newark, N.J.

For Tahir: Luis O. Diaz, Esq., New York, N.Y.

Earning MCSD; App Builder Certification; Facts About Microsoft 70-487 Exam; How to Pass It with Practice Tests

Introduction

(Gloucestercitynews. net)(December 11, 2019)–Microsoft is among the top tech firms globally. Their certifications are valued all over the world, improve the level of qualification and give the opportunity to apply for a more prestigious position with a significant increase in salary. More than 4.5 million Microsoft certified professionals work worldwide and thousands of people are certified annually.

With the introduction technologies like cloud computing, Microsoft based Azure solutions are projected to grow, thanks to its popular operating system. Thus, specialists who can work with this technology will be in high demand. If you’d like to be up for the task, you must get the MCSD: App Builder certification by passing the Microsoft

70-487

test. But you need to be the owner of the MCSA badges in Web Applications or Universal Windows Platform.

So, since this article is devoted to 70-487 test, let’s move to it.

70-487 Test Overview

Along with having the MCSA: Universal Windows Platform or MCSA: Web Applications credentials,

before sitting for 70-487 exam you need to have at least 3 years

of experience in designing solutions for ASP.NET MVC. Other skills include designing Web applications using HTTP services, which means this credential is perfect for IT experts who are familiar with developing and setting up server solutions in multiple layered environments like Windows Azure.

The exam consists of 40-60 test questions of different types. Some of the formats include hot area, case study, multiple-choice, best answer, short answer, and build list. A number of questions focus on tools as well as concepts for Visual Studio. It will also be helpful if you know deployment strategies like HTTP and FTP. So, before taking the exam, you need to be a proficient developer in web apps. The Microsoft 70-487 exam will cost you $165, and you can register for it through Pearson VUE.

Topics Covered in Exam

Microsoft tests are designed to assess specific skill areas. The exam takers need to understand and acquire mastery of these abilities to pass it. That implies there’s no shortcut to passing the test without good preparation. So, if you want to take it, make sure you pay attention to these topics:

Data technologies

: this aspect of the test covers various parts of evaluating data via ADO.NET. It focuses on the implementation of data storage in Microsoft Azure and implements caching and transactions. Another skill to acquire under this topic is the carrying out of solutions with the utilization of Microsoft Azure. You must gain competence in query and manipulation of data via the use of entity framework.

Consuming Web API services

: this consists of various aspects of Web API, like creating, and securing, managing, and storing Web API web services.

Implementation of web services:

this one covers the implementation of strategies and configuration of web services.

To pass Microsoft 70-487 with flying colors, every exam taker has to train thoroughly before the test. The following are the tips that you can utilize to succeed in the exam.

What Tips Can Help You Prepare for Exam 70-487?

Let\’s have a look at some of the ways to prepare for the test and pass it on the first try. Ensure to go through them and choose those that suit you most as this is the only way they’ll be helpful to your exam preparation:

Make Sure You Understand Exam Content and Question Format

This is vital to pass your certification exam. Make sure you know the structure of the test before the exam date. There are numerous resources and guides for Microsoft 70-487 test you can utilize. Using these materials will help you stay updated with what you should expect in the real exam.

In most cases, the exam structure entails a range of question formats like case studies, multiple choices, active screen, and drag and drop. The case studies question is based on the prerequisites and projects created to assess your analytical abilities and knowledge. You may also come across questions in adding and debugging code. Regarding the test content, you must have some knowledge of WCF. You need to be conversant with Visual Studio tools and deployment. Spend enough time learning about web development strategies, FTP and HTTP.

Psychological preparation

To demonstrate the knowledge, you need to get rid of nervous tension. Auto-suggestion is also an effective method to use. You should consciously pull yourself together, urging the brain to have confidence in your own abilities. Working hard is not enough, you should be sure that you are ready enough to pass the test successfully. So, the way you think matters.

Make Good Use of Online Courses

Having collaborated with different training organizations globally Microsoft offers a great course for 70-487 exam at your disposal Course 20487D. Microsoft has approved all that’s included in this instructor-led exam 70-487 training course. The intention is to provide comprehensive practice. It includes instructor-led training sessions with videos and practical labs to improve your coding skills. Using the self-paced alternative gives you three-month access and you are free to learn at your pace. The classroom-training alternative takes five days.

In addition to the course offered by the vendor, check the PrepAway.biz platform to utilize the video training course for the Microsoft 70-487 exam. It targets to assist you to understand how to incorporate Microsoft Azure services into applications. The course includes 54 lectures and the information is provided in a simple and understandable way. Make sure you have basic skills in programming languages like Java, JavaScript, and C before taking the course.

Other Best Revision Materials for Exam 70-487

You need to compliment your training courses with practice tests. The PrepAway.biz practice tests for 70-487 exam are helpful as they offer you an insight into the format of the exam and the type of questions. These files allow you to practice test questions and they are perfect revision materials since they are the most valid and updated. For 70-487 exam you can get both free files and a premium file with the verified exam questions and answers. The file is contained in the Premium Bundle, that besides this dump also includes a training course and a study guide. With all these materials, there’s no way to fail the certification exam.

