WHEN the world first came across Gary Meikle, we met his eyebrows before his face.

Small music venues across the city could be among some of the hardest hit businesses due to the coronavirus crisis, a charity has said.

Birgit Soyka stands in a large warehouse amongst 68 bird cages, each holding an exotic bird. The walls are covered in photos of brightly colored parrots, and bird-shaped tchotchkes dot the room. She cradles Boogie, a Congo African gray, and a regular guest at the San Francisco Bird Hotel, a spa and resort for birds. “Hi Boogie,” Soyka says; the bird coos in response. As the owner of the San Francisco Bird Hotel, Soyka takes care of Boogie and up to 150 other birds at a time. Her bird-boarding business started back in 2006, when Soyka, who says she’s always loved birds, agreed to “bird sit” a friend’s pet. “It was the beginning of a big snowball and avalanche,” Soyka says. “Out of this one bird came three birds, then 10 birds, then 100 birds.” In 2014, her small business turned into a full-blown bird spa and resort. At the Bird Hotel, all the cages are named after castles around the world; there’s Charlottenburg Palace, Hearst Castle and the Taj Mahal, just to name a few. There are

Cloud Microphones makes the best in-line mic preamp boosters, and now they have a new podcast to geek out over microphones and audio!

By the Amazing Facts Webmaster

Recently, I was at the grocery store picking up a few items. When I got to the cashier at the checkout line, I tried to engage her in conversation by asking a few simple questions. (I find it’s easier to share materials with people if you’ve broken the ice.) I asked if “things were crazy there lately,” and she said yes, commenting on how rapidly their recent shipment of toilet paper had disappeared.

As she was finishing up, she asked me if I needed a bag. I told her no and pulled mine out and set it on the counter. She said that because of the COVID-19 pandemic, they were not allowed to touch our bags and that I would have to bag my own groceries. After she told me this, the thought went through my mind that “she probably won’t take any material that I try to give to her.” So I bagged up my groceries and left without attempting to share any tracts or DVDs with her.^*

That left me wondering: “How do we share our faith during a lockdown?” 

Right now, if you knock on someone’s door, they're not likely to answer it. If you try to hand them a tract, they may not take it. Even having face-to-face Bible studies with people is more of a challenge now.

Yet, at this time, people are wondering what on earth is happening. They’re wondering what all of these rapid changes mean, and they want answers. As Christians who understand Bible prophecy, we have the answers that they need, but circumstances have made it more challenging to give those answers the way that we used to.

So here are a few ideas on ways that you can reach out to people and share your faith during the coronavirus lockdown: [PQ-HERE]

1. Use Your Phone!

One of the pastors at our church is continuing to have Bible studies with people but instead of going to their homes, he’s doing it over the phone. Also, many people who may not be Christians appreciate prayer and would not pass up an opportunity to pray with someone. Lots of people are out of work and don’t know what to do or where to turn—so give somebody a buzz and see what happens.

2. Use Social Media! 

Many more people are online now. If you have a social media account, instead of posting only cat videos, post something of substance that speaks to the times in an intelligent and informed way. Ask thought-provoking questions and see what kind of dialogue it generates. You may find many opportunities to share as others express their thoughts and concerns about the things that are happening right now.

3. Use Text Messages! 

Who doesn’t have a cell phone nowadays? I personally don’t have a smartphone, but texting still works on my “dumb” phone! Send Bible verses or inspirational quotes to people. And if you don’t have a cell phone, you can still send text messages if you have a Google Voice account, which is free.

4. Use Snail Mail! 

Although someone might not take a tract directly from your hand at this time, they would likely have no problem if they got it in the mail. Lots of people are stuck at home and, quite honestly, they’re bored! Send them something to read or watch. A friend of mine mentioned that they were looking up random names and addresses in the phone book and sending an uplifting card with a Bible tract in it. What a great idea! 

I felt inspired by that and, over the weekend, I hand-wrote a brief letter to several neighbors on a nearby street and placed a Final Events of Bible Prophecy and Kingdoms in Time DVD, as well as an 8 Amazing Steps to Optimize Your Health and Ancient Prophecies That Reveal the Future! Amazing Fact Tracts.

I hand-wrote the notes because people are more likely to open a handwritten envelope and to read a handwritten letter. If you choose to do this, you can put your name or just identify yourself as a friend or neighbor; it’s up to you, but it’s a great way to share with people while they’re under lockdown. (Here is a link to the letter that I sent out with the materials. Feel free to use and modify it as you see fit: Dear-Friend.pdf.)

How are you sharing your faith at this time? Please share your ideas in the comments below. Others might be inspired by what you’re doing! Just because we’re under lock-down doesn't mean that we can’t be about our Father’s business. Let’s be prayerful and look for creative ways to reach out to others.

*Just a note, I still should have offered her a resource and allowed her to decide if she wanted it or not. The next store I went to, instead of assuming that the cashier wouldn't take anything, I asked him if I could give him something. The young man said, “It depends on what it is.” I pulled a Final Events of Bible Prophecy DVD out of my purse, and he said, ‘Oh yeah! I'll take that.’ Praise the Lord! But what if I had not offered it?

