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Photo courtesy of Stewart Martin
Apples Galore At Cedar Heights Orchard
For the best apple picking this season visit Cedar Heights Orchard just 3 miles from the village of Rhinebeck. Harvesting a wide variety from now through October. Cedar Heights is the only "pick your own" location in Rhinebeck.
Family Owned
New Planting
In 2010 we began planting an experimental one acre block of new trees. We are exploring innovative high density growing practices as well as apple varieties that will be good for making hard and sweet cider. Some of the new trees are traditional European varieties such as Kingston Black, Yarlington Mills, Michelin and Dabinett. However, we are also very interested in rediscovering wonderful regional varieties that have been overlooked in recent time: Classic New England Baldwin;Northern Spy; Winesap; Newton Pippin; and of course the Russets; Roxbury Russet; St Edmunds Russet; and Golden Russet. New, delicious, very productive and disease resistant varieties are being developed by university agricultural centers in the US,and we are very excited by the prospect of Goldrush and Liberty in the roster. Though small in size we love the crabs for their super sweet, super sour and super flavor: Harrison, Wickson and Virginia. We hope to have fruit from these new plantings in 2013. The success of this block will help guide the selection of new trees for both table and cider fruit as we grow production at Cedar heights Orchard. Come and let us know what you think.
Apples Galore At Cedar Heights Orchard
For the best apple picking this season visit Cedar Heights Orchard just 3 miles from the village of Rhinebeck. Harvesting a wide variety from now through October. Cedar Heights is the only "pick your own" location in Rhinebeck.
Family Owned
Cedar Heights has been a family owned orchard for over a 150 years! We have also been replanted over the last couple of decades with Galas, Cortlands, Jonamacs, Empires, Macouns and Red Delicious. The orchard is situated high on a large hillside and features one of the most magnificent views of the Hudson Valley. Easily accessible, its a treat to pick and picnic with friends and family, and great for the children.
Looking Forward To Another Great Season
Greeted by owner, Arvia Morris, all are welcomed from 9am- dusk. Good visible signs on route 308, from Rhinebeck on the left at Pilgrims Progress Road and on route 9 going north 3 miles after the light on Wey Road will point the way. Further information 845-876-3231 .
August 2017
Cedar Heights Orchards is pleased to announce that we are available for:
- Weddings or pre-wedding parties
- barn parties
- reunions
- picnics
- retreats
- conferences
- movie and photo shoots
Our beautiful 1846 farm, plus manicured gardens, cascading pools, bamboo groves and apple orchards to stroll through makes us an attractive destination. For more information and reservations contact us at (401) 480-4431 or email
Stewart Martin
Cedar Heights Orchards - Rhinebeck
Contact Us
Event Venue
Apple Sauce Recipe
Cedar Heights Orchards - Rhinebeck
Farm Information


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Free Standard Shipping
Lizatards Leotard Shattered Glass
Brand Lizatards
A simple tank leotard for working out and priced right! Looks like beautiful pieces of glass from a stained glass window!
- Simple Tank Leotard for Workouts
- Bright Colors on Black Background
- Made in the USA
- Money Back Guarantee
- Available in Adult and Youth Sizes

subset: commoncrawl


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WFSE - Reclaim Union Overcharges
In RCW 41.80, the state legislature granted private organizations the ability to secure a monopoly franchise over workplace representation services for state-funded employees. The Washington Federation of State Employees, council 28 of the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (WFSE-AFSCME) has secured the privilege of providing workplace services to tens of thousands of various public employees.
Many believe the union arrangement is not a good fit.
They may be professionals or technicians who have the sophistication to manage their own affairs. Others find themselves lumped in with other employees whose interests cannot possibly be uniformly represented by one monolithic organization like WFSE.
Others find the aggressive politicking and use of dues to advance partisan causes, candidates and ideology distasteful. Still others believe that union officials take advantage of the power to force people to pay by overcharging and underperforming.
Unfortunately, unions are not governed by the usual consumer protection or anti-trust laws, so abuses of the privilege of collecting money are possible. For example:
They can charge whatever they wish. They can spend money on whatever they wish. They do not have to disclose how the money is spent to those who pay it. They can speak for employees without consulting or informing them. They can injure some members' interests while advancing the interests of others. They can prevent employees from getting help in their workplace from other sources. They are not governed by any obligation to provide quality service, and they almost never have to seek reauthorization of their right to have this monopoly on workplace services.
