Actively Aware

Ari the "Cry Kidder"

2014-03-12T19:57:00.001-04:00

)

For PapAmore', Arend 'Odee' Lenderinkhttp://papamore.blogspot.com

Heading Home to Heaven ~ Ari Wagasky

2014-03-07T17:55:00.001-05:00

arend jack thomas: Arend 'Ari' and Nana

2014-03-06T20:43:00.001-05:00

arend jack thomas: Arend 'Ari' and Nana: I could talk about Ari stories forever - his lovable, adventurous, hilarious, smart and one of a kind self provided us with many memories...

For PapAmore', Arend 'Odee' Lenderinkhttp://papamore.blogspot.com

Snowflakes for Sandy Hook

2012-12-20T00:05:00.000-05:00

What a wonderful way to show the children and teachers of Sandy Hook how much they are being thought of and prayed for - and what a simple and easy way to do so ....

Connecticut PTSA is collecting snowflakes to create a "WINTER WONDERLAND" for Sandy Hook students. See the note below:

"Snowflakes for Sandy Hook = Please help the students of Sandy Hook have a winter wonderland at their new school! Get Creative!! No two snowflakes are alike. Make and send snowflakes to Connecticut PTSA, 60 Connolly Parkway, Building 12, Suite 103, Hamden, CT 06514, by January 12, 2013. "

Please join us at Peace4 the Missing
Missing Persons Awareness and Support Network
http://peace4missing.ning.com

Urgent - Must Sign Petition by the Uncle of Trayvon Martin

2012-11-27T15:25:00.003-05:00

Change.org|Make Your Own Petition

Please join us at Peace4 the Missing
Missing Persons Awareness and Support Network
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How to handle the media during a crisis

2012-05-02T20:11:00.000-04:00

The Art of Handling Hostile Questions and Personal Attacks

When is the last time you put your foot in your mouth at work when somebody thrust you on the hot seat with a difficult question or personal attack?

Sometimes the simple words we utter under pressure create anger, retribution, public embarrassment, lost productivity, misplaced blame, legal nightmares, career land mines, or worse.

What do you say to your staff when you must carry out policies that both you and they hate? What do you say when an employee asks you about the CEO's obvious favoritism?

These and hundreds of others are, indeed, very tough questions, yet there are better ways to respond (no, not easy, but better).

When we're under attack by the news media or co-workers, most of us react counterproductively. We attack back, deny, argue or play the blame game. That just escalates the conflict.

Instead, gain control of tough questions and lead the momentum to your positive information, or wherever you want to direct everyone's attention. To do that, learn and practice a few simple techniques that experienced communicators use to defuse verbal land mines, as demonstrated in Manager's Tough Questions Answer Book, (c) Copyright, 1966, Prentice Hall.

"No comment" is usually dumber than dumb.

Every good communications consultant says it's dumb to say "no comment", and they're right. The void you leave with "no comment" will be filled immediately by your enemies. If you can't comment, at least explain why you can't comment.

Don't lie

First and last, don't lie. Regardless of its morality, lying in response to tough questions is tactically stupid. You have to make up the lie, then continuously invent more lies to support the first, and remember all of them while being bombarded with more hostile questions.

You will not remember all of them accurately, which will become obvious. Then you will have the original problem plus the new one of being caught in lies. Washington has lots of pubic figures and high-powered executives who never seem to learn that lesson.

Gain control with a response, not an answer

Answers are limited to the literal meaning of the question. A response goes deeper by addressing major concerns surrounding the question. Most people mistakenly think they must answer the question as asked. Absolutely false. Life isn't a courtroom drama where you are forced to pigeonhole your comments or say something you don't want.

Customer: "I told you that your employee treated me rudely. Are you just going to let him get away with that?"

Here you want to assure the customer that you are concerned and will act responsibly, but you don't want to reveal any personnel action you will or won't take. Instead of irritating the unhappy customer by saying you won't discuss possible discipline, you could "respond" this way:

Manager: "I believe that you have been offended, and I promise you it will not happen again. I'm going to look into this as soon as we're done talking here. That is not the way our associates have been trained to deal with customers."

Bridge to your positive information

Redirecting questions is easy once you grasp the most effective technique: bridging. You can use a bridge of words to answer the basic question and then move toward the points you want to emphasize.

