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ASK THE WOMEN OF Sex and the City and they'll tell you that the search for Mr. Right (or even Mr. Big) is one of life's more daunting quests. PEOPLE correspondents Mary Green in Los Angeles, Barbara Sandler in Chicago and Toby Kahn in New York City spoke with six relationship experts to get their take on why women often have trouble sticking with one guy, even when he seems like the man of their dreams.
Our panel: Ellen Fein, 43, and Sherrie Schneider, 42, authors of The Rules: Time-Tested Secrets for Capturing the Heart of Mr. Right; Chicago Tribune columnist Mary Schmich (pronounced "Shmeek"), 47, who has also written the Brenda Starr comic strip since 1985; Dr. Connell Cowan, 62, a Los Angeles-based clinical psychologist and coauthor of Smart Women, Foolish Choices; Dr. Jennifer Berman, 36, a urological surgeon, and her sister Dr. Laura Berman, 32, a sex and relationship therapist, coauthors of For Women Only: A Revolutionary Guide to Overcoming Sexual Dysfunction and Reclaiming Your Sex Life and codirectors of UCLA's Female Sexual Medicine Center in Los Angeles.
PEOPLE: Does Sex and the City make women feel better—or worse—about being single and in the dating pool?
SHERRIE SCHNEIDER: It makes women feel really good about themselves. It shows how you can not be married but dress great, have a great career. It's okay—you're not a loser!
LAURA BERMAN: I don't think only single women can relate to the show—all women can. There's a sense of empowerment and identification.
PEOPLE: As Carrie suggests, are some women more interested in the hunt than in getting the guy?
MARY SCHMICH: Some people are more interested in the hunt. Some women are, just as some men are—they just want to know they can get it.
CONNELL COWAN: I do think there's something about the search being over that's kind of depressing.
PEOPLE: Why do some women—Carrie among them—worry when a relationship appears to be working out?
MARY SCHMICH: A lot of women fear that the guy simply can't be as perfect as he seems. There's also the fear of becoming bored. Women often find themselves torn between a craving for drama and a yearning for some peace.
CONNELL COWAN: When you have commitment issues, everyday flaws become the hook upon which you can justify leaving. They function as easy excuses, so they're something people glom on to. In many respects, some women don't seem to want to make a commitment, even though they're obviously out there looking for Mr. Perfect.
PEOPLE: Is there a fear of commitment? What's behind it?
JENNIFER BERMAN: Its probably a mixture of being commitment-phobic and having self-esteem issues, like "If he's so into me, there must be something wrong with him."
LAURA BERMAN: I think that's something a lot of women can relate to.
CONNELL COWAN: Sometimes women have some of the same issues, but they get hidden in a man's more obvious reluctance to move forward.
SHERRIE SCHNEIDER: I know very few women who have a fear of commitment; they are just not with the guy they really want.
ELLEN FEIN: On the show, it's not a fear of commitment; it's called "I really want this other guy!"
PEOPLE: Miranda seems to assume the typical guy's role: wanting to take her relationship slowly. Is this common among women today?
LAURA BERMAN: There are so many fewer reasons to get married early than there were 10 years ago, including the lack of social pressure.
MARY SCHMICH: I think the fear of the wrong commitment runs very deep. Women fear it will compromise them in some unacceptable way. I don't think that unmarried women are afraid of compromise or commitments in general, but by the time a woman is in her 30s, she has had a lot of relationships with men, and there is an inevitable wariness that comes with that. She can be open and romantic and still be very wary.
PEOPLE: Have you noticed a trend among professional women to not settle for a guy who is less than perfect?
CONNELL COWAN: Marriage today is much more a sense of choice, as opposed to a past generation, when women felt like they had to get married. Or they had to get married to be seen as socially acceptable. It's now something you do because you want to, not because you're looking for someone to take care of you.
ELLEN FEIN: In my mother's generation, you had to get married. Today you can get a job; you can make $300,000 a year as a corporate executive. The only reason to get married now is for love, so there's no push.
SHERRIE SCHNEIDER: Now you want somebody you can spend time with and be psychologically compatible with and all these things you didn't look for before.
PEOPLE: Do you think some women worry most about losing their identity—that no man is worth giving that up for?
LAURA BERMAN: The fit is more complicated. As a woman is more defined as her own individual with her own sense of power and career and needs, and as she wants to fit that into a permanent relationship with somebody else, it's a much harder ticket.
MARY SCHMICH: I do think that by the time you're in your 30s, you have created a place in the world—an identity, a sense of self. You're less permeable, less pliable, less willing to give up what feels like part of your essential self. And because so many women have money now, they don't have to give up their identity. As a 24-year-old, you're much more willing to take on someone else's identity—be interested in what he's interested in, be guided, sculpted, parented. Later in life, you still want some of that, but you don't want someone telling you what to do.
PEOPLE: Do women fear that if they settle down they might be missing out on someone better?
MARY SCHMICH: A lot of women worry about that: Do you marry the nice guy at 34, and then at 36 meet the guy who'll give you everything you ever wanted? At 34, you can still wonder, "Could I meet someone who stirs me more?"
CONNELL COWAN: Don't you think that's a pretty common fantasy for men and women? "Maybe I can do just a little bit better. Just one notch up. Is this the best person for me?"
JENNIFER BERMAN: Which usually means it's not!
LAURA BERMAN: It's also where you are in your life. It's meeting the right person at the right time.
PEOPLE: Finally, do you think that women are being too picky?
SHERRIE SCHNEIDER: Women today are pickier than they were in our mothers' era. Then, it was "That looks good!" and that was the end of it. Now we want somebody we can spend time with and be psychologically compatible with.
ELLEN FEIN: Today we have a choice. There is nothing wrong with a woman being on her own and independent. It's better than being in an unhappy marriage.
MARY SCHMICH: I don't believe that there's such a thing as being too picky. Women should be picky. Men should be picky. Marriage should be the consequence of a whole lot of pickiness.
Relationship Roundtable
Barbara Sandler
updated 06/01/2001 AT 01:00 AM EDT
•originally published 06/01/2001 AT 01:00 AM EDT


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med terms
thoracic cavity
Space within the chest containing the lungs, heart, esophagus, trachea, aorta, venae cavae, and pulmonary vessels
Pump blood
As your heart contracts, it generates pressure that moves your blood through your blood vessels
Route blood
Your heart essentially has two pumps: one on the right side that sends blood through the pulmonary circulation of your lungs and back to the second pump on your left side, which sends blood through the systemic circulation of your body. Your heart valves make this one-way flow of blood possible.
Regulate blood supply
The changing metabolic needs of your tissues and organs—for example, when you exercise—are met by changes in the rate and force of your heart's contractions.

subset: commoncrawl


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ust last week and barely a month after my whirlwind USA vacation, I had to make a working trip to Bhutan. The trip was planned kinda late and while trying to obtain the tickets for the desired dates, the travel agent could only give us departure direct from SIN to Paro on Drukair in Economy, but on the return date due to no flights to SIN, we had to fly Business Class to BKK as Economy was full, followed by SQ in Economy to Singapore. As I was 'ineligible' to fly J due to company policy, I had to top up a "shockingly" low S$100 to fly Business Class on the Paro-Bangkok sector! Of course I would be willing to pay! Apparently Drukair prices its tickets such that the fare difference between Economy and Business is normally about or less than USD100 per sector!
Drukair currently only has 3 A319s and 1 ATR42 to operate its network. Due to the operation hours of Paro Airport, which closes at 12pm due to strong winds, all Drukair flight would have to arrive and depart Paro before 12pm. Thus this explains why all Drukair flights would overnight in other destinations, SIN included. Our flight had arrived in the afternoon the day before and had overnighted at Changi, operating the day's early departure at 0630hrs to Paro via Kolkata. The very early departure is to enable to aircraft to reach Paro early and turnaround to another destination before the airport closes.
On the day of departure, I arrived at the airport at 0430hrs (another record broken for the earliest morning departure from Changi) to check-in for the group. Drukair still operates in a very traditional manner, with no online-seat reservations nor check-in. Thus any seat requests would have to be obtained upon counter check-in. I requested for front row seats in Economy for the group, which was granted by the check-in agent. However Drukair was very strict with hand-carry luggage and due to some of our hand luggage being overweight, we needed to repack some stuff so that all of us were within the weight limit. Each hand luggage was weighed and tagged as well. Boarding passes were issued on Dnata stock.
Cleared immigration with hassle, had some coffee in the transit area and proceeded to the gate. Drukair would be departing from Gate C12, which was a bus gate! It had been ages since I had departed from a bus gate at Changi. Apparently as Drukair overnights its aircraft at the remote stand and opted not to tow its aircraft to a proper gate, we would have to be bussed to the aircraft. No worries for me though it might be a hassle for some other passengers.
14 April 2013
Singapore (SIN) - Kolkata (CCU) - Paro (PBH)
Economy Class
2 buses were used to bus passengers to the gate. Business Class and passengers bound for Kolkata (Drukair has rights for the SIN-CCU sector) were called for the first bus, while passengers bound for Paro boarded the second. Not sure if there were any difference.
We were bussed to the remote stand just off the terminal building. A5-RGI, Drukair's newest A319, would be operating the flight this morning.
I was in a middle seat today, thus no videos taken. However no worries as the first row of Economy on this aircraft has lots of legroom! There was only a curtain separating Business Class from Economy and thus we can stretch our legs all the way till under the seats in Business! Bags could also be stored under the Business Class seats in front! Seriously, I guess I had more legroom than Business Class passengers!
Packed refreshing tissue was distributed after boarding was completed. Flight time to Kolkata was announced to be approximately 4hrs.
We had a long taxi to Rwy02C for takeoff, bound for Kolkata. Initial ascend was rather bumpy due to bad weather in the area, stretching all the way along Peninsula Malaysia. The seatbelt signs were kept on for almost half hour before it was turned off.
Lets see what is in the seat pocket. Drukair safety card, airsick bag and inflight shopping magazine.
Their inflight magazine is named "Tashi Delek", which means good luck and well wishes. A very common Bhutanese greeting. The magazine contained some interesting articles about Bhutan.
Peeking into Business Class, which appeared to be only half-full.
View of the economy cabin. Drukair has recently refurbished all its aircraft in Business Class with new seats and reducing the seating capacity from 20 to 16. Economy Class also got new seats with increased capacity, but apparently this new plane did not receive the new Economy Class seats, but only fitted with new Business Class seats. However the black leather-cladded Economy seats were still rather comfortable.
View of the cabin. Normal rows seemed to have about 30-31" pitch.
Visit to the lavatory. There were 2 at the rear of this A319. Not much amenities other than the necessary. However there was a floral decoration.
Requesting for a pillow, I was informed by the crew that no pillows are available for Economy Class passengers. Only Business Class passengers are supplied with pillows. However, blankets are available upon request. Not good, Drukair, especially with such high ticket prices charged. The crew than handed me blankets from the rear overhead bin.
Drukair economy blanket. It was very thin and the blue cotton got stuck on my clothes very easily. Rather poor quality blanket.
The crew first came down the aisle with a bar cart, offering water, juices or soft drinks. Quite a large selection available. For juices alone, Drukair offers orange, apple and mango. The crew were dressed in traditional Bhutanese wear (photo only on the return) and were not too overly-friendly. However they do get the job done. I had an apple juice from the bar cart.
After the bar service, breakfast was distributed. Today the choices were simple vegetarian or non-vegetarian. Upon clarification, the crew informed that the vegetarian choice was an Indian Prata dish while the non-vegetarian choice was a cheese omelette with sausage and hashbrown. Feeling adventurous, I went for the Indian vegetarian dish. It came with a plain yoghurt, warm croissant with butter and jam (which was yum! Why can't SQ serve croissants in economy??), citrus muffin, fruits and drinking water. I also had a tea to go with my meal. A rather substantial breakfast I must say, and tasty too!


