text:
Below is an alphabetical list of the Boy Scouts of America's current licensees. Click on the licensee name for more details about the organization and their products, or to rate your experience with that licensee.
AB Emblem
Absolute Graphics, Inc.
Accents Image Wear
Advantage Emblem, Inc.
Adventure 16, Inc.
Adventure Outfitters
Albrecht and Company
The Alexon Group, Inc.
All American Card Company
American Backcountry (Hintz Marketing, LLC)
Artex Group
Ashbury Images
Award Traders, LLC
Basehor Awards and Trophies
Bates Accessories
Bennett & Associates, Inc.
Bison Designs
Buck Knives
BugBand, Inc.
C.C. Creations, Ltd.
Carolina Emblem Company, Inc.
Carpenter Screen Printing, Inc.
Colorado Printing Company
Commemorative Brands (Artcarved)
Corporate Gift Pros
Corporate Identity
Creative Outdoor Distributor
Crown Awards
Cyberhorse Sportswear
Design Associates
DK Publishing
Dunraven Enterprises
East Coast AP Marketing
East-West Printing, Inc.
Eastern Emblem Manufacturing Corporation
Eastern National
Emblem Enterprises, Inc.
Embroidery House
ESM Enterprises, Inc.
Gear Up Apparel
General Commercial Corp.
Graphics FX, Inc.
Hand-Done T-Shirts, Inc.
Help R Youth Fundraising
Henry Repeating Arms
Hike America
IC Group
Ideal Embroidered Patch, Inc.
Image Group Ink
ImageSeller, LLC
Incentives Plus
It Takes Two
J. Patton, Inc.
James Gordon Designs/Dewar
JanSport, Inc.
Jennick Associates
Joycrest, Inc.
Kalos, Inc.
Kingwood Laser Graphics (F.E. Welling)
Krelman Company, LLC
Kurt S. Adler
Liberty Mountain Sports
Lodge Manufacturing Co.
Matrix Promotion & Apparel
Medline Industries, Inc.
Mid Florida Sportswear, Inc.
Moritz Embroidery Works, Inc.
Ms. Sticks
New Craftsman Industries
N.I.K. Printing & Design
Northwest Territorial Mint
Olympic Granola, Inc.
One Step, Inc.
Opportunity Center Easter Seals
Ouray Sportswear, LLC
Paper House Productions, Inc.
Patriot Signs
Pem America
A-B Emblem
Plasticard-Locktech International
Portraits Now
Precision Graphics
Premier Emblem
Product Architects
Red River Trophy & Engraving
Robert Bosch Tool Corporation
Robert Kaufman Co., Inc.
Rydin Decal
Saginaw Knitting Mills (SKM)
Sarge Knives International
SaveAround, Inc.
SCORE Sports
Screen Images
SG Trading Post
Shelby Patch Company, LLC
Signet Screen Printing
Spectrum Marketing Companies
Spiders Promotions
Stadri Emblems, Inc.
Standard Rule Promotions
STAT Promo Solutions
Sunflower Marketing
Sunshine Emblem and Decal, Inc.
Tayco Screenprinting
The Bradford Group
Thomas Bates Designs
Thomas Damascus Steel
Thompson Center Arms Company, Inc.
United Priority Distributors
Vitabri Canopies
Victorinox Swiss Army, Inc.
W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company
Wayne Carver Woodworking
West Coast Novelty Corp.
Youth Marketing Strategies
Zazzle.com, Inc.
Zone West


text:
Spacious Apartment Near Central Station
Size55 m²
Floor No.2
- Internet/WiFi
- Towels
- Family/child friendly
- Kitchen
- Lockable room
- Pets allowed
Accommodation summary
|Lange Beeldekensstraat, 2060 Antwerp, Belgium
|Property type
|Property ID
|Acceptance rate
|Response time
|A few hours
|Calendar updated
|2 days ago
You'll have a private kitchen, bathroom and separate toilet, a bedroom with double bed and a spacious living room with sleeping accommodations for up to four extra persons. I'll be close by, but never on the same floor, unless you would need something. The apartment has high speed WiFi and I'll give you my mobile phone number, so I'm easy to reach when necessary.
I've lived in this neighborhood for about twenty years now and actually love the vibrant atmosphere. This apartment is quiet, spacious and offers you a lot of privacy. A 'what you see is what you get' deal. My shop is at the ground floor, the stock is on the first floor and this apartment is on the second floor. You'll be the only guests in the entire house.
The house is 750 meters from the Central Station and 1,7 kilometers (about 1 mile) from the cathedral. If that's too far (it does rain here once in a while, or you might be exhausted from the shopping), metro station Elisabeth is around the corner, offering two direct lines to the old center. Restaurants serving fresh fish, beer bars and cinema complex just a few blocks away... Antwerp is an ideal city to explore on your own or in a group. Compact, filled with contrasting beauty: old and new, highbrow and down to earth, cheap and expensive.
Tram line 2 and 5 offer direct connections with the old center ('Groenplaats'). Bikes can be rented around the corner as well, but everything can be reached on foot. Vincent Van Gogh lived in this street and when visiting the VVG Museum in Amsterdam, you'll see two of his paintings, entiteled 'Lange Beeldekensstraat Antwerp. City maps, WiFi code and keys are always handed over by me personally.
House rulesNo smoking (I'm very strict about that... my previous house was partly destroyed by a fire that was started by a single cigarette).
If you would like to bring pets, please tell me about it before you arrive.
|Price for > 2 guests
|25 NZ$ per guest/night extra
|Check-in after
|Check-in before
|On arrangement
|Check-out before
|Cancellation Policy
Reviews of this property
A great apartment close to the station and the citycenter. It is very clean and calm. Timur was really friendly and told us what we should see in the city. We can only recommend the apartment!
We've passed two nights in this appartment, me and 3 friends and the result is very great.
Clean appartement, cool bathroom, near of Central Station to take good moments.
Timur is very friendly !
See you next year Belgium ! ;)
Very nice and functional apartment. Highly recommended.
Timur and Sonja were really kind. Thanks them both.
Timur is really very kind person, you can give good advice on the city and not trivial that I already knew there being gone several times over the past anni.L'appartamento match the photos and expectations, only fault two floors of stairs a little 'uncomfortable to do with the baggage. We loved it here and hope to return the next time we will be in Antwerp where I have an important client. Definitely recommended.
Timur è persona veramente gentilissima, ti sa dare ottimi ed non banali consigli sulla città che io già conoscevo essendoci andato diverse volte negli ultimi anni.L'appartamento corrisponde alle foto e alle aspettative, unico difetto due piani di scale un po' scomode da fare con il bagaglio. Ci siamo trovati molto bene e speriamo di tornarci le prossime volte che saremo in Anversa dove ho un cliente importante. Sicuramente raccomandabile.
Timur is a nice and friendly landlord. He gave us a lot of information about Antwerp. We can only recommend this flat for people who don't like to go to a hotel.
Nice apartment near the city centre.
Owner is a very nice person who has all kinds of nice tips for visiting points.
We will comming back for sure !
We have a lot of fun the night in this apartment in Antwerp. Everything is within walking distance, provided you good walker. The apartment was spacious enough for six people and all we wanted was there. The owner is a nice man, who knows many of Antwerp and is very friendly. Few small tips: hang curtains, so at night and especially in the morning which is darker. And not check out without the key ... because then you get the property no longer out! We definitely come back if we are again in Antwerp!
We hebben met veel plezier overnacht in dit appartement in Antwerpen. Alles is op loopafstand te vinden, mits je goed ter been bent. Het appartement was ruim genoeg voor zes personen en alles wat we wensten was aanwezig. De eigenaar is een prettige man, die veel van Antwerpen af weet en zeer klantvriendelijk is. Paar kleine tips: hang gordijnen op, zodat het 's nachts en met name 's morgens wat donkerder is. En check niet uit zonder sleutel... want dan kom je het pand niet meer uit! We komen zeker terug als we weer eens in Antwerpen zijn!
Timur is a very friendly and helpful host. The appartment ist very clean, calm and spacious enough, to enjoy the stay with two children! In the kitchen we missed a board. Bref: we enjoyd our stay in Antwerpen at Timurs appartment very much.
The apartment is in a perfect location to visit the old town of Antwerp without having to take car. Surrounded by restaurants and supermarkets. This clean and has everything to make life just to buy food. Timur behaved very politely and very attentive. It is advisable to 100%
El apartamento esta en una ubicación perfecta para visitar el casco antiguo de Amberes sin tener que coger coche. Rodeado de restaurantes y de supermercados. Esta limpio y tiene de todo para poder hacer vida, solo comprar comida. Timur se porto muy educadamente y muy atento. Es recomendable al 100%
- Quality assured accommodation
- Every host is verified by telephone
- Secure payment via SSL encryption

subset: commoncrawl


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View Comment
F. Serralta
Posted at 7:51 PM on July 4, 2012
Posted at 6:11 PM on November 14, 2012
You are so right. What a waste kind a life style and that just teaching her kids that is okay to buy man to acompany them in bed or to fulfill their desire.
There are so many people died in this world because they do not have foods to eat, clean water to drink, good shelter to live. There are so many kids who adore her in this world and with this lifestyle ….. defenitely gooing to break their heart! seeing she is feeding a boy with $10.000 a week, so he can take her to the moon as she pleases. So sad!


