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John DiStaso's Granite Status: Hurst won't run for NHGOP chair; early poll good news for ShaheenBy JOHN DiSTASO
Senior Political Reporter
November 28. 2012 11:53AM
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 28, UPDATE: HURST WON'T RUN. At least for now, the field for NHGOP chair is clear for Jennifer Horn.
State party vice chair Cliff Hurt had been planning to run, but told the Status Wednesday afternoon he will not be a candidate.
His decision came after Horn lined up major figures in Republican state politics, including Sen. Kelly Ayotte, in her corner (See items below).
'I just felt like it's the best thing to do,' Hurst said. 'There is a time to serve and a time to wait it out. I have no resentment and no hard feelings.
'We need a time to heal as a party,' Hurst said. 'My mission is to be a healer and a uniter and as we know politics can be very divisive.'
(Earlier Granite Status reports follow.)
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 28, UPDATE: GOOD EARLY NEWS FOR JEANNE. We reported two weeks ago that Public Policy Polling was in the field already surveying Granite Staters on Sen. Jeanne Shaheen's approval and a possible 2014 'rubber match' battle between her and Republican former Sen. John E. Sununu.
The results are in and they're showing good news for Democrat Shaheen.
PPP, on behalf of the left-leaning Progressive Change Campaign Committee, surveyed 1,018 registered New Hampshire voters Nov. 14 and 15.
The poll, with a margin of error of 3.1 percent, found Shaheen leading Sununu, 53 to 42 percent, with 5 percent undecided.
Also, 51 percent of those surveyed approved of the way Shaheen is handling her job as a senator, while 36 percent disapproved and 13 percent had no opinion.
The poll gave strong indication that Granite Staters oppose cuts to Medicare and Medicaid benefits and support higher taxes for the rich.
If Shaheen supported cuts to Medicare or Medicaid, 46 percent said they would be less likely to vote for her, while 35 percent said it would not make a difference, 13 percent said they would be more likely to vote for her and 7 percent were not sure, according to the poll.
If Shaheen 'led the national fight to raise taxes on the rich,' 48 percent said they would be more likely to vote for her, while 31 percent said they would be less likely to vote for her, 19 percent said it would not make a difference and 1 percent said they were not sure.
'New Hampshire voters spoke clearly in 2012,' said PCCC spokesman Neil Sroka, a former spokesman for U.S. Rep.-elect Ann Kuster. 'Tax the rich, invest in jobs and don't even think about cutting Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid benefits. If Senator Shaheen fights hard for this agenda, New Hampshire voters stand ready to support her in 2014.'
The poll also showed 48 percent of Granite Staters viewed President Barack Obama's key 'mandate' in the election as 'standing up for regular families -- even if it means fighting,' rather than compromising with Republicans, which was the view of 36 percent.
On another question, 49 percent viewed Obama's mandate as creating jobs rather than reducing the federal debt, which was the view of 22 percent.
Other results showed that to reduce the national debt:
- 66 percent favored raising taxes on those with incomes of more than $250,000 a year, while 29 percent were opposed.
- 75 percent opposed, and 13 percent favored, cutting Social Security benefits.
- 74 percent opposed, and 17 percent favored, cutting Medicare benefits.
- 66 percent opposed and 25 percent favored cutting Medicaid benefits
- 53 percent supported and 40 percent opposed cutting military spending.
- 79 percent supported and 12 percent opposed ending agriculture subsidies to 'agricorporations.'
Also, 49 percent supported and 34 percent opposed public financing of congressional elections.
(Earlier Granite Status reports follow.)
TUESDAY, NOV. 27, UPDATE: AYOTTE BACKS HORN. TUESDAY, NOV. 27, UPDATE: AYOTTE BACKS HORN. Conservative Nashua activist and former two-time congressional hopeful Jennifer Horn will run for chairman of the state Republican Party with the backing of U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte, outgoing U.S. Reps. Frank Guinta and Charlie Bass as well as Senate President Peter Bragdon and outgoing House speaker Bill O'Brien.
Horn said she will seek the seat 'to unify Republicans and to lay the groundwork for a vibrant, robust party. We will unite behind our core principles of lower taxes, less spending, and personal freedom. And when the Democrats inevitably over-reach, we'll hold them accountable.'
She disclosed her plans to the Granite Status just a few hours after current chairman Wayne MacDonald said he will not seek a full term.
Horn thanked MacDonald 'for his many years of service to the party. He stepped up to lead at a challenging time and he served with distinction.'
A major boost for a Horn candidacy comes in the endorsement of the highest ranking members of the state GOP.
Ayotte, also of Nashua, said Horn is 'an articulate voice for our party and will service as a strong unifying leader.'
Horn also was endorsed by incoming House Republican Leader Gene Chandler, Republican National Committee members Steve Duprey and Juliana Bergeron, former party chairs Jayne Millerick and Wayne Semprini and former candidate for governor Kevin Smith.
Her list also includes 27 other state representatives and activists.
Horn recently served as chairman of the NHGOP platform committee and was credited with successfully negotiating a compromise that kept in place conservative Republican principles but in more 'user-friendly' language.
She currently chairs the conservative non-profit advocacy group 'We the People: A First in the Nation Freedom Forum,' which held a series of events featuring presidential candidates last year during the presidential primary campaign.
Horn is a former radio talk show host and newspaper columnist in Nashua and has been active in community organizations as well as efforts to support U.S. troops.
Horn was recently named the 2011 Nashua Area Federated Republican Women 'Woman of the Year.'
Horn has made two unsuccessful attempts to represent the 2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House. As the party's nominee in 2008, she lost to then incumbent Paul Hodes during a Democratic sweep.
In 2010, Horn lost to Charlie Bass in the Republican congressional primary. Bass went on to win the seat, and then lost it three weeks ago.
MacDonald said today in a statement, 'After much thought and discussion, I have decided I will not seek a full term as New Hampshire Republican Party Chairman.
'Serving as Chairman has been a challenge and a privilege,' MacDonald said. 'I appreciate the hard work of the dedicated activists, party officers, and staff over the past year. It's been an honor to serve in this capacity.'
Also considering running for chairman is current party vice chair Cliff Hurst.
There has been an effort to recruit Ryan Williams, a former spokesman for the NHGOP and then for Mitt Romney's national campaign, as chairman.
But a Williams told the Granite Status Tuesday afternoon he is 'flattered by the calls I've received, but I have no interest in returning to the New Hampshire Republican State Committee.'
He said Horn 'will make an outstanding chairman. She's accomplished and committed to conservative principles and I'm confident she will hire a qualified staff to go toe to toe with the New Hampshire Democratic Party.'
(Earlier Granite Status reports follow.)
TUESDAY, NOV. 27, UPDATE: WAYNE WON'T RUN. Wayne MacDonald told the Granite Status Tuesday he will not seek a full term as chairman of the state Republican Party.
Coming off of tough losses on Nov. 6, MacDonald said, 'I've factored in all the considerations I need to and at this point have decided I will not be running for a full term as chairman of the New Hampshire Republican Party and will be leaving office on Jan. 26.'
MacDonald's decision opens the race to several potential candidates. (See our item below.)
MacDonald is a former party vice chair who became chairman after Jack Kimball resigned in September 2011.
Republican National Committeeman and former party chairman Steve Duprey said MacDonald 'did a good job righting the ship' following the Kimball controversy.
'And I'm one of those who believe that when you win it's a team effort and when you lose, you lose as a team.
'It was a tough election cycle,' said Duprey. 'There were a lot of reasons for what happened but it wasn't because the party didn't work hard. Wayne did a good, solid job fundraising and he had a good relationship with the Republican National Committee.'
But, Duprey noted, MacDonald has a full time job working for the state 'and he appreciates now how much time it takes to be chairman.'
(Earlier Granite Status reports follow.)
MONDAY, NOV. 26, UPDATE: BIUNDO WON'T RUN. The long Thanksgiving weekend gave potential candidates for state Republican Party chairman plenty of time to mull over their plans.
Only one potential candidate reached a conclusion, however, while the others have yet to decide, although more decisions are expected soon.
Long-time conservative activist Mike Biundo told the Granite Status Monday he has decided not to run for chairman.
Biundo said he still intends to work for the party, but will probably set up a consulting business instead of running for the volunteer, unpaid chairmanship.
Biundo was national manager of former GOP candidate for President Rick Santorum's campaign, and when Santorum dropped out of the race last spring, he was named deputy national director of coalitions for Mitt Romney's general election campaign.
Current NHGOP Chairman Wayne MacDonald said he has not yet made a decision whether to seek election to a full term. A former party vice chair, he is filling the unexpired term of Jack Kimball, who resigned as chairman just more than a year ago.
'I want to give the situation time to develop,' MacDonald said. 'I realize I'm taking a little longer than I first intended to let things shake out. I'm letting the decision-making process unfold.'
He said he is 'getting a lot of encouragement' as well as 'a lot of constructive criticism' and expects to have a decision 'relatively soon.'
MacDonald on Monday was backed by Jim Foley, chairman of both the NHGOP finance committee and the Derry Republican Town Committee.