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Watch The Financial Markets In EuropeLeave a comment
February 9, 2013 by The Fundamental Sine Wave
"Is the financial system of Europe on the verge of a meltdown? I have always maintained that the next wave of the economic crisis would begin in Europe, and right now the situation in Europe is unraveling at a frightening pace. On Monday, European stocks had their worst day in over six months, and over the past four days we have seen the EUR/USD decline by the most that it has in nearly seven months. Meanwhile, scandals are erupting all over the continent. A political scandal in Spain, a derivatives scandal in Italy and banking scandals all over the eurozone are seriously shaking confidence in the system. If things move much farther in a negative direction, we could be facing a full-blown financial crisis in Europe very rapidly. So watch the financial markets in Europe very carefully. Yes, most Americans tend to ignore Europe because they are convinced that the U.S. is "the center of the universe", but the truth is that Europe actually has a bigger population than we do, they have a bigger economy then we do, and they have a much larger banking system than we do. The global financial system is more integrated today than it ever has been before, and if there is a major stock market crash in Europe it is going to deeply affect the United States and the rest of the globe as well. So pay close attention to what is going on in Europe, because events over there could spark a chain reaction that would have very serious implications for every man, woman and child on the planet."
via Watch The Financial Markets In Europe.
I do not need to add much to this article. Simply read. We should all be paying attention to this information. For if we ignore this and allow those crooks, thugs continue with their extortion racket then we will end up with nothing.
The scam that now threatens our entire economy goes deeper than even this article. However their is an easy solution. The banks have lent our own money back to us at interest. We have borrowed our money from a mafia. Same for debts with Countries. Most financial vehicles fall into this category. They are in effect committing massive fraud against us.
For a brilliant in depth look into just how deep the corruption goes along with some very real solutions please listen to this podcast from TNS Radio. This show is from the British perspective.
Love to you all.


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Revolution, Evolution and Devolution: Overview of the Past Twenty Years of Competition Legislation in Serbia
Vladimir Pavic
University of Belgrade - Faculty of Law
November 1, 2011
In V. Beširević (ed.), Public Law in Serbia: Twenty Years After, Esperia, London 2012, pp. 243-257
This paper analyzes twenty years of competition policy in Serbia until 2011. It analyzes economic, political and legislative factors which have shaped the way in which the competition policy was established, both initially and in the reforms that followed. A particular attention is devoted to the institutional design and public law considerations of establishing the Competition Comission as a regulatory body, as well as technical and policy shortcomings of 2005 and 2009 reforms.
Number of Pages in PDF File: 15
Keywords: competition, public law, competition policy, legislation, antitrust, Serbia
JEL Classification: K21, K42
Date posted: July 7, 2012
Suggested Citation
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text:
Update for Samsung GALAXY Tab 10.1 put on ice
0. phoneArena 15 Nov 2011, 01:44 posted on
Samsung has pulled the Android Honeycomb 3.2 update that it had startedsending out for the Samsung GALAXY Tab 10.1, after owners of the tablet started reporting problems including broken Wi-Fi connections; in an official response, Samsung says it is working on a resolution...
This is a discussion for a news. To read the whole news, click here
posted on 15 Nov 2011, 01:51 5
1. ilia1986 (unregistered)
Samsung - unlike Apple - does not release buggy updates which do not necessarily make existing issues better, and create new bugs as well.
posted on 15 Nov 2011, 02:24 0
2. clevername (Posts: 1436; Member since: 11 Jul 2008)
posted on 15 Nov 2011, 10:51 0
3. iamcc (Posts: 1319; Member since: 07 Oct 2011)
For anyone that cares there is a working 3.2 ROM out there at the moment, i've been running it for a couple days now with zero issues.
Check out the GT10.1 XDA forums for more information.
Comments for : Update for Samsung GALAXY Tab 10.1 put on ice


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When the new LEP was approved on 11 November last year, the prediction was that Dubbo would experience additional growth as a direct result. The evidence to support this is now irrefutable, with an increase in the number and value of development applications Council is determining. We are also seeing large-scale investment opportunities with the likes of the recently approved Riviera Project. Last week we were also host to representatives from Kmart and JB Hi-Fi, who are both interested in being in our City. After spending more than two-and-a-half hours with the representatives, which included a tour of the City to point out a range of possibilities, it was obvious that both are keen to be in Dubbo. It will only be a matter of time before they come to a commercial arrangement with a developer and set up in our City. With Harris Farm in Dubbo recently (meeting with developers not Council), and ALDI meeting with Council this week, Dubbo is certainly on the landscape for major organisations.
Nine members of the Barden Park committee travelled to Sydney last week to inspect athletics facilities at Homebush, Blacktown and Campbelltown. We loaded up three cars and left Dubbo at 5am, returning at 10.30pm that night. The commitment from all participants was marvellous – in particular, that from our three community members. Peter Bass, Craig Gale, and David Williams all took a day away from their normal work and family life to give to the community of Dubbo – and were only too happy to do it. This sort of commitment to our City, which I see over and over again, deserves to be applauded and commended.
I made another appearance at a Youth Council meeting last week. If these youths are the future of Dubbo, then our City is in very safe hands. The Youth Council is open to members aged from 12 to 25 but many members of our current Council are in their last year of high school. It is commendable that they still find time to commit to the youth of Dubbo whilst also studying for their HSC. The Council is on the lookout for more members at the moment, with many of the current group getting ready to further their studies outside the City. So if you are aged between 12 and 25 and want to be part of the voice of youth to Council, don't hesitate to contact us.


