With so many news stories out there about crime, it’s easy to feel like the area around you is incredibly dangerous. However, the truth of the matter may be more complicated than you might assume. If you’re wondering about the United States’ crime rates and your own safety in association, here are some important facts to keep in mind.

1. Crime Is on the Downturn

Even though you’re probably seeing more news about crimes in recent years, that doesn’t necessarily mean that crime is going up. Instead, it’s likely a reflection of the ease with which people can access information. According to the FBI, the national crime rate per 100,000 has been steadily declining since 2010:

2010: 3,350.4
2011: 3,292.5
2012: 3,255.8
2013: 3,112.4
2014: 2,971.8
2015: 2,859.6
2016: 2,837
2017: 2,745.1
2018: 2,568.4

Even when you narrow down the crime to exclusively violent crimes, the trend is still downward. There are more peaks, but overall, violent crime also appears to be trending downward.

2010: 404.5
2011: 387.1
2012: 387.8
2013: 379.1
2014: 375.7
2015: 372.6
2016: 386.3
2017: 382.9
2018: 368.9

Violent crime is nearly at its lowest point in three decades. Certain violent crimes also indicate this even more dramatically – the homicide rate in 2018, for example, was only half the homicide rate in 1991.

2. Socioeconomic Status Is Crucial

When you look at cities with higher rates of crime versus cities with lower rates of crime, one thing you notice is that socioeconomic status is a huge indication of safety. Consider, for example, the five safest cities in the United States in terms of violent crime per 100,000.

Hopkinton, Massachusetts: Nearly 0
Bridgefield, Connecticut: Nearly 0
Madison, Connecticut: Nearly 0
Harrison Town, New York: 3.5
Bernards Township, New Jersey: 3.7

While these cities may all share a very low violent crime rate, they also share another important feature: the cities have a median area income over $100,000 per year. On the other hand, the ten most dangerous cities in the United States have a poverty rate over 20%, nearly twice the national average.

3. Looking at Your Neighbors Is Most Important

One of the important things to remember is that you can’t just count on your state’s violent crime rate or even the city’s crime rate. You need to know what’s going on in your immediate area, not just what’s going on in the general vicinity.

This is why many people have started turning to public record search engines, which allows many individuals to search up their address and see more information on criminal problems in the area. If you’re interested in staying safe, your neighborhood should be the first thing you check.

Conclusion

When it comes to staying safe, you need to look at specific data, not just a general “feeling” of safety or danger. It’s also important to remember that the wealthier the area you live in, the safer you’re likely to be. For actual information, make sure you look at your neighbors, not just the nearby cities.

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Being a part of a religion and spiritual path can be a very rewarding experience. However, diving deep into its practices to understand the significance of what you’re celebrating and what certain rituals mean can serve to enhance what you’re already reaping from your chosen path. For example, if you’re Catholic, do you know what the purpose of communion is and why you regularly engage in the consumption of wine and wafers? If not, let’s take a closer look at this ritual and what it means for those in the Catholic faith.

Communion and You

What is communion and what purpose does it serve?

Communion is something that many Christians and Catholics will partake in. But what exactly does it mean? The significance of communion can be traced back to the Last Supper in the Bible. Specifically, in Mattthew 26:26-28, Jesus says to his disciples: “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, spoke a blessing and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, saying:

“Take and eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”

Many see communion as a celebration of Jesus’s sacrifice and a reminder of the love and commitment that he had for those that he sacrificed himself for. By engaging in this practice, you’re showing your commitment to him in the process.

What supplies do you need for communion?

Hosting communion is easy. Although some people may be selective about what they use (for example, some may choose to use unleavened bread), you can easily take communion using wine from your local liquor store and any crackers or bread you may be able to find or goods that you already have on hand. If children are engaging in communion with you, you may wish to use grape juice instead (or provide the children with grape juice while the adults drink from a wine cup).