In an open letter to MacDonald, Foley wrote, 'You are what the state party needs at this time, not only because of the requirement of finally having some continuity in leadership, but because of your thoughtful, reasoned approach to the position, your unmatched integrity and honor and your outstanding sense of humor.'
MacDonald attributed the GOP losses in the Nov. 6 election to the 'powerful advantage' of President Barack Obama's incumbency as well as his party's 'need to improve our technological approach' and to become 'more considerate of demographics.'
He said it is 'not an accident' that the state will soon have a woman governor, an all-women congressional delegation and a woman Speaker of the House.
Nashua activist Jennifer Horn is also still considering whether to run for party chairman.
The Status has learned that she had a lengthy meeting with U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte on Sunday.
And current NHGOP vice chair Cliff Hurst is also still considering running for chairman.
Even if Hurst decides not to run for chairman, he will not seek reelection as vice chairman.
One candidate in the running for the open vice chairman's post is veteran activist J.P. Marzullo, who worked on candidate for governor Ovide Lamontagne's grassroots and coalitions effort.
Also being mentioned as a potential candidate for chairman is Franklin activist Karen Testerman.
(Earlier Granite Status reports follow.)
THURSDAY, NOV. 15, UPDATE: A RECORD PRESIDENTIAL VOTE, BARELY. A grand total of 14 more Granite Staters voted for President this year than in 2008, and, as a result, the total vote at the top of the New Hampshire ballot set a record.
Secretary of State Bill Gardner also confirmed, however, that the total number of ballots cast on Nov. 6 fell 615 short of the record set in 2008.
Gardner told the Granite Status that there were 710,984 votes cast for a presidential candidate this year -- 369,553 for President Barack Obama, 329,910 for Mitt Romney, and a total of 11,521 for Libertarian Party, Constitution Party and other candidates.
Four years ago, the total number of presidential votes cast was 710,970 -- 384,826 for Obama, 316,534 for John McCain and a total of 9,610 for other candidates.
But the total number of ballots cast in New Hampshire in 2008 was 719,403, while 718,788 ballots were cast this year, so the 2008 total remains the New Hampshire record.
Gardner had predicted 722,000 Granite Staters would vote this year. Although the actual number fell just short of his prediction, he said the votes cast was 68.5 percent of the total New Hampshire voting age population, registered and non-registered, of 1,048,583, according to a U.S. Census Bureau estimate used by the U.S. Election Project.
Gardner said more Granite Staters went to the polling places on Election Day this year than ever before. He said there were 67,051 absentee ballots cast this year, as compared to 72,264 in 2008.
And, he said, this year there were a record 99,304 people who registered to vote on Election Day (with the number of a handful of Election Day registrants from Hart's Location and Windsor still outstanding).
The previous high for Election Day registrants about was 94,000 in 2004, Gardner said. In 2008, 76,788 Granite Staters registered to vote on Election Day.
How did the new Voter ID law work?
Gardner said that city and town clerks are still reporting how many people in their communities did not show an ID and took 'challenged voter affidavits.' But he said that projecting from the numbers that are now in, he expects that only about 1 percent of voters did not show IDs, which means that 99 percent of those who voted showed IDs.
(An earlier update and the full Nov. 15 Granite Status follow.)
THURSDAY, NOV. 15, UPDATE: IN THE FIELD (ALREADY). Need proof that it's never too early to begin the next political campaign? Consider this.
No sooner did we report on the potential for a third matchup between Sen. Jeanne Shaheen and former Sen. John E. Sununu in 2014 (see below), and we've learned there is polling underway.
That's right. Public Policy Polling is in the field now with a survey on Shaheen's re-election and a possible race against Sununu.
PPP is a viewed as a Democratic-leaning pollster, but often proved to be accurate in recent years using automated surveys.
The survey leads with a question on Shaheen vs. Sununu in 2014, asking, 'Who would you be more likely to support' between the two.
It also tests public opinion on Shaheen in on several issues, including deficit spending, reforming entitlements, and tax increases.
It's unclear at the moment when PPP will release it's poll, but apparently it's coming -- soon.
(The full Nov. 15 Granite Status follows.)
THURSDAY, NOV. 15: THE DOMINOES. It's been nine days since the election and attention has already turned to 2014.
Especially the contests for U.S. Senate and governor. And especially on the Republican side.
The Democratic side is in all likelihood already set. Maggie Hassan, Jeanne Shaheen, Carol Shea-Porter and Ann Kuster are all expected to run for reelection, barring unforeseen circumstances.
Some question why Shaheen has gone light on fundraising so far in the cycle.
As of Sept. 30, she had raised only $1.03 million since her election in November 2008, according to her most recent filing with the Federal Election Commission.
She reported having $338,473 on hand.
No doubt she will soon be gearing up fund-raising and we will also see a higher profile from her on Capitol Hill.
On the Republican side, it's very early to expect definitive answers, but the key potential candidates for the federal offices will be frozen in place until former Sen. John E. Sununu decides and makes it known whether he will run again.
Four years ago, Sununu lost to Shaheen. Then, early in 2009, Judd Gregg announced he wouldn't run for reelection, opening up his seat.
Sununu was first in line for the Gregg seat, and speculation on whether he would or wouldn't run continued through the first half of 2009.
It wasn't until July 1, 2009, that Sununu announced he would not run for the Senate in 2010. A few weeks later, Kelly Ayotte was in the race.
That was a totally different situation because of the timing of the Gregg announcement, but it's still quite possible New Hampshire won't know Sununu's plans at least until the spring of 2013.
The question is, will the other potential Senate candidates wait for Sununu?
No one's talking yet, but we'll know soon.
Expect signals shortly after the New Year, if not before, from the likes of Frank Guinta or Charlie Bass and Jeb Bradley - and more.
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BELOW PREDICTIONS. For the record, this year's Election Day turnout appears to have fallen a bit below the prediction by Secretary of State Bill Gardner and below the turnout for 2008.
While the official number of total ballots cast in the Nov. 6 election was still not available Wednesday, we can tell you that a total of 710,984 voted in the presidential election in New Hampshire.
The number of total ballots cast is usually a few thousand, to perhaps 5,000, more than the number of votes cast for President.
Gardner predicted 722,000 ballots would be cast on Nov. 6. While that number is still being determined, you'd have to surmise that the number will end up in the 713,000 to 715,000 range.
Not a bad turnout, but it will not set a record.
In 2008, there were 719,403 ballots cast.
A U.S. Census Bureau estimate for 2008 put the number of voting-age Granite Staters that year at about 1,027,000. The turnout that year was 69.6 percent.
The latest Census Bureau estimate of New Hampshire's voting-age population came in 2010, and it rose by only 2,000, to 1,029,000.
If this year's total number of votes ends up at 715,000, the turnout will be just below 2008, at about 69 percent.
Not bad at all, but, for the record, it would not be a record.
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BIG DAY FOR THE GOP. This afternoon, the minority party at the State House, the Republicans, will choose a leader of their caucus, which as of Dec. 5 will be 120 seats smaller than it was the past two years.
But optimistic Republicans (there are still some around) say it's more than a contest for minority leader. They say it's a contest for future Speaker.
Why? They're counting on a shift in the party away from the social issues with more focus on the fiscal issues, and on compromise with Gov.-elect Hassan.
And they're counting on a typical, poor-to-terrible mid-term election for President Barack Obama and the party in power.
That may or may not prove true, but going into this afternoon's caucus, the contest is pretty much a toss-up between former speaker and current Speaker Pro Tem Gene Chandler and Deputy Speaker Pam Tucker, with State House insiders giving a slight edge to Tucker.
Rep. Laurie Sanborn, R-Bedford, who considered running for minority leader, last weekend decided against it "because I do not want to divide the party when it needs to come together."
On Wednesday, she endorsed Chandler, calling him "a proven leader with the ability to bring people together."
House Republicans, by the way, have 45 new members out of 178, which could be key to the race for leader, while Democrats have 92 new members in a caucus that now numbers 222, subject to recounts.
Democrats will elect their leader on Saturday. The contest is still between former speaker Terie Norelli and Rep. David Campbell, with the winner moving on to become speaker in a vote on Organization Day, Dec. 5.
- - - - - -
WHAT ABOUT CHRIS? When Republicans talk about possible lineups for 2014, another Sununu comes up in private conversation.
Executive Councilor Chris Sununu, 37, survived the Democratic wave on Nov. 6 and easily won a second term.
The next election very well could be the one in which Sununu tries to move up. At least many younger Republicans hope it is.
- - - - - -
GETTING (RE)ORIENTED. U.S. Reps.-elect Carol Shea-Porter and Ann Kuster headed to Washington for freshman orientation this week. For Shea-Porter, it was of course a re-orientation after a two-year absence.
Naomi Andrews said she will resume her role as Shea-Porter's chief of staff, and Andrews said Shea-Porter has already asked to return to her previous committees - Armed Services, Natural Resources and Education and Labor.
Shea-Porter will retain her seniority from her previous two terms.
No word yet on Kuster's staffing situation, although her campaign spokesman, Rob Friedlander, remains with her, at least for the time being.