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Walkers in a wild place
For the last couple of years our church community has been burrowing a path through the dense brush of our land. We've not been in a hurry; we don't even know for certain where the path is going. We've tried to be as gentle as possible, avoiding more permanent plants and taking the direction that nature seems to be offering.
On not living too large
Hammarby Sjostad used to be an industrial brownfield, toxic and unpopulated. It was slated to become part of the Olympic Village in 2004; the bid failed, but the momentum for a new neighborhood was enormous, and a town was built. It was designed to be an ecological gem, a place where the average person would live half again as lightly as the average Swede, who is already among the most ecologically minded citizens of the developed world.
The Century's work relies primarily on subscriptions and donations. Thank you for supporting nonprofit journalism.
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MARTINSBURG - An aircraft with the Trojan Horsemen aircraft demo team has crashed at the Thunder Over the Blue Ridge open house and airshow during the tribute to the Armed Forces segment, killing the pilot.
The plane involved in the crash is registered to John Mangan of Concord, N.C., and was built in 1958. According to the demo team's website, Jack "Flash" Mangan, an alternate wing team member, is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy. He spent 13 years in active duty, flying more than 2,500 hours in F-15 and F-4 aircraft. While in the service, he earned several awards, including three Meritorious Service Medals and the Tactical Air Command's Instructor Pilot of the Year award. Mangan now has more than 4,000 flight hours and holds Airline Transport Pilot and sailplane ratings.
There were no other injuries reported. The remainder of the airshow has been canceled.
Article Video
An aircraft with the Trojan Horsemen aircraft demo team has crashed at the Thunder Over the Blue Rid
"We were fortunate that the safety measures put in place by the Federal Aviation Administration ensured the safety of those on the ground," said Maj. Gen. James Hoyer, adjutant general of the West Virginia National Guard. "Right now our thoughts and prayers are with the family members of the deceased."
The mid-20th century aircraft was part of a six-plane formation from the T-28 Warbird Aerobatic Formation Demonstration Team, which is the only such group in the world. The team, is based in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The crash occurred at 2:32 p.m. at the 167th Airlift Wing during a stunt where two T-28s were flying belly-to-belly. After the aircraft split, the plane that was heading west out of the maneuver wobbled and went straight into the ground, disintegrating into a ball of fire upon impact. The plane crashed between the taxiway and runway in front of the hangars.
Article Photos
A Trojan Horsemen aircraft, T-28 Trojan Horsemen Warbird Formation Acrobatic Team, explodes into flames as it crashes during Saturday Thunder Over the Blue Ridge open house and airshow in Martinsburg. The crash occurred during a stunt where two Horsemen were flying belly-to-belly. After the aircrafts split, the plane that was heading west out of the maneuver lost control, rolled and crashed on the runway in front of the hangers. (Journal-Ron Agnir)
Emergency crews work at the site of a Trojan Horsemen aircraft crash Saturday during the Thunder Over the Blue Ridge open house and airshow in Martinsburg. (Journal-Ron Agnir)
The plane that crashed Saturday during the Thunder Over the Blue Ridge open house and airshow in Martinsburg was part of the six-plane T-28 Trojan Horsemen Warbird Formation Acrobatic Team, which is seen performing at Saturday's show just prior to the crash. Following the crash, the remaining five planes circles the airfield for sometime as emergency crews worked at the crash site. (Journal-Ron Agnir)
Photo courtesy of Jim Rodgers
Maj. Jack 'Flash' Mangan prepares to take off at the Thunder Over the Blue Ridge open house and airshow. A plane registered to Mangan was the one that crashed at the event.
Photo courtesy of Derek Sterling
"Their performance is a patriotic 'Salute to the Armed Forces' choreographed to music. The aircraft are North American T-28 Trojans with 1425 HP radial engines, smoke systems, and sport authentic military paint schemes. The team consists of former military pilots, decorated veterans, instructors, airline pilots, and experienced civilian air show pilots. The team is affiliated with Veterans Airlift Command which provides free air transportation to veterans and their families for medical and other compassionate purposes," said Nicolas Diehl when announcing the act in June for the airshow.
Thousands of spectators could be seen crying, hugging and praying following the incident.
National Guard officials and representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration are on scene investigating the accident.
Article Links
A press conference has been scheduled for 6 p.m.
The crash comes a day after a stunt pilot in Nevada crashed at an air show there, killing nine.
Anyone with photos or videos of the incident may contribute them to The Journal by emailing them to City Editor Matt Burdette at email@example.com.
Check back at www.journal-news.net throughout the day for additional information. A complete report will be in the Sunday edition of The Journal.


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Kenmore Pro 36" Slide-In Electric Cooktop - Stainless Steel
1 year parts and labor
Kenmore — trusted in the homes of more than 100 million Americans. Click here for additional info Kenmore PRO cooking products bring the professional chef out in us all. High output Bridge elements provide a multitude of cooking options. A 17,200 BTU Power Burner saves time by rapidly heating ingredients of your choice. Premium Professional style knobs give precise flame control while electronic ignitions offer ultimate ease of use.
- 9 in. 3000 Watt Power Element provides rapid boil
- Bridge element can be operated as two single elements or one larger element for maximum flexibility
- Ceramic Glass Surface is easy to clean and ultra durable
- 12 in./9 in. Dual Element with 3,000 watt power element provides flexibility and power in one space
- Six hot surface indicator lights and two power on indicator lights provide convenience and safety
- 6 in. 100 watt simmer warming zone enables the melting of chocolate or heating delicate sauces
- Professional Style Knobs provide maximum flame control while cooking


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Web Content Display
You can quickly and directly find the current press releases of the corporation on our press pages. You can research older releases via the Archive Search.
SHG Content Lists Portlet
Bernd A. Zängle to be the new Director of Steigenberger Hotel Hamburg
Bernd A. Zängle, an experienced hotel manager who has just completed a long stint in charge of the Steigenberger Graf Zeppelin in Stuttgart, will be taking over as Director at the Steigenberger Hotel Hamburg with effect from 1 January 2012.
After 18 years in Stuttgart, Bernd A. Zängle is leaving the city to make the long journey north to central Hamburg where he will be taking over the reins as Director of the luxury Steigenberger Hotel Hamburg with effect from
1. January 2012.
Freiburg born Bernd A. Zängle spent 18 years in charge at the Deluxe Hotel Steigenberger Graf Zeppelin in Stuttgart and can look back on a considerable record of achievement after having succeeded in positioning the establishment as the leading hotel in the Stuttgart market. The Steigenberger Graf Zeppelin has also recently undergone extensive renovations and has been named as one of Germany's best 50 hotels in the respected guidebooks. The gourmet restaurant Olivo has been the proud bearer of a Michelin Star for 13 years and is one of the top places to eat in the city whereas the Zeppelin Day Spa has also won multiple awards.
It is, however, now time for Bernd A. Zängle to make his wealth of experience available to the Steigenberger Hotel Hamburg. Arco Buijs, CEO of Steigenberger Hotels AG in Frankfurt am Main, strikes a confident note. "Bernd A. Zängle has many years of expertise in hotel management to offer and is precisely the right person to take on this task".
Zängle joined Steigenberger in 1988 and managed the Hotel Steigenberger Duisburger Hof in Duisburg until 1992. Following a further post as Director in the Steigenberger Axelmannstein in Bad Reichenhall, he moved to Stuttgart in 1993 and made his professional home at the Steigenberger Graf Zeppelin for just under two decades.
At the Steigenberger Hamburg, Bernd A. Zängle will be stepping into the shoes of Hamburg born Karl Schlichting, who has been successfully heading up the hotel since taking on the position of Pre-Opening Manager in 1991 before becoming General Manager two years later and whose achievements include the management and coordination of a full-scale renovation of the 233-room hotel.
Karl Schlichting will be leaving the Steigenberger Hotel Hamburg and the Steigenberger Hotel Group to pursue other business opportunities.
Press contact:
Steigenberger Hotel Group * Corporate Communications
Angelika Heyer * Lyoner Straße 40 * D-60528 Frankfurt/Main
Tel.: +49 69 66564-422 * Fax: +49 69 66564-424
E-mail: email@example.com
Steigenberger Hotels AG: Steigenberger Hotels AG is one of Europe's leading hotel groups. The company's Head Office is located in Frankfurt am Main, and it operates 79 hotels in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Egypt. The umbrella brand Steigenberger Hotel Group includes the two brands Steigenberger Hotels and Resorts (47 individual First Class and Deluxe Hotels) and InterCityHotel (32 hotels in the upper mid-range category located in the direct vicinity of transport hubs such as railway stations and airports).


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The theory test is made up of 2 parts - multiple choice and hazard perception.
It doesn't matter which one you take first but you need to pass both within 2 years
of each other to get your theory test certificate.
After passing the theory tests
You'll get a pass letter with the results for the part of the theory test you've
just taken.
When you've passed both parts, you'll get sent your theory test certificate with
your theory test number on it.
You'll need the theory test number when you book your practical test.
Your theory test certificate is valid for 2 years from when you passed the first
part of the test.
For more details
Go to
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Lifestyles Photos
Photos: Dallas Arboretum unveils Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden
Photo: Ron Baselice/Staff Photographer
Summer campers climb the circular staircase in the Habitats Learning Gallery Tree at the Dallas Arboretum's new Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden .
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Thank you for considering a donation to Butler Hospital.
Make a Gift to Butler Hospital
Donations can be made to:
For questions or assistance in planning your giving options, please call 401-455-6581 or email firstname.lastname@example.com.
Your tax deductible gift options are:
However you care to give, you have our assurance that your contribution will secure the future of Butler Hospital and that we will respect your rights as a donor.
Butler Hospital is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization.


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Sailors stand next to a weapons system onboard a Russian Navy vessel anchored at a navy base in the Ukrainian Black Sea port of Sevastopol in Crimea, yesterday.
KIEV: Ukraine's race to succeed ousted Russian-backed president Viktor Yanukovich heated up yesterday after his arch-rival Yulia Tymoshenko joined a crowded field of contenders ready to tighten Kiev's embrace of the West.
The charismatic but hugely divisive Tymoshenko's decision to contest the May 25 poll encapsulates the spectacular scale of change that has swept over the culturally splintered nation since it was first hit by waves of deadly pro-Europe protests four months ago.
The 53-year-old — her hair bleached and braided in a peasant style meant to appeal to her Ukrainian nationalist base — was released from a disputed jail sentence within hours of parliament's decision to strip Yanukovych of power on February 22.
Yanukovych, who fled to Russia, has become for many a symbol of the cronyism and corruption that has stopped the ex-Soviet nation from enjoying the growth and living standards of other east European states that fell under Kremlin rule after the Second World War.
The deposed leader added fuel to the election-day fire by calling Friday for every region to hold its own sovereignty referendum following the Kremlin's annexation of Ukraine's Russian-majority Crimean peninsula.
"Demand a (May 25) referendum on determining the status of every region in Ukraine," Yanukovych said in a statement quoted by Russia's Itar-Tassnews agency. The appeal threatens to reignite separatist passions that gripped the mostly Russian-speaking southeastern swaths of the nation of 46 million once Kiev's new leaders turned Ukraine on its Westward course.


text: Rachael Ray Porcelain II 10-Piece Cookware Set | Boscov's Blue or Orange colors available Flag this deal What's the matter? Choose a reason Dead deal Duplicate Bad link Spam Inaccurate No value Alive again Edit deal FibroMom Dec 30, 2012 I have had a Rachael Ray frying pan for YEARS and it still looks and preforms like new! Highly recommend this brand of cookware! Nice price for this large of a set! Thanks. :) Reply 1 like MdavidK30 Dec 30, 2012 If you go to her show on set... sometimes, they even give them out for free! Reply 1 like FibroMom Dec 30, 2012 Oh, that would be SO COOL! Have you been to one? Reply MdavidK30 Dec 30, 2012 HaHa... nah... I wish! I do watch her show as often as I could though! Love her cooking ideas! Reply Load More Comments


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It seems like now a days everyone is making lists stating their opinion on some of the greatest debates regarding the WWE & Pro Wrestling, so I thought what the hell, I'll get in on this latest fad.
So, with one year of WWE history under my belt, I thought I'd start with one of my favorite subjects, the big men of the WWE. And when I say "Big Men", I'm not saying that have to be giants, just that they are well know for their size.
And can I just add that Andre's performance in "The Princess Bride" is probably the best of any superstar's role in a major motion picture.