Done right, the method can simultaneously satisfy questioners and then transfer attention from your alleged problem to your solution or best action.

A great bridge that helps you stall a moment to gather your thoughts is the easy-to-remember "past-present-future".

Give yourself time by briefly stating what happened (past) and what is happening now (present). While you are stating somewhat obvious past and current events, your mind forms a response that will describe your positive view for the future, the only place where new improvement can be created.

When an elderly customer died after electric service was accidentally disconnected at her Illinois home several years ago, the utility gave an excellent past-present-future response:

Question: "How could you make such a terrible mistake?"

Response: "The accidental disconnection was a tragic mistake, and we take responsibility for it. We have expressed our sincere regret and condolences to the family and offered any assistance. We will be reviewing all of our procedures to see what changes need to be made so nothing like this can happen again."

Another very effective bridge is: "I understand what you are asking. Lots of people are concerned about that, but they need to know...(give your important points)."

This bridge quickly makes it clear that you have heard and understood the questioner's concerns. It further shows that he is like other normal people who might think that way. After giving the crucial acknowledgment of the person and his concerns, your response moves on to what "they need to know...(your important points)."

Admit to mistakes, then move on!

Admitting obvious mistakes sounds like common sense, but how often do you hear people admit to them? Refusing to admit to obvious mistakes makes people think you are hiding something.

Friends and fans or bosses and colleagues won't grant forgiveness until we confess and atone. Get rid of the drag by briefly acknowledging obvious errors; then bridge to corrective actions.

Sometimes answering with complete candor won't be wise, so respond to the context or general situation instead. For example, if you are a mid-level manager whose staff bravely ask, "How can you implement that policy when you know it's so wrong?"

Instead of foolishly falling on your sword and refusing to implement the policy, or telling the staff to just do as they are told, you could say:

"If everybody here obeyed only the directions they liked, we'd have chaos in an hour. I gave my opinion, they made a decision, and it's going to be done by me and done very well. If you're as wise as I think you are, you will do the same."

Show understanding to gain more credibility

One way to insure that no one accepts your response is to ignore or insult other viewpoints. Our society deems it a virtue to have an open mind and show respect for other ideas. That doesn't mean you have to agree with them, but acknowledge their views respectfully.

"I understand what you are asking and why it concerns you so much...." Say this only if you really do understand and are sincere. If you are not, it will show and, again, you will be worse off.

Don't throw fuel on the fire

The words you choose for responding to tough questions can mean the difference between putting out the fire or fanning the flames higher. Angry questioners can become incensed when they hear certain words or phrases they feel insult or demean them.

Bad: "You should have..."

Better: "One option you could have considered..."

Bad: "You're wrong, that's not what I said..."

Better: "If that's what you thought you heard me say, then I didn't explain myself as well as I would like. Let me try again..."

The last response (...I didn't explain myself well, let me try again) is a superb bridge when someone misquotes your earlier comments.

Don't start another argument by telling the person he's got it all wrong. Side step the thrust by taking control with that bridge, and re-explain what you meant to say. It will subtly but amply make it clear that the questioner had it wrong, but you won't have a second issue to fight about.

http://guyant.com/tips/art.htm

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Missing Persons Awareness and Support Network
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Say Happy Mother’s Day in a way that will last

2012-05-02T01:04:00.000-04:00

What Can I Do? – Make a Difference on Mother’s Day

07May2010

by Chris Noble @cfnoble

If you’re the guy who wakes up the Saturday before Mother’s Day and orders flowers, you’re not alone. This year, the National Retai l Federation says we’ll spend $1.9 Billion doing just that. It’s all part of the business that Mother’s Day has become: Flowers, Brunch, Cards, etc – all adding up to $14.6 Billion in the US.

The thing is, most of what we buy for Mom on her day isn’t going to last. That’s what’s special about the campaign that Stacey Monk and the crew atEpic Change are running this Mother’s Day: They’re giving you a chance to tell your “Mama” you love her, and to make a lasting difference in a child’s life at the same time.

Just visit their site: To Mama With Love and you’ll see. Each “Heartspace” created is a tribute. And each tribute drives a donation to help Mama Lucy Kamptoni continue her mission to teach and house children in Tanzania. If the work she’s done so far is any indication, the money you donate will be very well spent. Mama Lucy started a school that grew from 10 students in 2003 to over 400 kids today. the proceeds from this campaign will help build boarding facilities to house and shelter up to 50 more students.

