10 Ideas For Unforgettable Winter Breaks

Gloucestercitynews.net(January 20, 2020)–Winter can be a very difficult season for a lot of people. There’s the ever-present seasonal affective disorder (or SAD), of course, but there are many more reasons to feel fed up with the colder months. Chief among them is the struggle to find a decent place to go on holiday. For obvious reasons, travel is often cheaper in the winter months, but many people just don’t know where they should go. We’re here to help. Here are ten ideas for unforgettable winter breaks you and your family can try.

1. São Tomé and Príncipe

Despite their incredible vistas, these small African islands don’t really enjoy a lot of visitors. That’s a shame, because they’re an unspoiled paradise that only those truly dedicated to travel can enjoy. The downside is that tourism in these islands is mostly luxury, so if you don’t have a decent wad of cash then you may not be able to enjoy them. Still, there’s lots to see, and if you want to visit during the hottest months, you’re best off going during January, February, and March.

2. Switzerland

The tail end of winter is the best time to visit Switzerland; everyone else goes during January or February, since that’s when winter is at its peak. March is still a wonderful time to visit Switzerland, though, and since it’s less busy, you’ll have your pick of the ski slopes. We’d recommend you head to

Matterhorn Diamonds Ski School

for a truly all-inclusive, special experience in Switzerland. Their tuition is second-to-none and they cater to all skill levels.

3. Germany

If you’re looking for somewhere magical and nostalgic to holiday during the winter months, we’d strongly recommend Germany. There, you can find some of the most incredible Christmas markets around. Berlin’s offering is particularly special, but the Frankfurt market (which also makes an appearance in Birmingham during the run-up to Christmas) shouldn’t be missed, either. Combine this with some truly spectacular views and Germany becomes an unmissable winter holiday destination.

4. New York, USA

There’s plenty to do in New York during the winter months. For a start, the city looks absolutely spellbinding covered in snow. New York gets around twenty-five inches of snow per year, so you’re pretty much guaranteed to see a beautiful snowfall if you head to the city in November or December. As for activities, you’ll find jazz festivals, lantern events, and flower shows to visit while things are a little chilly. Big urban centres can still be wonderful places to go in winter!

5. Australia

Since the northern hemisphere winter is southern hemisphere summer, Australia offers a sun-soaked experience for you if you’re tired of the usual snow, rain, and sleet that your winters are battering you with. Sydney is particularly beautiful during December and January; the sun glinting off the world-famous opera house is a sight to behold. Naturally, there’s also a thriving beach culture in Sydney, so get yourself down there if you want to sunbathe.

6. Iceland

True winter-heads definitely need to experience Iceland winters at least once in their lifetime. Obviously, Iceland is absolutely freezing during the winter, and it’s pretty much dark for the entire day during December. Despite this, Iceland is the best place you can go to see the shimmering aurora borealis, and it’s a truly stunning sight you won’t be forgetting in a hurry. Reykjavik is a bustling urban centre without any of the crowding you might find in other cities, so head there for an immersive Iceland experience.

7. Canada

Another wonderful place to pursue some skiing (although we still think Switzerland has the best slopes), Canada is a popular tourist destination during the winter months, and for very good reason. The beautiful Lake Louise completely freezes over during winter, making it an ideal destination for a chilly stroll. Naturally, there’s plenty to do in the cities too, but Canada boasts some of the world’s most beautiful and striking landscapes. Winter is the best time to experience these landscapes in our opinion.

8. Norway

Like Iceland, Norway offers a dark and chilly but still beautiful experience if you’re looking for somewhere to head in winter. Norway is more famous for its mid-spring months than its winters, but if you’re a poetic soul, this gorgeous country’s tundras and fjords will give you plenty of food for thought when the dark sets in. Of course, since Norway gets plenty of snow, you’ll also find lots of skiers and other winter sports enthusiasts in Norway.

9. Japan

During the winter months, most of Japan’s massive tourist destinations find themselves completely deserted, so winter is the perfect time to head over to Japan and do a spot of sightseeing. None of these destinations lose any of their characteristic beauty or historical significance just for having a little snow on them, so what have you got to lose? You’ll also find bustling centres like Tokyo and Osaka just as busy as you would during summer.