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Star Tracks: Monday, May 16, 2016 42 years, 2,191 covers and 55,436 stories from PEOPLE magazine's history for you to enjoy
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- November 10, 1975
- Vol. 4
- No. 19
Exclusive or Reclusive?
Musical Myth Bob Dylan Materializes with a New Protest Record and a New Tour
The recording is Hurricane, a protest song with the gritty urgency and outrage that had once enflamed a whole American generation. It pleads against the controversial eight-year incarceration for murder of ex-boxer Rubin ("Hurricane") Carter. Simultaneously, Dylan was readying his first road show since his tumultuous comeback tour of '74. The itinerary would detour the megabuck impresarios, the multiseat superdomes, the computerized ticket networks and re-create the modest small-club mini-tours that characterized the years when he first left Hibbing, Minn. But his entourage includes friends like his ex-lady Joan Baez, plus Ronee Blakley, the discovery of the movie Nashville. Undeniably, Dylan creates in a genre in which minimal art is almost impossible, and so his latest comeback may live up to its ironic title—the Rolling Thunder Revue.
Dylan is himself, after all, the most influential figure in American pop music (and thus pop culture) since 1960. His garbage was analyzed years before Henry Kissinger's. Every syllable or solecism of his life is subject to fearful scrutiny. Dylan, now 34 and as scruffy, wiry and taut as ever, looks back and sees it all as only a colossal accident. "It was never my intention to become a big star. It happened, and there was nothing I could do about it. I tried to get rid of that burden for a long time. I eat and sleep and, you know, have the same problems anybody else does, and yet people look at me funny."
If Dylan had his way, he would not be looked at—at all. He has granted very few major interviews in eight years, and this was his first in some 18 months. "I was playing music in the '50s," he begins, "and man, it was all I did. It saved my life. Doesn't everybody have something that keeps them together? I don't think of my life as a reclusive life. I'm not a hermit. Exclusive, maybe, but not reclusive."
"I didn't consciously pursue the Bob Dylan myth," he continues. "It was given to me—by God. Inspiration is what we're looking for. You just have to be receptive to it." While reports of Dylan's ardent Zionism are almost certainly exaggerated, he has unquestionably returned to his Jewish roots, or at least to a generalized spiritualism.
"I was locked into a certain generation," he says. "I still am. A certain area, a certain place in the universe at a certain time." The middle '60s, a period of drug-boosted frenzy, were reflected in Dylan's electric, clamorous rock'n'roll and in his manic jet-stream imagery—and they culminated on the edge of death on a shattered motorcycle in the summer of 1966. Then followed a two-year withdrawal which only intensified the myth. "I just wanted to be alone," he now says. He surfaced in 1968-69 with the subdued self-examination of John Wesley Harding and, later, his watershed country LP, Nashville Skyline. Asked if he had it to do all over again, Dylan summons his samurai-quick sardonicism: "Maybe I would have chosen not to have been born at all—bypass the whole thing."
Dylan regards himself as an artist rather than a musician ("Put my guitar playing next to Segovia's and I'm sure you could tell who was the musician"), whose role is to create, not preach. "I can move, and fake. I know some of the tricks and it all applies artistically, not politically or philosophically."
He has a way of leaving reviewers as well as disciples in the dust. "I don't care what people expect of me," Dylan says defiantly. "Doesn't concern me. I'm doin' God's work. That's all I know." His classics like Blowin'in the Wind and The Times, They Area Changin' became anthems of the opposition, and the terrorist Weathermen took their name from his lyrics. But, pressed about his influence, Dylan says only, "You'll have to ask them, those people who are involved in that state of panic where my works seem to take them. It's not for me. I wouldn't have time for anything else if I thought about that. I'm not an activist. I am not politically inclined. I'm for people, people who are suffering. I don't have any pull in the government."
The accusation that he copped out from the antiwar and other protest movements which his music catalyzed leaves him livid—especially criticism of his refusal to participate in Woodstock. "I didn't want to be part of that thing," he says. "I liked the town. I felt they exploited the shit out of that, goin' up there and gettin' 15 million people all in the same spot. That don't excite me. The flower generation—is that what it was? I wasn't into that at all. I just thought it was a lot of kids out and around wearing flowers in their hair takin' a lot of acid. I mean what can you think about that?
"Today the youth are living in a certain amount of fantasy," he adds. "But in a lot of ways they become more disillusioned with life a lot earlier. It's a result of the overload, the mass overload which we are all gonna have to face. Don't forget when I started sing-in', marijuana was known only in certain circles—actors, musicians, dancers, poets, architects, people who were aware of what it could do for you. You never went down to make a phone call at a phone booth and had some cop hand you a joint. But now it's almost legal. The consciousness of the whole country has changed in a very short time."
He is impatient with fans who expected his own expression to stay the same. "Those people were stupid," he snaps. "They want to see you in the same suit. Upheaval distorts their lives. They refuse to be loose and make themselves flexible to situations. They forget they might have a different girlfriend every night, that their lives change too." Certainly there were formative changes in Dylan's life: marriage in 1965 to fashion model Sarah Lowndes; the accident; the growth of his own family to five (including one child from Sarah's previous marriage).
Yet, professionally, Dylan points out, "A songwriter tries to grasp a certain moment, write it down, sing it for that moment and then keep that experience within himself, so he can be able to sing the song years later. He'll change, and he won't want to do that song. He'll go on." But Dylan is not speaking of himself. Of his own massive anthology of poems, he says, "I can communicate all of my songs. I might not remember all the lyrics," he laughs, "but there aren't any in there I can't identify with on some level.
"I write fast," he continues. "The inspiration doesn't last. Writing a song, it can drive you crazy. My head is so crammed full of things I tend to lose a lot of what I think are my best songs, and I don't carry around a tape recorder.
"Music," Dylan says, "is an outgrowth of family—and my family comes first." He moved them to the beach at Malibu from Woodstock several years ago, and has been intermittently rumored to be splitting from Sarah. He concedes, "I haven't been able to spend as much time with my wife as I would like to," but pinning Dylan down on personal matters is like collecting quicksilver. A sample colloquy: Are you living with your wife?
When I have to, when I need to. I'm living with my wife in the same world. Do you...
Do I know where she is most of the time? She doesn't have to answer to me.
So you don't live...
She has to answer to herself.
Do you live under one roof?
Right now things are changing in all our lives. We will always be together. Where are you living now?
I live in more than one place. Can you be more specific?
No. I don't want to give out my address.
I live where I have to live, where my priorities are.
Right now, is that in New York City?
Right now it is, and off and on since last spring.
"Traveling is in my blood," said Dylan, as he rehearsed for his latest tour. "There is a lot of gypsy in me. What I'm trying to do is set my standards, get that organized now. There is a voice inside us all that talks only to us. We have to be able to hear that voice. I'm through listening to other people tell me how to live my life." Did Bob Dylan, of all Americans, feel himself mortgaged to others? "I'm just doing now what I feel is right for me," he concludes. "For my own self."
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Take-Two's Gary Dale Named CEO of Realtime Worlds
New Realtime boss will oversee the launch of All Points Bulletin.
David Jones, also of Rockstar fame, has been serving as both CEO and creative director of Realtime Worlds, and the shift in management seems to mean he'll be focusing on the latter job title going forward. "As RTW transitions from being a traditional developer to an online publisher I could not be happier that Gary will lead us through this exciting phase of our growth," said Jones. "His years of experience at companies such as Capcom and Take-Two will prove invaluable in ensuring we meet our goals of becoming a world leading next-generation online publisher. My focus going forward will be ensuring we continue to deliver quality innovative experiences as with our debut title, Crackdown."
Dale himself expressed his own excitement for the upcoming project as well. "Realtime Worlds is one of the most innovative game companies in the world," he said. "The Company is on the verge of launching products that will change current conceptions of what MMO games are about. I can't imagine a more exciting opportunity than to join this talented and creative team as we prepare to deliver such ground-breaking and high quality online entertainment."
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Comments (2)
CAN YOU DIG IT!??!?!?!!Posted: Apr 27, 2009 12:00AM PST by Jak-daxter2004
GoodPosted: Apr 27, 2009 12:00AM PST by SuckaVanHellsing
I was getting worried that APB was dead, considering we hadn't heard anything about it in a while. Good to see that Realtime Worlds is still totally serious.


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And also, what pockets/AIO are successful on a newborn? I feel like everything I buy is HUGE, including BSRB nb and BG AIOs. They don't look like they'd fit a 7lber at all.
I know prefolds are best, and I will be buying sis some, but I wanted some AIOs/pockets to help daddy. ;)
Maybe I should buy preemie? What kind though?


