text:
More than 630 business license holders will have to dig through their pocketbooks to pay a new fee after the San Rafael City Council voted unanimously this week to expand the downtown Business Improvement District.
The 33-year-old district now includes more than 760 businesses, a six-fold increase from the 125 businesses it started with. Adding the businesses is anticipated to boost the district's annual assessment revenue from $15,000 to $18,000 a year to more than $100,000 a year.
Councilman Andrew McCullough said Monday he sympathizes with those opposed to the district's expansion, but thinks those who are dedicated to making it work deserve the opportunity to try.
"I think it's worth giving them the chance to do this," McCullough said. "Let's see what happens and see if the BID is able to articulate what opponents of the BID have said it couldn't do."
Mayor Gary Phillips said he's excited about the district's and volunteer board members' plans to revitalize the downtown area.
"I think it would be foolish of us not to open that door with willing bodies able and ready to go," Phillips said.
Renewal of the assessments will go before the City Council again in one year for review. Council members said they expect to see some measurable improvements and changes by then. Businesses will start paying the new fee in January 2014.
With more funding, the district plans to hold more and different types of events downtown, continue marketing and promoting the area, make street and landscape improvements and work with the city on issues important to business owners — such as concerns about parking and homeless residents.
Carol Thompson, district director, said discussions of expansion have garnered the district a few more supporters.
"We have a number of businesses that we've been speaking to who want to be involved, who are excited about new opportunities," Thompson said.
Andre Sisneros, district board member and Gamescape North co-owner, said the district is encouraging those who aren't involved in the district and are hesitant to be part of it to learn more by interacting with board members and helping plan projects.
"I'm putting out a plea to everyone that you get involved, find out what the BID is all about before you make a decision," Sisneros said.
While some speakers during Monday's meeting were adamantly for or against the district's expansion, others expressed concerns about the voting process for businesses and benefits to the West End of town.
Downtown property owner Jack Krystal said the City Council should start over, redoing the voting system for businesses and outlining how the district will spend funds in the West End.
"It's got to be done in a fair way. We have to show what exactly is being promised," Krystal said.
Joyce Scheer, owner of Headlines Salon in the West End, agreed.
"I would like to see this tabled until they put down exactly what they're going to do for us," Scheer said.
Businesses that represent 17 percent of the assessments lodged written protests with the city, but those paying 50 percent or more of the total fees had to lodge complaints in order for the City Council to be unable to move forward. If enough protests had been lodged, the city would have had to table the extension for at least a year.
This voting system, set forth in the state streets and highways code that covers such districts, was confusing for some business owners and the council agreed it wasn't ideal.
"The negative consent is definitely an unusual way to go about it," Councilwoman Kate Colin said.
As the district's activities ramp up, downtown businesses will soon discover whether they are in the standard or premium area of the expanded district.
Premium businesses pay more and are in the existing district, from Lincoln Avenue to D Street, and from the south side of Fifth Avenue to the north side of Third Street, including side streets. Standard businesses are in the area from Hetherton Street to Lincoln Avenue, B Street between Second and Third streets and Fourth Street from E Street to the Miracle Mile, excluding Fifth Avenue.
Street-level retail outlets, restaurants, service and financial businesses will pay an annual fee of $225 in the premium area and $175 in the standard area. Non street-level offices and licensed professionals in offices will pay $100 in premium areas and $75 in standard areas. Sole practitioners or service providers within a licensed business will pay $75 in premium areas and $50 in standard areas. Nonprofits and artists will pay $50 a year.
Joel Eis, owner of Rebound Bookstore in the West End, said he supports efforts that will get people to visit the West End, which has been neglected in the past. He said the assessments are reasonable.
"The amount of money they're expecting from all the premium businesses is about a pack of gum a day," Eis said.
San Rafael resident Jonathan Frieman agreed, stating the largest premium cost for retail outlets is less than $20 a day.
"I think we should pass it now, work out the kinks later," Frieman said. "We have a downtown that needs the support of all of us sooner than later."