Beyond the two major ingredients involved in communion that represent the body and the blood of Christ, communion supplies will typically include special cups and bread trays for the wine and bread/crackers. Of course, we’re living in much different times, and the COVID-19 pandemic means that many are meeting from home. The good news? You can still get all of the supplies you need by purchasing a portable communion set that’ll provide you with special cups and trays for your rituals. This way, you can take communion from home safely!

Are there any specific guidelines for taking communion?

The answer to this question depends upon your faith. Some believe that are all worthy and welcome to engage in this practice. Others may follow stricter codes, such as that offered in Corinthians 11:27-32, which states:

“Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly. For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep. But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world.”

If you want to partake in communion, you can either do it alone or ask your church how they engage in this practice (and whether or not there are things that you must do before you can take communion as well).

Certain practices within various religions can seem strange, but learning more about them can make engaging in these rituals that must better. If you regularly take communion and are curious to learn more, the guide above will help you dive deeper into communion, what you’ll need to follow through with this ritual, and who can take it!

To read more on topics like this, check out the Lifestyle category

Nobody goes into a marriage wanting a divorce. When a person marries that special someone, the hope is that each person has found their soul mate. In some relationships though, that is not always the case. In 2020 39% of marriages are ending in divorce. This happens for a variety of reasons. Some of these reasons include lack of commitment, too much arguing, infidelity, marrying too young, unrealistic expectations, lack of equality in the relationship, lack of preparation for marriage, and abuse (physical and mental).

This often leads to people seeking out legal resources to begin the divorce process. A lot of people give the reason for no longer being in love as a prime reason for divorce. Over time, the degree of love in a relationship changes, and in some cases people may feel that they have “fallen out of love.” If marriage counseling doesn’t help when this happens, then it’s best to consider separation for the sake of both parties.

Going through the process of divorce can be taxing, and a bit stressful. A person finds that they might have even lost a bit of confidence during the divorce. Once this process is over, and a person has accepted this new stage of their life, things will get better. To get to this point where confidence has been rebuilt, here are a few steps.

1. Begin listing your positive traits and accomplishments.

Treating oneself as a decent human being is an essential quality for leading a healthy and productive life. After divorce, this becomes somewhat difficult. An air of negativity can cloud a person’s thinking, making them doubt that they are a good person. Once the divorce process is done, a bit of rebuilding is needed.

To start this rebuilding a person should try listing what is positive about themselves, in addition to highlighting what they have accomplished over the years. An individual can begin this process by focusing on the positive which they bought to the relationship. The need to rebuild the “positive frequency” in a person’s life is needed here. Once this positive frequency is rebuilt with bringing up past accomplishments, and positive traits, the confidence begins to be rebuilt.

2. Consider getting a makeover.

One of the biggest hits that a person experience during a divorce is their confidence. Unless the divorce is amicable, and you leave a person on decent terms, a lot of hurtful things probably have been said by each party, including how a person looks. Some of these words might have been said out of spite to tear a person down.

In addition to this, a person might see their unattractiveness as being a reason why the relationship is ending. Whatever the reason, confidence about one’s physical appearance takes a big hit when divorce occurs. A way to tackle this is by getting a physical makeover.

Maybe this means doing physical activities like hitting the gym, walking around the neighborhood to get fit. A person might do things that are a bit more cosmetic, and on the surface. Buy a new wardrobe. Buy a set of faux mink lashes for a night out on the town. Get a nice-looking haircut. Treat oneself to a pedicure. Makeovers go a long way with raising a person’s confidence.

3. Document your journey.

Keeping a journal often helps with detangling a person’s thoughts and feelings. After going through a divorce, a journal is definitely needed, as a person finds that their minds are cluttered with everything this process brings. One way to not get lost in all of this mental debris is to write your own story. This allows a person an opportunity to get their thoughts out, in the hopes of making sense of it all.

This will allow a person to pinpoint what works and what doesn’t work for them in their goal of becoming a better person. A more confident person. When a person tells their own story, they can then focus on the good of their existence, versus what they perceive as just being wrong.

4. Look forward to the person you want to be.

The divorce has happened, a person is by themselves, and now they have to keep on living. Divorce is not the end of a person’s life. Though it might feel that way at this point, this is not the case.

