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Middle East Showdown, Goodbye Twinkies and IKEA's Forced Labor
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Crystal was born in Florida and moved to the Netherlands at the age of 2. She grew up as the child of missionaries who worked in refugee communities, an experience that shaped her worldview.
She has an educational background in Religion and International Relations. Her work has been featured in the Foreign Policy Association, Women's Views on News, Conflict Solutions International, Our Town Gwinnett Magazine and Atlanta area Patches. She was also a piano and voice teacher in the Snellville community for five years. She has a strong passion for community journalism and giving locals a voice.
She and her husband, Paul, have two wonderful preschool-age children.
<strong>Beliefs</strong>: <i>At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable. We hope that the knowledge that our beliefs are on the record will cause us to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence we failed in this mission, please let us know</i>.
<strong>Politics</strong>: I consider myself moderate, and, while I always have a strong opinion, I often can see both sides. I believe in voting for the person, not the party, and do not vote along party lines.
<strong>Religion</strong>: My faith is one of the most important things in my life. I'll tell you more over coffee!
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Join the national conversation in Patch's Hot Topics column.

Join the national conversation in this week's Hot Topics column.
Teachers should receive the payment in this month's paycheck.
Teachers should receive the payment in this month's paycheck.
As the holidays approach, along with the accompanying cold weather and high gas or electric bills, the Southeast Co-op needs your help.
Join the national conversation in this week's Hot Topics column.
Teachers should receive the payment in this month's paycheck.
Join the national conversation in this week's Hot Topics column.
Join the national conversation in this week's Hot Topics column.
Join the national conversation in this week's Hot Topics column.
Join the national conversation in this week's Hot Topics column.
The Dawgs will play for the SEC title in Atlanta no matter what. But to maintain any national title hope, they can't overlook their next two opponents.
David Jones has been named the new principal for the Peachtree Ridge cluster school.
She and a number of other panelists will speak on an assortment of topics.
Burglary, driving in a zig-zag course and shoplifting in this week's arrest report.
Patch's bloggers can get you ready for Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and figuring out what to buy for that special gal or guy.
A $5,000 reward is offered for any information leading to an arrest.
The weather might be a bit nippy for the Leonid Meteor Shower 2012, but skies should be mostly clear for a great show. Here are some photos and video, too.
Small Business Saturday is Nov. 24. Shop local for the holidays!
Tewes played midfielder and forward for the 2012 Clearwater Christian College Cougars.