text:
Mouzinho 134 - grey
Geschikt voor2
Grootte40 m²
- Internet/WiFi
- Handdoeken
- Keuken
Overzicht accommodaties
|Rua Mouzinho da Silveira, 4100-416 Porto, Portugal
|Type accommodatie
|Enkele uren
|Kalender bijgewerkt
Welcome to our self-catered apartments!
Located on the historical center of Oporto, in the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage Center, you'll find a building that belongs to our family for four generations.
After my mother (Lu'is grandmother) passed away in 2010 I inherited this building and found a really degraded space with a lot of structural problems and fierce tenants.
Having one apartment vacant me and my sons decided to refurbish the entire apartment and prepare it with all the needed amenities for a modern and cozy experience.
And we decided to rent it for tourists.
The first of our apartments came to daylight in May 2012. Our yellow apartment.
The experience was so overwhelming with massive bookings and great reviews that we decided to "tackle" the rest of the building.
And so we did.
In October 2012 the building went to major refurbishment works with all the structural, electricity, plumbing and communications being changed.
We repaired all the commons spaces, painted all the walls and ceilings, changed the windows, repaired and changed the floors, changed all the bathrooms and kitchens while maintaining at the same time all the qualities that give this building it's finesse.
There wasn't a single square inch that we didn't touch!
The rest of the apartments came to the market in June 2013 and the bookings went sky high!
Right now we have 8 apartments: Blue (6 pax), Yellow (6 pax), Green (2 pax), Pink (2), Brown (2), Orange (2), White (2) and Grey (2).
Again all the critics are excellent with major emphasis on the quality of the apartments and the warm welcomes that both I and my son Luís provide.
This is a family business made with love and with respect for the guests that come here.
We want you to feel at home in a foreign place and we like to consider you as more than guests.
You are our friends that come to visit our beautiful city.
Be prepared to a personalized check in, with our mostly enjoyed briefing on sightseeing, Oporto History and local tips!
So, enjoy our apartments!
Eugénia, December 2013
ReglementenThis apartment was designed so you can feel a warm welcome to our city. Please take care as if it was your own.
Please take notice that being a self catered apartment we request that the garbage should be taken out by you.
You have recycling points just 50 meters away and the organic garbage is to be left just outside the entrance door from : 21:00 to 24:00.
Thank you!
|Check-in na
|Check-in vóór
|Op aanvraag
|Check-out vóór
Beoordelingen van deze accommodatie
A perfect apartment with a perfect location.. couldn't be any better - veeery clean, fully equipped, starting from the bathroom to the kitchen.
Eugenia is the one of the nicest person I've met.. We arrived at almost 1am, but she gave us a warm welcome and took the time to give us lots of tips, a map and a list with great bars and restaurants, which was very helpful.
A very nice experience thanks to the hosts and such a lovely apartment.
Higly recommended.
Beoordelingen van andere accommodaties van deze host
Supermooi appartement! We hebben een geweldig verblijf gehad, het begon al bij aankomst waar de host ons hartelijk ontving en allerlei informatie over de stad met ons deelde. Het appartement is erg mooi, modern en van alle gemakken voorzien, maar tegelijkertijd zijn alle authentieke details bewaard gebleven, en voelt het appartement heel warm aan. Ook een super service; elke ochtend verse broodjes en wat lekkers aan deur. De keuken en badkamer zijn voorzien van alle gemakken en de kastjes zijn rijkelijk gevuld met alles wat je nodig hebt!
Beautifull and clean appartment near the center of Porto.Great breakfast service. Top location.
This is a great location and a beautiful building. We stayed in the pink but any of the apartments are great. Our stay in Porto was really enhanced by the fact that the accommodation were so nice, the host was very helpful. Thanks for you kind attention and we hope to return again.
Beautiful apartment in the very center of Porto. Everything is walking distance.
Luis is very helpful and usually in the building during the day. Appreciate the in-house laundry service which is very inexpensive.
We had a short, but very pleasant stay at mouzinho 134. A very nice aparrtment, reallly perfect in every detail (including a fully equipped kitchen; and also perfect wifi, which -in my experience - is very rare in hotels and apartments!). We received a nice welcome with lots of tips what to do, where to eat and also some history lessons about the city of Porto... The apartment is right in the city centre: sightseeing, bars, restaurants, shopping etc. all are at walking distance (as a consequence there is some traffic noise at night, but for me that's no problem).
We stayed at a lot of city apartments and this is one of the best. Definitely recommended!
Magnífico apartamento, con el inconveniente de un cuarto piso sin ascensor.
Realmente increible. El apartamento estaba en perfectas condiciones,limpio y muy bien prepparado. Los anfitriones muy amables y atentos.
Tuvieron detalles que nos hicieron quedar muy agrradecidos.
Nuestra estancia en Porto ha sido muy agradable gracias a nuestros anfitriones.
El día que llegamos al apartamento, nos recibieron con una botella de vino y nos explicaron donde estábamos exactamente en el mapa y todos los lugares que debíamos visitar, además de marcarnos en el mapa en qué lugares podríamos comer.
El apartamento es muy cómodo y acogedor, además de ser iluminado y estar muy limpio y nuevo.
Si alguna vez volvemos a Porto, repetiremos apartamento, seguro.
- Kwaliteitsgekeurde accommodatie
- Elke host wordt telefonisch gecontroleerd
- Veilige betaling via SSL-encryptie


text:
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – The Oregon Tech women's basketball program announced recently that junior college recruit Brittney Garrett (Paskenta, Calif.) has signed to play with the Hustlin' Owls beginning this season.
Garrett, a three-sport athlete at Corning High School, most recently competed at Shasta College for two seasons under head coach Jerry Brown. Garrett was a Golden Valley first team all-conference selection for the Knights where she led the GVC in scoring and rebounding. Garrett's 21 points and 11 rebounds, after her sophomore season at Shasta, earned the 5-11 post/forward Second Team All-State honors.
"We are thrilled Brittney chose Oregon Tech to continue her education and basketball playing career," mentioned Meredith. "Brittney brings in over 60 games of junior college basketball experience that should really complement our group of returnees. Her scoring and rebounding numbers at Shasta are impressive, as she will be an excellent addition to our program."
Brittney is the daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Garrett and is majoring in communications at Oregon Tech.
Oregon Tech finished the 2013-14 season with a school-record 28 wins (28-6), while winning the Cascade Collegiate Conference tournament championship and earning their second trip to the NAIA national championship in Sioux City, Iowa.


text: Last weekend I inserted my IPM boards for a couple of days just to see what trickled down the hives. One of the things I noticed was Wax Moth Pootie. It has slowly grown in amount over the winter. My neighbor and mentor has cautioned me about cracking open the hives and digging around looking for them as we're still not thru with the Winter cold. Right now I'm running a single deep and a single medium as brood boxes...I'll be switching the medium for a deep so I'll have double deep brood boxes as soon as it warms up enough to make the switch. I suppose that will be the time to address the moths as well. So my question is what would be the best way to rid myself of these devils? If I'm lucky they will be residing in the medium...since I'll be using that comb in a super I will just stick them in the freezer first. I'd rather freeze them as opposed to using chemicals.


text:
If you want to find the most thankless task in top-tier world rugby coaching, you'd go far to find a better candidate than Scotland.
As they prepared to play Tonga this weekend, hoping for a first win at home for 15 months, their coach Andy Robinson said this: "The game of rugby is about being able to perform for 80 minutes ... You put together 35-40 minutes of what we did against New Zealand with 35-40 minutes of what we did against South Africa and there's an 80-minute performance for us."
Maybe he's been taking in too much of the Edinburgh sun.
So in the same vein, all New Zealand's cricketers - neck deep in a hole of their own digging - have to do is take Tim Southee's seven-wicket haul against India at Bangalore two tests ago, marry it with Ross Taylor's century in the same test, Trent Boult's new ball work at Galle a few days ago, the best bits of Jeetan Patel's offspin in India and Kane Williamson's gritty ton against South Africa last March - hell, throw in Richard Hadlee's nine-fer at Brisbane for good measure - and they're in business.
Coaches do say daft things and you wonder if Robinson later reflected on how dopey his words were. Just as New Zealand have had an extra couple of days to reflect on the galling loss at Galle as they prepare for the second test in Colombo.
What thoughts would be running through their minds? They'll have heard coach Mike Hesson, Taylor, probably New Zealand Cricket's director of cricket John Buchanan, who is over there, give their thoughts.
But what of the inner voice? The one which has the most profound impact on our lives. Have the players fully digested the depths to which they've collectively sunk of late? Certainly they will have read and heard plenty of crunchy criticism of the effort in Galle.
Taylor made the point how New Zealand improved significantly between a hefty loss in the first test in India in August and the second a week later. Granted it was better, but it was still a five-wicket defeat.
There are those who are sick of hearing players harking back to the seven-run win in Hobart last December. True, it doesn't have much relevance to what's going on now, except to reinforce to the players what they are capable of and there's no harm in reflecting on a good day if it can provide a motivational spur. But it does seem an age ago.
Then there's the whispering machine which, even a few thousand kilometres away, they'll have heard, that Taylor's time in one, or both, the test and limited-overs captaincy roles may be coming to an end.
Whether true or not - and New Zealand Cricket chairman Chris Moller yesterday carefully trod the middle ground on all things related to the current situation - that can be unsettling.
Depending on your perspective Moller is either correct to sit tight and straddle the fence until a debriefing with all senior figures takes place upon their return; or he eschewed a chance to fully endorse the encumbent.
So what chance a New Zealand win next week? No one saw the Hobart triumph coming after a three-and-a-half day walloping in Brisbane a week earlier.
Persuaded? Didn't think so.


