Face Mask Order - Mandatory -- St. Joseph Cty, IN July - Sept. 2020

 St. Joseph County's face mask order has been extended through Sept. 7 in response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

From the St. Joseph County IN Department of Health:

In order to ensure a coordinated, effective, and evidence-based response to COVID-19, the St. Joseph County Unified Command was established, consisting of representatives of St. Joseph County Department of Health, Beacon Health System, St. Joseph Health System, the South Bend Clinic, and the COVID-19 Response Coordinator, serving as a liaison to the elected officials and the business community in the South Bend IN region. In light of the consensus recommendation of the members of Unified Command, based on an assessment of the current status of the pandemic within the country and our re usaproauwaratliav'sal of the available literature, the following new order, St. Joseph County Public Health Order 2 - 2020 is issued.

Given that there is no vaccine or medication available to prevent or treat COVID-19, measures such as hand hygiene, physical distancing, and wearing face coverings are the most effective strategies to reduce the spread of respiratory droplets from infected persons to uninfected persons, thus reducing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and the morbidity and mortality from COVID-19.

FROM July 4 - September 7, 2020

I order the following to take effect throughout St. Joseph County, Indiana, beginning July 4, 2020 through September 7, 2020:
• Any business establishment open to customers shall make alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol readily accessible at the entrance and in proximity to high-touch surfaces.

• A face covering over one's nose and mouth shall be required for any persons entering an enclosed public space or enclosed place of business, unless such persons have a medical exception indicating that a face covering is ill-advised for health reasons, or the face covering prevents the persons from delivering or receiving goods or services. The face covering shall be worn at all times when physical distancing of at least six feet cannot be maintained.

as the St. Joseph County Public Health Authority. I will continue to monitor the health of St. Joseph County residents and will issue additional orders as necessary.

Robert M. Einterz, MD
Health Officer

Global Goal: Unite for our future -- Benefit TV event for COVID-19 victims in marginalized countries

June 27, 2020
8 - 10 p.m. NBC

Global Goal: Unite for Our Future — The Concert

In this two-hour special, celebrities and world leaders unite to help combat the impact of COVID-19 in marginalized communities; Ballers‘ Dwayne Johnson hosts; Shakira, Jennifer Hudson, Miley Cyrus, Coldplay and more perform.

Garth Brooks Virtual Concert -- June 27 -- Five Mile Drive-in, Dowagiac, MI

Country music legend Garth Brooks has announced plans to stage a concert that will be screened at 300 drive-in theaters across North America.

Eight Michigan drive-in theaters are among those that may participate in the original show created exclusively for the once-in-a-lifetime event on Saturday, June 27, 2020. Participating theaters have been announced on June 15.

“I’ve missed it so much and want to get back to it,” Brooks said in a statement, noting the concert event will be “old school, new school, and perfect for the time we are in.”

Drive-in theaters in Michigan include the Ford Wyoming Drive-In in Dearborn and the Five Mile Drive-In in Dowagiac.

Thunderstorm Warning until 10 p.m. June 26

 Berrien County in southwestern Michigan...

* Until 1000 PM Eastern Time

* At 904 PM , a severe thunderstorm was located 8 miles north of Beverly Shores, or 9 miles northwest of Michigan City, moving east at 40 mph. 
HAZARD...70 mph wind gusts. 
SOURCE...Radar indicated. 
IMPACT...Expect considerable tree damage. Damage is likely to mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings.

Niles, MI "Movie in the Park" The Incredibles -- Popcorn & Concessions -- Postponed until July 10 due to June Thunderstorm

https://www.leaderpub.com/2020/07/09/wonderland-cinema-to-show-the-incredibles-friday/

SPONSOR is "Niles Main Street"

Movie in the Park "The Incredibles" will be shown in Riverfront Park on Friday evening June 24, 2020 and is Free. All movies are rated G, PG or PG13 and are intended for children of all ages. Bring a blanket to sit or lie on the grass or bring your portable chairs. The movies are shown in the park area directly behind the Wonderland Movie Theatre located on Front Street. The Movie Schedule has been limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thunderstorm - High Wind (June 26, 2020) -- SW Michigan and N. Indiana

posted at WNDU dot-com -- NBC Affiliate

Expected High Temperature of 89 degrees F.

