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Creating a grocery shopping list might sound like an obvious and easy thing. However, doing it the right way will make your food shopping and home food storage a much easier task.
Maybe you already make a grocery shopping list, but have you ever ended up with a lot more in your trolley than was on the list in the first place?
I know I have (and still do on occasion!).
Food shopping is one of those jobs we all have to do. Some people love it, some people see it as a big chore.
But when you combine it with some good knowledge of the essentials and the basic cooking skills you'll learn on this site, it becomes second nature.
This section will show you the best way to go about creating a list and sticking to it. If you are just starting out and have an empty pantry or larder, it will also give you a list of the essentials you'll need to stock it with.
You'll also learn a few things about kitchen essentials like herbs and spices, cooking oils, and some important freezing tips. You'll wonder how you got by without them!
So, before you head off to the supermarket with your grocery shopping list spend a little time here first.
Smart Grocery Shopping - Shop Smarter, Not Harder
With smart grocery shopping, the weekly food shop shouldn't be a chore you dread. With a proper grocery checklist these grocery buying tips will make food shopping much easier.
Buying Groceries Online - Getting The Most Out Of Online Food Shopping
Buying groceries online is becoming a increasingly widespread practice. If you're thinking of starting your online grocery shopping experience, then here you'll find some good advice.
Pantry Organization - A Basic Pantry List To Get You Started
Pantry organization is an important aspect of any kitchen, as is knowing what to put in it. Here is a basic pantry list to ensure you have a supply of all the basic food staples for your kitchen.
List Of Spices - Cooking With Herbs And Spices Made Easy
A list of spices is vital for any basic cooking repertoire. Here's a spices list showing common herbs and common spices to get you started, and what I have in my spice drawer.
Best Cooking Oil - Choosing The Healthiest Cooking Oil For You
Choosing the best cooking oil, or healthy cooking oils, can be confusing. There is many different types available today, but here's my list of the best cooking oils.
Cooking Wines - Add A Little Kick To Your Food
Cooking wines can add a new dimension to your food. Whether you're cooking with red wine or cooking with white wine, here's some cooking food wine advice.
How to Freeze Food - Some Guidelines For Frozen Food
Knowing how to freeze food brings many advantages to your cooking. Here are some great tips on freezing and general long term food storage, as well as some frozen food storage times to guide you.
Popular Pages


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Your Government
The 2012 recipients who were able to attend the presentation on June 11 are (left to right)
Holly Woodle, Olivia Hutcherson, Erica Swartz, Gabrielle Garrad, Matthew Corrigan, Elizabeth Egan.
The St. Augustine City Commission took time at its meeting on June 11 to recognize a graduating senior from each of the county's high schools as recipients of the 2012 Citizenship Award.
Each year the Citizenship Award is given to a graduating senior from each of St. Johns County's high schools. Students are nominated by organizations within each school based on their leadership and because of their service to school, to community, and to fellow students.
Award recipients receive a commemorative plaque, a city lapel pin, and $100 to help defray costs associated with pursuits of their higher education or chosen career.
The 2012 recipients of the St. Augustine City Commission Citizenship are: Gabrielle Garrad, Allen D. Nease High School; Madelynn "Maddie" Kay, Bartram Trail High School; Greta Mosteller, Creekside High School; Erica Swartz, Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind/ Deaf Department; Katherine Wyble, Pedro Menendez High School; Elizabeth Egan, Ponte Vedra High School; Olivia Hutcherson, St. Augustine High School; Holly Woodle, St. Johns Technical High School; Matthew Corrigan, St. Joseph Academy.

subset: commoncrawl


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English majors, at their option, may focus on one or more concentrations within the department.
These optional, specialized areas of study are offered to focus student work in the major and include:
Film and Media Studies
Women's Studies
Each concentration requires the dedication of a minimum of 12 elective credits to a course of study developed by the student in consultation with the student's faculty advisor.
Note that the required course in each concentration is ideally taken first. However, students are permitted to take their concentration courses in any order to meet their scheduling needs and interests.
Although some courses listed count towards more than one concentration, any student pursuing two or more concentrations may only count each course toward one concentration.
At the discretion of the English department chair, courses other than those listed may be approved as counting towards an English concentration to accommodate individual student interests and needs.
© 2012


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Water Chiller : Outdoor Air-Cooled With Remote Condenser
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Is Charging A R410a System The Same As A R-22 System – HVAC
Originally Posted by paulie pizza is charging a 410a the same as Charging a R-22 system..other than charging a 410a in a liquid form yes other than pressure
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Residential HVAC Please forgive me for my ignorance but I am a Sheet Metal worker and only install Hey fellow tin knocker. Get your posts up to 15 and apply


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Join us in Chat. Click link in menu bar to join. Unofficial chat day is every Friday night (US time).
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Progress Planning: 50%Mechanical: 10%Electronics: 0% Programming: 0%Overall: 12% Technical info Name: AATV, Autonomous all terrain vehicle. Cost: 50Weight: 4711 grams + arduino and case.Hours spent: 6.Environment: Outdoors.Purpose: Outdoors development platform.What it does: Right now, nothing.Programming language: CCPU: ArduinoSensors / Inputs: Nothing.Actuators / Outputs: Two cordless drill motors.Power: 2x 18v batteries, unknown capacity.


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Watch Grimm Season 3 Episode 4 online via TV Fanatic with over 6 options to watch the Grimm S3E4 full episode. Affiliates with free and paid streaming include Amazon, iTunes, Vudu, YouTube Purchase, Google Play, and Amazon Prime.
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Episode Details
A group of aquatic Wesen may be at the center of a mysterious drowning on Grimm.
- Show:
- Grimm
- Season:
- Grimm Season 3
- Episode Number:
- 4


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NEC N-01A, a high-tech transformer phone
Wide VGA display resolution, 5MP camera, high-speed connectivity – these are only few of the features that you can easily find in lots of the Japanese phones outed in 2008.
The new NEC N-01A is itself a proud owner of a 854 x 480 pixels screen, a 5.2MP camera and HSDPA connectivity. But what really makes it newsworthy is its design and the fact that it comes with three different styles: Touch Style, Share Style and Communication Style.
The large display of N-01A can be swiveled in two ways: at 180 degrees or at 90 degrees. In the first case, you get a pretty normal slider phone (if a WVGA display can go as being normal). In the second case, after the display is swiveled, you get a phone that looks to be perfect for watching mobile TV (thanks to the built-in 1Seg tuner), for taking clear, sharp photos with that 5.2MP autofocus camera, or for browsing the Web.
We first saw the N-01A at the beginning of October, when NTT DoCoMo announced its new line-up of handsets, but there were only few details about it then, and its ability to be transformed the way described above was not known.
NEC N-01A will be on sale in Japan starting November 21, as part of NTT DoCoMo's Prime line-up of handsets. Its price was not revealed yet, but something tells me it won't be an affordable one.
Source: NEC


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SEATTLE –The University of Washington women's tennis team plays host to two more opponents this weekend as a part of 11-straight matches at the Nordstrom Tennis Center for the Huskies. First up is No. 61 TCU on Saturday, March 1 at Noon followed by a meeting with Sacramento State on Sunday, March 2 at Noon.
The Huskies, who jumped up to No. 24 in the latest ITA rankings, are currently 8-2 on the season including a 5-1 mark at home. The Dawgs are led by Elianne Douglas-Miron, who's currently ranked No. 111 in singles action, along with Julija Lukac who is currently undefeated on the season with a 7-0 record at the number three spot.
Scouting the Horned Frogs: TCU is currently 4-5 on the year and most recently snapped a four-match losing streak with their 4-3 win over SMU. They are currently at No. 61 in the latest rankings as of Feb. 25 The Horned Frogs lineup features junior Stefanie Tan who is currently ranked no. 53 in the nation and was a 2013 ITA All-American, 2013 NCAA Singles Sweet 16 competitor along with earning a spot on the 2013 All-Big 12 Singles Team.
SCOUTING SACRAMENTO STATE: Sacramento State is 1-5 on the season with their lone win coming over UTEP (5-2). Sacramento's lineup features Jennifer who was an All-Big Sky First Team player in 2013 after posting a 14-10 overall singles mark along with a perfect 10-0 Big Sky record.
Here's what head coach Jill Hultquist had to say heading into this weekend's matches:
What have you done with the team this week to prepare for two more tough matches?
"We've been working on a few things that some of the girls have not done as well as we'd like so we've tried to concentrate on the little points a minor details to get them feeling more confidence. We also gave them a few days off because we've really been playing and grinding a lot lately. These weeks are long, even with us being home, so it's been a bit of a grind and I think having a few days off will do a lot for our girls to feel more refreshed and ready on Saturday."
Julija has been so effective at the number three spot, what has she been doing specifically?
"Well she has definitely been consistent. She's a very unique individual as a player and sometimes complains that she's not playing competitive enough. But, I mean she's undefeated on the season at that spot, so really there's no need to change how she's playing. It really speaks to her competitive side that she's concerned about her game even though she hasn't lost. She's a very competitive and talented player and is especially unique in how she plays her game."
How important is it to finish your non-conference slate on a strong note?
"It's really important because we have to try to get to 11 wins to be eligible for the NCAAs. The Pac-12 is one of the strong conferences in the country, it's got five teams in the top 25, three in the top 10 and two in the five, so we want to finish these non-conference games at home strong to have a good winning percentage heading into league action. It will give us a little bit of a cushion win-wise and will also do a lot for our confidence as we start to play those ranked teams."


