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Jazz on the Mountain
September 30, 2016. Posted by Brandy Wood.
FIJM 2016...Fun
July 14, 2016. Posted by Michael Bourne.
Fest-goers attending the 2016 Montreal Jazz Festival drank 60,000 liters of beer.
And here are some other numbers at the jazzfest wrap-up...
More than 2 million folks attended 11 days of the festival around Place des Arts in the heart of Montreal. More than 2 thousand musicians, including artists from 30 countries, played almost 500 musical events on 21 free outdoor and ticketed indoor stages. Thirty-seven of the ticketed shows sold-out.
470 journalists and other media types reported on FIJM 2016—all wanting tickets to every show.
Lydia Vallee handles the ticket requests. Lydia and her crew keep track of who wants, who needs, who expects, who demands all of les billets. They work with info on computers, but, really, they work endless hours counting the actual tickets—thousands of little pieces of paper! Lydia Vallee is vraiment Herculean.
My own accounting: 11 days, 35 gigs...and one of the best of my 24 years at Festival International de JAZZ de Montreal.
One drag: the annual blather from grumpy journalists about "jazz" at the jazz festival. "There's a lot of music that's not jazz this year," said one as I first walked into the press room. "How do you like the 'no jazz' jazz festival?" asked another.
And much more vulgar expletives to all of them.
Including several I know in French.
I want to declare a moratorium on this perennial nonsense.
Andre Menard, co-founder of FIJM, brought up (as I often have) that, early on at Newport, George Wein, the very godfather of the jazz festival, presented the definitive rock-and-roller, Chuck Berry.
And there've been countless artists all across the musical spectrum playing every jazz festival around the world ever since.
Jazz is truly a universal language.
I've heard the world, culture after culture, with their own sensibilities, with their own melodies and harmonies and rhythms, embrace jazz.
I've heard jazz, just as deeply, just as swingingly, embrace the world.
And, if you actually listen back through the 100-year history of this music, in every generation there've been critics and great musicians who've condemned the music of the next generation. New Orleans trad players, even Louis Armstrong himself, laughed at be-bop. As if what Dizzy and the Bird were creating was not jazz. Same against John Coltrane and Ornette Coleman. Same against the "fusion" of Weather Report. Miles Davis alone innovated more changes in jazz than anyone—as when Bitches Brew confounded self-righteous defenders of the faith. And now comes hip-hop.
Laurent Saulnier, VP of programming—I call him VP of the Edge—actually changed how I think about jazz and, really, how I appreciate all of the arts. When he challenged me (6-7 years ago) to listen when hip-hop/beat-box/electro/whatever-the-hell-it-is played at the festival's Club Soda, I heard a trio called Plaster playing keyboards, bass and drums all hooked into computers and other electronics. They were generating riffs and grooves back and forth, even with samples of a politician's speech manipulated rhythmically. I remember realizing in a flash "Count Basie!" I remembered that Basie's very definition of jazz was that jazz "makes you pat your foot." Mine was very happily patting!
I could hear the continuum of jazz at that gig, and I've believed ever since that nowhere is "jazz" redefined better than in Montreal.
"Fun" was the world I most often scribbled in my notebook.
Especially when enjoying some of my favorite festival moments:
- Charlie Hunter laughing a blues with dancing drummer Bobby Previte...
- James Carter "unchaining" (by busting grooves) Django classics with his organ trio...
- Lorraine Desmarais dancing with her Montreal all-star big band...
- Karen Young, honored with the festival's Oscar Peterson Award, singing duets with her daughter, Coral Egan—especially one of the songs that they sang together when Coral was a child. Coral and Karen even played patty-cake...
- The whimsical sexiness of Cyrille Aimee singing Monk...
- The gracefulness of pianist Fred Hersch playing Jobim and Monk...
- The finger-breaking pianistic acrobatics of Marianne Trudel and Francois Bourassa...
- The rushing melodies of trumpeter Jacques Kuba Seguinn...
- The powerfully beautiful voice of songwriter Rufus Wainwright, especially with his family singing Leonard Cohen's Canadian pop anthem "Hallelujah"...
- The heartfully swinging farewell concert of Montreal's piano master, Oliver Jones...
And then there was a "Great Event" with the performer I once called "The Charlie Parker of Pop!"
"This is gonna be the best night of your life!" promised British singer and pianist and BBC jazz jock and pop star Jamie Cullum to the tens of thousands of fest-goers jam-packed (and jam-anticipating) in the festival's TD Scene.
"Don't applaud it yet!" shouted Jamie when the tens of thousands screamed. "You haven't heard it yet!" laughed Jamie. "It might be shit!"
Le Grande Evenement, as the festival's spectacular centerpiece is always called, was actually quite grand.
"Don't Stop The Music" just for starters. "Comes Love" and some songs for the festival's patron saint, Ray Charles. Short, but he seemed titanic. His hair like black flames. His fingers dancing on the piano, drumming on the piano, close-up on the Jumbo-trons. And then he jumped and danced on top of the piano. "Michael Buble don't do this!" shouted Jamie, jumping to the stage, jumping all around the stage, jumping even into the audience. And all the while a big band of Montreal's best players jumped with him. Solos aplenty all around. Muhammad Al-Khabyyr on the trombone. Andre Leroux on the tenor sax. I didn't catch the name of the trumpeter spotlighted as "Love for Sale" became phantasmagorical, but Jamie knew them all, and Jamie was thrilled by them all: "The caliber of musicians in this city is amazing!"
He sang a love song "that encapsulates how I feel about being here in Montreal." He sang his own "When I Get Famous" for all the girls who didn't want him when he wasn't. He conducted a sing-along chant from a bass line of Mingus. And after a full-tilt two-hour jamboree, everyone was bouncing like tens of thousands of whack-a-moles. All showing him fires from their lighters and flashings from their cell-phones. Jamie staggered off the stage, but they kept on chanting to him. And back he came. Alone in the dark of the stage. Looking like a rag doll. His face on the Jumbo-trons streaked with sweat. And with tears. Alone at the piano, he sang "What a Difference a Day Made." Quietly. Lovingly, "This," said Jamie Cullum, "has been the best gig of my life!"
FIJM 2016 was one of the best gigs of mine.
Je reviendrai a Montreal...
FIJM 2016...Oliver Jones and the 49th Parallel
July 12, 2016. Posted by Michael Bourne.Add new comment | Filed under: FIJM, FIJM 2016, Jazz Alive
"Tell everyone how good the musicians are in this city," said Oliver Jones about the big band playing on his farewell concert. Oliver even pointed out a favorite Quebcoise artist in the audience, pianist and composer Lorraine Desmarais. Some of the players with Oliver, long-time best of the jazz scene up yonder, also played at the jazzfest with Lorraine's big band and for the "Great Event" of Jamie Cullum. Some of them, including Canadian masters honored with the festival's Oscar Peterson Award, also played their own gigs. Ron DiLauro, trumpeter and (for the first time ever on stage) singer, celebrated Chet Baker at the Gesu. Francois Bourassa and Marianne Trudel played a flabbergasting (like shrapnel from an exploding hornet's nest) twin-piano tribute to Paul Bley at the Gesu, and Trudel's own group featured Ingrid Jensen, one of the best trumpet players anywhere. That she's now living in New Jersey means that Ingrid is one of the few players from above now able to play below the 49th Parallel. That so many of the superb Canadian players and singers I've enjoyed in Montreal rarely ever -- or never -- get gigs in the US is a bureaucratic shame of the governments on both sides of the Jazz Wall. That he so often praised his fellow musicians at his own tribute showed certainly why Oliver Jones is so loved in the Montreal (and all across Canada) jazz scene.
Oliver was "vraiment chez nous," happy to be at home, he said, after a farewell tour of Canada, including gigs in the Yukon. Now at the Maison Symphonique, with his trio and a big band, Oliver was playing his last gig at the jazz festival. "I remember his farewell concert...in 1999," said artistic director Andre Menard, welcoming everyone. I remember that first farewell also, a solo concert at Monument National. Oliver played a delightful recital, thanked everyone for his musical life, and then said "What would you like to hear?" Song titles erupted from the audience, and Oliver played a half hour of requests. I've been to the jazzfest 24 years and that's my all-time favorite memory–along with one of the festival's truly legendary events, when Oscar Peterson played his last concert in 2004. Oscar's sister Daisy was Oscar's teacher and also taught piano to the kid a dozen doors down the block, Oliver. They'd known each other all their lives but never played piano together until that night. I was there that night and for several more Oliver Jones concerts thereafter in Montreal. Now, he was saying he was seriously done with playing...after this one more time at FIJM.
Oliver's long-time trio played first, with Eric Lagace on bass and Jim Doxas on drums. Oscar's presence was a light that beamed through Oliver's life and through his swan song, especially when the trio played tunes of or inspired by Oliver's friend and inspiration: "Cakewalk," and "You Look Good To Me." Lively. Lyrical. After they played a buoyant "Honeysuckle Rose," Eric Lagace laughed that "we've both played that song a thousand times, but never together." Jim Doxas was in the spotlight for a calypso. Oliver's Gershwin medley was climactic, but the finale of every Oliver Jones show has been an anthem, Oscar's heart-lifting "Hymn to Freedom."
Christine Jensen, an always imaginative composer and arranger, fronted the big band for the show's other half (There's always a battle of the bands at the end of FIJM). This year's battle pitted the Glenn Miller band against the Cab Calloway band (I think there'd be a helluva "take no prisoners" jazz showdown if Christine's band battled the Maria Schneider band). Oliver and the big band played hiply-arranged standards: "The Way You Look Tonight," and "Swinging on a Star," a piece dedicated to Oliver's friend (and Montreal's jazz guru) Len Dobbin, more tunes (and memories) of Oscar, and a finale of Oliver's "Blues for Helene." "This is a true message," said Oliver before an encore of "Love Is Here To Stay."