- - - - - -
DRAFTING JENNIFER. Nashua conservative Republican activist Jennifer Horn, who we first reported here last week is interested in running for chairman of the NHGOP, is the subject of a new "Draft Jennifer Horn" Facebook page that went online Wednesday.
The page was created by longtime Horn friend and fellow Nashuan Paul LaFlamme and a few other supporters.
"I really do appreciate it," Horn said, "but I really have not decided yet.
"I am taking the process very seriously, making some calls, considering the impact it would have on my family and trying to honestly evaluate what kind of contribution I could make if I were to do this," Horn told us.
She says she will decide by the end of the coming weekend.
A key player in Horn's corner, should she run, will be former candidate for governor Kevin Smith, who said he was not involved in the Facebook page but believes she would make "a great chairperson."
"She's articulate, has shown herself to be a great organizer of the grassroots and has experience in fundraising for a congressional campaign," Smith said.
Smith said he realizes Horn was a weak fundraiser during her two congressional campaigns, but believes candidate fundraising is "much different" than fund-raising for the party, which relies heavily on its finance committee.
Former Manchester city GOP chair Cliff Hurst, who is the subject of another "draft" Facebook page, continues to mull running for state chairman but also has not decided, yet.
Hurst says that if he runs, he's not going to try to be someone he's not, will put together a strong leadership team and will be tough on the Democrats without "trying to destroy somebody."
He said he believes in practicing integrity in politics.
And Ryan Williams, the sharp-tongued former spokesman for the NHGOP under John H. Sununu and then for the Mitt Romney campaign, laughed at rumors that some are interested in drafting him as party chair.
No doubt Williams would make life unpleasant for the Democrats, but after the long campaign, he said, "AlI I'm thinking about right now is getting to Florida for a vacation."
The NHGOP state committee will choose its chairman and other officers in January.
On the Democratic side, by the way, the state committee does not elect officers until March 2013.
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MAGGIE'S FINAL NUMBERS. Hassan's campaign raised $1,916,738 from 7,648 contributors, including 7,554 individual contributors, during her successful campaign.
Hassan's final campaign finance report, to be filed later today, also shows that she spent $1,865,33. She ended the campaign with $35,009 on hand.
Her report shows she raised $96,985 during the final reporting period, Oct. 30 to Nov. 6.
CHAT WITH THE GOVS. Former Govs. John H. Sununu, Steve Merrill and Craig Benson will be featured in a "fireside chat" at the annual Josiah Bartlett Dinner on Dec. 4.
Retiring Executive Councilor and former Manchester Mayor Ray Wieczorek will be honored.
The Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy is a conservative self-described nonprofit, non-partisan research center and think tank.
The dinner will be held at the Grappone Center in Concord beginning at 6 p.m. on Dec. 4, with dinner at 7 p.m.
Wieczorek will receive the center's 2012 Libertas Award.
Ticket/contribution levels range from $100 to $10,000.
- - - - - -
All three former Republican governors were active in the just-concluded election. Sununu was a top - and often controversial - national surrogate for Mitt Romney, while Benson supported Kevin Smith and then Ovide Lamontagne for governor. Merrill was also a top Lamontagne backer.
It should be interesting to hear their views on the results.
- - - - - -
-- David Cuzzi, a former senior aide to former Sen. Sununu, has opened Prospect Hill Strategies, a government, public affairs, and business development consulting firm in Manchester.
- - - - - - - -
John DiStaso is senior political reporter of the New Hampshire Union Leader and New Hampshire Sunday News. He can be reached at email@example.com. Twitter: @jdistaso.


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Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, the part of the respiratory system that leads into the lungs. There are two types of bronchitis -- acute bronchitis and chronic bronchitis. Acute bronchitis usually appears after a respiratory infection, such as a cold, and can be caused by either a virus or bacteria. Chronic bronchitis does not have a sudden onset and is most frequently caused by long-term irritation of the bronchial tubes. Bronchitis is considered chronic if symptoms continue for 3 months or longer. Bronchitis caused by allergies can also be classified as chronic bronchitis.
Asthma is sometimes under diagnosed, especially in children under 5 years old. Their asthma is sometimes labeled as bronchitis or wheezy bronchitis. Although not all wheezes and coughs are caused by asthma, asthma should be considered whenever there is episodic, chronic, or recurrent cough or wheezing without a clear reason -- especially in children.
Bronchitis results from an infection such as a cold or flu. The infection inflames the bronchial tubes, which causes the symptoms of bronchitis. Although acute bronchitis is relatively common, some people are more prone to it than others. People at a higher risk include smokers, individuals with respiratory illnesses such as asthma, and individuals exposed to high levels of airborne pollutants.
Although bronchitis itself is not dangerous, the infection that causes the bronchitis may progress further into pneumonia. Bronchitis also may aggravate the symptoms of asthma or other breathing disorders. If a young child shows signs of bronchitis, consult a doctor, who may watch for any serious developments.
The treatment of acute bronchitis depends on what caused it. Antibiotics can be used to treat bronchitis caused by a bacterial infection, but are ineffective for bronchitis caused by a virus. In children, bronchitis or nonspecific cough rarely warrants antibiotics. Generally, treatment of acute bronchitis does not require antibiotics because it is usually caused by a virus. Occasionally, if a cough has lasted more than 10 days and specific bacteria are suspected, a round of antibiotics may help. (Antibiotics do NOT help treat asthma flare-ups, although they may help some other lung diseases.)
Treatment of the bronchitis symptoms often includes pain relievers for sore throat, fever-reducing medications, cough suppressants, and humid air to ease dryness and cough. Check with your doctor before taking medications to reduce a cough. Cough suppressants may be recommended for nighttime use to enable a good night's sleep, but may be discouraged during the day to allow the body to cough out the mucus.
For individuals who frequently develop acute bronchitis, the best way to avoid the illness is to avoid contracting colds or other respiratory infections. To do this, wash your hands frequently, avoid people with respiratory infections, and eat and sleep well. Smokers are encouraged to stop smoking, since they have a higher risk of developing both acute and chronic bronchitis.
In children, one of the most important steps is to keep them from breathing second-hand smoke.
National Asthma Education and Prevention Program Expert Panel Report 3: Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma. Rockville, MD. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, US Dept of Health and Human Services; 2007. NIH publications 08-4051.

subset: commoncrawl


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Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle supports Windward CC scholarshipsWindward Community College
Margot Schrire, (808) 956-6774
Director of Communications, University of Hawaii Foundation
Director of Communications, University of Hawaii Foundation
Posted: Jan 6, 2011
"The Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle cares deeply about the natural resources of Windward O'ahu – including our youth. We have a long history of being good stewards of our islands' natural environment; as such, we must prepare our youth to become active leaders in respecting and preserving these vital resources."
–Joan Fleming, President of Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle
Renewing its commitment to Windward Community College students, The Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle recently gave $5,000 through the University of Hawai'i Foundation to support the Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle Environmental Studies Scholarship and the Windward Community College Agriculture Scholarship Fund. The Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle has supported scholarship funds at Windward Community College since 1994.
The Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle Environmental Studies Scholarship supports students studying in the environmental sciences at Windward Community College, with preference given to Windward O'ahu high school graduates. $2,500 will be available for the 2011-2012 academic year. The Windward Community College Agriculture Scholarship Fund provides assistance to students in the Agriculture Program at Windward Community College. $2,500 will be available for the 2011-2012 academic year.
"We are fortunate to have the support of the Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle. The two student scholarships funded—Environmental studies and Agriculture technology—will help fill the growing need for scholarships in these areas and ultimately benefit the sustainability of our island state," said Windward Community College Chancellor Douglas Dykstra. Windward CC is working to positively impact the future of our community and we are so pleased to have a strong partner in Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle."
In presenting the check to Chancellor Dykstra, Joan Fleming said "The Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle is proud to provide scholarships in agriculture and environmental sciences for students at Windward CC. The classroom education and hands-on experience they receive will prepare them very well for continued education or entering the workforce as advocates for responsible and sustainable environmental stewardship."
Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle: Founded in 1912, The Outdoor Circle, a statewide, non-profit, environmental organization, is dedicated to keeping Hawai'i clean, green and beautiful by preserving, protecting and enhancing our environment for future generations. http://www.lanikailuaoutdoorcircle.org
The University of Hawai'i Foundation, a nonprofit organization, raises private funds to support the University of Hawai'i System. Our mission is to unite our donors' passions with the University of Hawai'i's aspirations to benefit the people of Hawai'i and beyond. We do this by raising private philanthropic support, managing private investments and nurturing donor and alumni relationships. www.uhfoundation.org


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Terrible news: Wonderful countertenor dies, aged 49
April 18, 2016 by norman lebrecht
Family and friends are reporting the death of Brian Asawa, a dazzling countertenor who in 2014 set up a management agency for opera singers. Brian was 49, or possibly 50.
The report says he passed away today at 12:42 pm surrounded by his loving family.
Three years after a 1991 debut in San Francisco, Brian became the first countertenor to win Placido Domingo's Operalia competition. He went on to sing at the Met, Covent Garden, Paris, Brussels, Munich and other major houses.