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Sunday, June 26, 2016
An Interview with Disney/Pixar President Dr. Ed Catmull
There are a handful of people in this world who represent everything that the CG animation community has been able to achieve in the past few decades. Pixar co-founder and president ... Continue Reading →
The Red Planet Revisited!
Pixar alum Andrew Stanton's first live-action feature John Carter delivers a stunning blend of cutting-edge CG visual effects and gritty images that are grounded in the real world. Edgar ... Continue Reading →
Academy Hosts Animated Short and Feature Program
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will present five public events celebrating this year's nominees. Oscar Week events will feature screenings, film clips and discussions ... Continue Reading →
Oswalt to Host VES Awards
The Visual Effects Society (VES) has announced comedian/actor Patton Oswalt (Young Adult, Ratatouille) as the host for the org's tenth annual VES Awards ceremony, to be held at the ... Continue Reading →
Patton Oswalt to Host 39th Annual Annie Awards
Patton Oswalt, the voice of Remy, everyone's favorite rat chef in Pixar's Ratatouille, will be the host of this year's 39th Annual Annie Awards on Saturday, Feb. 4 at UCLA's ... Continue Reading →
A High-Tech, Dysfunctional Santa's Coming to Town
How the wizards at Aardman joined forces with Sony Animation to deliver the poignant and funny CG-animated holiday adventure, Arthur Christmas. Santa Claus and animation have enjoyed ... Continue Reading →
Animation Magazine's Oscar Watch [Part 1 of 4]
Early award season watchers seem to be unable (or unwilling) to pick frontrunners in the animation race this year. But most of them have high hopes for a certain Belgian boy reporter ... Continue Reading →
Disney-Pixar's Lasseter Gets Star on the Walk of Fame
Fans can finally walk all over John Lasseter — and he's thrilled about it. The creative head of both Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios, as well as the director of Toy ... Continue Reading →
Telemundo Gets Animated With 10 Disney/Pixar Titles
U.S. Spanish language broadcaster Telemundo has acquired the rights to air 10 acclaimed animated features from Disney/Pixar, including Up, Ratatouille, WALL.E, Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, ... Continue Reading →


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These sexy seniors like to really seduce their man and they parade around in front of him in their sexy stockings and garters. This is more than enough to get his cock stiff and if it wasn't from that it is once they push their breasts in his face.
These old chicks want to suck some cock more than anything and they pull down his boxers as they kneel in front of him. The two grand mothers lick up and down his hard prick and all over his fat balls with their experienced tongues before taking turns sucking it.
Then it's time for a good old fashioned shagging and both these mature pornstars get a right proper fucking from this lad. See the full episode including the scorching hot video of Lola Lee And Mrs Jewell Champagne in action at 60 Plus MILFs.


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Resources By Record
Search By Records
Record Type
Fairfax Public Records
Fairfax County is a large county in the state of Virginia with a total population of 1,081,726 as of the 2010 census. This county is located on the northeastern edge of the state, and is bordered around much of its perimeter by the Potomac River. Originally established in 1742, this county boasts a long and illustrious piece of America's history. Much of that history can be found in the Fairfax County public records, located in a variety of offices throughout the state. Launching a public records search in Fairfax County is convenient, as long as you have information about where the documents are stored and how to obtain copies of those Fairfax County vital records on yourself or family members.
When launching a public records search in Fairfax County, keep the following tips in mind:
Rules Involving Fairfax County Public Records
Some Fairfax, Virginia public records have rules about who can access files and request copies of documents. For example, birth certificates in Fairfax County are only available to the individual on the certificate, immediate family members or authorized representatives of that person.
Based upon Ohio public records law, birth records are restricted for 100 years after the birth before being opened up to the general public. Fairfax County death, marriage and divorce records are also restricted for 50 after the event date.
How to Initiate a Fairfax County Public Records Search
Beginning a public records search within Fairfax County involves first knowing the location to begin your quest. Most public records in Fairfax County, VA can be found through the official county website, including birth and death certificates, marriage licenses and divorce decrees.
Historical records for Fairfax County, dating as far back as 1742, can also be found through the county website, at the Circuit Court's Historical Records Room located at the Fairfax County Courthouse.
The Convenience of Fairfax County Public Records Online
Many archivists and genealogy hunters prefer to search for public records online in Fairfax County whenever possible. Fortunately, the county makes this an easy process by using the service VitalChek for all their online public records searches. This website offers interested parties the ability to search for birth certificates, death records, marriage licenses and divorce decrees in Fairfax County – all from the comfort of home. The service is fast and easy to use, and official copies of documents can be ordered right on the website. There is a charge for using the VitalChek service, in addition to the fees for document copies.


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In a bit of interesting news announced earlier today, video game developer, Slightly Mad Studios, unveiled "World of Speed", a free-to-play, massively multiplayer online arcade racing game for PC.
You may remember Slightly Mad Studios as the developer for Electronic Arts' "Need for Speed: Shift" series. In "World of Speed", PC gamers will be able to take the wheel of some the world's fastest cars, as well as everyday runners, and race on true-to-life tracks from all over the worlds, as well as some that only a race fan could dream up.
"World of Speed" will also introduce a new level of connected competition, allowing players real-time interactive social gameplay, through Club and team gameplay, the Airfield social hub and unique missions and objectives in every race, making player's actions matter. Gamers can also look forward to "World of Speed" being supported with live events and player challenges, along with new gameplay modes, tracks and cars.
You can find screenshots as well as a trailer for "World of Speed" on the left. To learn more about the game, which will be published worldwide by My.com, or to sign up for the closed beta you can visit the official site. "World of Speed" is expected to enter closed beta in the spring of 2014.
Suggested Links
- New 'Naruto Shippuden: UNS Revolution' trailer focuses on the World Tournament
- 'Strider' makes his return later this month
- 'Drakengard 3' launch date and collector's edition revealed
- New trailer released for 'The Witch and the Hundred Knight'
- 'Tenkai Knights: Brave Battle' announced by Namco Bandai Games


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|Classifying Spaces and the Baum-Connes Conjecture
The Baum-Connes conjecture identifies the K-theory of the reduced C*-algebra of a group G with the equivariant K-theory of the classifying space for proper G-actions through a so-called assembly map from K-homology to K-theory. This classifying space is a proper G-space with the feature that any other proper G-space may be equivariantly mapped into it in a unique-up-to-equivariant-homotopy way. In many situations the classifying space for proper actions may be concretely identified. For example for a semisimple Lie group it is the symmetric space G/K and for a semisimple p-adic group it is the Bruhat-Tits affine building.
For discrete groups the classifying space for proper actions has been studied carefully from the point of view of equivariant homotopy theory, and this has led to knew views on the Baum-Connes assembly map in this case.
Selected References
|Balmer, Paul; Matthey, Michel. Model theoretic reformulation of the Baum-Connes and Farrell-Jones conjectures. Adv. Math. 189 (2004), no. 2, 495-500. MR
|Davis, James F.; Lueck, Wolfgang. Spaces over a category and assembly maps in isomorphism conjectures in K- and L-theory. K-Theory 15 (1998), no. 3, 201-252. MR
|Lueck, Wolfgang. Survey on classifying spaces for families of subgroups. Infinite groups: geometric, combinatorial and dynamical aspects, 269-322, Progr. Math., 248, Birkhaeuser, Basel, 2005. MR
|Lueck, Wolfgang. The relation between the Baum-Connes conjecture and the trace conjecture. Invent. Math. 149 (2002), no. 1, 123-152. MR
|Lueck, Wolfgang. The type of the classifying space for a family of subgroups. J. Pure Appl. Algebra 149 (2000), no. 2, 177-203. MR
|Lueck, Wolfgang; Reich, Holger. The Baum-Connes and the Farrell-Jones conjectures in K- and L-theory. Handbook of K-theory. Vol. 1, 2, 703-842, Springer, Berlin, 2005. MR
|Mislin, Guido. Equivariant K-homology of the classifying space for proper actions. Proper group actions and the Baum-Connes conjecture, 1-78, Adv. Courses Math. CRM Barcelona, Birkhaeuser, Basel, 2003. MR


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11.20.09 | Volleyball
Pryor, Allen receive top honors
Baldwin City, Kan. — Baker University junior outside hitter Brooke Pryor was honored as the Heart of America Athletic Conference volleyball player of the year and sophomore libero Brooke Allen was selected the conference libero of the year, the HAAC announced on Thursday.
Pryor, Overbrook, Kan., ranked 10th nationally with 4.2 kills per set. Allen, Topeka, Kan., ranked third nationally with 6.8 digs per set. Both players were named to the all-HAAC first team.
Other members from the Wildcats' record-setting 32-4 team were recognized by the conference:
Second Team
- Jana Boss, freshman setter, Shawnee Mission, Kan.
- Christina Delladio, sophomore middle hitter, Bonner Springs, Kan.
Honorable Mention
- Nikki Anderson, senior hitter, Alma, Kan.
- Kelsey Cobb, sophomore defensive specialist, Overland Park, Kan.