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Oliver S. Brown, 96, of Amarillo died Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2002.
Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Kismet Cemetery at Kismet, Kan. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St.
Mr. Brown was born in Mullinville, Kan., to Miller Brown and Anna Olson Brown on July 9, 1905, and came to Kismet in a covered wagon at the age of 8 with his parents and his grandfather, Mads Olson.
They moved into a 23-room Bible school building in Kismet which was converted to a boarding house. He graduated from Kismet High School and attended Kansas State and the University of Kansas.
After college, he taught school and became principal of the Kismet School. In 1936 he was elected county treasurer of Seward County. After that, he went to work for John W. Baughman and later became general manager of the Baughman Farms Co. and was founder of the Baughman Foundation.
His love and dedication to Liberal and the Seward County community was evident. In 1961, he and three other men founded the Seward County Historical Society.
He was a past vice president of the National Wheatgrowers Association and past vice president of the Kansas State Chamber of Commerce. He was honored as the Outstanding Realtor of Kansas in 1949 and opened Mr. B's Real Estate in his later years.
He was a member of many organizations during his lifetime, including the Lions Club and Chamber of Commerce, the Kansas Royalty Owners Association and had many honors and accomplishments.
He took great pleasure in having a part in the development and growth of the Seward County Museum and Dorothy's House. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Liberal.
He was a longtime resident and civic leader of Liberal before moving to Amarillo because of health to live with his daughter and her family.
He was preceded in death by two wives, Ada Rose Brown in 1937 and Doris Thompson Brown in 1982; a daughter, Judith Kay Clouston in 1996; and two sisters, Pauline Hand and Ruth Harned.
Survivors include a son, Norman Jack Brown of Mission, Kan.; two daughters, Beverly Brown Davey of Amarillo and Dr. Victoria Wyatt of Annandale, Va.; two sisters, Frances Wacker of Yreka, Calif., and Virginia West of Yuma, Ariz.; a brother, Bill Brown of Fountain Hills, Ariz.; 11 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; and 18 nephews and nieces.
The family suggests memorials be to the Oliver S. Brown Scholarship Fund for a Liberal High School Agriculture Student, in care of First National Bank of Liberal, P.O. Box 1217, Liberal, KS 67905; or to First United Methodist Church, youth programs, Liberal, KS 67901.
Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 20, 2002
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Citrus Berry Whole Wheat Waffleskathypatalsky
These whole wheat waffles – accented with citrus and blueberry – will have you singing the praises of "whole wheat" baked goods. I think you can agree with this statement: "weekend mornings are better with waffles." There is something relaxing and cozy about rising early on a Saturday or Sunday morning to prep a big batch of waffles – or pancakes, or muffins even. But today, we're sticking with waffles. Because those square-cut crevices are perfect for gathering puddles of rich thick maple syrup. Brew some fresh coffee, stir some cocoa (plop those marshmallows) or drop a fresh tea bag, chop up some fresh fruit and toss it in a big bowl and your perfect weekend morning is halfway done. Now all you have to do is wake the rest of the family. Get my recipe..
Some people hear the word "whole wheat" and give a crinkled look on their face like they just licked a lemon. This is especially true if you mention the words whole wheat in the same sentence as classic baked goods and treats. Whole wheat cookie, whole wheat muffins, whole wheat cupcakes, whole wheat doughnuts ..whole wheat waffles. Buckwheat? Fine. But whole wheat? Yuck.
Now I'm sure some of you are in the same whole wheat pancake fan club as me – but for all you lemon-lickers, I invite you to give whole wheat a try and realize that it can be quite yummy. Many of the whole wheat flours today are incredibly velvety and bake up smoothly (some are even called 'white' whole wheat flour – for their color and smooth texture). So give whole wheat a try – I promise – adding fiber to your baked goods doesn't have to be like eating one of those cardboard 1980's bran muffin.
There are also other exotic grains perfect for morning waffles like kamut, the famous buckwheat and spelt. Each carries their own health benefits, but the main one being that they are less refined than white flour and often carry more nutrients and most always more fiber.
And you also may notice that my waffle recipe below does not contain eggs or dairy. And all the waffles in the photos are egg/dairy free – and tasted delicious. But if you'd like to sub in milk and eggs (for the applesauce) go for it.
Citrus Berry Whole Wheat Waffles
vegan, makes 7 small square waffles
1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup apple sauce (cinnamon flavor, unsweetened)
1/3 cup canola oil
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup soy milk
2 tbsp maple syrup
1/2 cup citrus (orange or similar), peeled/diced
1/2 tsp citrus zest
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar
2 dashes cinnamon
2 Tbsp roasted/unsalted sunflower seeds or your choice nuts
1 cup fresh blueberries (frozen berries will also work)
1. Mix all ingredients except berries and seeds in a mixing bowl. Whip with spoon.
2. Fold in the berries and seeds.
3. Heat up your waffle grill.
4. Spoon the batter onto your waffle grill (the size of your waffle grill will determine how much batter you apply).
5. Cook until slightly browned and cooked through tot he center.
6. Serve! Drizzle with maple syrup – may favorite is grade B for its rich caramel-vanilla flavor.


text: A bigger player within the Hong Kong street fashion scene, Fingercroxx reveals this new lookbook highlighting their "Black Seriex" collection this season. Drawing inspiration from the Delta Force – one of United States' secretive Tier One counter-terrorism and Special Mission Units – this new collection presents a sleek and clean arrangement of diverse utilitarian garments, leading to a futuristic army theme. Take no notice of the relevant props throughout the visual set; this collection is highlighted by some M65-inspired outerwear pieces, slim fit cropped trousers, cargo shorts, minimalist pullover and staple graphic tees. A video below offers a 360-degree look at the collection.


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It's baby season for wildlife and on the list of wild families includes predators like the red fox. News 8's Jack Hubley explains that foxes and people can co-exist peacefully in the Susquehanna Valley in this week's Wild Moments.
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Interdisciplinary panel exploring the contributions of Renaissance military men and their impact on transregional politics, intellectual pursuits and the visual arts.
"Beyond the Battlefield: Men of War in Early Modern Society"
Early modern warfare was conducted by a dynamic breed of military men. Many were educated nobles who regularly crossed back and forth between the battlefield and the court. Their military service provided them with skills that they leveraged into other spheres of life. It also connected them to multiple centers of power and allowed them to build influential transregional networks in which they served as agents of cultural, political, and social exchange. Largely the focus of military studies, these men were engaged in a wide range of activities and interests, and some became important figures in the European-wide Republic of Letters. Embracing an interdisciplinary approach, this session seeks to reevaluate the figure of the mercenary commander by exploring the multi-faceted lives and contributions of these soldiers beyond the battlefield. Areas of investigation include, but are not limited to: cross-cultural influences, intellectual pursuits, courtly ambitions, diplomacy, regional and transregional exchange, and patronage of the arts.
To propose a 20-minute paper, kindly send your name, email, affiliation, paper title, abstract (150-word maximum), one-page cv and a list of keywords to Rebecca Norris at email@example.com and Suzanne Sutherland Duchacek email@example.com. Submission deadline is 30 May 2013.


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International Edition
September, 29, 2016
About Us
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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) issued a yellow travel alert Saturday for Davao City in the Philippines, after an explosion in a market killed 14 people and wounded dozens more there a day earlier.
Known as the thermal spring kingdom, Taiwan has a variety of springs from north to south, and relaxing in a steamy spring has become a must-try for people who seek a complete stress-free experience.3 Comments
All eyes will be on professional cyclists in November for the 2014 Taiwan Cycling Festival (臺灣自行車節), as well as on the many local bicycle-lovers who believe that riding a bike is not only a means of transportation, but also a new attitude toward life.1 Comment
War veteran Ta Ngoc Tho and his comrades in Hanoi's Hai Ba Trung were recently invited to Bac Kan to attend the 65th anniversary of the Phu Thong victory over the French. They visited several of the province's tourist destinations, such as Thanh Temple, Puong Cave and Dau Dang Waterfall.
China has overtaken Spain on the list of the world's top tourism destinations, becoming the third-largest attraction, a senior tourism official said.2 Comments
Looking up at Hong Kong's skyline of soaring office towers and mammoth apartment complexes, it is hard to imagine that a short ferry ride could whisk you away from this bustling metropolis to another world, a world without high rises, cars or crowds.
Tekming Sae Chang, a Chinese immigrant from Swatao, Fujian Province, moved to Sam Chuk market with his family in 1950 to open the Sil Thammachat (Natural Art) Photo Shop.
For decades, the sleepy Portuguese colony of Macau offered little more than a taste of romantic European history in Asia, as the few smoke-filled casinos catered mainly to gamblers from Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Ice might seem a tough sell in Harbin, one of China's coldest cities, but it has pulled it off with a spectacular annual festival that for many is far more tempting than a warm beach holiday.
China has never been more open for travel, and cheap "bucket-shop" package tours, the staple for most Chinese enjoying the freedom to wander for the first time, offer journeys with a magical mystery of their own.