I remember Oliver telling me that when he was a kid, he didn't play baseball; he listened at the window to Oscar practicing. I asked him at the farewell press conference if he'd ever regretted not playing baseball. "I'd have made more money," he said, but he's happy that he became a musician. "To play at home for you," he said to the audience that night, was his greatest joy.
FIJM 2016: Day 3 and 4
July 3, 2016. Posted by Michael Bourne.Add new comment | Filed under: FIJM, FIJM 2016, Jazz Alive
Yesterday, 7/1/16, was Canada Day. I didn't know. I rarely ever know at the Jazzfest. I've seen a photo of kids at a parade yesterday in Montreal, kids and grown-ups with red maple leaves inked on their faces, but not around Place des Arts. Around midnight, after an encore at the Gesu, Charlie Hunter wished everyone a happy Canada Day, but I heard no one in the happy audience cheer. Or even react. I've been to Montreal several years on Quebec Day. Everything was shut down, including much of the Jazzfest. Yes, the folks I know at the Jazzfest acknowledge that they're Canadian. Economically at least. Politically, more or less. But in their hearts, they're Quebecois.
One trouble about being a Canadian musician is that it's difficult, sometimes impossible, and always absurd that there's so much red tape across the 49th parallel. American musicians can come play in Canada relatively easily, but the governments on both sides of the national border often confound Canadian musicians from playing in the United States. Work permits can be a bureaucratic nuisance. And traveling down can cost more money than a gig is worth. It's a shame, really.
I've heard so many wonderful Canadian (and especially Quebecois) artists at the Jazzfest. One of my favorites played the festival this year with her big band. Lorraine Desmarais at the piano can be romantic, melancholic, purely melodic, or down to earth and swinging. I love the most when she's so swept up in the music that she leaps to her feet as if catapulted by the groove. When last at the festival, she played solo at the Gesu, a concert of musical portraits she's composed. I especially remember her portrait of an Argentine who taught Lorraine how to tango. An apparently quite sexy Argentine. And this year's big band show at L'Astral was all about "Danses Danzas Dances" (title of her newest album).
Each of her tunes was composed on and around the rhythm of a dance. And all of the rhythms jumped. Even a bossa nova became head-snappingly swinging. And a tune just called "Tango" was heart-pumpingly sexy. One other highlight featured the trombone section like a heavenly choir floating across Lorraine's piano. What's as great about her big band music is the big band playing her music, a Who's Who of the Montreal jazz scene. Lorraine herself was honored in 2002 with the festival's Oscar Peterson Award (for the best of Canadian jazz), and so were two cats in her big band: trumpeter/flugelhornist Ron DiLauro in 2014 and alto/soprano saxist Jean-Pierre Zanella in 2011. Also spotlighted was carnivorous tenor saxist Andre Leroux, and, really, Lorraine spotlights them all. Lorraine's concerts always have been highlights for me at the festival, especially this year enjoying so much Lorraine Desmarais dancing!
If one counts every musical event in a day, 44 happened on Day 3. I attended five, including Joey Alexander at the Monument-National. I was, like everyone, flabbergasted by Joey's playing on the album and at the WBGO gala, but Joey's trio gig in Montreal was my first time seeing and hearing him play a concert. And jeez, he's really good as all the fuss about his being a child, even better in his trio with bassist Dan Chmielinski and drummer Kyle Poole. Yes, he's got chops, but beyond the phenomenal physical technique of his playing, is what and how much he's playing. Coltrane's "Resolution" just for starters. Monk's "I Mean You" as an encore. The dynamics. The give-and-take of the group's interplay. The little twists and turns of counterpoints. And he knows how to thrill a sold-out audience. I only wonder if Joey Alexander can be as good or even greater when he's as grown up as the audience cheering him in Montreal.
I always want to end a day at FIJM with whoever is playing at the Gesu -- a performing arts center in the Jesuit church on Bleury, the block next to Place des Arts. Every evening at 10:30 groups play in the Salle de Gesu, literally the Room of Jesus, and almost always the groups are what I call "very Montreal" -- meaning unusual, surprising, shocking once in a while, always compelling, and different, like the very festival that the "Jazz Dans La Nuit" concerts conclude each evening.
The Charlie Hunter Trio is indeed typical of the groups who play the Jesus Room, which is to say not typical musically at all. Charlie on guitar, with Bobby Previte on the drums and Allan Ferber on trombone. "We make it up," said Charlie of the music they'd play. Certainly tunes they play on the album Let The Bells Ring On, but mostly Charlie looked at Bobby, mostly laughing as he scatted a tune or a shard of groove, and they'd take off. Bobby Previte played the tunes at the drums sometimes more than Charlie's guitar. I've often thought tap-dancers were virtual drummers with their feet, but Bobby drums like a dancer. Mostly fleet-ly. Even dervish-y. And all the while, Ferber's trombone was like a voice singing in and around the definitively "catchy" tunes. Charlie was singing at the climax, or laughing more than singing the Freddy King blues "I'm Tore Down." I've ended many a night at the Jazzfest in the Jesus Room, but rarely so happily as the Charlie Hunter Trio.
WBGO Airs Two Tributes to Prince This Weekend
April 22, 2016. Posted by Brandy Wood.
WBGO remembers The Purple One, The Artist – Prince - with two tribute programs this weekend, Saturday on Rhythm Revue with Felix Hernandez (10AM-2PM) and Sunday on The Checkout (7-8PM).
In describing Prince's influence, Rhythm Revue host Hernandez said, "The impact of Prince's artistry on popular music is immeasurable. Early in his career, Prince blurred the lines between rock and R&B at a time when the divide between the genres seemed ever widening. He earned the respect and praise of musicians from every field, to say nothing of critics and the public, with sales of over one hundred million recordings to his credit. Like his genre-bending predecessors Jimi Hendrix, Miles Davis, David Bowie, to mention a few, Prince brought together elements of all types of music to create art that was always fresh, daring and popular, a rare accomplishment."
This Sunday at 7PM, The Checkout will pay tribute to Prince, by featuring a variety of jazz artists performing Prince's music, as well as presenting an interview with Thelonious Monk Institute Award winning bassist Ben Williams. In December, Williams presented a program of new arrangements of Prince songs at Harlem Stage. Williams discovered Prince as a kid by way of the very adult film Purple Rain. On Sunday's episode, he tells that story plus shares one of his favorite Prince compositions.


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Student Services
and Registrar
- Academic Information
- Registrar
- Hooding
Welcome Class of 2019!
Orientation for the Class of 2019 will be held August 17-19 in Drinko Hall.
The Orientation Schedule is posted here
During the course of the summer, we encourage you to visit the orientation web site often to obtain the latest regarding the schedule of events and other pertinent information. In addition, please take a moment to visit other related sites on the right, as most of these links will provide you with answers to commonly asked questions.
However, as always, please do not hesitate to contact Angela Henderson, 614-688-4359, Student Service Coordinator, if you need additional assistance.
Again, welcome to the Moritz College of Law at The Ohio State University. We look forward to seeing you in August!

subset: commoncrawl


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Garza said he received many email messages about the situation at the city pound, most of which were from out of state.
The department's annual budget of $71,000 doesn't go far, Garza explained. At one time dog and cat food was donated, but now it is an expense paid by the city.
"Providing food is a basic need," Garza said. "City employees should never hesitate to go to Walmart and get these animals food. Without question, that has to be done."
Garza said he has made it clear to city employees that dog and cat food is to be purchased whenever needed.
Veterinary care for animals in the facility, has never really been an option, due to the financial limitations of the department's budget, Garza said. The animals are almost always in poor health, and vet bills can become extremely expensive very quickly. Garza said the animals aren't bathed at this time, either, due to the limitations of the department.
The issue of vet care will be considered by the city council during their June 10 meeting, Garza said. The agenda for the meeting includes an agenda item for a city manager's report on the incident and recommendations, as well as possible discussion and action on the item.
"It (vet care) is really not part of the budget," Garza said. "It is unfortunate that it is not. If we do pick them up and take them in to be examined... how far do we go?"
The other consideration is the euthanasia and disposal of animals that are not claimed or adopted. While some are adopted, Garza said the majority are eventually euthanized.
The city at one time used a gas chamber for this purpose, but changes in state law now require euthanasia by injection administered by the city's animal control officer.
State law requires that the department hold the animals for a minimum of 72 hours, but according to Garza, the animals typically stay in the city's facility much longer than that, and euthanasia is only used a last resort when space in the pens at the facility becomes limited, or when it is the most humane option as determined by the animal control officer.
"We do meet all the state requirements," Garza said. "As a matter of fact, the state just came through unannounced in February and we passed with great reviews. We met all the requirements."
Garza wants the city's animal control department to go above and beyond the minimum state requirements, however, and he said he would support increased funding for the department during the upcoming budget process. He hopes to improve training opportunities for the city's animal control officer and employ an officer who is able and willing to give full time and attention to the department. Currently, the city's officer splits his time between animal control and duties working with the city's building permits department.
"We are definitely not experts on this issue," Garza said, adding that he was open to any suggestions from anyone. "A lot of people who emailed me, they are outraged. Being that they are very passionate about it, I know that they know exactly how it should be run, and we don't know what they know. We need them on our side."
Garza said he has been trying for a while to find a full time animal control officer, but so far has been unable to fill the position with someone who has the drive and passion to run the department in the best way possible. He is hopeful that soon a highly qualified person can be hired by the city to run the department.
"There will definitely be consideration of increasing that budget," Garza said. "I'm still looking for that person that wants to contract out, or someone who can come in so that we can do it right this time. We are pretty much putting our budget together now, and now would be a good time to have a person come in."
Volunteers are also encouraged, Garza said, and these efforts are moving forward, especially over the past few weeks.
A donation box has been set up at Dynasty Enterprises, located at 105 S. Sunset Strip in Kenedy, for donations of food, treats, toys, cleaning supplies, blankets or other items. The items, once dropped off, will then be delivered to the city's animal control facility for use at the facility.
