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December 2005 Archives
As time winds down on another year, I've once again been pondering the expression, "don't have the time" and its brother, "can't find the time". Did so quite similarly last year and the year before. Everyone says it. Have you thought about what the person you're saying it to thinks about it? Spoiler alert: Do not expect any grandiose conclusions or Earth-shattering insight in this post. The more I thought about it over the last two years or so, the more I realized I still have no position on it.
About the time: A 91-year old person shouldn't take on a 35-year project with hopes of finishing it. He/she probably doesn't have the time. There are also instances where an arbitrary deadline is imposed. Someone called and is coming over in an hour. "I don't have time" to cut the grass before they get here.
Where age or deadline is not a factor, is it really true when someone says that? If so, wouldn't the person youre telling it to know it? There are 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, etc, etc... (If you get less than that, you're exempt from these foolish thoughts). So, what you're really saying is, "I don't wish to use my time that way". To say it that way, of course, is kind of rude so we say, "I don't have the time" instead.
A task could/should be done and both of us are capable of doing it. I tell you, "I don't have the time". How should you react to that? Is my time more valuable than yours? Am I implying that you DO have the time? Am I simply saying I don't want to do it? Am I over-analyzing? Yes, absolutely, to at least two of those questions!
I planned to add considerably more thought to this essentially self-plagiarized ( Auto-plagiarized? ) entry after having another whole year to think about what I am trying to say but I have somewhere to be in a few minutes and..................
I don't have time to do it now!
A picture from CrabAppleLane for this last Saturday in 2005.
If you feed the birds/wildlife in your yard and if black oil sunflower is part of that feed mixture and if one of those black oil sunflower seeds gets away from the birds/wildlife or perhaps goes through a turkey..........ahem.........undigested and if you are not as diligent about cutting the grass in your backyard because your backyard has other priorities at the moment, you may end up with one of these. OK, I like sunflowers although this variety is not as pretty as the 6-footers with the 8-inch diameter flowers but they're nice. I cant grow these damn things on purpose but Im not too bad at growing them by accident.
Rat Race - Special Collectors Edition was part of our Christmas loot. We watched it last night. Despite the presence of John Cleese, this is not high brow comedy. Thats OK by me. It was thoroughly ridiculous from start to finish but it had a lot of good belly laugh moments in it. It attempted to be something akin to Its a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. It doesnt quite get to that level but it got closer than I would have thought possible and I give the cast and film makers credit for trying. I feel a little funny about giving a Spoiler Alert for Its a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World from 1963: The funniest moment in that very funny film was Ethel Merman slipping on the banana peel at the end. You laugh at that moment no matter how many times you've seen it. I laugh at that moment just thinking about it. Rat Race gives us a feel good concert at the end, instead. I would rather have had the banana peel.
Im memed out but these by Kem and Marie are good reads.
The CrabAppleLane College Bowl Pool continues. Fading fast now. One of the games I felt strongest about was the Miami-LSU Peach Bowl last night. I thought sure Miamis defense was going to be too much for LSUs backup QB. The Tigers beat them up both on the field and off. I would be a bookie's best friend if I gambled.
Quote of the Day
It's true you could break your neck but it's a risk I'm willing to take.
Duane Cody, Rat Race
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "A family that gets massage together stays together."
The baby boomers start turning 60 on Sunday. Well set aside our wailing on you if you settle in our communities with your nest eggs. I like this portion of that wailing whiner's message:
Here's a little essay on how living in the shadow of the boomers...........blah, blah, blah
The boomers dont cast that long a shadow. They are larger and wealthier than previous generations but thats how the previous generations, who did cast very long shadows, wanted it. A little perspective, please. And lose the whining. You aint got it so bad.
My cousin went to see the Trans Siberian Orchestra earlier this week and this video has been making the internet rounds the last few weeks. If they ever come to a place near me, Im in.
Got a sweet tooth that hasnt been sated in a while? Dont go here. Yet another reason New Orleans needs to be saved.
The CrabAppleLane College Bowl Pool continues.
Quote of the Day
I forgot all about it (King Cake) until yesterday, then there it was in my kitchen turning my lips purple.
A friend
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "One more detail shot of the evil factory from yesterday."
Todays BOTD took pictures of the passenger compartment while his plane was going down. WOW. Not your typical photoblog.
Went to bed last night with fever and chills. After a fitful night of sleep and two ibuprofen, the fever and chills are gone. I dont know what impact that would have had on pending blood work today but I suppose its moot now.
The CrabAppleLane College Bowl Pool continues. My decent entry, as predicted, is fading,
Quote of the Day
She started insulting me over text message . . . and it was not a good scene. It annoyed the hell out of me. Text messaging will catch you no matter where you are.
Erik Lung
Blog of the day via Instapundit is here.
Quote from said blog: "Boy, what a day. In what started as a typical flight home from a typical holiday weekend, changed drastically twenty minutes after take off. My fiancée and I were returning from a few days in Seattle when the unthinkable happened to us - our Alaska MD-80 Airplane tore a hole in its fuselage at 30K feet.
Here it is the day before I go for the required blood work for my pending elbow surgery and the swelling has gone down just enough to give me pause. Its not a major surgery but if the damn thing is going to heal itself, Id just as soon not have it. Embrace the unknown. Yeah, right.
This Slate article by Emily Yoffe made me smile yesterday. Its worth a look.
Palmeiro still claims ignorance on steroids. Give it up, Rafael. This cannot be fixed.
The CrabAppleLane College Bowl Pool continues. Our leader finally missed one.
Quote of the Day
Synchronize your minds and see
The beast within him rise
Queen, Flick of the Wrist
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "When I can remember, I regret some things I've done. When I am feeling nostalgic, I think about how I would do it all again and right the wrongs and be more charming at parties and be less fearful of love and be slower to judge or to react. That's when I'm back on the train, between places, certain I do not belong anywhere."
Ive been tagged by Ilyka. I thought I was inoculated from these things. Anyway, I thought Id go ahead and do this one because its pretty select company I got chosen with and because its not so personal. Besides, I can change the rules if I like. Theyre in the extended entry.
For those who just got a digital camera, this is something Ive found fairly easy to do and I get pretty good results most of the time. Point it in the general vicinity of the sun and shoot. Here we have New Orleans. The bridge to the left is the Crescent City Connection, formerly known as the cleverly-titled Mississippi River Bridge. I took this as I was driving down the I-10 high rise bridge in New Orleans East. The view is always nice and traffic was fairly light last night.
The CrabAppleLane College Bowl Pool continues.
Quote of the Day
Well if the sun shines so bright
Or on the way it's dark as night
The road we choose is always right, so fine
Led Zeppelin, Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "The biggest lesson of the information age is that all media is to be taken with a critical eye, and that no information is valuable until you also understand its source. (One reason for the success of blogs: the information and the source are intimately related, so you always know where you are.)"
Rat Race - Special Collectors Edition was part of our Christmas loot yesterday. Ive never seen it. Well watch it this weekend. Also got a cool Wireless Weather Thermometer. According to said Wireless Weather Thermometer, it is 34.9º with 91% relative humidity outside at CrabAppleLane as I type. 70.5º with 47% inside. Its also an alarm clock but its a little too nice for me to be fumbling around for in my sleepy haze in the morning. I need something a little sturdier for that, preferably case-hardened steel.
Like father, like son. Kinda. They enjoy some success but then wear out their welcome pretty much wherever they go and their tempers get them in trouble. The father is not quite as big a jerk as the son, though.
The CrabAppleLane College Bowl Pool continues.
Marwadi, the fisherman, has an optimism that I envy.
Quote of the Day
Though it be raining gold in another village and raining rocks on your own, there's no place like home.
Marwadi, the fisherman
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "My dad has been trying for years now to make the bird feeder squirrel-safe but with little success - this year's invention is a slippery floppy roof, but once it had some snow on it the (bigger) squirrels are quite happy to hang on either to the rope or the ceiling with their back feet and then munch on the nuts and seeds upside-down."
Merry Christmas
I started reading The Da Vinci Code last night. I started it because the uproar over the movie has me curious. I meant to start it earlier (The gist of this entry is a retread from August 22) but Katrina kind of set my reading back a few months. Ive read books that were unflattering to the Catholic Church, particularly the Vatican. I should say that they had unflattering things to say about the church. The church wasnt necessarily a central portion of the plot. The book was/is extremely successful and its being made into a major movie with a big Hollywood director (Ron Howard) and a big Hollywood star (Tom Hanks). I'll soon find out what the uproar is all about but Fi hinted at it here in the comments back on August 22. Still, its just a book and just a movie. I was a little too tired to make much headway last night but the beginning looks promising.
My fantasy football team put up a decent fight but still went down to defeat to a superior team. Santana Moss was too much for us. I tip my cap to my opponent. He had the best team all year and it carried through in the playoffs and Fantasy Bowl. He deserved the championship. Its his second.
Happy Birthday, Kem. Kem has interesting plans for his 51st birthday dinner party.
The CrabAppleLane College Bowl Pool continues and one of my entries is still perfect. This proves conclusively that there is no adequate substitute for blind, dumb luck.
Speaking of real estate (Smooth, huh?), the following listing went up this Christmas morning at CrabAppleLane:
Available for immediate occupancy: Single family home. Will rent for a song.
Ive had a pair of nesting bluebirds in this house putting out two and three clutches of bluebirds per year for 8 years now. Were responsible for most of the bluebird population in Bush, LA. Im hoping the new door wont put them off. The old door broke in August when I took it down for Hurricane Katrina.
Quote of the Day
The agent look grim. You dont understand, Mr. Langdon. What you see in this photograph... He paused. Monsieur Saunière did that to himself.
Dan Brown, The Da Vinci Code
About the BOTD. The Blog Herald has chosen it as the Best Overall Christmas Blog.
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "Santa arrived back at the North Pole safe and sound. The big man is now sleeping and probably wont wake until later today. As soon as he is awake I will get him to say a quick hello to all the boys and girls."
While waiting for Harry Potter to start a few weeks ago, we were subjected to about 25 minutes of previews and commercials. Get there 25 minutes early so you can sit in Row 2 from the bottom. I love that. Anyway, one of the previews was for King Kong. It has a fabulous cast that includes Adrian Brody and Naomi Watts and an experienced big budget movie director in Peter Jackson. Im in. Patsy doesnt care to see it but my nephew does. I hope we can squeeze it in this weekend but it will be a very tight fit for me.
The Fantasy Bowl starts today at noon, local time. I'll know almost immediately how my team is going to fare because the Redskins and Giants kickoff at noon, too, and my two best players, Tiki Barber and Clinton Portis, are playing in that game. The theme for today: No excuses. No quarter.
The CrabAppleLane College Bowl Pool continues. One of my entries is doing very well. It is due to take its pelican dive soon.
Quote of the Day
Take your mind off your election
And try to get it straight
And don't pretend perfection
You'll be crucified too late
Jethro Tull, Lick Your Fingers Clean
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "It chronicles an unedited 8 minute drive through Paris in the early hours of a Sunday morning - in a Ferrari. At 140mph."
It sounds horribly unsafe. I think I want to see it. -Rob
About Wikipedia: I have explored it on occasion. Marie and Kem have, too. The Main page has this statement on it:
Welcome to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.
I have even set up an account to do just that if Im ever inclined. Ive been involved professionally in a voluntary collaborative effort like this to create a searchable knowledge base in our profession for others, who are not in our profession. Many, actually most, of the contributions are submitted by internet savvy younger people in my field. Like Wikipedia, there is no verification in place. The contributions are almost always inaccurate or incomplete. For the effort to succeed, it is dependant on knowledgeable people for correction. Thats the problem. Not only did correction become a full time task but a lot of people dont like being corrected. The effort is withering and the current knowledge base is unsatisfactory. Wikipedia has a good head of steam on it and maybe it can overcome that problem but Im skeptical. I explore it mainly for amusement.
Quote of the Day
Who claims that no man is an island
While I land up in jeopardy
More distant from you by degrees
I walk this shore in isolation
And at my feet eternity
Draws ever sweeter plans for me
Robert Plant, Ship of Fools
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "Yet another chapter in the embarrassing war for "I Invented Wikipedia!" credit between Wales and Sanger. I tend to side with Sanger, mostly because managers often take credit where it's not due, but it's impossible to know what really happened (nor does it particularly matter)."
Im saddened to hear Tony Dungys news. Tony Dungy is an exception in the NFL and in professional sports. He isn't one of the good guys in sports. He's one of the good guys. Period. He proves you dont have to be a jackass to be in the NFL. He proves that nice guys dont always finish last. The NFL is a league full of selfish buffoons like Tom Benson and Terrell Owens. If there was any reason in the sports world, people would be talking more about Dungy than those guys. While hes out, the NFL will miss him more than he will miss the NFL. The league needs him more than he needs them. Sorry for your loss, Coach.
This is the sight that greeted me yesterday morning as I turned east onto Hwy 41 in Bush and headed toward New Orleans. Naturally, it was just below my sun visor and made driving a little tricky but I still enjoyed the sight. About power lines, telephone lines, fences, and other items you might see in some of my photographs: One of my work colleagues suggested I remove them in my favorite picture here. I like the power lines, telephone lines, and other noise in some of my images. I think it lends authenticity, if thats the right term, to these photos. On a similar note, Crusader put up some dramatic pictures over at Coalition of the Swilling. I want to say his were sunsets but its hard to tell.
Ive been agonizing over my fantasy football lineup this week. I have four running backs. Youll not be able to pry Tiki Barber out of my lineup. The guy shows up every week. Clinton Portis, Thomas Jones, and Cadillac Williams are the other three and Ive had mixed success with each of them. My instincts tell me to play Portis because hes the best of the three but hes also facing the best defense this week in Barbers Giants. My only real hope is for my opponent to have an off game. His team is better than mine.
Quote of the Day
Sunrise, and the new day's breaking through
The morning of another day without you
And as the hours roll by
Noone's there to see me cry
Except the sunrise
The sunrise and you
Uriah Heap, Sunrise
