Obama speaks out about religious transformation
Posted: 09:27 AM ET
WASHINGTON (CNN) – President Barack Obama spoke out Thursday about his religious transformation. The President's comments came at the National Prayer Breakfast.
Here's what Obama said, according to the prepared remarks.
"I was not raised in a particularly religious household. I had a father who was born a Muslim but became an atheist, grandparents who were non-practicing Methodists and Baptists, and a mother who was skeptical of organized religion, even as she was the kindest, most spiritual person I’ve ever known. She was the one who taught me as a child to love, and to understand, and to do unto others as I would want done.
I didn’t become a Christian until many years later, when I moved to the South Side of Chicago after college. It happened not because of indoctrination or a sudden revelation, but because I spent month after month working with church folks who simply wanted to help neighbors who were down on their luck – no matter what they looked like, or where they came from, or who they prayed to. It was on those streets, in those neighborhoods, that I first heard God’s spirit beckon me. It was there that I felt called to a higher purpose – His purpose. "
Thursday, February 5, 2009
How to Save Your Newspaper
Here's a really informative trend article from TIME magazine. This is an excerpt--to read the entire article click here.
During the past few months, the crisis in journalism has reached meltdown proportions. It is now possible to contemplate a time when some major cities will no longer have a newspaper and when magazines and network-news operations will employ no more than a handful of reporters.
There is, however, a striking and somewhat odd fact about this crisis. Newspapers have more readers than ever. Their content, as well as that of newsmagazines and other producers of traditional journalism, is more popular than ever — even (in fact, especially) among young people.
The problem is that fewer of these consumers are paying. Instead, news organizations are merrily giving away their news. According to a Pew Research Center study, a tipping point occurred last year: more people in the U.S. got their news online for free than paid for it by buying newspapers and magazines. Who can blame them? Even an old print junkie like me has quit subscribing to the New York Times, because if it doesn't see fit to charge for its content, I'd feel like a fool paying for it.
This is not a business model that makes sense. Perhaps it appeared to when Web advertising was booming and every half-sentient publisher could pretend to be among the clan who "got it" by chanting the mantra that the ad-supported Web was "the future." But when Web advertising declined in the fourth quarter of 2008, free felt like the future of journalism only in the sense that a steep cliff is the future for a herd of lemmings. (Read who got the world into this financial mess.)
Newspapers and magazines traditionally have had three revenue sources: newsstand sales, subscriptions and advertising. The new business model relies only on the last of these. That makes for a wobbly stool even when the one leg is strong. When it weakens — as countless publishers have seen happen as a result of the recession — the stool can't possibly stand.
During the past few months, the crisis in journalism has reached meltdown proportions. It is now possible to contemplate a time when some major cities will no longer have a newspaper and when magazines and network-news operations will employ no more than a handful of reporters.
There is, however, a striking and somewhat odd fact about this crisis. Newspapers have more readers than ever. Their content, as well as that of newsmagazines and other producers of traditional journalism, is more popular than ever — even (in fact, especially) among young people.
The problem is that fewer of these consumers are paying. Instead, news organizations are merrily giving away their news. According to a Pew Research Center study, a tipping point occurred last year: more people in the U.S. got their news online for free than paid for it by buying newspapers and magazines. Who can blame them? Even an old print junkie like me has quit subscribing to the New York Times, because if it doesn't see fit to charge for its content, I'd feel like a fool paying for it.
This is not a business model that makes sense. Perhaps it appeared to when Web advertising was booming and every half-sentient publisher could pretend to be among the clan who "got it" by chanting the mantra that the ad-supported Web was "the future." But when Web advertising declined in the fourth quarter of 2008, free felt like the future of journalism only in the sense that a steep cliff is the future for a herd of lemmings. (Read who got the world into this financial mess.)
Newspapers and magazines traditionally have had three revenue sources: newsstand sales, subscriptions and advertising. The new business model relies only on the last of these. That makes for a wobbly stool even when the one leg is strong. When it weakens — as countless publishers have seen happen as a result of the recession — the stool can't possibly stand.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Newspaper Circulation Used to Distribute Bibles
Here's an interesting linkage. This is an excerpt--to read the entire article click here.
A local Tampa Bay newspaper distributed a copy of the New Testament along with its Saturday edition this past weekend as part of a national effort to deliver scriptures using a newspaper’s circulation.