A Facebook page titled "Kenedy Animal Shelter Dogs" was set up May 25, and photos of dogs at the facility are posted there along with information about how to adopt the dogs in the facility. The page has already received 2,045 "likes" since it was started.
See www.facebook.com/kenedyanimalshelter for more information and details.


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Thursday, Apr 25, 2013
UTMB/CMC staff and physicians work wonders for victims around the state
True to form, UTMB staff and physicians have once again gone "above and beyond" to provide extraordinary care for patients in the midst of extraordinary circumstances. Members of our UTMB family responded valiantly this week to help those wounded in the fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas and in a refinery fire in Beaumont.
Two of our Correctional Managed Care nurses, Stefanie Woosley and Katherine Vrba, who work and live in the West area, were part of the first responder team for the fertilizer plant explosion, working triage through the night of Wednesday, April 17.
That same day, seven victims from a fire at a Beaumont refinery were brought to UTMB's Galveston campus — four in critical condition, three in serious condition. Throughout that afternoon and evening, our physicians and staff worked tirelessly to ensure these patients received the best possible care.
I'd like to share an inspiring account of just some of the amazing "above and beyond'' efforts of our UTMB family, as related by Clinical Operations Administrator Christina Myers, who was on duty when these patients arrived.
"Most days, we are challenged with many incoming admissions. Some are planned and others are unexpected. Wednesday we were asked to take on the care of seven unexpected patients needing our expertise and help. While this is not the first time we have joined together and faced a busy day, Wednesday deserved special recognition. I just wanted to take a moment to extend my thanks and respect to several areas/individuals who were shining stars in this week's success. Thank you to:
· Carrla Ellyson and the TDCJ ICU staff who, despite unexpected admissions of their own, somehow found a way to accept a patient from the burn unit at a moment's notice. Their willingness to accommodate this extra patient ensured we had an available bed in the burn unit. Also I must thank Oyebamiji Adebayo and Diane Fontenot in TDC bed placement for their assistance with patient movement. Their work was pivotal in making the necessary moves despite their already busy workload.
· The ER staff who worked tirelessly in their provision of care in the ER and coordinated with me to determine placement needs and arrival times. I could not have asked for a better outcome than the flow that happened with each of the incoming patients. Their work, as always, was exceptional.
· The SICU staff, including Lee Alviza who quickly moved patients to accommodate overflow Blocker Burn Unit ICU needs, rapid response admissions and numerous OR admissions. Their willingness and ability to handle their patient needs and flow never ceases to astound me.
· Susan Court and the MICU staff, who rearranged assignments and floated to assist other ICUs with additional admissions. Their actions reminded me that despite unit boundaries, we are all one under the UTMB team umbrella. I must also extend a special thank you to Susan Court and Bennie Victor who offered assistance to the Blocker Burn Unit and the SICU during the busiest of times.
· Brenda K. Mears and the housekeeping staff who coordinated all the bed cleans to ensure the rooms were ready for the arrival of our new patients.
· The Respiratory Department who assisted in transport, vent set ups, and even room preparation.
· The 7C staff who efficiently expedited discharges and accepted multiple admissions at the same time from the ER, BBU, OR and the clinics to ensure all our patients' needs were met.
· Patient Placement Center— need I say more! Every time I stand in the PPC for one moment, I am amazed at the job these employees do. Wednesday was a true testament to their abilities.
· Finally to the Blocker Burn Unit and nurse manager Jamie Heffernan; Jamie has always been an exceptional individual in her ability to change hats. In the past she has assisted the unit, no matter the hour, to ensure her patients received needed care. Wednesday, she rallied her team and worked side by side with her staff to tub each patient as soon as they were cleared through the ER. There was not a single patient delayed in receiving care. I am simply unable to find the words to properly applaud the burn team. Please know they each have my admiration and respect.
I know this list is long and I am certain there were others I failed to mention. While I am always proud to work at UTMB, Wednesday reminded me how truly blessed I am to work here—with exceptional individuals who put our patients first. To each of you, please accept my most sincere thanks for the work you do and the performance you gave. Many more than the seven patients I referenced benefitted from your care. You were each shining examples of UTMB and the care we provide."
On behalf of our entire UTMB community, I want to express heartfelt thanks to everyone who provided extraordinary service to people in need during particularly challenging situations on our Galveston campus and in West, Texas. We know there are many more examples of amazing patient care that occurred that day — and that occur every day — which is why each of us can take immense pride in being part of this outstanding institution.
David L. Callender
Office of the President
409.772.5064 fax
Suite 6.100 Administration Bldg.
301 University Blvd.
Galveston, Texas 77555-0129
UTMB Virtual Tour
UTMB Maps & Directions


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WVWC group plans fundraisers
West Virginia Wesleyan College's Enactus, formerly Students in Free Enterprise, will host a pancake breakfast at C.J. Maggie's in Buckhannon from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday.
This fundraiser is to help deflect the cost of the team's participation in the National Competition in Kansas City, Mo., on May 21-23. The team was chosen to attend the competition after they won the regional competition in Baltimore, Md., by presenting the highlights of this year's projects.
The students of Enactus have also assembled nine baskets for raffle, with themes spanning from the Pittsburgh Pirates, to Couples' Night, to Fair Trade or Movie Night. These baskets will be on display during the Strawberry Festival at the First Presbyterian Church on Route 20. Tickets can be purchased from any Enactus member, at the pancake breakfast, or at the Festival.
For more information on Enactus or its fundraisers, please contact advisors Dr. Tracie Dodson at email@example.com or Kelly Hughes at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Enactus is a student-driven organization with core values based in entrepreneurship, economic principles, environmental impact and financial literacy.
Throughout the year, students complete projects within the local communities aimed at meeting any and all of these objectives, with projects including: teaching social networking to fifth- and sixth-graders, assisting small businesses with the development of business and marketing plans, educating students of many ages about the importance of financial literacy, and helping individuals find employment to name a few. The Enactus organization focuses on encouraging entrepreneurial development and assisting those in need through education and skill development.


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Skip to comments.George Washington's Christmas 1776 (234 years ago, Tonight!)
Posted on 12/25/2010 8:01:51 PM PST by TheCause
The American Revolution was over. The United States of America was finished. The Continental Army was all but finished in December 1776 as the British and their Hessian (German) mercenary allies settled in for a long winter rest. In those days, it was customary that armies rest and refit in the winter months in preparation for the campaign seasons of spring and summer. And the British were all about custom and tradition.
No matter, thought the British. They saw little need to move directly against Washington's army and risk further casualties. The Continental Army was disintegrating. Unpaid, ill-equipped, cold, and hungry, soldiers in the Continental Army were deserting or walking away as soon as their enlistments expired. A few were even switching sides! In fact, at the civilian level, hundreds of American families were reaffirming their allegiance to King George III.
It appeared that New York and New Jersey would be firmly back under King George's "protection" within just a few months. They had already humiliated the Continentals out of New York, inflicting heavy damage on Washington's army. There was no reason for the British to mess up their Christmas in 1776. Everything was going their way.
On the American side, despair and hopelessness were the order of the day. The situation was worse than grim. The American cause was all but over. Except for one man, that is - a man who refused to give up. George Washington was the "Rocky" of the American Revolution. In spite of countless setbacks and up against incredible odds, Washington never threw in the towel. He never gave up. And his legendary perserverance was on full display in Chrstmas 1776.
(Excerpt) Read more at associatedcontent.com ...
On Christmas night 1776, General George Washington led the rag-tag Continental Army across the Delaware River to attack the Hessian outpost at Trenton, New Jersey. Two Continental Army soldiers froze to death on the long trek to Trenton after crossing the icy Delaware. Three of Washington's detached units never made it across the Delaware. When word reached him that the muskets were unlikely to fire due to the inclement weather, he told his officers to "use the bayonet." He was absolutely "resolved to take Trenton." Nothing would stand in his way!
The morning of December 26, 1776, as the Hessians were rising for a new day, they were startled by an attack by Washington's forces on the town. Two Americans were wounded in the attack, including future President James Monroe. The Hessians suffered numerous casualties and most of the Hessian garrison was forced to surrender. Johann Raul, the Hessian commander, was mortally wounded before surrendering.
It was a brilliant victory for George Washington - and a tremendous morale boost for the Americans. Within a few days, Washington followed up his victory with another at Princeton, and then quartered his troops at Morristown. The British were forced to redeploy in a way that gave up most of New Jersey and limited their reach in New York. It was a masterful campaign that stabilized the American Revolution and made victory possible.
And it was all due to George Washington. So, this Christmas, remember Washington and the greatest Christmas present he ever gave the United States. The gift of hope. The gift of victory. The gift of America.
IF Washington was Rocky, then here is George fighing the enemy!
Here he is kickin' arse on Christmas day!
Long LIVE GEORGE WASHINGTON!
Not available on DVD, but the mini series Washington with Barry Bostwick was excellent. See
A clarion call from the past that addresses the present crop of dreck roaming the halls of the DC Capitol.
Trenton and Washington's Crossing is about 45 minutes west of where I live. Go there often.
I wonder what today's NY Times would say about Washington's 1776 sneak attack if they were reporting on it live.
I can just see Geraldo scratching out the battle plans in the snow.
Though without a doubt our greatest president, the left tries to trash him.
I saw a pathetic attempt to trash him on the Biography channel.
They said he lied, was devious in his war strategy, married for money, and on and on. Absolutely pathetic.
Something from this painting for Freepers to know— it documents the ice pack that was on the river at the time— it was beginning to ice over.The Delaware river has not had ice floes in it since this time of Washington. In the global warming crowd they neglect to note that at the time of the Revolution the future US was in a mini ice age.
Valley Forge was terribly cold for winter quarters, and the story of soldiers freezing to death was quite terrible and real.
