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San Bernadino Sun Articles: Diverse field seeks Republican nomination Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer Posted: 06/03/2006 12:00:00 AM PDT Five Republicans' slog for their party's nomination to the 65th Assembly District seat will come to an end after Tuesday's votes are tallied. The winner of the primary election will campaign against the lone Democrat in the race, who so far has been able to watch the GOP fray from the sidelines. Incumbent Russ Bogh, R-Yucaipa, is termed out of the Assembly. The five Republicans trying to keep the seat in GOP hands are San Jacinto City Councilman Jim Ayres, Yucca Valley Mayor Paul Cook, Hemet Mayor Robin Lowe, Banning City Councilwoman Brenda Salas and collateral lender Ken Smith of Yucaipa. The Republican nominee will run against Democrat Rita Ramirez-Dean, a former college professor who lives in Twentynine Palms. The district includes the Big Bear Valley, Morongo Basin, San Gorgonio Pass and San Jacinto Valley areas. JIM AYRES Ayres was elected to the San Jacinto City Council in 1999 and is a regional manager for the Riverside County Economic Development Agency. He joined the Air Force in 1982, switched to the Air Force Reserve in 1987 and left the military in 2003. If elected to the Assembly, Ayres' top goals are to use state resources, such as a proposed border-police agency, to reduce illegal immigration; to enhance infrastructure in the district, particularly Highway 79; and to give school districts more independence from Sacramento. "I don't think anyone Advertisement in Sacramento knows what's best for Redlands," Ayres said. Ayres, as well as Salas, is a member of the campaign seeking to put "Jessica's Law" on the books. The law would require sex offenders released on parole to wear tracking devices for the rest of their lives and prohibit sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of any school or park. Like many Republicans, he has also positioned himself as a foe of taxes. PAUL COOK A retired Marine colonel, Cook served in the military from 1966 to 1992. He was elected to the Yucca Valley Town Council in 1996 and is a member of the board of directors for San Bernardino Associated Governments, which plans regional transportation projects in the county. He said illegal immigration is his top priority and wants to prevent illegal immigrants from obtaining driver's licenses and allow local agencies to determine the immigration status of inmates. His platform also includes planks on public safety he supports Jessica's Law and wants the state to have more parole officers and has also signed a pledge to oppose any tax increases. Cook said there is a disconnect between elected officials and the public and wants to reduce cynical views of government. "They've (politicians) created a total breakdown in communication," Cook said. ROBIN LOWE Lowe has been a member of the Hemet City Council for 12 years and is serving her fourth term as mayor. Like Ayres, she is a member of the Riverside County Transportation Commission. She said transportation is her top priority. She supports the $19.9 billion bond package scheduled to appear on the November ballot and said her goal in the Assembly would be to make sure her district gets a sufficient share of that money. She also wants to streamline the environmental-review process for infrastructure projects. "Let's not take 10 years to decide what to do with the butterflies," she said, referring to the possibility of concerns for endangered species delaying public-works projects. Lowe also wants the state to ensure all seniors are able to afford housing. BRENDA SALAS Salas was elected to the Banning City Council in 2000 and works on Riverside County Supervisor Marion Ashley's staff. She is also a board member for the Riverside Transit Agency. She listed illegal immigration as her top issue and wants state prison officials to work with the federal government to deport inmates who are determined to be illegal immigrants. She also wants to prevent the Legislature from passing laws to influence school districts' lesson plans and opposes bond measures and tax increases. "Before we know it, we're going to be taxed out of our homes," Salas said. KEN SMITH Smith is the owner of Cindy's, a collateral lending business in Hemet. He is a board member and former president of the Collateral Loan and Secondhand Dealers Association of California. Smith supports deploying National Guard troops to the border as an anti-illegal-immigration strategy and has presented himself during the campaign as a business-friendly candidate. He favors extensive auditing of state government and wants California to streamline environmental regulations, workers' compensation policies and other rules affecting companies. "We have to get the regulations recrafted so we can be more attractive to business," Smith said. RITA RAMIREZ-DEAN The only Democrat in the race, Ramirez-Dean ran for the same seat in 2004 but was defeated by Bogh. A former faculty member for Copper Mountain College and College of the Desert, Ramirez-Dean wants to freeze student fee increases in the state's higher-education system and retool education funding so 60 cents of every tax dollar dedicated to public schools is collected as college fees to stay under the control of local officials. "I want more money to be kept local," she said. In addition to education, Dean said she is also a supporter of universal health care. Jim Ayres Age: 44 Residence: San Jacinto Family: Married, one son and one daughter Occupation: Regional manager for the Riverside County Economic Development Agency Education: Attended Community College of the Air Force Paul Cook Age: 63 Residence: Yucca Valley Family: Married, one son, one daughter Occupation: History and political-science professor at Copper Mountain College Education: Masters' degrees from UC Riverside and Cal State San Bernardino Robin Lowe Age: 59 Residence: Hemet Family: Married, one son, one daughter Occupation: Executive director, Prime of Life Corporation Education: Attended Pepperdine and Northwestern universities Brenda Salas Age: 28 Family: Engaged Residence: Banning Occupation: Legislative aide for Riverside County Supervisor Marion Ashley Education: Master's, University of Redlands Ken Smith Age: 51 Residence: Yucaipa Family: Married Occupation: Owner of Cindy's, a Hemet-based collateral lending business. Education: Attended Walla Walla (Wash.) College Rita Ramirez-Dean Age: 63 Residence: Twentynine Palms Family: Divorced, two sons Occupation: Retired college professor Education: Doctorate, Louisiana State University Read more: http://www.sbsun.com/ci_3894167?source=email#ixzz16plelKu7 FBI reviews Calvert links Association with Lewis unlikely to thwart representative's bid for House Appropriations seat By Edward Barrera, Staff Writer Posted: 06/18/2006 12:00:00 AM PDT As Riverside Republican Ken Calvert seeks a seat on the powerful House Appropriations Committee, he finds himself on the periphery of investigations into his benefactor Rep. Jerry Lewis, an influential lobbying firm, and disgraced former Rep. Randy Cunningham. Related Articles: • Feds eye Calvert ties • FBI widens Lewis probe • Lewis accused of offering illicit influence • Investigation isn't fazing Lewis The FBI pulled Calvert's publicly available financial disclosure forms in May. The scrutiny comes amid the federal investigation into the lobbying firm Copeland, Lowery, Jacquez, Denton & White and its relationship with Lewis, the Redlands Republican and chair of the appropriations committee. Though Calvert has not been accused of any wrongdoing, Copeland Lowery and its clients were among the largest donors to his election campaigns since 1999. Lewis has been the main proponent of Calvert's candidacy for the appropriations committee seat that opened after Rep. Tom Delay, R-Texas, resigned. Advertisement Calvert would not comment for this story, but his spokesman, Bob Carretta, said the FBI has not contacted the congressman. Experts said they doubt the FBI's investigation would stymie Calvert's ambition for an appointment to the panel, which oversees about $900 billion in federal spending. "I think part of it will depend on how widely the scandal touches (Calvert) and whether or not the Republicans decide what would be more hurtful -- the scandal or disregarding (Calvert's) seniority," said Sherry Bebitch Jeffe, a USC political analyst. "If there are more questions raised about Calvert, then I don't think it would be wise for the Republican leadership to appoint him." The most corrupting influence in politics is friendships, and Jeffe said the issue is whether anyone did anything illegal for that friendship. Jack Pitney, government professor at Claremont McKenna College, said without evidence of wrongdoing, the impact on Calvert's pursuit will be minimal. "One thing is clear, Republicans tend to circle the wagons when they think one of their members is being unfairly portrayed in the media," Pitney said, adding that the more important aspect of a candidate's chances is what have they done for the party, such as fundraising. Calvert was elected to the 43rd District for the first time in 1992 and has been re-elected each two-year cycle since, though his district was re-numbered as the 44th District in 2002. The district includes western Riverside County, including the cities of Norco, Corona and Riverside, and eastern Orange County and the cities of San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente. He serves as chairman of the House Science Committee's Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics. He is also on the Committee on Armed Services and the Resources Committee. CUNNINGHAM SCANDAL The investigation into the lobbying firm stems from the corruption scandal that eventually sent Rep. Randy Cunningham, R-Escondido, to jail for eight years. He admitted to accepting $2.4 million in bribes from businessmen for steering federal contracts by using "earmarks." The practice allows lawmakers to insert provisions into spending bills that are specifically tailored to a project and circumvents the normal budgetary process. Calvert has connections with two