10. Estonia

Few places in Europe are as thoroughly picturesque as Estonia during the winter months. You’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere that looks more like a scene from a postcard than the capital city of Tallinn. It’s not just gorgeous views, though; Tallinn also boasts plenty of history, so if you’re of an academic mind, you can spend hours exploring its many alleyways and basking in the atmosphere of an ancient city covered in powdery snow.

Military Caregiver Champions Recruited by Hollywood Legends

(NAPSI)—Academy Award winner Tom Hanks is rallying the nation behind America’s military caregivers with help from the legacy of a legend, Bob Hope. Hanks launched the Military Caregiver Champion program with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation to fund resources for the 5.5 million Americans voluntarily caring for a loved one who was wounded, made ill or injured through military service. Hope’s daughter, Linda Hope, was the first to join the campaign, donating $1 million on behalf of the Bob and Dolores Hope Foundation.

Tom Hanks, Linda Hope and Senator Elizabeth Dole want to help honor the people who care for ill or injured veterans. You can, too.

“My dad, Bob Hope, dedicated so much of his life to connecting members of our military to the nation they served and their loved ones waiting at home. He would be so proud to join another passionate entertainer like Tom Hanks in making that same connection between America’s military caregivers and the country that owes them such a debt of gratitude and support,” said Hope.

Military caregivers provide $14 billion of unpaid care to veterans every year. They devote their lives to their loved ones, often sacrificing their own health, jobs and financial security.

“As Senator Elizabeth Dole says, our military caregivers are hidden heroes and I am honored to have the spirit of Bob Hope helping us support them,” said Hanks. “There has never been, nor will there ever be, a greater ambassador between the military community and us Americans than Bob Hope.”

All Americans are invited to become Caregiver Champions. Supporters will receive a Caring Tag, which reimagines the honored symbol of the military dog tag and includes the name and story of a military caregiver.

All administrative costs have been sponsored. One hundred percent of donations will support the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s resources for caregivers.

“We cannot take away the injuries or the illnesses but we can ensure our caregivers do not walk this difficult journey alone,” said Hanks.

To become a Caregiver Champion, visit

www.hiddenheroes.org/champion

.

PUROTRADER™, Offers to Pay LSU Tigers QB Joe Burrow\’s Legal Fees for Puffing while Working

PuroTrader™ founder and entrepreneur, Pierre Rogers, believed LSU quarterback, Joe Burrow, had the right idea when he chose to celebrate the Tiger’s National Championship victory over Clemson with a stogie Monday night.

Joe Burrow smoking a cigar (image courtesy of LSU)

As CEO of the world’s premier cigar trading exchange, Rogers announced that support of the Heisman Trophy winner’s right to smoke, he will make a meaningful contribution to any unjust legal fees and penalties if he gets arrested for illegally smoking the infamous cigar inside the Mercedes-Benz Superdome locker room. Rogers says, “The best thing about smoking a cigar is it makes you sit down and enjoy the moment.” Joe Burrow did exactly that.

Joe Burrow and his teammates who were puffing away after the game were told numerous times that smoking was not permitted, however they laughed off and ignored the warnings. The locker room can be seen all over social media, filled with ecstatic Tigers players dancing and singing, celebrating their 42-25 win, along with visible smoke. Even LSU alumni, Odell Beckham Jr. can be seen getting in on the fun festivities, minus the cigars.

While no arrests have been made yet, if charges are brought against the known to be quirky Burrows, Pierre Rogers and PuroTrader™ will be by his side. There is certainly no mystery of what the smoking gun is in this case, no pun intended.

About Pierre Rogers:

Pierre Rogers is a successful venture capitalist, international keynote speaker, and the CEO and founder of both Yahyn and Puro Trader, the largest peer to peer wine and cigar platforms in the world.

About PuroTrader

: PuroTrader was created by two aficionados to bring more transparency and access to the global cigar market. The aim of the site is to educate connoisseurs, stimulate conversation and more importantly monitor market trends within the industry.  With the upcoming launch of Yahyn Q1 2020, they will bring this same passion to the wine market.