The district's expansion proposal has been in the works for about two years, after the district learned it would no longer receive $13,000 from the city's redevelopment agency. Gov. Jerry Brown officially eliminated the redevelopment agencies last year. The district will also soon lose a $30,000 subsidy from the Lindaro Street parking lot because owner Pacific Gas and Electric Co. plans to sell the lot.
Thompson said there's no way the district could continue on just the assessment funding it collects without the additional participating businesses.
"Our base funding is not enough to sustain a vibrant and functioning organization," Thompson said.
Contact Megan Hansen via email at firstname.lastname@example.com or via Twitter at http://twitter.com/hansenmegan


text:
PATIENTS will have the chance to come face-to-face with the doctors who will soon be running the NHS at the first public meeting of its kind in Worcestershire.
NHS budgets in Worcestershire will be controlled from April by three clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) – south Worcestershire, Redditch and Bromsgrove, and Wyre Forest.
The first board meeting to be held in public takes place Tomorrow, Tuesday from 9am to 12.30pm at the Corn Exchange on the ground floor of Kidderminster Town Hall in Vicar Street.
Wyre Forest CCG is set to take over responsibility for planning and buying most of the health services as part of the Government's NHS reforms.
People will have the opportunity to ask the board questions, with 20 minutes set aside for questions from the floor at the end of the meeting.
Dr Simon Gates, chairman and clinical leader of Wyre Forest CCG, said: "It is really important the public are able to see how we make decisions on their behalf on health issues and that our local community are able to express their views.
"These meetings are one of many opportunities to do this."
The agenda and papers will be available before the meeting on the CCG website at wyreforest ccg.nhs.uk.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Not a Typo
Who or what is:
Etaoin Shrdlu
HintSeen daily by over a thousand people - sitting at a machine - in the United States in the 1980's. Title is also a hint.
AnswerThese are the twelve most frequently-used written characters - in sequential order - in the American-English alphabet (according to the inventor - Ottmar Mergenthaler - of the linotype machine).
They appeared in sequence (top-to-bottom) on linotype keyboards. A linotype machine was used to set newspaper type by entering the text on a keyboard which triggered the machine to create the "line" of text ("line-of-type") in hot metal (lead alloy).
Enter "linotype" in Wiki (or other search-engine) to see a pic of the keyboard and to read how the machine operates.
In 1980 there were over 1000 daily newspapers in the United States using such a machine.
What Next?
See another brain teaser just like this one...
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text:
NANJING, China, Feb. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Simcere Pharmaceutical Group (NYSE: SCR), a leading pharmaceutical company specializing in the development, manufacturing, and marketing of branded generic and proprietary pharmaceuticals in China, today announced that it will report its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 on Thursday, March 7, 2013, before the market opens in the United States. Simcere's management will host an earnings conference call on the same day at 8 a.m. ET (Thursday, March 7 at 9 p.m.Beijing/Hong Kong time).
To access the conference call, please dial:
International toll:
United States toll-free:
United States toll:
China Domestic toll-free:
China Domestic mobile toll-free:
Hong Kong toll:
Please ask to be connected to Q4 2012 Simcere Pharmaceutical Group Earnings Conference Call and provide the following passcode: 12783585.
Simcere will also broadcast a live audio webcast of the conference call. The broadcast will be available by visiting the "Investor Relations" section of the company's web site at www.simcere.com.
Following the earnings conference call, an archive of the call will be available by dialing:
United States toll-free:
United States toll:
The passcode for replay participants is 12783585. The telephone replay also will be archived on the "Investor Relations" section of the company's website for seven days following the earnings announcement.
About Simcere Pharmaceutical Group
Simcere Pharmaceutical Group (NYSE:SCR, Simcere) is a leading pharmaceutical company specializing in the development, manufacturing, and marketing of branded and proprietary pharmaceuticals in China. Simcere concentrates its research and development efforts on the treatment of diseases with high incidence and/or mortality rates and for which there is a clear demand for more effective pharmacotherapy such as cancer, strokes, cardiovascular disease, infectious diseases and pain. For more information about Simcere Pharmaceutical Group, please visit www.simcere.com.