people who reportedly are unindicted co-conspirators in the Cunningham case -- Thomas Kontogiannis and Brent Wilkes. The Cunningham investigation grew out of a sale of the congressman's house for an inflated price to a defense contractor, Mitchell Wade. Cunningham netted $700,000 more for the house than it was sold for a year later. Court records show that Cunningham eventually received millions in bribes -- including cash, antiques and vacations -- to steer federal appropriations to certain defense contractors. Wilkes, who headed a defense contracting company ADCS Inc., and previously worked with Wade, allegedly provided campaign cash and favors to Cunningham and obtained lucrative defense contracts. No charges have been filed against Wilkes. Also ensnared in the scandal is New York developer Kontogiannis. Cunningham helped the developer with New York prosecutors when he had legal trouble, and a mortgage company run by relatives of Kontogiannis helped finance a Virginia condo and Rancho Santa Fe house for Cunningham. Cunningham, Kontogiannis and Calvert took a December 2004 trip to Saudi Arabia, according to the Copley News Service. Calvert's financial disclosures show a businessman, Ziyad Abduljawad, paid for the trip that was "to promote discourse and better relations between the two nations." Wilkes and company associates have given Lewis more than $60,000 in campaign contributions and $9,000 to Calvert. Wilkes also was a Copeland Lowery client. COPELAND, LOWERY Wilkes gave the lobbying firm $160,000. The founder of the firm -- former San Diego Republican Rep. Bill Lowery -- has been a longtime friend to Lewis and served with the Redlands congressman on the appropriation committee more than a decade ago. The company, family members and clients donated about $480,000 to Lewis in the past six years. At the same time, the firm's clients received $100 million in federal grants, according to the Washington watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics. The revelations may have prompted the ongoing federal investigation that has seen subpoenas handed out to local municipalities and public agencies with ties to Copeland Lowery in the Inland Empire. According to public records, the lobbying firm and its clients have donated nearly $30,000 to Calvert since 1999, with the firm being the single largest donor during the 2003-04 election cycle. Friday, Copeland, Lowery, Jacquez, Denton & White announced that it is splitting into two groups, attributing the decision to "the current media focus on the firm." LOBBYISTS Craig Holman, legislative representative for Public Citizen, a watchdog group, said the current investigations will likely show that some lobbyists are so influential they might have been able to buy favors from certain lawmakers. "I fully expect indictments and for the FBI to uncover earmarks that have been bought and sold," Holman said. In a January interview about campaign contributions, Calvert said earmarks allow him to fairly represent his district when it comes to federal spending and that he publicizes any money he brings in. "There is always going to be tension between meeting with lobbyists and contributions," Calvert said at the time. "I do work with a number of companies, but any support of campaign contributions is completely unrelated. You don't do (appropriations and fundraising) in the same context. "People should be concerned about their government and that's a good thing. But I also think people should recognize that 99 percent of Republicans and Democrats are honest and hardworking, but unfortunately there a few bad apples." FEDERAL DOLLARS FOR CALIFORNIA Calvert was on the short list early this year for the appropriations seat vacated by Cunningham, but he initially was muscled out by Delay, the former majority leader. This month, however, Delay resigned from his seat amid a continued fight against campaign money-laundering charges in Texas and an investigation into another corruption scandal tied to lobbyist Jack Abramoff. California -- with only four representatives on the appropriations committee -- is underrepresented, said Tim Ransdell, executive director of California Institute for Federal Policy. "It's critical (for California) to have a strong and substantial presence on appropriations," he said. While it's not a sure thing -- even with Lewis' backing -- Calvert is in a good position and is respected on both sides of the aisle, Ransdell said. He added that typically an empty seat on the appropriations committee would be dealt with quickly because the heavy lifting on the budget is normally completed by the summer break in August. Riverside County Supervisor Marion Ashley said any questions about Calvert's decisions on earmarks benefiting his district are ridiculous. "He has done a fantastic job and has created thousands of jobs," Ashley said. "As a congressman, he has the highest character. This whole thing would be laughable if it wasn't so serious." Associated Press contributed to this story. Edward Barrera can be reached by e-mail at firstname.lastname@example.com or by phone at (909) 483-9356. Read more: http://www.sbsun.com/ci_3950752?IADID=Search-www.sbsun.com- www.sbsun.com#ixzz16pn0MY7J Battling the ravenous fire Santa Ana winds make it that much tougher for firefighters By George Watson, Jeff Horwitz and Guy McCarthy, Staff Writers Posted: 10/28/2006 12:00:00 AM PDT TWIN PINES - Firefighters tried to quell the ravenous Esperanza Fire on Friday as investigators sifted through more than 100 phone tips, any of which could indicate who lit the blaze that killed four firefighters a day earlier. Authorities hope that a reward fund that grew to $500,000 in government and private contributions will boost their arson investigation. NEW VIDEO: Esperanza Fire Update Windows version NEW Fire Photo Galleries: Gallery1 | Gallery 2 | Gallery 3 | Gallery 4 | Gallery 5 | AP Photo Gallery Videos: Fatal Fire | Arsonist believed to have started fire Map: Esperanza Fire area locator Related stories: - Winds to torment area through Saturday Foremost on everyone's mind, though, was when the wildfire would be tamed. At 8 p.m., it was only 25 percent contained. Gusting Santa Ana winds carrying hot and dry desert air continued to fuel the arson blaze that doubled in size to more than 39,900 acres after burning past the small mountain communities of Poppet Flats and Twin Pines. For most of the day, the fire continued moving southwest, splitting into three tendrils as each gobbled up acre after acre through canyons and hillsides that were more appropriate places for goats than weary firefighters. But as darkness approached, winds shifted, sending flames back where they came, leading to the re-evacuation of at least one community. "I just wish the thing was over," said Dwayne Wright, 40, of Poppet Flats, after spending Thursday night with his mother, who lives in the Silent Valley recreational park, which is near Poppet Flats. Wright was making final arrangements before he and his mother joined the slew of RVs streaming down the mountain as part of a mandatory evacuation. Santa Ana winds are expected to slack slightly today, with gusts up to 35 mph, said National Weather Service meteorologist Steve Vanderburg. The top wind gust recorded Friday was 46 mph in the Banning area, Vanderburg said. Humidity will remain low, meaning very dry conditions today. A red flag warning for critical fire weather remains in effect until 9 p.m. today but a dramatic shift is expected later in the night and early Sunday that could aid firefighters. "On Sunday, we'll get pretty much a 180, with light onshore winds of about 10 mph," Vanderburg said. "That should bring the humidity up to 20 percent by Sunday morning, and higher by that evening." Friends and family mourned the four dead firefighters, and turned their prayers toward a fifth member of the U.S. Forest Service strike team who suffered burns over most of his body Thursday morning. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger visited the 23-year-old injured firefighter, Pablo Cerda, whose prognosis, his doctor said, remained poor. As Cerda fought to survive, authorities examined the wildfire's ignition point and began pouring over the potential tips. They also looked to see if any of the recent rash of arson fires that have struck this area could be related, including a 40-acre fire Sunday in nearby Mias Canyon. Michael Wakowski, a fire division chief in the San Bernardino National Forest, said there had been so many fires that investigators had ample evidence to try to connect the dots. "You can tell from the site that obviously they knew they were doing," Wakowski said. "You have to have a knowledge of wind, weather, topography and fuels. All summer long there have been numerous fires. Boosting investigators efforts could be a still-growing reward fund that rose to $500,000. On Thursday, members of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors pledged $100,000 for information that leads to the successful arrest and conviction of anyone connected to the arson. That total was matched Friday by San Bernardino County supervisors, the state of California and the Morongo Band of Mission Indians. The tribe gave money in part because of the series of suspicious fires, said Robert Martin, a Morongo tribal council member. Tim Blexseth, an influential businessman in Rancho Mirage, also gave $100,000. "A lot of tips are coming in, and I don't think they are calling in for the money, though maybe some are," said Marion Ashley, a Riverside County supervisor. "It's going to be easier than winning the lotto to get this guy." Sgt. Earl Quinato of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department added that there is a "big difference between calls and leads." Still, he urged anyone who thinks they know something to call authorities. Assisting the sheriff's department was the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms. Pattern of destruction Investigators have not said what evidence of arson they have. But Ashley said the finding involved the burn "pattern." He gave no details of the pattern. "They know it was arson," he said. "There was also another major arson a few weeks ago