Variable Clouds with Thunderstorms this afternnon and tonight

Possible Severe Showers

Damaging winds and hail with some thunderstorms

Chance of rain 60%

Three Presidential Debates & one Vice-Presidential debate Sept. - Oct. 2020: Indiana and elsewhere

Revisions have taken place and are newly announced on Tuesday June 23, 2020:

The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) announced today that the second presidential debate scheduled for October 15, 2020, will be held at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County in Miami, Florida.  This debate was originally scheduled for the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and the University has concluded that it is not feasible to host the presidential debate as planned.

The Adrienne Arsht Center is one of the world’s leading performing arts organizations and venues.  Since opening in 2006, the Arsht Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, has emerged as a leader in presenting innovative programming.  The Center’s commitment to the arts includes support for an education program that serves nearly 60,000 children each year through initiatives such as Learning Through the Arts.  This will be the second debate that the CPD has hosted in Miami: the first 2004 presidential debate took place at the University of Miami.

The CPD’s schedule for the general election debates is:

First presidential debate:
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN

Vice presidential debate:
Wednesday, October 7, 2020
The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT

Second presidential debate:
Thursday, October 15, 2020
Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, Miami, FL

Third presidential debate:
Thursday, October 22, 2020
Belmont University, Nashville, TN

All debates will be 90 minutes in length, will run from 9:00-10:30 p.m. Eastern Time without commercial breaks

Thunderstorm Warning - SW Michigan - Monday June 22

from NBC Affiliate

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Areas Affected: Berrien; Cass counties in MIchigan

until 6:30 p.m. Eastern

Overnight storms could be marginally severe with gusty winds and small hail. Heavy rain possible before daybreak Tuesday.

Prayer for People and Churches of Kenya and Tanzania (oikoumene.org WCC) - June 21-27, 2020

Dear Lord,
We thank you for the gift of peace. It's a gift that only you can give.
Lord, we are living in great turmoil - hunger, disease, poverty and tears.
The cost of living has gone so high; there is so much desperation and despair.
Lord, your children are crying out to you - hearken unto us and bring forth a breakthrough.
We pray that above all we will have the peace of mind that comes from knowing that you are in control. May we be still and know that you are God who never fails.
We stand on your promises that you have a good plan for us - one of prosperity and not harm.
We pray that as we go through the various seasons of our lives - the ups and downs - that your perfect peace will prevail through all things.
We place our assurance on you knowing that you are above all things and in you all things hold together.
Be glorified Lord. Arise and take your place.
Amen.

(© 2011 Laura Wachira, Kenya)

www.oikoumene.org/

Berrien County (Berrien Springs, MI) -- Fair "Food Fare" -- Sunday June 21, 2020

from publicity about vendors / types of food available now that BCYF is cancelled this year =

Those who wold like to take part in the drive thru event should enter Gate 3 at 4293 E. Shawnee Road, and follow the barriers to the drive thru area. The drive thru will take place on Friday, June 19th from 11 am to 7 pm, Saturday, June 20th from 11 am to 7 pm and Sunday, June 21st from 11 am to 4 pm. In addition there are a few more guidelines you need to know for this event:

• All guests are asked to stay in their vehicles while on the grounds…
• All cars must exit the grounds after ordering and receiving food. Food may not be consumed on the grounds…
• No walk-up orders will be allowed…
• No pets allowed…
• No public bathrooms will be available…
• Smoking is prohibited on the grounds…
• Cash only, no ATM’s available…

Food vendors participating in the drive thru include:

• The Pretzel Wagon
• Rosie’s Sweet Shack
• Colglazier’s Elephant Ears
• Colglazier’s Steak Tips
• Barbie’s Cookies
• Wagner’s Ice Cream
• Fiske French Fries
• Fiske Lemonade
• Food Court Concessions – Mexican Food Trailer
• Friends for Berrien Springs – Korn Dog Booth

Air Quality Alert until Midnight (Saturday 6/20/2020)

from NOAA for Berrien County, Michigan

AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT TONIGHT... An Air Quality Action Day has been declared by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy for Berrien County in Michigan...and is in effect until midnight EDT tonight. Ozone Levels are expected to be in the Orange or unhealthy for sensitive groups range. People and businesses are urged to avoid activities which lead to ozone formation. These activities include...refueling vehicles or topping off when refueling, using gasoline powered lawn equipment and using charcoal lighter fluid. 

