Editor’s note: The Gazette sports staff has compiled lists of its top 15 favorite sports movies. Each day, a different staffer will share some insight into one of their favorites. Some of them...

Editor’s note: The Gazette sports staff has compiled lists of its top 15 favorite sports movies. Each day, a different staffer will share some insight into one of their favorites. Some of them...

Hobbies can be more than fun, they can make you money, too. Read our eight-step guide to learn how to turn your hobby into a business & make money online!

The post Turn Your Hobby into a Business in 8 Steps appeared first on WooCommerce.

It’s more important than ever to follow up with existing customers. Learn how to save a ton of time by automating your most important follow-up emails.

The post Three Essential Follow-Up Emails Every WooCommerce Store Needs appeared first on WooCommerce.

WooCommerce is the seamless, trusted solution to add an online store to your WordPress site. Add a new revenue stream to your business in just a few steps!

The post The Fastest Way to Add an eCommerce Store to Your Existing WordPress Website appeared first on WooCommerce.

During COVID-19, you might be tempted to stay silent. But your customers need to hear from you! Learn how to craft the right message with the right tone.

The post Why Customer Communication is Crucial in Times of Uncertainty appeared first on WooCommerce.

Need to start selling online fast? Create an online store in just 5 steps. Sell products, offer virtual services, & add new revenue for years to come!

The post How Your Offline Business Can Start Selling Online Fast appeared first on WooCommerce.

From no store to 800 orders per day — see how 4 stores successfully moved their business online during COVID-19 to stay open and save jobs.

The post How Four Food Businesses Started Selling Online During COVID-19 appeared first on WooCommerce.

How do you handle a surge of eCommerce sales without stressing out? Learn how to streamline order fulfillment to keep your customers and employees happy.

The post Tips for Managing a Sudden Surge of Sales appeared first on WooCommerce.

Any business can increase revenue with online courses. No physical contact required! Here are the 4 tools you’ll need to get started fast & generate sales!

The post How to Sell Online Courses with Sensei LMS appeared first on WooCommerce.

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KARINE HATESA LEOTA-EVANS
Cedar Rapids

Karine Hatesa Leota-Evans, 16, of Cedar Rapids, passed away on April 20, 2020 at St. Luke's Hospital. Home going services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 17, at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, Garden of Serenity.
Karine was a sweet, loving, well-mannered and soft-spoken daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece and cousin.
She loved to watch and take pictures of sunsets, road trips to her aunts and uncles in Missouri and Wisconsin, sing, dance, connecting on social media, shopping and her cat Miss Samoa. She will be greatly missed by her family and everyone who knew and loved her.
Karine was preceded in death by her mother/grandmother, Karine Hatesa Apineru-Evans.
Left to cherish Karine's memories are her parents, Jennifer and Nofoasaefa Leota; sisters, Fagaeolemasina "Mary" and Taofegauia'i "Amayah"; brother, Rapi Quincy; father/grandfather, Shawn Evans; her Apineru Family; and her Leota Family.
Condolences may be left at www.cedarmemeorial.com under obituaries.
Messages from your sisters.
A message to my little sister:
Karine, this was such unexpected timing, I was hoping to go see grandma first, but I guess you beat me to it. You were such a special girl, beautiful and always full of imagination and the resemblance between the two of us is uncanny. This year 2020, I am to graduate high school, and I was hoping to finally get to meet you in person, I loved our long phone calls but I wanted the real life version of everything but I guess that shall wait till it is my turn to join you up there. It has been four years since I have heard your sweet voice, and it pains me to say I was not able to hear it again one final time before your departure. Here on Earth everything feels different, there is an emptiness. I hope you're dancing in the sky; I hope you're singing in the angel's choir, and I hope the angels know what they have. It must be so nice up in Heaven since you arrived. Never had I ever cried a river of tears, but when you decided to leave there was no holding back, the 4 oceans could not withstand the flood of tears that ran quickly down my face. But I am sorry, I never told you all I wanted to say, never had I imagined living without you, but I know you're shining down on me from Heaven. Tell grandma, Mama Susie, Pops, Nana, Pago and everyone we love up there with you that I said I hope one day I can make all of them proud, and that I miss all of them very much. I am your big sister Rine, and I hope you know how much I love you uso! Always and forever, till no end.
-- Taofegauiai Amayah Leota

To my dearest beloved baby sister,
No words can explain how much I love and miss you, it's even harder for me to write this to you because I never thought of losing you in such a short period of time. Ever since I heard the news of your loss I didn't know what to do or how to feel but deep inside there's a pain that I never felt in a long time, especially losing my own baby sister it was something really unexpected and heartbreaking. I was really looking forward to seeing you one day and spending time with you and have a sisterly bond with you that I will cherish every moment of it. But now without you, my life will be like a book without page numbers. The story will go on, but it might feel out of order. I miss her, my sister, her spirit dulled to a whisper. My sister was a gift I never asked for, but I always wanted. A lost sister is like the missing piece in the game of life. When she was alive, I didn't always miss my sister - now I can't stop missing her. See you when I see you ok, kisses to the sky to you uso. I love you with every beat of my heart and I miss you every day of my life.
--Your older sister, Fagaeolemasina Mary Leota.