that had a similar pattern." Altogether, after two days of wildfire, 10 structures have been destroyed and 500 are reported threatened, authorities said. More than 400 people have been evacuated in Popeet Flats and Castle Canyon. More homes were lost about 2 a.m. Friday on Sunset Avenue just south of Interstate 10 near Banning. Highway 243 remained closed from Banning to Lake Fulmor, and Highway 79 was closed between Beaumont and Hemet. More than 2,078 fire personnel, 279 engines, 20 bulldozers, 15 air tankers, 22 helicopters and four air attacks continued battling the deadly blaze. Several hundred people spent Thursday night in the Silent Valley RV park after fire cut off the only road out, but many had left in the morning. Many firefighters remained with them for protection. "We were watching the news on someone's portable TV and looking over our shoulders," said Wright, the Poppet Flats resident who came to care for his mother. Firefighters worked on cutting a 50-foot fire break on both sides of the existing fire perimeter overnight Thursday and into Friday morning. Fighting the fire as the day passed proved an arduous, and at times impossible task. Winds gusting to 45 mph boosted the blaze's forward progress and at times forced firefighters to race for safety. Firefighters were not "even cautiously optimistic" as they battled the wind-driven Esperanza Fire that killed four firefighters Thursday, said California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection spokeswoman Julie Hutchinson. The fire moved so fast and in a handful of directions, Hutchinson said, that the department did not have precise knowledge of the fire's size. All they know is it is growing, she said. It was last reported at more than 24,000 acres. "It's moving through the canyons," she said. "You can't just block off an area on the map and count the acres." Nothing was immediately threatened, Hutchinson said, but fire crews are being extra cautious because the area is populated. "We've got some schools, some large developments there," she said. A tough battle Around 10:30 a.m., the fire jumped across Highway 79 near Banning but firefighters beat it back and contained the flames on the east side of the highway. "We were ready because of the turns in the highway and by the drainage, it was a real vulnerable spot," said Engineer Dave Baker of the Carpenteria-Summerland Fire District. Flames reached the highway even setting the guardrail posts on fire like thick wooden candles. "Everything has to have some kind of a line built around it," Baker said. Bulldozers and hand-crews constructed a firebreak on the ridge above the east side of the highway to prevent the smoldering fire from breaking out anew. Orange-clad hand-crews worked with shovels and picks as they scaled the precipitous hillside. Others atop the ridge wielded chainsaws to clear the highly combustible brush. Around 4:30 p.m., authorities issued a mandatory evacuation from the Silent Valley RV park. As Wright contemplated the order, a giant yellow helicopter sucked up water from a nearby pond. Behind the pool of water, dozens of RVs decorated with Halloween stuff were scattered among trees, abandoned by people seeking safety. And then, Wright alluded to the concerns of authorities investigating the arson. "Everytime the brush grows up, somebody tries to burn it down," Wright said. By nighttime, the winds were changing, and officials hoped their fortunes were, too. "We prefer to have no wind at all, but an offshore wind has higher humidity," said Matt Streck, a CDF spokesman. A dangerous forest The fire was burning near areas where three out of four trees are already dead from drought and bark beetles, said Pim Chavez, a fire behavior specialist. Fuels have been exposed to humidity as low as 5 percent for more than 36 hours, making for explosive conditions with the gusty winds. "Fire behavior has been spectacular," he said. The cities of San Jacinto and Hemet were safe because the area between the fire and the cities is defensible, said Janet Upton of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The bulk of the fire was in very difficult terrain. "It's mountain goat country," she said. No new injuries were reported, but the identities of the firefighters killed Thursday in the fierce wildland blaze were released this morning. Capt. Mark Loutzenhiser, 44 - a father of five from Idyllwild - led the group on U.S. Forest Service engine 57 that was trying to protect homes when they were overwhelmed by flames. Loutzenhiser, an admired youth coach and 21-year veteran of the fire service, died along with three of his men. Also killed were Jess McLean, 27, of Beaumont, a fire engine operator with seven years of service; Jason McKay, 27, of Phelan, a fire engine operator with five years of service, and Daniel Hoover-Najera, 20, of San Jacinto, a seasonal firefighter in his second season. Cerda, of Fountain Valley, suffered burns over 90 percent of his body and was unconscious and on a ventilator at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center's burn unit. The firefighter was in his second season with the Forest Service. He has shown some improvement but his prospects remain poor, said Dr. David T. Wong, chief of trauma and critical care services at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton. Surgeons removed about 70 percent of Cerda's dead and damaged skin, said ARMC spokesman Jorge Valencia. He remained in critical condition. Burn victims with such extensive injuries have survived, Wong said. Family members stayed by Cerda's side. "Our deepest condolences go out to their families and friends during this very tragic time," said Jeanne Wade Evans, supervisor of the San Bernardino National Forest. "All of us on the forest and in the fire service community are suffering a great loss." "The human factor" At a makeshift memorial Friday morning in Pine Cove, where the dead crew members were stationed, several firefighters stood silently with their hats off. A moment later, Forest Service Fire Capt. Andy Thorne, 50, tried to put his feelings into words. "We're people, that's the way the Lord made us," Thorne said. "I've had acquaintances die in fires before. It's the human factor, over time and age you harden like a shell. But you still have a heart, you have feelings." A wicker basket of flowers and another bouquet lay below a hand-drawn sign. "Our hearts and prayers go out to the friends and families of the crew members of USFS BDF Engine 57," the sign said. "You will be missed!" Elsewhere in Pine Cove, some residents expressed outrage and anguish for the fallen. Karen Wood, who lives next door to the fire station where the fallen firefighters worked, grieved. "You go into town and everybody acts like nothing happened," Wood said of their deaths. "We can't ignore what happened. Wood sobbed as she recalled their kindness. "They did so much for us," she said. "Once they went and found my dead dog for me. They made sure I didn't see it but they brought back his collar to me." Bobby Salibean, 26, clerk at the Pine Cove Market and Gas, said, "Property can be replaced, but these guys' families and kids are going to grow up without fathers," Salibean said. "It's just sad." Ed Grove, 50, runs an auto shop at the same business. "It definitely strikes personal up here," Grove said. "It's just sick when you get an arson-set fire that burns up the whole mountain and kills firefighters. Up here, you could be killing hundreds of people. Dying is never a fair trade to saving houses, especially when it's arson-set." Staff Writers Andrew Silva, Andrew Edwards, Megan Blaney and Leonor Vicanco and the Associated Press contributed to this report. Read more: http://www.sbsun.com/ci_4565257?IADID=Search-www.sbsun.com- www.sbsun.com#ixzz16pnvmQiV Esperanza Fire victims apply for disaster loans By Megan Blaney, Staff Writer Posted: 11/19/2006 11:58:19 PM PST BANNING - Repairing and restoring the San Jacinto mountain communities in the aftermath of the deadly Esperanza Fire may be more feasible now that federal loans are available. A few residents of the small mountain communities affected by the blaze filed into the Banning Community Center last week to apply for low-interest disaster loans that could help them regain the lives they had before the fire took so much of the hillside in the San Jacinto mountains. The loans are offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration. They became available when the SBA declared Riverside County and neighboring locations a disaster area. Before the federal agency made the announcement on Thursday, there was little in the way of low-interest rebuilding money. Officials in the area are ecstatic. "We're just delighted," said Riverside County 5th District Supervisor Marion Ashley. "I was fairly confident the SBA would come through with it - they've been very sincere about helping - but you never know." Ashley said uncertainty about the SBA's ability to help was due to questions about whether the damage was severe enough to warrant federal assistance. "It usually has to be so severe," he said. "I'm glad they decided to go ahead and grant it." SBA spokesman Richard A. Jenkins said an incident must meet strict criteria before it can be declared a disaster. At least 25 homes or businesses must suffer at least 40 percent of uninsured loss due to the incident, he said. Lili Arroyo, 76, thinks it's pretty obvious that it's a disaster up in the mountains where her trailer used to be. She didn't have a whole lot, but she lost it all - tools, artwork, and a tape of her father singing and playing guitar, among other treasures. Even her little bird, Toots, died as they escaped the flames early on Oct. 26. "So I'm glad they called that a disaster because they couldn't have called it anything less," Arroyo said. "There's nothing left up there." The SBA opened a loan center in Banning for people to apply for relief. Jenkins said residents should remember three things when applying for a loan: They don't need an appointment; they do not need to have their insurance settlement completed; and they don't need to have a contractor in place. It's important for residents to apply as soon as possible, he said. "We're looking at what was lost and what it will take to rebuild it," Jenkins said. "We're not going to try to upgrade that, say from basic tile to marble. ... We want to replace it as near as possible to what you lost." Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's press secretary, Margita Thompson, said the governor is pleased with the SBA's response. "The governor is grateful that the Small Business Administration acted so quickly to provide much-needed assistance to the business owners and residents that were devastated by the Esperanza Fire," Thompson said. "With the destruction of dozens of homes and buildings, this wildfire impacted the lives of so many people who are only beginning to recover. These emergency SBA loans will help victims to begin the process of rebuilding and restoring their lives." Read more: http://www.sbsun.com/ci_4689907?IADID=Search-www.sbsun.com- www.sbsun.com#ixzz16poAugaa DHL misled in hub deal By Guy McCarthy, Staff Writer Posted: 02/22/2006 11:36:00 PM PST Behind the story Web Link: March Joint Powers Authority PDF File Download: Investigation report to March Joint Powers Authority regarding flight patch information File size: 30.8 MB, 2 pages .pdf A Riverside County developer's misrepresentation of flight paths and up to $16.5 million in public revenue may have swayed multinational delivery giant DHL's decision 16 months ago to pick March Air Reserve Base over airports in San Bernardino and Ontario, elected officials in two counties said Wednesday. If inaccurate and misleading information provided by March GlobalPort tainted negotiations, the developer may have cost the two San Bernardino County competitors a shot at landing what analysts have called a "huge economic plum" – worth up to 250 jobs, $65 million in new construction, and a magnet for more industry, said Riverside County Supervisor Bob Buster. "This involves a serious breach of trust in Riverside County, and it could in San Bernardino County as well," said Buster, who serves on the March Joint Powers Authority commission. "The state Attorney General needs to look closely at this to determine if any laws were broken." GlobalPort brought the DHL cargo hub to March in 2004 despite vocal protests from nearby residents concerned about noise from jets taking off and landing. Residents later filed a lawsuit alleging GlobalPort misrepresented flight paths, but the lawsuit failed. An investigation completed this month by Los Angeles attorney Leonard Gumport shows March GlobalPort managing partner Greg Diodati admitted displaying inaccurate flight path maps during packed public meetings in Riverside in Advertisement September 2004. A second investigation shows Diodati overcalculated $16.5 million in landing fees and other revenue in July 2004. "These deceptive tactics could well have led DHL to choose March over other contenders," Buster said Wednesday. The JPA commission paid for both probes. San Bernardino County Supervisor Dennis Hansberger, a vocal proponent of bringing DHL to the former Air Force base at Norton Field in San Bernardino, said further scrutiny may be warranted. "If there was anything wrong with the process, I hope there will be a re-examination of the negotiations," Hansberger said. "I appreciate Supervisor Buster is attempting to find out what is actually true." Residents of two south Riverside neighborhoods, Orangecrest and Mission Grove, have expressed concerns about increased noise from cargo-laden jets' night flights over their rooftops. Diodati's projected flight patterns were narrow lines following Riverside County freeways, routes the Federal Aviation Administration later dismissed. Diodati has claimed both errors were honest mistakes, not intentional attempts to mislead the public or local authorities. Diodati did not return calls Wednesday seeking comment. Both misrepresentations took place months before Germany-based DHL chose March and GlobalPort over San Bernardino International Airport and Ontario International in December 2004. "I'm very disturbed by the findings in both reports, and our leadership needs to sit down with GlobalPort post haste," said Marion Ashley, another Riverside County supervisor who serves on the March JPA commission. "Appropriate action will be taken, and we cannot rule out anything." Asked whether the Texas-based parent developer of March GlobalPort retains confidence in Diodati, LYNXS principal Ray Brimble in Austin said, "We have no comment at this time. We will be making a statement in the near future." A DHL America spokesman in Seattle said Wednesday morning he would call back with a statement. He did not. The March JPA oversees reuse of the former Air Force base in west Moreno Valley. The nine commission members are elected officials from Riverside, Moreno Valley, Perris and the county Board of Supervisors. Economist John Husing of Redlands, a consistent proponent of growth in the Inland Empire, said whatever DHL decides to do now, they are invested in March and it's unlikely recent investigations will change that. "DHL made their decision based on whatever they did," Husing said. "The JPA people would have settled for less to land this plum. … If Riverside County wants to have a huge controversy over this and chase them away, then San Bernardino or Ontario or Victorville would love it." City of Ontario Economic Director Mary Jane Olhasso declined to draw any conclusions from GlobalPort's reported credibility issues. "If we're back in the mix, DHL will contact us," Olhasso said. "They know how to get ahold of us. We're always looking for opportunities to expand cargo at Ontario International." Fallout since the two probes' findings were released has led to infighting among some JPA commission members and Buster's call to sever ties with GlobalPort altogether. In an effort to regain public trust, the March JPA commission posted Gumport's investigation report online last week. Gumport has conducted at least three investigations in San Bernardino County, including two last year. San Bernardino County leaders, however, have refused to fully disclose Gumport's findings to the public. "In most cases, you don't have any reason to keep these things confidential," said Moreno Valley councilman Richard Stewart, the JPA's commission chairman. "If it's going to be bad, it's important to get it out there as soon as possible. If not, you end up with public reaction to keeping things hidden and a perception that you're covering up." Buster said full disclosure is the only way to regain credibility. "If we didn't, the public would think we're corrupt, we're part of the problem," Buster said. "Lying to the public is not always a violation of the law, but in some cases it's worse. Just like in San Bernardino, it destroys trust in our public institutions." Hansberger repeated his contention that San Bernardino County should release Gumport's recent investigation of a lobbyist and other officials' conduct in a $31.2 million jail purchase. "Our process should be equally open," Hansberger said. "The information Leonard Gumport has uncovered in San Bernardino County should be made public." Gumport declined to draw any parallels from his two most recent Inland Empire probes. "Each investigation is different," Gumport said. "There are allegations of misconduct made in each, but beyond that I can't say anything more because one of the reports, namely the one for San Bernardino County, remains confidential." Guy McCarthy can be reached by e-mail at email@example.com or by phone at (909) 386- 3872. Read more: http://www.sbsun.com/ci_3537052?IADID=Search-www.sbsun.com- www.sbsun.com#ixzz16poQkkp0 Wind-whipped inferno Arson blaze claims homes, lives of firefighters By George Watson, Jeff Horwitz and Guy McCarthy, Staff Writers Posted: 10/27/2006 12:00:00 AM PDT CABAZON - An arsonist's despicable touch killed four U.S. Forest Service firefighters and left a fifth fighting for his life Thursday while nearly 1,000 of their colleagues struggled to restrain a fast-moving wind-propelled wildfire that burned along the base of the San Jacinto Mountains. NEW Video: Fatal Fire NEW Photo Gallery: Firefighers killed in blaze today | Gallery 2 | Gallery 3 Map: Esperanza Fire area locator Enraged officials promised to catch whoever intentionally set the blaze around 1 a.m. in dry grass along a winding stretch of Esperanza Road in Cabazon. The problem, though, will be trying to make an arrest in a crime that is typically one of the hardest for authorities to solve. "You will not rest," Riverside County Undersheriff Neil Lingle, warned the unknown arsonist now considered a murderer. "We will find you. You will be brought to justice." The fire remains untamed. Officials estimated it was only 10 percent contained and the fire jumped Highway 79 by mid-Thursday evening, and authorities were concerned that it could grow significantly overnight and throughout this morning. Weather conditions are still ripe for extreme conditions. "We are going to continue to see the strongest gusting from the east in the morning," said Steve Vanderburg, a National Weather Service meteorologist in San Diego. Winds are predicted to blow 15 to 25 mph from the north and northeast with gusts up to 35 to 45 mph, he said. The wind should lessen as the day progresses and weaken significantly into the weekend, but will continue to come from the east. Humidity rates remained at 5 to 10 percent, which, when combined with fuel moisture reported at critically dry levels, makes for extreme fire conditions, Vanderburg said. Temperatures will be in the low 60s to 70s in the mountains and about 70 degrees in the fire zone. Highway 243 was closed from Banning to Lake Fillmore while Highway 79 had been shut down from Beaumont to Hemet. On Thursday, the desert dry Santa Ana winds took the ignition and sent the blaze west, leaving more than 12,000 acres of charred land in its wake on its way into the edge of the San Bernardino National Forest. Firefighters struggled to defend the mountainous communities of Twin Pines and Poppet Flats. Approximately 600 people had been evacuated with another 2,000 put on alert, officials said. Three years and a day after the devastating Old Fire wreaked havoc in the