The Tampa Tribune delivered 56,500 copies of a paperback New Testament that features retired Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy and the Tampa skyline this past Saturday – the day before the city hosted Super Bowl XLIII, according to the St. Petersburg Times.
It became the latest newspaper to be part of International Bible Society’s “City Reacher’s” project, which seeks to distribute Bibles in major U.S. cities to encourage its residents to read the Word of God.
The Tampa Bay effort was organized by two local residents who raised $127,000 with the help of 15 area churches and 19 local businesses.
A local Tampa Bay newspaper distributed a copy of the New Testament along with its Saturday edition this past weekend as part of a national effort to deliver scriptures using a newspaper’s circulation.
The Tampa Tribune delivered 56,500 copies of a paperback New Testament that features retired Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy and the Tampa skyline this past Saturday – the day before the city hosted Super Bowl XLIII, according to the St. Petersburg Times.
It became the latest newspaper to be part of International Bible Society’s “City Reacher’s” project, which seeks to distribute Bibles in major U.S. cities to encourage its residents to read the Word of God.
The Tampa Bay effort was organized by two local residents who raised $127,000 with the help of 15 area churches and 19 local businesses.
Julie Gets a Byline
From Today's Warsaw Times-Union. Woo-hoo---way to go, Julie! Front page, no less!!
Seminar Gives Advice To Local Job Seekers
By Julia Whitacre
For the Times-Union
Steve Carlson, director of career services at Grace College, led a seminar Tuesday evening at the Warsaw Community Public Library for about 25 area residents.
The seminar covered resumes, applications and job searching.
The seminar helped attendees assess the present job-hiring state, understand what employers are looking for, and learn what to include in resumés and cover letters.
Carlson stressed the importance of understanding the job-hiring climate from an employer's perspective. Employers can afford to be choosy, he said, because there are more applicants for every position.
"Be ready to go the extra mile," he said, and be assertive in the searching process.
In order to stand out, Carlson said, people looking for a job must demonstrate a desire to work, not just earn a paycheck. He encouraged people to do research and show genuine interest in the company to which they apply. Employers are looking for people who demonstrate professionalism and who will make life easier and more productive, he said.
"Your resumé has to be able to hold their attention," Carlson said.
The two tests a resumé must pass are content and presentation. He instructed applicants to include their knowledge, strengths and skills, and achievements on their resumés.
A cover letter should accompany a resumé when presented to an employer. Whether in print or e-mail, a cover letter should follow the same format: a three-paragraph organization describing why the applicant is writing, what his or her top five selling points are, and a request for an interview. Carlson encouraged applicants to take initiative in the job searching process and recommended that applicants follow-up with the employer and check on the status of the application.
Marlene Leichty, Warsaw resident and native of Switzerland, found the seminar helpful in understanding cultural differences in job searching, she said. In Switzerland, a former employer always provided a letter explaining the strengths of an applicant. In America, applicants need to present their own strengths in a cover letter.
Garth Hursey, Kosciusko County resident, has been unemployed for a week.
"I just learned about (the seminar) this morning," he said. He attended Tuesday evening's seminar to help in his job search.
Nick Kaufman, Warsaw, has been laid off from his job in the RV industry since Dec. 12. He expects to return to his job Feb. 16, but is using this time to update his resumé.
The U.S. has faced 11 recessions since the end of WWII, but "this is not the highest national unemployment rate," Carlson said. However, as citizens face difficult economic prospects, he encouraged job seekers to meet immediate needs. "Don't be afraid to take a part-time job for a while," he said.
In the meantime, people should position themselves for the future and to use this time to acquire new skills. "The job market will pick up again," Carlson said. "We will come out of this."
Carlson recommended job-seekers look on the Web at www.simplyhired.com for job opportunities. He will return to the library Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. to talk about job interviews. The meeting is free and open to the public.
The library also will offer basic computer courses Feb. 11, 18 and 25 from 1 to 3 p.m. Individuals who interested are required to register at the library's adult reference desk or online at www.warsawlibrary.org
Seminar Gives Advice To Local Job Seekers
By Julia Whitacre
For the Times-Union
Steve Carlson, director of career services at Grace College, led a seminar Tuesday evening at the Warsaw Community Public Library for about 25 area residents.
The seminar covered resumes, applications and job searching.
The seminar helped attendees assess the present job-hiring state, understand what employers are looking for, and learn what to include in resumés and cover letters.