Divorce doesn’t bring out the best in people, and while its happening things feel stagnant for the individuals involved. Once the process of divorce is over, then a person should begin looking forward to who they want to be. Future growth is essential so that a person can have the best life experience possible post-divorce.

5. Build a support system.

Friends can be extremely helpful in building one’s confidence. When a divorce occurs, it helps to have such a support system. Whether it’s a friend calling with a dumb joke or another friend who is just calling to check in, having a solid support system can help with rebuilding a person’s self-confidence.

To read more on topics like this, check out the Lifestyle category

Fall is right around the corner, and people’s thoughts are turning to pumpkin spice everything, cozy nights by the fire, and dressing up to head out and get candy on Halloween. There are many, many amazing things to love about the fall season, but it’s also important to remember that after the coziness of fall comes the cold of winter.

While you’re enjoying the brisk breezes and crisp falling leaves of fall, don’t forget to start preparing yourself and your home for the long winter months ahead. Below, you can find a few winter safety tips to help you get prepared before the cold weather hits.

Replenish your wardrobe.

While there are many of your autumn clothes that might work well for the first part of winter, as the season progresses you’re going to need everything from thick coats to snow boots and from winter pants to bulky sweaters and hoodies to get your through. One of the main articles of clothing you’ll need to replenish your winter wardrobe with is womens scarves.

Not only can a good women’s scarf help provide some added warmth, but they also are fashionable and can be worn with just about any outfit, whether it’s elegant, work attire, or casual wear. There are many uses for the winter scarves in your life, you just have to know how to use them.

Have your roof inspected.

A broken roof or clogged gutter can impact the curb appeal of your home and lead to expensive roof inspection costs for homeowners. The type of roof doesn’t matter, either. It could be a flat roof, tile roof, or a new roof with your conventional asphalt shingles. At the beginning of the fall season, go ahead and contact a reputable roof repair Pittsburgh service to come to inspect and repair your roof if needed. Roof contractors often provide a free estimate and will tell you if you’re looking at roof damage like a small leak or if you need an entire roof replacement or gutter installation.

Professionals will be looking for cracked caulking, rust spots on the flashing, shingles that are curling, buckling, or blistering, rubber boots around the vent pipes that are cracked and worn, and any signs of moss and lichen, which could be a symptom of decay.

Inspect your fireplace and chimney.

A visual inspection, both inside and outside of your home can ensure that your wood-burning fireplace is ready to burn this upcoming season. When inspecting the outside of the fireplace make sure that there are no tree limbs hanging above or near your chimney, as well as signs that birds have built nests near the cap.

You also want to ensure that the chimney cap is durable as well.

Once you’ve inspected the outside, inspect the inside by making sure your flue damper opens, closes, and is sealed properly. Don’t forget to check that there are no bird nests or other debris blocking your flue. You also want to clean your fireplace and the surrounding area, as well as making sure there are no cracked bricks or missing mortar.

Making sure that your fireplace and chimney are in great working order before you light that first fire of the season is essential to keeping your family warm and safe this winter.

 

Stay hydrated.

During the winter months, it’s much simpler to reach for hot cocoa, tea, and coffee than it is when it’s extremely hot outside. However, even though those drinks have water in them, they can’t replace drinking the required amount of water every day. You still need to carry that bottle of water around with you and even though you may not feel as thirsty as you do during the summer months, your body still needs that hydration to keep you healthy and your immune system going strong.

These are just a few of the best winter safety tips that you should follow this season. Winter can be fun, you just need to know how to stay healthy and safe while having it.

To read more on topics like this, check out the Lifestyle category

Online casinos are the internet version of land-based casinos. These are websites where you can wager on table games, slots, and other casino games for real cash. Online casinos have flourished over the years with the advancement of technology.

With over a thousand online casinos operating today, let’s take a look at the history of the online casino industry by listing down its pioneers.