San Bernardino Mountains and foothills below, one resident suffered burns while the Esperanza Fire destroyed at least 10 homes as of Thursday evening. And yet, as devastating as the Old Fire was, not a single firefighter perished in that conflagration. Smoke was so thick Thursday - it covered the sky in eastern Hemet and coastal communities reported smelling smoke 100 miles away - that assessing the damage proved a struggle for authorities. A total of 972 firefighters from across Southern California using 144 engines tried to slow the blaze's advance. Ten air tankers, 13 helicopters and four air attack planes that coordinate efforts fought the fire from the air while eight bulldozers worked from the ground. Three ambulances were also on hand. The firefighters from the nearby ranger station in Idyllwild died Thursday morning while trying to protect a home along San Gorgonio View Road in Twin Pines, a community spread over hundreds of acres of mountain slopes, beginning in the foothills above Cabazon at about 2,000 feet elevation and continuing up to near 6,000 feet. "Their first goal was to get humans out, and their second goal was to save the house," said Riverside County Fire Chief John Hawkins. "In the course of trying to save the house, the fire overwhelmed them." A wall of flames surged forward, boosted by 25 mph winds, and swept over the strike team, killing three on the ground on which they stood, officials said. A fourth firefighter died at 11:20 a.m. after being taken to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton, and a fifth sustained burns over 90 percent of his body and was hooked up to a respirator at the center's burn unit. Doctors and nurses constantly monitored the injured man's condition and updated his family, said hospital spokesman Jorge Valencia. "We also have a full staff of social workers," he said. "We're meeting all their needs as best we can." It's the worst loss of Riverside County firefighters' lives in at least three decades. And now with the four deaths, a total of 19 California firefighters have been killed in the line of duty in the past year, according to the California Professional Firefighters, a lobbying organization. As news of the deaths circulated around the area, friends stopped at the Idyllwild ranger station to express their sympathies. "You guys are our saving grace," said Emily Pearson. "It shouldn't have happened." Pearson said she had lived in the area 35 years, and her family knew all five firefighters. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger pledged to bring to bear the full force of the state's firefighting resources. He also lamented such an unnecessary loss of life. "These men and women risk their lives on a daily basis and we are forever grateful for their service," the governor said. The governor's office also declared a state of emergency for Riverside County. Members of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors offered a $100,000 reward for the successful capture and conviction of anyone involved. "Turn the scum in, please," pleaded Supervisor Marion Ashley during a news conference. Somewhere between 400 to 1,000 people remained stuck in a recreational vehicle park after flames blocked the only road out. People in the Silent Valley Club RV park near Poppet Flats were unable to leave after firefighters closed Highway 243. TV footage showed vehicles racing through smoke and flames just before the road was closed. "Everybody is hunkered down here. They're fighting the fire around us. It's across the street from us," said Charles Van Brunt, a ranger at the station at the entrance to the Silent Valley Club, adding that no one was in immediate danger, although smoke had enveloped the area. Hawkins, joined by Redlands Rep. Jerry Lewis, Palm Springs Rep. Mary Bono and other lawmakers, praised firefighters for their valiant work in attempting to beat back the blaze. At the same time, they offered heartfelt condolences to the families of the fallen firefighters, promising to bring to justice the person or people responsible for setting the fire. "We all know in our hearts what first responders mean to us," Bono said, referring to the slain firefighters. Lewis called for the public to support the firefighters' families, urging that donations be sent to the Riverside County Government Center. The congressman also said the Federal Emergency Management Agency would pay 75 percent of costs related to fighting the fire. And the federal government, Lewis added, naming the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, would assist in hunting down the arsonists. "We're going to do everything we can from a federal level to find these people," Lewis said. The blaze, named the Esperanza Fire because of its starting point, was reported at 1:12 a.m. along Esperanza Avenue at the San Gorgonio wash, Luther said. Firefighters ordered evacuations of up to 400 people at 6 a.m. as flames raced south toward the Twin Pines area. Twin Pines, the Twin Pines Boys Ranch, Poppet Flats and Wonder View were evacuated. Electricity between Twin Pines and Poppet Flats was shut off. "They wanted to get everybody out, but I got a horse and my dogs, so I got the wife out," said Randy Ebersole, 72. He said he was unsure where his wife, Gloria, 72, had gone. "I just feel fortunate - all my neighbors lost a lot," Ebersole said. "I have no idea how many homes burned, but two of my neighbors here lost their houses." Authorities opened evacuation centers at the Banning Community Center at 789 S. San Gorgonio Ave. and Hemet High School, 41701 E. Stetson Ave. The fire, with flames reaching as high as 100 feet in the air, created a huge pillar of smoke that blew southward, darkening the sky above the San Jacinto Valley. South of Banning, sunlight filtered through the smoke to create an orange glow. The effect was like looking at the sun setting in the south. Dale Brooks and his wife, Chris, watched the smoke grow thicker by the minute from the Lawler Lodge campground in the mountains where they work as caretakers. The 10-acre campground sits about eight miles south of Poppet Flats. "We're packed up. When we see the flames, we're out of here," he said. Brooks said he had been watching the fire since he came home from work just hours after the fire began. "It was really something to see this morning. It was this big red glow," he said. High in the San Jacinto Mountains, the village of Idyllwild was largely unaffected by the fire as of Thursday afternoon. The streets were mostly quiet and Marilyn Johnson, a clerk at the Pony Express trading Post, said there had been no warning from officials regarding the need to potentially evacuate. However, she said, the road closures and news of the fire were keeping people away. "As soon as they hear about the fire out here, no one comes," she said. When the fire jumped Highway 243, officials closed the road from Banning to Lake Fulmor. Firefighters retreated Thursday morning from a point along Highway 243 where 20- to 30-foot flames were blazing too dangerously for them to pass. The fire started just hours before the National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for critical fire weather conditions in Riverside County and other areas of the Inland Empire. The red flag warning is expected to last until Saturday. The fire was burning in 30-year-old grass and shrubs, said Richard Minnich, a professor of fire ecology at the University of California, Riverside. Minnich said the blaze slowed once it reached an area that burned in the 1974 Soboba Fire, which charred nearly 20,000 acres. Beyond that await thousands of acres of 90-year-old chaparral, and beyond that are 100-year-old stands of trees that lead to the mountain town of Idyllwild. "I don't see it getting into that 90-year-old stand toward Idyllwild, though," Minnich said. "But, boy, if it did. It would be explosive." The San Bernardino County Fire Department has sent out two strike teams and two state Office of Emergency Services engines to the fire, said department spokeswoman Tracy Martinez. Each strike team consists of five engines with four firefighters, she said. Firefighters serving the Fontana area were among those deployed. Several area fire departments also sent personnel to the fire. Chino Valley Independent Fire District along with the Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga and Upland Fire departments each sent an engine and firefighters as part of a strike team from western San Bernardino County. In addition to a city fire engine, Ontario also sent an engine provided by the state Office of Emergency Services that is kept in the city along with four Ontario fire personnel to man it, said Ontario Battalion Chief Dave Carrier. The four fatalities Thursday was the most in California in one incident since Oct. 7, 1971, when four U.S. Forest Service firefighters were killed in the Romero Fire near Malibu. In 1953, 15 firefighters were killed while fighting the Rattlesnake Ridge Fire near Mendocino -- the most fatalities in a single wildfire. The most recent multi-fatality fire in the region was in 1959. Six firefighters were killed fighting the Decker Fire in Lake Elsinore. Since 1990, 36 firefighters with the U.S. Forest Service and California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection have fallen fighting wildland fires in California. 23 -- U.S. Forest Service 13 -- California Department of Forestry Of those killed, 25 died in aerial accidents, 11 while firefighting on the ground. Source: California Fire Foundation and California Firefighters Memorial Staff Writers Melissa Pinion-Whitt, Monica Rodriguez, Andrew Edwards, Megan Blaney and Robert Rogers and the Associated Press contributed to this report. Read more: http://www.sbsun.com/ci_4557632?IADID=Search-www.sbsun.com- www.sbsun.com#ixzz16pofj0hm
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Whether your hair is over-processed and brittle, or just chronically dry, this is the shampoo for you. The satiny formula is gentle enough to use every day and helps to soften and hydrate strands with natural essential oils and extracts. Free of parabens and sulfates, it foams into a rich lather that leaves hair soft and shiny.
