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Thursday, April 30, 2026

May 1, 2026 : Goshen Downtown "First Friday" to celebrate _ GREEN DAY _

5 - 9 p.m.

Tree CLIMBING;

BIKING

a tree give-away

electric vehicle showcase

live music (bands)

Goshen Elementary choir 


No connection to the

Pacific Northwest U.S. Band -

alt-rock

_______________________

see details

abc57.com  (local ABC Affiliate

newsroom)

news/green-day-celebration-in-goshen-

for-May-first Friday (Upcoming 5/1/2026)

GOSHEN, INDIANA

(Elkhart County)

17 artists, each displaying a distinctive style painted portraits until 9 p.m. (Box Factory, St. Joseph, MI) -

TODAY

first Friday 5/1/26

 


Face Off 

LIVE PORTRAIT EVENT

details at 

boxfactoryforthearts.org/

date is

Friday May 1, 2026

ALL

portraits created during the

event will be auctioned off,

with proceeds benefiting the

artists and arts programming

at the Box Factory [ 1101 Broad St.,

St. Joseph, MI ]

J. Craig Venter - rest in peace -- died APRIL 29, 2026

 Chief scientist

Human Genome Project

a $3 billion govt. program

for decoding human DNA

(23 paired chromosomes)

has died

April 29, 2026 in San Diego, CA

FOUNDER and Philanthropist

JCVI. dot-org

also an entrepreneur

(Corporation:

Celera)

________________________

Cause of Death : Cancer

April 2026 blog statistics (by 30th reached 246K )

 Holy Week 2026

April 1  = 10,803 views / visits

Maundy Thursday = 10,557

Good Friday =                 10,019

Holy Saturday                    9,964

Easter Sunday                    1,781

4/6                                         539

4/7                                         515

4/8                                         496

4/9                                         482

4/10                                      591

4/11                                    1,051

Sunday 12th                        465

4/13                                  8,937

Tues. 14th April                  824

4/15                          3,383

4/16              12,669 

4/17              12,114

4/18              25,856 [most visits/view for APRIL]

4/19            11,804

4/20              7,512

4/21                    25,645 [ 2nd most views ]

4/22                       1,764

4/23                    23,659 [ 4th most views ]

4/24                    22,443 [ 5th most visits/views ]

4/25                  24,193  [3rd most views ]

4/26                   3,920

4/27-8                3,281

4/29                   3,878

4/30            4,567


Total number of April visits / views = 

April 1 - 30  --  246,825    ends Thurs. evening

________________________

Last month of 2026 (March)

total # was 168,341

Body of one camper remains missing but for-profit camp plans to re-open next Summer -- update 4/30/2026

 Tragedy was 2 Counselors, 25 children's

deaths

July 4, 2025.

Directors of Camp Mystic, Texas

plan to re-open regardless of

lawsuits and complaints of

parents, relatives, survivors.

Mudslides, drowning as victims

were washed down the low areas

near a then-flooding deluge of

the Guadalupe River.

_________________________

1 camper's body never found

Medical school alumna but not licensed physician - Senate Health Committee has already stalled a vote on her "Surgeon General" nomination by Trump-Vance -- April 30 -- nomination cancelled

 UPDATE

regarding Casey Means (nominee):

March 23, 2026

MAHA political power

tested as Surgeon General

nominee stalls in Senate

committee ahead of forward

to Senate Floor for debate

and required majority "test"

Washington POST

reporters

Lauren Weber

Rachel Roubein

Casey Means had pledged to divest profit-based Investments-endorsements (Sept. 16, 2025) - update 4/30/2026 : Her nomination has been withdrawn

nominee for Surgeon General promises after disclosures

of her business investments / profit-making endeavors

to

liquidate holdings in Personal Devices, supplements, tech

FURTHER (Mid-September)

NYTimes.com/2025/09/16/health/casey-means-

financial-investments-surgeon-general.html

 BTW she has an M.D. degree but was never certified as

a physician under state licensure . . .


May 7, 2025 -- her nomination Dr. J. Nesheiwat has been

withdrawn -- in her place Dr. Casey Means from Fox News

SHE WILL NOT appear Thursday May 8 at the Senate

Health Committee -- and will maintain some places in

RFK Jr. HHS cabinet agencies and working committees . . .

________________________________________________

November 23 last year 2024

Physician and FOX News contributor

Janette Nesheiwat

markets Vitamin B & C dietary

supplements

[ medical degree from

University of the Caribbean

Medical School ]

announced by Trump-Pence

on X / Twitter by newly re-elected

POTUS #DJT

[requires Senate approval after hearing]

further info -- Houston CHRONICLE ONLINE

interview with Dr. Peter Hotez MD, PhD

BBC comment : The "Special Relationship" that the U.S. has is nowadays with . . . . .

ISRAEL

BBC.com/worldnews 

Wednesday, April 29, 2026

Trump - Vance - Rubio interim Ambassador to VENEZUELA has left her post to return to Pentagon job - mid-April 2026

 Laura Dogu

[ former adviser to Gen. Caine:

now chairman of the Joint Chiefs

of Staff -- Military head ]

has left Caracas, Venezuela

where she reopened a U.S. embassy;

she now has opted to defer the

work in the embassy to the present

(Senate-confirmed) ambassador to

Guatemala -- and instead go back

to work at the Alexandria, VA

PENTAGON office administration . . .

nytimes.com/2026/04/15/world/Americas/

venezuela-us-diplomat-laura-dogu-leaves.html

U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus as well as UKRAINE resigns as of June 2026

Julie Davis

_____________________

the hill.com/

"Acting U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine leaving post ' 

Media biggies -- in tuxedos & Gowns (FOX NEWS)

 Bret Baier, FoxNews host & wife Amy

Maria Bartoromo

Ainsley Earnhardt

Greg Gutfeld

Laura Ingraham

Herve Pierre (personal designer, FLOTUS)

Suzanne Scott (chief executive, FOX News)

Jesse Watters (FOX News) and spouse Emma

What seven organizations bore responsibility for the NAZI war crimes? Those organizations charged at Nuremberg, Germany 1945 Tribunal

Law School -- UMKC dot-edu

web pages on "THE Nuremberg Trials:

a chronicle"/Chronology - copyright

online article 2009.