Gaming Club Casino

The Gaming Club Casino is one of the oldest online casinos in the world. Although there were already several online casinos that were in their infancy stage in 1994, it claims to be the first online casino to take a bet.

The popularity of the Gaming Club enabled its owners to establish several other online casinos including Jackpot City, Showdown, and Home Casino. They were all merged into The Gaming Club Group before being sold to the Carmen Media Group. Gaming Club is still up and running today as one of the seven online casinos under Belle Rock Entertainment.

InterCasino

InterCasino is one of the pioneers within the online casino industry. Like Gaming Club, it claims to be the first online casino. Established in 1996, InterCasino was founded by a former Ohio bookmaker named William “Billy” Scott. It is registered and regulated by the Lotteries and Gaming Authority of Malta.

In 2007, InterCasino paid out the then biggest ever online casino jackpot when a factory worker won $8M on its Millionaire’s Club progressive slots. It’s currently owned by the Dumarca Gaming Ltd Casinos.

Intertops

Intertops entered the picture in 1996 as one of the few online casino innovators. But it isn’t just one of the oldest online casinos in the world, it’s also the first online sportsbook on record to accept the world’s first online sports wager.

On January 17, 1996, Finnish national Jukka Honkavaara logged into Intertops and made a $50 bet on the Tottenham Hotspur Football Club against Hereford United in English football. Honkavaara won the bet and profited only $2, but he would earn a place in the Sports Betting Hall of Fame for his historic bet.

English Harbour Casino

The English Harbour Casino is considered the fourth trailblazer in the online casino industry but is the only one that’s no longer operating. Founded in 1997, it was owned by E.H. New Ventures Gaming Inc. and was running out of Antigua.

In 2011, English Harbour Casino and six other major online casinos announced that they were shutting down their operations. Although no reason was given, it was widely believed that the United States’ Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 played a big part in the closure of English Harbour Casino.

Join the discussion on this topic with The Lead Belly by visiting our Contact page.

Driving your car around town may be fun, but what do you do when something goes wrong with it? Are you prepared to handle an accident involving a passenger, or having a flat tire on an isolated road? Most vehicle owners know that they need to have their driver’s license and their proof of insurance in the car, but what else do you have on hand? Here are three items you should have in your car, in case of an emergency.

A First Aid Kit

On the road, multiple scenarios could lead to your needing a first aid kit; an accident could occur, someone in the car could have an allergic reaction to something, or you could have a headache that makes it impossible to drive. Whatever the case, the DfT has made it mandatory for vehicle owners to have a first aid kit in their cars. They are available for sale in prepackaged kits, or you can make your kit – using items you buy in a store. If you assemble it yourself, make sure that your kit contains different types and sizes of bandages, cotton swabs, hand sanitizers, gauze, aspirin, allergy medication, and any other type of medication that might be needed by you or your family.

An Internet-Enabled Smartphone and a USB Car Charger

In our modern age, having a working cellphone is essential in an emergency. Access to the internet means that you never have to worry about getting lost (thanks to online mapping systems) and that you can always reach someone who will help you in the event of an emergency. A good idea is to keep a working spare phone in your car, just in case you are in an emergency and something has happened to your main phone.

If you do not want to spend the extra money on a phone, another option is to buy and keep a USB car charger from Spares2you in your car. With that, you can easily keep the battery of your cellphone fully charged at all times and not have to worry about running out of cellphone juice in the middle of an emergency.

A Spare Tire

One of the worst things that can happen to a driver is having a flat tire on an isolated road with no spare tire in the boot. It is extremely important that any car being driven not only has a spare tire inside it but also that the driver knows exactly how to change the tires. Changing a flat tire is simple. It only requires a few tools – a tire iron, a jack, a pipe, and a wrench. With those tools in hand and a little bit of elbow grease, removing a flat tire and replacing it with a spare is one of the easiest tasks ever.

Just as with most things in life, driving a car can be a risky endeavour. Make sure you keep these items in your car so that you are not stuck out on the road one day, with no spare tire or phone to call for help.

To read more on topics like this, check out the lifestyle category.