text:
Just out of curiosity,how many would be interested in a set of all aluminum blasters and what would be a fair price for them if they were of decent quality???
They would be polished and solid alumunum.
Just out of curiosity,how many would be interested in a set of all aluminum blasters and what would be a fair price for them if they were of decent quality???
They would be polished and solid alumunum.
Last edited by reveal1vader; May 3, 2007 at 10:33 PM. Reason: additional info
if we were talking abt something thats on par with the MR blasters? i would say at least 300?
Definitely interested, I guess the more interested, the lower the cost would be? Anything $300 and under would be awesome.
Yes, Interested!
There are a couple of ways of obtainng these blasters and to obtain them at a reasonable price, quantities must be established.It's the same old story ,the more that are spoken for the cheaper it is for everyone.a certain individual would not be happy if there was a garage full of blasters that were not spoken for.Basically how many pairs we are seriously looking at....... I hope that makes some sense to ya...
Last edited by reveal1vader; May 3, 2007 at 10:31 PM. Reason: INTEREST LIST
I already have a pair of MR's, but might also be interested in an additional machined aluminum pair! The thing is and I have a hunch that many would concur, is that C4 is stairing a good majority of us in the face and therefore it'll consume most of our extra play money. I'm sure that if this run list was happening sometime after C4, there just might be many more interested parties!
My problem is I have more interest than money! LOL
Hey reveal1vader,
I got a pair of solid aluminum Westars from e-bay a while ago.
There are pics on my progress thread.
I can PM you the maker's e-mail if you want.
Cheers Jono!
Yes ,the time frame would be well after CIV.To achieve production of these ,it will take some time .This is a probe to see how many are willing to step up before production to make it worth while for all.Being still fairly new here,out of the 3,000 sum odd members,how many jangos are out there ?? That is the big question???
To take your question a step further:
Beyond how many Jangos, how many Jangos that need aluminum blasters that dont own MR's or other runs of the Westars.
Also, if you take money up front for a blaster run to acquire materials/people/maunfacturers, that makes some skeptical.
Just FYI.
I would be interested, but if they are at the $300 price range I might as well hunt a pair of MRs if they could be more around the $200 range I am in like Flynn for sure.
I wouldn't ask for money up front at at all,the people here are great.I would just ask those who would sign up will stay commited.If all goes well, maybe with decent quantities they could be under 300.
This may not even pan out at all,but we won't know that until a quantity can be achieved.
Well pending price I am in.
same as Pred. pending price I'm in as well.
I might be interested.
Just a quick update...I should have a closer idea of price by the end of the week.No problem getting them done,just a quantity issue once again.But never the less I should have that update by the end of the week.
New guy here. I would be interested in a pair of them.
It seems making this project worth while we would have to make at least 150 pairsas much as i would love to do this I don't think we could scrounge up that kind of quantity.I may even be able to have them made overseas but again the order quantity is a problem.we'll keep this going for awhile yet and see what happens
I might be interested in a set depending the price. Thanks for keeping us updated.
Im down. aluminium =
so somewhere inbetween would be nice.
But im down
I would love a pair too!
I am all for aluminuim! Please keep me posted!
what about doing a run of replacement handles for the MR blasters?


text:
Cultivating Paradise on Hawaii's Garden Isle
Kauai Marriott Resort • Lihue, HI
Escape Kit
- A One-Night Stay for Two in an Ocean-View Room
- Or, a One-Night Stay for Two in a Pool-View Room
The Destination
As the oldest island on the Hawaiian chain, Kauai is often referred to as "The Garden Isle"—and for good reason. The North Shore of Kauai is a natural masterpiece, a landscape of cascading waterfalls, lush valleys, towering cliffs, and turquoise beaches that are often explored on foot. But hiking boots and trail maps aren't the only ways to get to know this archipelago's farthest west island: Explore vibrant coral reefs or surf the barreling waves overhead, feel the warm breeze of the trade winds on horseback, or simply sip a melting drink on a white-sand shore.
The Digs
A decadent maze of Greek columns, enclosed tropical gardens, and the state's largest single-level pool, Kauai Marriott Resort is a recently renovated property with attractions that spill onto the nearby shores of Kalapaki Beach. Of its 345 guestrooms, the ocean-view and pool-view rooms are understatedly modern spaces with private balconies and marble bathrooms. King-size or two double beds are draped with pillow-top mattress. Taste international cuisine from six different on-site restaurants, unwind from a hike at the spa, slide into cool water at the pool, or play a friendly game of volleyball in the sun. As an 800-acre expanse, Kauai Marriott Resort is a hub of endless entertainment.
The Diversions
Overlook the ocean while eating a fresh and filling breakfast at Kukui's on Kalapaki Beach. Then hike the Kukui Trail in Waimea Canyon State Park. Later, snorkel at Haena State Park before returning to the hotel for a late-afternoon dip in the pool. The next day, join Outfitters Kauai for the Wailua Waterfall kayak tour and an all-day excursion that includes sites of historic Hawaiian homes, a trek through lush forests, and a relaxing swim in the surf.
"This resort has it all: fine dining, shopping, a spa, golf, tennis, and water activities of all kinds."-- Read Fodor's Review of Kauai Marriott Resort Deal
the fine print
- Credit card information is required at check-in
- Reservation Name must match the name on the traveler's photo identification, which must be presented at check-in. Bookings are non-transferrable.
- Escapes Bookings are only valid for the date(s) purchased and may not be exchanged or redeemed for any other dates; Escapes Bookings are subject to forfeiture
- Escapes Bookings expire on the date(s) purchased and times indicated on the Confirmation Email. You must redeem your Escapes Booking on the date(s) purchased and times indicated on the Confirmation Email
- No refunds allowed
- Not valid on existing reservations
- Not valid towards group stays
- Escapes Bookings must be used in a single visit and cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion
- Based upon double occupancy
- Airfare not included
- Promotional rate does not include Hawaii state and accommodations tax of 13.17% or the daily Resort fee of $25; both will be collected at the property
- Incidental charges, charges for additional services and gratuity at the hotel property are not included
- Other standard terms and conditions may apply; visit www.livingsocial.com/terms for more information
- Other conditions apply
Other conditions apply
Except where noted in the fine print:
• Cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion
• Tax and gratuity are not included
• Merchant is responsible for the quality of the products or services provided to you at redemption
• LivingSocial Terms and Conditions - https://www.livingsocial.com/terms


text:
2012 Honda Crosstour Photo Gallery
More standard features for 2012
The Crosstour's exterior design emphasizes a bold, aerodynamic look that also conceals an accommodating rear cargo area with a large, lift-over tailgate. Premium interior styling, appointments and details extend from the passenger compartment all the way through the cargo area. An under-floor storage area in the rear of the vehicle adds functionality, while reversible cargo floor panels accommodate dirty objects.


text:
Okay, I just finished my Animated Clone Trooper Denal and decided that I want something a little more comfy for longer troops. My husband (elderpresto) is building his Jango so I thought, "why not start a Zam?" Then I started reading the threads and was thinking..."well this might be a little tougher than my clone, but I can do it." Then I started looking at the body suit tutorials and HELP!! I'M SCARED!!
Does anyone have any tips on the body suit or know anyone that makes them to specs? So far in all my reading that seems to be the scariest part of doing this build. I do not know how to sew, but I know someone who does if that helps. Any guidance anyone has for building a Zam will be greatly appreciated.


text:
By Nick Ames
Emmanuel Frimpong intends to use past experience to help him bounce back strongly from the injury that has curtailed his season.
The all-action midfielder had truly found his Premier League feet during a loan spell at Wolves when he suffered a cruciate injury in a match against QPR - in the opposite knee to a similar problem that ruled him out during 2010/11.
Speaking in Sunday's Official Matchday programme, Frimpong said: "All I can remember is that [QPR midfielder] Joey Barton got the ball and was looking to switch play - I went to block him from doing that and my feet just got stuck, twisting my leg.
"The Doctor told me I'd done my cruciate and obviously I was devastated, but I've had this injury before and come back to play football so I'm sure things will be fine.
"When it happened the first time around I was more angry and upset than this time for some reason. From the first day, I accepted that I'll be out for quite a long time and that I'm going to have to get on with it. For now it's all about getting the swelling down and trying to make things more comfortable.
"I don't have any targets in mind for a comeback – when it gets closer, perhaps when I start jogging, then maybe I'll do that but at the moment I know that I'm in for a long, long journey and have to be patient."
Frimpong's injury came just as the 20 year-old had established himself as a key player in the Black Country side. He says that the move to Wolves was still a hugely productive one.
"As a footballer you sometimes have to make decisions, and I think going to Wolves was probably the best thing I could have done," he said.
"They may not have been doing too well, but the manager [ex-manager Mick McCarthy] was very good to me - I think it's very important to go to a manager who likes you, and he showed belief in me.
"Playing every week at Wolves convinced me that I can compete at the highest level."
Read the full interview with Emmanuel in Sunday's Official Matchday Programme. Click here to subscribe.Copyright 2017 The Arsenal Football Club plc. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.arsenal.com as the source


text:
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Glossary of Terms
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Glossary of Terms
Botnet—a network of private computers, each of which is called a "bot"(short for "robot") infected with malicious software(malware) and controlled as a group without the owners' knowledge for nefarious and, often, criminal purposes; computers are typically infected when users open up an infected attachment or visit an infected website. Infected computers are also referred to as "zombies"
Cloud computing—a technology that uses the Internet and remote servers to maintain data and applications, allowing users to access applications without installation and access to their personal files from any computer with Internet access; centralizes storage, memory, processing, and bandwidth; examples include Yahoo email or Gmail with the software managed by the cloud service providers Yahoo and Google.
Denial of Service Attack/Distributed Denial of Service Attack (DDoS)—type of online computer attack designed to deprive user or groups of users normally accessible online services; generally involves effort by hackers to temporarily or indefinitely interrupt or suspend services of a host connected to the Internet.
Encryption—the conversion of digital information into a format unreadable to anyone except those possessing a "key" through which the encrypted information is converted back into its original form (decryption), making it readable again.
Firewall—software or hardware that, after checking information coming into a computer from the Internet or an external network, either blocks the transmission or allows it to pass through, depending on the pre‐set firewall settings, preventing access by hackers and malicious software ; often offered through computer operating systems.
Geotagging—the process of adding geographical location, or label, to photographs, videos, Web sites, SMS messages, QR Codes, or RSS feeds; a geotag usually consists of latitude and longitude coordinates, altitude, distance, place names, and other details about the origin of the media being tagged helping users find a variety of online location‐specific information.
HTTPS—Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure, provides secure communication over a network, such as the Internet; basically layers additional security measures over HTTP; used by financial and online commerce websites to ensure the security of private information.
Keylogger—also called keylogging and keystroke logging, is the action of tracking (or logging) the keys struck on a computer keyboard; usually runs hidden in the background and automatically records all keystrokes so that users are unaware of its presence and that their actions are being monitored.
Malware—short for malicious software, software that disrupts or damages a computer's operation, gathers sensitive or private information, or gains access to private computer systems; may include botnets, viruses, worms, Trojans, keyloggers, spyware, adware, and rootkits.
Phishing—sending emails that attempt to fraudulently acquire personal information, such as usernames,passwords, social security numbers, and credit card numbers, by masquerading as a trustworthy entity, such as a popular social web site, financial site, or online payment processor; often directs users to enter details at a fake website whose look and feel are almost identical to the legitimate one.
SMiShing – An alternative form of phishing that occurs via text or SMS message.
Spam—the use of electronic messaging systems to send unsolicited bulk messages (usually advertising or other irrelevant posts) to large lists of email addresses indiscriminately.
Spyware—a type of malware (malicious software) installed on computers that collects information about users without their knowledge; can collect Internet surfing habits, user logins and passwords, bank or credit account information, and other data entered into a computer; often difficult to remove, it can also change a computer's configuration resulting in slow Internet connection speeds, a surge in pop‐up advertisements, and un‐authorized changes in browser settings or functionality of other software.
Wi‐Fi—a technology that allows an electronic device (personal computer, video game console, smartphone, tablet, digital audio player) to exchange data wirelessly (using radio waves) over a computer network.
Wi‐Fi Hotspot—a wireless access point to the Internet or other computer network over a wireless local area network through the use of a router connected to a link to an Internet service provider; frequently found in coffee shops and other public establishments, a hotspot usually offers Internet access within a range of about 65 feet (20 meters) indoors and a greater range outdoors; many smartphones provide built‐in ability to establish a Wi‐Fi hotspot.