Two recommended books on George Washington:
Washington's Crossing by David Hackett Fischer.
Washington - A life by Ron Chernow.
The first covers pivotal parts of the war years. The second is a complete biography.
Love it! My husband got me that print for Christmas, can't wait to hang it.
I just heard today that there is a reenactment of the crossing every year. People can apply to be in the boat.
The Crossing was surprisingly well done movie. The attack on Trenton was probably the most emotional scene. I have to admit Jeff Daniels did a good job portraying Washington.
wow, what a man!
We cheated.
"An Englishman is the unfittest person on earth to argue another Englishman into slavery." Edmund Burke 22 March, 1775.
The Delaware river has not had ice floes in it since this time of Washington.
If I remember my art history, the painting was done in Germany as a study of floating ice. The American flag was not designed or used at that time, but who cares! It is a great painting!
That re-enactment was last night, then, wasn't it? And in a blizzard this time around.
Yes, we met some tourists in Princeton who were heading over. The blizzard hadn't really struck yet last night. It's here now, though.
I care not if he pursued the widow Custis for her extensive fortune. Her acceptance gave George the private fortune which enabled him to pursue his military and political career.
Just finished PICTORAL LIFE OF GEORGE WASHINGTON. I recommend it. Turn off the TV and read.
Oh... New Jersey...
I'm sorry.
Ping. I think you posted this earlier but your not on this thread.
Thank you so much for posting this. We need to be reminded often of the sacrifices that were made for us. Humbly thanking God for men like these.
And I am so glad that the post stayed up, as I was not able to get in too much FR time over the Christmas holidays.
God bless.
I really enjoyed the Bostwick series, as well, but I remember being very much put off by the implication portrayed therein that he was carrying on with a woman other than Martha.
I suppose you have witnessed the re-enactment of the Crossing of the Delaware. I would love to see it.
No I regret I haven't. However years ago when I used to go out to Washington's Crossing, Pa. my wife and I always took in the displays of the muskets and other weaponry. There were authentic Brown Bess's and other types of muskets as well as pistols and sabers. Then about 14 years ago these displays were first shunted off to a far corner of the museum and then soon they were gone completley, under the guise of ''renovation''. They haven't returned since. However to NJ's credit The Trenton Barracks were renovated some years ago. New Jersey, northern New Jersey particularly abounds in Revolutionary as well as Pre-Revolutionary history.
Well, I think the issue was whether Washington was "carrying on" with Sally Fairfax, who was a married woman at the time. Washington's friendship with Fairfax predated his courtship of Martha. Without a doubt, Washington and Fairfax were good friends, and there's nothing wrong with that. Were they more than good friends? Who knows. But Fairfax and her family returned to England, and that was the end of that. I thought the TV series presented the friendship well. It was the promoters of the series that tried to make a scandal of it for the purpose of ratings.
No one would seriously suggest that Washington was not faithful to Martha once the courtship began.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.


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BLACKWATER DRAW — Several veterans are nursing injuries during Eastern New Mexico University's spring football drills, but coach Bud Elliott and his staff aren't too concerned.
It just gives them more opportunity to look at less experienced players.
The Greyhounds, who have been practicing for three weeks, had an intrasquad scrimmage Saturday morning at Greyhound Stadium, lasting roughly two hours. Originally scheduled for Sunday, the game was moved up to allow players to get an early start this week's spring break.
ENMU, with just over 80 players currently working out, resumes practice next week, capped by the annual Green-and-Silver game at 2 p.m. on April 4 at the stadium.
Linebacker Jordan Lambert (concussion), fullback Sukora Cooper (concussion), split end Derrick Hunter (torn ligaments) and guard Robert Ocuna (hamstring) are currently out due to injury. Elliott said all except Lambert, who has missed the entire spring session, may be back for the final week.
As a result, younger players are getting a few more reps in practice.
"We've got some youngsters who are beginning to make progress, and we're excited about that," Elliott said Sunday. "We were really pleased (with Saturday's scrimmage); the offense didn't have a turnover. Defensively, we're adding some schemes that I think will give us a chance to play better pass defense."
Elliott said the scrimmage consisted of slightly more than 80 plays. The team also worked on some live punt, punt return and kickoff return specialties.
The Hounds have some younger defensive linemen making strides, Elliott said, adding that there should be good competition at the running back and quarterback positions.
Returning starter Steve Hinson, who will be a senior, has done well in the spring at QB, Elliott said. Hinson is getting a battle from redshirt freshman Michael Benton, who went 29-1 as a starter in leading Everman to back-to-back Texas Class 3A state championships.
Benton also played point guard on the Bulldogs' state champion basketball team as a senior, Elliott said.
The team has been practicing on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during the spring to accommodate several pre-med students on the squad who have afternoon classes, Elliott said.


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Call of Duty: World at War Videos
Displaying 1–15 of 27 videos
X-List: Top 5 Heroic Soldiers In Games
Adam Sessler and Morgan Webb count down the top 5 most heroic soldiers in video games.
COD XP "Voices of Call of Duty" Panel Video
Find out what goes into bringing your favorite Call of Duty characters to life as voice actors Troy Baker, James Burns, William Fichtner, Billy Murray, Nolan North, and Michael Rooker take to the...
Mr. Sark's Top Five Shooters of All Time
Mr. Sark wants you to know what his Top 5 favorite shooters are, including 'Team Fortress,' 'Battlefield,' 'Ghost Recon,' 'Call of Duty,' and, of course, 'Halo.'
G-Phoria '09: Best Shooter
Adam Sessler and Morgan Webb present the G-Phoria '09 award for Best Shooter. Nominees include 'Call of Duty: World at War,' 'Killzone 2,' 'Gears of War 2,' 'Left 4 Dead,' and 'Resistance 2.'
Will Work For Games: Call of Duty: World at War
In this edition of Will Work For Games, go behind the scenes at Treyarch the company behind 'Call of Duty: World at War' and meet their lead animator Jimmy Zielinski who talks about what his job...
Cheat: Call of Duty: World at War Death Cards
In this edition of Cheat, Kristin Adams gives you tips and tricks for gathering all the Death Card collectables in 'Call of Duty: World at War'.
Pro Tips With Tsquared: Call of Duty: World At War
Tsquared deviates from his normal 'Halo 3' tips to give us tips on getting hold of decent weapons and staying alive with garbage ones in 'Call of Duty: World At War.'
Gaming Update 1.13.09
Sony's posting a loss, and perhaps cutting the price of their big PS3, 'Call of Duty' is heating up the XBox Live charts, Knothole Island for 'Fable 2' is finally here, and more news in today's...
Sessler's Soapbox: Adam Sessler's Crystal Ball
Adam guesses what will happen in the world of gaming in 2009.
Call of Duty: World at War Accolades
Treyarch/Activision wants you to know how their FPS was received by gaming industry for Call of Duty: World at War.
Face Time: The Legendary Todd McFarlane
Geek legend Todd McFarlane stops by the X-Play studios to talk to Morgan about his different video game inspired action figure lines, including 'Halo', 'Call of Duty' and 'Guitar Hero'.
X-Play Best of 2008: Best Shooter
Here are the nominees for and the winner of X-Play's Best Shooter for 2008.
Call of Duty: World at War Preview
Eliza goes behind the scenes with the Game Producer for World at War. This iteration introduces co-op for the first time into the series in four different ways.
Call of Duty: World at War Review
Find out if developer Treyarch's gambit to take the FPS back to a played out WWII setting pays off or not in the X-Play review for Call of Duty: World at War.
X-Play Gaming Update 11.10.08
Today's update projects delayed GTA IV DLC, LittleBigPlanet and Guitar Hero World Tour user-generated content gets moderated, Call of Duty developers Treyarch and Infinity Ward have some beef,...
Kanye West To Headline CoD XP
Call of Duty Trial May Move Forward
Next Shot Fired In Infinity Ward Suit
Beachhead Announced By Activision
EA Responds To Activision Claim
EA Added To Infinity Ward Suit
New Call of Duty: Black Ops Trailer
Over 20 Million COD Map Packs Sold
Sledgehammer's Call of Duty Is An FPS
Call of Duty URLs Point To The Future
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Pleat Neck Top
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- Slightly contoured stretch fit.
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Concerts on the Lawn Series
Sun, 16 Jun 2013 7:00 PM
7 p.m.
JMU Sculpture Garden located between the Music Building and Duke Hall (Rain location: Memorial Hall Auditorium)
Harrisonburg-Rockingham Concert Band, under the direction of Keith Hoodock, traditionally performs concert-in-the-park repertoire with marches, overtures and Broadway musicals. This year's performance will feature Broadway tunes, movie music, Americana music and Sousa marches. The band traces its lineage to the late 19th century; it took the form of a modern-day concert band in 1983.
Audience members are encouraged to bring picnic dinners and lawn chairs to the concerts. Parking is available between Duke Hall and Miller Hall, between the Forbes Center and Anthony-Seeger, and in the Warsaw Parking Deck. Sponsored by the College of Visual and Performing Arts. Free.


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Technical Papers
Technical Papers
Archives: Recent |
2015 SNUG Israel
Advanced CTS Balancing for Top Level Timing Closure
In this paper a different method is presented for closing interface timing between neighboring blocks using clock adjustment under PrimeTime, including clock tree design using special created cells. (SolvNet login required)
Yehuda Peled, EZchip Semiconductor Ltd.; Dror Rishin & Eddie Resizin, Synopsys Inc.
2014 SNUG Silicon Valley
A Pragmatic Approach to Layering Protocol Verification Using UVM
Layering protocols are modeled using layering structures that mirror the protocol layers. There are significant challenges in modeling verification components for layering protocols including reuse, scalability, controllability and observability. In this paper, a pragmatic approach using Universal Verification Methodology for layering protocol verification is presented to address these challenges.
Rahul Chauhan & Gurpreet Kaire, Broadcom Inc.; Ravindra Ganti & Subhranil Deb, Synopsys Inc.