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We've had an exceptionally mild winter and now that we find ourselves in early spring, we need to be mindful of those most nasty of arachnids…THE TICK.
Due to this mild weather, folks are already seeing a tick presence in their yards. The eggs are in the soil of your yard and this last little warm spell is kicking the hatch into high gear. Ordinarily, we wouldn't see tick season starting for another month or so, but they're already out and about.
Of course, we hate finding these little vampires on our pets. They're hanging out in your yard, in that taller grass that you may not have gotten around to cutting yet, just waiting for the buffet to wander by. And I'm not talking about JUST your pets…ticks will latch onto a human just as quickly as a dog! According to the Center for Disease Control, a tick that has latched onto a human would need to be attached for thirty-six to forty-eight hours for the Lyme disease bacteria to be shared. There are other tick-borne diseases and reported cases are on the rise. Of the twenty tick species found in our state, four of them have been known to bite humans.
Lots of folks will slather on the DEET based insecticides to repel ticks, mosquitoes and more. We're not talking about mosquitoes today, but the best way to avoid them is to eliminate standing water sources from your property. But I digress…DEET is, in fact, an effective repellent, but it also carries with it the potential to harm humans and the environment. There are plenty of DEET-free alternatives to help make your yard an unfriendly environment for ticks.
Here are some tried and true methods that help:
Keep your lawn mowed. Eliminate the areas where ticks would be hanging out such as tall grass at the edge of your lawn, excess brush and leaf litter. Rather than leaving your grass clippings or leaves around, compost them and use that to fertilize your garden.
Create a buffer zone. A wood chip or gravel buffer around the inside perimeter of your yard can keep ticks at bay, since they don't like to walk across these surfaces. Another, less expensive alternative is diatomaceous earth. This is also great for other pests, like slugs, snails and earwigs.
Keep your wood warm. Ticks like cooler, moist areas, but not sunny and dry areas. If you have a wood pile and it's located in a shady, moist area of your yard – move it. Keep it neatly stacked in a sunny and dry area and you'll do a lot toward eliminating a tick-friendly environment.
Utilize repellent plants. Citronella, rosemary, garlic and some varieties of rose geranium are great to grow in your yard and have a tick repellent quality that increases their value.
Clean up. Remove leaves and keep the areas around your home free from brush and taller grass, and you will create an environment unattractive to ticks.
Don't encourage the deer. Lots of folks in Rogue River, Wimer and other areas of the Rogue Valley encourage deer to frequent their yards. This also invites a huge population of ticks to catch a ride into your areas. If your bird feeders are drawing deer into your yard, remove them or reconfigure what you have into something that does not interest the deer.
In the event that you or your pet falls prey to a tick bite, avoid the heat method and the Vaseline methods. The most effective method of removing a tick – even an embedded one – is as simple as reverse pressure with a twist.


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Jun 26, 2012 10:05 AM
Either our skin is trying to guide us to previously undiscovered worlds via facial star charts, or we've been responding inadequately to our tendency towards acne. Whatever the reason, we're not having it. We'll leave the exploring to NASA and keep our skin looking lovely with this Açai Clarifying Skincare Set ($58).
If you've got a product or service that you'd like to promote on Outblush, click here to find out about our advertising opportunities.
Outblush is a blog for girls who love to shop. Our staff digs up the best clothes, home stuff, beauty items, and more. New items are posted every day — bookmark us and check out:


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Sale Price:
One of the ways geodes form is by gas bubbles escaping from volcanic rock. Over millions of years, minerals seep in and crystals start to form inside. Our kit includes 20 geodes that you can crack open to reveal crystal formations that might include quartz, calcite, or even amethyst. Take a whack and see what you discover! Includes safety goggles and an activity booklet. A household hammer is required.
WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD small parts not for children under 3 years.
For ages 6 and up. 7"W x 10"L x 2 1/2"D.
(based on 5 reviews)
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(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)
Nice kit.
By Liz
from Wisconsin
Comments about Ultimate Geode Kit:
Very neat kit. Only drawback was that some of the geodes varied from extremely easy to crack open, to practically solid, and very hard to crack... but natural variation is definitely understandable. Adult assistance will be required; but would definitely recommend/buy again.
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Was this review helpful? Yes / No
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(0 of 1 customers found this review helpful)
Not what I expected
By Angry Grandma
from Santa Clara, California
We used this kit with our 4 and 7 year old grandkids. They both loved breaking open the rocks, but had some trouble doing so. The four year old needed help hitting them hard enough to break them. The seven year old did better, but still had to work hard to do it. Once open, too many of the geodes looked "the same". We would have liked to have more visible differences. In all fairness, we've only opened about 14 of them, so maybe one of the remaining ones will at least be a different color.
Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Great Find
By EchelonGirl7
from Minot AFB, North Dakota
This was a great find for our homeschool. Many different sizes and the information ans activities that came with it were great. Wish is had a little more of a variety in the stones but over all very satisfied. My kids will keep them for many years to come.
Great for the grandkids!
By Grandma
from mesa, az
our 7 year old grandson loved them. great educational product for the novice "rockhound"
Nice...but hard to break for a 4 yrs old
By Lady Pinote
from Saint Ours sur Richelieu, Quebec, Canada
Much more rocks than expected in this kit. Rocks are much too hard to break for a 4 yrs old kid...even for a 35 yrs old!!!


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and found 1 items
This synthetic sleeping bag from Eurohike is heavy and not as warm as some. It has lots of creature comforts, though, including a concealed pillowcase, an insulated hood and shoulder baffle, and a two-way zip. The softness of the lining and shell is excellent too.
See our great subscription offers at www.greatmagazines.co.uk
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Find a Vacation Rental
Search hundreds of vacation rental properties along the East Coast. New properties are added daily! Come back soon.
Ocean City Rentals
Ocean City, New Jersey or Ocean City, Maryland? We have both! Oceanfront homes, condos near the boardwalk, even bay front homes in Ocean Pines--take your pick.
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Rodfei Kodesh is the value of pursuing holiness.
Helping People to Live, Learn and Love Jewishly
Congregation Rodfei KodeshILUnited Statesph: firstname.lastname@example.com
Rodfei Kodesh-Pursuers of Holiness, one step at a time.
For those who have not yet attained holiness (all of us) but are always working to improve, one day and one step at a time. We are dedicated to Learning, Living and Loving Jewishly.
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MEDINA — Six Medina boys lacrosse players were named to the All-Ohio team for their efforts this past fall.
Senior defenders Tim Viancourt and Justin Riccelli both earned first-team honors, along with junior attackman Alex Schell. Viancourt and Riccelli helped the Bees defense pace make a deep run into the postseason, which ended with a heart-breaking loss in the state semifinals to Worthington Kilbourne. Schell led the team in both assists (59) and total points (107).
Second team accolades went to senior attackmen Collin McMannis and Connor McBride, along with sophomore midfielder James Dahlheimer. McMannis was a consistent threat all season for coach Pat O.
Brian's squad with 50 goals and 48 assists, while McBride connected on a team-high 68 goals. Dahlheimer added key scores for the Bees (15-2) all season long with 25 goals and 25 helpers on the year.


