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TCL > July 2013 Issue > J. Frank Torres (1897–1992)
About the Author
Michael J. Belo is a shareholder at Berenbaum Weinshienk PC, where he is a member of the Litigation Department. A graduate of University of Colorado Law School in 1977, he specializes in labor and employment law. He is on the board of directors of the Colorado Hispanic Bar Association—firstname.lastname@example.com.
As a lawyer and judge in Southern Colorado, J. Frank Torres advocated tirelessly for equal rights for all persons, including the Spanish1 residents who, despite having lived in Colorado for generations, regularly encountered discrimination in economic, political, and everyday opportunities. Born and raised in the rural Purgatoire Valley west of Trinidad, he practiced law in the Trinidad area from 1929 until 1960, when he was elected county court judge for Las Animas County. He was one of the earliest Spanish judges in Colorado, and he served on the bench until his legal career was cut short by a stroke. A man of uncompromising integrity, Judge Torres held himself and everyone else to the same high standards of honesty, discipline, and hard work.
Growing Up in the Purgatoire Valley
José Francisco Torres was born on March 31, 1897, and grew up on the family farm near Weston, Colorado, upstream from Trinidad. He was descended from the original Spanish colonists who arrived with General Juan de Oñate in 1598, and was able to trace his specific family heritage in the United States, at minimum, through his great-grandfather, José Antonio Torres, who was born near Taos, New Mexico in 1795.
The Purgatoire Valley in the late 1800s was inhabited predominantly by people of Spanish descent. Torres did not learn to speak English well until he was 15 years old, teaching himself from a 1902 Spanish–English dictionary that is still in the possession of his daughter.2 He became highly literate in both English and Spanish. One of the difficult English words that Torres circled in red in this dictionary was "impecunious"—that is, habitually having little money—which described him aptly, as he grew up in a community poor in material goods, but wealthy in cultural heritage.
His father, Jesús or "Sus," worked the family farm and a variety of jobs, including coal mines in the Purgatoire Valley. In the early 1900s, the coal mines dominated the economic life of the area, which included a company town, Cokedale, built by the industry. The crude, unregulated working conditions in the mines were often dangerous, which resulted in terrible accidents, such as an explosion at the Primero mine in 1910 that killed seventy-five people.3
Torres did not enter school until he was 11 years old, but his teachers immediately recognized his inherent intelligence, and he graduated from the eighth grade three years later. Because the family needed him on the farm, he was unable to attend high school. His parents sent him at age 16 to the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Trinidad to become a priest. Although a devout Catholic throughout his life, Torres chafed at the unvarying routine of clerical discipline. He quit the study for the priesthood and returned to the Purgatoire Valley still searching for his mission in life.
Teaching in His Own School at 17
When he was only 17, Torres set up his own private school in Weston, teaching kids of all ages—the oldest were his own age—for a fee of one dollar a month for a seven-month school year. After he turned 18, he studied at Colorado State Normal School, later known as Western State College, in Gunnison, Colorado.4 He passed the teacher certification test and taught in public schools in the Valley, ascending to principal. The people called him "El Profesor" because of his scholarly approach and insistence on discipline.
Torres grew increasingly rankled, however, by the rampant discrimination against the Spanish population in Southern Colorado. The Anglo community often referred disparagingly to his schoolchildren as "Mex kids" and belittled the abilities and achievements of Hispanic people. He knew that much of the Spanish community, including his own family, had inhabited Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico for many generations, preceding Anglo settlement of the region. However, they frequently were dismissed as "Mexicans" and denied opportunities to participate fully in economic, cultural, and political life. Like many who have followed his example, Torres believed that a career in the law would make it possible for him not only to compete individually based solely on his own abilities, but also to remedy the injustices visited on the Spanish community and to provide equal opportunity for all.
Rejection, Then Success in Law School
Torres moved to Denver in 1920 at the age of 23, took a course in banking, and waited tables at a restaurant to make ends meet. Expecting that opportunities in Denver would be better than in Southern Colorado, he was dismayed to learn that Hispanics in Denver also suffered from discrimination, denial of opportunities, and relegation to menial jobs.
Determined to go to law school, he went to the dean's office at the University of Denver College of Law (DU Law) to talk to the dean about enrolling in law school. After waiting outside the dean's office, he finally presented himself to the dean and stated that he wished to apply for law school. According to Torres, the dean dismissed him with the comment, "Get out of here; we don't want any of your kind here." Although deeply insulted by this rebuke, Torres responded diplomatically, "All right, sir, but remember this: A day will come when I receive my degree from Denver University." This statement was to prove prophetic more than fifty years later.5
Rejected by DU Law, Torres applied for admission to Westminster Law School (Westminster). From 1912 until its merger with DU Law in 1957, Westminster was the third law school in Colorado.6 The dean of Westminster was far more accommodating to Torres. Instead of being put off by Torres's Spanish accent, the dean assisted him in preparing a curriculum to study for the high school certification test.
When he was admitted to Westminster in January 1922, Torres dispensed with his Spanish names José Francisco, and henceforth adopted the English equivalent "J. Frank." The collegial atmosphere at Westminster allowed him to compete without regard to ethnic background. He graduated in 1925, ranking second in his class. During this time, he had two jobs, including waiting tables at the ornate Albany Hotel at 17th and Stout Streets in downtown Denver, which was frequented by legislators and wealthy businessmen.
Unfortunately, an almost terminal bout with tuberculosis delayed commencement of the practice of law. Near the time of his final exams in 1925, he contracted the highly infectious disease, which was prevalent and often lethal before the advent of antibiotics. After finishing exams, he returned home to the family farm in the Purgatoire Valley, where his recuperation lasted three agonizing years. Among other palliatives, every day he bathed in a tub of cold water, regardless of the weather. In the winter, when there was a layer of ice in the tub, he simply broke the ice to immerse himself in the cold water.
Practicing Law in Trinidad
By 1928, Torres had recovered completely from tuberculosis and was ready to start his legal career. Rejecting an offer from a law school friend, Ralph Platt, to join Platt's lucrative practice in Illinois, Torres wrote: "You take care of your part of the world, and I will see to improving mine." He opened an office in Trinidad, determined to right the wrongs of society, especially the wrongs directed at the Spanish community. He had a strong faith not only in Catholicism, but also in the power of the legal system to afford equal justice to all, including the disenfranchised. He believed—and put into practice—the precept that no one should be denied access to justice because of lack of means.
His civil and criminal practice extended over a broad region—west to the San Luis Valley and north to Walsenburg and Pueblo. Acutely conscious of the need to provide legal services to those who could not afford them, he regularly represented the poor and in some caes accepted a pig or a lamb as payment. He defended criminal cases, sometimes under appointment by the court, and prosecuted criminal cases on contract from the district attorney. For example, he defended a murder case in Trinidad and prosecuted a murder case in San Luis.
Once, he defended a 10-year-old Spanish boy who reacted to merciless bullying by bigger kids by bringing a pistol to school. The boy shot and slightly injured one of his tormentors. Torres convinced the jury that the boy had acted in self-defense. He also defended high-profile murder cases in which the defendant was Hispanic and the accusers and jury were all Anglo. Similar prosecutions were taking place across the United States at the time. In the South, for example, black defendants often faced charges brought by white accusers and were tried before all-white juries.7
Marriage Arrangements
Torres married Crusita Kimball in 1930. It started as an arranged marriage, which was consistent with an old custom in the Spanish culture. His parents also had an arranged marriage, but the practice was waning by the early 1900s.
The marriage originated when Torres decided to take violin lessons from Trinidad's most esteemed musician, John Kimball. After several excruciating lessons, Kimball determined that Torres lacked any talent whatsoever for the violin. Kimball was impressed, however, by Torres's character and intellect, and offered the hand of his stepdaughter, Crusita, in marriage.
After Crusita's father offered her hand, Torres courted her for several months, determined to win her affections on his own. Their marriage flourished as a partnership of equals. Although Crusita was twelve years younger than Torres, she complemented the impatient and occasionally doctrinaire brilliance of Torres with a deft sense of humor and appreciation of social nuances. They had three children, Lawrence, Frank, Jr., and Eva.
Fighting for Social and Economic Progress
Torres combined the practice of law with social and political activism. In 1928, he ran but lost in the Republican primary campaign for state representative. He was an outspoken opponent of the Ku Klux Klan, a powerful force in Colorado during that era. For example, the Klan had engineered the election of a governor in the 1920s.8 Because of his opposition to the Klan, Torres received anonymous threats that he would be "tarred and feathered." Disenchanted with the Republican Party's failure to disavow the Klan, he organized the Spanish Young Democrats in Las Animas County. He helped to organize the Spanish American Club of Colorado, an organization devoted to supporting equal rights, opposing discrimination, and encouraging voting among Spanish Americans.
In the late 1930s, Torres balanced his law practice with service as labor relations manager of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) for Las Animas and Huerfano Counties. Created by the Roosevelt Administration in 1935 to combat the Great Depression, the WPA built numerous projects throughout Colorado, including Red Rocks Amphitheater. Among other projects, the crews managed by Torres built structures at Trinidad Junior College and at Monument Lake, upstream near the top of the Purgatoire Valley. The WPA projects brought desperately needed jobs to the struggling economy of Southern Colorado.9
Torres was active in the early credit union movement in the 1930s, attending the key national convention at Estes Park in 1934, which initiated a nationwide credit union confederation. He embraced the democratic, egalitarian principles of credit unions, believing that they would benefit the Spanish community and others who historically had lacked banking services. Always an advocate for strict financial discipline and accountability for one's debts, Torres thought credit unions would foster disciplined financial practices and savings even among people of limited means.
Torres founded the Holy Trinity Credit Union in Trinidad in 1938, and assisted in founding other credit unions in Southern Colorado. He managed the credit union in Trinidad for nearly twenty years with characteristic attention to detail: he insisted on reviewing every loan application, was uncompromising in his adherence to procedures, and refused to bend the rules for those who expected favors. He was president of the Colorado Credit Union League during the 1950s. When he was elected county court judge in 1960, Crusita took over management of Holy Trinity Credit Union.
Torres was active in the Boy Scouts of America for several decades, having organized his first troop when he was teaching in the Purgatoire Valley schools at Jansen, Colorado, in 1918. He believed that the ideals of the Boy Scouts—building character in boys by training them in the responsibilities of citizenship, and developing personal fitness while providing enjoyable educational activities—would lay the groundwork for success in life. In 1950, he received the highest award from the Boy Scouts of America for distinguished service to youth. A staunch patriot, Torres worked with his Boy Scout troops to raise money for a replica of the Statue of Liberty on the grounds of the Las Animas County Courthouse in Trinidad. The statue was dedicated in September 1950.
One well-intentioned venture did not fare so well. In 1933, Torres joined the Alianza Hispano-Americana (Alianza), a fraternal organization in existence from 1894 to 1965 that provided life insurance as its nominal product, but pursued the broader goal of building economic security and political power among Hispanics. By 1939, Torres had ascended to the position of general counsel, discontinued his practice in Trinidad, and moved to Alianza headquarters in Tucson, Arizona. The Alianza was rife with internal political struggles, including an effort by former Mexican president Elias Calles to use the Alianza's resources and membership for advancement of his own political agenda of regaining power in Mexico. In addition, some members of the Alianza leadership engaged in questionable financial practices that garnered the attention of the Arizona attorney general. Torres resigned in 1942, crestfallen that an organization dedicated to the social and economic betterment of Hispanics had succumbed instead to self-interested dealing and political squabbling.10
After returning to Trinidad, Torres resumed his law practice and hired an associate, Gilbert Sanders. The fact that Sanders was Jewish was immaterial to Torres, an astute judge of talent who had felt the sting of discrimination numerous times—and whose career in the law was inspired by the goal of eradicating it.
In 1950, Torres ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic candidacy as state representative. Again, he encountered the specter of discrimination; his opponent charged that he could not represent all Americans because of his "Mexican" accent. Torres retorted that he was an American first, and Spanish second.
During the 1950s, Torres served as president of the Southern Colorado Bar Association. Trinidad voters elected him to the city council, where he scrupulously resisted attempts by insiders to manipulate civic decisions for personal gain. In one colorful episode, Torres opposed an effort by a notorious businessman and local "character," previously suspected of ties to the Mafia, who pressured the council to approve a measure favorable to his business interests. The next evening, the man showed up on Torres' doorstep, gun in hand, with the intention of changing J. Frank's mind. Torres strode directly up to him and pushed the gun aside, saying, "If you are going to pull a gun on me, you had better be prepared to use it."
County Court Judge, 1961–66
In 1956, Torres ran unsuccessfully for county court judge in the November election.11 In 1960, he mounted a write-in campaign against the incumbent judge, who enjoyed the support of the Democratic party machine. His opponent resorted to the tired old canard that Torres was a "Mexican" who did not understand the American way of life. Torres eked out a victory in the primary, and then trounced the incumbent in the general election, when the incumbent ran as the write-in candidate. Torres won re-election in 1964.
As a judge, Torres was compassionate but unwavering in his insistence on discipline and individual responsibility. Although he was inspired to become a lawyer as a means of redressing discrimination and injustice against the Spanish community, he was color-blind in dispensing justice. He was particularly concerned with youthful offenders, whom he tried to break out of the cycle of recidivism. He formed a close alliance with school principals, and impressed on young offenders that they must take responsibility for their actions. For example, he once sentenced a Hispanic boy convicted of shoplifting to repay the value of the theft by working odd jobs at the store on weekends. He reminded the boy that his Spanish ancestors had worked hard to make an honest living and respected their neighbors; to steal from them would have been unconscionable.
Judge Torres was creative in imposing sentences, doing it occasionally in a way that might offend modern hypersensitivity. In one case, a mother had mistreated her children by incarcerating them in a pigpen. Torres sentenced her to spend a night in the pigpen.
In 1966, with two years remaining in his county court term, Torres ran for district court judge as a write-in candidate. He challenged the party hierarchy again, which had slipped in the inexperienced son of the incumbent, retiring judge through the primary without opposition. Torres wrote to the voters: "Any government, thus brought about is, in the long run, essentially weak and undemocratic. It does not make friends, does not inspire confidence and is fraught with a train of evils."12 The opponent's well-financed campaign descended into personal slurs against Torres, mocking his vestige of a Spanish accent. Torres lost narrowly and prepared to return to his duties as county court judge—but his legal career would soon end abruptly.
Stroke Forces Retirement—On to Santa Fe
Fatefully, on the day after the election in November 1966, Torres suffered a severe stroke. His doctor advised him to leave the bench and quit the practice of law. Although he eventually recovered almost entirely from the stroke, he moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1971, where he remained active in civic affairs. As an unofficial greeter at the famed La Fonda Hotel, he often gave visitors a lesson about La Fonda, the early Spanish families of Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado, and other Southwest history.
His prophecy to the dean at DU Law some fifty years earlier came true in 1975, when he received a juris doctorate degree from DU at a reunion for the Westminster class of 1925. Fittingly, given his lifelong opposition to discrimination, he refused to attend the banquet scheduled at a local country club that did not admit Jews to membership. The reunion committee moved the banquet to another country club.
One of his proudest moments occurred when King Juan Carlos of Spain visited Santa Fe in 1987 and had a private audience with Torres, during which they spoke in Spanish. The King said they were both guardians of Spanish culture: the King in Spain and Torres in New Mexico.
Torres passed away in 1992 at age 95. In 2008, Representative (now Senator) Tom Udall of New Mexico honored him in the U.S. House of Representatives. Recounting his achievements as a lawyer, judge, and citizen, Rep. Udall said, "Judge Frank Torres was a crusader for civil rights . . . [who] practiced and taught good citizenship throughout his life."13
A Quixotic Quest that Succeeded
Judge Torres died in Santa Fe, but left his legacy in Southern Colorado. An irrepressible idealist, he believed in the supreme value of education to provide opportunity for betterment, regardless of financial means. He believed in the power of the American legal system to provide equal justice regardless of race, color, or other irrelevant characteristics. One of his favorite books was Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes, which he read in the original Spanish. The movie version disappointed him, because he thought it depicted the relentlessly idealistic Quixote as a buffoon. Judge Torres said, "An idealist is not a buffoon." He was right in this judgment, as he was in so many others during his ninety-five years of a life fully lived and fully realized.
1. The modern term "Hispanic" was not in use during the early 20th century. Judge Torres and many others in Colorado, who traced their lineage to Spain and early Spanish settlers in New Mexico dating from the 1700s, referred to themselves as "Spanish." The term "Hispanic" derives from the ancient word "Hispania," which denotes the Iberian Peninsula comprising Spain and Portugal. The modern usage of the term—which broadly encompasses people of Spanish, Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central American, and other Latin American descent—is often credited to Grace Flores-Hughes, an employee of the former Department of Health, Education, and Welfare during the Nixon Administration. See, e.g., www.thehartfordguardian.com/2009/07/27/the-origin-of-the-term-hispanic.
2. This article would not have been possible without the information, contributions, and inspiration from the daughter of Judge Torres, Eva Aschenbrener of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Torres's biographer, Lois Gerber Franke of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Anyone who wishes to learn more about this extraordinary man should read her fascinating book J. Frank Torres, Crusader and Judge: An Oral History (Sunstone Press, 2007).
3. See, e.g., www.usmra.com/saxsewell/primero.htm.
4. Founded in 1901, the college is now known as Western State Colorado University. See western.edu/about/history.html.
5. The author recognizes that the University of Denver (DU) College of Law has been a force for equal opportunity in the field of law, including its student admission practices and faculty hiring. In 2006, DU appointed its first Hispanic dean, José (Beto) Juárez, Jr. The incident depicted by Torres happened in the early 1920s, when Colorado, like most of the United States, was still benighted by discrimination.
6. See www.law.du.edu/index.php/about/du-law-history.
7. Racial selection of juries remains a vexing problem. See "Illegal Racial Discrimination in Jury Selection: A Continuing Legacy" (Equal Justice Initiative, August 2010), www.eji.org/files/EJI%20Race%20and%20Jury%20Report.pdf.
8. One historian wrote: "During the 1920s, Colorado had the largest and most influential Knights of the Ku Klux Klan following of any other state west of the Mississippi River." See ccpl.lib.co.us/history_old/kkk/kkk%20essay.html. Capitalizing on the prevailing antipathy toward minorities, foreigners, Jews, and Catholics, the Klan helped to elect Clarence Morley as governor of Colorado, 1925–27. Morley later was convicted of mail fraud and served five years in the federal penitentiary at Leavenworth, Kansas. See www.colorado.gov/dpa/doit/archives/govs/morley.html.
9. One of his proudest achievements with the Works Project Administration was Monument Lake Lodge, an adobe-style structure reminiscent of Pueblo architecture in New Mexico. See digital.denverlibrary.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p15330coll22/id/1949/rec/4.
10. Franke, supra note 2 at 122-23. See generally Briegel, "Alianza Hispano-Americana, 1894–1965: A Mexican American Fraternal Insurance Society" (PhD thesis, University of Southern California, 1974).
11. State judges were chosen in political elections until a 1966 constitutional amendment changed the procedure to appointments by the governor from a list of persons selected by judicial nominating commission. Colo. Const. art. VI, § 20. See generally Hobbs, "Colorado Judicial Merit Selection—A Well-Deserved 40th Anniversary Celebration," 35 The Colorado Lawyer 13 (April 2006).
12. "J. Frank Torres Starts Write-In Vote Campaign," Trinidad Chronicle (ca. Oct. 1966).
13. 154 Cong. Rec. E289-01, 2008 WL 582309 (March 4, 2008).