So far more than 190 “Heartspaces” have been created, and more than $10,000 has been generated for the cause.

Why does it work? Love is at the core of the holiday, and the campaign. I spoke with Stacey Monk this morning, and asked her why her company chose to support Mama Lucy. Stacey’s enthusiastic reply?

“Because I love her! and anything we do for love is going to work.”

I know my Mom would say much the same. How about yours?

Doing your part is pretty simple. Here are the directions from the site:

Create a heartspace
for a mom you love by giving in her honor.
Show your love
by personalizing your heartspace with words, photos, and/or video.
Send a Mother’s Day e-card
with a link to the heartspace you”ve created.
Your mother’s day present just changed the world.

How easy is it? I did it in about 10 minutes. (Hi Mom!)

Can’t give? Tweet. A nifty cause-branding component is attached to the effort. Organic Beauty Now donates $1 per tweet (up to $2000) if you use the hashtag #tomamawithlove.

Why should you do this instead of sending flowers? I think Stacey said it best this morning: “If you give people a chance to connect to something with their hearts, that energy can create a whole movement.”

So go ahead. Say Happy Mother’s Day in a way that will last. And make a difference in some child’s life.

http://www.whatgives.com/2010/05/07/what-can-i-do-make-a-difference-on-mothers-day/

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The 536,112,000 Seconds of Trayvon Martin's Life

2012-04-18T10:12:00.000-04:00

I needn't wear the color of your skin to feel the pain of your soul.

Trayvon Martin as a baby

My near alabaster white, almost 6 months old, baby boy is playing with his feet on a blanket upon our family room floor. He's not even been here on earth for half a year, yet I have already invested so much of myself into the life of this, my precious little man.

They say it goes so fact - and it does - however there's also so much time, energy, sweat, faith, worry, joy, tears, agony, pride, LOVE that goes along with the "it" of raising a child.

We literally put our own lives into these little human beings of ours. Even when we're not technically with them our thoughts still remain by their side. Once you become a Mother you ARE a Mom ALL of the time, always, for life.

Greeting them each morning with hope, kissing them goodnight each bedtime while covering them with prayer.

Every single day your heart goes with them. Every single day of their lives your heart gets torn apart, put back together, stomped on, lifted up, filled up, worn out ...

Every single day your heart, the heart of a Mama - is bursting, literally bursting out of its seams with love - LOVE - for your precious, sent from God Himself above, child.

Trayvon Martin had recently turned 17 years old. Which means that Sybrina's heart had invested, at minimum, 6,205 days into her son.

6,205 days, 148,920 hours, 8,935,200 minutes invested into this child of God that one man in 1 second would choose to extinguish.

His Mother put over 536,112,000 seconds into raising Trayvon - is it really too much to expect George Zimmerman to have taken just 1 second more to think prior to taking the life of this child??

The Family website of Trayvon Martin - http://wearetrayvonmartin.com/

Sara Huizenga, Founder of Peace4 the Missing
Missing Persons Awareness and Support Network
http://peace4missing.ning.com

New forensic sketch of recently discovered Unidentified Michigan Woman

2011-07-25T15:42:00.001-04:00

Police release illustrations of face reconstructed from skeletal remains of homicide victim found in Comstock Township
Paula M. Davis | Kalamazoo Gazette

COMSTOCK TOWNSHIP — Seeking leads in a unsolved homicide case, Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office has released illustrations of a woman's face reconstructed from skeletal remains found in Comstock Township late April.

Police believe the remains are that of a white women, 35 to 55 years old, who died as a result of "blunt-force trauma."

Officials have no leads on the identity of the woman and hope the illustrations, created by the Michigan State University anthropology department, will result in a break in the case, according to Sgt. Bill Sparrow of the sheriff's office.

The remains were found on April 28 in the 8400 block of East ML Avenue.

She is additionally described as being between 5 foot, 4 inches and 5 foot, 8 inches tall.

There are several area woman who are missing but authorities have ruled out Tammie Briley, Mary Lands or Venus Stewart as being this unidentified woman.

The illustrations show the woman's reconstructed face framed in several different hairstyles.

Police ask anyone who may have information to contact the sheriff's office at 269-383-8723 or Silent Observer at 269-343-2100.