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Duties performed by our volunteers include assisting citizens with questions, working with Neighborhood
Watch and the Abandoned Vehicle Abatement (A.V.A.) program, setting up radar trailers and
assisting in directing traffic. They also provide school services, such as performing truancy checks for the
Truancy Intervention Program for Schools (T.I.P.S.), presenting "Stranger Danger" instruction to K-3rd
grades (Safety School Program), serving as panel members with School Attendance Review Board
(S.A.R.B.), and assisting in the Police Activities League (P.A.L.) program. They also contribute to community events and assist with clerical
duties and a myriad of other community oriented services. These include senior citizen checks with the Helping Adults
with Kindness (H.A.W.K.) Program.
Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age or older and be a citizen of the U.S. (or have legal residency).
We seek candidates that are mature, responsible, enthusiastic individuals with good communication
skills and who work well in a team environment. As a department, we recognize the gift of our
volunteers' time, and would like to extend our deepest appreciation for the high quality of service
they provide to our department as well as the citizens of Modesto.
For more information on the Volunteers In Police Service Program, or to become a volunteer, contact
The Volunteer Coordinator at (209) 572-9500.
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The Huffington Post Dino Grandoni First Posted: 08/15/12 03:13 PM ET Updated: 08/17/12 02:04 PM ET
Why can't they just carry on a magazine like the rest of us?
We're only halfway through 2012, but already the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has confiscated an awfully long list of wacky items passengers tried to bring aboard planes, as highlighted in a blog post by the agency Tuesday. Your guess is as good as ours as to why these people thought they'd be OK carrying Batman throwing stars, live eels, or M-80s onto passenger planes.
Click through the slideshow below to see the full list of the 15 most insane items we could cull together. Which do you think is craziest?
Let's start with guns, because there're just so damn many of them. The TSA reports that it's confiscated 821 firearms in 2012 to date (691 of which were loaded). Some were stowed away in creative places, like in a potted plant or inside stuffed animals. Poor Mickey Mouse!
Everyone knows that the Batman has his own plane and doesn't need to fly commercial. This faker, caught in San Diego in June, is not Bruce Wayne.
The crazy thing about this story wasn't what was stopped from going on a plane, but why. A mother of a 9-month-old was told she couldn't board her plane in Hawaii in February with her breast pump. The reason? Because the milk bottles were empty, KITV reported. The woman embarrassingly had to go to the bathroom to fill the bottles with milk, and the TSA later had to issue an apology.
Don't mess with this grandpa, who tried flying out of JFK.
Fortunately this weapon had no grenades in it when confiscated in February in Seattle.
In Texas, they don't mess around with fake grenades. Officials at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport found a live 40mm explosive grenade in one man's luggage. The guy actually had a good excuse. "It was a soldier who made a mistake and in the end, no charges were filed," the TSA explained.
The curious part of this story is that you can fly with a chainsaw, if it's in your checked luggage. But this guy traveling out of Elmira, NY, still had gas in his wood-cutter when he attempted to get it onto a plane in January.
This was confiscated at North Carolina's Raleigh-Durham International Airport.
The TSA finds plenty of stun guns, but this one, masked as a cellphone and uncovered by officials in Indianapolis in June, takes the cake. Insert your "there's an app for that" joke here.
An X-ray screening in Philadelphia International Airport reveals one passenger trying to carry on three M-80 fireworks, along with "a water bottle wrapped in black electrical tape and filled with flash powder." Unsurprisingly, the man was arrested.
Regret that useless souvenir you got on your last vacation? Meet this diver who found an 18th-century, coral-covered cannonball while exploring a ship near Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The TSA determined that the projectile was still potentially explosive even after centuries underwater, and had to evacuate the checked baggage area and call in a bomb squad.
These stuckers were taken by officiers in Salt Lake City, Utah.
What's in the water in Dallas? An old bazooka round was found in a passenger's bag at the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport. "Not knowing if this was live or inert, Law Enforcement Officers established a 100-foot perimeter around the item and evacuated the baggage area and terminals near the item," the TSA wrote. Five delayed flights later, it was determined to be not live.
Obviously, this is scary. In Harrisburg, PA, in June, a passenger "had been at a conference where the items were given out as souvenirs."
Found in San Diego in January.


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You now have one last opportunity to weigh in on the firearm suppressor debate by personally attending the next public meeting, where the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission will vote on the department's hunting regulation proposals. This meeting will be held on Thursday, March 29 at 9 a.m. in the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Commission Hearing Room, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744.
Please make plans to come and voice your support. Upon arrival, fill out a registration form indicating you would like to speak on Action Item number 6, the 2012–2013 Statewide Hunting Proclamation – Recommended Adoption of Proposed Changes. If you are unable to attend, you may still voice your opinion on the hunting regulation proposals electronically by clicking here (and scrolling down to "Lawful Means"). Comments will be accepted online until 5 PM on March 28.
Suppressors are not "silencers," as depicted in typical Hollywood action films. While suppressors do not eliminate the sound of a firearm, they do reduce the muzzle report in a manner similar to the way that a muffler reduces exhaust noise from a vehicle. The benefits associated with suppressor use include increased accuracy due to reduced recoil and muzzle blast, protection from hearing damage and reduced noise pollution. Currently, Texas law permits the use of lawfully-possessed suppressors for all other shooting activities, including the taking of nuisance species.—courtesy National Rifle Association
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National Mill Dog Rescue will be holding an adoption event at the Ducky Derby in Castle Rock, Colorado on Saturday, June 7, 2014 from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. The Ducky Derby raises funds for the Castle Rock Rotary Clubs, which support a variety of local charities, and is a great day of family fun. It has grown from humble beginnings in 1997 to an event drawing between 3,000 and 4,000 people last year. The festival includes a "waddle walk," entertainment, face painting, bouncy house, and plenty of food and other vendors. The highlight of the day is the ducky race, which will start at approximately 3:00 p.m. "Highly trained" ducks will race down Plum Creek, and the holder of the winning duck's number has a chance to win a million dollars! More likely is the usual top prize of $2,000, with second place winning $750 and third place winning $250.
National Mill Dog Rescue is the only rescue organization attending this event, and will be there all day with adorable adoptable dogs from their facility in Peyton as well as foster dogs. Several NMDR "alumni" dogs will be attending to support the organization and demonstrate what good pets puppy mill dogs can be.
Go to http://crduckyderby.org/ for more information about the Ducky Derby, and check out all the adoptable dogs at http://milldogrescue.org/. You can also fill out the adoption application online ahead of time to get the process started!


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A Quiet Corner resident has organized an anti-war protest to be held Danielson.
Luke Green, of Brooklyn, has set a rally for the date of May 8th at 2 p.m. in Davis Park on Main Street, and will focus on America's primary overseas conflicts; Iraq and Afghanistan.
Green, a member of the Connecticut Anti-War Coalition, urges that Connecticut residents must "take action to stop (these wars)".
"These wars are illegal and wrong, and it's at this critical point in history that we, as citizens of the United States, need to stand up to what is being done."
Information regarding these protests are available at the CT Anti-War Coalition's website; www.ctantiwarcoalition.wordpress.com, or residents can contact Green himself at his e-mail; email@example.com.
Brooklyn resident organizes anti-war protest in Danielson
A Quiet Corner resident has organized an anti-war protest to be held Danielson.


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TC TO JEAN CARLYLE AITKEN ; 22 November 1844; DOI: 10.1215/lt-18441122-TC-JCA-01; CL 18: 271-272
Chelsea, 22 Novr, 1844—
Dear Jean,
I have forgotten whether it was the 22d November (Martinmas,— opposite to Whitsunday) or the 22d December, that was Jenny's day for getting her little fraction of a £5 from me: but I am anxious to keep the day, both now and in future;—so pray tell me, if you can. In the meanwhile I have written to Jenny by this same post, to say that you will pay her the £5 whenever she demands it, for this year; and will tell me the precise day for next. Pray request James to attend to this. Punctuality is always beautiful; especially in a case like the present.
I do not send James any money, as yet, to make the payment with; because there is already an account against me, and I have other tatters and tagrags of money to send: My next request to you therefore, properly my first request of all is, To send me that Clothiers' Bill and all the other bills and concerns that I owe you, or that I can pay by your means. Jamie of Scotsbrig was directed to send his Account to you, more than once directed; but probably he has not done it. Do not stay for him therefore; send me what you have, and let me get the affair settled up. It hangs there like an ugly tatter which I desire to clip off.
We have had no direct Letter from you this long while; Jack sent us news from time to time which rather uncomfortably explained your silence. He reports now that the poor child is somewhat better, and your household more at rest again. May it continue; and perfect itself, this new state of matters!— As there is now no regular writing hand in your region to send us due accounts, I conclude you will have to take up the pen again, even tho' you be a little busy.
Jack is still with us, but goes into his new lodging tomorrow. He is still without work; very idle, indeed; but otherwise well. He cannot get to any work,—so he says always, and such really on one account and another is the fact: if any one could help him to a little work, it would be a real blessing to him, poor fellow!— He is not to go into his old lodging: the Landlady1 has kept him waiting all this while, upon some chance of turning out a new pair of lodgers she had got and did not altogether like,—but now she decides not to turn them off after all. His new place is fully nearer us than the old was; much quieter,—looking out into nurseries, over a very unfrequented kind of thoroughfare, not a street but a road at that part of it: and the people, we find, are partly known to us,—connected with very decent people whom we know. Most likely it will do very fairly.
As for myself I have had much ugly drudgery since I saw you, since I wrote to you; and still have,—tho' with bright blinks in it too! I have gathered most of Cromwell's Letters, Public Speeches, everything that survives of himself; washed it clean, with infinite toil and disgust, from the horrible stanks [stagnant pools] it has been lying hidden in for these hundred and fifty years or more;—and mean to set it out as a Book by itself, preparatory to whatever other Book I may find myself equal to about the man. This will soon be ready to publish when I like: two volumes, I think:—but I do not mean to be all at once in haste with this; till I see how the other shapes itself, a little more clearly!— No more of it at present. I have some hopes of getting the frightful job all done by & by: it will be a great deliverance to everybody!—
Jane is pretty well in spite of the damp cold. Send us word that the poor little child is better; that you are all well.— Ever your affectionate Brother, T. Carlyle