2014 SNUG China
Using IC Compiler Custom Co-Design to Meet High-Speed DDR Timing Requirement (Mandarin)
For high-speed DDR design, how to manage skew between PHYAC/PHYDATX8 and SSTL I/O signals has become critical. This paper describes how to use IC Compiler Custom Co-Design to minimize signal skew to meet your design specification requirements.
Feng Xiang & Xiu-Yu Xu, China Glarun Technology; Zhun Cai, Synopsys Inc.
An Efficient Way of Optimizing Leakage Power Under MCMM (Mandarin)
For advanced processes below 65nm, chip designers face a huge challenge to reduce timing closure runtime while concurrently optimizing chip leakage power. This paper introduces an efficient way to dramatically speed timing closure and optimize leakage power using new PrimeTime ECO leakage fixing capability for MCMM-based analysis.
Xio-Fei Liu & Tian-Ming Yan, Suzhou CAS Integrate Circuit Design Center; Zhun Cai, Synopsys Inc.
2013 SNUG Silicon Valley
A Power-Centric Timing Optimization Flow for a Quad-Core ARM Cortex-A7 Processor
The ARM Cortex-A7 MPCore™ Processor - Introducing big.LITTLE™ Processing Implementation Optimization for big.LITTLE through ARM-Synopsys Collaboration
Bernard Ortiz de Montellano, ARM; Dale Lomelino, Synopsys
Engineering Trade-offs in the Implementation of a High Performance ARM® Cortex™-A15 Dual Core Processor
The ARM® Cortex™-A15 MPCore™ Processor - Implementation Optimization for the "big" core in a big.LITTLE SoC
Bernard Ortiz de Montellano, ARM; Joe Walston, Synopsys
2013 SNUG France
Concurrent Top and Blocks Level Implementation of a High Performance Graphics Core Using One-Pass Timing Closure in Synopsys IC Compiler
Implementing a High Performance Graphics Core with complex low-power features and several operating points in an advanced design node (28nm FDSOI) challenges the traditional Place and Route flow. Adding a very short schedule and improving the resource utilization for the execution of this multi-millions instances design through a Hierarchical Physical Implementation is asking for an innovative one pass timing closure flow. This article will describe how, using IC Compiler (ICC) through a top-down approach and concurrent top and blocks implementation methodology, the target frequency, the power constraints and the schedule can be achieved successfully. From the Design Planning stage to the Signoff, we will tackle the following aspects in ICC: usage of Black-Boxes for early Design Planning, Budgeting and advanced Placement and Optimization, targeting PrimeTime SI Signoff for final ECO, with specific considerations on the SDC blocks budgets and QTM models handling.
Corine Pulvermuller & Julien Guillemain, STMicroelectronics
2012 SNUG Silicon Valley
Slow Dancing with Memories - Sometimes it's Harder to go Slow
Usually we try to make FPGA rapid prototyping run as fast as possible, but sometimes it needs to go slow, and sometimes this can be a real problem. For a design that is supposed to run at 800 MHz and supposed to interface with SDRAM at 667 MHz, to run in an FPGA at 25 MHz and interface with memory at 50 MHz, seems impossible. But, it can be done! This paper presents a cookbook approach to making it work and includes a simple reference design that proves it is possible.
Manoj Agarwal & David Castle, SanDisk
2011 SNUG Europe
CHIPS and iPEAS: It's not Mushy
Drawing on many years of SoC design experience and more than 50 tape-outs from Synopsys Professional Services this paper describes these challenges, their solutions and what to look out for when selecting and designing with IP.
Jon Young, Synopsys Professional Services
2011 VLSI Design
Design methodologies and techniques for production low power SOC designs
Dynamic Voltage Frequency Scaling; Power-gating design; Production low-power SOC implementation; Power intent definitions through UPF; Production low-power design environment; Summary
Dr. Kaijian Shi
Selection and Integration of a Signal Processing Package for a SystemVerilog/VMM Verification Environment
A SystemVerilog/VMM verification environment for a DSP based SOC is described. This environment uses an open source C++ library for signal processing functions. The criteria used for selecting the verification environment architecture is detailed. The environment implementation, merits and tradeoffs are discussed.
Matt Spaethe, Motorola Inc., Wes Kirk, Motorola Inc., Ron Shipp, Synopsys Inc.
Low-power SOC implementation: What you need to know
Dynamic Voltage Frequency Scaling; Power-gating design; Production low-power SOC implementation; Power intent definitions through UPF; Production low-power design environment; Summary
Dr. Kaijian Shi, Synopsys Professional Services
Implementation Methodology for Dual-Mode GPS Receiver
GPS functionality has been synonymous with in-car navigation but has recently emerged as a must-have feature in recent cellphones such as the Apple iPhone, Blackberry Pearl and Nokia N95. These are examples of embedded positioning, capable of enabling features and functionality in a wide range of additional portable electronics such as digital cameras, watches and media players.
Tom Ryan, Synopsys Professional Services; Jon Young, Synopsys Professional Services; Chris Atkinson, Synopsys Professional Services; David Tester, CTO, Air.
2009 DesignCon
Power Gating Design Tradeoffs and Considerations In Production Low-Power Designs
This paper explains in details various overheads and tradeoffs in the power-gating designs. It also provides design considerations and guidelines for production power-gating design based on extensive power-gating design experience and in-depth understanding of the nature of the power-gating design.
Kaijin Shi, Synopsys Professional Services; David Flynn, ARM, Ltd.
2008 SNUG San Jose
Implementing Multi-VDD Designs with DCT and ICC
Consumer electronics is a key driver for many IC designs today. There are several different techniques available to help reduce an IC's power consumption including – Multi-VT libraries, advance CTS techniques such as clock gating and FF clustering, dynamic power reduction algorithms that are built in to EDA tools, and multi-voltage design (MVDD). This paper explores these power reduction techniques and how to apply them using specific flow, tool and methodology examples.
Chad Gamble, Synopsys Professional Services
Randomized Testbench Development, a Case Study in USB
USB devices contain mandatory functionality as specified by the USB specification and up to sixteen bidirectional data pipes. USB hubs repeat traffic and allow up to 127 devices to be connected in a single tree. Complete USB trees are difficult to test because of the large state space and the inter-dependent data relationships.
Jason Remple, Broadcom Denis Bussaglia, Synopsys Professional Services Frederic Krampac, Synopsys Professional Services
2007 SNUG San Jose
Physical Design and Timing Challenges of a Serial PHY
In recent years, high-speed serial links (SERDES) have become popular. In the personal computer market, examples include PCI-Express (2.5Gbps) and SATA 2 (1.5-3Gbps). Furthermore, XAUI (3.125Gps) has gained popularity as an ASIC interface. This chapter covers the physical layer, multi-protocol IP (PHY) that handles the aforementioned protocols. While the analog physical design was challenging, so too was the digital physical design. Select digital physical design and timing closure techniques are covered in this chapter. These techniques give insight into challenges faced by a PHY IP provider to develop a high-performance and configurable PHY.
Ken Umino, Synopsys Professional Services Steve Everley, Everley Consulting Ross Segelken, Synopsys Jason Upton, Synopsys John Stonick, Synopsys
Core Based Test using Scan Compression and Core Isolation
Scaling technology and increasing design size are continued to pose challenge for test. Test data volume and power consumption (IR drop and dynamic power) during test have made it impossible to test the whole design at once. One of the most effective ways to address the issue is to use "divide and conquer" approach. A core based test strategy with scan compression (DFTMAX) technique is presented to overcome the test data volume and the power consumption during test concerns. To cater to various test needs (multi-site testing, chip-level integration etc.), multi-mode test architecture is implemented.
Sandeep Kaushik, Synopsys Professional Services Paul Policke, Qualcomm
Decoupling Capacitance Estimation, Implementation and Verification: A Practical Approach for Deep Submicron SoCs
The problem of dynamic variations in supply voltage and the related impact on chip performance is a major issue facing today's DSM SoC design teams. Through careful design of the power supply network, correct chip functionality can be ensured.
David Stringfellow, Synopsys Professional Services John Pedicone, Synopsys Professional Services
Advantages of Driving DDR Interface Logic at 2x the DDR Clock versus 1x the DDR Clock
Double data rate (DDR) designs have become common in many interfaces and many ASICs. DDR uses both edges of a clock to transfer data so that it has twice the throughput of a single data rate (SDR) application at the same frequency. In a 1x clock DDR design, the clock driving the interface logic and the DDR clock are the same frequency, while with 2x clock DDR the clocking is twice the DDR clock. This paper covers the compares the designs, timing constraints, and timing differences of real design examples, and shows that 2x clock DDR has significant advantages.
Ken Umino, Synopsys Professional Services Pete Thoeming, Thomson Silicon Components
Applying CRV to Microprocessor Verification
Many processors have been and continue to be verified using directed tests. As processors become increasingly complex, language features such as the SystemVerilog random sequence generator have helped verification engineers to create random instruction sequences to improve the quality of the stimulus, but they are procedural and do not take full advantage of object-based randomization using constraints.
Jason Chen, Synopsys Professional Services
2007 SNUG Boston
Hold Me Please! How to Fix Post-Route Hold Violations Quickly and Easily Using Distributed Multi-Scenario Analysis
Creating an ECO to fix hold violations can be time-consuming. If a designer tries to determine interactively the changes required, they must first define the changes for one PVT corner, then confirm that the changes do not create new setup or hold violations in other corners. If there are multiple timing modes, all timing modes must be checked as well to confirm that no new violations arise. If a violation shows up in another corner or mode, the change must be updated and verified for all scenarios again.
Dwight Galbi, Analog Devices, Inc.; Beth Herman, Synopsys Professional Services; Brandon Waldo, Synopsys Professional Services; Mike Castellano, Synopsys Professional Services; Christopher Papdemetrious, Synopsys, Inc.