Contact Paula M. Davis at pdavis@kalamazoogazette.com or 269-388-8583. You can also follow her on Twitter.

http://mlive.com/advannarbor/pm_103352/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=Lm3zUDIV

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So Hot Outside ... LOL

2011-07-21T19:58:00.000-04:00

How about a little heat wave humor?

Because anythings funny when you're hot enough to literally begin losing your mind ... :)

Share your own hot outside jokes in form of text, video, image, etc below ...

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Missing Persons Awareness and Support Network
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Watch the entire Casey Anthony Not Guilty Verdict and Reaction Video Here

2011-07-06T23:29:00.000-04:00

Casey Anthony acquitted of killing daughter Caylee: MyFoxORLANDO.com

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Post an image or quote here of your favorite peace sayings and/or signs

2011-07-06T14:04:00.001-04:00

"All we are saying is give peace a chance."

~ John Lennon

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"All we are saying is give peace a chance."

~ John Lennon

(Share your favorite peace quotes, peace signs, peace symbols, peace images, peace videos, peace thoughts, peace scripture *you get the peace picture, right?* below as well ... peace out.)
Read more at peace4missing.ning.com

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Baez on the Not Guilty Anthony Verdict

2011-07-05T19:23:00.001-04:00

Casey Anthony's lead attorney speaks to press, says he's happy to tell his daughter that he saved a life.

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Jose Baez comments on the Casey Anthony Not Guilty Verdict

Added by Sara Huizenga on July 5, 2011 at 6:04pm

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See more at peace4missing.ning.com

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Casey Anthony Verdict: Not Guilty of First-Degree Murder

2011-07-05T14:43:00.001-04:00

URL: http://peace4missing.ning.com/forum/topics/casey-anthon...

Casey Anthony was acquitted Tuesday of first-degree murder and the other most serious charges against her in the 2008 death of her 2-year-old daughter.

But the jury convicted Anthony on four conts of providing false information to law enforcement officers.

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Former Classmate sets up Reward for 30 Yrs Missing, Deanie Peters

2011-06-23T23:41:00.002-04:00

Along with Rob Mackey's new reward fund, the Kent County Metro Cold case team continues to offer a $25,000 reward to anybody who chooses to come forward with new information leading to an arrest in this case, and the exact location of where Deanie Peters' remains may be.

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Missing Deanie Peters, New Reward Fund

Added by Sara Huizenga on June 23, 2011 at 11:01pm

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Deanie Peters: WZZM 13 Investigates Facebook Page - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Deanie-Peters-WZZM-13-Investigates/199540380079783

From WZZM - http://www.wzzm13.com/news/article/169542/14/New-effort-launched-to-help-in-search-for-Deanie-Peters

ADA TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WZZM) - More than 30 years after her disappearance, a new effort is underway to help in the search for Deanie Peters.

Deanie vanished in 1981 from Forest Hills Central Middle School.

A former classmate of Deanie's has stepped forward to share his story, and offer a new incentive to solve the case.

Read more at peace4missing.ning.com

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How to Organize a Candlelight Vigil

2011-05-17T17:54:00.000-04:00

Please include your own tips, in particular towards planning a candlelight vigil for missing persons in a comment below ...

Involve help and Get the Word Out: Ask family, friend, co-workers and/or like minded individuals if they'd be interested in volunteering. Develop fliers, posters and a Press Release to display and distribute about the event.

Establish a Venue, Date and Time: Outdoor locations are often nice is the weather is accomadating towards doing since since they are able to hold a large amount of people ... perhaps a park with a shelter. Make sure to reserve the venue in advance and check with concerning any restrictions regarding lighting candles at, etc. Once you've selected a location, choose a date and time - make sure it will be dark enough for the candles to have an impact, but not too late at night that participants of all ages would have trouble attending.

Entertainment: Perhaps a local band could play, develop a slideshow to correspond with the event, check with local art students or organizations regarding possibly displaying some artwork that is relevant to your cause and/or invite relevant organizations to attend and have a "booth" at ...

Prepare a short speech for the event: Prepare (or designate someone else as the speaker) something to say, thanking people for coming, and explaining what the vigil is for and what it represents.

Lighting of the candles: Establish a quiet (silent) environment prior to doing so also try to let the candles burn for maybe five or ten minutes for people to get the full effect. After a few moments of silence, announce again to the people the need for action to be taken. Hopefully, at this point, they will be moved and motivated!