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "On a side note, the 7D is broken yet again (don't ask) so the remainder of my shooting in Manila is going to be with the coolpix and hexar. Sigh."
Photoblog. -Rob
These are two of Louisianas state birds. Theyre Brown Pelicans and they were once nearly extinct in Louisiana. That was blamed on DDT use. Some disagree that DDT was to blame. Pelicans have made a great comeback since DDT was banned (Not saying that's proof enough but I think Im convinced.) and we have quite a few in Lake Pontchartrain now. As that famous scientist, the recently deceased Richard Pryor, once said, Who are you going to believe? Me or your lying eyes?. I digress. The pelicans and I had the beach to ourselves yesterday for lunch. I had a BMT from Subway. They had the fish. For what its worth: If the planet has more aphids but a few more pelicans since the ban, Im OK with that. Pelicans are a joy to watch and are absolutely worth saving.
Another one that crossed my lens. He had about an 8ft wingspan.
Pelicans glide along above the water like you see in the first two photos. When they see a meal below, they make a high bank, tuck those gigantic wings in, and dive straight down like a pile driver. Thats commitment. This one was doing that. The distant shore is New Orleans East.
The CrabAppleLane College Bowl Pool is underway. Good Luck to all.
Quote of the Day
I don't want no tutti-frutti, no lollipop
Come on, baby, just rock, rock, rock.
Led Zeppelin, Boogie with Stu
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "Scotsman.com is reporting that LED ZEPPELIN guitarist Jimmy Page has been awarded an OBE by the Queen - for his charitable work rather than his musical career."
A New York City transit strike during the holiday season is a horrible, horrible idea. The New Orleans Police Department struck during Mardi Gras back in 1979 and it was a disaster. For the police department. This will also be a disaster for the strikers. The difference here, of course, is scale. The disaster will be much larger and much more intense in New York. Whatever union sympathies there are in New York will evaporate quickly. Without mass transit there will be mass inconvenience. Im told its not all that convenient to get around New York City anyway. What are they thinking? Maybe the public will support us if we make it even harder to get around. Maybe merchants will be OK with most of their customers having to walk or take a cab to get to their stores at the most important time of the year for them. From the article:
New Yorkers were urged to make arrangements to car pool, bicycle and walk to work, or change their schedules and work from home.
Yeah, thatll work. Idjits.
The good news is that my fantasy football team has advanced to the championship game. The bad news is that theyre playing a team that trounced them a few week ago. Well show up and offer no excuses. And no quarter.
Quote of the Day
Okay, I'm a little dumb sometimes. Of course I am. I'm not perfect. But am I as dumb as this person, this person to whom I'm ostensibly related by blood? In fact, has anyone ever verified this? How do I know we're really related? Someone should run a DNA test--right after I run her dumb bitch ass over with a truck.
Ilyka Damen - December 17, 2005
Blog of the day via Pitcherlady is here.
Quote from said blog: "caldron lid"
This blog features great photos and his very own music. -Rob
Conventional fantasy football wisdom: Some fantasy football magazines will tell you to pick up a players backup if the player is injury-prone or likely to be benched at some point. Rob's fantasy football wisdom: Thats big time bunk. I knew it and did it anyway. I should have known better than to have two players from the same team at the same position. I never play the right one when I do. The thing about fantasy football is that you cant change your lineup during the game so its not like you can put in your backup when your starter gets hurt on the 2nd play. When I had Fred Taylor and James Stewart, I could never figure out which one was going to play. Taylor was the starter and the better of the two but fragile Fred was always one hamstring pull from going to the bench. Unfortunately for me, he also could put up a huge game so I kept hoping. When I played him, he was Mr Hamstring. When I benched him, he was Mr 250yds and 4TDs. So I picked up Lee Evans last week but already had Eric Moulds from the same team at the same position. Even at wide receiver, that never works for me. If I hadnt done that, I would have had to play Moulds yesterday and gotten his 11 points instead of Evans, who put up a big fat zero. I have a very unsafe lead tonight and those 11 points would have helped. I dont think Ill be able to watch the game.
Got a favorite place to go for coffee? I'm sure you do. Submit it to the Coffee Tourist. Its easy and you would be providing an invaluable service to coffee addicts like me. The how to and stuff is here.
Added 22 log pieces to the bodacious bonfire Im starting to get ready for January or February. Thatll probably add an hour to the flame. It really could be lit now so I might even do it for New Years Eve.
Quote of the Day
You asked do we play heavy music
Well a thunderheads just another cloud
And we do
Not Fragile
Straight at you
Bachman Turner Overdrive, Not Fragile
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "Over the years, I have been blessed to have had the opportunity to represent several professional and major college football coaches in their contract negotiations and related legal matters."
I bought a clear filter for my camera. Its something Ive been meaning to do for a while now. I have a fear of scratching or breaking my camera lens. It would cost a fortune to repair or replace. There are two reasons I fear this. One, Im a bit of a klutz. I bang into things. Two, the camera cap doesnt fit very well and falls off very easily. If it fell off while in the camera bag, it could move back and forth across the lens and scrape it. Theres a downside to the filter, though. It cuts off the corners of the image. You can see it in the corners in yesterdays St Johns Coffeehouse image. If I zoom in on the subject, those black edges in the corners disappear. I think Im just going to remove the filter while shooting but replace it when I stop and just take my chances on those times when I want to get the camera out quickly and dont have time to remove the filter. By the way, the camera cap fits the filter perfectly.
If I win my playoff game, it is because I was smart/lucky enough to leave Tiki Barber in my lineup this week. Two of my other players put up big fat zeroes yesterday. That wont help at all. Tiki Barber and Clinton Portis were my RB combo when my team won the championship a few years ago. I have them again this year but Ive been mixing in Carnell Cadillac Williams in place of one of those guys now and again. Cadillac will stay on the bench next week unless Tiki or Clinton breaks both legs.
Just one picture from CrabAppleLane on this crisp fall Sunday morning.
OK, I cant sing but there really is a cardinal in this Bradford pear tree. Go to the extended entry if you cant find her. What was going to be somewhat of a Sunday puzzle turned into a software tinkering exercise. This is the best I could do this morning without breaking something or throwing something.
Quote of the Day
I want a kiss from your lips
I want an eye for an eye
I woke up this morning to an empty sky
Bruce Springsteen, Empty Sky
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "Before peeling out of the parking lot, I saw these festive wreaths in the rearview mirror."
Taken this afternoon at St Johns Coffeehouse. Yes, I asked permission. The employee said most people dont ask. He told of one professional photographer who set up a tripod and started shooting without asking permission or telling anyone he was going to do it. He blocked the entrance in the process. I dont know the ethical or legal responsibilities of professional photographers but it seems to me that goes beyond rude into criminal and that one should have been forcibly removed, if necessary.
St Johns is one of my favorite places to go in Covington. It has a quirky, small town, old building charm that you just cant put a price on. That said, it should be noted that you can spend an afternoon or evening there for almost nothing. The coffee is fabulous. I absolutely love the place and have spoken of it many times here. I try to stop in whenever Im near it. You know, within a hundred miles or so. They also feature live music on most Friday and Saturday nights. If a Starbucks or some other chain opens near this place with their sterilized tables, drive-thru, and ridiculous menus, I think Ill picket them with my sign in one hand and my cup of St Johns Café Au Lait in the other. Leave this place alone.
Quote of the Day
Will trade coffee for gossip
Sign at St Johns Coffeehouse
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "as a side note, im aware of how weird it is for me to not write a word for weeks and then pop up with a ruminanation on mortality."
Ive been wanting to visit Washington D.C. most of my life and have never done it. My parents met there. I wouldnt go just to see Tai Shan, the baby panda, but if I were going now, I would absolutely make time for a zoo visit. No point in waiting for the crowds to die down. They wont until hes a full grown adult. He will keep the cash registers humming. Aside from that, the little guy is as charming as all get out.
About yesterdays visit to the orthopaedic surgeon: My choices are to live with the bulge on my elbow or have minor surgery to repair it. Living with it is like having a mushy golf ball permanently attached to my elbow. This is a no brainer, Im having the surgery. It will be done in an outpatient clinic with Novocain and I think our insurance will cover 100% of the cost. By doing that, I think insurance companies are trying to encourage their policy holders to stay away from hospitals for minor surgeries. This is fine by me, too. I dont mind staying out of the hospital. My arthroscopic knee operation many years ago was performed at an outpatient clinic and that went very well.
Quote of the Day
Im wondering why
Youre always on my mind
Im stll wondering
Give me a little more time
Jail Bait, Wishbone Ash
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "Since I find Matt Damon and his new bride about as exciting as a box of paper clips, I figured their quickie wedding wasn't enough to warrant its own blog entry."
Im going to see the orthopaedic surgeon this morning about my elbow again. Its giving me a little time to get in the rant below. About my elbow: The condition I had attended to just six weeks ago has returned. I suspect hes going to drain it and give me a shot of cortisone again but I have new information since the last time. After he did that, the bulge on my elbow went away but something would happen every now and then when I bent my elbow after it had been extended for a time. The best way to describe it is it was like pulling a piece of Saran wrap across a bowl. Something would stick for a second and then slide across my elbow. Dr Rob of CrabAppleLane thinks it could be a bursa or maybe some scarring but dont let Dr Rob near your medical condition. Hes a quack.
Speaking of New Orleans Levees, the Federal official in charge of Gulf Coast reconstruction, Donald Powell, said this according to USA Today:
They will be rebuilt stronger and better than they were before Katrina.
Thats what a lot of people here are waiting to hear. It's welcome news but statements like that have got to come from the guys much higher up the food chain and with much louder voices: Congress and the President. Cleanup is underway but significant rebuilding cant and wont start until there is a meaningful commitment to levee protection from the only body who can make that commitment: The Federal Government.
Todays Online Washington Post has the following headline:
Blanco Hails Evacuation Efforts
Im sure its about yesterdays Congressional hearings and the Governors testimony. I caught bits and pieces of it on the radio as I was picking up lunch. For what its worth, I think she held her own but thats really not important to me any more. You have to subscribe to read the article but its under the heading of Politics, which is all anyone needs to know about it. Can we do that later, please? Elected officials are playing politics while a lot of people are living in trailers, campers, tents, and hotels and a new hurricane season is looming just 6-1/2 months away. There are more urgent matters.
One last thing about Hurricane Katrina this morning: Were starting to hear the term Katrina fatigue. It is used to describe the fatigue people around the country are getting from hearing about the hurricane and its aftermath. I guess thats understandable. To those who are tired of just hearing about it, you should try living it. Ill match my Katrina fatigue against yours any day. Finding and maintaining positive energy is a daily struggle and Ill admit I lose that struggle sometimes. You can probably imagine that. Everyone has had challenges in their life of varying durations and magnitudes but imagine almost everyone you come in contact with having the same, gigantic, uphill struggles.
Quote of the Day
Q: Know what you call someone who finished last in their medical class?
A: Doctor.
Rob's Orthopaedic Surgeon
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "Failure to present a copy on demand will result in a visit from a FEMA representative, who will wander around, knock things over, fart up the bathroom, and spend hours curled up under an end table, mournfully lowing until sleep finally overtakes him."
I got shrimp on my salad last night instead of chicken. I ordered chicken but it was too much trouble to go back and exchange it so I decided to go ahead and eat it. One of my favorite restaurants, WOW, has recently been not able to get an order right. They make the wrong thing or they leave things out. One of the items I ordered comes with a side. When I got home, no side. I check the orders for certain things before I leave but I suppose I have to open every container, every time now. If I didnt like the food so much..............
The above paragraph leads me to this: As someone who has grown up in Louisiana and been around seafood my whole life, I must confess that I do not understand the fascination people have with jumbo shrimp. They tend to be undercooked when you get them these days. Nothing turns me off faster than undercooked shrimp. They also cost more and dont taste as good as medium and smaller shrimp that are much easier to prepare. It has gotten to the point where I generally dont order shrimp at a restaurant any more. Thats not to say that large shrimp cant be done well but its more work and too many are opting not to do it. The best way to cook large shrimp is to boil them in your favorite crab boil and then serve them chilled in a shrimp remoulade or shrimp cocktail. Fried is OK, too, but only if theyre butterflied (Sliced down the back). Without butterflying, theyll be overcooked on the outside or undercooked on the inside. The gist here is: Give me 15 smaller shrimp instead of 10 larger ones.
Added two blogs to the roll this morning. Yesterdays and todays BOTD. Todays is rather famous.
Quote of the Day
What separates the rich from everybody else is their ability to hire people to deal with the day-to-day stuff of life, The rest of us can buy things, but they can buy services.
Pam Danziger, Unity Marketing
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "Dentists are generally pretty smart and they have the highest suicide rate of any profession. In stark contrast, dogs are goofy and they always look happy. You almost never hear about a dog trying to shoot himself."
The goal this morning is to leave the house early enough to get to Royal Blend and get some coffee and coffee beans. This mornings coffee was the last of what I have and getting to the coffee shops before they close has proven difficult. I havent had Royal Blends coffee since before Hurricane Katrina. I stopped in one day for lunch a few weeks ago at about 11:25AM and was told as I walked in that they were closed at 11AM. I suppose they only had enough staff to do the morning breakfast crowd but that may have changed since then. I hope so. All hope is important right now.
Trying not to be all New Orleans all the time but I keep stumbling on blogs like todays BOTD.
Quote of the Day
In a musty old hall in Detroit they prayed
In the Maritime Sailors' Cathedral
The church bell chimed, 'til it rang 29 times
For each man on the Edmund Fitzgerald.
Gordon Lightfoot, The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "New Orleans is still a ghost town, and we who so impudently try to reclaim her, are ghosts. We think we are still among the living, but in reality, we are mere spirits traveling through a land of the once-living."
As sad as that sounds, it is pretty accurate. -Rob