New Brunswick facility offers a medically monitored inpatient detoxification program

New Brunswick,New Jersey (PR MediaRelease) January 9, 2020–

SOBA New Jersey, a premier addiction treatment center, announces the opening of its new state-of-the-art drug and alcohol detox facility in New Brunswick. The grand opening will be commemorated with a ribbon cutting and open-house event on January 9, 2020, from 2 to 5 p.m. The facility will officially open on January 15, 2020.

The new facility, located at 23 Duke Street, is home to a medically monitored detoxification program. The detox facility provides withdrawal management and helps individuals to recover from habitual drug use in a safe, welcoming, and clinical environment. The program works to manage the withdrawal process as addictive substances begin to clear from the body, and withdrawal symptoms, which are often severe, begin to manifest. Clients are carefully monitored and appropriately treated in order to go through the detoxification process as comfortably as possible.

“We are thrilled to be opening our new detox facility in New Brunswick,” said Isaac Glasman, Owner of SOBA New Jersey. “For those seeking recovery, it can be a challenge to find treatment that provides a lasting, successful sobriety. SOBA New Jersey remains steadfast in our commitment to continuing to fight addiction and the opioid epidemic, and we are proud to be at the forefront of treatment and recovery in our community.”

Combining an array of the best treatment resources, including personal experience, principles of Eastern and Western medicine, clinical trial findings, and various alternative treatment approaches, SOBA has crafted a multidisciplinary treatment program that facilitates recovery. Each client receives a customized care plan based upon individual needs, where they explore a treatment path to fit their individual recovery goals, overcome addiction, and learn to live a healthy life.

Go visual with a new outdoor LED sign for your business

It’s all about being visual

Gloucestercitynews.net(January 20, 2020)–It is usually said that an image is worth more than a thousand words and nowhere is this truer than when it comes to advertisement. Then it is all about the visual!

If you hope to grow your business, regardless of what that business is, you need a good marketing strategy to make sure you are being noticed by potential customers. There is currently a multitude of options when it comes to marketing platforms as well as strategies and that’s why you need to conduct some marketing research before you get going.

One such platform, that usually is a sure-fire way of drawing attention to whatever marketing message you are trying to convey, are

outdoor led signs for busines

s

. Opting for an outdoor LED sign as a part of your digital marketing strategy will increase your chances of reaching new potential customers.

By choosing a strategic placement of your LED sign or banner you have the opportunity to really engage with the public. Perhaps your business is located inside a mall or you are targeting commuters on their way to work. Revert back to your marketing strategy and then let your ambitions for the future lead the way.

Don’t get distracted when creating a distraction

A good marketing plan should contain different elements, all with the same goal, i.e. increase your ROI as well as creating a strong brand for your business. A strong brand, often also including a catchphrase which embodies the core of your business is key to being successful.

Unless you have this competence yourself you are wise to bring in the services of professionals. Creating a marketing strategy that will promote your brand and business in the most favorable way is not as easy as it sounds and often you need the input from someone with experience.

Of course, you should be heavily involved in the process but one of the hardest things to do is to “kill your darlings” and that is where someone with less of an emotional attachment serves a purpose. It’s also easy to get distracted in these processes, ultimately focusing on things that are not relevant. Enlisting the help of a marketing professional will be one of the soundest business decisions you will ever make.

Once you have the outline of a marketing strategy in place it’s time to start looking more closely at some of the different elements it should entail.

Go digital or go home

This might sound like a harsh statement to make but it is in fact truer than not. All contemporary marketing strategies need to entail a section covering digital marketing efforts and platforms.

Today almost everyone has access to and uses some sort of social media for instance and that is why it is critical that your marketing strategy contains targeted efforts in this arena. By knowing where your potential costumers go to find information, you are one step ahead in the game of advertisement.

However, a digital marketing strategy can also include for instance LED signs and banners. Online sites such as

VisualLED

as an example provides easy to use LED signs and banners perfect for getting noticed. By opting for the usage of such high technological alternatives you stay relevant and in touch with potential customers.