Positive activities include...car pooling, biking to work, delaying or combining errands and using water based paints. 

It is recommended that people with respiratory diseases such as asthma limit prolonged outdoor exertion.

BCYF (Berrien County Michigan Youth Fair) cancelled until August 2021 (75th Anniversary year will be observed)

from www.wsbt.com/ Local / County News public announcement

The Berrien County Youth Fair is officially canceled for this year.
Site: Berrien Springs, Michigan
Annually held in August

Juneteenth March - Niles, Michigan 49120 (Berrien County) - 6 p.m. from Mt. Calvary Baptist to City Hall

from Niles Star press release:
www.nilesstar.com/

NILES — Organizers hope a march planned for Friday evening June 19, 2020 will be just the beginning in a local movement, and help make way to continue meaningful conversations leading to change.

City of Niles Juneteenth Peace March

Join us for a peaceful march against racial injustices. The march will begin in the parking lot of the Mount Calvary Baptist Church, 601 Ferry Street, Niles, MI. We will begin at 5:30 pm, for march instructions. The march route will begin on the corners of 6th and Cass heading West toward 5th Street. We will go South on 5th Street/M-51 South to Main Street. We will proceed West on Main to 2nd Street heading North to the City Building. There we will have speakers, handouts and closing prayer. Please wear a protective mask and maintain safe distancing during the march. If you have children participating please keep a watchful eye on them as we will be moving into traffic. Let's be respectful to all marchers and property. Please wear comfortable shoes for this .54 mile walk. Thank you so much. This event is put on by faith leaders and citizens in our community.

The march is slated to begin gathering participants at 5:30 p.m. on Friday at Mount Calvary Baptist Church, at 601 Ferry St., for participants to receive march instructions. The peaceful march will begin at 6 p.m. and proceed west on Main Street to Second Street, and then will head north to the Niles City Building.

The organizers hope to see this march as a beginning to a local movement of change in the Niles community. The march has been assembled by local organizers, and is not a part of a larger organization.

Air Quality Alert -- (Thursday) - Berrien County, Michigan

AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT FOR THURSDAY JUNE 18th... 
An Air Quality Action Day has been declared on Thursday June 18th 
by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy for Cass and Berrien Counties in Michigan. Ozone Levels are expected to be in the Orange or unhealthy 
for sensitive groups range. People and businesses are urged to avoid 
activities which lead to ozone formation. These activities include...

refueling vehicles or topping off when refueling, 
using gasoline powered lawn equipment 
and using charcoal lighter fluid. Positive activities include...
car pooling, biking to work, delaying or combining errands 
and using water based paints. It is recommended that 
people with respiratory diseases such as asthma limit prolonged outdoor exertion

Traffic to this Google Blogger -- http://faithfor2008.blogspot.com -- June-July 2020

Page Views (June 15, 2020) = 59

Page Views - 6/16/2020 = 58

Page views June 22 = 49

Page Views June 24, 2020 = 46

Page Views June 26 = 43

New Month
Page Views July 1, 2020 = 117

Page Views July 6, 2020 = 48

Page Views July 7 = 142

Dr. Anthony Fauci, National Institute of Health - June 16, 2020 at 10 a.m. Eastern

NPR call-in show The 1A -- http://the1a.org/ 

Fauci’s weighed in on all sorts of plans and proposals from the NBA’s reopening to the continuation of travel restrictions on visitors from the U.K.

But at the beginning of June 2020, Fauci said he hadn’t spoken to President Donald Trump in two weeks.

Now, states are facing surges in hospitalizations and in new cases as they reopen. And people are also beginning to worry about a second wave of coronavirus coming in the fall or winter.

How does Dr. Fauci think the country’s response is going? What are the CDC’s latest recommendations to stay safe?