Carlson stressed the importance of understanding the job-hiring climate from an employer's perspective. Employers can afford to be choosy, he said, because there are more applicants for every position.
"Be ready to go the extra mile," he said, and be assertive in the searching process.
In order to stand out, Carlson said, people looking for a job must demonstrate a desire to work, not just earn a paycheck. He encouraged people to do research and show genuine interest in the company to which they apply. Employers are looking for people who demonstrate professionalism and who will make life easier and more productive, he said.
"Your resumé has to be able to hold their attention," Carlson said.
The two tests a resumé must pass are content and presentation. He instructed applicants to include their knowledge, strengths and skills, and achievements on their resumés.
A cover letter should accompany a resumé when presented to an employer. Whether in print or e-mail, a cover letter should follow the same format: a three-paragraph organization describing why the applicant is writing, what his or her top five selling points are, and a request for an interview. Carlson encouraged applicants to take initiative in the job searching process and recommended that applicants follow-up with the employer and check on the status of the application.
Marlene Leichty, Warsaw resident and native of Switzerland, found the seminar helpful in understanding cultural differences in job searching, she said. In Switzerland, a former employer always provided a letter explaining the strengths of an applicant. In America, applicants need to present their own strengths in a cover letter.
Garth Hursey, Kosciusko County resident, has been unemployed for a week.
"I just learned about (the seminar) this morning," he said. He attended Tuesday evening's seminar to help in his job search.
Nick Kaufman, Warsaw, has been laid off from his job in the RV industry since Dec. 12. He expects to return to his job Feb. 16, but is using this time to update his resumé.
The U.S. has faced 11 recessions since the end of WWII, but "this is not the highest national unemployment rate," Carlson said. However, as citizens face difficult economic prospects, he encouraged job seekers to meet immediate needs. "Don't be afraid to take a part-time job for a while," he said.
In the meantime, people should position themselves for the future and to use this time to acquire new skills. "The job market will pick up again," Carlson said. "We will come out of this."
Carlson recommended job-seekers look on the Web at www.simplyhired.com for job opportunities. He will return to the library Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. to talk about job interviews. The meeting is free and open to the public.
The library also will offer basic computer courses Feb. 11, 18 and 25 from 1 to 3 p.m. Individuals who interested are required to register at the library's adult reference desk or online at www.warsawlibrary.org
Are You a 'Fastidious Spelling Snob?'
Judy Daniels has called our attention to this great article. This is an excerpt--to read the entire piece, click here.
Some people avoid Krispy Kreme because of the calories. Angela Nickerson won’t go there because of the Ks.
“I confess, I’m a spelling, grammar and punctuation snob,” says the 35-year-old travel writer from Sacramento, Calif. “And I won’t patronize businesses with misspelled signs. It’s like hearing fingernails running down a chalkboard.”
Life isn’t easy for language lovers such as Nickerson. Over the past decade, her beloved mother tongue has been mashed, mangled and mistreated by everyone from a sitting president to a squadron of texting preteens. Misspelled menus have become the stuff of bad dreams. (Try our Sweat and Sour Chicken!) Punctuation is not only hit-and-miss, it’s potentially hazardous. (Employees must “wash hands.”)
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Fire Territory Hearing Held
Read and analyze carefully--here is how the Times-Union reported last night's council meeting:
Fire Territory Hearing Held
Jennifer Peryam
Times-Union Staff Writer
Monday night at Warsaw city hall, a public meeting was held to discuss a proposed fire territory between Warsaw, Wayne Township and Winona Lake.
Paige Gregory, certified public accountant for Umbaugh & Associates, presented an overview of the advantages and the estimated impact to the taxing units in establishing the proposed fire territory.
Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins said, in order to have the tax rate established for 2010, the establishing ordinances must be adopted prior to March 1 by Warsaw, Wayne Township and Winona Lake.
Winona Lake Town Council Tuesday will vote on whether it will join the fire territory. Wayne Township Advisory Board and Warsaw will make their decisions Feb. 17. If enacted, the ordinance will establish the Warsaw Fire Territory with Warsaw as the provider unit, Wayne Township as a unit and Winona Lake as a participating unit.
Gregory said advantages of establishing a fire territory would be that the territory would provide an alternate funding source; the fire protection costs would be spread over a larger tax base; the territory would allow for a uniform tax rate where all tax payers in the territory will pay the same rate for fire services; the territory would promote cooperation and communication; and would facilitate streamlined operations. Other advantages would be that the territory would reduce response times; improve efficiency and firefighter safety; reduce homeowner's insurance; and there would be a cost savings through pooling of resources.