The Saints on Monday Night Football: This must have looked like a Michael Vick showcase game back in August. He has worn the Saints out every time hes played them. He does it with his legs and fabulous athletic ability, though, not his arm and quick decision-making. This isnt quite as bad as two winless teams playing on Monday night like they had some years ago with the Redskins and Cowboys but its pretty bad. Ill probably only watch a few minutes of it. My playoff fantasy football opponent next week had a great game this week in the first round of the playoffs. If his team plays like that next week, my team will be very likely gone. When we played earlier this season, my team had the great game.
For what its worth, Id like to see the Indianapolis Colts win their next six games. They look plenty real to me and Peyton Manning is a local boy. The Mannings are New Orleans royalty.
Quote of the Day
We can play any sort of game
Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts Quarterback
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "Due to Hurricane Katrina, we have lost a major portion of our income since I was laid off from my full time job as a graphic designer for one of New Orleans bigger printers."
From the Other than that, how was the play, Mrs Lincoln? department: The weather at and around CrabAppleLane has been gorgeous lately. In fact, if not for Hurricane Katrina, this has been a lovely year weather-wise.
A lazy Sunday afternoon picture from CrabAppleLane taken a few minutes ago.
Worked on templates and style sheets for the better part of the weekend bringing the blogs here up to date. Im done for a while. I think everything works in Firefox and IE so Ill leave well enough alone.
Quote of the Day
Maybe America does not want to rebuild New Orleans. Maybe we have decided that the deficits are too large and the money too scarce, and that it is better just to look the other way until the city withers and disappears. If that is truly the case, then it is incumbent on President Bush and Congress to admit it, and organize a real plan to help the dislocated residents resettle into new homes. The communities that opened their hearts to the Katrina refugees need to know that their short-term act of charity has turned into a permanent commitment.
New York Times Editorial - December 11, 2005
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "I think they should sell happiness at Wal-Mart. In little jars labeled in some far away country then shipped here so we can buy them at wholesale prices."
After spending the better part of a Saturday fighting templates and stylesheets, its fourth down and time to punt. Ill try again tomorrow with fresher eyes and greymatter. The links work properly now but the comment window is still a problem. It works but it doesnt look as nice as it should. Ive found that same problem at some other blogs so I dont feel totally inept. Well, I do, but Im not alone in my ineptitude. Firefox Version 1.5 doesnt like MTs popup comment window. Im only one semi-colon or one minor tweak away but it eludes me. On the bright side, IE6 and the earlier versions o Firefox work fine.
R.I.P, Richard Pryor. He hasnt done anything worthwhile in a long time but his early, raw material was very funny.
One of Pitcherlady's best stories. Still my fave.
Ilyka put one up today, too. Miss that girl.
Quote of the Day
Is it something I said?
Richard Pryor
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "The Pack is an expression that gets used by stagehands in referring to how scenery/equipment/road-boxes/whatever gets put in a truck... The Pack is something that at times is a very serious matter..."
Fun post at The Coalition of the Swilling. I joined a bit late but I think theres still room for more.
A double dose of caffeine. I wont be trying it. Remember Jolt? It claimed All the sugar and twice the caffeine.. It really doesnt matter what it may taste like. I cant bring myself to try it. At least theyre up front about whats in it. That leads me to another annoying bit of a practice. There are people who dont eat various things for reasons that have nothing to do with dietary concerns or allergies. They dont eat pork or veal or wild game or maybe theyre vegetarians. Whatever, thats their business and I respect that. There are other people who dont respect it. Theyll say things like If we dont tell them whats in it, theyll never know. That may very well be true in some cases but dont ever say it around me. I find that practice exceedingly rude and will tell all concerned. Youre warned.
Quote of the Day
Some European countries insist on saying that during World War II, Hitler burned millions of Jews and put them in concentration camps, Any historian, commentator or scientist who doubts that is taken to prison or gets condemned.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iranian President
Blog of the day via Kim is here.
Quote from said blog: "I was originally going to refute the their idiotic notions here, but theres really so much crap that I thought Id just tell you when they got it (mostly) right."
About yesterdays images here: For lack of a better term, were going to call them cloud holes. Patsy caught a local meteorologist explaining them yesterday and he said they were not unusual. According to the BBC, theyre a little unusual. If indeed it is caused by ice crystals from airplane exhaust as the article suggests, I was extremely fortunate to see it. Where I was is not a well-traveled plane route. Lakefront Airport is about a half mile from where I was standing when I took the photos but it was damaged by Hurricane Katrina and Im not sure there are any flights to or from there yet. Louis Armstrong Airport in Kenner is about 15 miles away but theyre operating at about 25% capacity and we hardly ever see passenger planes in this area. Theres a military airport in Belle Chasse also about 15 miles away and we do see their planes now and again (They put a little thunder in your chest so theyre very noticeable) but not very often. The reason I have no better term also comes from that article:
Strictly speaking there is no scientific term for the apparition, and what exactly it is has been the subject of much meteorological speculation.
Cool. This is why the camera goes just about everywhere with me now. You never know what you might happen across.
I will try to bring the blogs here into compliance with Firefox 1.5 this weekend. Although you can get it to work here, the comment box isnt sized properly and the links act strange when you click on them. Firefox 1.0.7 and IE6 both work fine here. Its probably a CSS problem. I am a CSS idiot. My understanding of it is very vague. I used a stylesheet from a now-obsolete program called Visual Page and adjusted some of the colors and fonts until they pleased me. The blogs here could probably all use a makeover.
Quote of the Day
The Japanese planes came over and the bullets starting hitting the hull, and it made such a noise I knew I had to get the hell out.
Gilbert Meyer, USS Utah
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "This one might put me out on a limb, but I'm going to say that in 2006 we will see a marked reduction in customer data theft cases. Why, because it's on everyone's radar."
It is on everyone's radar but it will be a long time before every single employee affected by it understands it. -Rob
From USA Today: The Hundred Acre Wood will be adding a girl to their stories. I think it's wonderful although I dont think girls were having any problems connecting with them. Two other things about this article jumped out at me. The first is that Pooh is 80 years old. What?????? I had no idea. I grew up with him. I always assumed he grew up with me, too. I'm not 80. And, then, to drain the magic right out of the moment, some corporate bozo says this:
Pooh appears to be a robust brand that can handle expansion.
Check, please.
Some pictures I took yesterday morning in New Orleans:
Took these yesterday morning. I observed this on my way into work and hoped that it would remain like this until I got there. I know nothing about clouds and cannot tell you what could account for this but I thought it was neat.
Quote of the Day
It's cloud illusions I recall
I really don't know clouds at all
Joni Mitchell, Both Sides Now
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "It's pointless to point fingers at the current mayor of New Orleans or governor of Louisiana about the levees. While the track record of the local officials is once again bad (and I personally think many of them should be defeated at their next elections), the federal government has been in charge of the levees since 1928."
From USA Today:
"The breakup and sinking of the Titanic has never been accurately depicted," Parks Stephenson, a Titanic historian, said at a conference at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute.
I think I see a movie, a talk show, or maybe even a reality show in the works to add to the Titanic Catalogue. Titanic: The Real Story. Or maybe Next on Geraldo: The Titanic Vault. Or Luxury Liner Wars: Titanic vs Poseidon. I could do this for a living. The only thing that bothers me is that someone does make a living coming up with lame crap like that. Mostly Im pissed that its him and not me.
Quote of the Day
It hit an iceberg and it sank. Get over it.
Robert Ballard, Undersea Explorer
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "I got a real case of the Mondays. My level of hope is very low and feelings of anxiety are very high. I know this is an ungrateful view but I really want my old life back."
Warning: Its about fantasy football today because the regular season comes to an end in our league tonight. Fantasy football is a game Ive been playing for 11 years now. Luck has always played a role but I like to delude myself think that I had as much to do with my winning seasons as I know I did with my losing seasons but this season is making it harder and harder for me to think that. My team has scored the least amount of points in its division this season. If people are not talking about the spectacular play of the Eagles LJ Smith (One of my opponents team needs a huge game out of Smith tonight to beat my team) tomorrow, my team will finish the regular season at 10-3 and win its division by four games. My team has clinched the second seed in the playoffs, a first round bye, and a share of the prize money. My team had the weeks second lowest point total twice this season but they won because we played the team that had the lowest point total. We won a game last week on a tiebreaker. In short, weve been lucky. The team that gets hot/lucky in the playoffs wins the championship. Ill take either.
Quote of the Day
I just signed my life away
The record companys got to pay
Got to chase that billboard bullet
Nothin left but to go out and do it
Nazareth, Somebody to Roll
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "My darling wife is a pretty good enforcer when it comes to keeping me from buying 50-lb. bags of Oreos or buckets full of Hersheys Miniatures, so Ive had to get creative."
Not too much in the way of images for this CrabAppleLane Sunday morning.
This would have been a cool playground for me when I was a kid. Balance beams and ramps galore. Kinda cool now since its my future neighbors property and I dont have to deal with it.
If you are reading this blog for the first time, this is a minuscule portion of Hurricane Katrinas handiwork. The main damage north of Lake Pontchartrain is from the wind and the falling/snapping trees. Here at CrabAppleLane about 100 miles inland, she was still Category Four when she blew through. These areas are far ahead of New Orleans and St Bernard in their recovery. All of New Orleans problems and St Bernards problems stem from the levee failures. No one was prepared for that. The water didnt come over the levees in any significant way. It broke the levees and the water poured in and stayed in until it could be pumped out. If the levees dont break, the death count is much lower, no one gets stranded, the city is back on its feet in a week or two, half a million residents arent scattered across the country, and this is not a political hot potato getting hotter by the day.
Pretty vine attached to a dead pine tree.
Calling all CSS/Firefox/Eudora experts: Upgraded Firefox to Version 1.5 and Eudora to Version 7 last night. Eudora has been giving me grief for a few weeks and that upgrade seems to have fixed the problems. The Firefox upgrade is causing me problems but only on the CrabAppleLane blogs. The left-click mouse function doesnt work properly on any link on the CrabAppleLane blogs. The stylesheets are similar on all of them so I suppose its a problem here. If I click and hold the button down, I can move the curser up and click again and it works. If I right-click, I can open the link in a new window. I have no idea whats causing this. It doesnt happen at other sites and it doesnt happen here in IE or the older version of Firefox I was using. Ill keep tinkering and will go back to the old Firefox if I have to. I hate CSS problems. I am clueless about fixing them.
Quote of the Day
Seagulls sing your hearts away
Cause while the sinners sin, the children play
Cat Stevens, Tea for the Tillerman
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "In other words, it confirms what many bloggers were saying from the outset - that the state and local response was seriously flawed, and that the state and local officials sought to spin their way out of the mess by blaming the federal government."
And vice versa. -Rob
It is 72º outside today at CrabAppleLane and there is sunshine. What more can you ask for except for maybe a little less humidity? CrabAppleLanes birds are into their southern migration. Lots of birds are passing through or spending the winter here. Robins from Minnesota should be here soon. I believe the images above to be of Chipping Sparrows on my feeder but I am horrible, horrible, horrible at identifying small, streaked brown birds. Not only are there several varieties of sparrows that are very similar to these but there are many other varieties of other birds, like Goldfinches and Indigo Buntings, whose females are brown and very similar to these. That dome-like thing below the feeder is a squirrel guard. It works for squirrels taking that route but raccoons just climb right over it. Squirrels climb on the tree that is about 6 feet away. With their backs to the feeder, they spring off of the tree and twirl around in the air before landing. I have squirrel-proof feeders and squirrel-resistant feeders but the birds prefer this open one to all of the others.
Quote of the Day
My brain is cloudy and my eyes are sore
I told myself I wouldn't drink no more
A bad hangover's something I can't stand
But here I am with a jug in my hand.
Foghat - Trouble, Trouble
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "Its really cold here in Minnesota. It should be cold this time of year. Its the change of the season. I always marvel at the very real and very visceral experience of winter in Minnesota."
The anger is really starting to bubble up in New Orleans. The city will be rebuilt. The notion that it shouldnt be is ridiculous. Its a 300yr old city. It belongs. A determination has to be made about the levees. That has to come from Washington and it has to come soon. For businesses and residents to come back, they need more than a Well study the problem. Until a determination is made and announced, a substantial portion of the community is on hold. Most people don't like being put on hold for any length of time. Imagine your life completely on hold for three months.
I heard a colleague on the phone yesterday with someone and he used the term wind-driven rain. People dont normally talk like that but the deal is this: If its wind-driven rain damage, its covered under his homeowners insurance and if its flood damage, its covered under his flood insurance. Water damage is water damage. Hed have to pay another deductible if he let them classify it as flood damage so he has to be clear about what kind of water damage he has.
We watched part of the Oprah-Dave thing last night. Recorded the rest because it was late and I wanted to see Bonnie Raitt, too. I have no idea what the fuss was about but it sounded like fun.
Quote of the Day
Ive been hearing for the past week you talking about it, and I didnt know if you were really serious or you were just doing your Dave thing.
Oprah Winfrey, Dave Letterman Show
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "And I wish I had a dollar for every time someone says mainstream on the web."
I'd take a nickel. -Rob
I think this kind of science is a better use of limited NASA money than manned space missions but the No bucks, no Buck Rogers sentiment is alive and well in America. These missions are cheaper and less dangerous but that means theyre also less thrilling. The only way to keep the money flowing in is to have astronauts.
Normally, all eyes around here would be on the LSU-Georgia game this Saturday night. Katrina has scrambled the priorities.
I know quite a few people who have Blackberrys. This is going to make things interesting.
Quote of the Day
You want him brought to Jesus? Or brought to you?
Street Preacher, Johnny Mnemonic
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "The DRM-1, successor to the DSM-IV, allows you to diagnose your mental diseases on your fridge, or any other magnetic surface at home. Not limited to actual diseases! Save on your trip to the psychiatrist! Nearly as accurate!"