text:
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text:
Double Studio in Zone 2 London No8
Size15 m²
Floor No.1
- Kitchen
- Washer/dryer
- Lockable room
- Internet/WiFi
- Parking available
- Towels
Accommodation summary
|Brondesbury Villas, NW6 6AE London, United Kingdom
|Property type
|Property ID
|Acceptance rate
|Response time
|A few hours
|Calendar updated
|5 days ago
Modern clean fully equipped studio apartment situated on the first floor of this period conversion. The property is situated on a quiet residential road just a short walk to Kilburn High Road, and 3 minutes walk to Queens Park station. Ideal accommodation for 2 adults. Fully Furnished with double bed (192cm long x 138cm wide), Wardrobe, Fridge Freezer, Washing Machine, Electric Hob, Microwave Oven, LCD TV (with free view), DVD player, WIRELESS INTERNET, Dining table & chairs, all essentials supplied for a comfortable stay including bed linen, towels, cutlery, crockery, glasses, cooking utensils. Private toilet, shower and kitchen.
Short distance from central London, with numerous transport links (Underground, National Rail, Buses) many local bars, restaurants, supermarkets and leisure facilities can be found within walking distance
Nearest stations:
Queen's Park (0.3 miles)
Kilburn Park (0.3 miles)
Kilburn High Road (0.4 miles
Local Bus Routes 206, 6, 316, 36 (24 Hour), 187 (24 Hour).
Brent is a suburb in North West London. There are several tube stations located in the district, many of them located on the Jubilee Line which will take you directly to Bond Street Station, which is right by Oxford Street. Oxford Street is the main shopping street in London with shops such as Selfridges and Debenhams. Most attractions of London are within easy reach, such as Piccadilly Circus, Madame Tussauds and Tower of London. Hyde Park is located west of Oxford Street where you will find Kensington Gardens. If you walk through the park you will reach Kensington where you can find the famous department store Harrods's and plenty of museums, for example Natural History museum and Science museum.
An easy journey away is also Camden, which is famous for Camden Market and the wide range of bars and clubs that daily hosts many gigs. Camden is amazing for a day and night out! Around the corner you can enjoy a calmer environment in the beautiful Regents Park, which is also the location for Madame Tussauds.
If you want to enjoy the extensive night life London has to offer, there are also plenty of buses and night buses running 24/7 from all directions in London.
* Disclaimer: All things advertised at the time of booking are available, however availability can vary due to unforeseen circumstances. If this is ever the case, please note that any discounts or refunds will not be available, especially if the booking had been made for the discount price.
If you have any question please feel free to contact me. Thank you for your consideration.
House rules****************** PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE MAKING A BOOKING IN ORDER TO CONFIRM AVAILABILITY*************************
House Rules:
-No Pets.
-No Smoking.
-Breakages deposit £100 (Pounds).
-Late check-in fee (for checking-in from 21:00): £30.
-Parking is free on weekend and Bank holidays. Monday to Friday £5 p/day.
-If you leave very early in the morning or late at night you will leave keys on the table in the room and your deposit will be refunded via 'PayPal' or bank transfer once the housekeeper has checked the room.
-when booking please include all guests, our occupancy rules are very strict, children should be included in your booking regardless of age, we will not allow any 'over occupancy' due to our insurers requirements.
-Please separate your rubbish and place in the correct bin:
Blue Bin (Recycling) - Paper, Cardboard, Plastic, Tin etc
Brown Bin (Garden) - Food waste, Garden waste etc
Green Bin (General) - General Rubbish, anything that cannot go into Blue or Brown Bins.
|Check-in after
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Hemos estado 4 días con nuestro niño de 2 años, y ha estado genial! un poco apretados en el estudio, ya que realmente es para 2 personas, no para 3. La tercera persona no duerme nada bien en el sofá! Ubicación perfecta, muy cerca del metro. Y el barrio es muy tranquilo.
En general ha estado muy bien, y me alegro de haber optado por un estudio en vez de un hotel, teniendo en cuenta que íbamos con un niño pequeño.
El apartamento está genial. Absolutamente recomendable!!!
El apartamento está muy bien comunicado a través de metro. Estaba bastante limpio. La descripción es exacta a la ofrecida por Windu. A dos minutos tienes estación de metro, bares, cafeterías y tiendas de alimentación. El barrio es muy tranquilo.
Todo muy bien , limpito , Barrio que tiene de todo , metro muy cerca ! Bien !
Muy bien todo
Las dias en el apartamento estubimos bien
cet appartement était tout à fait conforme au descriptif , bien situé , calme et très clean ! Proche du métro, le centre de Londres à 15 minutes ! we really enjoyed our stay ! thank's
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text: I think that you'll find that "Production Class" is a class in USPSA competition for box stock pistols that fit in the "box", with modifications descibed in the USPSA handbook. IDPA and USPSA are both fun to shoot. When you start either don't plan on doing very well at first. Any game requires some experience and time. Just have fun and be safe. I use the Glock and it works. Two guys are shooting the new XDm 5.25 and doing well. I've shot the Beretta but it's not a competitive pistol and you won't see many use it. You may want to go to the IDPA and USPSA websites and see the rules on the pistols/holsters and classes. If you show up at a shoot I'm sure you'll be allowed to compete no matter what you are wearing. USPSA has a lot more latitude as to what you can shoot and is actually geared towards the "Race Guns". IDPA is more of a defensive real life competition. Neither is really "tactical" and both are games but they will teach you to think quickly, handle the pistol safely while doing so, and shoot well while moving and under stress.


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Categories: Topics
This award was first presented April 18, 1994 by the Center for Women and Returning Adults and the Indiana-Purdue Student Government Association. It was given to female faculty and students who exemplify the can-do spirit of Rosie the Riveter. The recipients of the first award were Dr. Shirley R. Rickert and student, Pat Incremona, and chancellor Joanne B. Lantz.


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Everyone's quilts are lovely! I'm so close...just need to finish the binding on my February UFO. Boy, I'm cutting it pretty close to March!
Welcome to the Quilting Board!
Everyone's quilts are lovely! I'm so close...just need to finish the binding on my February UFO. Boy, I'm cutting it pretty close to March!
Ludlowquiltandsew - I bet that sometime in the future the reciepiant will "discover" the butterfly's & be thrilled. It is a lovely quilt! I have a tendency ta git upset when things don't look like I envisioned 'em. I have ta take a step back & "see" it as a whole. I really do like your quilt. The colors are just wonderful.
Gramajo - You'll remember your trip forever now! Such a wonderful quilt!
My initials are BB, so dublb is double B.
I made it, just under the wire! I made this quilt using scrap fabrics. The pattern is from McCall's Quick Quilts Oct/Nov 2011 (as you can see, it's been a UFO for a long time!)and the pattern is called Melissa's Maze. Even though I only completed one UFO for February, I did manage to do six BOMs for February, so that's something at least!
Rose, I love your quilt even if it did shrink on you!
Gramajo, That is an awesome memory quilt. I went there with my sisters a few years ago. Wish I had been a quilter then and perhaps I would have thought to do something similar!
Linda Wedge White
I believe UFOs are like scraps, ferns and dust bunnies. Once you get two, they send spores out into the air and more just happen anywhere the spores meet.
michelleoc: love the colors in your quilt, so soft and pretty. Congrats on finishing the 6 BOMs.
WOW! Those are pretty. Love the Farmers Wife, yep can drewal on that one. Yep Gramajo, you will remember that trip more than just in photos, you can cuddle up with those memories. Michelleoc, that is very pretty.
Ring a ling for sure!
Life is short, live it while you still can. QuilterMomma
michelleoc - How purdy! Is it a DP9 w/unique sashin' & special placement o' colors? Just awesome!
My initials are BB, so dublb is double B.
Here is my first big ufo that I just finished. I have been working on it for at least a year. I still need to put the label on. This is the front and back and a close up of the label which is an extra block. It is very warm and comfy. Yahoo!
Standing Ovation for all the quilts being finished!!! They are all so beautiful, I could just look at pictures of quilts all day long... ssnare Depression blocks are one of my favorites and I love your brights & black!
I finished 3 more UFOs for February yesterday... One little paper pieced table topper (Log Cabin in the Pines) and two more quilts for Project Linus (Scrapped Up Animals & Polka Dot Cats & Dogs).
I realized last night that I've finished over 1/3 of my UFOs - started with 94 on 10/1/12 and now I'm down to 60. With one more month of winter (at least!) in northern Minnesota I'm hoping to be below 50 by April. Then my pace will start to slow down...
ssnare - your quilt it just beautiful! The colors are so vibrant.
asimplelife - love your stuff, especially the puppy quilt - so cute!!!