Dec. 18, 1945

Prosecution lawyers begin to present

evidence to prove criminality for these

seven organizations, guilty of war crimes =

NAZI Party leadership,

the German HIGH COMMAND,

the SS,

The SA,

the SD,

the Reich Cabinet,

the Gestapo (Secret Police)

Initial STATE DINNER 7 p.m. : speeches - toasts (POTUS to drink non-alcohol)

 invitees were:

the Cabinet esp. Rubio,

Duffy (Sec.Transportation); 

conservative

allies; wealthy donors

(Jeff Bezos, billionaire)

6 of 9 SCOTUS (all appointed

under Bush admin. and

Trump 1.0 Gorsuch,Kavanaugh,

Coney-Barrett);

N. Ireland Master's Golf

Tourney winner Rory McIlroy

___________________

TRUMP called Charles a

"Great Man" -- 

___________________

7 p.m. until completion

lots of high fashion

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

1600 Pennsylvania Ave., D.C.

The POTUS & FLOTUS

will be charming host & hostess

to the Royal couple of U.K.

King Charles & 2nd wife

Queen Camilla (formerly

Parker-Bowles)

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Glenlord Road, St. Joseph, MI USA

 2nd week of May (annually)

Church Rummage Sale

(Thursday and Friday)

for 2026 = May 14 begins

at 8 a.m.

1200 W. Glenlord Road,

St. Joseph, MI 49085

Pilgrim U.C.C. (United

Church of Christ)

ITEMS offered:

Clothing for men, women,

children, accessories like

purses, belts, jewelry, shoes,

home goods of all types,

books, puzzles, games,

artwork, toys / / / may have

collectibles, furniture, 

appliances (home)

Mollie Hemingway (Alito's biographer ) tells Newsweek U.S. News Desk

 Author of the new 2026 forthcoming

judicial biography of

Samuel A. Alito, Jr.

associate justice

SCOTUS

Mollie Hemingway tells

NEWSWEEK dot-com

that the ailing and

2nd - to-oldest justice

is NOT preparing to retire

before the next Year of the

COURT's cases (Oct. first

Monday 2026 - June 30, 2027).

April 21, 2026 article by

Jordan King of Newsweek of

US News Desk

Mike Cosper (CT - Christianity Today) interview and background bio on Lutheran academic / retired political figure

 Ben Sasse

and a Dying Breed

of Politician

Feb. 20, 2026

online article - biographical

essay

christianitytoday.com/2026/02/

ben-sasse-and-a-dying-breed-of-politician

Five years ago , two months-- following House Impeachment for 2nd time, then-Senator Ben Sasse (NB) joined Democrats and other Senators to convict Trump "on conscience"

 Vote was 57 - 43

insufficient given 2/3rd requirement

to convict

Donald John Trump of high crimes

and misdemeanors

__________________________

further information about then-

Senator of Nebraska BEN SASSE

npr.org/2021/02/16/968252516/

sen-sasse-votes-to-convict-trump-

says-he-voted-his-conscience

Prayers for Ben Sasse, cancer patient (now lives Austin, TX) - academic PRES. Univ. Florida, before that U.S. Senator (GOP) for state of Nebraska (elected 2015) -

 People Magazine (April 2026)

he is dying of inoperable metastatizing PANCREATIC

cancer (diagnosed Dec. 2025) -- learned his torso is

chock-full of tumors) :

comments he has made to NY TIMES Ross Douthat

as well as

People Magazine's

Rachel Raposas (4/10/2026

issue / online posting)

He is a father of three

and now age 54 - - 

even at 3 - 4 months to live

"you have to redeem the time"

Ben Sasse: Terminal cancer patient -- tells 60_MINUTES "Neither political party is properly focusing on the challenges America will face in upcoming decades"

 CBS 60 Minutes

cbsnews.com/news/ben-sasse-

cancer-legacy-60-minutes

aired Sunday night 4/26/2026

Monday, April 27, 2026

Retirements from the House of Representatives by end of Congressional Term (Dec. 31 or when new Members sworn in 2027 )

 John James (R - Michigan) - opted to run in

Aug. 2025 primary for GOP candidate for Gov.


Wesley Hunt of Texas (GOP - MAGA) was defeated as incumbent in his Cong. District political primary


Byron Donalds of FL (GOP - MAGA) - running in

Florida's state primary to be GOP Candidate to

be next Governor of the state


Burgess Owens of UT - opted to retire at end of

Congressional year

Biopic "Michael" opened April 24, 2026 -- did reach $97 million box office in U.S. and Canada

 Wonderland Cinema

Niles, MI

Front Street near downtown

First shows FRIDAY

then SATURDAY also SUNDAY

9:15 a.m.

Noon

3 p.m.

6:15

9:15



_________________________

the life and early death of

Michael Jackson

Melania

 IS MELANIA OK? After close

call at Washington HILTON

WHCA event that was to feature

her husband honoring the

First Amendment and the need

for "Freedom of the Press"?


- - who knows  ? - -

she is spending time today

April 27 -- ahead of her

upcoming three-day hostessing/

entertaining the Royal Couple

(Charles & Camilla of Buckingham

Palace, Downtown LONDON, U.K.)

however

complaining of a poorly phrased

joke by ABC Entertainment (Disney +)

stand-up comedian / late-nite host

Jimmy Kimmel . . .

as if she had anything to get ready

for herself, entertaining the King

and Queen of England . . .

Did FLOTUS Nancy Reagan work as a movie actress? Did she appear on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, gaining a star for her movies / fame?

 Yes

Mrs. Reagan had 23 - significant

Internet Movie DataBase credits

she might brag on

imdb.com/name/nm0004864/?ref_fn_t_1

R.I.P. = rest in peace

[ May God bless Mrs. Reagan,

mother of 2, stepmother of Maureen

and Michael / /

adopted children of Reagan & first wife

Jane Wyman, also an actress / / 

and grandmother , who did

TV appearances for charity and

her accepted/serious causes she backed ]

__________________________

the Global "Star" in that family was

her Husband -- Ronald Reagan, who

did in fact have a star on the 

"Walk of Fame" (in 1960) real estate in 

Hollywood Blvd., CA just like Donald

J. Trump who gained his for his

TV appearances/ hosting NBC's

The Apprentice . . . (in 2007, at

age 61)

Age on leaving office

 When Ronald Wilson Reagan left office

and was succeeded by his VP (George H.W. Bush)

he was

79 years, 349 days old.