A friend said of him tonight: 'Wonderful, wonderful talent. The most dedication you can imagine. Generous to a fault.'
Next Article Previous Article
Comments (78)
Brian was 49, and would turn 50 this October, if I'm counting right. He is missed dearly by his friends and family. The outpouring of love and sorrow on social media was been overwhelming. As all of us, he had his faults, but made up for it in generosity of spirit, his infectious zest for life, and unwavering friendship. We loved him so.
What kind of a cheap tribute talks about him having 'faults?' Seriously?
"Generous to a fault " is a compliment…
But Ms Claycomb didn't say, "generous to a fault", she said, "As all of us, he had his faults, but made up for it in generosity of spirit".
We all do.
With all due respect, the most powerful and meaningful memorials I have ever sung or witnessed have not shied away from addressing the imperfections and demons of those who left us before their time. It is not cheap. It can, and has, saved a life and more.
If there is such a thing as a "cheap tribute", you have posted one to yourself.
You've misunderstood. "To a fault" is an affectionate phrase used to qualify a good quality by implying that a person possesses an excess of it. "Generous to a fault" therefore means that Brian was extremely generous. This is quite common, but it's a subtle usage so if English is your second language you might not have realised its meaning.
I am getting confused about where Ms Claycomb allegedly described him as being "generous to a fault". I think what she said was, "As all of us, he had his faults, but made up for it in generosity of spirit". That means something quite different! English is *my* first language, so I think I have understood this perfectly clearly, as has the original person who responded to this comment, CR.
CR think you've misunderstood the phrase 'generous to a fault'. It means he was the most generous person you could meet. No fault.
CR is not responding to the observation that he was "generous to a fault" that is made in the main article. He or she is responding to Laura Claycomb's comment that "he had his faults".
Hagiography only, please. Acknowledgement of human imperfection is not welcome. Please make a note of it.
Terribly sad to say good-bye so early. We had such laughs and good times at the LA Opera. What a wonderful soul. Be at peace my friend.
Brian Asawa was like a metior light, he shon brightly& gave us all such joy, extatic delight& utter happiness. Laughter was one of his many gifts, he was a true person with a true voice& will continue to move all those who knew him& heard him. Soar high my friend, soar high.
I think some of the discomfort with the word "faults" stems from the presumption that this may be referring to an addiction or substance abuse issue. Much work is being done in the recovery community to combat the stigma attached to substance abuse. I think that the less we view these as faults, the more possible it becomes for people living with addiction and substance abuse problems to seek help without shame. (I speak as someone who is 2 years sober and a classical musician.)
I met Brian when he was in Houston for a concert in the mid-1990s. He was one of the most gentle, beautiful, talented artists I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. I will miss him and never forget him.
Oh no! This is really terrible news
I am so sad to learn this. I heard him sing at his Aunt Ruth Asawa's house in San Francisco. He had a beautiful singing voice.
This is a terrible shock. Wonderful singer. We did Julius Caesar together. A very sad day for his family. How dreadful.
Please, somebody tell me this isn't true! Dear, lovely, generous, fragile soul Brian Asawa has died?? I'm finding it hard to believe… 49 years young!
Sadly John it is true. I found out earlier today. He was certainly all those things…and much much more!!
Chris Merritt
I'm very sorry to learn about this man dying, and at 49 years of age. My step-daughter's husband, the same age, died suddenly of a heart attack in November 2014 at exactly the same age.
Loved the aria from "Rodelinda" – an opera I saw at Theater an der Wien in 2011.
Oh no! Does anyone have more information? This is terrible news!
Sad, sad news. Followed his career after Merola in 1991. Met him several years ago in San Francisco while singing Orlofsky. Whew! Lovely man. Opera will really miss him.
Such sad….SAD And tragic news. He died of liver failure I've now learned from another well known artist. Alcoholism is such a KILLER. 49 years old is waaaaaaay too young! May Brian rest in peace.
He was an alcoholic?
I wouldn't say he was an alcoholic, but he did "enjoy the big party called life"… And not only with alcohol.
How do you know this?
Norman seeing as you censor this site for rubbish YOU don't like why do you not moderate this vile shit that no SANE person would tolerate, you egregious cunt?
Can this comment really not be removed? However high passions are running there can be no excuse for this kind of expression and whoever made the comment should be banned from the site for good. My god, is this really what the internet has reduced us to?
He was such a sweet and lovely man! I feel fortunate to have known him. What a loss!!
This is so sad.
What a gift he was and will remain. A precious, eternal gift.
A more generous, loving and fun colleague, and friend one could never know! He was so generous and nurturing of young talent. So so tragic. R.I.P. My friend xxxxx
Brian would have been 50 on 1 October. He was one of a kind and a dear friend to all who knew him. He had a demon, alas, and a struggle he lost to that demon. Peace, Dear One.
I was in the Met Finals many years ago with Brian and remember how beautifully he sang..He was a very kind soul. Rest in peace my friend…may God enjoy your artistry and talent in His presence….
Incredible person and talent. So shocking as he was active on line very recently. My heart sank. He will be terribly missed.
What a beautiful, resonant voice he had…. heard him years ago at the San Francisco Opera. May he be remembered for all he brought to the Opera World including his Management Co for Singers! (yes, I am a musician and a singer)
Brian Asawa's gift enriched all of us and made us appreciate how music can bring out the best in each and everyone of us. We have lost, again, a great voice, a great human being. We must turn this loss into generosity, wherever we are, in whatever we do…
Very very sad and startled to hear this. He was a dear guy, and that big, warm-toned voice of his was pure pleasure. He was a wonderful Arsamene in our Xerxes in Santa Fe and LA. Waft him, angels.
Stephen Wadsworth
I am so saddened at this news. Brian was my choice teacher for a few months many years ago, when I was a budding countertenir. One night I joined him at his friends house for a musical and he got up and sang che faro senza euridice with me – it was a thrilling and surreal experience. His voice was surpassing beautiful. Goodbye dear maestro.
Brian was a friend. He will be missed. I treasure the time we spent together as my heart goes out to his family and friends.
I came here to read tributes of a great artist who has contributed so much to opera and has a place in its history. Instead, I end up reading about faults, demons, and alcoholism. Do you want to be remembered like this? Grow up people! Shame on you!
Kimmarie, I refer you to my comment lower down the list. Don't take umbrage, there nothing wrong with being honest
Brian was a wonderful singer, actor and musician and an extremely generous colleague. I only worked with him briefly, so cannot really claim him as a friend, but the few days we spent in each other's company are numbered, largely due to his intense joy of music and of life, among my most treasured singing memories.
Such a sad day for all of us, to have lost such a kind, generous, talented human being.
Dear Brian was truly a tender and sweet man. We had lot of fun and pleasure making music together. I am very sad for him and his family.
Emmanuelle Haïm
He spoke so highly of you.
Such a sad day for all of us, to have lost such a kind, generous, talented colleague.
(Any way of deleting my smartphone-duplicated reply? If so, thank you in advance.)
Brian was such a lovely man and so delightful to work with. I did Britten's Dream with him several times and he was always a splendid and courageous Oberon. He will be much missed as both an artist and an important singer who also passed on his craft and knowledge to so many young counter tenors.
I can't believe these bad news . the good guy has go to early. life is not fair 🙁
Oh dear Brian… we played together any years ago with Christophe Rousset, Opera de Lyon, concert récital. It was a fantastic human and musical moment… So sad…
Bruno Cocset
What to say! I am lost for words. Brian was so generous, fun and a great singer and friend. I will miss him profoundly. I will cherish the great concerts here in Amsterdam, Barcelona, will remember the enormous fun we had on our bikes in Amsterdam singing Händel. Dearest Brian, I hope that if there is a heaven you now found your peace and happiness ! Whenever I hear your repertoire I will think of you. XXX as for ever your friend Martijn Jacobus ( Amsterdam)
I feel compelled to write a few words in the light of some of the comments above, comments reprimanding in nature and indignant about the airing of some home truths.
Those of us who knew and/or had worked with Brian are well aware of the demons that he battled with during his career. There is no shame in admitting that he had a problem with drug and alcohol abuse some years ago, and that he almost destroyed his career at its height because he was having a very tough time controlling his lifestyle. We also know that he worked hard to put himself to right and that he was able to work through his difficulties and problems to the extent that he was able to continue working. He not only found a new confidence in himself as a singer and artist, but managed to win back the trust and confidence of those in the profession that had almost given up on him. In recent years he had not only been performing a lot, but had begun teaching more and had set up his artists agency in partnership with a friend, an agency which looked to all intents and purposes like it was going to be a real success in the long term.
All of us who work in the opera and concert profession understand how these problems can arise, and how close to the edge everything can be sometimes. There have been others, myself included, who have ridden hard on the back of success and sometimes almost buckled under the stress of that success, especially in later years when – especially as a Countertenor – one's career begins to wind down as middle-age takes over, as the inevitable cycle of young blood replaces the older blood, the roles that one can sing with any real virtuosity or vocal accomplishment diminish, and the prospect of finding any sort of work within the profession seems to get harder and harder.