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Top Definition
Someone who thinks that their favorite team does no wrong no matter what and will never criticize their team under any circumstance.
Never try to argue with Tom about the Knicks. He's too much of a Stepford Fan to have a logical discussion about them.
ayon kay Rockhound6165 ika-20 ng Disyembre, 2008
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Manta 7000 Headphones
"So, first of all you might be wondering why even bother reviewing a headphone that nobody knows about, has ever heard of, and most likely will never own or see in real life? Simply put, I think that this headphone deserves it. There are many of the 70's Pioneer clones, so it's good to give people an idea about them if there is any interest. Pros: - Aesthetics and construction are..." --GREQ
Ear Stream Black Pearl
Black Pearl is a project introduced after three years of the Moonlight's evolution. Its intention was to create a headphone amplifier with at least equal sound quality followed by much higher output power, enabling the amplifier to work well also with hard to drive high impedance dynamic and orthodynamic headphones. Besides higher power the Black Pearl has got another advantage over...
DiCAPac WPE10 Waterproof Earphones
The DiCAPac WP-E10 Waterproof Earphones are designed for the lap swimmer, windsurfer, snorkeler or any other water sports enthusiast who enjoys listening to music in the water. It's great for books on tape too. It is made of PVC material for better visibility and operation.


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Northwest NEWS
eptember 28, 1998
Kids or cabbage; soccer or succotash
I have been following with interest the ongoing public discussion about land use in the Sammamish Valley. I have assumed, for the past several years, that this discussion would culminate in a reasoned and rational conclusion, one that would allow adequate space for the youth of this area to participate in healthy activities like soccer, baseball and softball as well as continuing opportunities for the small (read micro) farmer to cultivate the soil. Unfortunately, I was wrong and reason has not prevailed.
For a while, a reasonable solution seemed within reach at the Woodinville end of the Valley thanks to a great deal of effort by local youth sports' officials and strong support from part of the King County Council, especially Louise Miller. And then, out of the blue, comes something called the Growth Management Hearings Board. I don't know who those masked men (or women) are but they rained all over the reasonable compromise and have apparently killed the deal.
Meanwhile, at the Redmond end of the Valley, a similar scenario has been going on since at least 1994 and probably much longer. The local youth soccer association that primarily serves the Lake Washington School District purchased the Muller dairy farm that year with the intent of developing the property into soccer and other playfields. But guess what? The same bandits who bollixed things up at the north end of the Valley have done even greater harm at the south end.
I could go on about the desperate need for open space and places to play for our kids (and yes, I am a soccer parent) but if you live around here you are no doubt well aware that both the Northshore Youth Soccer Association (NYSA) and the Lake Washington Youth Soccer Association (LWYSA) have already been forced to downsize their respective programs, shorten seasons and turn kids away due to the acute shortage of fields.
Where does that put us in five or ten years using even the most modest of growth projections.
What is it going to be: soccer or succotash?
I believe I am a reasonable person but after I read the Letter to the Editor (in the September 9th issue of the
Seattle Times
and in the September 7th issue of the
Woodinville Weekly
) from Judy Taylor, who is apparently a member of something called the King County Agriculture Commission, it raised my hackles. (It's an interesting name for an organization in the most urban county in the state.
Makes me wonder if such a commission exists in New York City) As absurd as this organization's name sounds, it must be related to the aforementioned Growth Management Hearings Board. No doubt, two pigs in a poke. I have a revelation for these folks and apparently this will be big news, This part of King County is not farm country.
I grew up in a dairy farming community in the Midwest so I know a little of what I speak. What we have here in the Sammamish Valley are gardens. Even the so called sod farms are only overgrown lawns. In many cases the principal crop seems to be weeds.
What is it going to be: playfields or potatoes?
Ironically, according to a report in the September 16 issue of the
Seattle Times,
the same decision that nixed the compromise that would allow development of play fields near Woodinville may also displace a hard-working group of Laotian refugees who have been making a go of it growing flowers and selling them at Pike Place Market. The bandits strike again.
In Ms. Taylor's letter she makes reference to various and sundry legal barriers that would have to be overcome to convert land covered by the Farmland Preservation Program to land suitable for soccer. Balderdash!
Sometimes the law and plain old common sense are totally unrelated, even mutually exclusive. This is just such a case! The two soccer associations at each end of the Valley represent around 13,000 players. Baseball and softball account for thousands more.
We do not have enough space for all of today's kids to participate and the problem will only get worse.
What is it going to be: ballfields or brussels sprouts?
A ray of hope may exist because recently the King County Council decided to appeal the Growth Management Hearings Board (aka Bandits) decision regarding the land near Woodinville, a decision that has at this point stopped a land swap that would allow the Laotian farmers to stay in business and enable the NYSA to develop badly needed play fields. Kudos to the council members who voted for the appeal. Maybe common sense exists after all.
Ms. Taylor further notes that in order to get an initiative on the ballot to overturn the Farmland Preservation Program, the soccer association would have to collect 49,678 signatures and then get a 60% majority of King County voters to approve the measure at the polls. She goes on to shame the soccer association for trying to subvert agricultural protections.
What is it going to be: youth or yucca?
I have no idea where those numbers come from but enough is enough. Bring on the petitions and shame on all of us for allowing this charade to continue for so long. Shame on me for waiting so long to speak up and shame on this so called preservation organization for trying to force the families in this area to put up with this nonsense. And maybe most of all, shame on our elected officials if they try to hide behind some out-of-touch legal position that obviously needs a major overhaul. People vote; plants don't. For the record, the council members who voted against the appeal are Brian Derdowski, Maggi Fimia, Dwight Pelz and Kent Pullen.
Like it or not, the area in and around the Sammamish Valley is urban/suburban and still growing. I am all for preserving open space. I have no problem with the golf course or its current expansion on property adjacent to the LWYSA Muller farm property. In fact, a golf course is one of the best uses of land imaginable.
But having said that, what kind land use policy are we condoning? It seems to me that we have one that endorses golf courses but does not allow soccer fields for kids? Does anyone else see anything wrong with this picture?
What is it going to be: cucumbers or kids?
Terry Mercier, Woodinville