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Terror To Love now equal Interdominion favourite after coming up with barrier seven.
Kiwi Interdominion hero Terror To Love faces a potentially tricky draw in Sunday's A$750,000 final at Menangle.
So much so that bookies have drifted him out from favouritism for the great race after he drew barrier seven at yesterday's barrier draw.
Terror To Love had been the long-time favourite for the Inter and bookies commented publicly he would only lose outright favouritism if he drew the inside of the second line.
However, they changed their tune after he drew seven and, more importantly, the other three favourites in the race drew inside him.
So now the dual New Zealand Cup winner shares the top line of betting with I'm Themightyquinn, who drew barrier six, at $3.20 the pair.
Caribbean Blaster moved in from $8 to $5 with Australian bookies after drawing perfectly at barrier two, while Mah Sish strangely drifted from $6.50 to $7.50 after coming up with the ace.
There is a school of thought he will get crossed early because of his lack of gate speed but his driver Anthony Butt is unconcerned by the barrier.
"He has more gate speed than people realise and we will have options early," said Butt.
"And if they end up going very hard then being on the markers is the place to be."
While Butt believes he has options, Terror To Love's driver Ricky May might have some thinking to do before Sunday's epic contest.
If he chooses to restrain the impressive stallion at the start he could end up close to last as the four horses drawn on the second line have the option to punch through inside him.
But May might be reluctant to press forward too aggressively as there is plenty of speed on the front line and that includes rampant leader and fellow Kiwi pacer Sir Lincoln.
Sir Lincoln, who races in Australia as Lincoln Royal, led and beat Terror To Love in last season's Auckland Cup and his co-owner John Street left yesterday's barrier draw audience with no doubts as to where he wants to see his star on Sunday, even from barrier nine.
"He will be going forward and we want to see him in front," said Street.
That raises the possibility of good speed early in the race and could be enough to persuade May to keep his nose clean for the first lap of the giant track.
I'm Themightyquinn's tactics are already well known, as he will duck for cover early and hope for a hot pace that allows him to slingshot past his rivals.
His trainer Gary Hall is adamant the explosive pacer is as good as when he won the last two Interdoms and he deserves equal favouritism.
"I have thought all along he deserved to be the favourite and I think he and Terror To Love are the only two real winning chances in the race," said Hall.
I'm Themightyquinn will take part in a high-powered trial at Menangle today, including taking on star Kiwi four-year-old Christen Me.
The field for the A$750,000 Interdominion Pacing Final is: Mah Sish (1), Caribbean Blaster (2), Jackka Clive (3), Chariot King (4), Excel Stride (5), I'm Themightyquinn (6), Terror To Love (7), Mysta Magical Mach (8), Lincoln Royal (9), Keeyang Cullen (10), Pub Blitz (11), Mach Alert (12), Bitobliss (13), Washakie (14). Emergency: Devil Dodger, who if he gets a start, will take the barrier of the first scratched horse.


text: I personally think they're dumb looking, but if someone wants to put a set on their truck, go for it. Now, it appears that some politicians in certain states want to make "Truck Nuts" illegal calling them "vulgar and immoral". Seriously, why don't politicians spend more time on fixing REAL problems instead fixing something that is not even a problem. With that being said, I think I'm going to go out and buy me a set of Truck Nuts and proudly display them. Stupid politicians using my tax dollars to do stupid crap.


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Media Bites: Caring About Kate's Bump Is Patriotic, Not Creepy!
J.J. McCullough | Posted 02.05.2013 | Canada Politics
Read More: Kate Middleton Pregnant, Will and Kate Pregnant Canada, Trudeau Gun Registry, Kate Middleton Baby, Will and Kate Having a Baby, Is Kate Middleton Pregnant, Media Bites, Trudeau Liberal Leadership, Justin Trudeau, Will and Kate Baby, Will and Kate Pregnant, Is Kate Pregnant?, Will and Kate, Trudeau Gun Law, Canada Politics News
In a constitutional monarchy like ours, royalty matters, which means every little random thing royalty does matters, too. Thus, in the aftermath of Monday's big announcement of Kate's impending baby bump, all of Canada's major papes quickly churned out lead editorials. And lots of Kate pics. For purely constitutional reasons, of course.