Gregory said combined, all participating units are at the maximum levy. They are levying approximately $1.5 million for fire operating services: Warsaw, $1.35 million; Winona Lake, $15,500; and Wayne Township, $146,000. They are collecting an additional $1 million in additional revenue resources for total combined revenues of $2.5 million.
The estimated combined disbursements for fire services for 2009 is approximately $3.04 million that includes all of the participating units, Gregory said.
The current funding deficit is $576,000 based on receipts of $2.5 million and less disbursements of $3.36 million.
She said a fire territory would offer an option to bridge the gap between receipts and disbursements. She said current state law allows fire territories to request permission from the department of local government finance to levy property tax in the first year of operation.
Gregory said the fire territory spreads the cost of the fire services over a larger tax base because the assessed value is being used by the entire fire territory.
In 2009, it is estimated that taxpayers in Warsaw will pay a rate of $0.14 for fire services; Winona Lake residents will pay $0.78; and Wayne Township will pay $0.057 cents. The estimated tax rate of the fire territory for 2009 would be $0.15.
When the fire territory is put into place, all of the people in the entities will pay the same tax rate so it equalizes the rate, Gregory said. The property tax revenue generated from those three rates is $1.7 million.
The proposed fire territory's tax rate would be spread across the assessed value of the entire fire territory, which is approximately $1.7 billion.
If the tax rate is $0.048 and it's applied to the $1.7 billion, the fire territory would be able to generate approximately $2.5 million in property taxes.
Gregory said that is a 48 percent increase over the current property tax collection for fire services.
A person who has a $100,000 residential home value currently pays $35 for its tax bill that goes to fund fire services; Wayne Township residents at that home value currently pay $14; and Winona Lake residents at that home value currently pay $2 to fund fire services. If a fire territory took effect, all residents at the $100,000 home value in the fire territory would pay $37.
The estimated levy reductions for Warsaw would be $1.3 million; Winona Lake, a reduction of $15,500 eliminated from its maximum levy; and Wayne Township would have $301,500 in levy reductions.
The law permits the establishment of a fund to accumulate monies for the purchase of capital items related to fire protection such as equipment and housing for future capital projects.
Establishing a fire territory is an involved process that requires cooperation of two or more taxing units, Gregory said. All participating units must understand and concur with the establishing agreement. Participating units must be willing to evaluate both the negatives and positives to determine if a fire territory may benefit their communities.
"The fire territory allows taxing entities to come together, consolidate services, share resources, and provide the same level of fire protection without having to eliminate services," Gregory said.
Fire Territory Hearing Held
Jennifer Peryam
Times-Union Staff Writer
Monday night at Warsaw city hall, a public meeting was held to discuss a proposed fire territory between Warsaw, Wayne Township and Winona Lake.
Paige Gregory, certified public accountant for Umbaugh & Associates, presented an overview of the advantages and the estimated impact to the taxing units in establishing the proposed fire territory.
Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins said, in order to have the tax rate established for 2010, the establishing ordinances must be adopted prior to March 1 by Warsaw, Wayne Township and Winona Lake.
Winona Lake Town Council Tuesday will vote on whether it will join the fire territory. Wayne Township Advisory Board and Warsaw will make their decisions Feb. 17. If enacted, the ordinance will establish the Warsaw Fire Territory with Warsaw as the provider unit, Wayne Township as a unit and Winona Lake as a participating unit.
Gregory said advantages of establishing a fire territory would be that the territory would provide an alternate funding source; the fire protection costs would be spread over a larger tax base; the territory would allow for a uniform tax rate where all tax payers in the territory will pay the same rate for fire services; the territory would promote cooperation and communication; and would facilitate streamlined operations. Other advantages would be that the territory would reduce response times; improve efficiency and firefighter safety; reduce homeowner's insurance; and there would be a cost savings through pooling of resources.
Gregory said combined, all participating units are at the maximum levy. They are levying approximately $1.5 million for fire operating services: Warsaw, $1.35 million; Winona Lake, $15,500; and Wayne Township, $146,000. They are collecting an additional $1 million in additional revenue resources for total combined revenues of $2.5 million.
The estimated combined disbursements for fire services for 2009 is approximately $3.04 million that includes all of the participating units, Gregory said.