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Obama all out of fresh ideas
In Barack Obama's acceptance speech at the 2008 Democratic National Convention, he stated, referring to the Republicans: "They claim that our insistence on something larger, something firmer and more honest in our public life is just a Trojan horse for higher taxes and the abandonment of traditional values.
And that's to be expected, because if you don't have any fresh ideas, then you use stale tactics to scare voters.
If you don't have a record to run on, then you paint your opponent as someone people should run from. You make a big election about small things."
It is an interesting juxtaposition of ideas, because in the first sentence he actually gave some clues regarding his agenda as president, and in the last three sentences he summed up his own campaign strategy for 2012.
President Obama has failed in many ways. He has no fresh ideas and he can't run on his record. He has not provided an agenda for how he would govern in the next four years and deal with our most pressing problems: the debt, the deficit and the overall economy.
It is time for change we really can believe in. We need real leadership in the White House. Mitt Romney is that leader.
-- Mark Lipstein,
West Windsor
District's needs foreign to Rep. Smith
The residents of the 4th Congressional District deserve a new representative in Washington, D.C.
We need Brian Froelich, who will be there for the residents of our district.
I am unhappy with Rep. Chris Smith's legislative record. Mr. Smith has defended and voted for the Ryan plan, which will end Medicare as we know it and turn it into a voucher program; privatize Social Security; and cut severely from many important veterans' programs.
This will hurt American families.
Rep. Smith's only concern seems to be human rights issues overseas; he fails to address the current problems here in our district.
I have watched Mr. Smith in the early-morning hours on C-Span, only to be disappointed by his comments about budgets, women's issues and his "specialty": foreign affairs.
He is not concentrating his efforts on what we need here. He is out of touch and does not deliver what the district deserves. We need a change and someone who will address the high unemployment rate in our district.
Finally, we have an opportunity to elect Mr. Froelich, who is highly educated and has many years of success at being a job creator.
He will stand up for middle-class families, protect senior citizens, women and veterans; he will intelligently address the deficit and rebuild our economy.
I am impressed that we have such a talented candidate, and I hope voters vote out career politician Chris Smith.
-- Peggy Nicol,
Obama respects women's rights
The most recent flap regarding the attack on women's rights is hard to believe ("Obama pressures Romney to break his Mourdock ties," Oct. 26).
Women need to think long and hard before they vote on Nov. 6. If the Republicans gain control in Washington, D.C., women's rights will be set back 100 years. We now have men in Congress and many who are running for office who believe that if a woman is pregnant after being raped, it is part of God's plan. I fear abortion rights will be overturned even in cases of rape, incest and the life of the mother.
These men have decided that they should dictate to women how they deal with their own health issues. They will do away with Planned Parenthood and let corporations decide if health-care plans will cover contraceptives. Women need to remember who has their back. The first bill that President Barack Obama signed was the Lilly Ledbetter Act, which provides women equal pay for equal work. The Republicans in Congress overwhelmingly voted against the bill. The president has stood firm on pro-choice issues, unlike Gov. Mitt Romney, who has changed his position many times.
If you think these issues do not matter to you, think about your daughters and granddaughters. Women comprise 51 percent of the electorate. We need to stand together and vote for our rights by re-electing President Obama. I demonstrated in college during the 1960s for these same rights. We cannot turn back the clock.
-- Joan Nyzio,
Give directly to charity of your choice
The East Windsor and Hightstown communities have been dealt a harsh blow. Better Beginnings Child Development Center and Rise: A Community Service Partnership were devastated to learn that United Way of Greater Mercer County has eliminated all funding to the two local agencies and decided to stop giving any money to support concrete, essential and proven programs in our area ("Cash-strapped United Way slashes aid, staff," Oct. 14).
Rise is proud to be the center of social support services in East Windsor and Hightstown for more than 40 years. Recently, our working communities have been heavily affected by the economic downturn. The CEO of Mercer's United Way said in a recent interview, "People who used to give and help others now need help themselves." We agree with the CEO; many of our recent clients are seeking assistance for the first time in their lives. Unfortunately, Mercer's United Way decided to stop helping with direct assistance for child care and health counseling next year. They had already stopped providing assistance for food programs last year.
It is imperative that donors take control of their contributions. Direct designation is the only way their donations to United Way will help the organizations and the services that are important to them and their local communities. Of course, Rise: a Community Service Partnership and any other worthy organization always welcome direct donations.
-- Leslie Koppel,
The writer is executive director of Rise: A Community Service Partnership.
There's a difference between the parties
The concept that there's not a dime's worth of difference between the two parties no longer holds water.
We must pay attention and see just how important our vote is. Roe vs. Wade settled abortion law in 1973. It is now being unsettled.
Perhaps some don't care about that issue, but, if you're a woman, you might be for "equal pay for equal work." Research will find that Republicans are voting against legislation to achieve that.
Republicans still tell us malicious things about the Affordable Care Act. They said my Medicare benefits would be cut, yet my premiums have gone down and my benefits have gone up since that bill passed. None of the bad things the Republicans predicted have come to be.
Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), Romney's vice-presidential pick, co-sponsored legislation such as H.R. 3 with Rep. Todd Akin (R-Mo.), who has said that a woman won't get pregnant if she's raped, because her body will "shut that ... down" ("Congressman fights to save GOP Senate bid — Firestorm follows remark about 'legitimate rape'," Aug. 21).
A handful of super-wealthy individuals are putting unprecedented amounts of money into this campaign, seemingly mostly in support of Republicans. Their super PACS air hours of political ads that have no obligation to be truthful. Are our votes for sale?
These are the wealthy "job creators" who have created no jobs and now complain about the slow recovery. Maybe the recovery would be going faster if they put their money someplace other than politics. We must ask ourselves what the billionaire contributors expect if their guy wins, and what it will cost the middle class.
-- J. Danton Smith,
It's obvious: It's Lester for Hopewell committee
Citizens for Tax Choice is a nonprofit, nonpartisan citizens group that stands for tax fairness and against overdevelopment in Hopewell Township.
In 2011, the Hopewell Township Committee voted to issue a townshipwide tax for an unneeded and overly expensive sewer contract from the Ewing Lawrence Sewerage Authority (ELSA).
Under the tireless leadership of Harvey Lester, my CFTC co-chairman, 85 percent of voters from Hopewell Township defeated the unfair tax increase and put a stop to overdevelopment that threatened to forever change the very character of our town. For more detailed information about this effort, visit LesterforHopewell.org.
Overdevelopment and taxation will remain threats to our township as long as the township committee members who approved the unfair tax remain in charge of the agenda. That's why I urge all concerned Hopewell Township residents to vote for Democrat Harvey Lester Nov. 6. He's the only candidate with a proven record of service to the community.
-- Bob Kecskes,
Hopewell Township
The writer is co-chairman of Citizens for Tax Choice.
I left partisan stress behind
Many thanks to The Times and West Windsor resident Henry B. Murphy Jr. for the letter "Third-party candidates should get more exposure" (Oct. 26). For several decades, I have had enough of the major political parties and turned to candidates who spoke to what I believed in, including the Green and even Libertarian parties. About one year ago, I had enough of America's militarism and moved to Costa Rica, which has no military. It is a "developing nation" with its own problems, but the level of stress is a fraction of that found in New Jersey. As a "pensionada," I can live apolitically, my major decisions and worries having to do with which pineapple to purchase or when the orchid in the carport will bloom. It was perhaps the largest decision in my life, but it turns out to be the best I ever made.
-- Linda J. Toth Field, San Isidro de Grecia,
Costa Rica
Join us in voting for Lempert for mayor
We write in support of Liz Lempert for mayor of the new united Princeton. She has been dedicated to and a strong supporter of consolidation of Princeton Borough and Princeton Township from the beginning. She has continued to be actively involved in the actual process.
We now understand we will have the benefit of saving $2 million as we go forward. Given her dedication to all citizens, as elected mayor, her current experience will help bring those benefits to everyone.
-- David P. and Claire R. Jacobus,
Electing Romney would be bad for women's health
Rep. Todd Akin (R-Mo.) stated that a woman who has been raped cannot get pregnant because the body will "shut that whole thing down." In Indiana, Republican Senate candidate Richard Mourdock stated that if a woman is raped and becomes pregnant, it is God's will. Mitt Romney has endorsed him. He is running ads for Mourdock.
Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan is even more radical. He cast 60 votes against women's health care and co-sponsored legislation narrowing the definition of rape as "forcible."
Women voters nationwide should think carefully. Romney, once pro-choice, blows like the wind. Now, he says he will choose justices who would repeal Roe vs. Wade. Planned Parenthood will be defunded and no longer be able to offer breast and cervical cancer screenings or mammograms. He will repeal "Obamacare."
In 2014, no one can be denied for pre-existing conditions. Students up to age 26 in college are covered under their parents' plans. Women cannot be charged more for health care than men because we are women. All that would be gone!
Medicare will have vouchers. How an elderly woman can shop around for health care is beyond comprehension. Imagine being on the phone all day with insurance companies, going through their automated systems, finally connecting with the department you need, only to be put in a queue on hold to talk to someone. You will probably have some kind of pre-existing condition that the company can once again deny. A Romney presidency is a step back for women.
-- Cheri Dzubak,
Aton belongs on Princeton council
This year, I am enthusiastically investing one of my six precious council votes to elect Republican Geoff Aton to join five of my fellow Democrats on the new council. Mr. Aton is a classic crossover candidate with a vision for Princeton we should all consider, one built on shared goals.
For example, he is already working with Princeton University and local investors to build the environment that would help keep the burgeoning university entrepreneurial community, and the millions of dollars in investment it attracts every year, here in Princeton, rather than see them sprint cross country for Silicon Valley upon graduation. We have the building blocks, and Mr. Aton, the tireless candidate, to help bring this type of creative vision to life.
I believe in him. He's a quality person, a great dad and a selfless problem-solver. He has the professional experience to manage the complex day-to-day rigors of the council. The vision I've described is only part of his platform — the part that speaks to me.
I'm confident that, in getting to know him, you'll enjoy finding other common ground with this impressive, creative candidate.
Vote Aton for Princeton Nov. 6. Ask him about his passion for Princeton, and decide for yourself. You'll be glad, and he'll be grateful, that you did.
-- Andrew Peloso,
Hamilton BOE slate will serve with integrity
Our indicted Hamilton Township Mayor John Bencivengo allegedly took a bribe in order to influence the award of a school district insurance contract.
In addition, former school board member Rob Warney admitted to taking a bribe in 2006, as well as laundering the alleged bribe monies Mr. Bencivengo took. These are serious allegations that point to a serious breakdown of ethics.
Hamiltonians are stunned at how, in our community, such a sense of entitlement and a series of betrayals could have been taking place for more than half a decade.
There needs to be a change in Hamilton Township — a change that will ensure that, among other things, ethics is a priority. That change can start this November with the election of four new school board members.
Three candidates address transparency, education and fiscal responsibility and propose solutions. They are not sensationalizing the health insurance broker contract issue, nor focusing on the people at the center of that issue.
They are Al Gayzik, an experienced teacher and school administrator; Timothy Bauersachs, an attorney who was born, raised and educated in Hamilton public schools; and Greg Schultz, a father of two students who attend Hamilton public schools who has 18 years of experience as a facilities manager for a large retailer.
We need to focus on students, parents and taxpayers and that is what the slate of Gayzik, Schultz and Bauersachs are doing in their campaign.
-- Aaron J. Scolnick,
Ratables are highly overrated
In the article "Newcomers vie for crucial seat in Hopewell committee election" (Oct. 8), Republican candidate Philip Robbins offers up a fairy tale solution when he claims "keeping local taxes to a minimum requires bringing in commercial ratables that help ease the tax burden on residents."
The facts simply don't support his claim.
Many New Jersey municipalities that fell for the promise of "money for nothing" that Mr. Robbins extolls have found themselves on the losing end. Commercial ratables (i.e. big-box stores and other large industry and retail) require a definite increased cost to local taxpayers for services such as policing, fire protection, roadway maintenance and enhancement and a variety of infrastructure and government expenses.
And while the type of large businesses Mr. Robbins sees as Hopewell's potential Golden Goose do not directly impact school populations, their workers do, either by adding new residents or new commuters.
That's why current estimates from the U.S. Department of Commerce indicate that for each dollar contributed by commercial ratables, the local municipality must spend $2.05 in services.
This May, in an effort led by Democratic candidate Harvey Lester, a large majority of voters rejected the ELSA sewer plan because it would have led to uncontrolled development in the southern part of Hopewell Township.
While it would be nice to look for easy solutions, residents know a phony deal when they see it. I ask that they join me in supporting the proven leadership of Harvey Lester for Hopewell Township Committee Nov. 6.
-- Al Colina,
Hopewell Township
Republicans favor school choice
Incredibly, throughout the presidential debates, one critical question was left unasked: "Would you empower parents to send their children to the school of their choice?"
Those who control education also control our nation's culture and all that evolves therefrom, including the role of government in directing our lives.
The greatest government-sanctioned violation of our civil rights, and denial of our liberty, occurs every day when government financially coerces parents to send their children to government schools.
This has no place in a free society, and parental choice in education needs to be fully implemented — now!
It is therefore of vital importance that every voter be informed that the Republican Party's explicitly published policy on this is to empower parents to send their children to the school of their choice, while the Democrats are firmly opposed.
Empowering parents to raise and educate their children with minimal government intrusion will also cut costs in half, improve educational quality exponentially, level the political field for the average voter and vastly improve our economy and employment prospects.
The actions we all take to achieve universal school choice will determine the future of our children and all society.
A wealth of information on this critical issue is available from the Heritage Foundation and the CATO Institute.
-- Israel Teitelbaum,
The writer is secretary for the Alliance for Free Choice in Education.