Finding A Tricky IP Bug with SystemVerilog Assertions (A Real World Example)
There are many SVA tutorials and getting started papers, but this is the real thing, successfully using SystemVerilog Assertions to find a bug in third-party IP and helping the designer fix the problem. This paper shows how Synopsys Professional Services proved that a data-corruption problem in a bus-to-bus bridge IP—that plagued us while verifying a complex SOC—was a real bug. It presents the SVA used to pinpoint the bug and report it to the vendor, which resulted in a very quick fix. And, it introduces the concepts, so you can do the same thing.
David E. Castle, Synopsys Professional Services Paul McGaugh, Broad Reach Engineering, Inc.
IR-drop analysis of a UDSM complex power-gating design
Full chip static and dynamic IR-drop analysis becomes a signoff necessity for power integrity of ultra-deep sub-micron (UDSM) technology based designs such as 65nm and below. There are various challenges in the IR-drop analysis at chip level due to the size of the design and the complexities in dealing with various design components such as soft and hard macros.
Kaijian Shi, Synopsys Professional Services Julio C. Hernandez, Synopsys Professional Services Michael Allen, Analog Devices, Inc. Dwight Galbi, Analog Devices, Inc. Joe Geisler, Analog Devices, Inc.
Multiphase Flow for Meeting Metal Density and Gradient Requirements at 65nm
In this paper we will describe a three phase flow that was developed by ADI and Synopsys Professional Services to satisfy 65nm metal density and metal density gradient requirements with minimal impact on timing. The first phase consists of a three-pass flow using IC compiler with different polygon and timing parameters used to fill the chip core area. The second phase is a Hercules based OD and POLY fill across the full chip and metal fill only over the pad ring. The third phase is a multi-pass, area-based run to address specific metal density gradient design rule violations reported by Hercules DRC.
Jim Dodrill, Analog Devices Inc.; Dwight Galbi, Analog Devices Inc.; Moheb Basta, Synopsys Professional Services; Mike Castellano, Synopsys Professional Services
Advanced Low Power, Multi-Supply Implementation Techniques for 65nm and Beyond using DCT and ICC
Designing low-power ASICs in the nanometer era using 65nm and beyond can be complex. With leakage power becoming more dominant as the process technology shrinks, more methods to reduce idle power need to be used. Multi-supply designs with power-down blocks allow for large reductions in leakage power with the trade-off of design complexity.
Dwight Galbi, Analog Devices, Inc. Brandon Waldo, Synopsys Professional Services
2007 Radiation Hardened Electronics Technology (RHET)
Designing Advanced ASIC's with Synopsys Design Tool Suite
Synopsys Professional Services' experienced design consultants are at the fore-front of design, as evidenced by their contribution to these published Technical Papers and Presentations. Our objective is to share these papers with our customers and prospective customers in order to help achieve success on their own projects.
Rick Hayden, Synopsys Professional Services
2007 IEEE SoC
A Wakeup Rush Current and Charge-up Time Analysis Method for Programmable Power Gating Designs
Programmable power-gating structure is often implemented in advance low-power designs where switch cells are connected into a number of separate daisy chains which can be configured into a trickle charge chain and a main chain. The main chain can also be programmed with desired turn-on time to achieve short charge-up time while meeting max rush current constraints during wakeup.
Kaijin Shi, Synopsys Professional Services Jingsong Li, Synopsys, Inc.
2007 DesignCon
Power Network Synthesis of Power Gating Designs
This paper describes a new power network synthesis method for power-gating designs where sleep transistors are implemented connecting permanent and virtual power networks. Differing from other methods, the new method addressed the requirements from industrial power-gating designs. In industrial power-gating designs, the sleep transistors are custom designed with a fixed size.
Kaijian Shi, Synopsys Professional Services Zhian Lin, Synopsys Yi-Min Jiang, Synopsys
Comparison of a 1x Clock DDR Design Versus a 2x Clock DDR Design
Double data rate (DDR) designs have become common in many interfaces and many ASICs. DDR uses both edges of a clock to transfer data so that it has twice the throughput of a single data rate (SDR) application at the same frequency. In a 1x clock DDR design, the clock driving the interface logic and the DDR clock are the same frequency. In a 2x clock DDR design, the clock driving the interface logic is twice the frequency of the DDR clock. This paper covers the comparison between a 1x clock DDR design versus a 2x clock DDR design.
Ken Umino, Synopsys Professional Services Peter Thoeming, Thomson Silicon Components
2006 The World Congress in Computer Science
PSeuDoFFIL: Power Saving Datapath FiFo Insertion Logic
A technique is described to dynamically limit power dissipation in heavily pipelined digital circuits. Stages in the pipeline are clock gated based upon validity of data at that stage. As the pipe approaches a stalled or inactive state, branches of the clock tree are progressively disabled stage by stage. The technique has the additional advantage of removing gaps or "bubbles" in the data streams, improving the latency of the system.
Josefina Hobbs, Synopsys Worldwide Application Services, John McCardle, ATI, John Lofgren, Synopsys Solutions Group
2006 SNUG San Jose
Integrating System Models into an RVM Environment
As designs increase with complexity, the state space in which designs must be verified has grown to a level that cannot be properly managed using directed methods. A constrained random approach that leverages RVM offers a method for providing a large amount of valid test cases that yield a high level of functional coverage.
Anand Acharya, Qualcomm Shaun Evans, Synopsys Professional Services
1.2 – 1.5 + M instances flat design for 0.13um process
This paper will highlight the benefits of using a flat design methodology for place and route. The technical challenges of a flat design methodology will be addressed on a 1.2 – 1.5 Million instances design in a .13um TSMC process. Using a flat design methodology might help to improve turn around time (TAT) and the quality of results (QOR) in the area of timing closure related to block sizing, cross-talk between blocks, and time budgeting in blocks.
Steve Doan, Synopsys Inc. Koshi Matsushita, Synopsys Inc. Chien-yeh Wu, Synopsys Inc. Srini Burugu, Synopsys Inc.
Automated FFT RTL creation using Verilog with Matlab and Perl
Digital signal processing often requires FFT signal processing. The variables are the mathematical precision, using either floating point or fixed point computations, and the number of FFT points required. The design can either be done flat with parallel FFT butterflies, or serially with a single butterfly, or in some cases a mix between a completely flat and serial butterfly using more than one butterfly but a subset of total butterflies.
Richard Hayden , Synopsys Professional Services Cole O'Berry, Synopsys Professional Services John Kuhns , Synopsys Professional Services
2006 SNUG Europe
Library Gotchas Guidelines to Physical Library Qualification
Have you ever closed timing in Physical Compiler only to realize that your timing is way off in Astro because the units defined in the plib did not match the units defined in Astro technology file? Did physical verification fail two days before the deadline causing you "tapeout frenzies" because the third party IP inside your block was not LVS/DRC clean? If you have experienced anything similar, you are not alone.
Lavanya Murugesan, Synopsys, Inc., Tamiko Yoneyama, Synopsys, Inc., Koshi Matsushita, Synopsys, Inc.
An efficient script-based RTL-to-GDSII flow using the Jupiter-XT - PC - Astro tool chain in 130 nm on a 350K-instance design
The integration of complex circuits on silicon has been known for long to require longer schedules than FPGA prototyping because of the complexity of silicon processes and the variations and inaccuracies to take into account. But with the most recent generation of physical implementation tools which ensure a better prediction and correlation between the successive design phases than before, it has now become feasible to integrate multi-million transistors circuits within an aggressive time frame.
Pierre-Marie Signe, Abilis Systems John Lofgren, Synopsys Professional Services, Synopys Inc.
SPIRIT-based IP Assembly and SDC promotion for a 65nm System-on-Chip using coreAssembler
To cope with the huge time-to-market pressure, every designer is looking at a "plug-and-play" solution to build complex System-on-Chips. One of the current challenges of such designs is to assemble quickly and consistently a high numbers of IPs around one or more on-chip-bus. Thanks to SPIRIT, Synopsys coreTools & ST Microelectronics design data structures, this process can be made much more efficient.
Sal Tiralongo, Synopsys Professional Services, Synopys Inc. Stephane Maulet, Synopsys Professional Services, Synopys Inc. Emanuele Irrera, Synopsys Professional Services, Synopys Inc.
Rectilinear Supply Mesh Insertion using JupiterXT Virtual Flat Flow
Building ARM's fastest and most power-efficient microprocessor required the use of multiple supply domains at the core level. ARM took advantage of the features within the Synopsys' JupiterXT Virtual Flat tool to partition the supply domains into rectilinear shapes for mesh insertion. While the design is still flat, the native functions for inserting supply on these rectilinear partitions are limited to a rectangular shape.
Abid M. Jindani, Synopsys Professional Services, Synopys Inc. Stephanie Miller, ARM Inc.
2006 SNUG Boston
Methodology to Analyze and Insert a Power Mesh Early in Design Cycle
An IC design engineer is often required to perform design related tasks early in the design phase before all necessary data is present. For example, a designer may be asked to explore power mesh design and analysis before all IP is procured or RTL is complete. The designer may have rough targets for die size, maximum power consumption, and maximum IR drop. Rather than wait, power mesh design and analysis could be started with this early data. This paper covers a methodology to analyze a power mesh using a dummy netlist consisting of 1000 buffers, and then proposes a procedure that inserts a power mesh properly aligned with the routing grid.
Joseph Schrand, Thomson Silicon Components Ken Umino, Synopsys Professional Services Evan Chen, Synopsys Professional Services
Technique for Optimizing IBM Power PC 440 Cache
In the IBM PowerPC 440 Core, both the setup and access paths of the cache SRAMs are in the critical path; but, depending on timing, one or the other is more critical. It is possible to balance the clock latency to these SRAMs—similar to latch time-borrowing—to minimize the negative slack on both the input and output paths. Choosing the appropriate clock latency for each SRAM is a very important step in this process.