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Town Square
What cuts for top administrators of PUSD
Original post made by Todd, Amberwood/Wood Meadows, on Feb 9, 2009
Are they being an example by cutting something that they get personally? Maybe they should cut the retirement bonuses they each get. If they each get $40,000 in a retirement bonus, that would add up to $160,000 in costs for the District. What programs can be saved for $160,000?
If they each get lifetime health care at the district expense; let's use a conservative number of $600 per month, or $7200 per year times 4 administrators, and they get this benefit/bonus for an average of 7 years. That cost to the district would be $201,000. Those two figures add up to $361,000. Now what programs can be saved with that money?
How much did the assistant superintendent of business, who just retired get in retirement benefits/bonuses? Board members we voted each of you in office to protect our kids. Is cutting programs so that high paid administrators can live well in retirement a good trade? PUSD board, haven't you listened to President Obama's speeches on CEO's, maybe you should take the President's lead. Board members you want this community to support a parcel tax? Why? So that money can be moved around from one district pot to another, so that these high retirement benefits/bonuses can stay in place?
a resident of Pleasanton Heights
on Feb 9, 2009 at 11:46 pm
Good math and good point. However, knocking on the management costs is NOT going to get everyone where we need to go. The top school administrators don't pull down any significant fraction of the annual budget as their salary and benefits. Instead, we should hold administrator's feet to the fire since they control the budget.
Instead of supporting the idea that a salary freeze is defined as salary annual costs still going up because "step and column" union contract mandated increases must proceed, these administrators must stare down the union on these issues if he/they are to justify the salary we pay them along with their benefits. Instead, it seems to be that it is easier for them to go the voters for a parcel tax.
But, no more. The economic times will force them to earn their salary and benefits. Or go find something else to do.
Look on the PUSD website and download the budget of $131MM. See that teacher costs in the pie chart are the major expenses (Instruction 68% of $109MM). Then, ask what the Pass Through Expenses of about $22MM are (not part of the pie chart which represents $109MM). These additional expenses increase 10 percent each year. I found it very interesting that PUSD does not describe the line items of these Pass Through Expenses. The chart of accounts remains hidden from the public. My question is how much of this $22MM is retirement expenses?
a resident of Birdland
on Feb 10, 2009 at 7:53 am
I have been opposed to PUSD's six year effort to create an illusion of need to justify a parcel tax. I am now feeling it is becoming a good thing since it is forcing the community to ask good questions. When no one was watching they ignored the voter mandates of measure B and gave themselves raises from our reserves, now the community is watching.
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 10, 2009 at 9:01 am
Ann- Your ill-informed accusations really serve no purpose other than further divide this wonderful community, so please put a sock in it.
If you have done any analysis of the PUSD finances you wouldn't be making those baseless accusations.
All the data I've reviewed points toward one thing: PUSD has done a wonderful job at keeping us shield from a parcel tax until now, when we're faced with a global economic depression.
You should consider taking an Economics class at your local CC; you may actually learn something.
a resident of Birdland
on Feb 10, 2009 at 9:26 am
Thinks they're "Smarter than Ann",
I have supported my assertions with unbiased references... where are yours?
WE have been paying millions in Bond money and parents pay hundreds in fees for their kids free education. PUSD has not shielded anyone.
You might look to see if the local CC offers any anger management classes :))
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 10, 2009 at 10:24 am
For Smarter than Ann: For the school years 2007-08, 2006-07, and 2005-06 - COLAs/raises of 4-6% were given each year. These are ongoing costs the district couldn't afford. $400,000 was taken out of the reserves to fund raises for administrators--money from a one time source to fund another ongoing cost they couldn't afford. $4.5 million on lawsuits they lost was wasted money and bad use of the public's money. Deciding to follow that up with another lawsuit goes beyond bad management of funds. One of the plans is to take the technology fund to try to patch the gap, another one time source of funds to fix an ongoing problem. The oversight committee for the bond hasn't met in five years. It looks like management needs to take the Econ course.
There is no need to shield us from a parcel tax. Plenty of districts have them and for good reasons. What people are saying on these blogs is, given the information above, why would you give the same people more money?
And given the size of the problem and the fact that the majority of the budget is payroll/benefit driven--where else can we find savings that will spare children? This isn't teacher bashing; it's the reality that taxpayers are unwilling to tap their pockets until everyone has faced the reality that a rollback on salaries MAY be necessary to save CSR, art, science, music, counselors.
I don't think that argument will win, sadly. And so we will lose some young, bright, and enthused teachers/classified/management employees through seniority. It is a longer conversation, but I want to be sure to say there are plenty of long serving employees that also are bright and enthused and providing a great education to Pleasanton's children.
I wish I could see the evidence of the "wonderful job" you do.
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 10, 2009 at 10:34 am
Just to be accurate, this is from the PUSD website about COLAs
2007/08 3.382% * 4.12 % 4.12 %
2006/07 5.73% 5.73 % 5.73 %
2005/06 4.60% 4.6 % 4.6 %
a resident of Happy Valley
on Feb 10, 2009 at 10:38 am
You people should considering using the time you spend posting your illogical arguments here to volunteer at our schools and the community. That, my friends, may bring more positive changes to our youth and the community than your endless postings.
Sorry to burst your bubble but none of you know what you're talking about and to think otherwise just shows how naive you really are.
Whether you believe in a parcel tax or not, make your statement known at the ballot box. No one really cares about what you think here, as you can see from the endless tennis matches. You people are going nowhere with these threads.
a resident of Happy Valley
on Feb 10, 2009 at 10:44 am
"Just to be accurate, this is from the PUSD website about COLAs"
It's not accurate if you just conveniently leave out the info for 2008/09.
For every argument you make (legitimate or otherwise), there is a counter-argument (legitimate or otherwise). You're just wasting time posting here.
a resident of Amberwood/Wood Meadows
on Feb 10, 2009 at 10:50 am
I'm not sure if you've been following these threads for the past month. Quite a few posters have stated that they DO volunteer their time at the schools and are against any parcel tax until the PUSD administration gets their act together.
a resident of Danbury Park
on Feb 10, 2009 at 11:45 am
Smarter than Ann/Dana chooses to ignore rational thought. She/he is not worthy of a reasonable response.
a resident of Birdland
on Feb 10, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Dana, I'm confused by your first post. As well as your first post on another thread.
You open with a false statement, assuming no one volunteers.
Your second paragraph is unsubstantiated.
Re your third paragraph, people do care about what is written here and I thank the Pleasanton Weekly for this valuable forum. Whatever side of the issue one is on, discussion of the issues needs to happen. This forum is safe and anonymous and allows for the free sharing of ideas.
Here's my take:
Cut all support staff salaries 10%.
Cut all teacher salaries 10%.
Cut all administrative support positions 10%.
Cut the top salaried administrative positions 25%.
All other administrators should take a 15% cut.
Freeze all salaries for 36 months.
Cut retirement benefits 20%.
Freeze retirment benefits for the next 36 months.
Then let's discuss the merits of a parcel tax.
John Casey should move back to Monterey County.
Our School Board needs to grow a backbone and not simply parrot what Casey says.
Oh, by the way, I'm a teacher in the PUSD and I have also taught in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District. Surprised?
a resident of Amador Valley High School
on Feb 10, 2009 at 12:20 pm
"I know enough",
You are my new hero!
a resident of Birdland
on Feb 10, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Thank you Ptown mom.
My wife came home yesterday and informed me that the CEO of her company announced that there will be no pay increases for any employees for the next 12 months. We both looked at each other and smiled, knowing full well that a pay freeze is better than lost jobs. Her CEO is a leader. She works in the private sector. She does not belong to a union.
We need to hold the line on cost increases. This goes for our city employees too.
Will any strong leaders in our community stand up and run for office? We need better leadership at every level, local, state, national. We need stateswomen and statesmen, those willing to work for the greater good of this amazing country.
a resident of Vintage Hills
on Feb 10, 2009 at 1:04 pm
I know enough, thanks for your frank assessment. How do you get the unions to go along with your terms, let alone the district?
And Dana, my wife and I both volunteer and raise money for P-town schools. If you don't like the tenor of the discussions here, then choose not to participate. But don't try to manage my time and ability to freely participate here. I think we're smart enough to discern what information is good and what is bad, thanks.
a resident of Grey Eagle Estates
on Feb 10, 2009 at 1:40 pm
PUSD can save money by stopping the continuous spraying of weeds on school property with the pesticide glysophate. Many states have adopted a no pesticide policy for their public schools.
a resident of Birdland
on Feb 10, 2009 at 1:41 pm
"I know enough",
I agree with and respect your comments. Do you think there are many other staff and teachers that feel the same and is there anyone who could voice similar thoughts.
I do not support a parcel tax but I do not want to see anyone lose jobs. More unemployment will not be good for the economy. Pay freeze and salary reduction is going to be necessary.
I think it is unfortunate that being financially responsible is seen as anti-teacher.
a resident of Birdland
on Feb 10, 2009 at 2:13 pm
It is almost impossible for us teachers to voice our true views, unless they are union-friendly. It has come to the point that some of us actually engage in conversations agreeing with the union position, just so we aren't cast aside as pariahs. With few exceptions, I don't know the true views of my fellow teachers.
a resident of Birdland
on Feb 10, 2009 at 2:17 pm
To be financially responsible is to take the long term view, one that supports the district over time. We tend to look at issues right in front of our faces, failing to use vision for the future health of our system.
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 10, 2009 at 2:21 pm
As many have already said, trim the fat first.
a resident of Vintage Hills Elementary School
on Feb 10, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Kinda scary, sounds like Germany in the 40's. It is understandable that parents are concerned about their kids becoming targets of union teachers.
It is good to hear that perhaps some teachers can see past the union even if they can't speak up.
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 10, 2009 at 3:48 pm
To Dana: There is nothing to post for 08-09 . . . either a 0% COLA or negotiations aren't closed. I am providing the right information.
To I know enough: BRAVO! I also work in K-12 education.
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 10, 2009 at 3:52 pm
The previous posts might not be teacher bashing, but they sure are union bashing. I wonder how many people who trash the union have actually been a part of a union? If you have ever been part of one, then maybe you would understand the benefit of unions. I'm guessing 90% of you have never been on a union, please let me know if I am wrong.
The teacher's union took no raise last year, and if you buy benefits, then you took a pay cut. Those who don't take benefits (only available if a spouse in a large employer provides family benefits) only received a bump in pay if it was their turn on the salary scale. So most did not get a raise, and many took a cut.
Do you really want the employees of the fourth largest group in Pleasanton to take a pay cut? If they do, then there is that much less extra money to be spent buying frivolous items like gas and groceries, that much less put into the tax base, etc.
Please watch the budget forum and board meeting tonight to learn more about what the problem is. The problem, by the way, is not due to the teacher's union or the current administration, who have balanced the budget quite well in the past. The problem has been caused by Sacramento. The union and administration might be part of the solution, but be clear about this, they didn't cause this problem.
a resident of Amberwood/Wood Meadows
on Feb 10, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Ask my father-in-law about the benefits he's received from being in a union. Specifically ask him about the fleecing of his pension fund, money he's never going to see. I'm sure he's got some choice words on that matter. *grin* Perhaps Pleasanton can get a parcel tax going to pay for his pension.
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 10, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Get the facts: I grew up in a union household--know the pros and the cons all to well; been watching my dad try to deal with it still.
Did you mean no raise for 08-09? I will state again that the previous three years were raises that the budget could not sustain. That could be the union for demanding too much; that could be management giving too much; a combination? It doesn't change the fact that the money wasn't there to give. And many posts have talked about the bad deal you are getting on benefits--they shouldn't cost what they do unless employees are receiving a Cadillac/Escalade level of benefits. I don't think that's the case for PUSD, and it certainly isn't the case for most of us.
As a taxpayer, I'm supposed to pay school employees higher wages so they can put money into the tax base? And I suppose it doesn't matter whether I can afford to do that? Or that it is just taking it out of my pocket to bolster the local economy so it can go into another person's pocket to bolster the local economy?
Watching is a good recommendation, but balancing a budget is not a year by year event. It requires looking into the future and being certain there is money to cover the bet, and hanging onto a healthy reserve to cover any unforeseen shortfalls. That didn't happen in Pleasanton.
As to Sacramento, it's a similar discussion. There has been a structural deficit for years that hasn't been addressed--or as our president would say, "they kicked the ball down the field" rather than doing anything that wouldn't see them reelected. In both cases, Pleasanton and Sacramento, the bill is due.
Budget mismanagement by definition has to be caused by those who were in control of the funds.
a resident of Canyon Meadows
on Feb 10, 2009 at 7:39 pm
Enough is enough! PUSD just post copies of the top four administrators contracts on the district's website and let the public get the truth! Don't play games with giving summaries, just copy the contracts exactly the way they read and post them. The public has the right to view them.
a resident of Downtown
on Feb 10, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Why only the top four adminstrators' contracts? Why not ALL of the adminstrators' contract???
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 10, 2009 at 8:14 pm
I think most of you would only be happy if the teachers in PUSD were making minimum wage.
a resident of Livermore
on Feb 10, 2009 at 8:27 pm
Not exactly, "Parent". Anything less than an average of $81K per year for 9 months of work would keep me satisfied. Those of us who do make minimum wage rely on welfare to put food on the table. Its time to spread the wealth arond, as our President had said. Reduce teacher wages to fund more welfare programs.
a resident of California Reflections
on Feb 10, 2009 at 8:35 pm
Yes enough is enough.
It is time to ask all of these top administrators to resign and bring someone in from the outside to really look at what has happened.
Not just Dr. Casey, but the rest of his group, maybe the new business person should stay because she is new eyes looking at the district, but everyone else, it is time for them to move on.
No bond oversight committee for the last 5 years for measure B? Isn't this a violation of the law? Who was minding the store?
How much money has been spent by these top administrators for travel and conferences over the last 5 years? Did they learn anything?
Maybe new eyes in all top positions will provide new solutions.
New people will bring new ideas on how to better manage the district from the cost of people to the cost of curriculum for our kids.
The time is now for complete change!
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 10, 2009 at 9:01 pm
Obama Pride: That makes a lot of sense.....reduce teacher's salaries to minimum wage so more welfare programs can be funded. Then since the teachers can't make ends meet, they'll need assistance from the government. What a great idea!
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 10, 2009 at 9:21 pm
Obama Pride: Log off the forums and spend some time looking for a job to support your 6-soon-to-be-7 children. I am dumbfounded that you can actually suggest reducing teachers' salaries to pay for the welfare programs you and your spouse abuse. You are an SNL skit come to life.
a resident of Livermore
on Feb 10, 2009 at 9:34 pm
I aint abusing no welfare pam. I earned my right to claim. No one is asking you to feed my kids. I hafe to get in long lines to get the stamps and stuff. You think its an easy life? Were doing our part by being good parents so we stay at home wit them. Thats call responsibility dont you know!
a resident of Livermore
on Feb 10, 2009 at 9:47 pm
The people who are on welfare are the real people that are suffering most from this budget criss. You people live a wasteful life in your glitzy houses and fat SUV. People like me spend the whole day getting food for he family. We need more programs and more funding for our welfare so people like us can survive. We dont drive no fat suv or live in houses like yours. Teachers are making too much as is and should give back some of that money for welfare.
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 11, 2009 at 4:17 am
Please everyone write to your senator and Washington. "Obama pride" is an example of why we need reform. She needs to be off welfare. Her kids need to be placed in homes where they can be properly taken care of. What a nerve this person has! Entitlement is a problem in this country. People should only have kids they can afford, and work for a living. Imagine if all of us were as silly as this Obama Pride person...who would pay the taxes needed to support everyone? And how can this person have internet access, and time to spend on blogs? Please write to your senators..... end this nonsense should be the message.
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 11, 2009 at 6:59 am
Get a clue, someone is spoofing you.
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 11, 2009 at 7:05 am
My gut reaction to Obama Pride is that the posts are someone's idea of a joke. If the person is genuine, I don't know why anyone would respond to a Livermore resident on this Pleasanton topic. No need to suggest s/he get off the blog--just ignore 'em.
a resident of Carlton Oaks
on Feb 11, 2009 at 7:27 am
Obama Pride is apparently this generation's version of Prince Albert in a can. Not nearly as clever really, but the fact that some people apparently "bought it" speaks to how highly charged the atmosphere is at this time.
a resident of Lydiksen Elementary School
on Feb 11, 2009 at 7:30 am
Last night was a show of union solidarity designed to intimidate school board and parents. Teachers overflowing the district office, giving one another high fives, they showed the teachers are still out of touch with what is happening to the rest of the world. They collectively stomped their feet and said they deserve more money not less. They seem to think that the parents of this community owe them more money and are being mean to them if anyone suggests we can't afford it either. They won't listen to the fact that everyone is taking pay cuts to avoid losing their jobs.
Last night demonstrated why parents must remain anonymous to protect our kids.
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 11, 2009 at 10:14 am
The company my husband works for is doing the responsible thing. They are NOT giving any bonus compensation this year - big pay cut for the executives - and all the management must take off 2 full weeks without pay - non-vacation days - AND they must use up the accrued vacations they've been saving for a rainy day -
Well folks of Pleasanton - IT's RAINING - I agree that the teachers and staff and district personel should accept the pay cuts across the board to help save jobs within the district. People still have jobs- life is a lot tougher - but it is hitting everyone - the teachers union shouldn't have an exemption.
Let's not forget Pleasanton pays a decent salary AND they get a week at Thanksgiving - 2 weeks at Christmas - a week in the spring and about 7 weeks off in the summer - 11 weeks off a year - not bad to spend with their families. They give a lot AND they get a lot from that job.
a resident of Pleasanton Heights
on Feb 11, 2009 at 10:30 am
Everyone is missing the point. The teachers should get large raises, and the cuts should come from the administrators. After all, John Casey is not teaching your child squat. He is only necessary to satisfy the totally unnecessary State and Federal education bureaucracies. How many billions of dollars are flushed down the toilet in Washington and Sacramento to justify some bureaucrats ego. How much more would we have to put in the classroom without the unnecessary bureaucracy. How much money could the City of Pleasanton have contributed to this problem if instead of taking a large surplus several years ago and increasing their defined benefit pensions instead of returning it to the city. My feeling is if they have a big surplus, we paid too much in taxes and it should come back to us one way or another. Until the voters realize that all the problems in this country are caused by professional polititions, it will never get any better. Of course, this is only one mans common sense answer to the problem. But where is there a place for common sense in politics.
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 11, 2009 at 11:15 am
Bruce, There isn't enough money or administrators to cut to make up $8.5 million. It's a start, but the pain has to be shared by all employees. The City of Pleasanton has a separate budget (separate bureaucracy if you prefer), so while getting money back from them may have merit, it is a separate discussion and one that will not help the schools.
There is no money to give teachers big raises; the district couldn't afford the big raises already given. What will happen is the union leadership will fight to keep the money; the Board will cut CSR and other enhancements; teachers with the least seniority will lose their jobs; class sizes will go back to 30 or 35; teachers will suffer; and students will have the most to lose.
It's unfortunate that the union leadership, and apparently the most vocal of their members, don't think far enough ahead to see what they will end up with. But then, the leadership in the district office didn't think far enough ahead either and much of that is what is causing today's problem.
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 11, 2009 at 11:20 am
Then who would sit upon the stages for the 8th grade promotions? If we get rid of all those important people that sit high above on a stage to impress upon the kids how important they are - what would they do at an 8th grade promotion?
Oh - wait - we don't really need to hold a promotion in this town - don't we all EXPECT our kids to make it to high school graduation? Do they just unnecessarily spend money and crowd the school for the administrators to administer to? Maybe we could get rid of the planners for that little charade??? 3 schools don't need it - save some dough there - they don't do it from elementary - why MIDDLE???
start cutting where it doesn't matter!
a resident of Pleasanton Middle School
on Feb 11, 2009 at 11:51 am
Amen to ending the pathetic 8th grade promotion ritual.
a resident of Golden Eagle
on Feb 11, 2009 at 12:03 pm
It is obviously a difficult time for everyone, and it is pretty clear that those who have chosen education as their source of employment are now stunned to find themselves subject to the changing winds of our economic melt down. After all, this has rarely, if ever been the case in the past. The mantra of the business of education has always been get on the train and concentrate on your core job. If you make it past the first few years you are safe. You will never see either extreme end of the salary bell curve, but you will make a comfortable living and enjoy the union negotiated benefits of a managed health care plan and full retirement. You may argue amongst yourselves (politely please) where these two items fall on the curve, but this discussion usually digresses to a "grass is always greener" stalemate fairly quickly. The reality is (and I am in a position to know) that a career in education is neither a vow of poverty nor an entrepreneurial path to riches. It has however proven to be a steady path to an enriched life.
Now here is where the discomfort starts to intensify. Virtually everyone agrees that our government must spend in accordance with revenues, but no one seems to be able to stay elected and deliver a responsible plan for achieving this goal. In good times and bad our state and our nation has always managed to spend more than it generates. Of course the federal government owns a printing press, so they have a tool to alleviate their shortcomings, even if the currency is, in fact, nothing more than faith. The state does not have this option, and because of the extreme velocity of the financial crisis, it has few available actions other than starting to rapidly make adjustments to provided services. Passing a hasty tax to solve a miniscule portion of this problem will not do much to alleviate the ongoing discourse, but it will likely create another obligation that will never expire. Unfortunately funding derived from taxation becomes such a muddled mess that is becomes virtually impossible for the taxpaying public to decipher what they are paying for and, consequently, are backed into renewing any dated tax under the guise of averting the next service cut crisis.
The unfortunate fact is that some people are going to lose their jobs because of the current financial climate. Just as with the millions who are facing a similar fate in the private sector, whether this fate is deserved is not really a productive discussion. And while an additional property tax assessment would, optimistically, cover as much as 50% of the current proposed cuts, it would do little to solve the ongoing source of the dilemma and add additional burden to the community at a time when financial hardship abounds.
The School Board has stated that they have entered into contracts with the various unions and individuals that are employed by the Pleasanton Unified School District. And thus they are reticent to ask any contracted individual or group to reduce their own pay. And I agree with that. But the unfortunate truth is that a substantial dollar amount will be cut from the personnel budget. How many people those cuts affect is entirely in the hands of the employed group, as a whole.
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 11, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Golden Eagle: I agree with everything you said and it was said well. My only objection is this last part: "But the unfortunate truth is that a substantial dollar amount will be cut from the personnel budget. How many people those cuts affect is entirely in the hands of the employed group, as a whole." It isn't inaccurate, but after all you said above that quote, I find it discouraging that it will be cannibalistic cuts.
The private sector generally can use attrition, early retirement packages, cutting the least effective people in the organization, salary rollbacks, and other creative/flexible means of trimming the payroll. What I personally find frustrating is that using seniority will likely mean the loss of excellent staff members for teaching the community's children, and quite possibly for good. And it leaves a superintendent in place that led the race to the bottom of the bottom line.
a resident of Country Fair
on Feb 11, 2009 at 2:44 pm
What I find amazing is that they truly expect us to pass a salary tax rather than allow salary adjustments to keep everyones jobs.
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 11, 2009 at 4:05 pm
I love how so many of you are so quick to point out that young teachers will be gone, and those with seniority stay. Do you not like the senior teachers? Some of the best teachers have been teachers for a long, long time. In the private sector, those teachers would be tossed out for younger, cheaper (but not neccesarily better) replacements. That's one of the facets of a union, protecting the rights of those who have served many years and deserve protection.
And please don't give me the argument that tenure or the union protects bad teachers. Tenure doesn't protect a teacher from being fired, it simply provides due process. Good administrators can take the time to document and get rid of bad teachers. Most don't take the time to do so, making the rest of the group look bad.
Please don't trash the senior teachers, they are mostly a great, experienced bunch. Blame anyone else, but don't blame them.
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 11, 2009 at 4:44 pm
I apologize that I wasn't clearer. You'd have to scroll up a bit or check the other blogs to see the issue isn't just whether tenured teachers stay and younger ones lose their jobs. It's about keeping the best, regardless.
The last PUSD teacher that I know of that was released for cause cost over $100,000, required dozens of trees worth of paper, and years of staff time. Meanwhile, students continued to pay the price of getting an inadequate education. In another case, a teacher had been written up in the past and was caught red handed doing the same thing. The result, another slap on the hand. You are not going to convince me that this is about due process.
The corporate world does keep the best and brightest because they have the option to do so. Even great teachers can sour--early on or later in their careers--as is the case in any other field. When it's time to go, it's time to go--particularly in an industry where a classroom full of children can lose important building blocks for the next year at the hands of a teacher who is coasting, burned out, or has lost the spark to teach. Even you admit "they are mostly great," so you are aware there are those who will stay at the expense of others who are better.
I know great teachers, tenured and not, family members and others, so I have great respect for teachers--great teachers.
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 11, 2009 at 5:15 pm
The problem with "keeping the best and the brightest", as you say, is how are you going to do that? What scale is fair? Let me attempt to pre-empt your thoughts:
Standardized test scores: This might make sense, but not all teachers give standardized tests. K and 1st, for example, do not. Nor do counselors, Physical Educators, and Phsycologists are a few examples that do not fit in this box.
Administrative review: Have you ever had a boss that has had it out for you? This happens all the time in education. Teachers should not walk around in fear, being unable to speak views that differ from their Principals or VP's.
Parent review: Teachers are liked and disliked by parents all the time. I remember one year a teacher my child had won "Teacher of the Week" (or "month" or whatever) from KKIQ. This is a parent nominated award, but my spouse I simply didn't agree. This is not a good teacher, in our eyes (as we saw it through our child), but others thought differently. (And in all fairness, this teacher is good for one type of child, but not as good for others.)
It is simply different, the teaching world is different than the corporate world. Please give me other suggestions if you have them, I really would like to hear them.
a resident of Birdland
on Feb 11, 2009 at 8:00 pm
Has anyone asked this question. What is the percentage that every employee in PUSD would have to take to balance the budget? Maybe administrators take a higher percentage than teachers and teachers take a higher percentage than classified. The bottom line is, if we really want to keep all staff and quality programs, then someone needs to come up with these cost savings across the board, fair and equal. Come on PUSD board ask the question and give us the answers. Demand the answer and don't let these top administrators snowball you.
Figure it out both ways:
1. The same percentage cut for everyone
2. A sliding scale percentage cut depending on your job type.
Maybe if this were to occur the community may embrace a parcl tax later.
a resident of Birdland
on Feb 12, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Disagree w/B, you are so right-about a good many things.
"Senior" teachers are very difficult to move out of the district-especially when you face principals who will support a teacher every single time despite many, many complaints from parents (are you reading Mr. Whitney, PMS?).
This leads me to a point I'd like to make regarding the seeming unwillingness I see from the teacher's union (and some activist teachers) in wanting to support the "shared sacrifice" concept.
Why does it seem that some parents are balking at a parcel tax?
Many parents realize how pampered Pleasanton teachers are...and can't understand why some teachers don't. Those of us who have come from other states cannot believe the extent PUSD's elementary school teachers rely on parents to support them in the classroom. Room moms not only plan parties, they put up and take down bulletin boards, find drivers for field trips, drive and supervise students on the field trips, help with special "events"-organizing and supervising, help with actual curriculum by grading papers, leading reading groups, and helping with math centers etc. They also buy wrapping paper and cookie dough they don't need to raise money to support the expenses in the classroom, not to mention but gifts for the class from the "wish list," and, in some schools even support ancillary staff who provide teachers with added daily or weekly prep time.
In middle and high school, while we aren't there in the classroom some of us are raising money for the schools again, not to mention driving our kids around for "group project" meetings, as well as providing computers and video cameras for Power Point or video presentations (which, you have to admit, are easier to grade than straight individual writing assignments!).
We also medicate (Ritalin and antidepressants etc.) our kids to help control their behavior in the classroom, pay for private tutoring to help them keep up, and feed them so they come to school sated and ready to learn. While there are surely many horror stories in the teacher's lounge about this or that child or family, on the whole due to the caring attitude (and sacrifices) of Pleasanton families, Pleasanton teachers have it pretty good.
Many of those Pleasanton families are hurting right now, sharing the sacrifice is the RIGHT thing to do.
a resident of Birdland
on Feb 13, 2009 at 6:17 pm
"2007/08 3.382% * 4.12 % 4.12 %"
APT took less money so it could be given to the Science Program, a great addition to our elementary program.
2008/2009 - no COLA given.
"Cut all teacher salaries 10%."
How many room mates would I have to have?! That's a high level to tolerate, especially as I'm single. I'm conservative and pay attention to all my pennies - guess I'll start collecting every one I find on the ground!
Step and Column freezes - that money has to be paid back to teachers (in full) at the end of three years. It's like taking a loan. Decided at the state level, not by APT.
"Cut retirement benefits 20%."
"Freeze retirment benefits for the next 36 months. "
For teachers, CalSTRS manages the accounts and determines what happens. Not controlled at local level.
For Admin - don't know how their's works...
"Let's not forget Pleasanton pays a decent salary AND they get a week at Thanksgiving - 2 weeks at Christmas - a week in the spring and about 7 weeks off in the summer - 11 weeks off a year - not bad to spend with their families. They give a lot AND they get a lot from that job."
Ask ten teachers what they did with that time, plus watch as teachers leave for the break - what is in all those bags? Often, a break follows report cards for elementary which is a two-week marathon of grading, reporting, and commenting for upper grades with 33, which means no time off on weekends, either. :) During the second week of August, check the parking lots. The third week? Notice all the cars of teachers who aren't being paid for their time.
"Many parents realize how pampered Pleasanton teachers are...and can't understand why some teachers don't." We understand and appreciate all the support from the community! I've taught in other CA districts and know that what happens here does not happen everywhere else. It's very appreciated!!! Still a very tough job - more to do than there is time to do it - keeps us movin'!
a resident of Vineyard Avenue
on Feb 14, 2009 at 6:47 pm
They're going after the hardest working group....The janitors
Go figure.