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Skip to comments.British MP urges government to force churches into same-sex unions
Posted on 09/09/2011 6:32:36 AM PDT by massmike
A member of U.K. Prime Minister David Camerons government is calling for a ban on marriages at Christian churches if they refuse to also perform same-sex unions.
As long as religious groups can refuse to preside over ceremonies for same-sex couples, there will be inequality, wrote Mike Weatherley, the Conservative MP for Hove and Portslade, in an August 21 letter to Cameron.
While Weatherleys proposal is currently a minority view, it could quickly become a main stream point of view, warned Neil Addison, national director of the U.K.s Thomas More Legal Centre.
The U.K.s 2004 Civil Partnership Act, which legalized same-sex unions, forbade them from being performed in religious venues or from using religious imagery.
But Camerons Coalition government has proposed an amendment to the 2010 Equality Act that would allow churches and other religious venues to perform same-sex unions if they choose.
Critics have warned that the measure will lead to even more pressure on religious institutions who refuse to perform the ceremonies, such as the Catholic Church and the Church of England. They note that the government itself admitted in its public consultation document on the amendment that it could lead to lawsuits against churches that refuse to perform the unions.
Addison said that when the same-sex civil partnerships were first introduced, those who said that Churches, Synagogues, Mosques, etc. would eventually be forced to perform same sex marriages were ridiculed as being alarmist, but it is now a point of view that is becoming dangerously mainstream.
(Excerpt) Read more at lifesitenews.com ...
homosexual agenda ping
But, but, but...What consenting adults do in the privacy of the own homes is none of my...Oh nevermind.
How 'bout this one instead: "How could two homos getting married possibly affect you??"
What would happen if they tried to force the homosexuals to come to church?
This will be the same argument made here in a very short time. The Gaystapo are already saying it in secret.
Good luck with the Mosque part. I suspect such a law would be applied far more vigorously to passive religions.
This won't happen.
It's high time the Church fights back. Not only in America but around the world.
Christians should just get married in the church and refuse to apply for a marriage license etc.
If the state does not recognize what a marriage is, why ask for their permission or give them the information?
Marriage is a religious sacriment, so if the state thinks it is something else, why should I bother with the state when I am involved in my religious sacriment?
Get a church marriage and file the appropriate legal paperwork for limited powers of attorney, guardianship, etc.
Time for the round heads to ride again.
Marriage predates religious sacraments - and manmade civil codes as well.
Exactly. Some faith's already don't really think little pieces of paper from the gubberment necessarily make anyone married or not.
The statists and homosexualists love that many have been conditioned to think the state defines marriage, that way they accept whatever the state says about marriage, including impossibilities like "gay marriage". Same thing with education and charity.
The Abomination of Desolation spoken of in the Book of Daniel.
Wasn't Eve made for Adam by God? Doesn't get more sacramental than that.
Point is, that "marriage" is a word that has historically held meaning well beyond "sexual coupling" or "domestic partner". What we currently have is an attempt to redefine the word to mean nothing more than those two things.
Control of the words meaning is probably not controllable in the face of a Leftist media; however, the religious shouldn't accept that meaning, even if it means adding an adjective, such as Holy or Sacramental. This can be reinforced by rejecting the state's authority over marriage altogether.
So the British MP are now no different than Hitlers Reich?
Remember Adolf attempted to force the Church in Germany to do
as the Reich dictated. How so are we to see this plan by the Brits as any different-the evil remains the same.
And I thought we Americans had the monopoly on lunacy.
Read, "The Pink Swastika."
Perhaps you're using the word sacrament in a way other than its usual sense. Beyond that, we're quite in agreement.
Yes, the first wedding ceremony took place in Eden, and marriage was established and defined by God creating the woman for the man and bringing her to him. There is no other definition of marriage, nor can there be.
As you say, the word "marriage" itself may be twisted and misused to refer to other couplings. But marriage is what it always was: the joining by God of a man and woman. The state has no authority here. It will have just as much success legislating that the sun rise in the west and set in the east as it will legislating that two people of the same sex can be married. "Unisex marriage" is self-contradictory.
As the punch line to old joke says, calling a tail a leg doesn't make it one. :-)
"A member of U.K. Prime Minister David Camerons government is calling for a ban on marriages at Christian churches if they refuse to also perform same-sex unions."
Why isn't MP Weatherley calling for a ban on marriages at Islamic mosques or Jewish synagogues then?
Freepmail wagglebee to subscribe or unsubscribe from the homosexual agenda or moral absolutes ping list.
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The homosexual agenda wants a dictatorship of sodomy - and total destruction of all religion and morality. They're ramping up, folks. Revealing what they really want - complete domination over everyone. Time to gather courage and stand up against this great evil.
Excuse the expression, but "Give them an inch...."
Post of the day!
it goes to show when we let these idiots into power then they have one agenda and that is to destroy the west and traditions.
Anyone thinking that homosexuality is normal needs their head testing and this MP is one of them
Have heard of it—first just after Colorado passed Amendment #2 —and Hollyweird constructed their bogus Boycott Colorado.
then it has gained new attention it seems. IT sounds like some interesting history among those our education system and the Government sponsors would have us remain ignorant of.
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subset: commoncrawl