David E. Castle, Synopsys Professional Services; Vijay Gullipalli, Synopsys Professional Services; Paul McGaugh, Broad Reach Engineering, Inc.
Automated Response Generation for IP Based Subsystem Verification
This paper describes a method for producing automated constrained random responses to write and read requests in support of functional verification of an IP based subsystem. This approach, as employed by Synopsys Professional Services, can reduce the overall effort expended on verification by enabling full use of constrained random verification techniques. This method yields high productivity by enabling test writers to focus on constrained random stimulus development rather than manually creating response scenarios.
Tony Ezell, Synopsys Professional Services
2006 IEEE VLSI-DAT Taiwan
Sleep Transistor Design and Implementation – Simple Concepts Yet Challenges To Be Optimum
Optimum sleep transistor design and implementation are critical to a successful power-gating design. This paper describes a number of critical considerations for the sleep transistor design and implementation including header or footer switch selection, sleep transistor distribution choices and sleep transistor gate length, width and body bias optimization for area, leakage and efficiency.
Kaijian Shi, Synopsys, Inc. David Howard ARM, Ltd.
Power-On Current Control In Sleep Transistor Implementations
Various current control techniques are described to limit current surge when sleep transistor are turned on to power a design. Advantages and disadvantages in the techniques are also discussed. The trade-off consideration on power-on latency adds more challenges in the current control in sleep transistor implementations which are addressed in the paper.
Kaijian Shi, Synopsys, Inc. David Howard ARM, Ltd.
2006 GSPx
Physical Design Techniques of a Multi-Protocol Serdes Phy
In recent years, high-speed serial links (SERDES) have become popular. In the personal computer market, examples include PCI-Express (2.5Gbps) and SATA (1.5-3Gbps). Furthermore, XAUI (3.125Gps) has gained popularity as an ASIC interface. This paper covers a physical layer, multi-protocol IP (PHY) that handles the aforementioned protocols.
Ken Umino, Synopsys Professional Services Jason Upton, Synopsys Ross Segelken, Synopsys John Stonick, Synopsys
2006 DesignCon
Back-End Methodology and Techniques for a Multi-Protocol Mixed Signal IP Design
ASIC I/Os have been evolving from relatively slow parallel interfaces to high-speed serial links. Examples include PCI to PCI Express (2.5Gbps), ATA to SATA (1.5-3Gbps), and SCSI to SAS (1.5-3Gbps). Additionally, the XAUI interface, which operates at 3.125Gb/s, has gained popularity as an ASIC interface. This evolution has created a difficult design problem for ASIC manufacturers that is increasingly being solved by purchasing rather than developing the required I/O IP.
Ken Umino, Synopsys Inc. Professional Services Jason Upton, Synopsys Inc. Solutions Group John Stonick, Synopsys Inc. Solutions Group Ross Segelken, Synopsys Inc. Solutions Group Bill Beale, Synopsys Inc. Solutions Group
Challenges in Sleep Transistor Design and Implementation in Low-Power Designs
Optimum power gating sleep transistor design and implementation are critical to a successful low-power design. This paper describes important considerations for the sleep transistor design and implementation including header or footer switch selection, sleep transistor distribution choices and sleep transistor gate length, width and body bias optimization for area, leakage and efficiency. It also investigated various power-on current rush control methods for the sleep transistor implementation.
Kaijian Shi, Synopsys Professional Services, David Howard, ARM Ltd.
Advanced CTS Balancing for Top Level Timing Closure
Delivering Functional Verification Engagements – A Proven, Systematic and Assured Approach
ARM and Synopsys Collaborate on ARM Cortex-A72 Processor-based SoCs with IC Compiler II
Mellanox Achieves First-Pass Silicon Success for 400 Gb/s Network Processor with Synopsys Solutions
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Editor: September is Children's Justice Center month, and I want to take the opportunity to thank residents of Wasatch County for their continued support of the CJC over these past 12 years. Over 1600 child interviews have been conducted at the center since opening. We have a highly trained multidisciplinary team of professionals that are determined and dedicated to serving victims of child abuse in our county. I am very proud and honored to be a part of this inspiring group and this supportive community.
I'm often asked what the Children's Justice Center is and what we do. In response, let me share some basic information about the center here in Heber.
The CJC, located at 1540 E 980 S (next to Old Mill Elementary), provides a child-friendly atmosphere designed to help children feel safe and comfortable while they are being interviewed regarding alleged abuse. The center is a gathering place for children and their families to meet with investigators and team members about these allegations. While here, professionals from several different agencies collaborate on each child's case. This team approach increases coordination among child protection and criminal justice agencies, allowing them to track a child's progress through the investigation, judicial process, and treatment.
Specially trained professionals talk to children about the alleged abuse they have experienced. The goal is to minimize trauma to the child by reducing the number of times a child must talk about his or her experiences. The CJC provides the team of professionals with ongoing training to ensure that the children of Wasatch County receive the most proficient care possible. State of the art recording equipment is used to preserve interviews for evidence and eliminate the need for multiple interviews. Families are provided with referrals for support services, such as therapy, medical care and victim resources.
The centers were originally established to serve children 17 years of age or younger who are victims of alleged sexual or physical abuse. In recent years, there has been an increased demand for services for other crimes involving children, such as domestic violence, drug endangerment, and internet exploitation. In 2013, over 73 interviews have been facilitated for alleged victims of these crimes against children in Wasatch county.
We are not, as many people assume, a "half-way" house for troubled youth. No one spends the night at the CJC. Also, the CJC is not the place to call to report child abuse. The Child Abuse reporting hotline is: 855-323—3237. This is a centralized intake number for Utah. The intake workers take the information that is reported to them and contact our local Child Protection workers to investigate. Professionals meet children and their families at the CJC after a report has been made and an interview has been scheduled.
To get involved and support the CJC and child abuse victims in our community, the CJC will be starting a children's clothing and diaper bank for the use of our community partners who work with families in need. We will be taking donations of NEW children's clothing, socks and underwear, and packages of diapers (not newborn). If anyone is looking for a service project, a drive for these items would be a great help! Also, The Friends of the CJC are always looking for volunteers to assist with fundraisers. The CJC relies on grants, a legislative allocation, but mostly donations from the community to keep the doors open. Please call 435-657-1000 for further information.
Kenna Jones, Director
Wasatch County Children's Justice Center
A Usual Antagonist Reply
Editor: I appreciate Councilman Capson's lengthy letter in last week's Wave. I wish more members of our elected bodies would take time to explain their view so that us commoners would better appreciate the complexities of the issues they deal with.
I attended the truth in taxation meetings where the proposed increase in the fire tax was presented. In the first meeting, I suggested that the council could demonstrate some leadership by placing the tax on the 2013 ballot and perhaps at a lower rate. I did not point out the obvious, that the lower the tax increase, the greater the likelihood of its passage. I did say that if a citizen's petition drive was successful, the fire department would get nothing.
I also noted that the department should consider using volunteers, especially with a workload shifting away from structural fires toward grass and brush fires. I did a quick search and found that as recently as 2004, 74% of all firefighters are volunteers and that more than 70% of all fire departments are entirely staffed by volunteers. This was brought up again in the second truth and taxation meeting. I spoke with a couple of members of the council after that meeting and they insisted that volunteers would not work in our valley. I have to think about that. Why would that be the case? What would be so different about our young men and women that we could not find people who were really willing to serve?
Other letters have been written about the performance of the council at the second truth and taxation meeting and I don't need to add to that. Following that meeting, a petition drive was launched to place the tax issue on the 2014 ballot. Interestingly, Mr. Capson called a special meeting to be held on August 28, to place a fire tax on the ballot. This meeting began with Mr. Capson advising us that the deadline had passed so the petition drive continues. Wow.
I'm not a community activist. I hear nothing but praise for the fire department but outrage at the idea of a 76% increase in the fire tax. I know of no one who thinks their total tax bill is going to rise by that amount but several have told me that they can't afford both a small fire tax increase and a tax increase for an aquatic center. It may be time for the county council to listen to some of us "usual antagonists" instead of looking at us as if we fell of the back of a turnip truck.
Dave Kennamer
Heber City
Sign the Petition
Editor: Last week Aubrey Pettinger wrote a letter to the editor regarding the petition to vote on putting the 80% fire tax increase on the ballot.
As a past EMT for 25 years with Wasatch County, I have been very familiar with what goes on with the EMT's and firefighters in this county.
This county has been served well for many years by a great paid volunteer lire department and I do not believe things will change now. I feel bad that some of the firefighters might lose their jobs, but I also feel bad when anyone loses a job.
You were concerned that without experienced full time firefighters and EMTs until 2015, service in this county would deteriorate and that we would lose their expertise. All of the 41 firefighters have to have the same training whether full time or volunteer. The response time to any fire or EMS call is very fast and I think that this same great service will continue. EMS is a separate entity from fire.
When the full time firefighters were originally hired they were to cover the Jordanelle area only, not the rest of the alley, but the story changes from day to day and I am not sure anyone really knows what area they are supposed to be covering.
Before there were lull time firefighters, the volunteers took care of all of the equipment, training and teaching. All volunteer firefighters are well paid each month for covering the few fires that they go on.
If the full time firefighters are laid oft, I believe it will be because of the actions of the fire department management, the Wasatch County Council and poor budgeting, not because of this petition which will give the voters a chance to make the decision on whether or not to increase the fire taxes.
Barb Murdock
Heber City
Find out All Facts and Sign Petition
Editor: I was shocked to read Councilman Capson's letter last week and saddened to read Ms. Pettinger 's. Having worked on Wasatch EMS for 26 yrs I am very familiar with how Fire and EMS operate in Wasatch County. Ms. Pettinger, while I could refute with details most everything you and councilman Capson have said, I do whole heartedly agree with your statement that ALL of us need to get ALL of the facts in this issue.