So we hear that Brian has succumbed to liver failure. But we should not presume too much, and perhaps in the coming days or weeks the family might find the words to enlighten us as to how things passed for Brian in the last 2 weeks. Many of us knew that the last couple of years had been quite challenging for Brian – setting up the agency, trying to find his artists work and all that entailed, coping with the financial stress of juggling his professional singing life and his personal life. He was quite open with his friends and colleagues about how hard things were for him recently. But in spite of this he was also openly optimistic, and full of the joy and love of music and singing that was the backbone of his life. Above all, the love for his family and friends and colleagues, and loyalty that he possessed, shone through. One of his last Facebook posts on the 8th April was expressing a loving concern for a young cousin who was having personal & family problems.
So I say a very sad farewell to an esteemed colleague who I always admired. Yes, he had his demons as many of us have had and, as I said earlier, there is no shame in that – it was common knowledge in the profession. But he was loved and admired by all of us that knew him not only for his voice & artistry, but also because he was a genuinely nice man who showed love and loyalty to his friends & colleagues despite all the problems he may have had personally.
R.I.P. Brian Asawa.
Thank you for an eloquent and elegant remembrance of Brian. You are very special to have taken the time to reflect on thoughts many of us share as his friends and colleagues.
Goodness, Chris, you give too much respect to this tawdry site to post such a glorious reminiscence here, but I am grateful that you did all the same – and this trash bag is all the more fragrant for it.
Thanks so much for this tribute, my dear. I didn't realize speaking to the Elephant in the Room would really be so problematic. Brian was a dear friend, one of the most fun people I have ever had the pleasure to share the stage (and friendship) with, and I hope he will have found peace. Those who find any mention of problems of the dead to be objectionable obviously didn't know Brian well.
Bravo. Thank you for this beautiful tribute.
Thank you for this most beautiful tribute to Brian.
Thank you Chris….. cutting to the quick with this terribly sad news.
How right you are that this can be a cruel world.
Let's all try to make it more compassionate and supportive.
Really grateful for these honest and caring words, Chris. On the one hand, I understand a desire to protect the privacy of a loved one's family and close friends; on the other, a more complete picture of Brian's triumphs and challenges helps us to better appreciate the extraordinary life that he lived and the very real difficulties and pressures that can mount even for a stellar and beloved performer. It is no small thing to give of oneself so generously.
Beautiful, sincere tribute. Isn't it funny the way we're often very attracted to the most troubled yet interesting people? I know I always have been. Frequently those qualities go together – demons and challenges right alongside creativity, humour, intelligence etc.
RIP Brian.
Thank you so much for your comments. I am very very new to the music world as a countertenor. I started very late and Brian believed in me so much so that when he was on the East coast he gave me a few free voice lessons!! So wonderful!!!! He was amazing!
Very well said. Thank you.
How sad. I didn't know him, but I have his "Vocalise" CD and was always astonished at the beauty of his voice & his musicianship. I'm glad to see he was so highly regarded & so cared about by his colleagues.
A terrible and shocking loss to all who were touched by him through music friendship or just decent open collegiality. I remember meeting his parents in S Francisco many years ago when his astonishing career was just beginning. They were unspeakably proud. We all are. Thank you Chris for describing his life so eloquently and honestly.
I first heard him at Glimmerglass Opera in the 1990's in Monteverdi's Poppea, opposite David Daniels (!). My wife and I walked out of the theater that day in pleasant shock. A new era had begun for Baroque opera; countertenors had stepped forward mightily to help breathe new life into all but forgotten masterpieces.
What a terrible loss.
We were at the Operalia Competition in 1994 in Mexico City together and I remember him as a sunny, funny, full of love for life person… and that's how I'll remember him.
R.I.P. Brian
A really dear, sincere man, and always a friend. Then also a magnificent singer, full of gusto, style and splendor. He loved life and sang that joy.
Requiescat In Pace
I'm immensely sorry.
Ciao Brian!
Dear Norman,
I would like to thank you for using Youtube video of the concert I have produced 5 years ago. I am so sad that we all lost Brian that there are no words to describe my feelings.
I met Brian in Bogota Colombia, and had the honor to watch is unforgettable performance,
Subsequently when I was by San Francisco we used to get together for a cup of coffee, and engage in long conversation about Music and its evolution , we talk about classic Mexican rancheras and the vocal technique of those singers, that gender not having any consequence on the gender which Brian executed brilliantly entertained us to take a break , and it was a nice visit. The Human quality of Brian Asawa was one of a kind. we are going to have Brian in our hearts for a long time and he has immortalized his voice with those pages of baroque music. and the contribution to Modern opera artistry which transports us to the early beginnings of Music. Alfonso Cano
I would like to thank Christopher Robson for your most deep, human and profound words. Many people in this business forget that we are all human beings, we all have fragility and vulnerability and everyone is effected by it and everyone deals with it in different ways, none of us are exempt from that. Brian was an amazing spirit that had a short life span, kind of like Mozart in that sense. He was a genious and changed the classical music scene on enormous levels and if one had the opportunity of working with him and really knowing him, he was a blessing for all of our lives. He was a true light, a true human being and he and will be greatly, greatly missed. My heart goes out to his family and other close friends at this time. Brian, you were an amazing friend, thank you for the gift of you.


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Water and energy are inextricably linked. Because thermoelectric generation and fossil fuel extraction can impact water resources, it is critically important to protect U.S. water supplies while providing the energy needed to power the nation in the 21st century. Through integrated water and energy-related activities, the U.S. Department of Energy/National Energy Technology Laboratory (DOE/NETL) Water-Energy Interface program has attempted to address this challenge through the development and application of advanced technologies and supporting science.
As U.S. population and associated economic development continue to expand, the demand for electricity increases. Thermoelectric generating capacity is expected to increase by approximately 6 percent between 2008 and 2035, according to projections from the Energy Information Administration's (EIA) Annual Energy Outlook 2010 (AEO 2010). Depending upon the assumptions invoked, water withdrawal to support electricity generation is expected to stay the same or decline slightly over the same time period. However, water consumption is expected to increase by anywhere from 14 to nearly 26 percent on a national basis.
Withdrawal is expected to remain the same or decrease because plants likely to be retired between 2005 and 2030 are older facilities that are more likely to employ high-withdrawal, once-through cooling. New facilities that will be built over that time period are likely to employ lower-withdrawal but high-consumption wet recirculating cooling systems. These projections are based on a business-as-usual approach, and do not reflect responses to potential greenhouse gas mitigation regulations.
A potentially influential factor in future water use in energy generation is carbon capture and sequestration (CCS). In fact, if coal is to remain an important component of energy production in the United States under any future climate/energy legislation, CCS will be essential. Carbon capture technologies that are commercially available (on a small scale) today typically consume large quantities of water, and could increase water consumption by 50 to more than 90 percent depending on the power generation platform.
The additional water required for a power plant with carbon dioxide (CO2) capture technology is largely due to the additional cooling water requirements used during capture and compression, thereby increasing the evaporative losses from the cooling tower. Given the factors noted above, coal-fired power plants may increasingly compete for freshwater with other sectors such as domestic, commercial, agricultural, industrial, and in-stream use – particularly in regions of the country with limited freshwater supplies. In addition, current and future water-related environmental regulations and requirements will challenge the operation of existing power plants and the permitting of new thermoelectric generation projects.
The interface of energy and water, or the water-energy nexus, can be defined as the many relationships between energy and water that are necessary to ensure an adequate supply of both resources for every purpose. Understanding the interlocking nature of water-energy interactions is the key to determining how to make the most efficient use of these critical resources, both for short-term economic benefit and for longer-term societal and environmental sustainability. A summary comparison of water and energy issues shows a striking correspondence between issues on the water side and issues on the energy side. The immediacy of these issues lends particular urgency to the effort to understand and manage the water-energy nexus.
Rapidly growing demand for clean, fresh water is creating competition for limited water resources that may also limit energy production.
Steadily growing demand for energy requires greater water use and consumption of often scarce freshwater resources.
All regions of the United States are vulnerable to water shortages, particularly during periods of drought.
All regions of the United States are vulnerable to energy (electricity) shortages at times of peak demand.
Regional imbalances in water availability may require more energy to overcome.
Regional imbalances in electricity distribution may require more water in regions where energy is produced.
Water availability is usually dependent on electricity supply.
Electricity availability is usually dependent on water supply.
Fresh water sources are limited and require energy to transport, distribute, and deliver.
Supplies of readily accessible fuels are becoming depleted and require more energy to extract.
The regulatory framework for environmental protection against watershed incursions may require more energy.
The regulatory framework for environmental protection from power plant emissions requires more water, directly and indirectly.
Water sourcing, distribution, and use need to become more efficient.
Energy exploration, production, and use need to become more efficient.
To lower intensity of water use, non-consumptive uses of water need to be further explored.
To lower intensity of energy use, renewable and emerging energy resources need to be further explored.
The water infrastructure is aging, and its maintenance or replacement will require energy.
The energy infrastructure is aging, and its maintenance or replacement will require both energy and water.