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The Medical Transcription technical diploma program offered by Moraine Park Technical College was approved by the Approval Committee for Certificate Programs (ACCP), a joint committee established by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI) that approves medical transcription certificate programs.The ACCP approval committee is the process used by AHDI to identify quality medical transcription education programs that have been evaluated by a peer review process against a minimum set of standards for entry-level medical transcription professionals. The approval designation assures healthcare providers that graduates of Moraine Park's Medical Transcription program possess the necessary job skills to attain success in entry-level medical transcription positions. Students are guided through a comprehensive curriculum providing them with more than 900 hours of instruction in the requisite medical terminology/English grammar skills and medical knowledge base (anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, laboratory medicine, medical specialties and procedures), and medicolegal requirements that ensure integrity and privacy in the documentation of patients' healthcare records. Moraine Park's program is available online and as a FLEx (Flexible Learning Experience) degree.The Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI) is the foremost professional organization for healthcare documentation experts, including medical transcriptionists and others dedicated to the integrity and privacy of the healthcare record. AHDI (formerly AAMT) was established in 1978 as part of an effort to achieve recognition for the medical transcription profession. Today AHDI exists to set and uphold standards for education and practice in the field of medical transcription that ensure the highest level of accuracy, privacy, and security of healthcare documentation for the U.S. healthcare system in order to protect public health, increase patient safety, and improve quality of care for healthcare consumers. AHDI is committed to optimizing the execution of healthcare delivery by providing timely, accurate, and relevant clinical information. For more information about the Association, go to www.ahdionline.org.
Moraine Park Technical College is accredited by the HigherLearning Commission
Contact Info/Legal / TERMS OF USE
Moraine Park Technical College | 235 North National Avenue | Fond du Lac, WI 54936-1940 | An Equal Opportunity College | © 2013


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"Our metal roof and vinyl siding they installed has really improved our house, and helped with our heating and cooling bills."
-- Susan K.
Tyler, TX
East Texas Siding
281 County Road 2266
Mineola, TX 75773
Phone: 903-569-1801
Toll Free: 800-745-8949
Fax: 903-569-2978
East Texas Siding and Windows has been a leader in the Vinyl Siding and Vinyl Replacement Window industry for more than 23 years. We're a locally owned and family-run business serving Longview, Mineola and Tyler, TX, and we're members of the Better Business Bureau. We're proud to serve the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, East Texas and Oklahoma.
East Texas Siding and Windows is a well known competitor of vinyl siding and windows companies here in the Longview, Mineola and Tyler, TX area and surrounding communities. We provide vinyl siding and replacement windows for less. East Texas Siding and Windows is known for providing quality materials and craftsmanship. If you are interested in vinyl siding or replacement windows, please give us the opportunity to help you. Our estimates are FREE and we are available to answer any questions you may have.
Vinyl Siding, Vinyl Replacement Windows and Metal Roofs increase energy efficiency of your home and eliminate the hassle and expense of painting----all with very little maintenance.
We take the time to assess each homeowner's needs individually, recommend the best solution, and do the job right. Our professional installers are trained by experts, and we clean up after the job is done.
Home • Siding • Windows • Metal Roofs • Portfolio • Contact Us


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Dec 9, 2011 9:04 AM
Colored denim is still popping up everywhere. Sometimes we like to play it safe when we're shelling out a few Benjamins for a fly-by-night trend so we're totally digging the Habitual Alice Skinny Coated Denim ($232), which will have a longer life than those plum skinny jeans we want.
If you've got a product or service that you'd like to promote on Outblush, click here to find out about our advertising opportunities.
Outblush is a blog for girls who love to shop. Our staff digs up the best clothes, home stuff, beauty items, and more. New items are posted every day — bookmark us and check out:


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Bertha Lopez and the Character Assassination of John McCann
By now, I'm sure we've all heard about the troubles at Sweetwater Union High School District: corruption, scandals, and even a "naked chick" joke.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize the political opportunity to be seized amid the drama — but, what if the supposed "fall guy" for much of the trouble at Sweetwater was the one being targeted?
I'm referring, of course, to John McCann.
After serving two terms on the Chula Vista City Council, John McCann ran for an open seat on the Sweetwater Union High School board, only to be named Board President as soon as he was sworn-in.
At the time McCann became board President, there had been 44-years worth of service on the school board among the other 4 members. With that amount of institutional knowledge of the internal woes within Sweetwater, did it not seem odd to anyone else that McCann — the newbie — was swiftly named Board President?
Clearly, there must have been something shady going on that the other 4 members knew about and they decided to make McCann — a dedicated, public servant and Navy reservist — the fall guy.
Enter Bertha Lopez. Die-hard Democrat. Beloved by union leadership. Forget even forging a working relationship with any Republicans, Bertha Lopez and her political ally, South Bay Irrigation District's Jose Preciado, could be the South Bay's version of Prom King and Queen for the Democratic Party.
Their strategy? Target John McCann. Push and advocate for a recall election. Replace with Democrat.
Never mind that much of the mess at Sweetwater went uncovered and was allowed to run rampant by those other 4 members of the board prior to McCann's arrival.
Fellow Democrats Pearl Quinones and Arlie Ricasa, are both named in the D.A.'s case, but are questionably out of the Lopez/Preciado cross-hairs. It should be noted that Bertha's home was searched by authorities, but she is not accused of wrongdoing at this time.
So, what remains the overall goal for these two? As Preciado runs for re-election this year, he is attempting to plant rabid pro-union, PLA-loving, taxpayer-hating Democrats onto the South Bay Irrigation District Board, while Bertha continues to target McCann in the hope that she is able to lead a successful union-controlled majority onto the Sweetwater board.
If you live in the South Bay, and are tired of the politics-as-usual and gamesmanship that occur in this region, then we need you to consider challenging their plans.
So far, there are no candidates — much less, taxpayer-friendly — challenging either Bertha Lopez or Pearl Quinones for the Sweetwater Union High School District Board. For potential candidates, both seats are at-large. If you're interested in running, let us Rostra folk know.
For interested candidates, ballot statements cost $1,920 to reach approximately 182,000 registered voters. No signature gathering is required.
There are only 2 candidates who have filed candidate "intent" paperwork for one of the open seats for South Bay Irrigation District. No one has stepped forward as of yet to run against Jose Preciado in District 3.
According to Preciado's Form 460's, he had only managed to raise $2,275 for his 2008 campaign, and has so far raised a humble $275.
For interested candidates, you must live in the district you intend to run for. Ballot statements cost $145 for District 2, $160 for District 3, and $165 for District 5 to reach approximately 9-13,000 registered voters depending upon the district. No signature gathering is required.
Again, if you're interested in running, let us Rostra folk know. You have until August 10th at 5:00pm to make up your mind.
It's important, that even in such a tough area for Republicans like the South Bay, that we advocate for open and transparent government — at all levels. And if that means protecting those we help elect continue to advocate for taxpayers, then we need to stand by those members and help them in their time of need.
So, run. Run. Go down to the Registrar of Voters, file the paperwork, and run for these positions and advocate for taxpayers in the South Bay. And, if anything, defend John McCann's character and dedication.
John served this country in a time of crisis. In his time of crisis, it's time we serve John.
30 Responses to "Bertha Lopez and the Character Assassination of John McCann"
i believe if one was so inclined they could check and confirm that the night that Mr. Mc Cann was voted in as Board President that he seconded the nomination. Rather strange wouldn't you say?
I believe if one was so inclined they could check and confirm that as stated in an email by Dr. Brand Mr. Mc Cann was in possession of a second opinion that would have paved the way for Dr. Gandara to be fired for cause. That second opinion was never given to the other members of the board by Mr. Mc Cann, why? The result we are well on our way for paying for Dr. Gandara's retirement. Should we thank Mr. Mc Cann for that?
I believe if one was so inclined they could research board docs and confirm that Mr. Mc Cann, Mr. Cartmill and Ms. Ricasa vote as a block.
I believe if one was so inclined they could confirm that Mr. Mc Cann, Mr. Cartmill, and Ms. Ricasa were/are (maybe not after this article) good buddies, I mean look at all of those lunches they shared with Dr. Gandara, at tax payers expense.
i believe if one was so inclined they could ponder the question why was it that Mr. Mc Cann had to be forced into releasing the Vega Report. And even with its release there were redactions, hmmmmmmm.
I believe if one was so inclined that one can deduce by the rhetoric in this article that the writer is attempting to throw Mr. Mc Cann's two best buddies 'under the bus' so to speak. Not too sure how friend Mr. Cartmill is going to take this.
Union controlled you say, Mc Cann not in favor of union – and yet Mr. Mc Cann proudly spoke of his alignment with the Police and Fire Dept unions of the South Bay (truly some of the finest any city would be proud to call their own).
If my memory serves me correctly Mr. Mc Cann filed a TRO against one of those named in DA investigation. The case was allegedly thrown out as the judge noted a difference in the statements made to the police that evening vs the one written for the courts by Mr. Mc Cann and one or more of his witnesses. That court action, taken by Mr. Mc Cann paid for by the taxpayers of the South Bay, at Mr. Mc Cann's request. It has been alleged that Mr. Mc Cann had a tape prepared for the police and upon their arrival wanted it to serve as proof that this mean taxpayer had called him 'howdy doody'. Well, I declare! While tempers flared that evening after Mr. Mc Cann continual insistence to 'shake my hand' fell on deaf ears, and he continued to insist "look he won't shake my hand" (you had to see it to believe it),
Perhaps said article might have touched on the long list of contractors who donated to Mr. Mc Cann's campaign. The San Diego Registrar of Voters lists them all – pay particular attention to those made AFTER THE ELECTION i.e. Paul Bunton aka BCA Architects – I believe he recently plead guilty in the case. Then there are the thousands donated by Mr. Flores's company, another entity that entered a guilty plea in the alleged corruption case against past and present members of the Sweetwater board. Many had believed Mr. Mc Cann when he promised to clean up Sweetwater, so what happened to those promises?
Perhaps, just perhaps the party affiliation has nothing to do with the problems at Sweetwater. Perhaps, just perhaps it is each individual and each individuals choices. Are we defined merely by a political party, surely we are not. We are defined by our character, by our integrity, and by the choices we make.
Is Mr. Mc Cann a bad guy? I am sure he is not. Is Mr. Mc Cann a good board member? Well that is what is so great about our country – we each have the right to decide for ourselves.
Thanks for the good laugh. I remember sitting at the board meeting feeling uncomfortable waiting to see if someone was going to second McCann's nomination for board president. Guess what McCann seconded the motion. This is another poor soldier boy fiction story about John McCann. Sorry we are bored with his shenanigans and these ridiculous stories. I do not care if you omit my response because its the truth,and everyone knows it. What a pathetic joke.
Wow missy McCann is on the prowl against Bertha Lopez
Just give the mccanns a little bit of power and look what they do.
Character assisination is not ms Lopezs fault John mccan did
That all by himself with his antics, racial slurs and most of all odd behavior. By the way he was not just voted in like that as president he
Seconded the motion for himself. So ms. McCann if you are going
To tell a story at least get the facts correct !
I am thrilled that you are advocating for open and transparent government. I completely agree. That is exactly what the Sweetwater district needs.
Unfortunately the current board, including John McCann, does not demonstrate by their actions that they believe in open and transparent government.
– Reports, complete budgets and salary information important to specific board items, and that are not protected by Brown Act, are regularly not available to the public.
– The Board regularly violates the Open Meeting Laws, and in fact never allowed for public comment at the June Board meeting.
– McCann himself did not share a second legal opinion regarding the termination of Gandara with all the other Board members, and obviously the board had made a decision to bring Brand in before the night of that Board meeting – since McCann bragged that he had already talked to Brand about coming back to the district. Therefore, he and the rest of the Board again violated the Brown Act.
I could go on, but I hope you get the point. And regarding advocating for taxpayers, I am appalled that my tax dollars were spent on a separation package that allowed a corrupt superintendent to get a $400,000 severance package and stay in the system for a couple months so he could be vested in California's retirement system. So he is now living in Texas and collecting my state tax dollars. McCann voted for that deal too.
This isn't about Republican or Democrat. This is about a group of 3 members of the Sweetwater Board that feel they are empowered to do whatever they want without any accountability, or taking into account the concerns of the citizens and taxpayers they represent. These three are a mix of Democrat and Republican – but they are a voting block that all demonstrate by their votes and actions that they do not believe in open and transparent government at all.
jim cartmill, a friend and fellow Republican of mccann's has sat on the board for longer than any of the others; followed by arlie ricasa a Democrat. it was cartmill and ricasa who flew to socorro, texas and brought back 'the gandara' all wrapped up in a pretty blue bow – and so began the mess at sweetwater. it would appear then, that both parties share ownership at this point.
it was jim cartmill (Republican) who nominated mccann for the president of the board seat – if tradition would have been followed it should have been lopez. however, it is said that 'the gandara', hater of lopez, set the wheels in motion for mccann to be nominated. when no other board member seconded the motion, johnny boy jumped up and seconded his nomination as president. (it is important when writing a story to at least 'attempt' to provide as many facts as possible – and surely sunnycrest you were aware of this fact.
as far as all taking pity on john mccann i would offer for consideration instead, john mccann personally dug this hole he now finds himself in. he is known in the south bay for his irrational emotional behavior.
it is time for john mccann to read the writing on the wall, his legacy in south bay politics was written by his own hand. if only he would have lived up to the promises he made in so many living rooms throughout our community –
one would be hard pressed to find a single successful politician who became such after attempting to blame all his woes on amongst others a fellow party member. but in mccann's world it is all about 'me' (mccann); and about sums up the real mccann.
no doubt the water coolers throughout san diego will be an interesting place to be today – topic of discussion "with friends like john mccann, who needs enemies"
"IT IS TIME WE SERVE JOHN" – are you kidding me, since when is political office meant to be about the community serving the politician? i thought it was the other way around. persons ran for public office because 'they wanted to serve, they wanted to make this an even greater nation'.
but you did hit the nail on the head – in mccann's world it has become all about mccann. i mean, after all, why else would this 'school' board member have a bio written up, at tax payers expense, and placed on the chairs of parents/friends at a graduation?
Well Thors assistant if they are the same person or not it shouldnt matter since what they say is the truth. Do some research before you boost about a republican. You should be embarrassed by him not hold him to a higher standard. I have read all the articles and even been to a couple of board meetings and your boy is out of control!
Thor's assistant, this is Kath Cheers here. I would highly recommend that you speak of what you know and not of what you prefer to make up.
Yes, Kath Cheers and anniej do have the same ip address, did not realize that two separate persons posting would be a problem to you or to the Rostra.
However, the others, NO – so again I say before you come here and attempt to speak untruths understand you will be called out on it.