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QUOTE (oldrover @ Nov 24 2009, 08:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
i've seen you when you've been feeling grumpy. you got kicked out of the pantomime.
no that's because he felt Happy
I too cancelled SKY in 1995 and I still do not have it, however, that's my personal choice and it's up to each person to decide for themselves.


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Chances are, you attended Korean School at your local church on a Saturday morning. Walk into any Korean School/Church at 9am on a Saturday and you will see baleful looking Korean children fearfully reciting the Korean alphabet or being forced to read passages on obedience out of the Korean Bible next to large portraits of the Lord. Because of her abiding love for Jesus (see #44) a Church/Korean School is the perfect place for a Korean Mom to send her progeny. Jesus loves Church therefore Jesus loves Korean School. According to my Korean Mom, Jesus would make every day Saturday or Sunday just so he could go to Korean School/Church. Why Saturday you ask? Because if you want to go to Harvard and become a doctor or lawyer, there is no such thing as the weekend. Ever. There is school(Mon-Fri), Korean School(Sat), and Church(Sun), until the end of time. Forget that Saturday afternoon pool party or dinner and a movie with your buds. Sneaking off? Don't even think about it. Your Korean Mom will find you and when she does, there will be a Korean School Tutor waiting for you.
For me, Korean school was the nightmare of nightmares. Tim Burton would have creamed his pants. I, like you had to give up every single saturday and some friday nights to attend Korean School. However, much to my chagrin, my Korean Mom was also the Korean School President. Let me clarify. The Korean Mom's ability to rip away your saturdays for all eternity makes her drunk with power. However, if she is also your Korean School teacher or any sort of authority figure, this immediately turns her into Valdemort. Only one of you will survive. Sorry to break it to you, but it's going to be her.
Let's back up. Not only did I have to attend Korean School, my Korean Mom, the president of weekend torture, gave me an annual report card. That little place called hell? Yes, I have been there and survived to tell the tale. How did I do? You know how at the end of the year each Korean School gives out prizes for achievement? The only trophy I ever took home was one for participation. Basically, I came, I saw, I failed.
Most recently, I have been preparing to take a Korean language competency exam for grad school. Don't ask why. I went to the source of all Korean School power to ask for her help. After some time, she handed me this:
No, your eyes do not deceive you. My Korean Mom created her own dictionary. Not only will Korean Moms make you do extra homework (see #46), they will create their own dictionaries and textbooks from which you are to study. My name is Chiyo, I am 30 years old, and I attend Korean Mom School. *hangs head and cries*


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This summer, there will be no such thing as a "lazy" Sunday.
Photo courtesy of The North Market
Columbus Flea creator Nikki Portman has joined forces with The North Market to transform "Artisan Sundays" into "Market Flea." Beginning June 8, more than 30 vendors will descend upon the Farmer's Market Pavilion to offer Columbus shop-a-holics and foodies an eclectic experience.
"The idea is to create an even more vibrant atmosphere that is always changing and most of all, best in class," North Market Executive Director Rick Harrison Wolfe said in a press release.
"Market Flea" will offer an ever-changing cast of artists, jewelry designers, and vintage sellers to keep the weekly event fresh and interesting. The usual suspects from the North Market's coterie will be on hand for snacks/shopping fuel.
According to Wolfe, both Portman and the concept for "Market Flea" made perfect sense for The North Market.
"[Columbus Flea creator] Nikki [Portman] is a best- in-class creative and has captured the essence of what makes a curated flea market cool and most of all fun," Wolfe said.
"Market Flea" will take place every Sunday from June 8- Oct. 26 at the North Market, located at 59 Spruce St. Vendor applications will be accepted through May 7. Information packets for vendors are available upon request. Please email firstname.lastname@example.com for information.


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Charitable Lead Trusts
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Use these resources to learn more about how a charitable lead trust can meet your financial and philanthropic goals.