Investing in an LED sign or banner is not complicated and thanks to advancements made in this field there are options available that allow you to effectively assemble and operate as well as carry out smaller maintenance services on your own. This might sound like a tall order but it really isn’t and you have several alternatives available as well in terms of sizes and features.

It all really depends on what your needs are and how you envision your business conveying its message. Once you have created your brand as well as your catchphrase it’s all about making sure it reaches the public in the best way possible. You want to make an impact and you want to make sure your potential costumers feel that there is value in your message. Outdoor LED signs and banners can be placed strategically depending upon your needs and thanks to features such as being weather resilient there really are no end to the possibilities.

Stay relevant by staying visual

LED signs and a digital signage software from

Rise Vision

really are the perfect way for you to display your marketing message for your business. Make digital advertisement part of your overall marketing strategy and you will be amazed at the difference it makes for your ROI.

Use the knowledge of professionals and let them guide you when you are creating your brand. By staying visual you stay relevant, effectively encouraging potential customers to engage with your business.

The LED signs and banners that are available today will make your next marketing campaign a breeze and since you are able to update them easily yourself, you also have the possibility of being flexible when it comes to promoting new and exciting messages.

FBI Announces New Policy for Notifying State and Local Election Officials of Cyber Intrusions

Affecting Election Infrastructure

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced a new internal policy to clarify and guide the timely federal notification of appropriate state and local officials of cyber intrusions affecting election infrastructure.

Protecting the integrity of elections in the United States against criminal activity and national security threats is among the top priorities of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the FBI. Cyber intrusions affecting election infrastructure have the potential to cause significant negative impacts on the integrity of elections. Understanding that mitigation of such incidents often hinges on timely notification, the FBI has established a new internal policy outlining how the FBI will notify state and local officials responsible for administering election infrastructure of cyber activity targeting their infrastructure.

The FBI’s new policy recognizes the necessity of notifying responsible state and local officials of credible cyber threats to election infrastructure. Each state has a designated person to serve as its chief state election official with ultimate authority over elections held in the state, which often includes certifying election results. However, most election infrastructure is owned and operated by local governments. Likewise, the local election process is overseen by local election officials. The FBI’s interactions regarding election security matters must respect both state and local authorities. Thus, the FBI’s new policy mandates the notification of a chief state election official and local election officials of cyber threats to local election infrastructure.

The new policy is informed by existing FBI policies surrounding cyber incident notification thresholds and cyber victim notification in general. The new policy, however, provides updated and additional guidance on the timely dissemination of notifications and/or threat reporting; the protection of victim information and disclosures; and coordination between FBI and other agencies in regard to election security for maximum impact. Decisions surrounding notification continue to be dependent on the nature and breadth of an incident and the nature of the infrastructure impacted.

It is the intent of the FBI that this new policy will result in increased collaboration between all levels of government for the integrity and security of U.S. elections.

N.J. pays NJ2AS another $87,500 totaling $230,000 in legal victories!

NJ2AS attorney Richard Gutman, NJ2AS President Alex “Alejandro” Roubian, NJ2AS legislative advisor Robert Barush, proudly stand in front the check for our legal fees.

In

June 2019 the New Jersey State Police once again lost against NJ2AS

in an 8-year-long legal battle to receive a copy of their investigative manual that is used while investigating firearm applicants.

Shortly after, New Jersey, once again, lost a motion to have the State pay for our legal fees. The New Jersey Second Amendment Society (NJ2AS) was awarded $87,500 for legal fees.

In 2016,

The Record stated

: “The most expensive case in the documents reviewed by The Record involved the Second Amendment Society seeking firearms regulations, costing the administration $101,626.”

NJ2AS President Alex “Alejandro” Roubian proudly stated “NJ2AS will stop at nothing, ever, until all unconstitutional infringements on our right to keep and bear arms in NJ are gone.  We will seek out and expose every violation, every person who is complicit in those violations and every government entity that participates and/or covers them up.  We will bring into the light the negative impact of NJ’s poorly worded and over-criminalized legislation. We will use any and all legal means available to do so.”