The Cox network, ah, hello Cox is a mighty big company and lots of folks in the South Bay have Cox as their internet provider.
So now that I have cleared that little attempted smear campaign up, can you do me a favor and respond to the facts that I submitted in my post.
Regarding Fran Brinkman – different person, but then you know that don't you "Thor's assistant". Both of us we named in the District Attorney's paper work as we were 'two' of those who went to the District Attorney and FBI in the first place. You know that same indictments that refer back to the Democrats that were indicted, ah, we were part of that effort and proud of it. Just doing our part to ensure fiscal responsibility and bring integrity back to the South Bay.
So now that I have cleared that little attempted smear campaign up, can you do the readers a favor and respond to the facts that I submitted in my post,
FYI, it is indeed troubling that the sign in clearly states – Mail (will not be published) (required) – so, it appears that the San Diego Rostra is ???????????????????
Thors assistant I do not know a kath cheers and I can't believe
You are actually investigating ip addresses, is that to report back
To the McCann campaign? Is it that important to you who posts or that the Posts are true and with accurate information? Another thing why do you find it necessary being the moderator to insult people? No wonder why the republican party is in such shambles. What a shame you didn't pay attention to the posts because what they say has a lot of truth to it and that's what you should be worried about. Stop taking cues from the mccanns that will get you no where fast. Pay attention and get them under control you have a lot bigger issues to deal with .
Ah, a misunderstanding. (Thor's Assistant)
Like others, I had misinterpreted your first response. You are not a commenter of the story, or rebutting any of the other submissions. You are an admin on the site, giving information about the "possibility" that some of the commenters might be just one person, despite the fact that they all have different handles, and have stated different information, in different writing styles.
And, depending on how you look at this statement…
"We thank "them" for playing, but they are outmatched in the brains department. It is clear that at least four of the commenters above are likely to be the same person, or at least they live in the same house."
…it could be interpreted in one way as a personal attack instead of simply debating their comments from an opposing point of view. Can you see why some people "missed the point?"
From Admin: Yes, we acknowledge that it could be interpreted that way. Carry on.
I stand by my post.
John McCann is not the problem with Sweetwater. The Bertha Lopez's and Arlie Ricasa's of the world are the problem.
Everyone is targeting John because he's a Republican. That's it, clear as day, cut and dry — and they're trying to character assassinate and destroy him.
It's a union/Democrat power grab. That's it. Which maybe explains why our education and political system in this state — and country — are not prioritizing REAL education, rather than it is a promotion of politics, agendas, and the pure will of a select few.
Instead of denigrating John McCann, why don't you focus on the other board members who have spent close to a combined 50 years of service on the board?
All the complaints you hear are from teacher union and labor officials who complain about McCann. NOTHING about the other four.
Focus your attention on the others, folks. They've done the real damage.
Thor, you need a new assistant, yours is a bit delusional. Maybe he needs a computer reading class. I will be at the board mtg.on Monday as usual. Feel free to ask me for ID. Ask me if I did these two blogs. Then print the truth. Our IPs are not the same. Take a break Missy a very lame attempt.
From Admin: Fran, we never indicated your IP address was the same as the others. Or even close to the others. It is not. Carry on.
Thor: I will attempt to make this point perfectly clear since you are refusing to acknowledge that you fudged the truth. "You 'ALL' are using the same ip address" – NO, we are not. Kathy Cheers and anniej – yes. Can i make it any clearer? NO OTHER POSTERS are using my IP address.
From Admin: Yes, you've made that clear and you've indicated that you and anniej use the same IP address. As already noted, but we will say so again, "Glad to know that you all are not the same person, but just posting from the same IP address (a possibility we originally acknowledged)." Yes, to clarify, that was meant to mean that two of you are posting from the same IP address, per you stating as much. That is understood and acceptable.
Since the Rostra is obviously releasing/investigating IP addresses (which you clearly state you will NOT do) and then releasing nontruths I will focus my reading materials to 'the weekly Standard' – and alleviate future misrepresentation by this news entity.
From Admin: We make it very clear commenters' email addresses will not be posted. Where have we done so?
The integrity of a person or organization can often be measured by their ability to admit when they are wrong.
Thank You for the clarification regarding 'the facts that I presented' – point well taken.
No, all of the complaints that are being heard are not coming from teachers, unions or labor officials. I am not a member now, nor have I ever been a member of any of those groups – I am a taxpayer.
Now, can you please respond to the facts that I presented – you wrote the post. Provide facts, not rhetoric.
Jim Cartmill is a Republican, not a Democrat, but you know that. His stamp of approval is on the majority of what has been and is currently wrong with Sweetwater. Are you recommending that the South Bay sign the papers for his RECALL and Ms. Ricasa's, and not sign for Mr. Mc Cann? Please clear that point up for inquiring minds.
If you take my opinions as denigration then you have missed the point. I am looking for answers not smoke screens about what we owe Mr. Mc Cann. He owed the taxpaying citizens of the South Bay integrity , and he failed to deliver – plain and simple. In my opinion.
It is common knowledge, with the exception of a few, that John Mc Cann has blown his political career. It is time for him to take his little red camera and go back to researching IP addresses. He is done, he is finished.
Regarding the indictments – the trials have yet to begin, and when they do much will undoubtedly be coming out. What is it they call it – the methods behind the madness. There is much speculation that other names and truths will be revealed. Perhaps we could respectfully debate the issues then on one of Mr. Manchester's articles.
Rather than tell me to vote for someone simply because he belongs to the party – tell me about the candidates vision, the candidates ideas, the candidates plans. But PLEASE do not attempt to protect a grown man – if he can not prove his value to the South Bay what makes Sunnycrest believe she can. You may like/love the guy, but respect him enough to treat him like man and not a child who needs protecting – it does it appear to paint him as weak.
I appreciate the opportunity to chat with you.
Both sides good points. It did remind me that we the tax payer paid attorney fees for McCann's ridiculous misadventure in court where McCann was chastised by the judge I believe if you bother to get the transcript it mentions public figures should have thicker skin. Something akin to that. I haven't read it in a while.
Sonnycrest… perhaps you protest too much. Why all the love for John McCann?
John McCann brought Ed Brand back to Sweetwater. John McCann seconded his own nomination to be President of the Board. John McCann hid the second legal opinion from the rest of the Board members. John McCann is named in the Vega Report. John McCann accosted the public in the district's parking lot. John McCann ran out of a school board meeting because he was scaired to be served legl papers. John McCann video tapes the public at board meetings. John McCann tried to introduce those tapes into court proceedings. John McCann whines because the public calls him "Howdy Doodie." John McCann uses every opportunity to remind the public that Lopez's house was raided, even though they found nothing.
John McCann is doing quite a lot of things that are bringing shame upon himself. He has no one to blame but himself. For you to blog that it's union thugs and democrats will find no sympathy from me.
I will tell you this though, everytime John McCann's name comes up in a newspaper article, expect the public to react. Don't be surprised if the responses are not to your liking.
Hesitating to enter a melee, I none-the-less would like to have a couple of points considered.
When taxpayers are concerned about value for money and request data regarding school district expenditures and budget allocations, why is it so difficult to obtain the information? What makes it so difficult to inform the public on these matters?
What has been going on with Mello-Roos dollars for the past 5 or so years? I believe they have been used for payment of salaries–not for the infrastructure for the Mello-Roos areas within SUHSD. Other Mello-Roos funds were used to purchase iPads for all incoming 7th graders in SUHSD–bad move on two counts: 1) iPads are only supposed to last 3 years, and anything purchased with M-R funds is supposed to last at least 5 years; 2) Only 2 middle schools are within the Mello-Roos area, so the funds are–by regulations stipulated in all sorts of legalese–only supposed to be used for projects within the Mello-Roos area.
McCann has never gone on record to support a clean accounting of Mello-Roos funds.
The misappropriation of funds is part and parcel of how this board does business. I wish McCann had stood up and done something about it. I wish he had done many things which I am sure he IS capable of doing. But he did not. He went along with the prevailing winds, instead of learning how to use the rudder and go where he should have gone.
Shame on McCann, along with Ricasa, Cartmill, Quinones and Brand.
As they are supposed to be educators, or at least in favor of good education, it is a crying shame that they themselves have made such poor choices that the students' educations suffer.
The greatest shame? The public knows, despite anything Thor's Assistant or Sunnycrest says by way of obfuscation.
I'm sorry South Bay Sunnycrest, despite your insistence, I'm not seeing any signs of character assassination.
You are the one to bring in the politics in your article, that the dastardly Democrats are making the power play on the righteous Republicans, and poor John. (Sorry, you didn't word it exactly that way, but that is what I gathered.)
You mention an alliance between Lopez and Preciado. Do you have any evidence of this alliance, other than the fact that they are both Democrats? Seems to me that Republicans in these United States are just as aware of party affiliations as elections happen across the nation. But what evidence of this alleged alliance and their "strategy" against John? How does Preciado even matter to those of us concerned with how Sweetwater School District is managed? (Other than the fact that I am hoping he is not causing similar problems in the South Bay Irrigation District.)
You mention the combined years of the other 4 board members. Did you realize that approximately half of those combined years was covered by Mr. Cartmill? Who, if I may add, is a Republican. Who, may be part of that "conspiracy" against John. Yet, you focus on Mrs. Lopez, who has been on the board since 2008, serving her 4th year.
Mrs. Lopez appears to me to be, most of the time, the only board member who asks questions about subjects at the board meetings, who is often the only vote against the other 4. Yet, she is in charge of a conspiracy against John, that her fellow Democrats on the board aren't siding up with her?
Yet, everything commented by others above about actions taken by McCann have been public knowledge for those who attend the meetings. McCann has left meetings, turned off microphones, has acknowledged receipt of reports (the Vega Report) and alternate options (the second opinion against not firing Gandara with cause) yet holds such items from the board and the public. These actions are committed by McCann himself, not by some conspiracy to get rid of him. And, I'm not sure if you noticed, but Mr. McCann is not the only one being targeted. If memory of recent events serve me correctly, Mr. McCann is one of 3 being targeted by recalls. One of them is a Democrat (one of those apparently beloved by the "taxpayer-hating union members" as you put it.)
So, unless you have some data to back up your article, I'm not one to be swayed in your direction.
Whew…this all makes me hate San Diego Unified much less…
If John McCann was the boogeyman you make him out to be, his house would not only have been raided but he would be facing the similar charges as Pearl and Arlie.
Is he? No.
So, the consternation with John McCann is the simple fact that he has an "R" after his name. Arlie, Pearl, and Bertha have all been handled with kid gloves because they're ardent Democrats. No outrage. no critique.
Also, rest assured that I am not Myssie, John, Bob, or any other obscure member of the McCann family.
Sunnycrest: I will speak for myself, I am not making Mr. Mc Cann out to be the boogeyman – I have provided facts. You, for whatever reason refuse to address the facts that I have presented, and that is of course, your right.