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THURSDAY - March 5, 2009
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - United States Attorney George E.B. Holding announced today that several members of his office will travel to Kosovo over the next eight weeks to train judges, prosecutors, and investigators in various areas of international criminal law.
Kosovo, a part of the former Yugoslavia and a territory long claimed by Serbia, formally declared its independence on February 17, 2008. That declaration was the culmination of efforts begun when the United States and NATO allies intervened in Kosovo's violent conflict with Serbian troops in 1999. Since that time, with the aid of the United States, various European countries, and the United Nations, the people of Kosovo have been working to develop a legal system with integrity and reliability and which focuses on the rule of law. The United States Department of Justice, through its Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development Assistance and Training (OPDAT), has been playing a key role in the training of personnel within the Kosovoan legal system. Indeed, since 2008, the Department has been represented in Kosovo by Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Moore of the Eastern District of North Carolina.
Now, five other members of this office, along with federal and state investigators, will separately travel to Kosovo in the coming weeks to participate in this important effort:
- J. Frank Bradsher, Deputy Criminal Chief for Narcotics, along with Special Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Severo and a team of agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, will travel to Kosovo on March 7, 2009, to train participants in the area of drug trafficking.
- Robert J. Higdon, Jr., Chief of the Criminal Division, along with Special Agent Todd Elmore of the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Charlotte, will leave on March 14 to train in the area of money laundering and related crimes.
- On April 11, 2009, Michelle Scott, our Victim-Witness Coordinator, will join a multi-district team training in the area of victims' rights and issues.
- On May 2, 2009, Clay Wheeler, Deputy Criminal Chief for Economic Crime, will be departing for Kosovo with Special Agent Tim Reilly of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, to provide training on international white collar and tax crimes.
- And finally, Assistant United States Attorney Jay Exum, who oversees the prosecution of child sex abuse and exploitation cases for our office, will be departing for Kosovo on May 9, 2009. Assisting Mr. Exum with instruction in this area will be Special Agent Mike Smith of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.
Mr. Holding commented, "I am pleased that my office can participate in this important international effort. There is no doubt that with the advent of modern technology and the globalization of crime, it is imperative that we partner with other nations to address drugs, money laundering, financial crimes, and other areas of criminal law. Moreover, it is thrilling to be a part of the development of a new and fledgling democracy. I am pleased that my office can play a role in this vital effort."
News releases are available on the U. S. Attorney's web page at www.usdoj.gov/usao/nce within 48 hours of release.