Investor and Media Contacts:
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
In Nanjing:
In the United States:
Jie Liu D'Elia
Cindy Zheng
Vice President
Brunswick Group
Simcere Pharmaceutical Group
Tel: 1-212-333-3810
Tel: 86-25-8556-6666*8857
In Beijing:
Yue Yu
Brunswick Group
Tel: 86-10-5960-8600
SOURCE Simcere Pharmaceutical Group


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align="left" border="1" hspace="4">
The position coach: Major Applewhite, 4th season
align="right" border="1" hspace="0" width="85" height="100">Frontrunner: Fozzy WhittakerClick at Texas.Here to view this Link.
- Position: Tailback.
- Class: Senior.
- Size: 5-10, 202 pounds.
align="right" border="1" hspace="0" width="85" height="100">Frontrunner: Malcolm BrownClick - 2010 season: Appeared in 11 games at running back, including seven starts. Rushed for 351 yards and two TDs on 80 carries (4.4 ypc). Also recorded 34 receptions (No. 6 on UT's single-season receptions by a RB list) for 217 yards. Completed 2-of-2 passes for 40 yards. Here to view this Link.
- Position: Tailback.
- Class: Freshman.
- Size: 6-0, 217 pounds.
- 2010 season: Prep all-American for Cibolo Steele. Rushed for 2,637 yards (ninth-best in San Antonio history and third-best in class 5A) and 33 TDs. Also returned a kickoff 102 yards for a TD.
August camp update: Fozzy Whittaker put in tremendous work in the spring and summer, and several people inside the program said during the off-season that Whittaker was poised for a break-out senior season. With fall camp now winding down, those predictions appear to have a legitimate chance of coming to fruition.
The problem with Whittaker, of course, is that similar things have been said during his three previous years in the program, only to see injuries derail his seasons before he ever really had a chance to prove himself. The hope, or belief, from those in the program is that 2011 will be different. Whittaker has himself in the best shape of his career and he knows this is his last shot to make an impression.
Early in camp, there were some rumblings that Jeremy Hills was performing well, but the buzz around him has died considerably with the emergence of freshmen Malcolm Brown and Joe Bergeron.
Brown was slow getting started while dealing with what was described to us as a minor upper leg injury (an actual diagnosis was never given), but he's come on strong in the last two weeks. Bergeron has impressed from the second he stepped on campus with his power, smarts and work ethic. He's made his mark in fall camp, delivering some crushing blocks and running over would-be tacklers.
D.J. Monroe will have an increased workload this fall and while people have continued to talk about his explosiveness and creative ways the new offense will get him the ball, the other backs have dominated the camp conversations.
Cody Johnson has settled in as the team's starting fullback, ahead of Jamison Berryhill.
Redshirt freshman Traylon Shead turned in a strong performance during the team's first scrimmage of the pre-season, but overall he's had a quiet few weeks. Rumors of Shead looking at an eventual transfer or a position switch have already begun to swirl.
Overall, mostly due to Whittaker's strong camp and the rapid emergence of the freshmen backs, there is a sense of optimism for this year's ground game that hasn't been there the past few years.
Questions to be answered: This one really boils down to two things ... can Fozzy Whittaker hold up and can the true freshmen live up to the pre-season hype.
Think back to when Whittaker was a redshirt freshman in 2008. In a backfield that included Vondrell McGee, Chris Ogbonnaya, Cody Johnson and Jeremy Hills, it was Whittaker that earned the most pre-season buzz. He was described as a change of pace guy from the other backs that were competing for reps and there was talk from people close to the football team that Whittaker was going to be one of the season's surprises.
An injury in practice, before the season ever began, set Whittaker back and forced him out of the season opener. He did play in the Horns' second game of the year, against UTEP, rushing for 76 yards on just 12 carries (McGee was second in that game with 20 yards on 6 carries). People thought Fozzy was ready to take off. Instead, Whittaker was re-injured and sat out the next four games before picking up two carries in week 7. He missed week 8. Returned for week 9 and then played sporadically for the rest of the year. That kind of unpredictable play has been Whittaker's career in a nutshell over the last three years.