GUESTS

Dr. Anthony Fauci

director, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health

Fernwood Botanical Gardens -- re-opens June 16, 2020

details at FernwoodBotanical dot-org

Fernwood of Niles, Michigan will be OPEN to members and the general public beginning at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 16, 2020.

Our new online, timed ticketing system has been created to maintain maximum safety and social distancing upon entering the garden. 

Everyone (including members) must schedule their visits to Fernwood using online ticketing BEFORE coming to Fernwood.

Fernwood is committed to providing a safe place to enjoy the outdoors. Our staff has taken the following measures and asks for visitor cooperation to help Fernwood maintain a safe environment for all.

Shred-a-thon held at WNDU Parking Lot (each June)

announcement to the viewing public of NBC Affiliate (WNDU - TV) Route 933 near Notre Dame, Holy Cross College, St. Mary's College

(June 13 -- posted announcement at website):

Shred-A-Thon we usually hold each June.

Unfortunately we won't be able to host the event this summer.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, we had to cancel this year's event.

The crowds it usually draws are just too big to be safe right now.

But you can be sure once we're able to host the event again we will let you know so we can help you safely get rid of your documents and protect your identify.

Free Fishing Weekend (June 13, 14) -- Michigan Dept. Natural Resources

June 11, 2020 information released to the media (article found at WNDU-TV www.wndu.com/ )

Two days twice a year, families and friends can enjoy one of Michigan's premier outdoor activities, Michigan Fishing, for FREE!

The 2020 Free Fishing Weekend for summer: June 13 & 14, 2020.

All fishing license fees will be waived for two days. A Recreation Passport will NOT be required for entry into state parks and boating access sites during Free Fishing Weekend. Residents and out-of-state visitors may enjoy fishing on both inland and Great Lakes' waters for all species of fish. All fishing regulations will still apply.

Want to know when future Free Fishing Weekends will be? The winter weekend is always the Saturday and Sunday of President's Day weekend and the summer weekend is always the Saturday and Sunday following the first full week of June.

During the summer Free Fishing Weekend (June 13 & 14), not only can you fish for free and enter state parks for free, but that weekend is also Free ORV weekend!

history of Juneteenth -- previous blog article

http://faithfor2008.blogspot.com/search?q=Juneteenth

Thunderstorm Watch until 6 p.m. Eastern -- Berrien county, Michigan

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 275 IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6:00 PM EDT 

FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS 

MI . MICHIGAN COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE 

BERRIEN and others

june 10, 2020

June 9, 2020 Thunderstorm

6:41 PM - The remnants of Tropical Storm Cristobal is bringing bands of showers and storms early tonight. The rain will taper off completely toward morning, with another chance on Wednesday (June 10)

Wind Advisory (N. Indiana counties)

LaPorte and St. Joseph Counties, Indiana

at WNDU - TV website

* WHEN...From 1 PM EDT this afternoon to 11 PM EDT this evening.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.

Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects.

obituary (Jack L. Newsome) -- May 23, 2020 R.I.P.

Jack Lamar Newsome passed away Saturday, May 23, 2020, three days before his 88th birthday.

He left behind and is lovingly remembered by Joan, his wife of 66 years; their children, Cyndi (John), Sara, Randy (Sue) and Curt (Michelle); and his grandchildren, Elisa, Will, Riley and Ross. Jack was beloved by all who knew him; his life and legacy serve as a daily reminder to live with kindness, charity and optimism for the future.

Jack was born near Atlanta, the son of Nellie and Clyde and younger brother of Milton. Tall, athletic and blessed with a quick wit, Jack — alongside his brother, his uncle Harold and cousin Robert — was the life of any family gathering.

From a young age, Jack had a thirst for knowledge and a strong desire to make the world a better place. An early supporter of the civil rights movement, Jack used his career as a minister to preach a gospel of acceptance and peace. Following his retirement and during his ongoing evolution on faith and spirituality, Jack never stopped connecting with people, employing his unique sense of humor and respect for all humanity to make fast friends wherever life took him.