After receiving the Clarifying shampoo in my BB, I splurged on this. I didn't think I would use the clarifying one enough to justify buying the full-size.
I enjoy the smell actually, unlike some other reviewers.
What I didn't like is that compared the clarifying shampoo, I needed much more product than I expected to cover my head (this was one of the main reasons I bought it).
Secondly, I do think the price point is high like most have pointed out. My first bottle came with a malfunctioning pump, and BB staff was extremely kind in not just sending a replacement pump but an entire replacement bottle too, which actually made the price reasonable to me. Otherwise, no way.
Lastly, I find that I'm having trouble making shampoos stretch like I used to. I can go maybe 3 days with a lot of dry shampoo, whereas I used to go 3 no problem. Not sure if this is hormonal, weather, etc. though.
I'll be looking into the reconstructing masque next!

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Arizona Wildcats
Arizona moves first two games of 2014 season to weekdays
The Arizona Wildcats will wait one less day to begin the 2014 season.
The originally scheduled season-opener vs. UNLV will be moved a day ahead from the initial Saturday kickoff and will be played on Fri., Aug. 29 at Arizona Stadium.
Not only do the schedule changes affect the season opener, but the second game of the season will also be moved to an earlier date of Thurs., Sept. 4 when the Wildcats play UTSA in the Alamo Dome.
"I think these are exciting schedule changes for our fans with national audiences able to watch us play," Arizona Athletics Director Greg Byrne said. "We had a good crowd for the 2013 season opener on a Friday night and we expect a similar result in 2014. There's a lot of excitement surrounding our football program right now and these games add to that."
Arizona defeated UNLV and UTSA in back-to-back games last season by scores of 58-13 and 38-13, respectively.
With the schedule changes, Arizona is slated to play four weekday games this upcoming season, including a Thursday game at Oregon (Oct. 2) and a Friday game vs. ASU (Nov. 28).
"We're excited to add two weekday games to our schedule," head coach Rich Rodriguez said. "Being so early in the college football season, there will be a lot of excitement surrounding these games."
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- Bearing Down with Adam and Jarrett - March 27, 2015Adam and Jarrett talk about a Sweet 16 win over Xavier and then preview an Elite 8 matchup with Wisc
- Miles Simon, ESPN college basketball analystMiles explains why he thinks the Wildcats can beat Wisconsin in the NCAA tournament this year.
- Bearing Down with Adam and Jarrett - March 24, 2015Adam and Jarrett talk about a pair of tournament wins and what lies ahead.
- Doug Haller- ASU beat writer for azcentral sportsDoug Haller believes the loss to USC sealed Herb Sendek's fate.
- Grant Hill- Former Phoenix Suns forwardGrant Hill calls Steve Nash the best shooter he ever played with.


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Atwater man to give insanity plea in killings
An Atwater man accused of killing two people in a west Modesto home in 2009 will plead not guilty by reason of insanity, attorneys said.
Tou Xiong appeared briefly Thursday morning in Stanislaus County Superior Court in Modesto, where his hearing was continued until next week.
Defense attorney Ruben Villalobos said he and prosecutor John Baker had conferred with Judge Scott Steffen about entering an "NGI" plea.
Thursday, Judge John Whiteside substituted in Steffen's Department 7 courtroom. Whiteside put the matter off until March 22, when Steffen will be back in court.
Xiong is accused in the July 2009 shooting deaths of Gao Sheng Her, 23, of Merced and Nhia Yang, 27, of Modesto at the home in the 1700 block of Radley Place.
A third person was shot but recovered from his wounds.
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18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars How to create "a unique and valuable position" by deciding what to do...and not do,
Robert Morris (Dallas, Texas) - See all my reviews
This volume is one of several in a new series of anthologies of articles that initially appeared in the Harvard Business Review, in this instance from 1960 until 2006. Remarkably, none seems dated; on the contrary, if anything, all seem more relevant now than ever before as their authors discuss what are (literally) essential dimensions of formulating and then executing an effective strategy.
My own opinion is that strategies are "hammers" that drive tactics ("nails) and the key is to get a strategy in proper alignment with the ultimate objectives as well as with an organization's various activities. That said, what we have in this volume is a variety of thoughtful perspectives on strategy provide by those who are among the world's most highly-regarded authorities on the subject.
More specifically, the reader learns how to understand what strategy is and isn't as well as what it does and (doesn't) do, and, how to manage/leverage the five competitive forces that shape strategy (Michael E. Porter); also, how to build a company's vision (James C. Collins and Jerry I. Porras), how to reinvent a business model (Mark W. Johnson, Clayton M. Christensen, and Henning Kagermann), how to formulate and then execute a "blue ocean strategy" (W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne), how to take full advantage of the "secrets" of effective strategy execution (Gary L. Neilson, Karla L. Martin, and Elizabeth Powers), how to use the Balanced Scorecard as a strategic management system (Robert S. Kaplan and David P. Norton), how to transform corner-office strategy into frontline action (Orit Gadiesh and James L. Gilbert), how to turn great strategy into great performance (Michael C. Mankins and Richard Steele), and gain a much better understanding of how clear decision roles enhance organizational performance (Paul Rogers and Marcia Blenko).
Each article includes two invaluable reader-friendly devices, "Idea in Brief" and "Idea in Practice" sections, that facilitate, indeed expedite review of key points. Some articles also include what I characterize as "business nuggets" in which their authors focus on even more specific subjects such as "Finding New Positions: The Entrepreneurial Edge" (Porter, Page 10), "Big Hairy, Audacious Goals Aid Long-Term Vision" (Collins and Porras, 96), "A snapshot of blue ocean creation" (Kim and Mauborgne, 130-132), "Translation vision and strategy: four perspectives" and "Managing strategy: four processes" (Kaplan and Norton, 172 & 173), and "A Decision-Making Primer" (Rogers and Blenko, 236-237).
These ten articles do not - because they obviously cannot - explain everything that one knows to know and understand about the formulation and execution of an effective strategy. However, I do not know of another single source at this price (currently $14.23 from Amazon) that provides more and better information, insights, and advice that will help leaders to achieve success in the business dimensions explained so well by the authors of the articles in this volume.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Good range of thinking, albeit all in the traditional stable,
TomKenward (London, UK) - See all my reviews
A good range of stuff from some of the key thinkers, in fairly brief form.
It does however stay mainly in the more traditional territory of planned, rational strategising models. You may want to go elsewhere if you want some stronger challenge and critique of this worldview, but it's all good stuff..
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars About On Strategy,
R. M. Cole (England) - See all my reviews
This review is from: HBR's 10 Must Reads on Strategy (including featured article "What Is Strategy?" by Michael E. Porter) (Kindle Edition)
I needed to learn about this topic and this book was very helpful. Written in a clear manner, it gave me the understanding I needed to complete an important project.
5.0 out of 5 stars The book was in excellent conditions and it's perfect for my work at the University.,
The book is about Marketing and it has all the knowlledge you need to pick up your business.
If you are studying Marketing or if you want to business to stand out from others, you might want to take a look at this book.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great collection of articles on strategy,
I've read some of these articles before, and I heard about some of them. overall, I believe the collection is indeed very important for anyone into strategy.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Killer strategies - 001Marketing,
HBR's fantastic take on strategy - I particularly enjoyed Kaplan - balanced scorecard section. Having purchased other books on strategy, this has to be one of my favourites. However, in the real world, you need a software system, coupled with a well though out strategy.
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HBR's 10 Must Reads on Strategy (including featured article What Is Strategy? by Michael E. Porter) by Harvard Business Review


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Children's LiteratureRather than use a mixture of photographs and paintings, artist Barnard has chosen to illustrate the major disasters he covers in full color dramatic paintings. Each one gets a 3 to 4 page discussion, locator map with a key specific to the discussion, and several pictures. Disasters include the probable asteroid that caused the dinosaur extinction, a Minoan tsunami, the two huge storms that saved Japan from Kublai Khan's invasion, the Great Fire of London, the Blizzard of 1888 (to which Jim Murphy devoted an entire book, referred to in the bibliography), a Japanese earthquake in 1923, and several others. Barnard is given to zippy headings that may entice some while putting others off ("Sayonara to all that" reads one introducing the Japanese disaster. "Whoops" and "You must try the rat flambé" appear in the discussion of the Great Fire of London.). However, these catchy headings serve to break up the lengthy but involving text into visually manageable chunks. What Barnard does best, however, is to satisfy the reader's desire to read about geologic upheavals in all of their angry hugeness while explaining the human cost, the aftermath, and what resulted later, such as all brick buildings, better codes for earthquake prevention, fireproofing, etc. Annoyingly, there's no table of contents or index. However, a glossary, two bibliographies (one for younger and one for older readers), web sites, and the wonderful discovery of the dedication to another children's book writer, "William Pene du Bois, whose twenty-one balloons got me started," make this book a treat to read, disaster by disaster. 2003, Crown, Ages 9 to 14.