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Board nixes Irene double pay for state employeesBy PETER HIRSCHFELD
Vermont Press Bureau | July 09,2013MONTPELIER The 63 state employees who had sought double pay for their work in the weeks after Tropical Storm Irene have been denied by the Vermont Labor Relations Board, which issued a ruling Monday lamenting the fact that the grievance was even filed.
The Aug. 28, 2011, flood displaced more than 1,500 employees from the state office complex in Waterbury, forcing many to work from off-site locations until the state could secure office space elsewhere. While most employees performed their jobs without complaint, more than 60 claimed that emergency closure language in their union contract guaranteed them double pay for continuing to work while their usual workspace was uninhabitable.
On Monday, the labor board said the emergency closure applied only to the day of the floods, not the subsequent weeks during which employees had to work from their homes or on the road.
(D)ouble pay for work performed is required if there is a complete closing for emergency reasons, and an emergency typically would be of a relatively short duration, the board said.
The board said it doubted that the drafters of the collective bargaining agreement ever contemplated that double pay for work performed for a complete closing for emergency reasons could extend for the lengthy period of time. And a ruling that it could, the board said, would hinder the ability of State departments and agencies to carry out (their) mission to serve the public without an excessive drain on State funds.
We will not presume the parties intended such a dramatic impact on public resources absent any indication they contemplated this result, the board said of the union contract with the state. This is particularly so given that emergencies typically are of relatively short duration.
Since the grievance was filed in October 2011, Gov. Peter Shumlin has maintained that the emergency closure lasted only the day of the floods, despite the fact that the Waterbury complex would remain vacant for years. Administration Secretary Jeb Spaulding said the states legal justification was almost secondary to its ethical considerations, which he said demanded equal treatment for all state employees, regardless of where they happened to work.
State employees headquartered in buildings unaffected by the storms performed heroically in the days and weeks after Irene, according to Spaulding.
It would be wrong to pay one small group of state employees double for doing their work when so many are doing equally important work in equally tough conditions for regular pay, Spaulding said Monday. Its something that as a matter of principle the state felt strongly about.
Doug Gibson, spokesman for the Vermont State Employees Association, said in a written statement that the employees affected by this decision performed services far beyond what was expected of them, often under dangerous and difficult conditions.
We are obviously disappointed with the decision and are reviewing it through our internal processes to decide whether to file an appeal, Gibson said.
The decision comes as the union seeks to resolve upheaval that saw its executive director placed on paid administrative leave last month pending the outcome of an internal probe into alleged misconduct. Mark Mitchell was initially fired last month by the unions 16-member board of directors but was reinstated days later after complaints about lack of due process.
Grievances brought to the labor board are heard by three of the panels six part-time members. The three members responsible for this decision Chairman Richard W. Park, James C. Kiehle and Alan Willard said they regretted the issue ever came before them.
(I)t would have been better for productive labor relations if the parties were able to balance respective interests and informally reach an understanding to resolve this grievance, the board said in its concluding paragraph. State managers and employees represented by VSEA made many substantial contributions to meet the needs of the public in the wake of the devastating (Tropical) Storm Irene. It is unfortunate that the dispute involving pay due employees in this matter has festered and has adversely affected the focus on these laudable contributions.
Spaulding said the state and the union made an honest effort to resolve the issue outside of the hearing room but that talks fell short.
The amount of money the state would have been on the hook for in additional payroll expenses had the union prevailed was not available at press time.
Relations between the Shumlin administration and the state workers union remain strong despite the well-publicized run-in over double pay, according to Spaulding. While the grievance was pending last year, the state inked the first collective bargaining agreement in decades that didnt go through mediation and fact finding.
I think the VSEA was doing what it thought it was required to do under its mission, and I dont think it did poison the relationship between the state and the VSEA, Spaulding said. Were going to have differences of opinion, but it doesnt mean we cant work well together.
peter.hirschfeld @timesargus.com
peter.hirschfeld @rutlandherald.comMORE IN Vermont NewsMONTPELIER Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt. Full StoryVermont Attorney General Bill Sorrell plans to join the U.S. Full StoryMONTPELIER Gov. Full Story
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Only five medals may be worn at a time pinned in a single row immediately above the seam of the left pocket. Knots are worn above the left pocket in rows of three. The order of wearing of medals and knots is at the discretion of the wearer. It is suggested that the medal or knot deemed most important by the wearer be worn on his or her own right. Embroidered knots are representative of pin-on medals or around-the-neck awards and are designed for the convenience of the wearer. In the case of the District Award of Merit and Professional Training Award, the knot is the only wearable insignia. The knots are listed here in alphabetical order.
The loop of the embroidered square knot that comes in front of the standing part is always to the wearer's right. In knots where both strands are the same color and therefore difficult to distinguish which strand comes in front, use the above drawing to determine wearer's right. Knots are worn with the distinguishing color (not white) toward the wearer's right.
* The miniature device worn with the youth religious emblem square knot indicates emblem(s) earned as a youth. Wear Cub Scout device, No. 00926, first-level emblem (God and Me, Maccabee, etc.) earned as a Tiger Cub or Cub Scout; Webelos Scout device, No. 00932, for second-level emblem (God and Family, Parvuli Dei, Faith in God, Light of the World, Aleph, etc.) earned as a Webelos Scout; Boy Scout device, No. 00927, emblem earned as a Boy Scout; and/or Venturing device, No. 00930, emblem earned as a Venturer or older Boy Scout or Varsity Scout. Only one knot is worn, but any combination of devices may be worn on the same knot.
** The Scouter's Training Award and Scouter's Key may be earned in several program phases. More than one knot of the same kind is not to be worn. Rather, the miniature devices--No. 00926, Cub Scouting; (if earned prior to December 31, 1988) No. 00927, Boy Scouting; No. 00928, Varsity Scouting; No. 00931, Sea Scouting; No. 00871, commissioner; No. 00872, District Committee Member; and/or No. 00930, Venturing--are worn on the knot to designate the phase(s) of the program in which the award or key was earned.


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Learning Center Search Results
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Researching your Italian heritage can be both fun and rewarding. It isn't difficult to do, and there are many resources to help you along. This class will give you an overview of the research process and the records and resources available to you.
This tutorial will guide you in reading old Italian handwritten records. You may learn about the common challenges faced when trying to read and interpret old Italian documents.
Reading Italian Handwritten Records Lesson 1: The Italian Alphabet
This lesson will help you learn to recognize the letters used in the Italian alphabet in order to help you read, understand, and extract information from Italian genealogical records.
Reading Italian Handwritten Records Lesson 2: Words and Phrases
This lesson will help you identify common genealogical words and phrases in Italian records. You will learn about common word forms and break and abbreviations that you will see in these records.
Reading Italian Handwritten Records Lesson 3: Reading Italian Records
This lesson will help you learn to extract key genealogical information from Italian records.


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Robert L. McLamJuly 24,2013
Robert L. McLam
BURLINGTON Robert L. McLam, 94, died July 21, 2013, at Starr Farm Nursing Center in Burlington, Vt.
He was born in East Topsham, Vt., on April 21, 1919, the son of Charles and Bertha (Hall) McLam. He attended school in Topsham and graduated from Bradford Academy in 1937.
He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church of East Topsham.
After high school he joined the United States Army, serving in World War II. He served much of his time in Europe in England, France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. He was a surgical technician in Company D 105th Medical Battalion, holding a T5 rating. His division participated in five major battles across Europe, one of them being the Battle of the Bulge.
He married Leota M. Welch, of Topsham, on Nov. 25, 1950. In 1953, they built McLams General Store in Waits River. They operated the store until 1970. He was also employed at Bowen Hunter Bobbin Mill in East Corinth, Bradford Veneer Co. in Bradford, Vt., and Hutchins Bobbin Mill in Barre, Vt.
He was a naturally talented carpenter, building three family homes, and helping his daughters and sons-in-law with building and adding to their homes.
He and his wife loved to travel the back roads of Vermont. He enjoyed deer hunting, family gatherings, taking care of his home, his vegetable garden, and sitting out in his lawn chair watching the traffic go by. He was truly the king of his castle; as he aged and was unable to attend to his home, he was still the boss, keeping an eye on his children as they did the work.
He is survived by his wife, Leota; three daughters, Judy Cheney and husband Steve, of St. George, Vt., Lois Cote and husband Armand, of Burlington, Vt., and Susan McLam, of Orange, Vt.; three granddaughters, Krista Cheney, of St. George, Vt., Valerie Cote, of Burlington, Vt., and Lynnette Montgomery and her husband, Michael, of Lyndonville, Vt.; as well as several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his father, mother, three sisters, Ivis McLam, Marion Brown and Ruby Constantino, and two brothers, Wesley McLam and Sheldon McLam.
The family gives special thanks to the staff of Starr Farm and the staff of Little Rivers Health Care in East Corinth, Vt., as well as Dr. David Ospina of Mountainview Medical in Berlin, Vt., for providing the best possible care a family could ask for.
Arrangements are being made by Hale Funeral Homes of Bradford, Vt.
At his request there will be no calling hours. Private services will be held at a later date.
To view an online guestbook, go to www.halefuneralhomes.com.MORE IN ObituariesFrederick A. Full StoryBonnie L. Full StoryRichard E. Lemery
WATERBURY Richard E. Full Story
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Required Admissions Materials
Mailing Address - All application materials and admissions correspondence should be mailed to:Mercer University
Atlanta, GA 30341
Priority Deadlines
NOTE: All application materials must be submitted to be considered for admission.
Fall Session I (August) - July 15
Fall Session II (October) - October 1
Spring Session I (January) - November 15
Spring Session II (March) - March 1
Summer (May) – April 15
Admission Requirements
Application –Complete the Application for Admission. Begin application now >
Application Fee -Please include $35 application fee ($50 for international applicants) in the form of a check or money order made payable to Mercer University. Do not send cash. The application fee is nonrefundable and cannot apply toward tuition. Former or current students of Mercer University need not submit another application fee. Mailing address is provided above.
MAT/GRE - All applicants must take the Millers Analogy Test (MAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Scores must be no more than five years old at the time of application. Testing information can be provided through the official MAT or GRE website. The target score for the MAT is 397 and the target score for the GRE is 151 verbal and 143 quantitative. This is but one tool used in the decision making process.
*MAT/GRE not required for applicants who meet one of the following exceptions:
(a) Five years of professional experience in the field of criminal justice/public safety. These applicants must meet the target 2.75 GPA requirement to be admitted to the program, and must submit two letters of recommendation (one from an executive level public service representative and one from an academic reference)
(b) Achieved a 3.0 GPA in the last 30 hours of academic work.
Unofficial MAT/GRE - If you have already taken the MAT or GRE and have the score results, we request that you include this information with the application. For example, you may submit a copy of the unofficial score report given at the time the test was taken (sometimes referred to as the "walk-out score report") or a copy of your examinees score report received through the mail. This will allow the admissions department to begin the file evaluation process. This does not replace the requirement of an official score report for those applicants who are offered admission.
Transcripts –Applicants must submit one official transcript from each college and university attended. Transcripts are required for both undergraduate (including summer school and studies abroad) and graduate course work, regardless of length of stay or if the grades are listed on another school's transcript. Former and current Mercer University students need not request a Mercer University transcript.
One Letter of Recommendation – Submit one letter of recommendation/support from a person in current or past leadership structure.
Autobiography and Career Goals– In a one to two page typed double spaced essay, briefly discuss your background, your current occupation and future goals.
Résumé - Please include a current résumé with your application.
Additional Requirements for International Applicants
A. Evaluation of Foreign Credentials Applicants who completed all or part of their education abroad are required to have their foreign educational credentials evaluated by an independent evaluation service. A Course-by-Course and Grade Point Average Equivalent Evaluation is required for graduate admission. Contact the Office of Admissions for information about evaluation services if your foreign credentials have not been evaluated. If an evaluation has been done, you must submit an official sealed copy with your application.
B. Official Translations Documents submitted in a language other than English must be accompanied by official translations.
C. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) The TOEFL or IELTS is required for international applicants whose primary language is not English. The scores may not be more than two years old. Official score reports must be sent directly to the Office of Admissions by the Educational Testing Service. The Educational Testing Service institution code for submission of official score reports is 5025. Unofficial copies of the score report may be included with the application for initial review and evaluation. This does not replace the requirement of an official score report for those applicants who are offered admission.
Exception: The TOEFL is not required of international applicants who have attended another U.S. institution and completed freshman English Composition I and II with grades of "C" or higher.
D. Financial Guarantee:International applicants who wish to obtain an I-20 for F-1 visa must include financial documentation showing ability to finance tuition and living expenses for one year. Financial documents must have a current date and indicate available funds of US$25,000.
E. Visa Status: International Applicants Who are Currently in the United States - Documentation of your current visa status must be submitted with the self-managed application. (Copy of I-20 and I-94 if on an F-1 visa; copy of visa stamp and I-94 if on another type of visa; or copy of Resident Alien card [front and back] if classified as a Resident Alien.)