TIMOTHY JAMES BERANEK
Solon


Timothy James Beranek, 60, of Solon, died on Wednesday, May 6, 2020, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Celebration of Life gathering will be Livestreamed from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 9, 2020, on Brosh Chapel's Facebook page. Friends and family are encouraged to view, leave a condolence during this time. Private family inurnment will be at a later date. Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre are in charge of Tim's arrangements.
Timothy was born Sept. 15, 1959, in Council Bluffs, the son of Darrell and Judith (Hansen) Beranek. He graduated from Wheatland Community High School, Class of 1977. Tim was united in marriage Jeanine Moore on March 22, 1980, in Toronto. He worked in the water well service industry for over 20 years. He retired from Cedar Rapids WinPump in February 2020 and began working seasonal work at Lake MacBride in April. Tim enjoyed fishing, being outdoors, camping, and spending time with his family, especially his grandkids. He was assistant Scoutmaster with Troop 156 in West Branch and Troop 120 in Solon.
Tim is survived by his wife, Jeanine; children, Megan (Kris) Richardson of Solon and Jonathan (Samantha) Beranek of Tiffin; three grandchildren Eli, Lucas and Henry; his parents Darrell and Judy of Oxford Junction; his siblings Teri (Mike) Wiese, Toni (Andrew) Spurling, Kama (Jeremy) Shoaff and Darren Beranek; his father-in-law, James (Karen) Moore; brothers-in-law, James "J.D." Moore and Jeff (Angie) Moore; sisters-in-law, Joleen (Lance) Henning, Diane Moore (Will Clinton) and Darsha (Jay) White; as well as his nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his son, Louis James Beranek; his grandparents; and his mother-in-law, Doris Lee Moore-Brick.
Memorials may be directed to Scout Troop 120 or 156 in his name.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.broshchapel.com.

Watch my video and see what a decentralized WordPress environment might look like. Almost everything we rely on to operate online is a centralized platform. WordPress, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, you name it—they’re all gigantic, centralized platforms. Ok, sure, but why does that matter? It matters because the bigger centralized platforms get, the less freedom users […]

Watch my video about the incremental approach—the cheapest, smartest, and easiest way to build a website (and a business!) One thing that’s always annoyed me about contract web design and development is this idea that you can actually pay for a finished product to be delivered within a particular time frame. Nothing actually works this […]

Watch my video on how I’m changing my approach with Thesis to include a lot more Focus. When I launched Thesis 2 in October of 2012, my goal was to create something that could serve as the foundation for any WordPress design. That’s why I spent the next 2 years working on Skins, which are […]

We are in the same storm, but not in the same boat. Your ship could be shipwrecked and mine might not be. Or vice versa.

For some, quarantine is optimal: a moment of reflection, of reconnection, easy in flip-flops, with a cocktail or coffee. For others, this is a desperate financial & family crisis.

In some homes a sole occupant faces loneliness. In others, family members are getting peace and time with each other — in others, quarantine means an increased danger due to domestic violence.

Some families of four just received $3,400 from the stimulus while other families of four saw $0.

Some were concerned about getting a certain candy for Easter while others were concerned if there would be enough bread, milk and eggs for the weekend.

Some want to go back to work because they don’t qualify for unemployment and are running out of money. Others want to punish those who break the quarantine.

Some are home spending a few hours a day helping their child with online schooling while others are educating their children on top of a 10-12 hour workday.

Some have experienced the near death of the virus, some have already lost someone and some are not sure if their loved ones are going to make it. Others don’t believe this is a big deal.

We are not in the same boat. Our perceptions and needs are completely different.

We are all on different ships during this storm experiencing a very different journey.

Diane LaDuke

Iowa City

While all of us would love to resume face-to-face classes in the Fall at the three Regent Institutions, the reality of our situation is making that highly unlikely. Let us assume you resume face-to-face classes using the 6-feet social distancing rule. That means classrooms can hold a lot less people. How much less? Suppose you have a lecture auditorium with an area of 8,783 square feet, which has a maximum seating capacity of 760 students under normal conditions. Implementing a social distancing rule would reduce the allowable number of students to 311 students. Size limitations effectively reduces student capacity by more than half. How many students can safely walk down a hallway and use the same exits to leave the building? Is each classroom disinfected between classes?