Frank Fiamingo, NJ2AS’ former President (2010-2015) that helped spearhead this lawsuit stated “I would like to formally express my gratitude to Attorney Richard Gutman and the members, leaders and advisers of the NJ2AS that made this significant win possible. The attorney General of NJ and the NJ State Police have been put on notice that the firearms owners of NJ will not sit back while their individual rights are constantly being trampled. It may take time to fight the unfair and unconstitutional behavior of the three branches of New Jersey’s government, but we are in this fight for the long run and this win is only the beginning. Under President Alexander Roubian, the members and legal advisers of the NJ2AS intend to file additional lawsuits which we fully believe will be successful. We continue to ask for your support as the NJ2AS moves forward in the quest to further the legitimate right of individuals to keep and bear arms wherever they have the right to be. This includes the right of the individual to carry firearms for defensive purposes.”

Governor Murphy’s administration did not respond for comment.

source

Looking for a Forever Home: Meet Millo

Millo happens to be a very special girl. She came to Husky House with brain trauma which has resulted in some neurological issues. In short, she is a special needs dog and can’t do some things a normal dog can do. For example, she freezes and will not walk on a leash and she can’t climb stairs. It’s possible that with time she could walk on a leash but may be not. Due

to this, she would do best in a home with a secure, fenced in area where she can run and play. With that said, she loves to play, knows her name and she’s nothing but a love! Interested in adopting Millo? Please visit www.huskyhouse.org today to fill out an application.

More about Millo

Up-to-date with vaccinations

Has special needs

Available date: 8/14/2019

Birth date: 8/14/2018 (not exact)

Adoption and Rescue

Husky House\’s goal is to place our orphans in permanent loving homes as they already have been abandoned once before by their former owners. We strive to match the right dog with the right family based on the families needs and experience. All former Husky House orphans will receive a lifetime discount at the

Snowdog Lodge

.

Please visit our

Facebook page

for regular updates on Adoption Days at our facility in Matawan, NJ.

How do I adopt from Husky House?

We ARE NOT a walk-through facility. Adoptions are by approved appointments only.

Fill out a non-binding application

We will be checking your vet and personal references

Phone interview

Homevisit

Upon completion and approval of application & homevisit, come meet the dog(s)!

If you have any other questions regarding adoption please email us at

huskyhouseinc@gmail.com

.

Matawan, New Jersey

hh.applicationreviewboard@gmail.com

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New York Authorities Release Dangerous Fugitives; Have You Seen Them?

New York, NY (January 20, 2020)

Today, Immigration and Customs Enforcement  (ICE) issued a list of nine \’fugitive\’ illegal immigrants they say have been \’released in New York communities\’ as part of the controversial city sanctuary policy.

ICE also named six more who may also be freed, whose charges include murder and child rape, despite their deportation requests.

\’Dangerous criminals are being released every single day in New York\”, said Henry Lucero, a senior U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement official.

It comes after acting ICE director, Matthew Albence, told a news conference in Manhattan on Friday that city leaders had blood on their hands after the death of 92-year-old Queens woman Maria Fuertas.

ICE officials said the city had released the woman\’s alleged attacker, Reeaz Khan, 21, on earlier assault charges rather than turn him over for deportation. Khan was charged with murder January 10 and remains in custody.

\’It is this city\’s sanctuary policies that are the sole reason this criminal was allowed to roam the streets freely and end an innocent woman\’s life,\’ Albence said, adding: \’It\’s unbelievable that I have to come here and plead with the city of New York to cooperate with us to help keep this city safe.\’

See names and images below.

Go here for more illegals that are wanted

NRA-ILA : Gun Ownership and Crime Trends

January 2020

For decades, gun control activists have predicted that crime will increase as more people own more guns or burdensome restrictions on gun rights are repealed. The opposite has been true. Americans own more firearms and Americans in more states can lawfully carry a concealed firearm than they could decades ago but crime rates have fallen significantly.

In 2018, the violent crime rate fell to the 2

nd

lowest total rate since 1971 and the murder rate was half of what it was at the 1980 peak. The two lowest violent crime rates of the last 48 years were 2014 and 2018.

[1]

The violent crime rate has decreased 51% from the 1991 all-time high. Americans have acquired more than 215 million new firearms in the same time period – more than doubling the number of privately-owned firearms in the United States.