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Excitement Villa 138
7501 Excitement Drive, Kissimmee, FL 34747, USA – Show map
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Facilities of Excitement Villa 138
Free! Free private parking is possible on site (reservation is needed).
Free! WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.
- Spa Bath
- Hairdryer
- Bathroom
Media & Technology
- Telephone
Room Amenities
- Air Conditioning
Pets are not allowed.
- Outdoor pool
Common areas
- Games room
Property surroundings – Show map
Closest landmarks
- Watson Golf Course 0.6 miles
- Arnold Palmer Golf Course 0.6 miles
- Nicklaus Course 0.6 miles
- ChampionsGate Golf Club 2.6 miles
- Mystic Dunes Golf Club 3.4 miles
Most popular landmarks
- Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park 6.2 miles
- Disney's Animal Kingdom 6.6 miles
- Disney's Hollywood Studios 6.8 miles
- Epcot 8.1 miles
- Walt Disney World 10.6 miles
16:00 - 00:00 hours
Until 10:00 hours
Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to room type. Please enter the dates of your stay and check the conditions of your required room.
Children and extra beds
Children cannot be accommodated at the hotel.
There is no capacity for extra beds in the room.
Pets are not allowed.
Cards accepted at this property
Hover over the cards for more info.
Payment will be in English Pounds coming from the UK. In the event that you wish to pay with US dollar please contact PMC for PayPal instructions and or over the phone payment method.
Please note the property will email a rental agreement to the guest after booking from the management company, 5 Star Villa Holidays. If the agreement is not received, the guest should contact the property management company at the number on the booking confirmation. Credit card will be charged on the day of booking.
Guests are required to show a photo identification and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
Please inform Excitement Villa 138 in advance of your expected arrival time. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly with the contact details provided in your confirmation.
Please note that the full amount of the reservation is due before arrival. 5 Star Bargain Villas LTD will send a confirmation with detailed payment information. After full payment is taken, the property's details, including the address and where to collect keys, will be emailed to you.
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Satin Bolero
Style: 570053912
Out of Stock
The little black jacket—as essential as the little black dress. 97% Polyester, 3% Spandex. Dry clean. Imported.
- Open front.
- Tacked lapels and princess seams. 3/4 sleeves with 3.5" vents.
- Fully lined. Light shoulder padding.
- Hits at the upper waist (14" from shoulder).
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I'm currently pregnant with my first child and I will be returning to work 6-10 weeks after the baby is born. Fortunately my boss has two children of her own and is very supportive of my breastfeeding and pumping while at work.
My main problem right now is trying to choose a pump! There are so many options and I've heard so many conflicting reviews. Can anyone recomend a reliable, moderately priced breast pump for a working mom who wants to breastfeed?
Thank you!
~a nervous mom-to-be


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A Year in the Life - Global Reporting Initiative's First Year Back in the USA
Vol 3. No 1 January/February 2012
Global Reporting Initiative's first year back in the U.S. of A.
By Mike Wallace
Reporting Initiative began at Ceres in Boston in 1997 and has since achieved international impact. But, with corporate reporting less common in the United States, GRI was reestablished here almost exactly one year ago. In fact, it was on January 31, 2011 that GRI officially announced its reentry into the U.S. market at the NYSE at an incredibly successful launch event for GRI's Focal Point USA. (It's nicely encapsulated in this five-minute video: vimeo.com/24417074.) We want to thank not only Michelle Greene of NYSE Euronext for hosting such a momentous moment for GRI, but also the team at CR Magazine for connecting GRI with NYSE Euronext.
Ever since the launch last year, it has been a nonstop, whirlwind tour of North America to raise awareness about sustainability, sustainability reporting and of course, GRI. As we tally up 2011 data for our own internal reporting processes, we're seeing significant and tangible indications that GRI's presence in the United States is having its intended effect and is directly supporting GRI's global vision and mission.
Thanks to the ongoing support of key U.S. stakeholders like our founding sponsors (Deloitte, Ernst & Young, KPMG and PwC); our U.S. sector leaders (Bloomberg, Clorox, Dell and Mosaic), our certified training partners (Brown Flynn and ISOS); and a range of new U.S. organizational stakeholders, we are witnessing not only a rapid increase in GRI reporters, but also use of GRI across all parts of the U.S. economy.
Facts and a Factoid
We don't officially stop counting 2011 reporters until March, but based on current information we are estimating roughly a 35 percent increase in GRI reporters in the US from 2010 to 2011. If you are interested in the overall global and regional analysis of reporting trends for last year, you can see GRI's Sustainability Reporting Statistics 2010.
Thanks to excellent research on the sustainability reports being released by U.S. organizations, our new U.S. data partner, the Governance & Accountability Institute is helping identify previously unknown GRI reporters. An interesting and generally unknown factoid is that many GRI reporters aren't aware that they need to register their GRI report if they want to make it into our database of reporters. Not only that, but here in the U.S. we are realizing that many reporters aren't fully aware of how the GRI application levels can and should be applied, nor are they aware of the report services. If you have published a sustainability report and you're not in the Governance & Accountability Institute's database, use the information on their site to get registered (see www.sustainabilityhg.com).
After almost 15-years' worth of effort, GRI and its stakeholders can proudly state the following:
GRI is being written into national regulation, implemented by state-owned companies, integrated into stock exchange listing rules, and increasingly woven into the procurement policies of some very big institutions. Most of this is summarized in the publication Carrots and Sticks, but you can also keep up on the latest developments throughGRI's Report or Explain Campaign Forum.
Value Chains
Supply chain management is going to be the biggest game-changing event for sustainability. Not only managing the supply chain, but making the information publicly available is already changing the way sustainability performance is being embraced, standardized, and disclosed.
In the U.S. we saw two very interesting GRI developments from two well-known commercial institutions. Last October Microsoft announced a new supply chain initiative that encourages suppliers to report on sustainability using the GRI Guidelines. And just this January Apple announced its own supply chain approach, which also suggests that suppliers report using GRI.
This is not a new approach, globally, but it is new here in the U.S. Globally, GRI is working with a range of well-known companies to not only ask for disclosure from their suppliers, but to train the suppliers on reporting. Through GRI's Global Action Network, multinational corporations are collaborating in this unique program that promotes sustainability, as well as transparency in their supply chain.
Why is this important, especially in the U.S.?
First of all, think about how most sustainable supply chain programs evolve. Most are designed in a b-to-b fashion—keeping everything proprietary and locked down between the companies involved. Company A has a concern about its supply chain. It spends time and resources to develop its own proprietary survey, review it with legal, and then send their suppliers a request for information in a certain way, by a certain date. The suppliers, many of whom are already complaining about survey fatigue from other customers and other stakeholders, respond to this new "business requirement." If the company has a sustainability strategy and program, a dedicated person, and a sustainability report, it can more easily access and report on this information.
In a perfect world, Company A receives responses from all its suppliers in a timely manner, with consistent and comparable units of measurement, and all guaranteed to be true and accurate. But we are not living in a perfect world. Nor is it necessarily in Company A's best business interest to be requesting, collecting, managing, and proofing such data—it's not their core business.
The actions taken by the companies involved in GRI's GANTSCh Program, as well as the announcements made by Microsoft and Apple, are an indication of the future of more efficient and effective supply chain management programs.
First, leveraging the GRI guidelines and GRI's global momentum sends a strong message about standardized, consistent, and credible reporting on a set of performance metrics that have been created, vetted, and used by some of the world's leading thinkers in sustainability. Second, asking suppliers to adopt the most widely used sustainability reporting framework in the world would let them know that there is a globally accepted approach. Third, having consistent GRI reporting in the supply chain could then roll up more easily and accurately into the buyer's own sustainability report. Fourth, asking the suppliers to publish their own GRI report not only puts their information out in the public domain for a wide range of stakeholders to assess its validity, it can also be used by the suppliers for a range of other interested audiences. Finally, for those in the supply chain who have already done a GRI report, there would be a resounding sigh of relief that their voluntary efforts to report on sustainability are being accepted by one of their most important stakeholders: their customers.
Avoiding Survey Fatigue
Have a look at the GRI reporters on the Governance & Accountability Institute site. Now think about how many of these companies are already voluntarily reporting on sustainability: Are they in your supply chain? Are you in their supply chain? Do any of you need yet another approach to reporting on sustainability, or another questionnaire to fill out, or another one to verify yourself?
With that in mind, consider that the President's Executive Order 13514 Executive Order Focused on Federal Leadership in Environmental Energy and Economic Performance is asking all branches of the U.S. government to report on sustainability and that this too requires a look at their supply chain. The U.S. government is the largest single buyer in the world. Most of that procurement is managed through the General Services Administration (GSA). Now consider how much GRI activity is already happening within various branches of the U.S. government. Much of this is outlined in GRI's February Newsletter "US Federal Community Marches into Sustainability 2012"
Consider the global trends we are seeing, the developments outlined in this very article, and what you have probably experienced in your own work in this field. When you look at the GRI reporters list, think about how many of those GRI reporters are in the U.S. government's supply chain. Where might all this be heading? Where would you like it to head?
Fortunately, GRI's time here in the United States has given us a unique opportunity to not only see these developments, but also to share some of these global best practices among a wide range of stakeholders. This includes the GSA, which now knows a lot about GRI after holding an internal GRI certified training course last October.
We are not sure how this is going to play out, but from talking to the long list of GRI reporters who are already in the U.S. government's supply chain, we're certain that none of them are looking for another sustainability survey or questionnaire. In fact, one long-time GRI reporter from the automotive sector and a big supplier to the U.S. government suggested that GRI needs to initiate similar training programs in every U.S. state. This company had just received its latest sustainability survey, a lengthy procurement document from one of its largest fleet buyers—the State of California's Department of General Services (DGS). They said it was good that they had just finished their latest GRI report and could draw from it, but they also said it would be much more efficient if California would accept and read its GRI report.
Imagine the survey fatigue and wasted resources on all sides of the equation—the buyer and the seller, the stakeholder and the seller. Imagine if all the nation's governors and mayors implemented their own approach to managing their supply chains.
With that said, GRI is actively talking to the states of California and Washington and the cities of Atlanta, Chicago, Cleveland, New Haven, and New York in hopes of connecting more dots and raising the awareness about the utility GRI reporting could bring to all interested parties.
Mike Wallace is director of GRI Focal Point USA.


