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HIGH SURF ADVISORY - N&W shores of Molokai and N shores of Maui until 6 am Friday
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All Categories
Ask the Mayor Archive
Bed and Breakfast Permits
Board and Commissions
Civil Defense
Community Block Grants (CDBG)
Council Services
Dept of Fire and Public Safety
DPS - NEOGOV - Online Recruitment
DPS-After You Apply
DPS-Applying for a Job
ECO - Environmental Coordinator's Office
Electrical Permit Information
Environmental Management - Curbside 3-Can Plan
Environmental Management-Foam Free
Environmental Management-Maui County's Injection Well Appeal
Environmental Management-Recycling Services
Environmental Management-Residential Refuse Collection
Environmental Management-Wastewater Reclamation Division
HHC-Immigration Services
Junk Vehicle Disposal Assistance Program
Molokai Ranch Questions
Parks and Recreation
Planning - Digital Zoning Map Update Project
Planning - Home
Plastic Bag Reduction Ordinance
Plumbing Permit Information
Prosecuting Attorney
Public Works
Purchasing - Public Purchase
Real Property Tax
Real Property Tax - Agricultural Use Assessment
Real Property Tax - Appeals
Real Property Tax - Assessment
Real Property Tax - Collections
Real Property Tax - Condominium Use
Real Property Tax - Delinquent Accounts
Real Property Tax - Exemptions
Real Property Tax - General
Real Property Tax - Mapping
Real Property Tax - Ownership
Real Property Tax - Tax Sale
Tobacco Free Beaches and Parks in Maui County
Transient Vacation Rentals (TVRs)
Tsunami FAQs
Wailuku Redevelopment Plan
Wastewater Injection Wells
Water - Chloramines
Water - Quality Report
Water Quality - Lead and Copper
Water-Drought Related
Ask the Mayor Archive
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BUS: I want to start taking the bus to work, but I'm not sure where the stops are and how long it will take. How can I find this out?
If you have access to the internet, you can use the Google Transit app that is now linked with the Maui Bus system. Just go to www.mauicounty.gov/bus and click on "Maui Bus Maps and Google Transit." Then enter the start and destination addresses for your trip. The app will tell you how close you are to a bus stop, which bus(es) you'll need to take, and how long the entire trip will take. This way you can plan your ride before heading to the bus stop. If you don't have access to the internet, you can call the Maui Bus directly at (808) 871-4838 between 6 a.m. – 11 p.m. daily.
BUS: I'm new to riding the bus, and one day I was waiting at my usual stop when a Maui Bus drove right by without stopping. Do you know why that might have happened?
You may have seen one of the County's paratransit vehicles, which serve disabled riders and also bear the Maui Bus logo. These are smaller vehicles of varying sizes with the Maui Bus logo, that do not have route numbers posted on the front of the bus. If not, perhaps the driver did not see you, if you were not waiting near the bus stop sign post or were standing in a shaded area. If the bus you are waiting for is delayed, you can call the Maui Bus hotline at 871-4838 and ask the dispatcher for an update. Roberts Hawaii runs the operations for Maui Bus, and staffs the phones from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. You can also visit www.mauicounty.gov/bus for detailed information on bus routes, stops and fares, as well as the Google Transit ride-mapping feature. Maui Bus is the fastest-growing public transportation system in the nation, and I'm glad you are taking advantage of Maui County's excellent transportation system.
BUSINESS: I want to hang a few signs and a banner on my business windows. How many can I hang? Also, what sizes are allowed, and how much does the permit cost?
There is a wide variety of permissible signs and banners, as allowed in Chapter 16.13 of the Maui County Code. The sizes for certain types of signs are limited by the building setbacks and frontages, as well as by zoning districts. Individual sign permits have a $55 filing fee. Banners or promotional signs can be hung for up to 14 days and require a $25 filing fee. For multi-tenant business buildings, a comprehensive signage plan is required. To view the sign ordinance online, go to www.mauicounty.gov/council, then select Laws/Resolutions and Maui County Code - Chapter 16.13. For more info: call 270-7735 or visit the Planning Director's Office at 250 S. High Street next to the County Building.