text:
Sheriff's Office needed Black Forest fire chief's help, but didn't get it
EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. - There are questions in the ashes of Colorado's most destructive wildfire. The El Paso County Sheriff's Office and first responders question judgement calls made by the Black Forest fire chief during the critical initial hours of the fire.
The best way to win a fire fight is to overwhelm it at the start. It's advice Colorado Springs firefighters and the El Paso County Sheriff's Office can agree on.
Every time a wildfire grows, it's passed from the local fire department, to the Sheriff's Office to the state. Each time the fire is transferred to higher command, more resources open up to battle it.
On Tuesday, June 11, El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa wanted Black Forest Fire Chief Bob Harvey to pass command of the growing wildfire to his office. Maketa said Harvey didn't do it during the critical first hours of the fire.
"There is absolutely no reason to not jump on it with everything you can bring to the battle and that is calling in every resource you have," said Maketa.
The first alert of the fire came over the radio at 1:43 p.m. that day. At 3:55 p.m., Black Forest Fire Chief Bob Harvey turned management of the fire to the El Paso County Sheriff's Office. The sheriff immediately passed command to the state.
"Had we gotten the resources and had we gotten to jump on it as quickly as we would have liked to, we would have still lost homes, we would have still lost a lot of timber, but there is a belief that we wouldn't have seen the devastation that we witnessed," said Maketa. "I'm not saying it's all on him, or the fact that he didn't delegate, I'm just saying, you have to be aggressive."
Scott Campbell is the El Paso County Sheriff's Office fire management officer. He would later become an incident commander for the Black Forest Fire.
Campbell still needed Harvey's help after he passed command to the Sheriff's Office.
"Scott told him, 'Let's meet at the incident command post down on Shoup, and lets start finding out where our resources are, what we have, get some organization to this,'" said Maketa.
Campbell said Harvey left the Incident Command Post that was set up at Shoup and Howells Roads. Campbell and the team in charge of planning the firefight needed Harvey's help to piece together the day's events in order to plan how to fight the growing fire.
"It would have made the process so much quicker and safer had we had his collaboration," said Campbell.
Moving forward, the fire planning team had four meetings during their 12-hour rotation at 6 p.m., 8 p.m., 10 p.m, and 6 a.m. to formulate an attack plan. Harvey's absence was conspicuous.
"He was not present at any of those meetings," said Campbell.
"I saw Scott many times, I never saw Chief Harvey with him, I never saw him around the command post and didn't see him for two days," said Maketa.
KRDO NewsChannel 13 has contacted Harvey and requested interviews since August. He has ignored all requests. KRDO NewsChannel 13 asked Harvey after a meeting on Thursday, Nov. 21, why he didn't pass the fire to the Sheriff's Office sooner.
"That's not true," said Harvey.
Campbell kept record of his requests to Harvey to pass the fire to the Sheriff's Office. When KRDO NewsChannel 13 told Harvey the Sheriff's Office had records of the attempts to take command, he responded "Nope they don't."
Colorado Springs Fire Department Battalion Chief Larry Schwarz oversaw Colorado Springs Fire Department, CSFD, resources initially deployed to the Black Forest Fire.
Schwarz said the fire was an instant ignition.
"We needed to get to it and see the fire and hit it hard and hit it fast and that was our goal," said Schwarz.
One Colorado Springs firefighter told KRDO NewsChannel 13 that Harvey told Schwarz he didn't need CSFD's help to fight the fire.
Schwarz would not answer the question when asked if it was true.
"I think you can talk to Bob Harvey to find out about that," said Schwarz.
KRDO NewsChannel 13 has requested an interview to talk with Harvey about his conversation with Schwarz since August. He has denied all requests for an interview.
This story is the second of a three-part series airing on KRDO NewsChannel 13 at 10 p.m. this week. The investigation will air in its entirety on KRDO NewsChannel 13 at 10 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 30.