Conclusion

Once you take and pass the Microsoft 70-487 test, you get the desired MCSD: App Builder credential. Getting this badge increases the chances of getting employment in some of the leading tech firms as well as small and medium-sized organizations. Developer skills demand better job positions and remuneration packages. That’s why you should train well to gain the certification, and the prep process will be easier by using practice tests. Don’t miss out on something that will bring such great benefits your way!

9 Ways Going to Church Can Benefit Your Life

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(Dec. 11, 2019)–While church attendance seems to be declining, and a mental health crisis is rising, many people may not realize the many benefits of attending church.

Almost 20% of Americans

report having no religious affiliation in 2018. This is more than double the 8% who had no preference just a decade earlier.

Attending church has several benefits that may have you reconsidering your connection with a higher power. Read on to find out what they are.

1. Mental Health Benefits of Attending Church

This world is a stressful and often confusing place. Depression, anxiety, and stress are challenges facing many as they struggle through life. It often leaves people wondering their place in the universe and what the purpose of their life is.

Studies show that

religion and spirituality can benefit

mental and physical health, and relieve depression, anxiety, and stress by providing an answer to many of those questions about life.

2. Physical Health Benefits

When you\’re less stressed and more content in life (which is often associated with spiritual connections), your physical health also improves.

You can actually lower your blood pressure, reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke, and even reduce your risk of dementia.

Religious affiliation also has some guidelines and spiritual rules that lead to healthier life choices; for example, some religions forbid addictive substances. Some promote no or little meat intake, alcohol, or drugs. These can all lead to a healthier life overall.

Not only does church reduce stress, but it may also

help you live longer

. That\’s right—a study of middle-aged adults showed that there was a link between attending church and mortality that goes above and beyond just reducing stress.

3. Social Connections

Another benefit of church attendance can be the social connections you make with other parishioners. The individuals you meet may become your friends and offer emotional support in your life.

Feeling connected to a community or individuals with similar beliefs and interests is a critical part of actualization and joy in life. The activities, community, and sense of belonging in a church can provide that much-needed

sense of belonging

.

4. Guidance and Direction

No matter who you are or what your life is like, there are roadblocks, challenges, and tragedies to deal with at some point. Religion and spirituality can help give an individual guidance and direction, as well as comfort.

Many spiritual individuals have thought about and determined their priorities in life because their religion gives them a place to start and a litmus test for choices.

Someone without religion or spirituality may make very different decisions without a moral place to start setting their personal boundaries. While there are millions of good people making good choices without religion, having one can make it easier to make kinder and less selfish choices in your life.

There is no quandary because your religion sets what is right and wrong in your life. While you still have the ultimate choice, you have a personal standard to begin making that choice from.

5. Develop Talents

Attending church can often create opportunities to grow and develop talents a person otherwise would never use.

Many of the top celebrity singers developed their voices and talents while

singing in church

from the time they were young. Justin Timberlake, Aretha Franklin, John Legend, and many more have attributed their talent and love for music to their church attendance.

Some churches have their congregation participate with service projects, leadership opportunities, speaking engagements, and musical performances.

6. A Sense of Purpose

Spirituality often gives individuals

a sense of purpose

in their lives. This can be from the belief of a higher power and from service or good deeds they perform as a result of their religious belief that Christlike service and fellowship are the true purposes of life.

Learn more

about how church attendance can help provide a sense of purpose.

7. Resilience

Spirituality and religion can help a person become more resilient when facing the most painful life experiences. A belief in the afterlife can make the death of a loved one more bearable.

Faith can often help individuals get through a health or financial crisis with more optimism and hope. There\’s a tendency to look for and find a lesson in the challenges of life, which can help reduce distress in times of crisis or tragedy.

8. Confidence and a Sense of Worth

Spirituality not only gives you a sense of purpose, but it can also give you a sense of empowerment and greater self-confidence. The belief that you come from a higher power and were created with a purpose can lead you to set higher goals.

For many, the belief that they\’re a child of God gives them the courage or faith to try things they\’d never believe were possible otherwise.

Priorities and goals may be easier to determine and more centered on fulfilling one\’s potential rather than obtaining worldly power or possessions. The difference in priorities and focus can bring a sense of peace and contentment in life that allows growth in personal areas, rather than always seeking approval from people.

9. A More Compassionate and Optimistic View

Those who have a strong spiritual base will often be more compassionate and optimistic in their view of life and the world. Someone who\’s truly trying to live a more Christlike life will have increased empathy and compassion for their fellow man and see the world with a more optimistic and loving view.

They\’ll often be the first to offer a helping hand and tend to be more willing to serve and help because of a sense of duty to another and to their maker.

Attending Church Can Make Every Day Better

Attending church doesn\’t just have benefits on Sundays. It can have positive effects and benefits in every aspect of your life if you make a commitment and find a community with spiritual beliefs you feel connected to.

Don\’t forget to bookmark our website for easy access to the latest news, tips, and articles.

Kenneth Watts of Philly Headed to Prison

for Drug Conspiracy

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Philadelphia, Pa. has been sentenced in federal court in Johnstown to 10 years (120 months) in prison and three years’ supervised release on his conviction of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson imposed the sentence on Kenneth Watts, 35.

According to information presented to the court, from March 6, 2018, through April 2, 2018, Watts and a co-defendant conspired to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine base, heroin, and fentanyl.

Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

Mr. Brady commended the Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cambria County Drug Task Force for the investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Watts.

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

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

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