subset: commoncrawl


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The University of Texas will light the Tower orange on Wednesday, April 20th,in honor of the 2011 John L. Costello National Criminal Law Trial Advocacy and the 2011 Uvaldo Herrera National Moot Court national championship teams. This year's wins are the 13th and 14th national championships UT Law has won in the last ten years.
Lauren Sprouse ('11), Robert Clopton ('11), Tony McDonald ('12), and Bryan Acklin ('12), beat Catholic University in the final round to win the Costello National Criminal Law Trial Advocacy championship. The Costello mock trial team is coached by Jay Adkins ('82), Assistant Attorney General in the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and Ciara Williams ('07) of The Law Offices of C.M. Williams. This is the first time the University of Texas has participated in the Costello competition, and the first time Adkins and Williams have coached an interscholastic team.
Anthony Arguijo ('11), Sergio Davila ('11), and Omar Ochoa ('11), beat Arizona State University in the final round to bring home the Uvaldo Herrera National Moot Court championship title. This team also won the award for best respondent's brief. The Herrera National Moot Court team is coached by Shalla Santos ('06), Staff Attorney for Justice Bob Pemberton, Third Court of Appeals. This is the second time Santos has coached the team to a national championship. As a student, Santos won a national championship in 2006 Giles Sutherland Rich Intellectual Property Moot Court competition.
This is the tenth Tower lighting held by The University in recognition of the Law School teams' outstanding academic achievements. Previous lightings were for the 1999 National Mock Trial championship team, 2000 Tournament of Champions Mock Trial national championship team, the 2002 Frederick Douglass Moot Court national championship team, the 2003, 2004 and 2005 Judge John R. Brown Admiralty Moot Court national championship teams, the 2005 ABA Arbitration competition national championship team, the 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2008 Giles Sutherland Rich Memorial Intellectual Property Moot Court national championship teams, the 2009 Hispanic National Bar Association Moot Court championship team, and the 2010 Conrad B. Duberstein National Bankruptcy Moot Court championship team.