— Susan Hepler, Ph.D.


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Latest X-ray telescopes Stories
WASHINGTON, Feb.
The same phenomenon that causes a bumpy airplane ride, turbulence, may be the solution to a long-standing mystery about stars' birth, or the absence of it, according to a new study using data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory.
The Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array, or NuSTAR, recently spotted the brightest pulsar ever recorded using X-ray optics designed by a team that included researchers from the Lawrence Livermore
Astronomers have found a pulsating, dead star beaming with the energy of about 10 million suns.
When the most massive stars explode as supernovas, they don't fade into the night, but sometimes glow ferociously with high-energy gamma rays. What powers these energetic stellar remains?
WASHINGTON, Aug.
Astronomers from the University of Maryland and NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland have accurately measured and confirmed the existence of a black hole roughly 400 times the mass of our sun.
University of Maryland and NASA astronomers used rhythmic flares of light to measure a brilliant object 12 million light years from Earth, confirming that it is a rare, mysterious intermediate-mass black hole.
New data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory offer a glimpse into the environment of a star before it exploded earlier this year, and insight into what triggered one of the closest supernovas witnessed in decades.
An extreme and rare event in the region of space immediately surrounding a supermassive black hole has been captured by NASA's Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array, or NuSTAR.
- Forsooth! indeed! originally a parenthetical phrase used in repeating the words of another with more or less contempt or disdain.


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Groups in Action - Student Workbook. The workbook includes exercises that correlate directly with each segment, as well as self-assessments and self-inventories; skills checklists; the Coreys' commentary; questions for application, discussion, and reflection; references to the main text; and more.Edition/Copyright: 06
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Minnesota Pediatricians Oppose Marriage Amendment
September 4, 2012 by Guest contributor
Richard Carlbom is the campaign manager for Minnesotans United for All Families, the campaign working to defeat the proposed constitutional amendment that would limit the freedom to marry for committed, same-sex couples in Minnesota.
The Minnesota chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics announced this week that it opposes the amendment that would ban marriage equality in the state.
"This amendment would be harmful to the health and well-being of children and adolescents in Minnesota," the group said in a press release.
What's more, the group said the passage of the amendment could lead to an increase in bullying and violence against LGBT youth.
The MN-AAP joins other medical groups such as the Minnesota Nurses Association and the Minnesota Psychological Association in opposing the amendment.
"More than 25 years of research has documented that there is no relationship between parents' sexual orientation and any measure of a child's emotional, psychosocial, and behavioral adjustment," the MN-AAP said. "Rather, children's optimal development seems to be influenced more by the nature of the relationships and interactions within the family than by the particular structural form it takes."
We know that same-sex couples want to marry and start families for the same reasons as straight families – for love, commitment and responsibility. The medical community agrees that children are best raised by two loving, committed parents. This amendment would use the constitution to say that some families are less valuable than others in our state.
Learn more about what you can do to defeat the amendment at mnunited.org.
HRC is a proud supporter of the coalition, Minnesotans United for All Families, working to defeat the amendment banning same-sex marriage in the state. HRC has set up a special fund – HRC Minnesota Family Freedom PAC – to direct 100 percent of your contribution to defeat the anti-marriage constitutional amendment in Minnesota.
Prepared and paid for by the Human Rights Campaign, 1640 Rhode Island Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036
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February 18, 2015


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I'm looking to purchase a new lefty to replace my existing 80mm. The only place I can find one for sale is ebay. Are there any other resources out there? I prefer the carbon lefty max w/ pbr for my 09 Rize One.
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Welcome to the UCMR DAY 8 January 2015!
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All scientists and staff members within UCMR (Umeå Centre for Microbial Research) research groups, collaboration partners and researchers with an interest in microbial research and/or infection biology are invited to a day of inspiring research presentations and an excellent opportunity for networking and initiation of multidisciplinary collaborations. Register below and get an update on research within UCMR and core facilities/National infrastructures co-funded by UCMR programmes!
Venue: Minor Groove and Major Groove, Department of Molecular Biology, Building 6L
Date: 8 January 2015
The programme is now online!


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SHERIDAN, Ark. (KTHV) - A man allegedly shoots his estranged wife, and after fighting for the gun with another man, is shot and killed.
Police got a call just before 10 p.m. Saturday that there had been a shooting at an apartment on S. Rose Street in Sheridan. Police say they arrived within minutes and a man on the balcony said someone inside had been shot.
When police got inside, they found Laura Davis lying on the floor. She was still breathing and had a pulse. She was taken by Med Flight to a local hospital. No word on her condition at this time.
Ronnie Doyle Davis, 30, was found dead inside. According to another man inside the apartment, whose name has not been released, Davis shot his estranged wife. He says he and Ronnie Davis fought for the gun and he shot Davis in the face. Davis died instantly.
Sheridan police do not have any history with the couple. Laura Davis had lived in Jefferson County and recently moved to Sheridan.
Jefferson County, Arkansas – April 2, 2012 – On March 9, 2012 information was received by command staff at the W.C. "Dub" Brassell Jefferson County Adult Detention Center that contraband, particularly food and non-prescription medicine had been brought into the facility by a detention center officer and supplied to detainees. Pursuant to department policy a criminal investigation was began by the Criminal Investigation Division of the Sheriff's office.
Review of audio surveillance in place within the facility determined that a detainee called a family member and asked the family member to bring food and medicine to the facility and give it to a particular detention officer during shift change. Review of video surveillance revealed the actual act of the items being brought into the facility and into the cell blocks by the detention deputy.
The following is from an email sent to Today's THV:
A national project called PEN OR PENCIL Writing A New History is beginning in Pine Bluff supported and endorsed by U.S. Senator Mark Pryor and former U.S. Attorney Jane W. Duke is aimed at changing this bleak picture.
EL DORADO, Ark. (KTHV) – A Camden man is facing ten years to life in prison after admitting to charges of drug trafficking.
Prosecutors say Cedric Johnson, 35, pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiracy to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine.
Johnson was also ordered to forfeit more than $720,000 that had been seized by authorities at the time of his arrest.
According to a release from Conner Eldridge, west Arkansas district attorney, Johnson dealt nearly 150 kilograms of cocaine in the Camden area since 2004. He was caught in June 2010 during a traffic stop.
In addition to the jail time, Johnson could face a fine of up to $10 million.
(Source: West Arkansas District Attorney's Office)
PINE BLUFF, Ark. (KTHV) -- Law enforcement vehicles from various agencies were broken into during the later part of December 2011. Weapons, body armor, flashlights, digital cameras, GPS systems and uniform clothing are some of the items that were stolen.
As of now, police say they have no leads in the case, nor do they have any property recovered at this time. They were able to get some prints off of the vehicles, but are still waiting on the results from the crime lab.
If anyone knows the identity or whereabouts of anyone involved in or possessing these items please call the Pine Bluff Police Department Detective Division at 870-730-2090. All calls are kept confidential and a $1,000 reward will be paid for information leading to the suspect(s) arrest.
Source: Jefferson County Sheriff's Office
PINE BLUFF, Ark. (KTHV) -- Pine Bluff police say Christopher Clark, 39, was arrested after getting in a scuffle with a convenience store clerk.
According to the report, it all started around 6 pm Wednesday evening when the clerk allegedly caught Clark attempting to steal beer.
Clark was gone by the time police arrived, but then police say he later returned to the store with a gun.
The report says Clark pulled the trigger, but the weapon malfunctioned. That's when police say Clark started scuffling with the store employee.
The fight lasted until police came and arrested Clark.
He's charged with attempted murder, aggravated robbery, theft, battery and other outstanding warrants. He is due in court for a hearing Thursday.