The population is continuing to grow, increasing water demand.
The population is continuing to grow, increasing energy demand.
Long-term societal and economic sustainability of water resources and watersheds may require water use curbs.
Long-term societal and economic sustainability may require curbs on energy usage.
Innovations for Existing Plants (IEP) Program has conducted an integrated research and development (R&D) effort directed at technologies and concepts to reduce the amount of freshwater used by power plants and to minimize any potential impacts of plant operations on water quality. The vision and mission for this effort is presented in the box below:
Vision: A 21st century America that can count on abundant, sustainable fossil energy and water resources to achieve the flexibility, efficiency, reliability, and environmental quality essential for continued security and economic health.
Mission: To lead the critical national RD&D effort directed at removing barriers to sustainable, efficient water and energy use, develop technology solutions, and enhance understanding of the intimate relationship between energy and water resources.
Vision: A 21st century America that can count on abundant, sustainable fossil energy and water resources to achieve the flexibility, efficiency, reliability, and environmental quality essential for continued security and economic health.
Mission: To lead the critical national RD&D effort directed at removing barriers to sustainable, efficient water and energy use, develop technology solutions, and enhance understanding of the intimate relationship between energy and water resources.
The program is built upon partnership and collaboration with industry, academia, and other government and non-government organizations around four specific areas of research:
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Loyola University New Orleans student marketing team Reaches finals in AMA national competition
Loyola press release - April 22, 2002
(New Orleans)The Loyola University New Orleans student marketing team, from the College of Business Administration, has been selected to go to the finals of the American Marketing Association (AMA) 2001 - 2002 competition. In the last three national competitions, Loyola teams have placed first and second.
The competition this year is sponsored by Goodyear and Sullivan Tires and Auto Service and is a marketing challenge for AMA collegiate chapters. Eight finalists are selected to participate in an oral competition based on the scores they receive from four judges based on their written marketing plans for Sullivan Tires. Written reports were limited to 25 pages and oral presentations are limited to 30 minutes, followed by 15 minutes of questions.
The teams developed a marketing program for Sullivan Tires while considering news reports from the 2000 census about the changing face of the American consumer - there are more minorities, with greater ethnic diversity. More females are heads of households who make decisions about tire purchases and auto service and repair.
Team members are: Jason Cook, Atlanta, Ga.; Dennis Coughlin, Jr., Metairie, La., Lucas Jason Cuccia, Kenner, La.; Karla Fennel, New Orleans, La.; Rafael Torres, Arecibo, Puerto Rico; Toni Varnado, Jefferson, La.; and, Tanya Wattigney, Marrero, La.
The final competition was in Orlando, Fla., from April 23 - 25. The competition was open only to schools that have an affiliated AMA Collegiate Chapter and all team members must belong to that chapter. Other teams in the finals are from Northern Illinois, Penn State, St. Cloud State, Stephen F. Austin, South Carolina, Wyoming and Western Michigan universities.


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Three former New London officers join Waterford Police Department
Waterford - Continuing a recent trend of migrations from the New London police force, the Waterford Police Department on Thursday swore in three former New London officers.
Waterford Police Chief Murray Pendleton welcomed Officers Leigh Bonkowski, David Ferland, and Jake Nickerson during a ceremony at the police department.
Pendleton said it was a rarity for the department to hire certified officers but after reviewing applications for vacant positions, he had jumped at the chance to hire three qualified officers "who really want to be here."
Hiring certified officers saves the town money and allows the officers to start work immediately after some town-specific policy and procedure training, he said. New hires can cost upwards of $100,000 and take up to a year before they are able to hit the streets on their own.
Ferland, 31, a married father of two children, was a New London officer for seven years before leaving. He declined comment on what some officers have publicly called tumultuous and uneasy times in New London, but said he looks forward to better opportunities to use some of his specialized training in Waterford. Ferland is a DUI education instructor and trained in accident reconstruction.
Bonkowski, 29, of Groton, and Nickerson, 27, of Oakdale, were in the same police academy class and started in New London in 2011.
Nickerson, a Torrington native who spent many summers at a family beach house in Niantic, earned an accounting degree from Eastern Connecticut State University but only worked as an accountant for two years before making the switch to law enforcement.
"I decided I couldn't stand sitting behind a desk anymore," he said.
Bonkowski, who graduated from Ithaca College with a recreational management degree, is licensed to operate a 100-ton vessel and for several years captained the schooner Argia in Mystic, along with some private yachts.
Waterford First Selectman Dan Steward joked that there wasn't room in the budget for a 100-ton vessel for the police department. Pendleton said the department is likely to make use of Bonkowski's talents with the regional marine patrol.
The three are among 11 former New London officers to leave or give notice to the city within the last month, according to the local police union. The Norwich Police Department has hired six former New London officers in recent years.


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Imagine all the things you would accomplish if you never procrastinated
Start your dream business, free for 14 days!
Narrated by Marco Patricio
Imagine all the things you would accomplish if you never procrastinated. Maybe you'd have learned that instrument by now, or written that novel or would have that great beach body. If I never procrastinated I would have been done this video 6 months ago when I first started it.
So I set out to answer a simple question: Can I solve procrastination forever?
And honestly I thought defeating procrastination would be this straightforward thing. All I have to do is work out what's going on in the brain to cause the effects of procrastination, stop that thing from happening and then I wouldn't procrastinate anymore. But then when I actually asked a neuroscientist how to stop procrastinating and he said this:
"People think that you can turn on an MRI and see where something is happening in the brain but the truth is that's not so. This stuff is vastly more complicated than people are saying. So procrastination is a human level subject that we do not understand in terms of the brain and we're not even close to those things we're not even in the league or in the century of those things. So we have theories."
And at this moment it became extremely obvious why it's such a hard thing to solve. Because we don't actually know what's happening in your brain when we procrastinate. All we have are theories and these theories that tell us what's probably happening based on what we know about how the brain works.
So, in search of a way to help me understand my problem, I asked a psychologist, Dr. Tim Pychyl how to get over procrastination.
And what I got was a lot of theories different theories on how to stop procrastinating and why people procrastinate. But of all the reasons he suggested, the one that makes the most sense to me is this:
There's one part of your brain that's purely instinctual called the Limbic System. It's your emotions, your fight or flight. All it cares about is keeping you alive.
Then, over here, there's this other part that's kind of wiser and more rational. It's responsible for your goals, your dreams, your plans for the future. That's your prefrontal cortex.
Narrated by Marco Patricio
And the theory is that when you get that feeling of not wanting to do something your instinctual part springs into action right away. It doesn't think about the future. it just tells you to avoid the task. And you listen.
The other side. The rational side, is slower to act. It thinks things through. So you procrastinate until that part can remind you that you're not dying - you're just trying to doing something that's really hard.
And the paradox here about giving in to feel good is that it actually makes you feel terrible later. I don't know how to stop procrastinating and it's really frustrating.
And with all of these design flaws in the way our brains work I can't help but think that solving procrastination is a kind of a hopeless cause. There might not be any ways to beat procrastination. Except for this one thing that everyone I talked to kept bringing up: neuroplasticity.
Neuroplasticity means that your brain can change. It's like gooey plastic. And the more plastic your brain is the easier it is to train it to do what you want. To make and break habits.
So you can develop your brain. And the best way to do it is actually thousands of years old.
"Really what we want to do is downregulate the limbic system and upregulate the prefrontal cortex. And mindfulness meditation is a path to that."
The more you meditate, the better you become at making decisions, and the easier it is to keep on task when you know you have something important to do. That's because it actually shrinks that amygdala - that instinctual part of your brain and it adds more grey matter to that part that helps you make decisions.
So that may be the way to overcome chronic procrastination. There's probably hundreds of theories on how to deal with procrastination or tips on how to avoid procrastination. But there's a way for each and every person to work out how to overcome procrastination in themselves.
So can you get rid of procrastination? Sort of but it's not really easy and it does take a lot of practice.
The thing that I realized about procrastination was the one thing I hoped that I wouldn't. That everyone deals with it. That there's no simple solution. And that you have to experience pain to get through anything worth doing. And that the best way to stop procrastinating is to just get started.
Stop procrastinating and take action
Imagine the possibilities if you started something today
How to get over procrastination
Words by Dayna Winter
Everything I've ever accomplished has played out in its final moments like a scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark, deadlines achieved by slipping my work under the last remaining inches of a closing tomb door. Will I ever kick this procrastination thing?
Meh, I'll think about it later.
If scientists could bore into your brain and track down that one neuron – that tiny one-in-one-hundred-billion brain flaw, the root cause of your procrastination – and squash it like an insect, couldn't they solve the problem for everyone forever?
The truth is, the reasons people procrastinate (as well as the parts of the brain that drive those put-it-off behaviours) vary so widely. Naturally the mechanisms for tackling those causes are equally diverse.
In my colleague's recent article (which I avoided reading until now), he dove into tactics to help entrepreneurs based on specific motivations for the their procrastination – "Thrill Seekers", for example, could benefit from creating last-minute panic with fake deadlines. Is it really that simple?