His next birthday (80th) was

Feb. 6, 1991.

______________________

note to those reading this blog

Donald John Trump

b. June 14, 1946

will be 79 years and 349 days old

on

MAY 28, 2026

________________________

Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr.

turned 80 in 2022 when he was

21 months into his term as

President (Jan. 20, 2021).

________________________

Trump's last day in elected office

Jan. 20, 2029 -- he will have

set a record of being 82 years, 7 mos.

- - the oldest man to hold the Presidential

office . . .

Rubio likely to veto one of the Candidates

 former President of Chile

Michelle Bachelet

(according to MAGA

U.S. Lawmakers)

will likely be

vetoed by the U.S.

as a permanent member

of the U.N. Security

Council [ Rubio is

both Secy. of State for

Trump-Vance govt. and 

Trump's National Security

Adviser, running the

National Security Council

inside the White House

West Wing ]

even though she is a

two-term president of

Chile and a former U.N.

Human Rights chief

[ Bachelet faces opposition

as a pro-abortion rights

supporter internationally ]

jpost.com online article

JERUSALEM POST April 27, 2026

10:42 Israel Time

Taking office Jan. 1, 2027

 will be the turn of

Latin and Central America

________________________

outgoing U.N. Secretary General

is Antonio Gutteres

(Europe)

Four likely successors

 who will succeed the retiring

United Nations Secretary-General?

Rafael Grossi (Argentina)

Michelle Bachelet (Chile)

Rebeca Grynspan (Costa Rica)

Macky Sall (Senegal)

________________________

Antonio Gutteres will leave his

U.N. Leadership position

next year on January 1.

Former POTUS Funeral on this date in History

In attendance at the

Richard M. Nixon FUNERAL

at his Presidential Library and Museum in Yorba Linda, California

were current and former officials who

had been president themselves:

incumbent William Jefferson Clinton,

George H.W. Bush

Ronald Wilson Reagan

Jimmy Carter

Gerald Ford

April 27, 1994

HIS FRIEND, Billy Graham officiated at the outdoor funeral

_______________________________________________

Previously the death of a President was 21 years before when 

LBJ died in 1973

____________________________________________

for the NIXON Funeral

important leaders from 85 nations were present at Yorba Linda 

After Nazism : Fridays through - May 15, 2026 : FOREVER LEARNING institute [ South Bend, IN ]

 Fridays

March 6

following weeks except Good

Friday and Spring Break Friday

May 1,8, 15

This course (weekly sessions starting

at 1 p.m. in rooms 101 - 102)

concerns the legacy of fascism

and the conflict upon the German

people, specifically the families

and survivors of the NAZI (Nazional

Socialisten Partei) beginning with

the de-Nazification program initiated

by the 4 powers (U.S., Britain, France,

Soviet Russia).  We will discuss the

Nuremberg Trials, military tribunals,

executions, imprisonments, as well as

the fates of German prisoners-of-war.

Also, the refugee population and 

Holocaust resettlement, widows and

"rubble women" living in devastated

cities; the education of German-speaking

youth in post-war publications and media.

In 250th year of "DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE" -- April 28 to be only 2nd time a British Monarch will address CONGRESS -- 21st Century

 USA TODAY

("King Charles State Visit" (April 27 - 30)

is royal family's first since 2007)

April 14 coverage

Fernando Cervantes, Jr. REPORTER

before Joint session of

Congress is

monarch of United Kingdom

and the Commonwealth:

King Charles Windsor III

accompanying is the

Queen Camilla

Sunday, April 26, 2026

20 days from now -- mid-May Pet Adoption Day - Mishawaka Grape Road store (Half Price Books)

 on MAY 16, 2026 (Saturday)

Half Price Books (HPB)

Mishawaka, IN

Noon until 3 p.m.

"PET ADOPTION DAY"

Store staff welcome the friends

from

Humane Society of St. Joseph County

(INDIANA)

who bring a variety of adoptable

pets to HPB in hopes of 

helping the pets find their

forever home.  Staff of HSSJC

will also share information on

how to adopt, foster, or volunteer

for local humane societies!

FREE Event !

Iran 2025 negotiator -- ABBAS ARAGCHI : (update Sunday 4/26/26)

UPDATE : Foreign Minister

Abbas Aragchi has left IRAN for Russia

to meet with Russia's leader PUTIN

now that talks with the U.S. have stalled in

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan

CNN dot-com/ LIVE- Updates -- Sunday 4/26/26

9 p.m. Eastern US Time ZONE


June 19, 2025 -- axios.com reports that foreign ministers of 

France

Germany

U.K.

will meeting with Iran's Abbas Aragchi

_______________________

Details axios.com/2025/04/19/us-iran-nuclear-talks-rome-witkoff.html

_________________________________________________

UPDATE -- U.S. has told Israel NOT to bomb

Iranian nuclear facilities; an air of uncertainty and backtracking

is emerging with the direct talks between Washington DC and

Tehran Iran -- more to emerge during this Easter 2025 weekend.

_________________________________________

Thursday April 16, 2025 update mentions Rome ITALY is city for

Iran - U.S. summit the weekend of Easter 2025

__________________________________________

David Sanger article for NY TIMES on confused side-stepping

by National Security Adviser Michael Waltz and Trump adviser

Steve Witkoff who is also handling Gaza-Hamas negotiations;

Fox News interview unveiled that Witkoff might settle for

verification and permission to continue to produce uranium

at low levels . . .

NYTimes / 2025/04/15/us/politics/trump-iran-nuclear-negotiations.html

[ the original Obama administration deal can be improved - in essence ]

_______________________________________________

Update -- next round Sat. 19 April could lead to actual face-to-face

where the Oman mediator brings together the U.S. Repr.

with the Iranian foreign ministry representative.

UPDATE: NBC News (Saturday 12th) -

In Iran's view the talks only concern the nuclear stockpile;

the mediator in the room is the Omani Foreign ministry.