Flowers could make any occasion brighter and livelier. They have the cardinal power to turn any ordinary day into a special one for your loved ones. They represent the soul and beauty of nature and their fragrance can captivate the most stone-hearted person too. Each month of the calendar is also represented by a beautiful floral that enhance the allure of the season and make them special with their enchanting bloom. Let’s see which flower rules for your birthday month!

1. January – Carnations

The crisp and cold season of January is embellished with the beauty of Carnations. These “Cinnamon Red Hot” florals are flowers for the first month of the calendar. It symbolises love, fascination and distinction. As the legend says, the first carnation was born with the tears of Mother Mary when Christ was crucified.

2. February – Violet

The love and romance are in the air in February which is further enhanced with Violets. It represents loyalty and faithfulness. Violets say that you will always be true to your love. This beautiful flower also exists in white colour which takes it beauty a notch above.

3. March – Daffodil

The spring season in March makes nature bloom at its best and this pretty season is further adorned with Daffodil. Also known as “Love Call”, they symbolize new birth, beginnings, happiness and joy. Daffodil is also the national flower of Wales and spotting first daffodil of the season is supposed to bring good luck for the ear to come.

4. April – Sweet Pea

April babies have got Sweet Pea in their hands which symbolize beauty, innocence, love or purity. It is found in every part of the world except Antarctica. These flowers are native to Sicily, Cyprus and Southern Italy and are known to be long-lasting. Present a flower bouquet of a sweet pea to someone to appreciate their beauty and innocence.

5. May – Lily of the Valley

To celebrate May birthdays, we have Lily of the Valley which indicates humility and happiness with their sweet fragrance. Despite what its name suggests, Lily of the Valley is not true lily but it belongs to the asparagus family.

6. June – Honeysuckle

Pronouncing love, gratitude and appreciation, honeysuckle is also used in the manufacturing process of herbal pillows due to an old legend saying that if one keeps honeysuckle under their pillow at night they will be blessed with pleasant dreams.

7. July – Larkspur

Different colours of larkspur present different emotions. Pink larkspurs symbolize a fickle love whereas, on the other hand, white ones says a happy spirit. It is quite popular for its pretty flowers.

8. August – Gladiolus

The birth flower of August, in its sheer beauty, says to the recipient “ remember me”. It also represents strength and integrity. In old times, these flowers were considered to have magical powers.

9. September – Aster

The fall begins with the sweet fragrance of Aster symbolizing a strong and powerful love. It belongs to the family of sunflowers. Aster is also used in the preparation of various floral arrangements and bouquets.

10. October – Marigold

Drenched in the colours of fall, marigold symbolize undying love. It is an easy flower to grow and that is why it is a favourite of cultivators worldwide. Marigold is usually yellow, orange, red and maroon in colour.

11. November – Chrysanthemum

It is not only a birth flower for November borns, but also considered the second most popular flower with its name derived from Greek words, chrysos (gold) and anthemon (flower). The chrysanthemum was first cultivated in China.

12. December – Poinsettia

The Christmas spirit comes alive with the charming red Poinsettias in the house. The bright red part of the plant is actually not a flower but modified leaves. December 12th is celebrated as Poinsettia Day.

To read more on topics like this, check out the lifestyle category.

If you’re searching for information about the popular New York restaurant The Lead Belly, simply continue reading to discover everything that you need to know about The Lead Belly. Including information about its unique decor, its menu and its drinks menu.

Everything that you need to know about The Lead Belly:

It is now known as Bar Belly but was originally named after a famous folk singer:

While many NYC natives still refer to The Lead Belly by its original name, it’s official name is now Bar Belly. The original name of the bar The Lead Belly was inspired by the folk and blues singer Lead Belly. Who was born in Louisiana in 1888 and passed away in New York City in 1949. The Lead Belly was best known for singing songs whilst playing on his 12 string guitar. Some of his most successful tracks include “Goodnight Irene”, “Rock Island Line” and “Where Did You Sleep Last Night”, all of which you can listen to online.