Our Studio Team, bent on solving all of the mysteries of earth and space, was not satisfied to hover at the surface. What if there was more to it? They slashed the do-it-later problem wide-open, relegating one of their own to lab rat status.
"Procrastination is an emotion-focused coping response. It's not a problem with your time management."
Dr. Tim Pychyl
Marco Patricio, the aforementioned human test subject and producer of this piece, spiralled down, down, down into a rabbit hole of research. The "ahas" and the juicy bits were edited into three minutes, but he learned so much more.
Let's peek behind the curtain at the making of this film, and explore the producer's own face-off with procrastination.
Research notes
"The Happiness Theory" – also referred to as "giving in to feel good" – resonated with the producer. It says that human nature favours the easy, quick win. We'll delay tasks that threaten our immediate happiness. ("Washing dishes would really kill my buzz right now.")
In Marco's own words:
"(The Happiness Theory) calls back to the history of our existence – to what it means to be human. We've been trained through thousands of years of evolution to seek instant gratification. It's what's helped us survive as a species – it has driven engineering and innovation and it's something that's uniquely human. When something is difficult we seek to make it easier. When something is expensive we seek to make it cheaper. When something is wasteful we seek to make it more efficient.
This natural element doesn't fare well in our modern society, with schedules and deadlines and intangible goals. When we avoid things, it's not because we don't want to do it necessarily, it's because we want to feel good. If you can be mindful, you can reframe the aversion you're feeling in context of your goals. What do you actually want from your life? It helps you to see it not as a personal failure, but as something that's hardwired into us and something that can be overcome with practice."
But what about the other theories? There is so much scientific speculation around why we procrastinate.
Quick side note…
Most of the data that we do have about procrastination and other emotion-based human experiences come from fMRIs and the way that fMRIs measure brain activity makes drawing any real, provable and testable conclusions extremely difficult. So the techniques to overcome procrastination that many people offer are based in scientific theory but can't be proven yet. That's what makes overcoming procrastination so difficult.
The issue with MRIs
The human brain is estimated to make about a trillion (1,000,000,000,000) calculations a second. And this happens all over the brain simultaneously. You've heard people say that you only use 10% of your brain - but that 10% isn't local. It's not a little corner of your brain that does one thing or another thing. Your brain shoots signals all over your brain all the time to do anything.
The issue with MRIs or fMRIs is that they measure the brain activity over a second over a relatively large group of neurons (about 10,000). It's a digital camera that lumps every 10,000 pixels together. So instead of having a very clear, granular image of the brain activity you have a vague idea of where the activity is taking place.
How do they measure activity in the first place?
fMRIs measure a signal called BOLD: the blood oxygen level dependent contrast. It's a highly disputed system of measurement that basically shows what areas "light up" when humans are exposed to certain stimulus or are performing certain activities.
That "lighting up" occurs when oxygenated blood flows into a region of the brain at a rate that is higher than the baseline. So the whole system is based on the idea that increased blood flow means increased neural activity. The process which causes neural activity requires oxygenated blood - so oxygenated blood flowing to an area most likely means that the oxygenated blood in the area has just been used up as the result of a neural process.
But the assumption is exactly that. We don't know the fine details of how any of these processes work. Why the blood flows where it does, what relation it has to neural activity in that area or what the activity in the area is actually doing are all things that we're working towards understanding but don't have a strong grasp of quite yet.
All this to say that we don't "know" very much about why things in our brain happen the way that they do. We don't know how to beat procrastination. But we do know the psychology of procrastination. Anything that we do "know" is very much correlational and there's very little causational evidence when it comes to matters of the psychology of the human brain.
As we concluded in the film, no one really knows the answer, but our expert, Dr. Tim Pychyl touched on three additional theories that are worth exploring:
Intransitive Preference Structure (Loop)
What is it?
"If I tell you that B is greater than A and C is greater than B, by transitive relation, you know C is greater than A," Dr. Pychyl explains. When stress is applied, however, we become irrational in how we rank our preferences.
Basically, layman to layman, this theory says that our brain becomes math-blind. Say you write a to-do list in order of urgency. Procrastination reorders that list, assigning priority to things you prefer. "Do it tomorrow" seems insignificant (it's just one day!) but over time, several tomorrows add up to "too late". Our brain doesn't do that math.
Here's an example: it's Monday and you're launching a new product on Thursday and you need to shoot and edit product photos. Your brain makes day to day preferences for starting it later: do it today < do it tomorrow < do it Wednesday. But now it's Wednesday night, and you haven't started. Suddenly, at the last minute, you wish you had started it on Monday, and the preference now loops back: do it Wednesday < do it Monday.
How to Deal
A commitment device is a means to "lock" you into doing things that are difficult (you know, those tasks you typically procrastinate). A simple example is setting up monthly deposits into a savings account via automatic withdrawal. Commitment devices might be tools, apps, or automated tasks. Even peer pressure can be effective: take your intentions to the streets! Write them in a public forum or share them in a group to provide accountability outside of yourself.
During the producer's own journey, he found success in being mindful:
"For me this worked by making a tangible list of things to accomplish, in the order that I want to accomplish them, and then using the pomodoro technique to actually get the work done. Every time I procrastinated doing something, I'd write it down, which would reminded me of that task's importance (very, very low) in relation to the one I set out to accomplish."
Affective Forecasting
What is it?
"Affect is just a fancy word for feelings," Pychyl tells us. When it comes to feelings, it turns out that the crystal ball is pretty murky. We assume we'll be less exhausted or more positive in the future (and thus more capable of the procrastinated task), which isn't always the case. He explains:
"You might say 'I should go for a run today. I don't feel like going for a run today. I'll go for a run tomorrow at 5:30'. You feel good because you've kept that intention, that noble intention to go for a run, but you've never gotten up at 5:30 to go for a run. That's how predictably irrational we are. We're not very good at predicting the future."
How To Deal
Just get started. Eye roll emoji, am I right? We wouldn't be in this mess if we could just get started now and not the day after tomorrow. But what if "doing it" just means doing one little part of it? One of the core messages in David Allen's Getting Things Done is to list the next step. Break up that massive beast of a task. See? Less scary.
What's that thing that you procrastinate a lot? For small business owners, taxes tend to fall into the "tomorrow" pile over and over. "What's the first step?", asks Allen. Maybe it's just finding an accountant, downloading an app, or simply organizing receipts in a folder. Step one is the catalyst for step two and so on. Momentum!
Conversely, the "eat the frog" approach might work better for you. Pychyl reminds us of this famous quote:
"If it's your job to eat a frog, it's best to do it first thing in the morning. And If it's your job to eat two frogs, it's best to eat the biggest one first."— Mark Twain
Future Self
What is it?
Affective forecasting negatively impacts future self. This gets a little Marty McFly, but bear with us.
Dr. Pychyl refers to a study conducted by Hal Ersner-Hershfield in which he used magnetic resonance imaging to see the brain in terms of blood flow (and essentially which part of the brain is active). The assumption made is that blood travels to the place in the brain that's important in that moment. The participants were asked to think about their present selves, their future selves, and then a stranger. When thinking about present self, one part of the brain is active. When thinking about a stranger, blood flows to a different part. Makes sense, right? The interesting observation made was this: while participants were thinking about future self, the part of the brain highlighted by stranger-thoughts lights up again.
Our brain treats future self like a stranger, and we therefore have less empathy for that person.
How to Deal
Pychyl says, "Having empathy for future self can be very important for closing that gap and making present self realize, 'This isn't the best choice in the long run because that's me and I care about that person.'"
Researchers found that people who looked at age-enhanced images of themselves allocated more money to a hypothetical retirement savings plans, versus those who looked at images of their current selves. Most of us don't have a buddy down at the Bureau to whip off a digitally-aged rendering of our likeness, but the same effect may be achieved through imagination.
Connect to your future self through mindfulness meditation. Visualizing yourself in the future, in the third person, can improve connection to future self as a tool to reduce procrastination habits. Mindfulness also helps us find awareness, then acceptance, of the negative feelings we have towards a certain task.
"Mindfulness can be a real resistance resource against procrastination, because we learn to take a non-judgmental stance towards our emotions."— Tim Pychyl
So, we didn't solve procrastination. Maybe we just added complication to an already head-scratching subject. At the end of the film, the producer leaves us with this:
"The thing that I realized about procrastination was the one thing I hoped that I wouldn't. That everyone deals with it. That there's no simple solution. And that you have to experience pain to get through anything worth doing."


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Carol Stream library picks new director
A Glenbard North High School graduate who grew up near Carol Stream will become the next director of the village's public library, officials announced Thursday.
Susan Westgate, 52, who now serves as assistant director of the Bartlett Public Library, will begin her new role in Carol Stream on Jan. 28.
The Glendale Heights native and current Elmhurst resident will become the third director in the library's 50-year history, following the tenures of Lynn O'Dell and Ann Kennedy, who was fired by the library board in July after six years in the position.
Westgate, who started her career working for libraries in 1988, said she'll attempt to heal a fractured board by creating "an atmosphere of trust, respect and communication," and improve morale among employees by bringing them together around a common goal.