Where: Sultanate of Oman

How Trump sees this momentous event: Direct negotiations.

How Iran participates: Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will

meet with and converse with envoy Steve Witkoff - NOT

Trump nor with Vance nor with Rubio or State Dept.


WITKOFF -- is a go anywhere, meet with anyone kind of

Exec. Branch man of all credentials -- he has met with HAMAS

about hostages, with

PUTIN, NETANYAHU, Arab leaders (Qatar, Egypt)


WHEN: these were announced April 7,2025 -- 

Saturday is the

Jewish Sabbath after the Friday Muslim Day of Prayers;

Passover is approaching and Ramadan has concluded.

Repr. Michael McCaul (TX committee chmn. House): Secret Service needs to separate Trump & Vance & Speaker of House from joint appearances

 The HILL Platform / website

Michael McCaul on WHCA Dinner

Secret Service needs to 

reconsider Joint appearances of

POTUS and VP after

WHCA Gala . . . also 3rd in line

was Speaker of House (Mike Johnson,

Louisiana) in attendance at D.C.

Hilton gala for 1st Amendment /

Freedom of Press

Pres. Herzog opts to seek alternate way to handle NETANYAHU Trial verdict / plea_ for "pardon" (April 26,2026)

FOLLOW-up from this 

seeking of

a pardon for Netanyahu

__________________________________________________

5:20 a.m. April 26, 2026

Israel's President HERZOG

will seek mediation to reach a 

plea_ deal

and does NOT

plan to say YES or No

to Netanyahu's plea_ for a pardon in his long-running

corruption trial before Israel's court system

NYTimes.com/ (Online Article w/updates) REPORTER 

Isabel Kershner

________________________________________________

politico.eu/article/more-than-cigars-and-champagned-donald-trump-benjamin-netanyahu-israel/

During a congratulatory speech

(1 hour long), Trump turned to

President Isaac Herzog and asked

for a Pardon (trial still ongoing) for

crimes committed by Benjamin

Netanyahu -- currently Prime Minister.

30-paragraph coverage by POLITICO

reporter/journalist Jamie Dettmer

Oct. 14, 2025

Utah Measles outbreak approached 600 cases / / S. Carolina outbreak ends after sickening nearly 1,000

FOLLOW-UP

A large outbreak in South Carolina was declared over

after sickening hundreds -- may leave "immune amnesia"

NYTimes.com/2026/04/26/well/South-Carolina-

measles-outbreak-ends.html 

REPORTER : Teddy Rosenbluth


NPR dot-org

tells how the outbreak is

moved from SW corner of

the state to the cities of

Provo and Salt Lake City now.

2026-04-08/measles-outbreak-spreads-

in-utah-hitting-people-without-the-vaccine

Offense defeats defense by 1 point in Annual BLUE-GOLD scrimmage

 Notre Dame FOOTBALL

won in a squeaker

41 - 40

Oz Pearlman - he was talking with POTUS, FLOTUS, Press Secretary Leavitt as the Shots rang out

 The famed stage entertainer / "mentalist"

Oz Pearlman was to have been

the lead act / entertainer

for the

WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTs'

DINNER 8 - 11 p.m.

April 25, 2026

at the Washington D.C. Hilton

NSF : National Science Foundation board's independent members ousted -- reported April 26, 2026

FOLLOW-up

WASHINGTON POST online headling

"White House ousts independent

National Science Board members"

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++.

Sunday 4/19/26

THE HILL Platform

reports that Trump-Vance suspension of

1,400 grants has also contributed to

any new 2027 grants --

NSF has funded a quarter of basic

scientific research across the country

The dismantling of the agency which

is a counterpart to the

National Institutes of

Health -- will curtail American

scientific innovation ultimately.

It funded past projects that

advanced the internet, the

cell phone, mRNA vaccines. . .

Saturday, April 25, 2026

Blue - Gold Game : outcome moot since it is a SPRING SCRIMMAGE -- 41 - 40 points awarded to Defense? to Offense?

 The Athletic Department

wins!

this spring exhibition of the

likely Quarterbacks, Offense,

Defensive line-ups

is not for a 1-0 record but is

a fundraiser for the Knute Rockne

Foundation / charity.

event/nd.edu

Saturday April 25, 2026

Admission : required

those attending will go through

event security

Nerd Prom -- black tie & formal gowns - at D.C. Hilton -- WHITE HOUSE reporters / anchors

7 p.m. Eastern 

c-span.org/

White House

Press Corp

Dinner - Presentations -

awards including to the WSJ

(Wall Street Journal)

April 25, 2026

at the Washington (D.C.)

Hilton -- Correspondents

along with their plus One;

unlike Trump-Pence tradition,

for TRUMP-Vance first time

Donald John Trump has pre-announced

his attendance . . .

whca.press/

also people.com -- magazine coverage

DAY 56 -- of War of Choice (Feb. 28 bombardment via unified air attack - missiles - drones on IRAN)

Eighth week since Feb. 28 - 56 days

of War of Choice

unclear how to sign

a peace / cease-fire

with a theocratic

dictatorship

Since the Feb. 28, 2026 (Saturday

final day of February 2026)

sudden attack

on Iran, targets both

military & infrastructure /

suspected HQ where the nation's

leaders were in hiding / underground

in urban and rural

Iran

(no notification of allies nor

or Congressional Leaders)

56 days entire

concluding

week of 2nd month

of WAR of CHOICE

Major General William Green -- top military Chaplain -- ousted by Defense Secy. Hegseth

 USA TODAY dot-com

Saturday 8 a.m. Eastern

Pete Hegseth's ouster of

Army top chaplain leaves

enormous gap

STORY: BrieAnna Frank

HEGSETH IS PUTTING HIS

OWN STAMP ON RELIGION

AND ITS ROLE IN THE MILITARY

Trump asks FDA Head M. Makary -- Can I have some of those Psychedelics / Anti-Depressive hallucinogens?