The courts have acknowledged that these extraordinary powers can lead to abuses. Specifically, the court recognized that unions have power to wrongfully overcharge for services, and the power to compel people to fund a speech they don't support in violation of the First Amendment.
Public employees have challenged some of the unions' abuse of power, and the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed that employees have certain rights. Specifically:
You can keep the hundreds of dollars in overcharges and make your own decisions about politics and causes.
If you object to WFSE overcharging you for workplace representation, you may choose to opt out of those charges.
U.S. Supreme Court decisions have long recognized that unions are not allowed to charge public employees for political, ideological or other nonessential union expenses as a condition of employment (Lehnert v. Ferris Faculty Association, 500 U.S. 507 (1991)).
To accommodate this right, any public employee may become an "agency fee payer" and remain a nonunion member of the bargaining unit paying only the workplace representation fee, which is less than full union membership dues.
The Supreme Court has also required unions to explain to fee payers the purposes for any portion of fees it collects from them (Chicago Teachers Union v. Hudson, 475 U.S. 292, (1986)).
The Federation of State Employees addresses this obligation by reducing the payroll deduction by approximately 25% according to the union contract:
"any employee who makes a request may pay a representation fee equal to a pro rata share of the full membership fee that is related to [workplace representation] . . . rather than the full membership fee." (WA/WFSE Collective Bargaining Agreement, Pg. 110)
The most recent calculation of how much of the unions' dues the union claims is used for legitimate workplace representation and how much it admits is used for extraneous purposes is reported to all fee payers each year in the "Representation Fee Notice."
On page two, the union calculates that seventy percent of the portion of union dues sent to AFSCME International is extraneous ("nonchargeable") and thus will be returned. On page three, the WFSE state council 28 reports that ten percent of its $18 million budget is extraneous.
The union acknowledges that for WFSE general government employees, the reduced fee is reflected by collecting a payroll deduction of 1.17% of wages rather than the 1.5% collected from members paying for everything the union officials choose to spend money on. This represents a 25 percent reduction in dues. "Nonmember Options" WFSE.ORG
Total overcharges from all levels of the union can range from $250 to $350.
If you object to WFSE overcharging you for workplace representation, and you would rather reclaim these funds, then you may request to pay the reduced representation fee.
The union will still represent you in collective bargaining, contract management and grievance processing, but you will no longer have to contribute to causes unrelated to workplace representation like politics, marketing, litigation, ideological causes or other extraneous activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I keep my money from going to WFSE's extraneous activities like politics and ideological causes?
Inform the AFSCME Council 28 Executive Director in writing that you wish to resign from all levels of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the Washington Federation of State Employees Council 28 and your local AFSCME affiliate.
State you object to your fees being used for nonchargeable activities, and that you wish to pay the reduced representation fee.
Send a copy of your letter to AFSCME Council 28 and your local AFSCME affiliate.
A "fill in the blanks" version of the letter is available here.
If I stop paying the full amount of dues to the union, will I still receive the same wages and benefits specified in WFSE's contract with the state?
WFSE has arranged to be the "exclusive representative" of its bargaining units, meaning that it is impossible for workers to get out of the terms of the contract, even if they cease paying the full amount of dues.
Does it affect my pension?
Under state law, a union contract is binding on all employees in a bargaining unit, regardless of whether they are technically union "members." Your compensation, benefits and conditions of employment are all set by the contract and the state legislature and will remain unchanged whether you pay full union dues or only the representation fee.
Will the union stop helping me with workplace issues if I pay only the workplace representation fee?
The union has a franchise to be the exclusive representative of the members of the bargaining unit. It can and will prevent members of the bargaining unit from securing their own assistance with workplace issues. In return for the monopoly on this particular service, unions have a corresponding legal duty to provide fair representation.
How will my relationship with the union change if I resign my membership in WFSE and stop paying the full amount of dues?
While the terms of WFSE's contract will still apply and your employment with the state will remain unchanged as a nonmember of WFSE, you will likely no longer be able to participate in internal union affairs, such as attending union meetings or voting for union officers. You will also be ineligible for any special "members only" deals or discounts the union has arranged with businesses. You may no longer receive the union newsletter or similar publications. Some unions also have policies preventing those paying for workplace representation from participating in contract ratification votes. While this is wrong, it is their prerogative since they have no obligation under law to have votes in the first place, and no legal obligation to act on the results of those votes. As a result, the ability to discriminate in voting is allowed.
How does WFSE spend my dues money?