text:
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The Underworld series got long in the tooth early, but here, in the fourth installment (directed by Swede Måns Mårlind), it grows new fangs. Much credit is due to Kate Beckinsale (absent from Underworld 3) returning as Selene, the sleekly attired vampire who slays werewolves in 3D droves. Also adding some bite is Selene's daughter Eve (India Eisley), the next gen of Lycan-Vamp hybrids and evocative of Chloe Moretz's bloodsucker in Let Me In. Awakening picks up 12 years after Selene had been deep-frozen in a bio-lab and with both supernatural races supposedly "purged" by the humans. Silly mortals. Once her character's thawed out, Beckinsale's thirst for vengeance seems more convincing than in previous episodes. Is it because she rips the jugular vein of a random stranger or because she finally taps into her maternal instincts? No matter; this sequel is brief but bloody and best enjoyed in zombie mode.
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text:
ETSU Athletes: Mullins grew programs, but looking forward to change
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - After a decade under Dave Mullins's leadership, there's now an uncertainty of what exactly the future holds for ETSU sports.
News 5 talked to student athletes to find out what they think about Mullins's decision to retire and take on a new role at ETSU, working alongside ETSU President Dr. Brian Noland to help grow athletics financially.
On the field and in the dome, Dave Mullins has been the backbone of ETSU athletics for the past 10 years.
But in June, Mullins officially retires his tenure as athletic director.
"I think over the last year-and-a-half or so, I've tried to sort of assess things and reassess things and decide what I want to do in the future," Mullins said in a Monday afternoon press conference.
For athletes like Nate Hodges, this decision comes with mixed feelings. He said Mullins indirectly helped bring him to ETSU, as the soccer program began under Mullins's direction.
"Dave Mullins has had a huge role in building that, and our field, and everything out there, and bringing players in to experience Johnson City and the ETSU family," Hodges, a Junior soccer player, told News 5.
Senior softball catcher, Whitley Hensley told us her team has also grown over the past few years.
"We have a new field, an amazing new field, that's nicer than most in our conference," Hensley said.
Mullins will now work with ETSU President Dr. Brian Noland to financially grow the program, but its day-to-day operations will be going to a new athletic director.
Athletes told us with this change comes new opportunity.
"Change is always good. You can't be sad or anything. Dave Mullins, you can't replace him, but at the same time, there [are] so many people that do a good job [in the athletic department] that it's not a problem," Hodges told us.
"We've grown so much, even in the three years that I've been here, and we're hoping that maybe we'll get to add football, maybe we'll have an athletic director who's every excited about that," said Hensley.
For everyone involved, it's pride for the blue and gold that make its future a top priority.
"The future is bright, and I look forward to being a part of our future success in my new role," said Mullins.
Mullins said in the press conference he will likely be involved in continuing to explore the idea of an ETSU football team in his new position as part of the 125 vision; especially since that would mean more funding and facilities, which he said, is a major focus of his new role.
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