In 2011, he once again seems poised to finally have a break-out year, but he's going to need to show he can make it through a full season without missing time due to injury. If he cannot, Brown and Bergeron may take hold of the top spots and never let go. Along with their natural talents, the two freshmen are known for being incredibly durable.
One person with direct ties to the program described Whittaker as the offense's top performer through the first half of fall camp. The emergence of the freshmen cut into his touches over the second half of camp, but Whittaker continued to make the most of his opportunities. He's cat quick, has great vision, is a terrific receiver and runs with more power than people give him credit for. If Whittaker can stay healthy, it's not out of the question that he'll challenge his career yardage total of 847.
For Brown and Bergeron, it's been a very smooth transition to the college game, despite a minor setback early in camp that had Brown out of scrimmage work for a few days. Both players are extremely mature and are similar in their personalities in that they never seem to get phased by any challenge that's put in front of them. Both guys just keep their mouth shut, their head down and work their tails off. Obviously, neither Brown nor Bergeron has ever faced the type of scrutiny and pressure they'll face at Texas, but these two do not have the mental make-up of a normal true freshman.
Jeremy Hills continues to be an intriguing option and he seems to make plays in his very limited opportunities, but it's hard to see where he'll get many touches barring some injuries at the top of the depth chart.
Long-term outlook: For the first time in a long while, the UT ground game does seem to be in very good hands. It will again be a season of running back by committee, but Whittaker, Brown and Bergeron could give the Longhorns the type of punch that Texas has lacked in the past. Whittaker's speed and explosiveness, plus his ability to catch the football, should allow him to excel in Bryan Harsin's offense. Brown and Bergeron should be at their best in the second half of games when defenses are wearing down.
Texas has been looking for a consistent ground game ever since Jamaal Charles left the program following the 2007 season (and truth be told, Texas ground game was somewhat inconsistent that year, with a midseason lull by Charles).
A new offensive scheme that will keep defenses guessing should open up running lanes for the backs, as should a Texas offensive line that has a lot of talent in its starting five. The guess here is that the Horns turn in one of their best ground games in the past five years. Of course, that's what people were saying last year as well. We'll know soon enough.


text:
The Given Sacrifice: A Novel of the Change (Change Series)
by S.M. Stirling
Review by Bill Lawhorn
Roc Hardcover ISBN/ITEM#: 9780451417312
Date: 03 September 2013 List Price $27.95 Amazon US / Amazon UK
Links: Author's Website / Show Official Info /
This is the end, and the beginning. Rudi Mackenzie, High King of Montival, makes the final push to end the CUT threat for good. After the final battle he will be able to rule and see peace in his time. But the forces behind CUT won't go easily for the shadow has a long reach.
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© 2002-2017SFRevu


text:
Even after 40 years of diving along the North Coast, John Corbett said he was shocked Monday to hear that three recreational divers died in separate incidents over the weekend while hunting abalone along the coast of Sonoma and Mendocino counties.
The deaths are a sad reminder that even the best conditions can quickly turn deadly, Corbett said.
"The ocean was just gorgeous this weekend," the Eureka Pacific Outfitters employee said. "There was a two-foot swell on Saturday and a four-foot swell on Sunday. It was just a really calm ocean, great conditions."
The Press Democrat reported Sunday that a low tide drew divers out to beaches over the weekend to search for the elusive mollusks.
The body of a 66-year-old retired Pacifica firefighter was found on Saturday afternoon off Shell Beach in Sonoma County.
Cedric Collett, a strong swimmer in good physical shape, had been diving with a friend but didn't resurface, the newspaper said. His body was found still in his weight belt, which is used to help a diver stay submerged while prying abalone loose from rocks.
On Sunday morning, several divers helped pull 36-year-old Kenneth Liu of San Francisco to shore after he got caught in a rip tide off nearby Salt Point State Park, but he couldn't be revived, the newspaper said.