According to reports the union must file with the U.S. Department of Labor, the state council of the union, WFSE, collected nearly $25 million in dues and fees from its members in fiscal year 2016.
- $6.7 million (about 27 percent) went to AFSCME's national headquarters in Washington, D.C., to support its massive political, economic and social agenda. The national AFSCME regularly supports a host of controversial organizations like Planned Parenthood — the nation's largest abortion provider — which received $405,000 from AFSCME last year alone.
- $1.3 million 800,000 was spent locally on divisive political candidates, causes and lobbying. Another $400,000 was spent on contributions, gifts and grants.
- WFSE Executive Director Greg Devereux received total compensation of $186,933 in 2016, up fifteen percent from $162,674 in 2015.
- Thirty-three employees are paid more than $80,000; Eleven of these are paid more than $100,000; Four are paid more than $150,000 and the highest paid receives $205,168.
WFSE's 2013 LM-2 report is available here.
WFSE's 2014 LM-2 report is available here.
WFSE's 2015 LM-2 report is available here.
WFSE's 2016 LM-2 report is available here.
WFSE's 2012 IRS 990 tax return is available here.
WFSE's 2013 IRS 990 tax return is available here.
WFSE's 2014 IRS 990 tax return is available here.
The international union, American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) collected $182 million in dues
- AFSCME's president, Lee Saunders, was paid $356,224 in 2016, but the highest paid employee received $479,977.
- Roughly a million was spent on hotels, travel and food and catering.
- Nearly $80,000 was spent on giveaway bags and another $60,000 on t-shirts.
AFSCME's National 2012 LM-2 report is available here.
AFSCME's National 2013 LM-2 report is available here.
AFSCME's National 2014 LM-2 report is available here.
AFSCME's National 2015 LM-2 report is available here.
AFSCME's National 2016 LM-2 report is available here.
AFSCME's 2012 IRS 990 tax return is available here.
AFSCME's 2013 IRS 990 tax return is available here.
AFSCME's 2014 IRS 990 tax return is available here.
AFSCME's 2015 IRS 990 tax return is available here.


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Thursday, 2 January 2014
Lush 'Space Girl' Bath Ballistic
13 comments
This comment has been removed by the author.ReplyDelete
I have never tried the space girl bath bomb before when I have been to lush I have always gotten comforters but after reading your review I think im going to forget all my reservations and try it xReplyDelete
Space Girl is one of my favourite ballistics, I love the scent so much!ReplyDelete
Catherine, xo // Lady Liquor Vintage
haven't tried space girl yet , but i do love lord of the misrule :)ReplyDelete
Melissa x
in and out of the bathtub it doesn't matter, It still looks gorgeous! The effect this ballistic makes is so cool; love it!ReplyDelete
Great post and happy new year! :)
this looks so pretty i'm definitely going to have to try it!ReplyDelete
Ooh this looks so pretty. I've become really into lush recently xxxReplyDelete
Verity | Life of Verity
oh it seems awesome! :DReplyDelete
It looks so cool in the water!ReplyDelete
It's so cute, and the water looks so pretty! I need to give this a try next time I'm in Lush xxReplyDelete
Gem // missmakeupmagpie.com
This looks lovely and so pretty in the water plus the name is so cute!ReplyDelete
Jackie | fashionxfairytale |
this looks so cool in the water! I've yet to try the bath ballistics, will have to try them out sometime(:ReplyDelete
I bought this one for my sister for xmas and shes yet to try it ...I wont spoil the surprise but it looks lovely :) great review! xxReplyDelete


text:
Hello Victoria
Hey there you,
I care about you deeply and your well being and happiness mean the
world to me. But it is as a friend. I think you're so incredibly brave
for writing this email and telling me how you feel. There's no reason
to ignore this or bs around it. It happened and that's ok. For God's
sake I'm still friends with Phil and look at all the strange back and
forth we've had over the past three years. So if you're still
interested in being friends I would absolutely love that. But I also
completely, truly understand if when you come back in the fall you
need to keep some distance between us. Whatever is better for you. I'm
sorry this is how I feel. I have been on the receiving end of this
conversation so many times and I know that no matter what I say, in
this movement, what I say is going to hurt you. And I am so incredibly
sorry about that. But you are my friend and I'd rather tell you the
truth than hurt you more by lying or avoiding this conversation.
Take all the time you need thinking or responding to this, if you even
want to respond. I still want to hear from you and know what's going
on with you but you can let me know if you're ready and ok to just be
friends. And when you come back in the fall I would be happy t get
coffee with you as a friend.