I believe the reason the firefighters are being laid off is because of this fire district being successfully sued multiple times by Jordanelle residents. I personally find it a bit strange that the good firefighters and not the managers responsible for the large monetary suits are the ones being laid off however - and the chief getting a raise? These firefighters were hired solely for Jordanelle and I guess if Jordanelle doesn't want them then they shouldn't have to pay for them. The paid-volunteer firefighters of Wasatch County do a great job and will continue to provide great coverage for our citizens.
There is no reason for any agency's budget to be raised 80% in one year without every single citizen's question being answered in good faith. Councilman Capson, I was so disgusted with county leadership 3 yrs ago I opted to back off and let others take a turn. We were called 'trouble makers' then, you are calling these folks 'antagonists' now. Thomas Jefferson once said "Dissent is the highest form of patriotism." I value his opinion. To those people who have taken their time to actually attend the meetings, find out the facts and fight these questionable decisions I say "Thank You! "I would ask that all please find out ALL the facts and DO sign this petition.
Launa Nielson
Just the Facts Ma'am - and
Councilman Capson
Editor: Recently I read two letters to the editor from the September 4, 2013 edition. The first letter was from an author who asked readers to not sign a referendum petition without getting the facts. The author would lead you to believe the amount of the tax increase is so minor that there is no big deal revolving around this 80% tax increase. As stated in the letter to the editor, "The tax increase would be somewhere around $2.50 a month—an amount I think is completely worth the peace of mind knowing that there are people available to respond to an emergency". What the author left out is that this fee is for one specific property value. Now, does the 80% increase happen before this $2.50 per month or after raising the fee to $4.50. If it is already added into the $2.50 fee, the base property value for this fee is approximately $161,000. There are many properties throughout Wasatch County that have values much greater than this base rate and would be more than $2.50 per month.
A good question to ask, is what is this 80% increase actually paying for? The fire district has managed fire service in such a manner that they have had to spend $1million on legal fees in the last 3 years. They have budgeted between the County Fire and Jordanelle budgets another $419,742.53 for legal fees in the 2013 budget. Did you know that in 2004 the budget for legal fees was $750. They didn't spend any of that line item. One lawsuit that the Fire District lost has a judgment of $1 million plus interest retroactive to 2010. Two other law suits are currently being litigated against the Fire District and a recent ruling would foreshadow a loss of these suits also. Poor management decisions are adding a great deal of tax burden to the taxpayers of Wasatch County that have nothing to do with day to day fire operations. We can hope Wasatch County Fire District's duty to provide public safety will outweigh the knee-jerk reaction to throw the baby out with the bathwater. But, recent history would indicate it is time for new managers.
I can agree with the author that getting the facts before you sign a referendum petition is very important. That is exactly what taxpayers were trying to accomplish when questions were posed to the Fire District Board during the August 7, 2013 truth in taxation public hearing. Then, on August 21, 2013 these same taxpayers were told to look up their answers on the internet, suggesting a website that only had information from 2011 and a minimal amount of information at that. With no answers from the Fire District Board to probative questions, taxpayers are only asking for the opportunity to vote on this 80% tax increase for fire service, instead of blindly trusting the fire board to do the right thing.
The second letter, a lengthy one at that, sounded a lot like political campaigning. Except for the part where approximately 8 residents and area developers wanted a fire station built near the Jordanelle in 1999. The author would lead you to believe the County Commission at that time had little to do with that decision other than give permission to proceed with the project. Let us not forget that now in the Jordanelle and Heber Valley there are "antagonist". Councilman Capson, your letter to the editor failed to answer any of the questions you were asked on August 7, 2013. Because, you choose not to answer questions posed to you is no reason to resort to name calling. These people are taxpayers, your employers, for whom you work. For the second time this month your performance is unsatisfactory. This pattern of conduct cannot sustain you in your current position.
Gary Oliverson
Wasatch County
Robert Hiatt
Editor: When we came to the Valley (Summer 1961) we discovered the Hiatt name was well thought of in the county -- and deservedly so. Just out of high school Robert had left an adolescent legacy of being good at many things. As teens we viewed him as a gentle giant because not too many of the small towns in Wasatch, Summit and Duchesne counties were making boys his size. At first we thought the respect for him came because of that size. It didn't take long to know and understand that respect held and reserved for Robert had to do with the kind of "boy" he was. He became the go-to guy at the auto parts store as we all began to grow up, purchase cars -- that wore model years in the 1950s -- and move quickly toward adulthood via baby moons, beauty rings, furry/fuzzies around the interior mirrors, fancy floor mats, dual exhausts and all that went with such car things. And, we discovered Robert could fix a lot of things mechanically. The engines did have to run before the beauty of the cars could be appreciated going up and down Main Street in the evening hours.
Time passed and he married very well. They raised a terrific family and Robert became yet another Heber Valley icon whom we knew and appreciated.
When the news of his death spread via social media and cell phones last week we began to hear and see the terms "wonderful," "special," "the best," and "a great guy." One comment that caught the attention of my heart was, "He was as fine a bishop as we'll ever have."
Those of us who grew to adulthood in the early to mid-1960s, in the Heber Valley, are spread all over the nation now. But we all remember Robert, LaRose and the touch they brought to the business, church and civic arena's that is the Heber Valley. It doesn't seem like you could come to mortality and do it any better than Robert did it – from boyhood to manhood. Our sympathy, our love and our respect to his family as another of our generation moves on.
Jon B. Fish
Sacramento, CA
Come to Next WTPA Meeting
Editor: There has been some discussion here about the Wasatch Fire District's 80% tax increase by citizens who showed up to the August meetings, and a councilman who decided to take a good amount of this paper to respond. I am happy to see this discussion begin, but it must be noted that the response from Steve Capson only happened after the citizens felt the need to file the referendum petition to delay the tax increase until it's on the ballot in Nov 2014 for the voters to decide.
At the August 7th meeting Mr. Capson made it quite clear that the citizens could ask "rhetorical" questions, but the fire board/council would not have to answer them. Then the public was told the numerous questions that were asked would be answered at the next August 21st meeting. So the citizens showed up again, only for their questions to be ignored and the tax vote taken.
This referendum petition wording is quite clear, and short. It says that the Wasatch County registered voters who sign want this tax increase to be brought to the voters in Nov. 2014. That's it. Why would the representatives of our county not want their constituents to vote and have a say in their own government? And why would they call the citizens who are trying to get transparency and accountability of their local officials antagonists? Does that mean these concepts are in direct conflict of their own priorities, since antagonist means "somebody or something opposing or in conflict with another"?
If you believe that the public has the right to vote and participate in their government, please sign the petition. We need 1800 signatures in 30 days and we need your help! If you see a table on Heber Main Street with a banner that says NO 80% Tax Increase, please stop and sign. If you would like a petition to gather signatures yourself email us at email@example.com, or call us at 435 709-8688.
Our next Wasatch Taxpayers Association meeting will be Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at 6:30pm at the Senior Citizen's Center. We will be updating the public on everything that has been happening this summer, including petition signing, and an update on the Heber Light and Power Attorney General's letter demanding the board return the money. Get the answers to your questions at the next WTPA General Membership meeting, and bring 5 people with you. We have been working diligently to bring transparency to all Wasatch County government and we need your support!
Tracy Taylor
Heber City
Eighty Percent Fire Tax Increase
Editor: If you think using 80% was "misleading," and your preference is to say it was ONLY 1.5% of all county property taxes, (60% of which are for schools); wouldn't it be LESS misleading, and fairer, for you to say the increase is 11% of Wasatch County property taxes?
I'm fairly certain most interested folks didn't need a dissertation on mil levies (tax rates) from the Fire Board. What they would have liked was answers to the questions posed at the "Truth" in Taxation Public Hearing.
There were many unanswered questions in the December 2012 Hearing and more in the August Hearing. At the conclusion of the August meeting, both the Fire Board Chair and the County Council Chair indicated they would make a decision in two weeks and bring answers to the questions.
Two weeks later, the public was told at the tax increase approval meeting that 'We (fire board) are transparent.' and presenting a fine list of websites, I would suggest that there may have been a few, shall we say, inconsistencies with the declaration that the Fire District SSD is "transparent." The promoted site, transparent.Utah.gov (an excellent informative website has NO information about the Fire District after 2011.
Additionally, there was NO discussion even among the Board as to their rationale for a unanimous approval.
After the voters, taxpayers, citizens, residents (not antagonists) began a referendum petition to allow the people a vote on the increase, the Fire Board called a minimal notice "Special Meeting" to resolve to place the issue on the ballot in 2013. At the "Special" meeting they agian determined that they did not understand the law and could not do that. (Also remember the ill fated pool bond election 'decision' that was cancelled for failure to read the law.)
Perhaps if they had spent less of the Million dollars on litigation in the last three years, and, instead, had asked the lawyers what the COULD do, rather than "how can we get ourselves out of this self-directed mess?" they might not have accumulated the deficit in the first place.
The primary question to be answered is why is the LARGE tax increase suddenly needed? With $300K+ allocated to the 2013 budget for further lawyer fees, (60% of the deficit")is this a justification for a tax increase? Is it planned to continue to fight the taxpayers or to fight actual fires? Many more questions can be found at wasatch.blogspot.com.
All have been emailed to the Fire Board with virtually no response. Solutions suggestions have also fallen on deaf ears. Let's hear some ANSWERS.
Robert Wren
Heber City
Great Tire Service
Editor: I am sorry for the lady and her bad experience with Walmart and her tire purchases.. I would like to tell about a positive experience I had with the Tire Factory in Heber City.
Two years ago I purchased a set of tires from [Tire Factory]. their price was competitive with Costco. My son was driving near Park City when he hit something that caused a tire to go flat. By the time he stopped, the tire was shredded.
Someone from the Tire Factory drove to Park City, put on the spare tire for him, and the tire was replaced with a tire of similar tread - all free of charge. Plus I get the pressure checked and tire rotation free. Why would anyone buy tires from anywhere else?
Joyce Cherry