Several hours later, an unidentified diver was found dead north of Fort Bragg at MacKerricher State Park. U.S. Coast Guard Group Humboldt Bay Lt. Keith Roberts, part of the crew that responded to the call, said that by the time the helicopter arrived, the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office was working to recover the body.
"He was found 15 feet below the water, wedged inside a rock tube," Roberts said. "They only found him because he was on a line attached to a buoy."
According to Sonoma County Sheriff's Office Deputy Henri Boustany, the surf was pounding rescue crews who responded to the three distress calls.
Humboldt County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Mike Fridley said the sheriff's office also received a report Monday at about 2:30 p.m. of a missing man who went abalone diving near the Punta Gorda Lighthouse, about 12 miles north of Cape Mendocino. Fridley said the man was eventually located uninjured.
Since the early 1990s, dozens of people have died in their quest to collect the prized sea snails, making it one of California's most hazardous pursuits.
Brian Andros, a zoology major at Humboldt State University, said he thinks the dangers of free diving can combine with a general lack of education to make the hunt a deadly one. For starters, abalone divers aren't allowed to use air tanks under California Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations.
"You have to free dive," he said, "because if you use scuba gear, there is really no challenge."
Andros, who has been diving for two seasons, said although he was already scuba certified, he never took a class on free diving. The 23-year-old said he mainly just learned from his friends.
"Yeah, I have been afraid," he said. "It can definitely get a little hairy out there. But you just have to figure out what works for you. You just have to get in and get out as quickly as you can manage."
Corbett, who also has 35 years of commercial diving experience, said while Mendocino and Sonoma counties are the preferred abalone diving locations, there are many divers in Humboldt County.
"Visibility is a lot better in the Fort Bragg area, and the abs are more abundant, but we do have abs up here, from Trinidad up to Crescent City," he said. Corbett said he has seen an influx in the number of divers since commercial abalone diving was closed in Southern California more than a decade ago. Deaths aren't uncommon, he said, especially at the start of season, which runs from April 1 to the end of June.
There are a number of things new and seasoned divers can do to keep themselves safe in the water, Corbett said. The most important: Always dive with a buddy.
Another good tip for those just starting out is to visit a local dive shop, he said. Employees familiar with diving in the area can likely point out hazards to avoid. Before a diver jumps in the water, Corbett said, they should also take time to study the water.
"Really, you should take about 15 or 20 minutes and just study your dive site," he said. "See what the ocean is doing, how big the waves are, observe any rip currents and make a plan to enter and exit the water safely."
If you happen to find yourself in a bad situation, Corbett said try not to panic. That's especially true if you find yourself caught up in a rip current, he said.
"That's when bad things can happen," he said. "If you are able, catch your breath and sit and float on the surface for a few moments. Observe your surroundings and try to figure out an exit."
Corbett said divers trapped in a rip current -- a strong channel of water flowing seaward from the shore -- can't swim straight back to shore. Instead, they should swim parallel to the shore to get out of the current.
One last tip from Corbett: Wear a knife.
"I always wear one," he said. "I keep it strapped on the inside of my calf. I don't wear it so I can stab a shark or anything like that. It's to cut myself free."
There are a lot of places where divers can get caught in line or kelp, preventing them from resurfacing.
Although he knows diving is dangerous, Andros said the thrill is also what divers love. He said that -- and the taste of abalone -- are what bring him back to the water
"You just have to have respect for the elements," he said. "People die a lot of the time, because they are going out and saying, 'Oh yeah, no problem, I got this.' I say if it doesn't look good, don't force it. It's better to wait and dive another time, then to not dive at all."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Kaci Poor can be reached at 441-0504 or firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
Jump to navigation Jump to Main Content
Notice of Non-discrimination: Asnuntuck Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, sex, national origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression or genetic information in its programs and activities. In addition, the College does not discriminate in employment on the basis of veteran status or criminal record. The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Yhara Zelinka, Title IX Coordinator, firstname.lastname@example.com (860) 253-3092 and Kim Quinn, 504/ADA Coordinator, email@example.com (860) 253-3005, Asnuntuck Community College, 170 Elm Street, Enfield, CT 06082.