Hand out info for attendees to take with: Whatever is most relevant and beneficial to your cause, include websites, instructions, etc. upon which people can further support your cause after leaving the vigil. Make sure they leave knowing what they can do now to further help.

Additional links providing info on "How to Organize a Candlelight Vigil" ...
http://candles.lovetoknow.com/How_to_Organize_a_Candlelight_Vigil
http://www.dosomething.org/actnow/actionguide/organize-a-candlelight-vigil-your-cause-0
http://candlelight.covenanthouse.org/host/vigil_instructions.php

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Billy's Law - Connects Databases to FIND a Missing Person

2011-05-11T23:07:00.000-04:00

URL: http://peace4missing.ning.com/forum/topics/billys-law-c...

Great article and GREAT Billy's Law Petition Drive Day from our friends at RIT! (You too can sign that petition from anywhere right here - http://www.change.org/petitions/tell-congress-to-pass-billys-law-to...)

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NamUs highlighted at Michigan's Missing Persons Day

2011-05-09T00:47:00.001-04:00

More Than 15,000 Cases in New Database That Matches Missing Persons and Unidentified

Dead Users Number 10,000
WASHINGTON, May 6, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The number of cases in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System's (NamUs) two databases has reached a combined total of more than 15,000 and the number of registered users has grown to 10,000 since NamUs was launched in January 2009. To date, NamUs is credited with resolving 62 of the missing and unidentified person cases in its databases.

"Reaching 15,000 cases illustrates the exponential growth of NamUs," said John Laub, Director of the National Institute of Justice. "In 2009, we doubled the number of missing person cases in the system, and last year we nearly tripled it. This continued growth is critical because with more cases in the system, more cases can be solved and more families can get the resolutions they have been seeking for so long."

NamUs (www.namus.gov) is a national repository for information about missing and unidentified persons. The public may register to search and report information in the missing person database and may search, but not add, information about unidentified persons. Law enforcement officers, coroners and medical examiners and other professionals may register to search and report information to the missing person database and the unidentified persons database. More than two-thirds of the 10,000 registered NamUs users are members of the general public; the balance are death investigation professionals such as coroners, medical examiners and law enforcement officers. The missing persons database contains 7,148 entries and the unidentified persons database has 7,855 records.

The two cases below illustrate how NamUs works.

David Brennesholtz - On March 8, 2008, an unidentified deceased male was found in Clearwater, Fla. The case was entered into NamUs in July 2008. In November 2009, Sue D'Agostino from Islip, New York, learned of NamUs after seeing a public service announcement. D'Agostino and her family had not heard from her brother, David Brennesholtz, for several years and began searching the unidentified side of NamUs.

She came across Unidentified Person Case #2297 and thought the face in the photo could be her brother and contacted the Pinellas County Medical Examiner's office with her inquiry. Family DNA reference samples were taken and the unidentified man in Clearwater was positively identified as D'Agostino's missing brother.

Ronald Norman - On December 8, 1991, Ronald Norman, 42, went missing from the foster care home where he lived in Detroit, Mich. He went for a walk and was never seen again. The following April, two fishermen came across a body floating in Lake Erie. The medical examiner determined the victim's cause of death was drowning. The unidentified man was buried as "John Doe." Then in 2008, Mr. Norman's case was entered into NamUs, and he became Missing Person (MP) case #829.

In 2011, the Michigan State Police began entering their unidentified cases into NamUs, and the unidentified man found in Lake Erie became Unidentified Person (UP) case #8484. As soon as the UP case was entered, the NamUs automated cross-matching feature flagged UP #8484 and MP #829 as a potential match. The two cases had similar features – specifically missing teeth, a skull injury and the type of clothing Mr. Norman wore when he was last seen. The medical examiner ultimately made a positive identification of Ronald Newman. This was the first resolved case as a result of the NamUs automated cross-matching feature.

On Saturday, May 7, 2011, local law enforcement agencies in Detroit, Mich., will highlight NamUs at the Michigan's Missing Persons Day. More information about this event is available by contacting Detective/Trooper Sarah Krebs, Michigan State Police, tel. 313-215-0675, email: krebss@michigan.gov.