 NPR .org "Trump expedites

via Executive Order

review of psychedelics for mental health disorders"

npr.org/2026/04/24/nx-s15789859/

psychedelic-treatments - mental- health

Casey Means as TRUMP second-term SURGEON GENERAL would favor Psilocybin (previous testimony - her published book)

 POLITICO online platform

"Trump's nominee

Surgeon General Pick

means abortion - psychedelics

out of purview . . ."

see article AMANDA FRIEDMAN

& ALICE MIRANDA OLLSTEIN

3 p.m. today 4/21/2026

Means' book Good Energy

extols Psilocybin . . .

Liberation from FASCISM -- a holy day in the Italian urban center : Venice [ holiday April 25 annually ]

 Festa di San Marco 2026

Across Italy

APRIL 25

marks the liberation from Fascism,

in Venice

it coincides with the Feast of

San Marco (English: Saint Mark)

PATRON SAINT of the Venetians.

According to a local tradition,

women are given a red rosebud

BOCOLO

as a gesture of love

and good fortune!

China announces it will send 2 Giant Pandas again to ATLANTA, GA Zoo -- summit of Trump & Xi Jinping there in China this spring

NBC NEWS has this scoop

April 24, 2026

4:49 a.m. Eastern

China on Friday announced that it will

send 2 giant pandas to Zoo Atlanta,

in an effort of "panda diplomacy."

nbcnews.com/news/us-news/china-send-giant-pandas-atlanta-rcna341832

Espen Barth Eide (while at Brussels, Belgium) -- on Trump-Vance "under the table" approach to its Gaza Territory (West Bank refugee - destruction) voiced commitments in 2025

 Norway's foreign minister revealed in a

Politico - EUROPE interview that

Donald John Trump

opts during war engagement

with Iran to

quietly seek allies

to stabilize Gaza strip

(rural and Gaza City)

by cooperating with

the European Union and

the Palestinian Authority (!)

and to prepare for post-

conflict governance . . .

politico.eu/article/

TUES. April 21 -- week of

April 20 - 24, 2026

donald-trump-quietly-seeking-

allies-to-fix-gaza-says-norway

Tuesday April 21, 2026

Vendors (50)

 Senior Expo - May 15 (Friday)

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

will give free tote bag

to first 800 attendees and

door prizes you can sign up for

Avid Health at Home

Berrien County Senior Centers

Berrien County Parkinson Support group

Caring Connection

CapTel Outreach

Comfort Keepers

Everdry Waterproofing

Fresh Perspective Home Care

Leaf Filter Gutter Protection

Legacy Counsel PLC

Mary Kay Cosmetics

PACE of Southwest Michigan

Professional Hearing Services

Starks Family Funeral services

St. Joseph Public Library (St. Joseph MI)

SW Michigan Hearing Service

THE ORCHARDS at Niles

THE Willows

Top Home Improvements

United Healthcare

West Woods (Bridgman, Niles)

Woodland Terrace

28th Annual Expo -- AREA AGENCY ON AGING

Third Friday of 

next month 

May 15, 2026

10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Eastern

Mendel Center, Lake Michigan College, Benton Harbor

MI

sponsored by AREA Agency on Aging, Inc.

FREE

areaagencyonaging.org/senior-expo/

Friday, April 24, 2026

U.S. intercepted another oil tanker, saying it transported oil from IRAN

 Thursday a.m.

4/23/2026

part of the

Blockade

in Trump's War of Choice

(ongoing since 2/28/2026)

Jerome H. Powell - - - latest development - (April 24, 2026) - end of Week Dept. of Justice backs off threat of indictment

APRIL 24 (Friday 5 p.m.)

U.S. Attorney JEANNINE PIRRO

announced the

criminal investigation against Jerome Powell

has been dropped


BREAKING NEWS -- Trump 2.0

totally untethered and foaming at mouth

mentions to interviewers that he 

considers Chairman of the Federal

Reserve on his "Yet - to - Fire" list this

spring (April 15 - May 2026)


details CNN.com/ 


LATEST Development -- March 13, 2026

A Federal judge today blocked an attempt

today by Trump loyalist Jeanine Pirro to issue subpoenas to the Federal

Reserve in her investigation of the chairman (J. Powell).  "There

was evidence that Bondi's action was designed to

harass and pressure Jerome Powell

into yielding to Pres. Trump 2.0's wishes to lower interest rates or to resign

___________________________________________________ 


NYTimes.com/2026/01/16/us/politics/powell-trump-investigation.html

"Powell, an unlikely foil,

an institutionalist who strives to

put the FEDERAL RESERVE 

(central bank) before all else,

takes on Trump:

he tapped a groundswell of support

among Congress (esp. Senate

leadership)

that has been years in the making"

Friday Jan. 16, 2026 - NY TIMES

magazine (online version)

subscription required

G-20 nations who met Feb. 20, 2025 meeting - - then- Secy. of State Rubio did not attend - Russia is NOT part of the 20 leading economies of the world

 Argentina

Australia

Brazil

Canada

China

France

Germany

India

Indonesia

Italy

Japan

South Korea

Mexico

Saudi Arabia

South Africa

Turkey

United Kingdom

USA -- for Feb. 20, 2025 no Main

govt. official will attend (Secy. of

State Rubio declined early in 2/25)


also AFRICAN UNION
EUROPEAN UNION


Margaret Atwood, author "Sources for the HANDMAID's TALE" -- speaker at Saint Mary's College, Sisters of the Holy Cross - $12 per ticket

MARGARET ATWOOD

The Handmaid's Tale: The Sources

Wednesday, October 25, 2017
O'Laughlin Auditorium, St. Mary's College, Notre Dame, IN
7:30 PM

Tickets are required and will be available at the Moreau Center Box Office, online, or over the phone. Box Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information call (574) 284-4626 or visit saintmarys.edu/tickets.
September 5-15 - available to SMC students at no charge (limit 1 ticket per ID)
September 5-15 - available to SMC faculty & staff at $7/ticket (limit two tickets per ID)
September 18 - available to the general public at $12/ticket (limit 10)

Yearlong celebration

 Today's 

Centennial Mass and Reception

LeMans Hall,

campus of Saint Mary's College

celebrant priest for the

100th anniversary dedication

APRIL 24th

at 2 p.m. is

Provincial Superior of the 

Congregation of Holy Cross

Fr. Bill Lies, C.S.C.