© 2017 Asnuntuck Community College • 170 Elm Street, Enfield, CT 06082 • 860.253.3000
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text:
1. What were the professions of Heathcliff and Clair Huxtable?
2. What was Clair's maiden name?
3. Name the actors who portrayed Heathcliff's parents?
4. Clair's parents were not in the show as much. Can you name the actors who portrayed her parents?
5. How many children did the Huxtables have in the pilot episode?
6. Who did Sondra marry?
7. Rudy had a friend who never spoke. What was his name?
8. Name Theo's best friend.
9. What was Denise's stepdaughter's name?
10. In one episode, Vanessa could not find her homework. Her father helps her retrace her steps until she finds it. Where was it?
Answers: 1. Obstetrician and attorney. 2. Hanks. 3. Earle Hyman and Clarice Taylor. 4. Joe Williams and Ethel Ayler. 5. Four, there is a scene where Clair comes out of the kitchen and asks Cliff why they had four children. His response, "Because we didn't want five." Sondra was later added to the cast, but only appeared when she came home from college. 6. Elvin Tibideaux. 7. Peter. 8. Walter "Cockroach" Bradley. 9. Olivia Kendall. 10. In the freezer.


text:
Today's moms are desperate to make smart food choices for their families, but are inundated by the overwhelming amount of information available. As a result, these social media-driven mothers are putting more trust in blogs and peers than physicians, medical web sites or the government, according to a new study conducted by Fleishman-Hillard and TheMotherhood.com.
"Moms are turning to their peers online and off for information about food – from general to more specific information about genetically modified organisms, pesticides and other food-safety topics," Kristie Sigler, senior vice president at Fleishman-Hillard, said in a news release. "This study showed that moms place higher priority on the opinions of bloggers and peers than that of experts like doctors and dietitians – an important takeaway for food marketers."
Food Safety News reports that of the 1,000 moms who took part in the poll, 39 percent of moms trusted food and mom blogs for information on GMOs, compared to 31 percent who sought information from peers offline, 24 percent who turn to the government and 17 percent who listed physicians as valued sources.
"I just feel there is not enough known," one mother commented. "We hear it is safe one day, and then not safe another, and I don't want to risk it in my kids."


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'"My main goal is to play for Buffalo. Anything less and I'm going to be disappointed in myself," Gerbe said after Thursday's session. "If I have to go down to Portland, I'll be disappointed but I'll work as hard as I can to get back up. I know this is where I want to be."'
You are here: Home / SabresBeat / Gerbe again a star at camp


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United_Against_Ugliness is the tagline used by Lancia to promote its new Ypsilon car. The campaign is now online with a series of ads and a microsite created by Testawebedv, packed with content (image gallery, interactive tv, screensavers, car configurator etc…). The UAU (United_Against_Ugliness) movement is going around the country visiting 27 Italian cities to diffuse the concept of beauty & safety. It's surely good to see such an integrated marketing effort in Italy (maybe someone is waking up, uh?), however the campaign has some controversial points. The Tv spot for example (you can watch it on the site) features hundreds young adults marching against ugliness. A lot of people have been marching in the past to defend human rights or to fight for freedom, from this perspective the Lancia ad appears to be an unnecessary parody. Furthermore, from a sociological point of view, the UAU concept is a celebration of the aesthetic values (can we consider them values?) visual consuption. If you're interested in visual consumption, I suggest you reading this book.
adidas advergame advergames advertainment advertising ambient marketing australia belgium best brazil coca-cola email marketing facebook fashion france germany google heineken ikea infographic italy japan marketing mobile content mobile marketing msn nike nokia online ads online advertising online campaign online marketing print advertising rich media samsung sms spain sweden tvc twitter uk video of the day viral marketing volkswagen wieden + kennedy


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WATSONVILLE -- Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and the California Strawberry Commission are teaming up to establish a research and education center dedicated to supporting the state's more than $2 billion strawberry industry, officials announced Tuesday.
The Strawberry Sustainability Research and Education Center aims to bring together scientists and students from multiple academic disciplines and private sector experts to provide opportunities for hands-on learning and to develop innovative approaches to industry challenges.