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US Peace Corps
|?staging date=
|?staging city=
|sort=Staging date
American Overseas Staff (FY2010): {{#ask:2010_pcstaff_salary::+country name is::Swaziland
Latest Early Termination Rates (FOIA 11-058): {{#ask:Country_early_termination_rate::+country name is::Swaziland
|Peace Corps Welcome Book
|Country Director:
|Program Dates:
|Current Volunteers:
|Total Volunteers:
|Languages Spoken:
In 2003, the Peace Corps returned to Swaziland after an eight-year absence. The Peace Corps was first invited to work in Swaziland in 1969, a few months after the country gained independence from Great Britain.
Peace Corps History
Main article: History of the Peace Corps in Swaziland
The Peace Corps was invited to work in Swaziland in 1969, a few months after the country gained independence from Great Britain. Over the next 28 years, 1,400 Peace Corps Volunteers served in Swaziland, working in the education and agriculture sectors. Playing a prominent role in Swaziland's development, Volunteers taught English, agriculture, mathematics, science, and vocational education in secondary schools and promoted agricultural cooperatives in rural areas. A small number of volunteers were stationed in the urban areas, doing projects such as technical training at Swaziland College of Technology (SCOT) and in Manzini, computer work in the Ministry of Finance, urban planning, and geology.
Living Conditions and Volunteer Lifestyle
Main article: Living Conditions and Volunteer Lifestyles in Swaziland
Your community will provide safe and adequate housing in accordance with the Peace Corps' site selection criteria. However, you need to be very flexible in your housing expectations. Housing will vary from a mud house with a thatch or tin roof to a cement block house to a room with a local family in a traditional homestead. Most Volunteers live on rural homesteads with Swazi host families. There is no guarantee that you will have running water or electricity; if you do not, you will collect your water from a community tap and spend evenings reading by candlelight or lantern. You will receive a settling-in allowance in local currency to purchase necessary household items.
Main article: Training in Swaziland
Training is an essential part of Peace Corps service. Our goal is to give you enough skills and like you know I mean hum information to allow you to live and work effectively in Swaziland. In doing that, we build on the experiences and expertise you bring to the Peace Corps. We anticipate that you will approach your training with an open mind, a desire to learn, and a willingness to be involved. Trainees officially become Volunteers after successful completion of training.
The nine-week training program will provide you with the opportunity to learn new skills and practice them as they apply to Swaziland. You will receive training and orientation in language, cross-cultural communication, development issues, health and personal safety, and technical skills pertinent to your specific assignment. The skills you learn will serve as the foundation upon which you build your experience as a Volunteer in Swaziland.
Health Care and Safety
Main article: Health care and safety in Swaziland
The Peace Corps' highest priority is maintaining the good health and safety of every Volunteer. Peace Corps medical programs emphasize the preventive, rather than the curative, approach to disease. The Peace Corps in Swaziland maintains a health unit with a full-time medical officer who takes care of Volunteers' primary heathcare needs. Additional medical services, such as testing and basic treatment, are also available in Swaziland at local hospitals. If you become seriously ill, you will be transported either to an American-standard medical facility in the region or to the United States.
Diversity and Cross-Cultural Issues
Main article: Diversity and cross-cultural issues in Swaziland
In Swaziland, as in other Peace Corps host countries, Volunteers' behavior, lifestyle, background, and beliefs are judged in a cultural context very different from their own. Certain personal perspectives or characteristics commonly accepted in the United States may be quite uncommon, unacceptable, or even repressed in Swaziland.
Outside of Swaziland's capital, residents of rural communities have had relatively little direct exposure to other cultures, races, religions, and lifestyles. What people view as typical American behavior or norms may be a misconception, such as the belief that all Americans are rich and have blond hair and blue eyes. The people of Swaziland are justly known for their generous hospitality to foreigners; however, members of the community in which you will live may display a range of reactions to cultural differen