for those unable to

attend there will be

a livestream

saintmarys.edu/

centennial-holy-spirit-chapel

_______________

a reception follows the mass

on campus

Saint Mary's (Notre Dame, IN)

in Stapleton Lounge

Chapel of the Holy Ghost (dedicated April 24, 1926) : campus of Holy Cross Sisters (Saint Mary's College)

 South Bend Tribune coverage of

100th commemoration open to

the public - alumnae

3rd floor of LeMans Hall,

also being livestreamed

_____________________

Celebration of the 100 year-old

worship space -- a mass led by

Fr. Bill Lies

_____________________

nowadays called

Chapel of the Holy Spirit

24 April 2026

Remembrance of Things Past

 Sonnet #30

ascribed to William Shakespeare

When to the sessions of sweet silent thought

I summon up remembrance of things past,

I sigh the lack of many a thing I sought,

And with old woes new wail my dear Time's waste

Then can I drown an eye, unused to flow,

For precious friends hid in death's dateless night,

And weep afresh love's long since canceled woe,

And many th' expense of many a vanished sight;

Then can I grieve at grievances foregone,

And heavily from woe to woe tell o'er

The sad account of fore-bemoaned moan,

Which I new pay as if not paid before.

   But if the whole I think on thee, dear friend,

   All losses are restored and sorrows end!

Thursday, April 23, 2026

Sonnet 73 (Shakespeare) -- Happy anniversary of the baptism / birth of William Shakespeare -- literary genius for subsequent centuires

online post (Oct. 2016)  in "Writer's Almanac" (American Public Media website):


That time of year thou mayst in me behold
When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang
Upon those boughs which shake against the cold,
Bare ruined choirs, where late the sweet birds sang.
In me thou see’st the twilight of such day
As after sunset fadeth in the west;
Which by and by black night doth take away,
Death’s second self, that seals up all in rest.
In me thou see’st the glowing of such fire,
That on the ashes of his youth doth lie,
As the death-bed whereon it must expire
Consumed with that which it was nourish’ d by.
This thou perceivest, which makes thy love more strong,
To love that well which thou must leave ere long.


“Sonnet 73: That Time of Year Thou Mayst in Me Behold” 

by William Shakespeare. Public Domain.

High School event for local Art Education center : benefits R.A.M. - 4/23/2026 from ROTI ROTI Art Center

 4 - 7 p.m. Eastern

rotirotiartcenter.org/events-1/

empty-bowls

Annual Hunger Relief project

that benefits REDBUD Area

Ministries

4th Thursday

April 23, 2026

Buchanan, Michigan

HIGH SCHOOL -- enter

from parking lot to gym / cafeteria

Empty Bowls fundraiser -- soup dinner - artwork on sale - 4 - 7 p.m. at High School, Buchanan, MI [ 31st annual ]

World Hunger fundraiser (31st Annual year)

Location: Buchanan (Michigan) High School

$5 soup and chili take-out meal

includes Mac 'n Cheese for kids

and vegetarian option: benefits

Redbud Area Ministries' food

pantry

Roti Roti Art Center dot-org

details : Pick out a clay pottery

bowl.  All profits go to RAM

local pantry (usually $5000+).

Thursday April 23, 2026

4 p.m. - 7 p.m. Eastern

_____________________

50 days after this

annual Tradition is the

Post-School Year

"City-Wide Garage Sale"

3-day weekend :

June 12 - 14 [ 2026 ]

friday a.m. until Sunday p.m.

Trump's ambassador to Lebanon: Michael Issa "Golfing Buddy" : participates along with POTUS in today ISRAEL - LEBANON White House summit

J Post has the scoop

TRUMP will attend at least part of Lebanon - Israel

PEACE summit at 1600 Pennsylvania today

THURS. 4/23/2026 

___________________

newarab.com/news/

trump-picks-golf-buddy-

michel-issa-

us-ambassador-

lebanon

[ online article from 2025 ]

Iran seized 2 ships in Strait of Hormuz

 Noon

April 22, 2026

Wed.

[ 54th day since

onset of "War of Choice" Feb. 28, 2026 ]

no cease-fire / end of war

negotiations taking place in

Islamabad, Pakistan once

Trump pulled back JD Vance,

son-in-law Jared Kushner,

best friend Steve Witkoff

Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Sonnetfest (April 23 annually) -- Univ. of Notre Dame's O'Shaughnessy Hall

 Annual 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

tribute to

William Shakespeare's

Sonnets

__________________

O'Shaughnessy Hall is the

venue for the annual 

event that features

readings by Notre Dame

campus

notables as well as

Indiana / Hoosiers V.I.P.'s

[ Hagerty Cafe ]

more at

Shakespeare.nd.edu/shows/events/

2026/04/23/sonnetfest-2026/

FREE to public :

join with other fans of the Bard's

poetic standards


Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, Chicago PD -- all renewed by NBC at Network Press announcement

 Three Chicago, IL-

based TV dramas - procedurals

will be renewed for the 2026-7

season:

Chicago Med

Chicago Fire

Chicago PD (Police procedural)

see

Variety dot-com

Entire Ban (announced at Notre Dame police website)

 Notre Dame, IN

Campus

new policy concerning

e-bikes

as of July 1, 2026

No e-bike whether with

or without electrical

assistance

may be ridden on any

campus pathway, sidewalk,

or roadway, nor may they

enter any University building

for any reason.  

THEY MUST remained parked

and locked around the campus

perimeter.

52 ways to celebrate EARTH DAY with Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

 www.michigan.gov/egle/outreach/earth-day/celebrate

Octagenarian

 Happy 80th birthday to

Director John Waters

b. April 22, 1946

Baltimore, MD

[ he has been a guest on

Finding Your Roots, hosted

by Harvard prof. Henry 

Louis Gates, Jr. ]

IMDb trivia : a well-known

bibliophile who owns 8,000+

books

Waters was given a Star on

Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2023

Multi-vehicle crash -- injuries of small passenger van that collided in construction zone

 SITE:

I-94 (Royalton Twp., Michigan) -- Berrien

County was site

of fatal injuries and other hospital

treatment : 41-yr.-old died on

Transfer to Grand Rapids, MI hospital

Brian Luke of Coopersville, MI.