Indian police have the unenviable task of enforcing the world's biggest coronavirus lockdown . But last weekend, they handed down a punishment more common in a middle-school classroom than a police station. Ten foreign tourists caught flouting India's coronavirus restrictions Saturday were made to write the phrase "I did not follow the rules of lockdown. I am very sorry" 500 times and submit the paper to police. The incident happened at a sandy beach along the Ganges River near Rishikesh, a tourist hub in northern India famous for yoga retreats and hippie hangouts. It's where the Beatles made a spiritual pilgrimage in 1968. An officer who answered the phone Monday at the Muni Ki Reti police station near Rishikesh confirmed details to NPR, but declined an interview. The tourists were reportedly from Israel, Mexico, Australia and Austria, and were walking along the river when Indian police intervened. Under India's lockdown, all nonessential outings are banned. Video shared online by

Nach dem Ausbruch des Coronavirus in einer Fleischfabrik in Coesfeld werden die Lockerungen teilweise verschoben. Mit mehr als 50 Infizierten pro 100.000 Einwohner gilt der Kreis als Risikogebiet.

We are getting reports of Facebook blocking users who repeatedly attempt to broadcast their DJ sets containing copyrighted music on Facebook Live. While on nearly all platforms it is technically not allowed to broadcast material you do not own the copyright for, or have permission to use directly from the rights holder (ie nearly every … Continued The post Facebook Blocking DJs For...

»

Copyright 2020 NPR. To see more, visit NOEL KING, HOST: Good morning. I'm Noel King. Karan Singh (ph) has performed magic tricks for famous actors, athletes and politicians. Now he'll perform for you for free. All you have to do is ask. Like many artists under lockdown, Singh has traded in-person performances for online ones. So pick a card. (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING) KING: Visualize your card. Did I get it? KING: He's already done shows for over 400 households from his bedroom in New Delhi - the magic of the Internet. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.

Test to see if this will work with the ESX8GT Expanders

I worked with a group of young creative / technical folks (mostly POC) to create an emotional mapping site. Tag a location and share how you're feeling — and check out the three opportunities for funded creative 'residencies'.

A big inspiration was Queering the Map.

[Link]

Writer’s block! That phrase might induce panic and a recollection of a familiar experience. It’s a very common phenomenon. So what is it? When in the beginning stages of undertaking a new writing project, a writer might find themselves blocked – stuck in front of a blank page or screen with no thoughts coming to...

Writer’s block! That phrase might induce panic and a recollection of a familiar experience. It’s a very common phenomenon. So what is it? In this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke explain the ins and outs of how and why we sometimes get stuck – and what...

Podcast? Podcast! Me and jessamyn, podcasting. It's the podcast thing, with jessamyn and with me, and it's this! Here you go. Seventy-five minutes? Podcast. Hi. Hello. Don't forget to reset your clocks if that happens this weekend. Podcast.

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It's episode 161 of the MetaFilter monthly podcast with cortex and jessamyn!

Jenn Wasner of Flock of Dimes and Wye Oak takes you through why Joni Mitchell's "Amelia" both comforts and terrifies her. And Lucy Dacus explains how the Cure's "Just Like Heaven" is a friendly ghost in her life, and how Prince's "I Would Die 4 You," helped expand her idea of how cool a song about God could be.

Seahawks WR DK Metcalf and former Cougars QB Gardner Minshew shared their experiences as first-year players with 547 players in the NFL’s first rookie webinar after the draft last month.

While jurisdictions around the world begin to relax coronavirus restrictions, a handful are pioneering a novel — and potentially fraught — approach: The double bubble. In Canada they're doing it in Newfoundland, Labrador and New Brunswick.

Seahawks WR DK Metcalf and former Cougars QB Gardner Minshew shared their experiences as first-year players with 547 players in the NFL’s first rookie webinar after the draft last month.

The padlock business must be having an uptick with all the businesses closed because of the coronavirus. Widely seen in Seattle during the pandemic, locks and chains convey the sense of a city on pause. Some businesses considered essential have limited hours and curbside pickup. Others are hoping to open soon, and some are shuttered […]

The padlock business must be having an uptick with all the businesses closed because of the coronavirus. Widely seen in Seattle during the pandemic, locks and chains convey the sense of a city on pause. Some businesses considered essential have limited hours and curbside pickup. Others are hoping to open soon, and some are shuttered […]

While growing up, running was never this writer's idea of fun. But something has changed in recent months, and his presence on sidewalks and running trails around Seattle should be proof enough that you can, and should, also try things you always thought you hated. Because, why not?

A senior scientist at a government biomedical research laboratory has been thwarted in his efforts to conduct experiments on possible treatments for the new coronavirus because of the Trump administration’s restrictions on research with human fetal tissue. The scientist, Kim Hasenkrug, an immunologist at the National Institutes of Health’s Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Montana, has […]

More than 100 Washington state parks will reopen for day use on Tuesday. But this doesn't mean you should abandon social distancing practices. Here's what you need to know before you go.