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The Chad going for #10 on Manny's Bobblehead night!
Tonight is Manny's bobblehead night and as expected the game was declared a sellout a few days back. With Manny being hit on the wrist by Homer Bailey last night, we are not sure if he will play. We were put at ease when it was announced at the stadium that the X-Rays were negative.
Chad Billingsley, chasing that illusive win #10 goes against Bronson Arroyo. . Good luck Billz!
Kiss-Cam and James Loney. Last Saturday when they were showing on the big screen couples kissing, they showed a young woman with a very colorful sign saying "Kiss Me Loney!". James Loney was not playing that night so when he saw the sign from the dugout, he came out scanning the crowd for the sign and sent a kiss. Of all the Dodger players, I think Loney is the one that is quiet and shy, so it was funny seeing him do that. When he noticed the camera was showing him on the big screen, he smiled embarrased and went and he went back into the dugout laughing. It was funny!. Usually signs are not permitted at Dodger Stadium but every once in a while fans do sneak them in.
Juan Castro and his at bat music. Juan Castro started the other day for Orlando Hudson. When they played his at bat music, you could hear all around the stadium including my friend Lore and I with the typical yells like "AHUA" when hearing a good mariachi. The name of the song is "La Negra" or "Al Son de la Negra" here it is if you want to hear it. coudl not do the youtube.
Casey Blake…Is he Mejicano? When we started hearing the Mexican song "La Negra on Tuesday, my friend Lore and I looked at each other. She said "Is Casey Mexican?". We even got a text from my brother Vic asking about it. My friend Lore answered "well, he is a Doyer.".
.Bowling with James Loney and company; Thursday is a day off and is the annual Dodgers bowling event to benefit the Dream Foundation. It is about $850 per person so a little too steep for me, besides I should be on the D.L as i have a bum shoulder. Still I am heading to the game soon.
With the Marlins in town this weekend, the upcoming events are:
Friday night. A tribute to Elvis Night_ Fireworks.
Saturday night.. Hollywood Star Night. with that softball game starting at 5.
Sunday afternoon: Webkinz pet Giveaway for first 15K kids 14 and under.
Oh and a new giveaway has been announced for September 14 against the Pirates: Free Dodger dogs. Not the stuff animal but the ones you eat.
Let's go Dodgers!!!
25 Comments
It is so strange to hear about how other teams have give a ways night after night. We don't do that at Fenway. Our minor league teams do but I guess since the Red Sox sell out every game this is no reason for it.
Hey Emma! Chad's going to get #10 tonight!!
I love the giveaways! Got some of my most cherished
memorbilia through the giveaways! It's a good thing as
it saves me some $$$. I guess the Dodgers got to figure out
how to put bodies in additional 20,000 seats as it has
greater capacity than Fenway. There is no shame in drawing
about 40,000 fans a night on a nongiveaway night. I'm sure we'll
draw the 56,000 capacity tonight or come real close to it.
It's good to see the Dodgers play well. 26 games above .500. Not
too shabby!!!🙂
Hey Emma! Chad's going to get #10 tonight!!
I love the giveaways! Got some of my most cherished
memorbilia through the giveaways! It's a good thing as
it saves me some $$$. I guess the Dodgers got to figure out
how to put bodies in additional 20,000 seats as it has
greater capacity than Fenway. There is no shame in drawing
about 40,000 fans a night on a nongiveaway night. I'm sure we'll
draw the 56,000 capacity tonight or come real close to it.
It's good to see the Dodgers play well. 26 games above .500. Not
too shabby!!!🙂
I love hearing about the giveaways! Cool!
Players pick the weirdest songs sometimes. Oh well…give us something to talk about!
Billingsley looked pretty good tonight and he got his 10th! Congrats. I love tha tguy. So electric with his stuff. Sorry that ManRam sat out tonight. And on his bobblehead night to boot! That stinks. The Rays had CArl Crawford bobble the other Sunday and Joe Maddon gave him the day off. So it happens.
Wow!!!! What a game! The 56,000 fans in attendance
got what we came for!!! Manny is out of the line up
& pinch hits at the most critical point in the game and
BAM launches one on the 1st pitch straight into Mannywood!
Manny is a great hitter a rarity & I for one appreciate
being able to see such talent in Dodger Blue! I love Joe Torre!
I just read a few comments from post game interviews
and he is just as special as Manny. I gotta thank
Jamie & Frank McCourt next time I see them. This
season is pretty special & I have a feeling this
is our year! It would be fantastic to have a Yankees
Vs. Dodgers World Series…just like the old Brooklyn
days! I can dream right!!!🙂
Pepe Iniguez was talking about the attendance that the Dodgers average 44,000 a night. Last night I missed writting the attendance but Monday FOR A NON -GIVEAWAY game, we had 48,110. Not bad ha?
You are right that both Manny and Torre are special. I just finished watching the repeat of the game and Manny was saying "WOW". I heard Joe Torre pre and post game interview too. Joe is such a nice guy. He spends time with the media and right after, he comes and signs for fans. love the guys! And dreams do come thru! Oh and some of my best memorabilia are giveaways. I love the yearly calendar. John Soohoo takes some special picture worth of taking the calendar apart and framing. I'll join you thanking Frank and Jammie.
I love the song that they play for Juan Castro. It represent his country so well. With so many of us hispanic at the stadium, it gets us going too.
It all worked out great with Manny pinch hitting for his first Grand Slam! It was incredible the atmosphere! WOW!
The Dodgers sure packed a punch that night, Manny Ramirez hitting a pinch hit grand slam was the cherry on top, on his bobblehead night. That's a fun way to end your day. The Dodgers have left the Reds limping out of LA
Matthew T.
We went crazy when he hit it out. Bronson Arroyo was not happy that he came out of the game. He wanted to pitch to Manny. I listen to the game while watching it and I heard on the radio that the Reds were going next to Chicago and then coming back to San Diego. Isn't that crazy?
I can't believe Manny came out to pinch hit on his bobblehead night and went deep for a grand slam. You just can't make that stuff up! Congrats.
I dont think Casey is Mexican. :} Infact, my old 5th grade math teacher is his cousin, so I know he's not Mexican. Good Luck to the Dodgers! http://tribechick.mlblogs.com/ -TC
That is right Jane, you can't make that up and come out any better.
I know he is not Mexican🙂 it was just funny for him to come to bat with a mariachi song. My friends, my brother and I looked at each other like "did they make a mistake?" I think it was someone messing with him. It was funny, we loved it! Thanks! Good luck to your tribe. I miss this Cleveland guy that used to call every Sport radio station here in L.A and also ESPN> Every sport broadcaster knew him. what was his name? yeah, Jefff in Tarzana. I have not heard him a looong time. Maybe he moved back to Cleveland.
Love that song and thanks for sharing….the Mexican just came out and gotta sing a pulmon aviert…ARRIVA JALISCO! OK OK now about Casey being Mexican…I am a bit confused (what's new) but did he come out to a mariachi song the other…I thought I heard "GUADALAJARA" ???
Well that was really nice of Loney to blow a kiss to the lucky girl. Gives me an idea….hmmm…. instead of sign (since we are not allowed) then put it on the t-shirt….LOL KISS ME ETHIER & KISS ME MARTIN….LOL Don't think my husband will like that…LOL
EMMA – how was the energy when MANNY came out and did his GRAND SLAM….woooooo we should of been there….booo hooo! And ETHIER did a home run…..they are the homerun duo! GREAT GREAT GAME YESTERDAY!
I know you would have Ahuuuuaing with us. He is not Mexican but I think someone was playing a joke on him or who knows maybe he requested it. I got to ask him. He came out to the same "Al Son de la Negra" song and my friend Lore, the two guys sitting next to me and I we started ahuuuaing. We were sitting in the field level close to Loney with the company seats, but we missed our Top Deck and our Top Deck familia.
Oh, the energy was incredible. We were going all around high-fiving. I had a hard time hearing as we were yelling to hear each other. Normally a group of people congregate in back of us also so we were all high-fiving. Even Dr. Steinberg I have seen him sitting in the last row next to us. I've seen him there twice. Once he was keeping score. I bumped into him in the club level and he said to a lady he was with "Emma, here was a great host." lol. I merelyy went to say hi to him and chat for a little bit and invited him to join us anytime. I see him sitting next to Frank McCourt for a lot of games or he watches from the club level. He is really a nice guy. We do have a lot nice people working for the Dodgers from ushers, embassadors, food vendors, security guards, to Josh, Dr. Steinberng, etc, etc.
How exciting….just your whole experience sounds wonderful. But thanks I thought I had imagined Blake coming out to Mariachi music and my husband thought I was crazy…Well I am but I was right…LOL For the next Rookie hazzing…some one should dress up like a Mariachi guy with Sombrero and all and of course one should dress up like the girl…trensas and all…LOL!
Who knows I thought Casey Blake was like Andre Ethier – no Mexican on their name. Funny the time Vin mentioned that we can see Andre is Mexican cause of his name (ANDRE)…he even sneakered right after he mentioned it…probably caught himself and realized that there is NO Mexican in the name (ANDRE). And the "S" maybe (ANDRES)….LOL
I don't know what happened to my post. Did it maybe go into the ITD? what was I saying… Oh yeah, you are not crazy! I love your enthusiasm! The dressd up ideas for the rookie hazing are great. You should send them to Josh. Let's see Belisario dressed with the trensas and one of those dresses? no, I think Leach better and Belly is the charro. LOL That would so funny!
Yep, that was his 21st and you know what? in the ITD blog, it was reported that at 10 am, he was at the park practicing.
Emma – Isn't baseball great? I can be mopey today about the loss (but hey – if you're gonna get beat, this is a pretty decent way of it happening) , it's also still raining so that's adding insult to injury. Scott did pitch pretty well – except for the grand slam. But that could happen to any pitcher.
Tomorrow is another day and another game. It's supposed to rain again – but they are playing HERE in my neck of the woods. I get the game on TV, so it's all good for tomorrow….
but i still reserve the right to be mopey tonight.🙂
That is right Ginny. You deserve to be mopey. Just pamper yourself today with the little things that mean a Lot.
Oh & Yes, I remember you telling me about her🙂 I'm sure she really enjoyed that game, didn't she? http://tribechick.mlblogs.com/ -TC
Hey Emma! Now you've got everyone debating Casey Blake's Mexican-ness (;-) The reason I said Casey was Mexican was bc Emma's bro text her during the game asking about the music and I responded to him…Didn't u hear, he assimilated to the Mexican Culture…He is a Doyer (Latino Fans refer to the Dodgers as Los Doyers). I was laughing throughout the thread bc some thought we were serious about that. Anyhow, missed going out the ballpark today. Its been a long week with the homestand and I've gotten use to just driving to the ballpark after work and getting home around 11:00 or so. I'll see you tomorrow! I have three friends joining us tomorrow! The more the merrier!🙂
I like the idea about the T-Shirt! I am considering making a Matt Kemp one! We should all wear them together so we stand out!
Remember to Think Blue and Go Dodgers!
Deb emailed with the title "WOW". That is what Manny was saying after he hit the grand slam .
Hey Luvthedodgers23,
yeah, Casey is a Doyer. I miss driving straight to the stadium too. Woohoo! the more the merrier. I'll go see the group from the train that will be in RS behind homeplate. The t-shirt is a good idea and do it when all the girls come to the game.
Go Doyers! I got to get me one of those t-shirts.
That's the beauty benihd "In the Best Interest of the Game of Baseball" clause he has at his disposal. (I'm sure that's not the official title, but it's close.) Frank McCourt was a detriment to the sport, and he was endangering one of the most beloved franchises. To be honest, I'm kind of surprised it took him so long. Hopefully, this doesn't set a precedent for Selig or future commissioners.