TIME: 11:30 a.m. Tuesday 4/21

in Eastbound Lanes of the Interstate

wndu.com/2026/04/22/man-dies-injuries-

multi-vehicle-crash-berrien-county/

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

Iraq post- Nov. 2025 election stalemate not covered in Western media : no Prime Minister leads to POLITICAL CRISIS

 see

Middle East / Israeli coverage

jpost.com/middle-east/article-893695

April 21, 2026

10:45 Jerusalem late morning time Zone

Keir Starmer

 Prime Minister

U.K. majority

Labour Party

may be voted "no confidence"

_______________________

He may lose his job over

regret / admission of guilt

from appointing Mandelson

(Friend of Jeffrey Epstein)

as Ambassador to the U.S.

Cherfilus-McCormick (D- Florida) resigns her "House" seat

 Breaking News

REUTERS.com/

world/us/

cherfilus-mccormick-resigns-us-congress-2026-04-21/

Crooked politician - - subtract another House Member who was "on the take"

 Cherfilus-McCormick

(D- Florida) will face an

expulsion vote that will

succeed if 80 Democrat

colleagues of the Ethics

investigated swindler

join in on an upcoming

vote on the entire House

floor -- axios.com

has details =

sheila-cherfilus-mccormick-

democrats-ethics-expel

04/21/2026

Best Labor Secretary ever was a Woman "New Deal" official

 During FDR's

4 elected terms / administrations

Frances Perkins

Trump's Labor Secretaries : portraits of scandal

 Alex Acosta (senate-confirmed

in 2017)

left office in disgrace 2019

__________________________

Lori Chavez - DeRemer

close 2nd to worst in history

of Federal Cabinet officials

confirmed Jan. 2025 --

Scandals throughout 2026

(left office exactly 15 months

at her job )

Most exciting two minutes in Sport (152nd running this year on May 2)

Kentucky Derby Horse Race

weekend is

May 2, 2026 at Churchill

Downs, Louisville, KY

details at

gotolouisville.com/events-calendar/

annual-events/kentucky-derby-guide 

Greenland's National Dog Sled Championship (Trump-Vance envoy who is also Louisiana's governor has been dis-invited)

 Governing body for the

National Dog Sled Championship

is KNQK

Avannaata Qimussersua

__________________

while U.S. Tax Dollars

previously gave $ to

pay for transportation

of dogs,

sleds,

racers --

in 2026 the KNQK has 

explicitly opposed

the involvement of U.S.

political figures such 

as Trump's "envoy"

Gov. Jeff Landry

[the private tour 

operator who issued an

invitation on his own 

behalf was rebuffed]

GREENLANDIC HERITAGE
WEEK

may include military

presence from

Pituffik Space Base;

but . . .

NO Political invitees

such as Usha Vance,

her interested child/children,

or VP JD Vance . . .

Jeff Landry (taking time as Louisiana's Governor) leaves focus on Greenland to direct "LOVE ONE LOUISIANA" - his wife's foundation to cover funerals expense

 STORY on

Sinclair Broadcasting Network (Press Wire Service)

Louisiana Gov. says his wife's

foundation will pay for 8

funerals for mass shooting

victims (children ages 3 - 11)

in Shreveport, LA (one of

Baton Rouge suburbs) . . .

wsbt.com/

news/nation-world/

Maria Tedesco reporter

for SINCLAIR 's

"The National News Desk" --

quote mayor of Shreveport

had very difficult two days

(Sunday - Monday). . .

Chavez-DeRemer - update April 21

NYTimes.com/2026/04/21/us/politics/labor-secretary-steps-down.html

Reporter

Rebecca Davis O'Brien

Several dozen witnesses detailed her corruption

and abuse of spending limits and drinking on the job 


Next member of Trump-Vance

Cabinet out -- fired for misconduct

drinking in the office/s

________________________

Labor Secretary since Jan. 2025:

she made it exactly 15 months . . .

Lori Chavez-DeRemer

Monday, April 20, 2026

Kash Patel, who made pledge to U.K.'s MI-5 and broke it / / / visited China to pressure them over Fetanyl shipments

BREAKING NEWS - Feb. 10, 2026

Reuters.com exclusive

FBI Director

Patel

visited China over subjects of

Fentanyl & Law Enforcement 


FBI Director -- developments

Nov. 10, 2025

world/Europe/kash-patel-fbi-mi5.html

U.K.'s intelligence had

asked director of FBI

for help and he failed

to keep agent in place.

Patel's inexperience, his

dismissals of top FBI

executives, and his shift

of bureau resources away

from thwarting spies and

international terrorist

detection and prevention

have heightened concerns

among U.S. traditional allies

that Trump-Vance are just

on the way to sole use for

investigation of partisan

opposition and "election

enemies"/conspiracy theories.

Kash Patel (FBI) before Sept. 2025 U.S. Senate hearing blames Alex Acosta as "Original Sin"-ner for how he sided with Jeffrey Epstein

 c-span.org/event/senate-committee/fbi-director-kash-patel-testifies-at-oversight-hearing/436283

Tuesday Sept. 15, 2025

The Senate Judiciary Committee

begins at 9 a.m. Eastern

C-Span 3

________________________________________

[ part of Kash Patel's rhetoric and off-handed

personal intrusions into what should be more dispassionate ]


in Patel's prefatory remarks he ended with the "on-the-Congressional

record" side of things, saying

See you in Valhalla, brother

to his deceased / assassinated BFF Charlie Kirk, Turning Point USA

________________________________________

Patel on Thursday 10/2/2025

cut the ties of the FBI to an anti-semitism monitoring group

ADL ( Anti-Defamation League )


see Jpost.com/america-politics/article-869254

JERUSALEM POST Online coverage

Run! Buchanan (MI) for the Parks

 First annual 5k race

Saturday May 16, 2026

Buchanan, MI 49107

runsignup.com/race/MI/

Buchanan/RunBuchananForTheParks

1-mile fun run $5

9 a.m. 5K $20

9 a.m. 10K $25

131 S. Oak Street, Buchanan

Is your child old enough to run a 5K Race?