Jack’s work fulfilled two of his greatest passions — connecting with people and helping those in need. From visiting and counseling inmates in nearby prisons to mentoring at-risk youth in his retirement, Jack was the embodiment of living one’s values. Perhaps most amazingly, he did it all with warmth and a natural grace, even in the face of often difficult circumstances.

We would all be well-served to remember how Jack lived his life as we go through these trying times. For daily reminders, we can look to the things big and small that brought Jack joy — a jogger striding down the road, a golden retriever dozing peacefully in a sunny backyard or a family seated around the table for a meal (preferably one with multiple dessert options).

In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made to the Preachers’ Aid Society and Benefit Fund (igrc.org/servicesofpasbf). A memorial service will be planned later this year at Faith Church in Champaign, where Jack served as pastor from 1973-1982.

Online session of Illinois Great Rivers Conference of United Methodist denomination -- moved to August 15, 2020

from "News" at http://igrc.org (Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference and Bishop)

Bishop Frank J. Beard, all 10 district superintendents, the extended cabinet and the Annual Conference Sessions Committee announce today that the 2020 Annual Conference will be held online on Saturday, Aug. 15.
 
While a complete agenda is still in development, plans are for IGRC clergy to gather for the online Clergy Session from 10 a.m. to noon with a lunch hour to follow. The full session of the Annual Conference will begin at 1 p.m. and be completed that afternoon.
 
Persons who have hotel reservations may want to contact their hotel to ensure cancellation of their reservation. Some Peoria hotels have already begun notifying persons of the cancellation.
 
The agenda will include only the minimal amount of legislative business that is required for our Annual Conference to continue operating. Bishop Beard, in consultation with the IGRC Board of Ministry, will announce plans for ordination and commissioning in the near future.
 
Reports, presentations, and addresses will be prepared on video and available for members to review in advance. We will surround our work in worship and prayer, but we will not have our traditional worship services.
 
To ensure that the online session is legally permissible under the provisions of the Illinois General Not For Profit Corporation Act (805 ILCS 107.10), a ballot will be prepared, asking all lay and clergy Annual Conference members to approve a special set of standing rules specifically to govern the online session. The Sessions and Standing Rules committees have collaborated with the Area Office as they seek to support the following principles:

• Ensure that every member has an appropriate and secure vote
• Provide for efficient and orderly conduct of Conference business
• Clearly and simply express the means of member participation
• Provide participation options for members who do not have reliable internet access

 A ballot will be announced and persons will have several weeks to complete voting either by mail or online during June.
 
With these new rules applied, the Annual Conference Session will be conducted using a combination of website streaming video of the session for the general public, video conferencing for members, and a means of online voting. Small satellite viewing and voting centers will be set up throughout the districts for those who cannot access the video stream or online voting portal.
 
The announcement follows several meetings, including approval of the change of venue. Bishop Beard and the Cabinet approved the measure unanimously May 19 and the Sessions Committee May 27. The process of change is outlined in ¶603.3 in the 2016 Book of Discipline.
 
Bishop Beard will also be convening virtual district meetings in the next few weeks to allow persons to ask questions about process and prepare for the online session.
 

George Floyd Funeral Houston, TX -- June 8, 2020

Monday, a public memorial will take place from noon to 6 p.m. at The Fountain of Praise Church at 13950 Hillcroft Ave. in Houston, the Fort Bend Memorial Planning Center said in a statement.

And on Tuesday June 9, a private service will be held at an undisclosed location, the statement said.

"Due to concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing is a major focus and those that attend either service are requested to wear masks and gloves for the safety of all."

Niles District Library (Niles, Michigan) -- after COVID-19 quarantine (beginning June 8, 2020)

from web posted information

www.nileslibrary.com/

Curbside Pickup Service

As we begin Phase 3 of our Covid-19 Reopening Plan, NDL is proud to offer Curbside Pickup starting Monday, June 8th, 2020 for most materials while staff work on getting library operations back to normal.

How does Curbside Pickup work?
Simply make a request (see below) and a staff member will call you when your order is ready for pickup. You will have 48 hours from that time to come pick up your materials before the hold expires. When you arrive at the Library pull into the right-hand lane, call the number, and a staff member will bring your materials out to your vehicle checked out and ready to go.