The partnership agreement, sealed with a $1 million grant from the commission, runs for three years, but Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong said the commitment is for the long term.
"We're not going to establish something and walk away," Armstrong said. "Our intention is to leverage other funds to benefit our students, and ultimately California's citizens because of the economic impact of strawberry growers."
California produced 2.1 billion pounds of strawberries in 2011, 88 percent of the nation's crop, according to the commission. It supports more than 70,000 jobs statewide.
In Santa Cruz County, strawberries have been the top crop for years. In 2011, the most recent figure available, the county crop was valued at nearly $200 million.
But the industry faces challenges, including labor shortages, water supply, pest and disease management, and global competition.
Armstrong said a broad range of faculty and students will be involved in the center, including hydrologists, plant scientists, entomologists, engineers, and specialists in packaging and marketing.
"We focus our undergraduate education on research so this is right in our wheelhouse," Armstrong said.
The question is how the nation and the state can sustain food production, said Mark Murai, president of the Strawberry Commission. It's not about one resource, one tool. It's about a suite of issues playing out together.
"We can't look at this one dimensionally," he said.
The students exposed to the industry through the center may provide the ideas and inspiration to keep today's farmers progressing, and perhaps they'll be inspired in turn to become the next generation of strawberry farmers, Murai said.
"It's not one thing driving this center," he said. "It's about a holistic approach to preserving the farmer and farming and really investing in the future. That's the essence of it."
Cal Poly has conducted similar ventures, such as work with the national dairy industry. But this is the first time the school has developed a broad partnership with the strawberry industry.
Santa Cruz County, however, is familiar territory, as Cal Poly owns a ranch in Swanton on the North Coast.
The Strawberry Commission, a state agency based in Watsonville, is focused on research, education and promotion of the industry.
Follow Sentinel reporter Donna Jones on Twitter at Twitter.com/DonnaJonesSCS


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Get an overview of this hotel4.5-star family-friendly condominium resort, walk to Altos de Chavon Village
Popular property highlights
This family-friendly La Altagracia condominium resort is located near the airport, within a 10-minute walk of Dye Fore Golf Club and Altos de Chavon Village. The Links is 1.5 mi (2.4 km) away.
Property Features
This smoke-free condominium resort features a marina, 8 outdoor pools, and a golf course. Free WiFi in public areas and free self parking are also provided. Other amenities include a nightclub, a health club, and a beach bar.
Room Amenities
All 116 individually decorated condos feature free WiFi and pillowtop beds. Guests can enjoy private pools, and other standard amenities include kitchens with refrigerators and stovetops.Information missing or incorrect? Tell us!Opens in a new window
Los Altos Condo Residences Casa de Campo
Property Amenities
Property Amenities
Los Altos Condo Residences Casa de Campo features a golf course, a marina, and 8 outdoor swimming pools. The condominium resort offers a snack bar/deli. A beach bar is on site where guests can unwind with a drink. Public areas are equipped with complimentary wireless Internet access.
This luxury condominium resort also offers a health club, a nightclub, and a spa tub. Guests can use the outdoor pool at a partner property. For a surcharge, the property provides a roundtrip airport shuttle (available 24 hours) and an area shuttle. Complimentary self parking is available on site.
Los Altos Condo Residences Casa de Campo is a smoke-free property.