For the record, and as Mr. Mc Cann has stated on numerous occasions, yes, Ms. Lopez's house was raided. She has not been indicted. If one was to jump on your conspiracy wagon one would question why Mr. Mc Cann and Mr. Cartmill's homes were not raided. I deal with facts, not what ifs.
I notice that now, all of a sudden, you are no longer referring to the 'entire' board – you are no longer throwing Mr. Cartmill under the bus. Regarding, Ms. Ricasa and Ms. Quinones, I read the pdf's that the Union Tribune put up – there it was for all to read, typed by their own hands. A jury of their peers will have the final say – but in my opinion neither of them belong on the Sweetwater board, or any board. Regarding Mr. Cartmill, I have publicly questioned the exceptionally large donations that he accepted, from amongst others, Mr. Flores. I also question his voting record along with Mr. Mc Cann, Ms. Ricasa, and Ms. Quinones. Ms. Lopez, in my opinion the only board member who has consistently voted on behalf of the students and taxpayers.
Mr. Mc Cann had the opportunity to go to the District Attorney and/or the FBI – he did not. Ms. Lopez did, let me state that again Ms. Lopez did. So, if Mr. Mc Cann was so interested in bringing about change why did he 'choose' not to do something about what was going on and wrong. Why, did he instead vote with the block of Mr. Cartmill, Ms. Ricasa, and Ms. Quinones?
Who you are or who you are not does not concern me, you are entitled to your opinion. What does tickle my curiosity bone is the fact that you have yet to answer to any of the facts that I and others have presented. Instead you protect – something only a family member or promoter would do 'in this particular situation'.
I found your initial post to be mind boggling, if I did not know any better I would have thought you were writing about someone who had done something. I kept looking for the examples of what Mr. Mc Cann has done for the district in your post, but you failed to refer to even one. Instead I was aghast over the fact that would choose to throw Mr. Cartmill under the bus as you did, along with the other board members- that Sunnycrest is the talk of the South Bay. At the risk of repeating myself, this is typical John Mc Cann, in his world it is all about him. No doubt Mr. Cartmill would never, in my opinion, choose to repay the favor – say what I will about Mr. Cartmill and all of the ways I disagree with his votes – HE IS A GENTLEMAN AND CARRIES HIMSELF AS SUCH. Let me share this with you – a conversation a few professional Republican gentlemen I know had with me today – it ended with the following: Hell, I sure wouldn't want to share a fox hole with the guy. I think that about sums it up.
Our ability to agree to disagree is but one of the things that make this nation GREAT.
Alas, it seems some people are just too blinded by that "R" or "D" by an official's name that they refuse to, or are simply unable to, see anybody else's point of view. I am a non-partisan, tax-paying parent of students in this district, and I couldn't care less about that "R" or "D". I try to keep an open mind, try to see all sides of an issue, and so far, from your side I'm not seeing facts…only political rhetoric.
Just because McCann (or Cartmill) has not had his house raided or facing charges similar to Quinones and Ricasa that doesn't necessarily make him the golden child. (I don't know, maybe he filled out the necessary documents for gifts, or maybe Lopez gave information that exempted him and Cartmill.)
Kid gloves? Let me see if I have this straight. There is a recall effort "targeting" McCann (because of his "R"), Cartmill (I think there's an "R" after his as well), and Ricasa ("R", er, wait that looks like a "D"). Quinones and Lopez have not been "targeted" but it's not the "D" that is protecting them. They are going to be up for re-election in November, the others aren't. No need for attempting to recall them, the voters can decide at that time.
Gee, that seems pretty wide spread to me…not picking on one person. But let's go further.
Gandara. (hiss) I believe it was Cartmill and Ricasa who brought him from Texas. (Oops, I'm sorry, Cartmill "R" and Ricasa "D". I keep forgetting you like those political labels.)
Cartmill had nominated McCann for Board President, and McCann himself seconded. Yes, I'll give you that, that it seems unusual. But since he was new, why did he second himself instead of declining? Also unusual.
When we got rid of Gandara, the board agreed to pay him a year and a half severance pay! And they allowed him to use his vacation and sick time to "pad" his employment so he could qualify for a pension. (I believe the pension system is looking into whether he was actually sick during that time. Good luck there.) And apparently McCann had the second legal opinion that we could have fired Gandara with cause, and saved the nearly half a million dollars. McCann had withheld that opinion from the rest of the board. -But we all hate him because of that "R"?
Then there was the Vega report, that looked into the whole election / PR Firm entanglement. That was withheld by McCann for months. It was apparently later withheld by others when said they would only reveal it if 3 board members requested it, and at that time McCann was finally all for releasing it. (Lopez had requested its release before, if I understand correctly.) But McCann could have released it months before when he was still president. – But we all are targeting him because of that "R"?
The board voted to provide this year's 7th graders with iPads (an obvious attempt to attract students from charter schools) at a cost of millions, borrowing from Mello Roos funds and Prop O funds (Which many people seem to feel that the funding that we taxpayers voted for was going towards building maintenance and school site improvements, not shiny toys that are going to need replacement in about 3 years.) – But we just don't like that "R"
There's still problems like that big dirt pile over at Southwest High School that was brought in by the previous principal in the Spring of 2011 as a project. Untested dirt that originally couldn't be used as originally designed due to rocks, then recent reporting that it tested for high levels of lead, pesticides and gas. After the pile has been sitting there a year and a half, and board still hasn't provided copies of recent testing that proves its safe. And they are claiming they don't know where it came from? They recently let go the principal who brought it in, they could have asked her. They know the company that hauled it in, who claims to have contracts, that would show where the dirt came from. Yet they don't know, and they are still "investigating"? And, well, you just know it's because of that blasted "R"
And just look at other replies above regarding McCann's actions, his recording of public speakers at the meetings, his insistence to shake hands with people opposing him after talking with public about how bad those haters, and more. Those are his actions.
Through most of this, I say the board, but I believe Lopez (Sorry to say, that's a "D") has often been the only vote against the others. But that's right, that "D" must be making her plot against the others. And all you can do is spout political rhetoric?
Until you can bring facts to the table, again, you are not swaying this Fool. And, I'm outta here.
Wow this post has sure been getting a lot of attention. I do think that Mr. McCann sees himself as an incredible leader to bad that is is only in his eyes and his world because everyone in the South Bay has seen him for what he is. What a shame he has to always lend himself to smear tactics against Ms Lopez to make himself feel better about his terrible service to the students of the South Bay.
Throwing all your board members under the bus is typical McCann style. This dude has serious issues to bad sunnycrest can't see through this but as the saying goes "love is blind".
Thor's Assistant:
I am a bit confused, anonymity? Researching IP addresses when the comment is not to ones liking? Accusing several posters of being one even after I made it clear regarding the two persons posting under my 'researched' IP address.
Perhaps the removal of what Joe fine said is due to the commented position, just a thought.
I do not care for censorship unless it has to do with vulgarity – so i am choosing to make this my last post here. I will however continue to read as many of the articles are fuel for thought.
We are blessed aren't we, just look outside, what beautiful weather. we do indeed live in America's finest city.
From Admin: Kath, there is a difference between censorship and a private entity setting rules of the road that commenters must follow, especially when it may be libelous. But, we still don't remove comments because we may simply differ with the opinion. Mr. Fines specifically attempted to name the author of the above post, "outing" someone, falsely we might add.
An IP address has nothing to do with a commenter's protected anonymity. We often know on the "back end" — by the email address typed in by the commenter — their real name. We don't dlsclose that. Equally, our knowledge of an IP address doesn't tell us a person's identity, nor do we disclose the IP.
An IP address coming up multiple times for different "names" is often an indication of one person attempting to falsely appear to be more than one person.
We have acknowledged previously that you and another real commenter, per your statement as such, have posted from the same IP. We accept that. That is fine, as we indicated before. If it's an apology you want, we do apologize for initially believing otherwise.
There are those who continue to attempt to post under different names; we try to monitor that and remind commenters that it isn't allowed. That is not, however, about you, Kath. We were probably initially heavy-handed in communicating that, and have accepted as fact that you are not doing so.
Thank you.
Getting back to the matter at hand, what sort of resolution can there be to the mess that is Sweetwater?
Wouldn't it be great to see all the barriers to the truth come tumbling down? Really, can someone tell us all about the OVER 50 MILLION DOLLARS IN DEBT MANAGEMENT? Who is managing all of Sweetwater's accounts? They have had their own software for 8 – 10 years, so I have been told by the County Board of Education. Now, nominally, the county B of E has jurisdiction over Sweetwater, but I think Sweetwater has been doing pretty much what they want for far too long.
I am pretty sure John McCann knows a great deal about all of Sweetwater's financial situation/morass. How about stepping up, John? How about telling us what is really going on, rather than recycling your old jokes and tales of life in the Supply Div.?
Here's the thing: we are pretty sure John McCann is smarter than he is letting on…maybe the clown act is all about creating a public persona so goofy that he would be considered incapable of complicity in malfeasance? But then, why suppress the second legal opinion on Gandara?
Lots of questions, no answers. And yet the claim that McCann is being targeted? No, not remotely feasible.
Wow after reading all these blogs I bet the author of this article wishes they had not opened this can of worms so to speak. Now McCann knows how people really feel about him. People are not fooled by McCann or this article.
"…how people really feel about him."
You mean the eight or so of you that have stated as much? Yes, that represents a majority of voters in the district! Count me as someone who understands which trustees had their homes raided and which did not, regardless of party.
As someone who attended the SUHSD board meeting last night, I can tell you there are many people who are not happy about board decisions right now. It is difficult to list Sweetwater's issues in order of most to least important–but–the largest group of extremely unhappy parents has to do with the cancellation of buses. Apparently parents were notified last Friday, July 20th, that many bus routes had been cancelled. As school starts this Wednesday, July 25th, parents are left scrambling for ways to get their children safely to and from school. One parent noted that as Eastlake High starts at 7 am, and the family lives 4.11 miles away, the student would have to leave at 5:30 in the morning in order to arrive on time, as he would have to walk.
When confronted by all the anger and emotion of these parents, the board, never quick to comprehend, seemed surprised by the intensity. Board President Quinones looked to her board members and seemed to be looking for backup. She stated that when this decision was made, she was told that the public had been informed (which would have been several months ago). There is also some debate regarding when this vote to drastically eliminate bus routes actually took place, as another member of the public noted that after going over all public records, no mention of the vote was found.
So it must have taken place amid secret decision-making meetings regarding budget cuts. Of course, all this is supposed to be a matter of public record.
The public responded that the combination of providing students with expensive iPads and then having the students walk to school in the dark is really asking for trouble. There are members of society, who, when informed that little 7th graders all are carrying $1000 iPads are walking to and from school for miles, would be only too happy to 'lighten their load'…yes, this is an open invitation to get school children mugged.
Thank you Sweetwater Union High School District, and especially Dr. Brand for your peculiar 'brand' of Unclear on the Concept Education.
And that is only the beginning.


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