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By NICOLE OTT
The Post and Mail
COLUMBIA CITY — Columbia City's fireworks, which were postponed July 4 due to the county's burn ban, have been rescheduled for September 22.
The city will be holding a Fall Festival at Morsches Park, which includes food vendors, games for kids and a performance by Spike and the Bulldogs.
Festivities will begin at 5 p.m. with fireworks concluding the night at approximately 10 p.m.
The burn ban was put into place after the area has gone several weeks with little rainfall.
COLUMBIA CITY – The thermometer here registered 81 degrees at 6:30 a.m. Friday, 87 degrees at 9:30 a.m. and 93 degrees at 11 a.m. – en route to a predicted high of at least 102 degrees by 4 p.m.
More of the same hazardous heat is on tap for Saturday with heat indexes reaching 115 degrees.
The National Weather Service has issued the following statement concerning the oppressive weather conditions in Whitley County and the area:
COLUMBIA CITY — After the recent approval of a county Golf Cart Ordinance, allowing golf carts on county roads, Sheriff Mark Hodges said residents need to purchase permits based on where they want to drive in the county.
"The easiest method to take care of everything is if you live in the county, you're going to have to have a county permit to ride your golf cart, and if you want to ride your golf cart into the city, you need a city permit and vice versa," said Hodges.
COLUMBIA CITY — A week after area residents endured high winds, bringing with the storm a slight amount of rain, Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director Cathy Broxon-Ball said Whitley County residents should all have their electricity restored.
Broxon-Ball estimated Friday's storm produced winds traveling at the speed of 80 miles per hour.
COLUMBIA CITY — With temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Thursday afternoon in Columbia City, Mayor Ryan Daniel opened up the city pool to local residents for free.
Burnworth pool, which is kept at a comfortable 80 degrees, was available for free Thursday from 2 to 6 p.m.
It will also be free Friday and Saturday at the same time. Pool employees said the pool has seen more activity with the hot temperatures.
A group of siblings and a friend take a dog, Pepper, on a walk Tuesday evening at Morsches Park.
From left, Josh Eberly, Sam Eberly, Maggie Gladd and Maggie Eberly.
First Church of God
Pastors Johnny McCallister and Brandon Holler both bring the message this week as a new series, "Where's the Beef?" begins.
This series will cover what it takes to become a self-feeding Christian. Service times are 9 and 10:30 a.m. To learn more about First Church of God visit www.firstchurchconnect.com.
St. Matthew's UM
COLUMBIA CITY — Passages, Inc. was recently notified that it is the recipient of a $75,000 grant from the Dekko Foundation.
For more than half a century, Passages has been dedicated to helping people with intellectual disabilities or other challenges thrive in the community at work, at home and at play.
The grant from Dekko will go toward the Passages' capital campaign.
The funds from the capital campaign will be used to remodel the former Lehmberg Medical Office Building, now known as the Passages' Creative Learning Center.


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FC Shakhter Karagandy coach Viktor Kumykov admits it would be a "fantastic achievement" should his side see off Celtic FC to qualify for the UEFA Champions League group stage.


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As of Thursday, July 28, 2011
© Copyright 2015 Gwinnett Daily Post
One of the most important lawn care tasks in early spring is the application of pre-emergent herbicides (weed killers) to prevent weed seeds from germinating. They are commonly used for controlling summer annual grasses, such as crabgrass, goosegrass, and other lawn weeds. The pre-emergents will not control established emerged weeds.
From late spring to the first frost, crabgrass and other summer weeds can invade large portions of the lawn creating an unsightly appearance. Crabgrass can be a troublesome weed because a single crabgrass plant is capable of producing up to 150,000 seeds in one season. It then dies upon the arrival of cold weather leaving large dead voids in the turf.
Crabgrass seeds begin germinating when the soil temperature reaches 50 to 60 degrees. Pre-emergent herbicides, such as Scotts Halts, Pennington Crabgrass Preventer, and Hi-Yield Crabgrass Preventer, amongst others, are the optimum method of preventing these weeds from becoming established in your lawn.
Once crabgrass and other grassy weeds have emerged, control options using herbicides are few and generally have limited effectiveness. Make sure you follow all label directions and safety precautions when using chemical pesticides. Pre-emergent herbicides are mostly granular formulations and can be applied with a drop or rotary spreader. After making the application, water the turfgrass thoroughly. These herbicides are recommended only for lawns that are well established, and should not be applied to lawns that have been recently seeded or newly sodded.
The best time of the year to make the application is in early March when the air temperatures are above 60 degrees for several days in a row. A good rule of thumb for timing the application is when the forsythia shrubs are in bloom. Avoid using "weed and feed" fertilizers, which contain both the pre-emergent herbicide and fertilizer on warm season grasses. Warm season turfgrasses should be fertilized only after they have come out of dormancy, and if applied earlier, the turf may green up prematurely increasing its susceptibility to damage from a late season freeze.
Since crabgrass and other weeds prefer to grow in bare areas and on stressed turf, healthy lawns with dense stands of grass are less likely to be troubled with these weeds. Proper fertilization, mowing, and watering will help promote a more vigorous stand of turfgrass, thus reducing the ability of the crabgrass and other weeds from becoming established. Water the lawn deeply and less often with one or two thorough soakings weekly to promote deep root growth. Mow the turf as high as possible. This will help the grass to shade out any emerging weed seedlings.
Crabgrass and other summer weeds can be a challenge to control. Proper timing and use of pre-emergent herbicides combined with correct cultural care help to maintain a healthy lawn. This regime will reduce the infestation of troublesome unsightly weeds during the growing season.
Timothy Daly, MS is an Agricultural and Natural Resource agent with the Gwinnett County Cooperative Extension. He can be reached at 678-377-4010 or email@example.com.
More like this story
- DALY: Now is the time to prevent summer weeds in lawns ( March 5, 2014 )
- DALY: Take action now to control winter lawn weeds ( September 22, 2011 )
- Early fall is time to prevent winter weeds ( September 24, 2009 )
- Gardening in Gwinnett: Now is the right time to control crabgrass, weeds ( March 6, 2008 )
- Now is the right time to control crabgrass, weeds ( March 6, 2008 )


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Vita Fede Double Earrings: Two is Better than One
The design of most earrings focuses solely on the way they appear on the front of your lobes. This is a little lazy, no? If your hair is up, then the back is almost as visible as the front, a fact that Vita Fede's Cynthia Sakai acknowledges and designs with in mind!
Insect Invasion: The Beetles are Coming
And the butterflies and the spiders…I don't know if it's a certain creepy-crawly holiday coming up or Damien Hirst's buggy Prada bags, but my mind's been stuck on insect-inspired fashion lately, ranging from the pretty to the eight-legged variety and beyond.
Trend Alert: Headpieces
Earrings, bracelets, necklaces, rings – these are our daily jewels. When you're craving a change, a decadent headpiece is the way to go. I've saved the best for first – London-based jewelry designer Sabine G.'s silver-plated gold headpiece. It's part of the Relic collection, an assembly of pieces inspired by the engravings on a 12th century medieval box.
Halloween Jewelry: Trick or Treat
Halloween and costumes go hand-in-hand, but that doesn't mean your jewelry has to follow suit. Have fun with the holiday's themes – just do it with pieces that you can also wear outside the month of October! Orange and black, skulls (of the McQueen variety), and creepy crawlies are all on the table. Which will you be sporting for the witching hour?
Lanvin Fall 2013 Accessories: Sending Out the Message
Subtlety? What's that? For Fall 2013, Lanvin is making the message clear – and that message is go big or go home. Accessories emblazoned with single words like "cool," "love," and "help" are the kind of pieces you'd expect to see Rihanna wear with aplomb. They sound a little kitschy, yet in pewter and faux pearls, Alber Elbaz makes them as sophisticated as can be.
Paire Jewelry: Runway to Real Life
I've found your next obsession – Paire! The new site sells runway pieces that you can't find anywhere else, and what better to wear as you're watching the latest hit the NYFW runways than runway jewelry? I just had to bring a few pieces to NYC. First up was Rodarte's snake collar ($595) – it's exclusive to Paire and somehow also on sale.
Lyralovestar Golden Collection: Star Light, Star Bright
High impact jewels with a low impact on your wallet – what's not to love? With Lyralovestar's pieces, you could wear something as simple as a white tee or LBD and still make a splashy statement. The brand was started up by celebrity stylist Crystal Streets who dresses the likes of Rihanna and Mariah Carey.
Top 5 Hinged Rings: Making Moves
A simple cocktail ring is no longer enough to start up a conversation. But a full-finger ring? Well, that's something no one can miss. The trouble is that not all of these are articulated, limiting your basic movement and turning day-to-day tasks into serious challenges. Enter hinged rings!
Fabric Wrapped Jewelry: Woven Wonders
As summer cools down we start to bundle up, and our jewels are no different! Woven cotton adds a boho feel to even the most elegant pieces, relaxing them to optimal wearability without losing any of the chic style. Which artisanal jewel will you be wrapping yourself in this fall?


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Get more for less The More Everything Plan
Verizon's flexible plan for both families and individuals.
- Enjoy Unlimited Talk & Text, Personal Wi-Fi Hotspot and Shared Data for up to 10 devices.
- Powered by Verizon's award-winning 4G LTE network.
Two options with lots of choices, so you can pick one that's right for you.
Verizon's flexible plan for both families and individuals.
No annual contract. Pick from monthly, daily, minute or data plans.Learn More About Prepaid
The latest technology can be yours. Verizon Edge makes it easy to buy a new device, with a low upfront cost and affordable monthly payments.