The Office of Justice Programs (OJP), headed by Assistant Attorney General Laurie O. Robinson, provides federal leadership in developing the nation's capacity to prevent and control crime, administer justice, and assist victims. OJP has seven bureaus and offices: the Bureau of Justice Assistance; the Bureau of Justice Statistics; the National Institute of Justice; the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; the Office for Victims of Crime; the Community Capacity Development Office, and the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking (SMART).

More information about OJP and its components can be found at http://www.ojp.gov.
NIJ11098
Office of Justice Programs (OJP)
(202) 307-0703
www.ojp.gov

SOURCE U.S. Department of Justice - Office of Justice Programs

Please join us at Peace4 the Missing
Missing Persons Awareness and Support Network
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Annual Walk for Missing Daughter, Kara Kopestky

2011-05-09T00:07:00.000-04:00

The mother of a missing girl is getting support from the community and other parents on Mother's Day

Posted: 05/07/2011
Last Updated: 1 hour and 8 minutes ago

By: Lisa Benson
Posted by: Mike Markewinski

BELTON, Missouri - Each Mother’s Day gets tougher for Rhonda Beckford.

Back on May 4, 2007, her daughter, Kara Kopestky disappeared.

“It's kind of like a rollercoaster it's got its ups and downs and we've had eight searches,” said Beckford.
The last images of Kopestky were captured from a surveillance camera inside Belton High School.

Despite the extensive searches, including one in South Kansas City, earlier this year and dozens of tips, investigators still do not have any idea what happened to Kara.

On Saturday, dozens of people walked down the streets in Belton in hopes of drumming up more tips that will help find Kara.

The annual walk serves as a reminder for the day she disappeared.
Read more about the Kara Kopestky case.

“It's amazing to have all these people show up for years later. There still hoping and searching right along with us. We know we're not alone and that helps us,” said Beckford.

She said that her faith has helped keep her going.

One person who understands what Beckford is going through is Greg Smith.

Read more about the Kelsey Smith case.

His daughter Kelsey, 18, was killed in May 2007 after she was abducted from an Overland Park Target store near her home. Authorities eventually used the ping information to determine where her cell phone had traveled in the hours after her disappearance and found her body in a wooded area of Longview Lake four days after her disappearance.

Edwin R. Hall, of Olathe, has since pleaded guilty to her abduction, rape and murder and is serving a life sentence in a Kansas penitentiary.

Smith said he can still feel when people pray for the family. He said “it is a palpable feeling for us.”
Smith hopes similar prayers will help Beckford find her daughter.

There is an $80,000 reward for the person who helps find Kara.

Source: http://www.nbcactionnews.com/dpp/news/crime/the-mother-of-a-missing-girl-is-getting-support-from-the-community-and-other-parents-on-mother%27s-day

------------------------------------
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Virtual Jesus - God Works Online

2011-04-15T00:21:00.000-04:00

God is not "offline limited" -

He is rather so much very far from ...

For it is He who is strategically guiding us online precisely to those we most are in need of connecting with.

It is He directing us towards the ones most specifically in need of the very something we may have to offer to them.

And only He is the true director behind the directly in our sight placement of the messages we most long to hear.

God is with us ALWAYS ... "even" online ....

Perhaps even at times - the most online ... <3

Please join us at Peace4 the Missing

Missing Persons Awareness and Support Network

http://peace4missing.ning.com

Rachel Conger - Missing 3 Years Today

2011-03-13T03:10:00.001-04:00

URL: http://peace4missing.ning.com/profiles/blogs/3-years-si...

It was 3 years ago today that the "Momma" of Amber Simmons was last seen.

Amber's Mom, Rachel Conger, should be every part of a part of being able to firsthand watch and experience the many life changing moments of her now teenager daughter, Amber.

But instead, Rachel Conger is technically classified as a missing person, her stolen from us life has now become NamUs Missing Person Profile #5106.

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/bu3k7

Michigan's First Ever Missing Person Day

2011-03-04T18:21:00.001-05:00

Come celebrate the first Missing Persons Day in Michigan Event- a public event open to families of missing persons and the communities that continue to support them. May 7th, 2011 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan.

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Attention Michigan Families with Missing Loved Ones

Posted by Sara Huizenga on March 4, 2011 at 6:14pm in PEACE4 THE MISSING UPDATES/ACTIVITY (Change )

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Michigan will be having it's very first Missing Persons Day this May 7th at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan!