- Beach sun loungers
- Pool sun loungers
- Beach towels
- Supervised childcare/activities (surcharge)
- Spa tub
- Airport transportation (surcharge)
- Babysitting or childcare (surcharge)
- Children's club (free)
- Total number of rooms - 116
- Number of floors - 3
- ATM/banking
- Barbecue grill(s)
- Concierge services
- Dry cleaning/laundry service
- Elevator/lift
- Express check-in
- Express check-out
- Front desk (limited hours)
- Hair salon
- Health club
- Tours/ticket assistance
- Free WiFi
- Number of outdoor pools - 8
- Children's club
- Laundry facilities
- Limo or Town Car service available
- Marina on site
- Spa treatment room(s)
- Multilingual staff
- Nightclub
- Garden
- Terrace
- Picnic area
- Porter/bellhop
- Safe-deposit box at front desk
- Free self parking
- Golf course on site
- Year Built 2007
- Area shuttle (surcharge)
- Sauna
- Shopping on site
- Smoke-free property
- Number of buildings/towers - 16
- Spa services on site
- Steam room
- Wedding services
- Turkish bath/Hammam
- Beach bar
- Snack bar/deli
Family Friendly Amenities
- Family Hotel
- Outdoor pools
- Free Wi-Fi
- Children's club (free)
- Kitchen
- Snack bar/deli
- Laundry facilities
- Babysitting or childcare (surcharge)
- Playground on site
- Separate dining area
- Washer/dryer
- Full-sized refrigerator/freezer
- Microwave
- DVD player
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Free self parking
Room Amenities
- Room service (limited hours)
- DVD player
- Balcony
- In-room climate control (air conditioning)
- Access via exterior corridors
- Air conditioning
- Phone
- Coffee/tea maker
- Free bottled water
- Microwave
- Kitchen
- Daily housekeeping
- Private bathroom
- Designer toiletries
- Second bathroom
- In-room massage available
- Shower only
- Bidet
- Hair dryer
- Iron/ironing board
- In-room safe
- Desk
- Washer/dryer
- Cookware, dishware, and utensils
- Blackout drapes/curtains
- iPod docking station
- Private pool
- Separate dining area
- Dishwasher
- Full-sized refrigerator/freezer
- Stovetop
- Cable TV service
- Free WiFi
- Down comforter
- Individually furnished
- Individually decorated
- Pillowtop mattress
- Plasma TV
Where to Eat
Room service (during limited hours) is available.
Nearby Things to Do
Guests can play rounds at the 18-hole golf course and enjoy other recreation facilities including a marina and a health club. 8 outdoor swimming pools are on site along with a spa tub. Other recreational amenities include a sauna.
Children under 12 years old are not allowed in the swimming pool, health club, or fitness facility without adult supervision.
The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.
- Sailing nearby
- Scuba diving nearby
- Boat tours nearby
- Golf driving range on site
- Snorkeling nearby
- Kayaking nearby
- Bicycle rentals nearby
- Hiking/biking trails nearby
- Scooter/moped rentals nearby
- Ecotours nearby
- Golf lessons on site
- Golfing on site
- Horse riding/rental on site
- Playground on site
Spa Services
- Body treatments
- Facial treatments
- Body scrubs
- Manicures and pedicures
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please note them at check-out when you book your room.
- Accessible bathroom
- In-room accessibility
Property Policies
Minimum check-in age is 18
Check-in time ends at 6 PM
Check-in time starts at 3 PM
Special check-in instructions:
Check-out time is noon
Payment types
Children and extra beds
- Children are welcome.
- Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
- Cribs (infant beds) are not available.
- Pets allowed for an extra charge of USD 50.00 per pet, per stay
- Dogs and cats only
- 1 per room (up to 25 lb)
- Restrictions apply
- For more information contact the property at the number on the booking confirmation
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy.
Optional extras
- Pet fee: USD 50.00 per pet, per stay
Property Name
- Los Altos Condo Residences Casa Campo
- Los Altos Condo Residences Casa Campo La Romana
- Los Altos Residences Casa Campo
- Los Altos Residences Casa Campo La Romana
We should mention
This property offers transfers from the airport (surcharges may apply). Guests must contact the property with arrival details 72 hours prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation. Reservations are required for golf tee times, massage services, and spa treatments. Reservations can be made by contacting the condominium resort prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation. Guests can arrange to bring pets by contacting the property directly, using the contact information on the booking confirmation (surcharges apply and can be found in the Fees section).
Complimentary Airport Shuttle
Book a stay anytime and receive complimentary transfer to and from La Romana Airport.
Limited to La Romana Airport only. Guests are required to notify the property in advance with arrival time. Contact information can be found in the booking confirmation. Subject to availability. Other restrictions may apply.