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Auxiliary LED Lights - MondoMotos - 2014 UPDATE
This coming weekend we will be undergoing some website maintenance/updates -
- Adding new products
- Adding a DIY section (components for a DIY install)
- A new option on our MM10 light kit that eliminates the switch and allows the lights to turn on/off with your bikes ignition.
Now the important part -
This all means a permanent price reduction on our MM10 light kits.
Effective today the standard MM10 Light Kit price has been reduced to $129 USD
Minus the ADV10 discount and the final price is $116.10 USD
This is the same price we offered at the International Motorcycle Show and now its here to stay.
Greetings Fellow Riders!
Kris, Bob and I want to thank all of you who help spread the word around about our business and our products this past year. 2014 will mark our 4th year in operation. Its been an interesting journey since MondoMotos first entered the marketplace with our now retired - MM01DRL and it has been the goal from Day 1 to offer the best Motorcycle specific products at the best price possible.
With our MM series light kits, extensive research and development is done at home and working closely with our suppliers. This takes time, dedication and money. We do NOT simply "flip" products. We take your feedback seriously and are always looking for ways to refine and improve our offerings.
New for 2014-
- Revised MM10 Light Kit (released Dec 2013)
- More LED Auxiliary Light Options
- DIY offerings (lights, switches, harness, connectors, etc)
What wont change in 2014 –
- ADV10 Discount Code means a 10% discount on our MM series light kits
- Great Customer Service
- Listening To Your Feedback
I have been an active ADV member since 2007 and sincerely appreciate the support of the ADV community. Along with being a part of MondoMotos, I am a Moto-Photojournalist working with regional, national and international publications. In short, Motorcycling is not my hobby or my job. It is my life.
We are not a "Johnny-come-lately" part-time operation, attempting to ride on the coat-tails of others. Most importantly, we are not in this just to "make a buck". We understand the commitment it takes to provide the VERY BEST in products and customer service, before and AFTER the sale. We are here today and we will be here tomorrow.
Again your feedback is very important to us, please feel free to drop us a line with any comments or suggestions you may have to help us serve you better.
We wish you Happy, Healthy and Safe travels wherever the road may take you in 2014
and beyond.
Brian, Kris & Bob
Team MondoMotos
P.O. Box 357
New Hudson, MI 48165
We have had to make a slight price increase to the MM10 Light Kit changing the price from $126 to $135.
As a way of saying our continued thanks to the ADV community, we are upping our discount from 5% to 10% for the light kit.
Using the Coupon Code ADV10 (case sensitive) will adjust the final price to $131.40 (USD).
We are pleased to bring to market the MM10 (aka Bullet) Auxiliary LED driving light
The Bullet uses the CREE XM-L chip making it our most powerful lighting option.
CREE says - The XLamp XM-L is the industry's brightest, highest-performance lighting-class LED.

Product Details

Utilizes the CREE XM/L LED

Made of strong die cast aluminum with a nearly unbreakable lens.

IP68 (submersible) standard, Marine quality, Weatherproof, Waterproof, Rust proof, and Shock proof.

All the hardware, bolts, nuts and washers are stainless steel.

25 Degree driving beam for optimum visibilty.

Extremely long life- up to 50,000hrs

Its ultra compact size and low "draw" make it perfect for use on most any bike.
By day it makes a great DRL, by night it makes a great auxiliary light.
With a 25 degree "driving" pattern, this CE certified has all aluminum body and hardened glass lens and is tested to be IP68 compliant. It includes stainless steel mounting hardware.
The MM10 Bullet LED
MM10 Bullet Dimensions
MM10 Bullet Light Kit
Price: (UPDATED 4/13)
MM10 Bullet Light Kits - $146 - with ADV5 discount = $138.70
In form and function, compare these to lights costing 2 - 3 times as much (or more).
I have personally put these lights to the test and they perform. On and off road. Realistically expect them to compare to 75 watt halogen units and you will be more than happy :D
The MM10 is introduced on page 17 - post #251 - Several reviews and photos can be read/seen following post #251
------------------------------------original post dated Jan 2012 ---------------------------------------------
Greetings once again fellow ADV'rs
We just recieved a new stock of LED Lights.
Iv been running them on the ADVersys for a couple months and really like the way they look and perform.
Versitle mounting options and wiring up was easy, no need for a relay or dimmer.
Each light is rated @ 12Watts each but produce light comparable to a 50Watt Halogen (900 - 1000 Lumens).
Each light draws <1Amp putting very little strain on your electrical system
Made of strong die cast aluminum with high impact PMMA lens and are Marine quality (IP67)
Weatherproof, Waterproof, Rustproof, and Shockproof.
All the hardware,bolts, nuts and washers are stainless steel.
Bright white Epistar LED lights.
60 Degree Flood (w/center spot) beam (see pic)
Long lifespan approx 30,000hrs.
Here is a pic showing the beam pattern. Flood with center Spot.
Right now thru Jan 15th they are priced @ $98 a pair.
More details and purchasing info can be found on our website.
We sell other lights as well including these Daytime Riding Lights
These sell for $49 for the pair and are great for improving your daytime visibility to oncoming traffic.
Rugged, compact and ultra low current draw means they are perfect for Dual Sports (or any other bike really).
Lights can be purchased thru our website @ MondoMotos
Hi all,
On Jan 2nd we will be launching a new website, with some enhanced features (account creation, product reviews, etc).
But more importantly, we have been able to renegotiate with a couple suppliers this past month which makes it possible to do price restructuring on a few items.
Meaning: lower prices on our LED lights and light kits.
Effective Jan 2:
Other new products and lighting choices will be added in the coming months and will continue to do all we can to provide the best products and best service at the best prices.
Looks like a sweet deal for the MM12's. Just placed an order!
hmmwv15 - Thanks, your order went out yesterday.
You should have them in a couple days.
What bike are you installing them on?
I'll be mounting them on my dr650. Not sure how or where I will install them yet, but I've got several ideas. Can't wait to get them on!
Once you get them mounted - post some pictures - I want to add a set to my DR650 ...
Thanks ...
Just ordered a pair of MM12AUX as aux lights for my 02 BMW R1550GS. What is the wiring setup?
Will mount them to the small CNC bars below my turn signals.
Thanks, your lights went out this morning.
Wiring is straight forward, with Red lead being "positive" and Black being "negative".
If you need more info, like wiring diagram, send me a PM.
Are your mounting bars custom (one of a kind?)
Got them mounted! Not wired up yet though. I still need to finish my "brackets" which will be rounding off the corners and a coat of black paint. I used some 3/16" thick 1" wide flat stock (steel) that I had lying around to make the brackets. I cut it to length and put a slight upward bend in each piece, then drilled the appropriate sized holes and mounted them under my mirrors. Clears my windshield and keeps them out of harms way for the most part. I need to figure out what kind of switch to use now.

greetings the toad son of a bob...
amber lens option...
j o
I ended up wiring them to my high beam to eliminate the need for a switch. I tried to take some pictures of the light pattern, but my camera is about useless in the dark...
These lights throw more of a flood pattern than spot, but wow... The near useless high beam HID light on my dr650 has now turned into a retina searing flood light (for those that try and stare into them). These things have no problem at all lighting up both sides of the road for a pretty good distance. Should there be any kind of animal next to the road, you should have no problem seeing them with plenty of time to slow down. I love these things!
Let me know how they work out with the lights?
Im glad they are working out for you. Ive ridden in northern Georgia and I know there are plenty of critters lurking in the dark.
Thanks for the positive feedback.
New pics
Happy (somewhat belated) New Year !!!
We got a few pics of our 12W lights mounted up on an R1200GS.
They are are mounted to the crash bars with PIAA 360x4 brackets (which we have a few of in stock).
I think the lights are a great addition to the bike (and so did the bikes owner)
The $98 a pair price end Jan 15th.
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The sequester tap dance
I wonder how many of our nation's business leaders would elect, in the face of looming sequester, to furlough one day a week for 22 weeks for 850,000 employees as means to meet a project five-year decline of revenues (in the case of Defense Department its budget obligations)? Only our government could come up with a plan that avoids either horizontal or vertical cuts by adopting a plan that cuts some wages and compensation without reducing its overhead administrative overhead or benefit costs. All I can see is lower productivity at a higher unit cost! – Kendall W. Curtis, Point Loma
In response to "Obama, Peters: zero credibility on sequester" (Editorial, Feb. 20): The U-T and most Republican politicians continue to call upon President Obama to lay out a plan to solve the budget problem in order to escape the effects of a sequestration whatever that may be. I would remind these critics that he has already done that, it is called the 2013-2014 federal budget, released Feb. 13, 2013. He had released, in a timely fashion, budgets the previous two years.
The United States Constitution gives the express powers for budgets, including the power to pass legislation to effect the budgeting duties, to the Congress. The president is given no such power or duty in that document. So President Obama's budget, and $1.75 might buy a cup of coffee. The United States is not authorized to spend one dollar based on the president's budget. Congress has the responsibility, and the authority, to write and pass a budget.
So Congress needs to stop the blather and do what they are required to do. If they send a budget to the president, and he vetoes it, then the critics can take their shots at him. Until then, the critics are just exercising their First Amendment rights. – Steve Olsen, San Diego
In response to "Sequester show's D.C.'s cluelessness" (Opinion, Feb. 19): "Sequestration" is just another word for "congressional temper tantrum," in my opinion. And how dare these elected officials hold over 300 million loyal and patriotic Americans as hostages to whatever gods of vested agenda" that they claim to worship? Who in Hades do these [people] represent anyway – or do they even know or care? Maybe it is time for all of these people to be legally fired – en masse. – H. Rick Tavares, Campo
The U.S. government is in its worst financial strait in history. So, what does it do? The president is getting a golf lesson from Butch Harmon in Florida. Air Force One costs $180,000 an hour to fly BHO and entourage down south. Speaker Boehner told Congress to go home and "wait it out." We civilians pay them but won't get paid in our jobs if we don't produce. In sharp contrast we pay for "public servants" good salaries, platinum health care, a wonderful Social Security, plus allow a great deal of time away from D.C., aka, vacations. The problems and national debt continue to mount, as Rome burns and Nero fiddles.