It’s known for it’s cozy atmosphere and vintage inspired decor:

If you love the atmosphere of vintages bars, it’s well worth visiting Bar Belly in order to enjoy a couple of cocktails and bar snacks in a cozy, welcoming bar. Imagine cozy booth style seating, retro decor and candle light. The Lead Belly is the perfect bar to socalize with friends after work or to enjoy few late night snacks on a late Saturday night out with your closet friends.

It primarily serves Mediterranean dishes:

If you’re a fan of Mediterranean style tapa dishes, which you can share with your date or friends, you’ll love Bar Belly’s Mediterranean inspired dishes. Some examples of some of the succulent dishes which are currently on offer include juicy octopus and tasty lamb meatballs. None of which you’ll want to share, after you take your first bite of your dish.

Regulars can’t get enough of its oysters:

One of Bar Belly’s signature dishes is its oyster platters. Which are ideal for sharing with a romantic date or a group of friends. Especially if you’re looking for a light meal and don’t want to consume a heavy meal. So if you arrive at Bar Belly 10.30pm and are looking for a delicious late night snack, you definitely can’t go wrong ordering a plate of fresh oysters. Also keep an eye out for Bar Belly’s oyster happy hour, where you’ll be able to purchase an oyster for $1.

It’s located in New York’s Lower East Side:

The Bar Belly is one of the most popular bars in New York’s trendy Lower East Side.

You can hear live music at Bar Belly on most nights:

One of the advantages to heading to Bar Belly is that it regularly hosts performances from talented New York artists. If you’re interested in attending live performances, head to the back of the bar where you’ll find a few tables, right next to the bar’s stage.

If you’re currently searching for a new bar to visit in New York, you can’t go wrong visiting the Bar Belly which is also known as The Lead Belly. As it offers tasty late night snacks, cheap cocktails and live music.

As your happiness is the most important thing in the world, it’s a smart idea to continue reading in order to discover a few new lifestyle tips which will help you lead a happier life.

Lifestyle tips which will help you lead a happier life:

Try to maintain a positive mindset:

In order to maintain a positive, happy attitude it’s a great idea to work on being grateful for all the good aspects of your life. As an example you may want to get into the habit of writing down three things that you’re grateful for, on a daily basis. As when you concentrate on positivity, you should find that your mood will improve.

Surround yourself with positive, like minded individuals:

One way to ensure that you maintain a positive mindset is to start spending more time with positive, like minded individuals who try to make the most out of their lives. Instead of spending time with negative individuals who’ll try and hold you back from achieving your life goals.

Don’t feel pressured to socalize when you want to stay home and relax:

While you may feel pressured to give in to your friends’ demands to socalize during your free evenings, if you’re not feeling up to socalizing don’t be afraid to say no. As it’s natural to want to spend a quiet night in, when you’re tired and not in the mood to hold down conversations. So next time you feel like staying home and binge watching Netflix, tell your friends that you’re not feeling up to socializing and that you’ll catch up with them next weekend.

It’s important to learn that you’re not responsible for ensuring that other people are happy and that it’s okay to disappoint your loved ones from time to time. In order to look after your own mental health and emotional well being.

Delete your social media apps from your smart phone:

If you find yourself casually scrolling through your social media feeds every time that you have a spare moment, you may have a social media addiction. In order to ensure that you don’t waste too much time on your smart phone scrolling through your newsfeeds and waiting for your posts to attract new comments and likes, it’s a great idea to delete all of your social media apps from your smart phone.

Remember that you’ll still be able to check in on your social media accounts once or twice a day using your smart phone’s browser. Instead of using your phones apps to check your social media accounts. After all social media should be used in order to keep in touch with your friends, not to distract you from your everyday life.

Don’t add people that you barely know on social media:

As your privacy is important it’s a great idea to become more selective when it comes to accepting social media requests. As trying to increase your number of followers or your number of online friends won’t make you any happier.

So if you’d love to lead a happier, more fulfilling life, you can’t go wrong following all of the lifestyle tips which are listed above. All of which should help you improve your mood.