(Source: Pine Bluff Police Department)
Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall,
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Product Details
This coin has been graded a Near Perfect Proof-69 Deep Cameo by PCGS. Update your investment portfolio today!
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|Product ID:
|Proof - 69 DCAM
|Grade Service:
|Mint Mark:
|W - West Point
|Metal Content:
|1 troy oz
|U.S. Mint
|2.98 mm
|40.6 mm
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Bought both 2007 & 2008 for my granddaughters birth date years.
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Rabbi Irwin Kula serves as scholar in Residence at Herzl-Ner Tamid Conservative Congregation in Mercer Island, WA on March 27 and 28th. The congregation's theme for the weekend is "Re-Imagining American Jewish Life," and topics include "What is Shabbat's Job?" and "Beyond the Tribe: Judaism as a Path of Human Flourishing."
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From Clal 03/26/15
How about this:
At your service
Service to others marks our celebration of freedom from almost the moment the Seder begins...Customs, traditions, etiquette — they all send messages.
The custom that at the Seder each person's cup is filled for them by another guest sends a powerful message indeed.
"...Soon we'll sit around our tables turning toward one another as we re-tell our sacred story by way of questions and answers exchanged between the generations of our families and community. The mitzvah of the Seder is to teach and learn from all who are present at our tables, all the archetypes and all the paths of Torah we represent. We contribute our divergent perspectives so that we can collectively envision the biblical redemption as relevant to us, here and now..."
"...service to others marks our celebration of freedom from almost the moment the seder begins, where we fill the cups of others and rely on them to do so for us. Customs, traditions, etiquette — they all send messages. The custom that at the seder each person's cup is filled for them by another guest sends a powerful message indeed: Serving others, not self-service, is actually the highest expression of freedom..."
"My teacher, Rabbi Irwin Kula, president of CLAL, asked a group of Rabbis Without Borders fellows recently: Do people see us as necessary – conduits, guides, connectors for them in their Jewish life? Do people come to rabbis and ask deep questions they are struggling with? Do they seek us in times of need and celebration?
Mazal Tov to Rabbis Without Borders Fellows Elyssa Auster, Shefa Gold, Amy Wallk Katz, Michael Knopf, Carnie Rose, and Kaya Stern Kaufman who have been selected to appear in The Forward's Most Inspiring Rabbis of 2015!
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From an article by Anne Cohen and Maia Efrem from The Forward
"When does time begin? What does time measure? What came before the beginning? Such mind-bending questions evoke timeless truths especially relevant at this very moment in the Jewish year.
"Trans-denominationalism and post-de-nominationalism are great words. They sound big and important. "We are entering a new post-denominational age," the Jewish pundits declare. Often this declaration is meant to scare people. We are entering uncharted water; the great Jewish institutions of the 20th Century are crumbling. We don't know where we are headed. Ahh! Watch out! Okay, reality check: we have been here before. We are masters at navigating change.
"...So the burial custom may be dying. But that means, in a time of cultural change, planning a funeral is a moment of genuine opportunity. As the "how" of saying goodbye shifts, we can connect to a series of shared "whats" to help us navigate the moment of change with greater wisdom and compassion for all those saying good-bye..."
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Maybe you'll be deep in the work of the external cleaning for Passover, but how about pausing to take a day, just for yourself, to focus on internal cleaning? If this is something you know you also need, come join us at a pre-Passover Spirituality Retreat with Clal Resident Reb Drew (Kirtan Rabbi), Rabbi Elyssa Joy Auster, and vegan nutritionist, Doron Petersan.


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Coming from a family that has suffered, for many generations, from hemophilia I have always tried to donate blood and to encourage as many other people to donate blood as well. The last three places that I have worked at I managed to organize some pretty successful blood drives. The American Red Cross is always happy to drive their Blood Mobile to people that are willing to take their time and donate blood. There always has and always will be a tremendous need for blood.
I think more people know more about the concern of having a blood clot and all of the medicines that are available to thin people's blood in order to keep from any other blood clots developing. But most people don't that the hemophiliacs need the Factor #8 that is taken out of a good amount of blood donations because their blood has a hard time clotting. Hence the nickname "Bleeders" has come about, because is your blood won't clot you will just continue to bleed, which has a devastating effect on people that are "Bleeders"
So every time I donate blood I get a great feeling of satisfaction in knowing that I am truly giving the gift of life to one or more people that need it to survive.


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Total Recall: Victory at Sea
With Battleship hitting theaters, we collect some memorable examples of cinematic naval triumphs.
The Hunt for Red October
Okay, so it's technically more a film about the avoidance of naval warfare, but because we know we'll get a bunch of "what about Hunt for Red October" comments if we leave it off the list, here's the 1990 classic about a defecting Soviet submarine commander (Sean Connery) whose entry into U.S. waters puts the two nations on the brink of World War III, with only Jack Ryan (Alec Baldwin) standing between them. "The film is a piece of heightened prosaic suspense," marveled Entertainment Weekly's Owen Gleiberman. "It comes at you in big, chewy gobs of exposition and dialogue."
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Nominated for an impressive 10 Academy Awards, Peter Weir's Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World is an aquatic epic every bit as huge as its title, and a bid to launch a film franchise from Patrick O'Brian's lengthy series of books about 19th century British Navy Captain Jack Aubrey (played by Russell Crowe) and his ship's surgeon, Dr. Stephen Maturin (Paul Bettany). Over two hours of ocean pursuit, cannon fire, and righteous fury from Crowe, Master and Commander pits Aubrey's outmatched ship against a mysterious (and deadly) member of Napoleon's fleet, with battles stretching halfway around the world (hence that unwieldy title). Though it only performed, in Weir's words, "well...ish" at the box office, Master proved a sturdy critical vessel, earning praise from the likes of Cole Smithey, who called it "an expansive cinematic achievement that sits well against such adventure classics as Lawrence of Arabia, and a sure bet for fans of ocean-bound drama."
Operation Petticoat
There aren't too many comedies on this list, but we'll make a happy exception for this 1959 hit starring Cary Grant and Tony Curtis as quarrelling shipmates on a World War II submarine that suffers a string of indignities, including being sunk in a Philippine harbor, painted pink, and locked into combat with a friendly vessel -- a battle brought to an end when Curtis suggests using a torpedo tube to fire a bra from one of the female nurses on board. Though it was one of the bigger box office hits of 1960, Operation Petticoat hasn't aged particularly well with critics like Ken Hanke of the Asheville Mountain Xpress, who called this early effort from director Blake Edwards a "Splendid, if a little long, service comedy."
Tora! Tora! Tora!
Long before Michael Bay took us to Pearl Harbor, this impressively ambitious collaboration between American and Japanese filmmakers offered its own sprawling, two hour-plus take on the attack that stunned the United States into entering World War II. Although some critics derided Tora! Tora! Tora!'s occasionally dawdling pace -- Roger Ebert called it "one of the deadest, dullest blockbusters ever made" -- it marked an admirable attempt at presenting both sides of the infamous battle, earned five Oscar nominations, and won the admiration of critics like Filmcritic's Christopher Null, who called it "A must-see for any war buff."
The only film on this week's list to feature the acting talents of Jon Bon Jovi, 2000's U-571 wrings some surprisingly effective suspense from its overly familiar World War II plot framework, thanks to some sharp direction from Jonathan Mostow (who also came up with the story and co-wrote the screenplay) and a generally distinguished cast that included Matthew McConaughey, Bill Paxton, and Harvey Keitel. Pitting Allies against Axis in a race to acquire top-secret technology from a sinking German sub, U-571 surfaced with more than $125 million in global grosses, as well as praise from critics like Robert Horton of Film.com, who said it "concocts just enough genuinely surprising moments to make its own satisfying niche amongst the other examples of the genre."
Take a look through the rest of our Total Recall archives. And don't forget to check out the reviews for Battleship.
Finally, here's a commercial for a board game so real it actually talks:


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Yesterday i got an alert to say Storage Space running out so i went to have a look.
I havd a look in Settings, Storage and it says i have 1.97GB in total, with 19.9 MB Available , 648MB used for apps and 2.29MB used for Cached Data
I installed the DiskUsage app and that shows for App Storage, Data at 2015MB split into Applications 650MB and System data 1345MB
Does this mean that cyanogenmod software takes up 1345MB of my 2GB App Storage?
650MB for apps is pretty small.
Are there any hacks to get more than 650MB for app storage , I guess i can try "Move to SD" to free up some space