How can I request materials?Materials may be requested over the phone during normal library hours, through a Holds Request Form, or place holds via our catalog with your NDL online account.

When can I get my order?Curbside Pickup hours are Monday – Friday 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. and Friday/Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

What materials may I check out?
All books, DVDs, and audiobooks are available with normal limitations applying.

Partial Penumbral Lunar Eclipse -- Strawberry Full Moon -- June 5, 2020

one of four in 2020 -- from online article at Old Farmer's Almanac website (www.almanac.com) :

consider the lunar eclipse. Here, totality isn’t particularly important. Nothing special happens during a lunar totality. Not a single strange phenomenon materializes. Indeed, many consider the visually optimum view to happen when the Moon is roughly 95% eclipsed, because then a single brilliant white spot of sunlight illuminates the moon’s edge while the rest of the moon is an eerie red. That may be more dramatic then when the Moon is completely red at totality.

A penumbral lunar eclipse

But sometimes the Moon doesn’t even go into Earth’s main dark shadow. The eclipse is then neither total nor even partial. Instead it has ventured into our planet’s outer, skimpy, penumbral shadow. When such a “penumbral eclipse” occurs, the full moon usually appears unchanged. You want your money back.

A partial penumbral lunar eclipse

Could an eclipse even get worse than that? Definitely. Sometimes the moon doesn’t even manage to fully penetrate our barely-there penumbral shadow. It grazes it, so that a piece of the Moon is in the ever-so-slightly-darker penumbral shadow while most of the Moon stands in full sunlight. At such times, not even the greatest astronomers who ever lived could tell an eclipse was happening. It’s visually a non-event. But surely such a strange, skimpy type of eclipse must be rare. Will we ever even get such an event in our lifetimes?

The June 5 partial penumbral lunar eclipse

Time for our amazing revelation. This year, 2020, there was just such a “partial penumbral lunar eclipse” on January 10. And this week we will have another on Friday, June 5! They had in common that the Moon never even fully got into the anemic penumbral shadow. But wait! Yet another partial penumbral lunar eclipse will happen a month from now, on July 5. And, hold on, there be still another one on November 30.

That’s right. Four partial penumbral lunar eclipses in 2020. Four! It’s simply unbelievable.

North Central University - George Floyd Memorial service (Family and invited friends only)

June 4, 2020 -- http://northcentral.edu/george-floyd-memorial-service

The Minneapolis Memorial Service for Mr. George Floyd will be held at North Central University in Minneapolis on Thursday, June 4, 2020, at 1 p.m. CDT.

This is a private event for the family, friends, and invitees of the Floyd family.

Admittance will be granted only to preregistered and verified attendees.

Eulogy by Rev. Al Sharpton, Founder and President National Action Network.

To share the event with supporters worldwide, the service will be live-streamed on local media channels.

Showers and Thunderstorms - June 3, 2020

TODAY:
Showers and thunderstorms linger to our north this morning, likely targeting Michiana between 1 - 5 p.m.

 Very muggy and mild with highs in the low 80s and high levels of humidity. 

Brief downpours possible with gusty winds and small hail.

South Shore Commuter Rail cancels service (June 1-2, 2020) -- due to Protest uncertainties

as reported in South Bend Tribune online article

South Shore Line services were first suspended Monday (6/1/2020) because of the protests in Chicago.

Officials said suspending services was out of caution for the safety of passengers and employees.  Tuesday (June 2, 2020) services will also be suspended.

Social Media Post --- Niele Ivey, Notre Dame Head Women's Basketball Coach -- week of May 25 - 31, 2020

following the death of George Floyd of Minneapolis who was killed while under arrest of the police:

"The events of last week and the murder of George Floyd has been infuriating, painful and senseless.  Another target, another hashtag and a continued system of oppression that has plagued our country for hundreds of years.  Blatant racism, police brutality, and murder targeting black and brown people.  I am not OK.  My heart is heavy.

I am not only a coach and leader but I am a mother.  A mother of a young black man.  It is a constant fear of mine to have a son that the world views as a threat.  I wake up asking God to protect him.  When he leaves the house, I am not fully at peace until he is back safe at home.  This is no way to live, but this is our reality."