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Bacon- and Gouda-Stuffed Meatloaf With Tomato Marmalade and Loaded Smashed Potatoes
Meatloaf with spicy, savory tomato marmalade is a great companion for loaded smashed potatoes. More
Meatloaf with spicy, savory tomato marmalade is a great companion for loaded smashed potatoes. More
Ok, so maybe it's a bit of a carb overload, but potato on pizza is truly great, especially when the potato slices brown and crisp around the edges and the dollops of mashed potato come out crusted and golden, like these ones do. More
Bangers and mash are a public house classic, some fatty sausages with buttery potatoes perfect for soaking up an afternoon's worth of ale More
Easy Swedish meatballs made with only four ingredients: the secret is starting with excellent pork sausage. More
Mashed potatoes are a suppertime staple that many of us grew up with. Champ is a simple variation on the plain classic that folds in bright, sliced scallions that add a savory freshness to rich potatoes. More
This recipe for Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes incorporates a few easy but game changing elements. First off is the potato cooking method. Instead of aggressively boiling, Ruhlman opts for a gentle simmer on medium-low heat; this way the exterior doesn't disintegrate into the cooking water. The potatoes are then drained and left aside for their steam to release, therefore drying out the potatoes slightly and making for a fluffier mash. The final element added to this amazing mash—and the one that sets it apart—is brown butter, with all its caramelly, nutty flavor. Incorporating brown butter into mashed potatoes gives them an added element of richness in a way that is both nearly effortless but totally elegant. This is of those recipes that will certainly change the way you think about humble mashed potatoes from here on out. More
Before coming across this recipe for Al Halabi Style Kebabs with Potato Moutabel in Silvena Rowe's Purple Citrus & Sweet Perfume, I had never really thought about meat and potatoes existing in Eastern Mediterranean cuisine. But these skewers of ground lamb mixed with finely chopped peppers, mushrooms, and nuts served over tahini and yogurt mashed potatoes are exactly that. More
This big pile of sausages served with mashed potatoes and onion gravy is adapted from Dinah Buchholz's The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook and is certainly the kind of meal that will steel you against all sorts of darkly magical onslaughts. The sausages are spiced with all sorts of herbs (more mundane than magical, but delicious nonetheless), including marjoram, thyme, and sage, that give these all-beef (or beef and pork) links a wonderfully herbal kick. More
I have to thank Lourdes Castro, author of Latin Grilling for bringing this Crab, Avocado, and Potato Terrine (or Causa Limeña as it's known in its native Peru) into my life. With its layers of creamy, spicy mashed potatoes, sweet crab tossed with scallions, cilantro, and lime juice, and cool avocado, it marries three separately delicious elements into one mind-blowing terrine. More
Aligot is the ultimate comfort food—think, ski lodge, by the fire, warming and filling you up. It's kind of like a potato fondue: mashed potatoes whipped with melted cheese until it gets gooey and smotheringly delicious. More
It's a simplified mash made with only a few ingredients—creamy yellow Yukon Golds, sea salt, cracked pepper, a few tablespoons of good olive oil, and scallion slivers. Unlike mashed potatoes that are loaded up with cream and butter, these let the sweetness of the potatoes and olive oil shine through. But even without the dairy, they're creamy with little bites of spicy peppercorns and oniony scallions scattered throughout. And when the juices from the chicken run into the potatoes? Well, it doesn't really any better. More
Adapted from Amanda Hesser's The Essential New York Times Cookbook, this Spanish accented croquette recipe came from Melissa Clark's A Good Appetite column. Inspired by a glut of leftover mashed potatoes from Thanksgiving, Clark mixed them up with little chunks of salty Serrano ham, smoked Spanish paprika, and sweet-spicy piquillo peppers. Rolled in flour, dipped in egg wash, and finally dusted in breadcrumbs, the little croquetas fry up with a beautifully crisp crust and soft, smoky centers filled with creamy potato dotted with diced ham and pepper. More
The smell of freshly baked biscuits can create an atmosphere of warmth and comfort throughout the house—and this recipe can also help use up ample Thanksgiving leftovers. Mashed potato biscuits are tender and flaky, but have enough structure to hold up to a slice of turkey and a dollop of gravy. Warm out of the oven with some cranberry butter, these tender biscuits go well with a hot cup of strong tea. More
This Sweet Potato Shepherd's Pie from Lyniece North Talmadge's The Sweet Potato Lover's Cookbook takes the classic mashed potato topping and swaps it out for mashed sweets. The super savory filling is a mix of ground beef or turkey sautéed with tomatoes, thyme, and an umami blast of Worcestershire and shiitake mushrooms, rich and meaty enough to stand up to the sweetness of the sweet potato topping. More
That's right, this cake combines layers of turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, and marshmallow-topped sweet potatoes, all in one beasty feast of a trompe l'oeil cake. While some may have trouble coming to terms with the savory nature of such a sweet-looking treat, ultimately brave eaters will be rewarded: it's like the best of Thanksgiving leftovers all stacked into one tasty bundle. More
The key to super fluffy mashed potatoes is to remove as much starch from the spuds as possible. We accomplish this by peeling and dicing them before rinsing them in water and boiling them just until cooked. After cooking, they... More
If you like your potatoes rich and creamy instead of fluffy, the key is to allow them to retain some of their starch by cooking them directly in their jackets. Using a ricer followed by a whip in a stand... More
By swapping out Yukon Golds for plain old Russets, and adding vibrant green blanched basil, basic mashed potatoes are taken from humble and homey to exciting and dinner party-worthy. More
[Photograph: Andrea Lynn]... More
Bangers and mash sounds like a relatively simple, two-ingredient dish, but there's actually a third, equally important component that doesn't get main billing: onion gravy, the glue that holds this meal together. More


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The best rooms at your disposal
Hotel Los Monteros has more than 1,000 m2 to celebrate corporate or social events.
Product presentations, incentive meetings, congresses, conventions or workshops are just some of the events that have taken place in our establishment.
Host your congress or convention at Los MonterosDiscover our rooms
Gardens and Facilities
We also have beautiful gardens by the pool, excellent for welcome drinks, coffee breaks or cocktails .


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General Information: The Dogie Trail offers hikers and people on horseback a chance to experience on of Arizona's spectacuns without all of the crowds. If solitude is what you seek, this could be the trail for you. The trail descends into the heart of the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness. For those who long for rugged beauty unspoiled and untamed by man, Sycamore is one of the few paces in the southwest that can lay claim to such a lack of man's accomplishments. The trail into this primitive area begins at a saddle 200 yards from where you should park your vehicle. Expect a panoramic view of the canyon from this pass.
Javelina, deer, quail, and numerous other animals call this country home. Pinyon pine, juniper, Arizona cypress, brush fields and wildflowers are abundant.
Make sure you take lots of water for this hike especially during late spring to early fall months. Temperatures quite often exceed 110 degrees in the canyon bottom.
Directions: From Flagstaff, Drive 30 miles south from Flagstaff through Sedona on US 89A. Five miles past Sedona turn north on FR 525 and follow the signs to Sycamore Pass. Turn west on FR 525C and continue for nine miles to the parking area. Hike road up to the saddle.
Elevation: 5,600 feet
Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet
Distance: 5.4 miles
Usage: Light
Difficulty: Moderate/Strenuous
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Coconino National Forest, Arizona
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Sacramento, CA (PRWEB) May 07, 2014
Charter school supporters from across the state will convene today to convey the strength and growth of the charter school movement to representatives in the California State Capitol. Hosted by the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA), Advocacy Day is an annual celebration of National Charter Schools Week (May 4-10).
"More than 300 school leaders, supporters, parents, and students will have the opportunity to meet with elected officials, discuss key legislation impacting charter schools, and share the importance of their support on policies that will ensure the future success of charter schools and the students they serve," said CCSA President and CEO, Jed Wallace.
"The progress of the charter movement requires policies that enable new schools to grow, thriving schools to replicate, and existing schools to continue their successful trajectory," continued Wallace. "It is important that legislators hear these combined voices from the charter school community as they advocate to ensure charter supportive policies are passed and bills that impede charter school growth are opposed."
CCSA's annual Advocacy Day is also a time when members of the charter school community can familiarize and inform their legislators about not only the importance of school choice and flexibility, but also the need to support critical legislation that impacts charter school autonomy, flexibility, funding, and facilities.
Learn more about current legislation impacting California charter schools.
The event and program will be held in a grand tent on the west lawn (10th Street and Capitol Avenue) from 9:30 am – 4:30 pm. During the event, participants can network, tour the Capitol, and listen to inspiring speakers including, Senator Bob Huff (R-29) and Assemblymember Marc Levine (D-10) among others.
California charter schools began with the passage of the California Charter Schools Act in 1992 followed by the first school opening in 1993. National Charter Schools Week highlights the growth of the charter community, the amazing academic successes of charter students, and the strong parental demand for more schools. Nationally, more than 2.5 million students attend nearly 6,500 charter schools.
California Charter Schools By the Numbers:
About the California Charter Schools Association:
The California Charter Schools Association is the membership and professional organization serving 1,130 charter public schools and more than 519,000 students in the state of California. The Vision of the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) is to empower parents and educators to unleash a new era of innovation within public education so that highly autonomous and accountable schools of choice provide quality learning opportunities for all California students. The Mission of CCSA is to enable our members to increase the number of students attending quality charter schools in California as quickly as possible by securing policy wins supportive of charter schools and providing the supports necessary to open and expand quality charter schools. For more information, please visit http://www.calcharters.org.