Your friend,


text:
The wounds of the last strike have only recently healed, but baseball is already dreading the possibility of more labor strife after this season. For pro basketball fans, the lockout that shortened the 1998-99 season is still fresh, and hockey faces the possibility of dark nights and canceled games after its collective bargaining agreement expires in 2004.
But in the National Football League, the most lucrative of North American sports leagues, the only reminder of pro football's darkest days, in 1987, is a recent movie about replacement players. After that strike, the N.F.L. had no labor agreement for six years, a nadir in relations.
Since the groundbreaking 1993 agreement that gave a bouquet and bitter pill to each side -- the salary cap and unrestricted free agency -- the N.F.L. has floated along like a sailboat on the stormy sea of sports labor relations, steering around the waves that crash over other sports and threaten to engulf their appeal to fans.
Last month, the N.F.L. owners and the players' union quietly agreed to a three-year extension of the collective bargaining agreement that would assure labor peace until 2007, two decades since the last pro football strike, a remarkable period of prosperity and stability. The new accord still awaits a ratification vote by the players and the owners.
If approved, it would mark the fourth time the agreement has been extended. Perhaps most indicative of the current placid relationship between N.F.L. players and owners is that the extension drew scant notice, earning little more than a few paragraphs in newspapers and a collective yawn from fans.Continue reading the main story
The collective bargaining agreement is a complicated document and there are many reasons why those involved in the game have been so successful at avoiding the tumult of other leagues. They include the good relations between Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and the head of the players' union, Gene Upshaw, and the built-in deadlines that force everyone into negotiations long before the agreement can expire. In the end, though, it boils down to something simpler: Why mess up a good thing?
''As one N.F.L. executive said to me, 'You make more money in peace than in war,' '' said Doug Allen, the assistant executive director of the N.F.L. Players Association. ''The agreement of 1993 made us partners, players and owners, in the success of the N.F.L. Our competition is other sports, and other forms of entertainment, not each other.
''We designed this to be renewable, to be a living agreement. If it ever expires, there would be some tough pills to swallow for both sides. The last year of the deal is an uncapped year. But free agency would take six years in the league, instead of four. So there is something that is a disincentive at the end for everybody.''
The incentive to continue playing is great because the N.F.L.'s revenues are an enormous pie to be divided. The league has blockbuster television contracts worth $17.6 billion over eight years. Players get 63 percent of the N.F.L.'s designated gross revenue and have a rich benefit package.
Revenue sharing and the salary cap ensure that small-market teams will not be left behind, as they have been in baseball. Figures that became public because of a lawsuit filed against the N.F.L. by Al Davis, the Oakland Raiders' managing general partner, indicated that the average profit for the 31 teams in 1999 was $11.6 million (the Giants' profit was $18.4 million; the Jets' $9.8 million). Only one team, New Orleans, lost money that year, and team owners have seen the value of their franchises appreciate dramatically.
With the contract extension, the sides agreed to a system that will protect veterans who are fringe players and who might otherwise be caught in the salary-cap squeeze. Beginning next year, all veterans with three years or more in the league who earn the minimum will count only $450,000 against the cap, even though the minimum for veterans of four to six years will be $525,000 and the minimum for veterans of seven to nine years will be $650,000. That was the most notable victory for the players, but most of their demands, said Kevin Mawae, the Jets' union representative, had more to do with boosting benefits than with demands for another huge chunk of revenue.
''Maybe we seem reasonable,'' Mawae said. ''The older you get in the league, the more you understand it's not about what you're making now, it's about later.''
Still, conventional wisdom has long held that power tilts more frequently to owners than players because there are no guaranteed contracts in the N.F.L., and the salary cap assures that football will not produce an Alex Rodriguez-like $250 million contract. The union points to the growth of bonuses and guaranteed money to offset the lack of guaranteed contracts, a development that does not please the owners.
''The notion that you are paying players who are not playing for you becomes counterproductive,'' said Harold Henderson, the chairman of the N.F.L. Management Council and the league's chief negotiator. ''They are striving at every opportunity to increase growth in guaranteed money to players. We have team people who believe it's a quality-of-the-game issue, that if they don't have to compete for their positions, they aren't putting out their best efforts and the quality of the game would diminish. The union response is that players play because they like to play, not for the money.''
They have another six years of stability to figure out a compromise, if there is to be one. It is a comfortable position that the other professional leagues and players might well envy.Continue reading the main story