In job interviews with the library board and management, she says both groups expressed their desire for help in changing the negative perception some in the community may have of the library.
"They just want to kind of change when people say, 'Carol Stream Public Library' -- they're gonna have a good feeling about it and not be thinking about the things they read in the paper," Westgate said.
Kennedy was dismissed by the board in July -- the apparent result of differing views between she and a new library board majority led by President Mike Wade. He had been a longtime opponent of Kennedy's plans to build a new library on Kuhn Road, and disagreed with what he characterized as high taxes and improper spending under Kennedy's leadership.
Kennedy's firing appeared to be the boiling point of long-developing feud on the board between Wade's majority, comprised of members of his Chicago West Patriots Tea Party group, and others, such as Mary Hudspeath, the board secretary and longtime proponent of a new library.
Westgate said she applied for the position because she was looking to take the next step in her career, having served as assistant library director in Bartlett since 2006, head of youth services for the Helen Plum Memorial Library in Lombard from 2001 to 2006, and in the same role at the Thomas Ford Memorial Library in Western Springs from 1998 to 2001.
"I was looking for an opportunity to be a library director," Westgate said. "For my set of skills, I think I would be a great fit for Carol Stream, especially at this time -- with an emphasis on customer service, marketing and the importance I feel libraries provide in a community."
In July, Westgate was elected to a three-year term on the executive board of the Illinois Library Association, whose membership is comprised of librarians across the state.
One of the first initiatives she says she plans to work on in Carol Stream is putting together a strategic plan.
About 15 candidates applied for the position as part of a nationwide search by Alice Calabrese Berry Consulting, a library executive search firm. The library board hired the firm in August at a rate of $100 an hour, with the cost not to exceed $10,000.
Westgate will be paid an annual salary of $90,000 -- which is less than the $105,325 salary Kennedy was paid at the time of her firing. Westgate does not have a formal contract with the board.
Interim Library Director Marilyn Boria, hired by the board in August, is expected to stay on past Westgate's starting date to assist with the transition.
Wade did not respond to a request for comment, but in a library news release, said, "Susan's experience, knowledge and enthusiasm are a perfect match for Carol Stream. She will help us meet the challenges and opportunities that we will face in the future."


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Bills In California State Legislature Expanding Employee Leave Rights
Assemblymember Sandré Swanson posted an article recently on the California Progress Report discussing a few new bills currently being considered by the state legislature. These bills should be of particular importance to California employers, as Assemblymember Swanson notes:
My bill, AB 537, will directly impact the ability of family members to care for their loved ones. This bill will add seriously ill "grandparents," "grandchildren," "parents-in-law," "siblings," and "domestic partners" to the list of family members that an employee can take job-protected, unpaid leave to care for under the California Family Rights Act (CFRA). It will also ensure that employees can take leave to care for their seriously ill independent, adult children.He also mentions related bills making their way through the California legislature:
I am also pleased to be supporting two of Senator Sheila Kuehl's (D – Santa Monica) bills.You may contact Assemblymember Swanson via email by clicking here and Senator Sheila Kuehl via email by clicking here.
The first bill, SB 727, expands paid family leave to cover the same family ties as my bill, AB 537. SB 836 expands the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) to prohibit discrimination against employees who care for their families by adding "familial status" to the list of prohibited bases for employment discrimination. SB 836 will especially protect mothers from being discriminated against at work. For example, research shows that mothers are often paid less and are less likely to be hired than non-mothers with the same qualifications. The bill also protects fathers and male employees who are often penalized at work when they seek to take an active role in caring for their children or other family members. In addition, SB 836 recognizes the diverse families and family care giving arrangements of California's workforce. Studies show that families of color are most likely to be caring for elder relatives.


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Gary Panter speaks at OCAD on Thursday March 25, 2010, @ 6:30pm
The Ontario College of Art & Design (OCAD) Auditorium
100 McCaul St, Toronto, ON
FREE (Limited Seating Available; Arrive Early)
Brooklyn-based illustrator, painter, designer and part-time musician Gary Panter is the mind behind the elaborate, quirky, Emmy Award winning set designs for the kid's TV show Pee Wee's Playhouse. Possibly the most influential graphic artist of his generation, Panter's creative influence extends far beyond the realms of illustration. His work has been described as era-defining, earning him the monikers "King of Punk Art" and "King of the Preposterous."
PLEASE NOTE: The Beguiling will not be able to do book sales at this event, so if you're hoping to get a work signed please drop by the store first to purchase Gary Panter's books or prints.


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Aaron Rodgers and the Packers were fried last weekend by a San Francisco 49ers offense led by Colin Kaepernick, who killed Green Bay by land and by air.
The 49ers quarterback is part of a group of versatile young passers who have become breakout stars playing in offenses that lean liberally on read-option concepts.
Rodgers and the Packers have a high-flying passing game of their own, and the former Super Bowl MVP isn't interested in seeing Green Bay move toward the option in 2013.
"I think the league is cyclical," Rodgers said on his weekly radio visit with ESPN Wisconsin, via the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "Things have come back around that have been used 20, 30 years ago. But this, too, I think, will pass. Some of the pistol, read-option stuff will eventually pass. Now it might not be for 10 more years. The athletic quarterback, I don't think, is going to pass at all. ...
"But I think, as we saw five years ago with the Wildcat stuff, it had its success and less and less people are doing it," Rodgers added. "Now it's more of the zone-read stuff, reading the end and keeping it or pulling it with a quarterback who has some athleticism. At some point, on some level, they are going to figure out a way to consistently stop that."
Rodgers isn't alone in that school of thought. We've seen fads on offense arrive, vanish and cycle back again.
With added game tape to reference, defenses will learn to scheme against the option with more success, but the relevence of the attack likely reflects to the type of quarterbacks entering the league. The idea of the NFL returning to 32 drop-back, pass-first quarterbacks is unrealistic, which Rodgers realizes.
Teams' approach to athletic quarterbacks, however, likely will change -- and then change again.
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.


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Right about now I'm sure the Quebec police department is contacting its colleagues at Columbus PD to form a joint investigation.
It's obvious there's a crime ring taking over the NHL and exacting punishment on some players with hits into the stanchions along the side walls. No one knows why this spree of malicious actions is taking place, but I'm sure law enforcement officials will be able to put their heads together and get to the bottom of the matter.
But seriously folks, last night, Columbus forward R.J. Umberger failed to heed the warnings from Montreal owner Geoff Molson and Air Canada and dared to finish his check near the Blue Jackets' bench, where Los Angeles defenseman Drew Doughty hit his face into the stanchion separating the bench from the crowd.
Obviously, this isn't a joking matter. Doughty, who was checked out by the medical staff and then played through the rest of the game, could've been seriously injured on the play. But this is more about perspective. We saw video of the Chris Neil "turnbuckle" hit on Scottie Upshall earlier this week. We have seen other similar plays over the years.
The Zdeno Chara/Max Pacioretty hit was — to use the word Chara keeps coming back to — unfortunate. It was not only unfortunate because Pacioretty hit into the stanchion, but because of the angle he hit it, the force he hit it after being checked by one of the strongest players in all of hockey, and the vulnerable position Pacioretty was in because he had already moved the puck a second earlier. In this hit, Doughty had the puck on his stick closer to the start of Umberger's check.
Like Pacioretty's contact with the stanchion in Montreal, Doughty's was the result of a hit, but also an accident. No one in the NHL is trying to re-enact a WWE match by running another player into the "turnbuckle." The sooner people accept that accidents happen and the league and NHLPA take steps to limit the occurrence of these unintended dangerous situations, the better off we all will be.


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Growing up in Canada, winter boots were probably the most important part of your fall/winter wardrobe. So it always shocks me that come winter here no one seems to have appropriate footwear. After talking to a few people, I have come to the conclusion it is because most men believe that proper winter boots can't be fashionable. Well guess what…. …
From the North with Love by Stussy
Here is another collection I wish was available in the UK. Stussy Canada has drawn upon the history of the West Coast and the First Nations culture there, to create a special capsule dubbed "From the North with Love." The collection includes tees, sweats and special woven shirts which represent the perfect layering components for Canadian weather. Unfortunately for us …
Introducing Blanc & Noir
While back in Canada over the holidays I discovered this amazing Vancouver-based label, Blanc & Noir. The brain child of Saskatoon-raised Jean Claude LeBlanc, the label focuses on creating timeless looks with a dedication to high-quality production. In fact with the exception of the Italian-made footwear and Japanese selvedge denim, the collection is made almost entirely in Canada. Their debut …
Roger Daltrey shows waistcoats who's Who
Roger Daltrey is the latest in our famous waistcoat wearers, after Boyzone, Daniel Radcliffe and TV on the Radio's Kyp Malone before him.
Gallery: Coldplay's military look, yay or nay?
Coldplay's latest album was released without too much fanfare confirming their status as indie stadium monoliths. They recently played the Air Canada Centre in Toronto where they sported their new military look. It's a kind of shabby military look apparently inspired by French painter Eugène Delacroix which the band have taken to wearing as their tour uniform.
What do you think of their new look? Take our poll after the jump!