The current funding deficit is $576,000 based on receipts of $2.5 million and less disbursements of $3.36 million.
She said a fire territory would offer an option to bridge the gap between receipts and disbursements. She said current state law allows fire territories to request permission from the department of local government finance to levy property tax in the first year of operation.
Gregory said the fire territory spreads the cost of the fire services over a larger tax base because the assessed value is being used by the entire fire territory.
In 2009, it is estimated that taxpayers in Warsaw will pay a rate of $0.14 for fire services; Winona Lake residents will pay $0.78; and Wayne Township will pay $0.057 cents. The estimated tax rate of the fire territory for 2009 would be $0.15.
When the fire territory is put into place, all of the people in the entities will pay the same tax rate so it equalizes the rate, Gregory said. The property tax revenue generated from those three rates is $1.7 million.
The proposed fire territory's tax rate would be spread across the assessed value of the entire fire territory, which is approximately $1.7 billion.
If the tax rate is $0.048 and it's applied to the $1.7 billion, the fire territory would be able to generate approximately $2.5 million in property taxes.
Gregory said that is a 48 percent increase over the current property tax collection for fire services.
A person who has a $100,000 residential home value currently pays $35 for its tax bill that goes to fund fire services; Wayne Township residents at that home value currently pay $14; and Winona Lake residents at that home value currently pay $2 to fund fire services. If a fire territory took effect, all residents at the $100,000 home value in the fire territory would pay $37.
The estimated levy reductions for Warsaw would be $1.3 million; Winona Lake, a reduction of $15,500 eliminated from its maximum levy; and Wayne Township would have $301,500 in levy reductions.
The law permits the establishment of a fund to accumulate monies for the purchase of capital items related to fire protection such as equipment and housing for future capital projects.
Establishing a fire territory is an involved process that requires cooperation of two or more taxing units, Gregory said. All participating units must understand and concur with the establishing agreement. Participating units must be willing to evaluate both the negatives and positives to determine if a fire territory may benefit their communities.
"The fire territory allows taxing entities to come together, consolidate services, share resources, and provide the same level of fire protection without having to eliminate services," Gregory said.
Monday, February 2, 2009
'Did I Miss Anything?' She Asks
From a fellow journalism teacher at another Christian college. Thought you'd get a chuckle out of it.
A student wrote today and asked, "Did I miss anything?"
Yes.
Today was the most important lecture of my life!
Jennifer, people wept. Some broke out in song. It was moving.
We had to call security.
A few folks asked that we give them last rites.
It will be impossible to ever teach another class like the one you missed.
Some say the room moved slightly; others claim that they heard the voices of loved ones urging them to take notes.
One young man from Detroit shouted, "Billy, come forth." (No one knew what that was all about but his eyes watered and we thought it best to let him go.)
The room is quiet now. The medics have left. The last network reporter is putting away his TV lights.
I have to file some legal documents for the federal judge. I'm not sure why. I had nothing to do with the thunder and the mild earthquake.
Wait. Someone is calling. It's a detective. I better go.
Read, Jennifer. Read your textbook. Submit homework Wednesday. Smile a lot. Be ready to do some freewriting Wednesday. Wear comfortable shoes. Know how to write a lead.
And, Jennifer, this next bit is most important.
Floss. Floss like your back teeth depended on it.
As for me, I just wish I could find my notes from today.
A student wrote today and asked, "Did I miss anything?"
Yes.
Today was the most important lecture of my life!
Jennifer, people wept. Some broke out in song. It was moving.
We had to call security.
A few folks asked that we give them last rites.
It will be impossible to ever teach another class like the one you missed.
Some say the room moved slightly; others claim that they heard the voices of loved ones urging them to take notes.
One young man from Detroit shouted, "Billy, come forth." (No one knew what that was all about but his eyes watered and we thought it best to let him go.)
The room is quiet now. The medics have left. The last network reporter is putting away his TV lights.
I have to file some legal documents for the federal judge. I'm not sure why. I had nothing to do with the thunder and the mild earthquake.
Wait. Someone is calling. It's a detective. I better go.
Read, Jennifer. Read your textbook. Submit homework Wednesday. Smile a lot. Be ready to do some freewriting Wednesday. Wear comfortable shoes. Know how to write a lead.
And, Jennifer, this next bit is most important.
Floss. Floss like your back teeth depended on it.
As for me, I just wish I could find my notes from today.
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