Genealogy, I am Doing It! Family History Collaboration Gets Easier for Researchers

Salt Lake City, UT – I was genuinely amazed at what I saw during the 2^nd Annual RootsTech Conference in Salt Lake City that just concluded.

The Salt Palace was packed with wall to wall displays by the many companies providing software, computers, printers, scanners, mobile apps, research services, and all the many tools that make doing genealogy more fun than ever before. It was also packed with a combination of professional genealogists, amateur genealogists, and the many technical experts what want to help them all do it better than ever before.

There were far more classroom presentations than any one person could attend, but fortunately they were all presented live online, and archived for anyone to listen to at any time. The recordings and the syllabus of every presentation are available at http://www.RootsTech.org. » read more

Romney (or any Republican President) Needs a Majority in the House and Senate to Succeed

Polls show that a majority of Americans prefer Mitt Romney, or any Republican over President Obama, but if they elect Romney or any other Republican to the White House and fail to provide a majority in the Senate and House it will be difficult if not impossible for any new Republican president to deliver the many reforms Americans say they want.

All the members of the U.S. House and 23 of the U.S. Senate are up for election this year. The House already has a majority of Republicans, but the Senate is held by the Democrats, who routinely block all Republican efforts.

The sweeping reforms to health care, the tax system, the national budget, and the size of government are desired by a majority of voters. Unless those voters give the Republicans a total majority nothing will get done and it will be business as usual in Washington. The nation needs rapid action and sweeping reform without political delays. That will not happen if the Senate remains in control of the Democrats. » read more

High School Chemistry Teacher Says 10-minute-a-day Online Tutor Helps Chemistry Students Succeed

It only takes 10 minutes a day for any high school student to learn chemistry, according to Melanie Fine, a high school chemistry teacher who created an economical online chemistry video tutor.

“Any high school student, motivated or not, can master chemistry and get good grades by just watching a 10-minute video each day,” explained Fine.

The online chemistry tutoring service features a series of 10-minute chemistry video lessons produced by Fine. Students watch one video lesson each day, and then respond to a quiz to help reinforce what was learned in the video. » read more

The Candidate that Obama does NOT want to Face is Romney

Troubled Teens at West Ridge Academy Offer Christmas Video

Troubled teens have been getting early intervention help at the Utah Boys Ranch, which began in 1964, and now at West Ridge Academy, the new name since they added a program for girls in an adjacent facility. I’ve known about the program since the early 1990s when I served on the West Jordan Chamber of Commerce board of directors and we used to help with fundraising (West Ridge is a non-profit). It did not occur to me then that one day I would need their services for my family.

This year our family needed help. West Ridge has been the answer to our prayers, and we don’t mind talking about it because we hope that we can help spread the word that this great resource is available to those who may need it. Any family with a troubled teen looking for possible resources can contact us and we will gladly answer any questions. » read more

New Solution for Multi-Family Property Owners that Drives NOI and Transfers Lease Default Risk

Atlanta, GA – LeaseTerm™ Insurance Group, LLC (LTI) has announced the introduction of LeaseTerm Insurance, an innovative business solution that helps multi-family property owners and managers reduce the risk of lease defaults and turnover expense.

“In today’s economic climate, property owners and managers are looking for new and innovative ways to reduce their risk and improve their bottom line. LTI is a powerful, new risk transfer solution that will help property owners and managers reduce expenses and increase their revenue and NOI, ultimately raising the value of their assets,” explained Walter Shealy, Chief Executive Officer of LeaseTerm Insurance Group, LLC. » read more

Mormon Apostle Expresses Faith after Significant Personal Illness and Suffering

Salt Lake City, Utah – Mormons gathered for a world-wide conference were given advice on how they can deal with severe illnesses, financial troubles, wayward children, and other trials and difficulties by an Apostle of Jesus Christ who has suffered through medical problems a number of times.

Elder Robert D. Hales (79), a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is no stranger to medical difficulties and physical challenges. He spoke of his personal medical struggles in October 2000, and when speaking to the same conference gathering in October 2011 he remained seated as he spoke because of his physical struggles.

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Movie Review: Getting to Know Joseph Smith, Translator of the Book of Mormon

The astounding performance of R. Dustin Harding in the lead role as Joseph Smith leaves audiences with the feeling that they know Joseph Smith on a personal level. This is a film that will endure for generations because it gives audiences the feeling that they were there and understand the events in an intimate and personal way.

Understanding history begins with understanding those who made history, and Plates of Gold provides that insight. People of all backgrounds and beliefs should view this film to gain a better understanding of Joseph Smith, his faith, dedication, compassion, and his personality.
Joseph Smith: Plates of Gold opened in Utah theaters to large, enthusiastic audiences on September 2 after a debut in Europe to sell-out crowds at showings in several countries. The large audiences during the opening weekend mean it will continue to remain in theaters and expand beyond Utah to California, Idaho, Oregon, and other locations in the weeks ahead, according to the official web site at www.JosephMovie.com » read more

Mr. President, Please Take Your Hand Out of My Pocket

By David M. Bresnahan

Mr. President, you say that you want to help improve the economy and put more people back to work, but I do not understand how that will happen if you raise taxes and go deeper into debt.

Apparently you are not aware that every single person in this country pays taxes, regardless of their income lever. Consequently, when you raise the income tax of high income citizens you will cause everyone in the country to pay more out of their pocket than they do now.

The reason this happens is fairly simple to understand. Consumers buy goods and services from businesses and businesses pay taxes to local, state, and federal governments. Those taxes are a cost of doing business and the money to pay those taxes comes from consumers. In other words, we all pay taxes through the purchases we make. In addition to those indirect taxes the people of most states also pay sales taxes with each purchase. These taxes reduce the buying power of the dollar, and as those taxes go up the buying power of each dollar goes down. That is not a good way to try to improve our failing economy.

There is no such thing as a tax increase that will only impact the wealthy.

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Going, Going, Gone – No Baseball is Worth Risking Your Life

By David M. Bresnahan

Recently Shannon Stone reached for a ball tossed by a player to the fans at a Texas Rangers game and fell to his death, in front of his young son. A few days later Keith Carmickle stood on a table and reached for a home run ball at the All Star Home Run Derby and fell, but was saved by his friends who were alert enough to grab him as he went head first towards the ground 20 feet below.

No baseball is worth risking life and limb. Ask Cooper, the 6-year-old son of Shannon Stone if he would prefer a baseball to having a father and I think I know what the answer would be.

The lady sitting next to him was interviewed by ABC News, and she indicated that God decided to take this man home. That does not sit well with me. God lets us have the freedom, or agency to make our own choices, and lets us suffer the consequences of those choices. God does not compel us to say or do anything.

I have been to many major league baseball games in my life, and have witnessed a vast array of people as they go after a foul ball, home run ball, or even a ball hit during batting practice. I have never seen someone die, but I have seen people risk life and limb, as well as injure others in the pursuit of a round souvenir.

I often ask myself, “What was that guy thinking?”

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