Saturday, May 7 · 4:00pm - 9:00pm

Location
Ford Field, Detroit Michigan

	Location	Ford Field, Detroit Michigan

This event has been originated by my fellow NamUs Team Michigan member and now friend, Sarah Krebs who is a State Trooper/Forensic Artist with the Michigan State Police. I'm delighted to have met Sarah and have the opportunity to participate in this revolutionary day for all Missing Persons within the state of Michigan.

Further details of "Missing in Michigan" - Michigan's Missing Persons Day 2011 can also be found here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=118335424904075

Always hope - we'll never forget ...

Sara Huizenga
Founder of Peace4 the Missing
http://peace4missing.ning.com
Read more at peace4missing.ning.com

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Three Secret Tricks to Find Out Who's Checking You Out Most On Facebook

2011-02-21T21:16:00.001-05:00

URL: http://www.socialsprouts.com/2011/02/three-secret-trick...

Alright Facebook "sleuthers" have we got a tip, trick, super stellar Facebook Investigation Tool ... for YOU!

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Be Aware: Pit bull Pets and Infant Children are a Dangerous, Even Deadly Mix

2011-02-20T13:55:00.004-05:00

Fact: Pit bulls can be extremely dangerous.

Case in point somewhat proven by the news articles linked below which include just some of the results from a quick google look-up of most recent pit bull attacks.

Please become informed and aware of this reality prior to deciding to bring or keep a pit bull in your home as your family pet. Furthermore, be especially cautious of having a pit bull in your home if you have young children.

Also, if your child is an infant, PLEASE strongly consider choosing the safest for your baby route of not having a pit bull residing within the same home as your new baby at all ... the risks are just far too great to do so.

My intent here is really not to take any strong stance on either side of the debate, but rather HIGHLY ENCOURAGE everyone to become more informed and use greater common sense ...

If nothing else, please remember that we are all responsible to protect the children that have been entrusted within our care. Most extreme dog lover or not, this HAS to be the VERY FIRST TOP PRIORITY for each and every one of us.

Pit Bull Mauls Baby to Death
http://www.wwmt.com/news/baby-1387588-death-police.html

Victim of fatal dog attack identified, autopsy results expected Friday
http://www.wmbfnews.com/story/14050830/dillon-co-deputies-investigating-death

Newborn killed by family's pit bull terrier
http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/10/26/florida.infant.killed/index.html?eref=ib_topstories

Pitbull Attack Sends Girl To Hospital
http://www.whiotv.com/news/26862308/detail.html

Pitbull attack in Rutland
http://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/60099/Pitbull-attack-in-Rutland

Jury finds couple guilty for dogs' attack on family
http://www.redlandsdailyfacts.com/sanbernardinocounty/ci_17417677

3 Pitbulls Attack 13 Year Old Lab
http://www.kiiitv.com/Global/story.asp?S=14045643

Two kids in hospital after dogs attack family at Hoppers Crossing
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/two-in-hospital-after-dogs-attack-family-at-hoppers-crossing/story-e6frf7kx-1226005762114

Arizona boy speaks out after losing ear in dog attack
http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/region_central_southern_az/other/arizona-boy-loses-ear-after-3-dogs-attack-him

Pitbulls bit 10-year-old’s face in vicious Arizona City attack
http://www.newyorkinjurynews.com/2011/01/24/Pitbulls-bit-10-year-olds-face-in-vicious-Arizona-City-attack_201101245860.html

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Should Pit Bulls Be Banned in Texas? Hear Both Sides
http://www.kiiitv.com/Global/story.asp?S=14010654

Pit Bull Bans — Some Jurisdictions Reconsider BSL http://www.suite101.com/content/pit-bull-bans--some-jurisdictions-reconsider-bsl-a348538#ixzz1EWZpXckO

Please join us at Peace4 the Missing
Missing Persons Awareness and Support Network
http://peace4missing.ning.com

Clashing P's: Psychics and Police

2011-02-19T03:07:00.000-05:00

Do the Police Really Use Psychics?

Nickell published several articles in Psychic Sleuths to the effect that while most police officers or departments take psychic information under consideration, they do not actively seek out such help—at least not under official channels. Under anonymity, several people have indicated to this author (Ramsland) that psychics have been brought into cases despite prohibitions against it.