[2]

As violent crime has decreased, the number of Right-to-Carry (RTC) states and the number of people who carry guns for protection away from home have risen to all-time highs.

Every state now has a system allowing residents to obtain a concealed carry permit. There are 42 RTC states, more than 18.6 million people with carry permits, and data shows that permit holders are statistically more law-abiding than the general public.

[3]

Women and minorities are the fastest growing concealed carry permit holder populations, and the number of female permit holders are increasing faster than male permit holders among every ethnic or racial group for which data is available.

[4]

People who use guns to defend against robbery and aggravated assault are less likely to be injured than people who use other means, or no means, of self-defense.

A 1986 survey of felons for the federal government found that 40% had not committed one or more crimes because they feared that their prospective victims were armed. Thirty-four percent of criminals had been scared off, shot at, wounded, or captured by an armed victim.

[5]

It’s an article of faith among gun control supporters that more guns will bring about more crime. For example, in the mid-1970s, the Brady Campaign, campaigning for a ban on handguns,

[6]

predicted: “There are now 40 million handguns owned by private individuals in the United States—about one gun for every American family. At the present rate of proliferation, the number could build to 100 million by the year 2000 (which isn’t as far off as you think). The consequences can be terrible to imagine—

unless something is done.

[7]

In 1979, when the group was known as Handgun Control, Inc., it updated its prediction, saying, “Right now over 50 million HANDGUNS flood the houses and streets of our nation. . . . HANDGUN production and sales are out of control.”

[8]

Gun control supporters have made similar doomsday predictions about Right-to-Carry laws, “assault weapons,” and “large capacity” ammunition magazines.

[9]

More Guns

—Since the early 1990s, the number of privately-owned firearms has more than doubled, from about 192 million to more than 405 million – including more than 167 million handguns.

[10]

Americans acquire roughly 10 million new firearms annually. More than 18.66 million Americans have carry permits.

[11]

The AR-15 is the most popular firearm in the country, and the number of these firearms Americans own has increased from several hundred thousand to at least 16 million.

[12]

The number of so-called “large capacity” magazines – the regular magazines used in rifles like the AR-15 and in semi-automatic handguns designed for self-defense – numbered in the tens of millions decades ago and, today, are so common that the number in circulation is seemingly incalculable.

Despite gun control supporters’ predictions, murder and total violent crime have decreased by more than half since 1991. In 2014, total violent crime fell to a 44-year low, murder to an all-time low.

[13]

The rate in 2018 was slightly higher than in 2014 but still the 2

nd

lowest violent crime rate since 1971.

Less gun control –

Over the last quarter-century, many federal, state, and local gun control laws have been eliminated or made less restrictive. The federal “assault weapon” ban, upon which gun control supporters claimed public safety depended, expired in 2004. The violent crime rate last year was 20% lower than it was in 2014 and the murder rate was 9% lower.

The federal handgun waiting period, for years a priority for gun control supporters, expired in 1998 in favor of the NRA-supported national Instant Check and the murder rate has since dropped 20%. Accordingly, some states have eliminated obsolete waiting periods and purchase permit requirements.

Every state allows residents to lawfully carry a concealed firearm. Fifteen states allow permitless carry, and Montana allows permitless carry outside of city limits. Eight states retain some discretion over who can obtain a permit, and the remaining states are shall-issue states: any law-abiding resident who meets the established requirements can obtain a permit to carry a concealed firearm.

All states have hunter protection laws, 48 have range protection laws, 45 explicitly prohibit local gun laws more restrictive than state law, 44 protect the right to arms in their constitutions, and 33 have “castle doctrine” laws protecting the right to use guns in self-defense.

Crime Trends

The interactive visualization below displays historical crime data going back to 1960 (or 1965 for the state of New York). The violent crime rate includes homicide, aggravated assault, robbery, and rape. The FBI definition of rape was changed in 2012 (taking effect January 1, 2013). The revised definition of rape is utilized in total violent crime calculation beginning in 2013. Prior to 2013, the legacy definition of rape was used. For more information on the definition change, see the FBI\’s Rape Addendum in the 2013 Crime in the United States report.

[14]

see more