Social distancing practice dictates that no student could share a dorm room. Are universities expected to run these facilities at a financial loss? How long is that sustainable? Will each student get their own shower?

In a time when political pressures seem to be fighting against science and facts, it is incumbent upon our institutions of higher learning to stay levelheaded. In absence of widespread testing and immunization, it is simply irresponsible for the Board of Regents, the governor or university presidents to pretend that we’ll go back to a face-to-face learning environment in the fall. It is better to simply make the decision now about continuing with an online curriculum until it is safe for everyone.

David Johnson

West Branch

“It is hopelessness even more than pain that crushes the soul.”

-William Styron.

In my 35 years on earth I’ve heard the term “unprecedented” used only a handful of times to describe global events. I don’t know about you, but as I write this tucked away in my basement where I’ve been working from for the last two months, I’m pretty darn sick of the word “unprecedented.”

All of us are now experiencing the culmination of a global pandemic, a painful economic reality and the challenge of stay at home orders.

Social connectedness is one of the most important aspects of the human condition. During times of crisis we come together, not apart. Time spent with friends and family is immensely important to our well-being, heck, even time spent with co-workers has its benefits. Physical proximity to our supports matters, it matters a lot.

For those of us with a history of mental health struggles (and without), this “unprecedented” crisis has presented unique challenges to our well-being: uncertainty, fear, and a sense of hopelessness. The daily loss of life, the 24-hour news cycle with its constant focus on the pandemic, and a massive economic crisis. Good news is hard to come by.

The psychologist and suicidologist Edwin Schneidman coined the term “psychological pain” to describe “how much you hurt as a human. It is mental suffering; mental torment.”

All of us hurt right now.

During times of stress, it is not uncommon to experience thoughts of suicide.

The vast majority of individuals who experience suicidal thoughts or behaviors go on to live healthy and full lives. During this time where many of us have already felt financial impacts or experienced increased depression, the possibility of experiencing suicidal ideation or behavior increases.

Support is available, help is out there.

1. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) to immediately speak with a counselor (24/7/365). If you are thinking about suicide, are worried about someone else, or would like emotional support, the Lifeline network is available.

2. Mobile Crisis Outreach: If you live in Eastern Iowa you can call the Iowa Helpline (855-581-8111) to receive free telehealth services from a mobile crisis counselor. Counselors will connect with you via telehealth to provide screening, immediate intervention and guidance.

There are several warning signs that can help you determine if you or a loved one is at risk for suicide. These include:

• Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves

• Looking for a way to kill themselves, like purchasing a firearm

• Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live

• Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain

• Talking about being a burden to others

3. Social distancing does not mean social isolation. While we can’t be physically with many of our friends and family, we should still make an effort to connect with them. If there is someone you’ve worried about in the past, a friend or family member with a history of depression, now is an important time to reach out and see how they are doing.

4. Take care of what you can. I’ve noticed with many of the clients I work with (and myself) that as social distancing and stay at home orders have been in place for nearly two months now, sleep habits and routines have started to change. I find myself staying up later and sleeping in later. Sleep and mental health go hand in hand. It’s hard to feel good when we are not sleeping, or if our sleep cycles are significantly disrupted. Depression can drive us to want to sleep away the days. This is something to be avoided and tends to compound our feelings of loneliness.

5. Connect with your mental health providers. Connecting with a mental health provider remains an important component of support. Let your provider know that you’ve had thoughts of suicide so you can work collaboratively on treatment and support.

6. Know that you matter. Individuals who experience thoughts of suicide and/or depression will often report that they feel or think their lives don’t matter. As Kevin Hines, the motivational speaker and suicide prevention advocate says “You matter to people you haven’t even met yet.” Treatment for suicide ideation and behavior is very effective. You are worth it. The vast majority of people who experience suicide ideation go on to live healthy and fulfilling lives.

“Look well into thyself; there is a source of strength which will always spring up if thou wilt always look.”

-Marcus Aurelius, The Meditations.

Drew Martel (LISW, CADC) is the director of crisis services at Foundation 2 and has been involved in several suicide risk assessments, as well as provided trainings across the state on suicide intervention and treatment. Drew also provides individual therapy at Meadowlark Psychiatric Services and is an adjunct instructor at the University of Iowa School of Social Work.

The Gazette recently published an open letter from a group of church leaders regarding Gov. Kim Reynolds’ decision to allow in-person gatherings, asking her to reconsider.

Why? Why not let individual churches decide whether to hold services?

The people who signed this letter trust the pastors who are under their purview to teach God’s word to their congregations. Do you not trust them to prayerfully consider whether they should hold in-person services and ask for God’s guidance?

When you have God to guide your decisions, what does it matter whether the government decides a thing is permitted or not?

Pastors who lead those churches should seek God’s guidance on whether to meet in person, not Kim Reynolds.

Kent Christen

Coralville