Practical Homicide Investigation
Vernon J. Geberth, author of Practical Homicide Investigation, devotes five pages to how police officers can (and do) work with psychics, but Barry Fisher, in Techniques of Crime Investigation, equally as renowned to law enforcement, ignores the entire issue.

Geberth admits that it's controversial to work with psychics and that police officers are naturally skeptical of their claims, but he presents the results of his research on several psychics, including Noreen Renier (whom Gary Posner approaches with a skeptical eye in Nickell's Psychic Sleuths). He claims that if the technique has proven successful at all, it should be considered again. Calling a psychic a person who is "extra sensitive to nonphysical forces of life energy" (without explaining what that is), Geberth accepts Renier's rendition that this means "getting rid of logic and rationale." Without any basis in science, Geberth says that psychics have learned to "control a portion of the brain which is not generally used."

Then he proceeds to offer guidelines to agencies that are considering calling on a psychic:

* the psychic's performance will be tested by results
* the psychic will have a distinct method of operation
* the psychic should be considered as an aid in developing clues
* the police should provide all follow-up to information offered
* since there are no scientific guidelines, the police must determine whether the psychic's claims are legitimate or worth pursuing
* officers who cannot accept a psychic's work should not get involved, as their attitudes can block the psychic's effectiveness
* the psychic should offer information not available to the public in publicized reports, as a way to prove his or her special insight
* all conversations with the psychic should be taped

Noreen Renier (Courtesy Noreen Renier)
While Noreen Renier apparently prefers to hold an object that had belonged to a victim at the time of the murder, and Geberth does not raise any objections, in fact such handling could contaminate evidence and make chain-of-custody claims difficult later in court. Geberth says that an earring from a victim was sent to Reneer and she used it to determine through psychometry what the victim looked like and how she was killed. She "saw" tattoos on the murderer's arms and later said that her visions helped the police to track him down. Geberth notes that they arrested the guy based on physical evidence at the scene, but leaves the impression, without quite saying so, that the psychic solved the case.

She herself, he says, advocates a way to develop and enforce strict licensing procedures for psychics, to eliminate fraud and allow the legitimate practitioners who have been properly evaluated to practice.

In conclusion, Geberth notes that there is little hard research data available about how much psychics have aided in solving crimes (he offers none), and at no time does he provide a convincing case that illustrates in detail how a psychic actually did so.

Yet Randles and Hough describe how psychic Rennie Wiley set up an agency in Florida in 1984 to teach police how to call on their own extra sensory abilities to solve crimes. She called her agency The Dragon's Lair and used it to form a network of psychics and retired police officers who could combine their talents and offer assistance to the local police. They specialized in finding stolen property.

More interesting is Ken Charles, a British police officer who used his psychic abilities on the job. He would use his intuition, he said, to figure out how to make the offender slip up and leave clues that could be used in court. He wrote about this in his autobiography, Psychic Cop.

What appears to be most annoying to police officers is that when crimes happen—especially high-profile crimes—psychics call in offering information—sometimes hundreds of them. Regardless of whether the information is even acknowledged, the psychic claims that the police consulted him or her on that case. This appears to have been the MO of more than a few famous psychics, whose cases numbered into the hundreds and thousands. How many they actually worked on, let alone were invited into, is anyone's guess.

Often on any given case, no two psychics agree, so which one is to be believed? Even if one is singled out, the information that psychics give is typically too vague and impressionistic to narrow down the field of search, and it looks impressive only in retrospect.

Joe Nickell asks psychics to step forward and solve the great mysteries, such as where is Jimmy Hoffa? Or who killed JonBenet Ramsey? So far, psychics have tried but none has succeeded.

Says debunker Gary Posner, who criticizes the lack of controlled studies of paranormal phenomena, "There has not been a single iron-clad case, bulletproof case that has been convincing."

In addition, no psychic has ever stepped forward to try for the million-dollar reward that James Randi's educational foundation offers (nor any other financial award from other agencies) for proving their psychic powers in controlled conditions. This certainly baffles the average person.

Thus far, a psychic's reliability for law enforcement has not been established. Anecdotal information is sometimes impressive and even surprising, but nothing can be concluded about using psychics as resources in solving a crime.

Read more on: http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/criminal_mind/forensics/psychics/11.html http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/criminal_mind/forensics/psychics/11.html

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