Cleveland Clinic sought to answer this question

in Spring 2024 :

health.clevelandclinic.org/born-to-run-how-young-is-too-young-to-run-a-race

source author / interviewee

Gary Calabrese, PT, DPT

". . .no clear cut rule when it comes

to a focused running program. . .

if your child ask to start regularly

running at any point,. . .nobody

agrees on how much running

should be done when kids are young. . ."

Age 8 - 12 :this is a good age to try

a 5K (3.1 mile race)

if your child wants to enter a race.

For racing at ages 13 - 15

consider a 10K or a half-marathon

[online article does emphasize

problem of overuse injuries].

More from VP Vance [ he leads a Press Conference/Briefing while Press Secretary on Maternity Leave, tells Press Europe is "overreacting" ]

VP Vance told the reporters at Press Briefing

{the HILL platform details}

"We've not reduced the

troops level in Poland

by 4,000. . ."

__________________


 VP has been sent 4/20/2026

to lead the negotiating team

to

re-open the Strait of Hormuz

and 

to 

forestall the bombings - missiles -

drones his boss threatens once the

Cease Fire

concludes in 48 hours . . .

Ironman Athlete-influencer dies in swim part of Triathlon

 Ironman TEXAS Tri-athlete

Mara Flavia Souza Araujo,

age 38 of Brazil died in Houston, TX

during the 2.4 mile swim portion

of the Triathlon : also athletes must

do 112-mile bike race and 26.2 mile

run.

COVERED in

mlive.com/fitness-influencer-38-

drowns-during-ironman-triathlon.html

Michigan LIVE April 20 (past weekend)

2026

Another ICE Director leaving (effective May 31, 2026)

 Todd Lyons

Tim Cook

 Apple

CEO

for more than a decade

__________________

breaking news 4/20/2026

He will retire soon

Is Frank Sinatra "in the public domain"?

Copyright lawyers will tell you --

even if he died in 1998,

his trademarked / estate-managed

owned versions of songs are not

"up for grabs" --

to use a Songwriter / Composer /

Performer's work in whatever music

genre for your own profit / scheme

MEANS

you pay for that licensing permission !

Nancy Sinatra (85-year-old daughter of Frank Sinatra)

 Nancy Sinatra calls the

posting on "TRUTH SOCIAL"

of her father singing a

trademark / signature rendition

of a Paul Anka song

My Way

by DONALD JOHN TRUMP

sacrilegious.

All week -- POPE Leo XIV to African countries (itinerary)

 Algeria - -

where St. Augustine of Hippo was a bishop of 

ANCIENT Christian church of N. Africa

Hippo is nowadays referred to as:

Annaba, Algeria

Cameroon --

Bamenda (April 16)

_____________

Angola (April 18 - 21)

Sanctuary of Mama Muxima

_____________

Equatorial Guinea (April 21 - 23)

a modern "petrostate"

Exact Location -- Wm Shakespeare's Home -- ARCHAEOLOGY / Map scrutiny

 April 17, 2026

online notice of what was 

made clear / notice with evidence

archaeology.org/news/

2026/04/17/exact-location-

of-shakespeares-london-house-found/

Third Monday of April (annually), BOSTON, Massachusetts

 Patriots Day

(held on Monday closest

to April 19 - start of

Revolutionary War)

is when the

Boston Marathon

is held

(26 miles) -- the

world's oldest

annual marathon.

It finishes in

Copley Square

(a historic area).

How long ago in 21st century was the 450th Birthday anniversary of William Shakespeare -- activities in Stratford - upon - Avon?

from Shakespeares-Birthday dot-org dot- UK: 

23 April 2014 will mark the 450th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth 

and on the weekend of 26/27 April, 

Stratford-upon-Avon will be leading the world in celebrating 
and paying tribute to Britain’s most famous playwright and poet. 

 Many thousands of visitors from around the globe are expected in Stratford-upon-Avon 
for the bumper weekend of family fun, 

which will include plenty of pageantry, pomp and performance. 

 Crowds will be lining the streets of this Elizabethan market town 
to see actors, foreign diplomats and civic dignitaries lead the 
1,000-strong grand Birthday Procession from 10:30am on Saturday 26 April. 

They will be followed by a lively community pageant, street entertainers ,
and the Stratford Morris Men. Local people and visitors can join in too 
and walk with the pageant through the town to lay flowers 
on Shakespeare’s grave in the Holy Trinity Church. 

 A splendid marquee in the Theatre Gardens will host the traditional 
Shakespeare Birthday Luncheon 
attended by eminent speakers and distinguished guests 

 What’s more, throughout the day, the Shakespeare Birthplace trust 
and Royal Shakespeare Company are planning a full day of entertainment 

with something for everyone. 

There’ll be music, street entertainers, story telling, 
acting, stage combat and theatre make-up activities, 
tours of the Shakespeare houses, children’s parties, 
sonnet readings – and also the chance to spot the occasional famous actor.


[154 Sonnets are in the "Shakespearean
Canon" ]

Sunday, April 19, 2026

In 70 days / ten weeks

 ABC news

is reporting that at the

end of the SCOTUS

(Supreme Court - John

Roberts, chief Justice)

there will be NO retirements :

neither Justice Thomas nor

Justice Alito will be

opting to leave the court, and

thus allow POTUS 47 to name

more robust, healthy jurists to

continue his constitutional impact

on the 3rd branch of the Constitutional

governance : The JUDICIAL branch

highest court authority.

June 30 will be a day of high anticipation

due to the typical day to release the

pending rulings of cases heard over the

Oct. first Monday to last day of June

"term" of judicial opinions.

Strait of Hormuz - - weekend of April 18 - 19 -- it has been closed by Iran (who continue to fire on fully loaded Oil Tankers)

 BREAKING NEWS

Iran reversed course on reopening

the strategic waterway;

they warn that the

Strait will be blocked as

long as U.S. marine forces

maintain a blockade


___________________________

"Navy Warships cross

Strait of Hormuz,

exit after destroying 

the surveillance drone,

according to U.S. officials

briefed on the operation"

April 12 (Sunday coverage)

7 a.m.

REPORTERS:

Michael Crowley

Julian E. Barnes

Adam Ragson

Tyler Pager

New York Times

April 11, 2026