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On the one-year anniversary of the death of Osama bin Laden, President Obama made an unannounced visit to Afghanistan and said his goal "to defeat al-Qaida and deny it a chance to rebuild is now within our reach." NBC's Atia Abawi reports.
Wrapping up a surprise visit to Afghanistan, President Barack Obama made a televised address from the war-torn country to discuss an agreement he signed with President Hamid Karzai, which would see 23,000 U.S. troops withdrawn by the end of the summer. The agreement, he said, hails "a new kind of relationship" that would see the United States in a more supportive role.
"As our coalition agreed, by the end of 2014 the Afghans will be fully responsible for the security of their country," Obama said. But the president was clear that the U.S. would stay engaged into the future.
"The agreement we signed today sends a clear message to the Afghan people. As you stand up, you will not stand alone," Obama said. "It establishes the basis of our cooperation over the next decade, including shared commitments to combat terrorism and strengthen democratic institutions."
President Obama's visit to Afghanistan was kept secret until he met with Karzai. During Tuesday's meeting, which took place around midnight, the two leaders signed a post-war agreement that provides a framework to the U.S.'s commitment to Afghanistan after the long and unpopular war comes to an end.
The agreement opens the possibility for continued training of Afghan forces and targeted operations against al-Qaida, which is present in neighboring Pakistan but has a nominal presence inside Afghanistan.
President Obama goes to Afghanistan to sign post-war agreement
At the podium at Bagram Air Field, Obama noted that 10,000 troops were withdrawn last year and that nearly half the Afghan population lives in areas where Afghan Security Forces are taking the lead.
"The Iraq War is over," the president said. "The number of our troops in harm's way has been cut in half, and more will be coming home soon. We have a clear path to fulfill our mission in Afghanistan, while delivering justice to al-Qaida."
On Tuesday night, President Barack Obama addressed the American people from Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan to announce an agreement he signed with President Hamid Karzai: "The goal that I set -- to defeat al-Qaida, and deny it a chance to rebuild -- is within reach." Watch the full speech here.
Still, Obama struck a cautionary note, warning of "more difficult days ahead" and acknowledged that "many Americans are tired of war." But "we must finish the job we started in Afghanistan and end this war responsibly," he said.
Transcript of Obama's speech from Bagram Air Base
International troops would continue to train and advise the Afghans, Obama said, and the U.S. would not build permanent bases in Afghanistan or patrol the country's cities and mountains.
The president also said the U.S. would not build permanent bases in Afghanistan or patrol the country's cities and mountains.
The Afghan Security Forces would grow its force to 352,000 this year, Obama said, and sustain that level for three years.
"That will be the job of the Afghan people," he said.
Obama planned to be on the ground for about seven hours in Afghanistan, where the United States has been engaged in war for more than a decade following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. More than 1,800 U.S. forces have been killed and 15,700 wounded in that time.
The trip also carries major symbolic significance for a president seeking a second term and allows him to showcase the killing a year ago of 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden.
Media traveling with Obama on the 13-hour flight had to agree to keep it secret until Obama had safely finished a helicopter flight to the nation's capital, Kabul still launch lethal attacks.
Obama also addressed Pakistan, where bin Laden spent nine years hiding in a safe house in Abbottabad.
"I have made it clear to Afghanistan's neighbor - Pakistan - that it can and should be an equal partner in this process in a way that respects Pakistan's sovereignty, interests, and democratic institutions," Obama said. "In pursuit of a durable peace, America has no designs beyond an end to al-Qaida safe-havens, and respect for Afghan sovereignty."
More world news from msnbc.com and NBC News:
- Blind dissident's case a 'hot potato' for US-China relations
- Want a bin Laden brick? Pieces of Abbottabad compound sell for a nickel
- U.S. official acknowledges drone strikes, says civilian deaths 'exceedingly rare'
- Koalas get some protection in parts of Australia
Follow us on Twitter: @msnbc_world


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The versatile specialist with excellent handling and operating economy.
4×2, 6×2, 6×4, 8×2 or 8×4
D11 or D13 (330 to 480 hp)
The new Volvo FMX
Volvo FMX Classic
The new Volvo FM
Volvo FM Classic
An inescapable sense of excitement surrounds the three specialists in the Gothenburg meeting room. They are about to introduce the biggest news in steering since the servo. The new system reduces the forces on the driver by up to 85 percent. More than enough to reduce wear and tear on the driver and increase productivity.
With very precise turns and go-cart like steering it was easy to see how the new system could improve long haul driving. But no one could anticipate how much difference it would make when manoeuvring a fully loaded truck at low speed. Bosse Franzon speaks from experience: "When the truck was fully laden I was able to steer with one finger.
I tried the same thing in my car afterwards but my fingers weren't strong enough."
What I-Shift did for gearboxes, this will do for steering
The new steering qualities are ideal in the Volvo FM, or wherever a lot of manoeuvring is needed. "Take urban distribution,'' says development engineer Kristoffer Tagesson, and continues. "When entering a roundabout you often see drivers lean forward to get more upper body strength. Turning at low speed can be a real struggle." The servo torque is progressive, so there's more assistance at lower speeds. This takes a lot of the strain out of everyday driving. And with less fatigue safety is improved.
Even young drivers are now starting to suffer from neck and shoulder problems. "In this light Volvo Dynamic Steering isn't just about comfort," says senior engineer, Jan-Inge Svensson. "This innovation can reduce wear and tear injuries on drivers – along with sick leave statistics. From a driver point of view it can prolong your active career without bringing on shoulder problems. And if you are less tired after eight or nine hours of driving, there are going to be fewer incidents."
Even at high speed the driver is pushed and pulled around all day by irregularities in the road surface. Here, disturbance cancellation filters out the imperfections to make the drive more relaxing. Volvo Dynamic Steering also gives the truck greater directional stability at high speed. According to Kristoffer Tagesson, this helps make it predictable. "The steering itself is very clean and crisp. The added assistance provides the right force to the steering wheel at each and every moment. This makes the steering less tiresome and more predictable."
Normally the road is banked to one side, but the vehicle strives downwards. So even on a new highway the driver is continually forced to compensate the drift. Pull drift compensation calculates the average banking of the road and compensates for it accordingly. In this way Volvo Dynamic Steering takes strain off the driver's shoulders during long haul driving.
Volvo Dynamic Steering is powered by an electric motor which controls the steering 2,000 times per second. "This gives you an idea of its precision," says Bosse Franzon. "The technology is developed on a Torque Overlay platform, which means we have a very wide scope to extend its functionality in the future. I believe that what I-Shift did for gearboxes, this will do for steering. It's going to become a very popular option."
Volvo Dynamic Steering offers assistance where it's often needed the most – in reverse gear. The steering wheel returns to its neutral position just as naturally as when driving forwards. This takes the effort out of turning the wheel during a critical driving situation. Kristoffer Tagesson explains: "When the truck's front axle is loaded with nine or ten tonnes, backing up is heavy work. With Volvo Dynamic Steering you put the truck in reverse and start steering with the slightest of effort. Then you can let go of the wheel and watch it turn smoothly back until the truck straightens up."
"If you park the rig straight, put it in reverse and take your hands off the wheel you can virtually reverse as far as you like. After a hundred meters you might notice your trailer axles are not perfectly aligned any longer. But to do the same thing without Volvo Dynamic Steering would produce a jack-knife after twenty meters," says Bosse Franzon.
Learn more about the benefits of Volvo Dynamic Steering


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Palm Beach Money
Tag: Wal-Mart
10 of the most generous corporations in 2011
- 11:15 pm Wednesday, August 8th, 2012 by Dian Vujovich
Giving is a great thing whether you are an individual or a corporation. In fact, I can't think of anything more rewarding than the act of giving particularly when there are no write-offs involved.
That said, there are tax benefits for all when making charitable donations to qualified non-profit organizations no matter if one is donating a few hundred dollars or many millions of them. Or, is a corporation.
A recent special report conducted by The Chronicle Philanthropy looked at corporate giving at 166 large companies. Of those reviewed, 115 companies provided two years' worth of data. That data provided the basis [More]


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The Geography Blog focusing on all things geography: human, physical, technical, space, news, and geopolitics. Also known as Geographic Travels with Catholicgauze! Written by a former National Geographic employee who also proudly served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Monday, October 25, 2010
No Trick Treats: Map of Dietary Friendly Trick or Treat Spots
This is a potential Google Maps mashup that can help save Halloween for these children. No Trick Treats allows users to search for and place locations that will be handing out vegan, organic, raw, fruits/vegetables, nut-free, kosher, sugar-free, gluten-free, and non-food goods. There are a limited amount of locations so far but hopefully press coverage of the site will encourage more people to use it.
A vegan Halloween... what a scary thought.
3 comments:
- The Lazy Geographer said...
First, I live with a vegetarian (almost vegan), and let me tell you this: vegan is not as healthy as people make it out to be. It can have just as much fat and sugar if not more than meatasaurus foods.
Second, apples for Halloween never go over well. Neither do tooth brushes. =p
That being said, I am borrowing this story for my blog, with proper attribution, to see how it goes over with my crowd. They seem to be a bunch of ne'er-do-wells so it may result in some amusing comments.
Thanks for bringing this to my attention.
- Catholicgauze said...
I'll be sure to check for the comments. :)
- Eileen said...
This is why I give out little toys and not food. I don't believe in giving our kids more sugar and crap than they can already get. It grosses me out...the whole thing.


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The changes were made to align the district's new Del Mar College dual credit welding program with industry standards, as well as other extracurricular activities. The district policy was amended to include specified technical courses — which will include the welding program — in the district's mandatory drug and alcohol testing program. Testing will be required upon course enrollment, and random testing will be done throughout the year to maintain enrollment.
The district requires participation in random drug and alcohol testing for any student in grades 9-12 who chooses to participate in school-sponsored extracurricular activities.
"We don't random test every student, just those involved in extracurricular activities," board President Randy Eulenfeld said.
An offending student's parents will be notified of positive test results.
After a student's first violation of the policy, the student will be suspended from any extracurricular activity for the 10 school days immediately following the date the student and their parent were notified of the test results. The student must attend a district-approved chemical abuse program, and perform six hours of community service.
"Our intent is to try to correct (students), fix them and get them back into the program," Gregory-Portland High School Principal Barbara Cade said.
Board member Becky Macha asked if Del Mar was comfortable with offending students remaining in the program after serving their suspensions.
"They are," Cade said. "There will be a lot of counseling. Parents will be made aware that they are supposed to be drug free."
The district will no longer offer orientation for random drug testing, however.
"When we first brought random drug testing to the district, those meetings were extremely important," Cade said. "Now, the community understands the drug testing, so there's no need to hold formal orientation meetings. So, we removed it from the policy."
After a student's second violation of the policy, they will be suspended from any extracurricular activities for one calendar year following the date the student and parent are notified of the test results.