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It's no secret that Tiffin University and Findlay have developed a bit of a rivalry in recent seasons.
Last year, when the Dragons swept the Oilers on their way to a 19-win season, it was a big deal not only to the fans, but to the players as well.
On Saturday, when Findlay beat Tiffin 62-44 to complete a season sweep and return the favor, Findlay coach Kate Cummings didn't dismiss its importance.
"Not only did (Tiffin) take two from us last year, they beat us like a drum, and kind of embarrassed us," Cummings said. "We had something to prove there. If you can beat a Tiffin team, Coach Oswald is a phenomenal coach, and I feel like if we can win here, I feel like we've stolen one, because they achieve every single year."
Looking at the stats, it's easy to see where the difference between the teams was. Tiffin had 22 turnovers, Findlay had 11. Findlay had 22 points off turnovers, TU had five. A 17-point differential in an 18-point game.
"They did a really good job of just being patient in their full-court defense," Tiffin coach Pam Oswald said, "and we were trying to push it up, and sometimes we didn't make the best decisions with the ball."
Fact Box
Findlay 62, Tiffin 44
Findlay (17-4, 14-3): Tai Dotson 1-0-2; Kayla Brown 7-2-17; Ashley Andrews 1-0-2; Margaret Wuebker 2-0-4; Kendra Elam 1-1-3; Bailee Maggert 0-0-0; Karli Beasley 3-4-10; Kristin Klausing 0-1-1; Julia Grisdela 0-0-0; Lacey Kessler 1-5-8; Alyssa Grevenkamp 0-0-0; Laura Piehl 2-3-7; Kelsey Lewis 0-0-0; Andrea Kras 2-4-8. Totals: 20-20-62.
Tiffin (10-11, 7-10): Jessica Harris 2-4-8; Jillian Adams 2-2-6; Mackenzie Storlie 0-0-0; Stephanie Kelly 3-0-8; Melissa Gilliand 0-4-4; Mary Kate Campbell 1-0-2; Jordan Fraley 0-0-0; Macy Byrd 1-1-3; Jessica Farr 3-0-6; Erica Mathis 3-1-7. Totals: 15-12-44.
Halftime: Findlay, 29-17.
Field goals: Findlay 20-55; Tiffin 15-47.
3-point goals: Findlay 2-16 (Kessler, Brown); Tififn 2-13 (Kelly 2).
Rebounds: Findlay 36 (Piehl 5); Tiffin 37 (Harris 8).
Turnovers: Findlay 11; Tiffin 22.
Assists: Findlay 10 (Elam 2, Kessler 2, Klausing 2); Tiffin 14 (Kelly 7).
The Dragons (10-11, 7-10 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) scored the game's first four points, but then were outscored 23-3 by the Oilers, creating a deficit TU didn't overcome.
"I don't feel that some of the shots that we took we really good shots," Oswald said. "We knew that they were gonna play zone for 40 minutes. I don't really feel that we attacked that the way that we needed to.
TU made only 15 of 47 shots from the field (31.9 percent). Jessica Harris and Stephanie Kelly finished with eight points each to lead the Dragons in scoring. Erica Mathis had seven points off the bench.
"We're just lacking having people looking to score," Oswald said. "Jordan Fraley's done that for us, and unfortunately she went down today. But we need to have people step. Steph Kelly's done it before for us, Missy Gilliland has, Jess has. It's just being able to step up, feel comfortable and hit those shots."
Fraley left the game with an injury late in the first half.
In Kayla Brown, Findlay had what the Dragons were missing - someone to step up offensively. Brown had 17 points, two steals and three rebounds, helping the Oilers improve to 17-4, 14-3.
"She's our mainstay and she's our glue, and she knows that," Cummings said. "I think we rally around her when she does well, but we also try to keep her in a position to get the shots. I think we worked hard to get her open.
Karli Beasley had 10 points for Findlay. The win was Cummings' 100th as Oilers coach.
"I love this team, I love our depth and I love that we have balanced contribution," Cummings said.


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What is the difference between Montessori and Traditional Education?
In more everyday terms, Montessorians disagree with the idea that all children learn in the exact same way at the exact same time of their life. They believe that to be an effective teacher you can't say, "It is the 4th day, of the 3rd month, of second grade, so open your math book to page 49 and…" Instead we observe each child and ask ourselves, "What does this child understand? What is the next concept this child needs to learn? In which way does this child learn? (Are they observers? Talkers? Someone who needs to physically…
Can you summarize the Montessori philosophy in one sentence?
Montessori education is scientifically based, multi-modality, data-driven differentiated instruction using small flexible groupings for explicit instruction and individualized practiced during an extended global access time to insure that each student is working at their maximum plane of development while addressing the state's mandatory standards.'
A sentence using everyday terms:
Montessori education is based on the belief that children are individuals with their own strengths, needs, likes and learning styles, therefore the teacher needs to guide each child through the learning process by using materials that fit their specific needs and pace.
I've been told that Montessori is 'unstructured'. Is this true?
In a Montessori classroom where the children are all working at their "maximum plane of development" and therefore doing different things, the "structure" revolves around rules and procedures so that they can all be doing those different things, but still learn.
What if the child just doesn't want to work? Since Montessori is not based on punishments and rewards, how is this issue dealt with?
AMI Montessorians, especially those that come from a preschool environment and have followed their students to the elementary level will be the ones who adhere to the belief that all materials and concepts should be "self-chosen" most tenaciously. This is because IT WAS a preschool belief. If you think about it, during Dr. Montessori's time children entering kindergarten weren't expected to know things like continents, landforms and cultures.
How do most children adjust to traditional school after being in a Montessori school?
At first she is shocked and confused by the rules of the school. As she says in a voice over,"Never before had I lived in a world where adults didn't trust me. I got in trouble for the most random things." Then she is seen getting up to sharpen her pencil or to go to the bathroom and teachers being dismayed with her.
How do Montessori children do in college and the work environment?
Montessori education has been at the forefront of these studies and has been studied extensively over the past few years.All the research states that on the average, children in a true Montessori environment do as well as or better on standardized tests than children in a more traditional environment. On things that aren't tested, like science, history, social interactions, they almost always score better.
What are the pros and cons of a multi-age classroom?
No textbooks, no grades! Someone explain this to me because it does not make any sense!
Are Montessori schools relevant in today's society?
As far as relevance in elementary education, over the past few years billions of dollars have been spent to assure that teachers know inside and out the most recent scientifically based research on education that there is.
If Montessori education is so great then why do the majority of schools stop at 12 years of age?
Montessori philosophy states that as children mature so does their brain. As their brain matures, it acquires and processes information differently. Our classrooms are set up to reflect these different methods of acquiring and processing knowledge.
Is Montessori education adaptable to all cultures?
With that said, there is a problem in adapting it for the educational system of a culture that has high stakes testing and therefore a focus on rote memorization. It is not that Montessori children don't generally do well when tested, but it is the fear that they won't that worries parents and non-Montessori educated administrators and teachers.
Why don't public schools use the Montessori Method?
I see that the American Montessori Society has connections to peace movements. I don't want my kids to be indoctrinated by any side. Is Montessori categorically liberal?
Education for Peace is teaching children to think about other ways of solving problems besides violence. It is our firm belief that children who are taught to respect other people, their cultures and beliefs, only resort to violence as a last resort.


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Taking the Public Pulse
San Jose is the third largest city in California, larger than San Francisco, larger than Oakland. We have a $2.7 billion combined budget, about 6,700 employees, 27 departments and offices, 10 council members elected by district and a mayor elected at large.
We deliver services. We are not just a group of people who get together to drink coffee or stand around a hole in the street and take home nice salaries and good benefits.
The customers only see the results of what we do. They may see us standing around the hole, but then they have to drive across the field once the hole is filled in. That's what most people see: how the hole is filled in, if the street is smooth or not.
Surveys are very different from normal ways that we receive information, policy desires and even service requests.
In the survey, many of the people who give us information are not registered voters or likely voters. They are probably not the people who show up at meetings. They are not the people who get together in a neighborhood association. Some of them are probably not even citizens. We actually don't call it a citizen survey; we call it a community survey because almost half of the respondents in some of our neighborhoods are probably not citizens.
We do the survey every two years on the telephone in English, Spanish and Vietnamese. A hundred questions. That selects out certain people right there; you have to have 20 minutes to spend.
It covers issues. What's the major issue for San Jose? What's the condition of your neighborhood, what's the condition of the streets?
Half of these questions relate directly to performance measures. Others are, "What do you see as the major issue? What would you like done?" That sort of thing. We ask if people volunteer and a bit about demographics. And finally we do a couple of research questions.
Our report is done by a survey consultant, who is a pollster. It is under the direction of the city manager. We feel, of course, that it is balanced, fair and honest.
The survey got us the first positive headline in a while on the front page of the Mercury News. It said that San Jose "was a good place to live." Seventy-nine percent of the people thought the quality of life was good, up four percent since 2000. Seventy-six percent were satisfied with services. Eighty percent were happy with our employees.
A couple of survey questions that were new this year were surprises. We asked people "How do you want to get services or find information that's not emergency in nature?" People want to call a person. They don't want to go to a Web site, they don't want to go to a call center. That surprised me because I think the 311 system is a great gateway and having a good Internet page will be a gateway of the future. But it's clear that, even in the capital of Silicone Valley, we are not quite there.
We have learned some lessons. There are multiple voices in government. You don't have just one customer who pays. You have customers who don't even use the service, but who care as well.
Brooke Myhre is with the budget office of the City of San Jose, California.Â