From the godfather of crime fiction to a fresh new voice in the genre, here are three gripping new cases for you to solve from the comfort of your reading chair.

Gov. Jay Inslee’s continued lockdown is not giving us transparency on metrics for reopening the state. Even with the so-called “phased approach,” there’s nothing that the public can look for to know whether the next phase is in sight. The governor keeps talking about “data.” The Seattle Times publishes graphs of the daily number of […]

Redbooks, published: Thu, 16 Apr 2020

Companies need to migrate data not only when technology needs to be replaced, but also for consolidation, load balancing, and disaster recovery (DR).

NEW YORK — Danny Lin cruised his white sports car down Broadway, the bright lights of Times Square gleaming off his sharply detailed Audi R8. He looped through the tourist hot spot again and again, navigating around Corvettes, Mercedes, Mustangs and BMWs — a parade of high-priced vehicles gathered for a rare photo-op. “I never […]

Gov. Jay Inslee’s continued lockdown is not giving us transparency on metrics for reopening the state. Even with the so-called “phased approach,” there’s nothing that the public can look for to know whether the next phase is in sight. The governor keeps talking about “data.” The Seattle Times publishes graphs of the daily number of […]

Seahawks WR DK Metcalf and former Cougars QB Gardner Minshew shared their experiences as first-year players with 547 players in the NFL’s first rookie webinar after the draft last month.

Karan Singh has performed magic tricks for famous actors, athletes and politicians. He'll perform for you, for free --all you have to do is ask. He has already done shows for over 400 households.

The French are facing social disparities in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. With long bread lines and tensions with police, the Paris suburbs are faring poorly under the lockdown.

Shares of SG Blocks, Inc. (SGBX), a fabricator of container-based structures, are surging almost 34 percent or $1.47 in Tuesday's morning trade at $5.80. The stock has traded in a range of $1.16 to $35.00 in the past 52 weeks.

Carbon County in the Western U.S. State of Wyoming is set to implement a blockchain-powered land registry system in 2020, which will assure immutability of records and help in registering and validating property ownership with a clear chain of title. The land records and information platform will be developed in partnership with Overstock.com's blockchain subsidiary Medici Land Governance (MLG).

AirAsia's logistics arm Teleport has rolled out a blockchain-powered cargo booking system called Freightchain, claimed to be the world's first digital air cargo network run on blockchain. The platform can be used by shippers, airlines and freight forwarders to make cargo bookings in minutes through bids submitted for cargo belly space on any of AirAsia's 247 aircraft and validated on blockchain.

IBM has rolled out "IBM Rapid Supplier Connect" to help in addressing the shortages in the COVID-19 Medical Supply Chain. The IBM Blockchain-powered solution can help healthcare and government agencies in the U.S. and Canada to rapidly identify and onboard new, non-traditional, alternative vendors to address the shortage of equipment, devices and supplies needed for COVID-19 relief efforts.

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has teamed up with blockchain-powered fan engagement platform Chiliz ($CHZ) in an exclusive global partnership to offer fan engagement solutions to their over 318 million global fans. UFC is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company based out of Las Vegas in Nevada. It is one of the fastest growing sports in the world.

Japanese consumer electronics major Sony Corp. has developed a blockchain-powered platform that integrates transportation data from across different forms of transportation such as trains, buses, taxis, car sharing, on demand mobility services and rental bicycles. The common database platform or Blockchain Common Database (BCDB) utilizes blockchain technology for Mobility as a Service (MaaS).

Italian news agency ANSA is using blockchain technology to fight fake news by enabling readers to check the source of the news with its new ANSAcheck news tracking system developed in collaboration with Ernst & Young (EY). Through the EY blockchain HUB in the EY Mediterranean Region, EY has developed a solution which is based on EY OpsChain Traceability technology.

American agricultural giant Cargill teamed up with Singapore-based agri-commodity trader Argocrop International and Dutch financial services company Rabobank to complete a $12 million intercontinental agricultural trade transaction using blockchain technology. The transaction between the global agriculture supply chain partners took place in five days amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.

Karan Singh has performed magic tricks for famous actors, athletes and politicians. He'll perform for you, for free --all you have to do is ask. He has already done shows for over 400 households.

Tomorrow, Italy begins lifting the lockdown it imposed March 9 to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Despite some of the strictest measures in Europe, more than 28,000 Italians have died.

European stocks are likely to open higher on Tuesday as Italy finally eased lockdown restrictions with strict guidelines after two months.

German stocks were rising on Tuesday after several countries across Europe and the Middle East eased lockdown restrictions.

French stocks rallied on Tuesday after Italy, Spain and France have all recorded their lowest daily spike in fatalities to date.

European stocks rebounded on Tuesday after falling sharply the previous day on concerns about the coronavirus's impact on earnings and rising U.S.-China tensions.

Christine Maccarone of New Jersey styles hair in nursing homes and hospitals. She's worried about her business surviving the state lockdown, and the well-being of her elderly clients.

Asian shares ended broadly higher on Wednesday as several countries announced plans to ease lockdown measures amid falling coronavirus infection rates.