CHICKENS/ROOSTERS: Is the County going to do anything about the feral chicken problem?
Yes, the FY 2014 budget proposal I will be submitting to the Council in a few weeks will include money to address the issue of feral chickens in our community. Funds will be designated for the Maui Humane Society, which will be tasked with creating and administering a program to deal with the animal control issue that has been plaguing the island for many years. Ironically, a recent power outage near Kahului Airport was caused by none other than a wild chicken that came into contact with a transformer near the rental car facility. The power outage caused brief flight delays, manual security screenings, and stair boardings on at least four planes while motorized jetways were inoperable. The loss of electricity, which lasted about an hour, also affected rental car companies, K-Mart, the Courtyard Maui Kahului Airport Hotel and other businesses in the area.
CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES: Do you have any ideas as to what can be done for gun control here?
Although gun registration has increased in Maui County, our Chief of Police confirms that Hawaii's gun laws are among the strictest in the nation. Maui Police Department's firearms registration specialists exercise equally strict applicant compliance procedures with fairness and professionalism. MPD allocates its resources in ways that prevent crime and apprehend those who commit crime. This entails networking with literally hundreds of law enforcement agencies and organizations locally, including the State of Hawaii Justice System, as well as nationally and internationally. MPD's accreditation authority and a number of major police departments have commended MPD for the leadership shown by our police officers, chiefs and support staff.
CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES:I thought plastic bags were banned in Maui County? How come the federal government is exempt?
The quick answer to your question is that in this case, the U.S. Post Office is not selling you anything. The more detailed answer refers back to the County ordinance that went into effect on January 11, 2011, which restricts the use of non-reusable plastic bags at the point of sale by any commercial enterprise or establishment, including sole proprietorships, joint ventures, partnerships and corporations, whether for profit or non-profit. This includes all employees of businesses, or any independent contractors associated with the businesses, that provide bags to their customers at the point of sale for the purpose of transporting groceries or other goods. The "Plastic Bag Reduction Ordinance" enacted in Maui County was designed to help protect the environment by drastically reducing the number of plastic bags used on a daily basis by local retailers and consumers. For more information on the ordinance, enforcement and violations, visit www.mauicounty.gov/PlasticBags.
COUNTY SERVICES: I noticed the new electric car chargers in front of the County building. Who runs the chargers, and where can I buy a key fob so I can charge my Leaf?
The charging stations fronting the County building were installed by the Mayor's Office and the Public Works Dept. using a mix of state and County funds. A key "fob," or charging unit key, is required to operate the charging stations. The key fobs can be obtained for a $20 cash deposit from the Maui County Business Resource Center in Maui Mall in Kahului; identification is required. There are actually two different chargers mounted side by side: one is a Level 2 charger that can be used by almost all current models of fully electric vehicles and plug in hybrids; the other is a Quick Charger. It is the only one currently on Maui. The quick chargers allow Nissan Leafs and other fully electric vehicles equipped with "Chademo" ports to charge in as little as 20 minutes. At this time there is no cost to charge your electric vehicle at the County building, but it is anticipated that a charge will be imposed once the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) issues a new MECO tariff for quick chargers and the Council approves the fee. Parking spots in front of the chargers are still subject to the two-hour limit, and one of the stalls is dedicated for electric vehicle use. The chargers are available for public use even when County offices are closed. Any questions may be directed to Maui County Energy Commissioner Doug McLeod at ph. 270-7710 or visit the County website at www.mauicounty.gov/energy.
COUNTY SERVICES: I'm working two jobs and don't have much time to run around paying bills. Is there a way I can pay my County bills online?
I'm happy to say, yes! There are many ways to pay online for a variety of County services, the newest of which is your Water bill. Our Dept. of Water Supply staff worked very hard over the past few months to complete the rollout of a new billing system that will allow for monthly billing and online Water payments. You can also pay online for your trash pickup, motor vehicle registration, property tax, bicycle and moped registration, bus pass, park reservations and some commercial licenses and fees. Certain surcharges may apply based on the payment method; however, with the time and effort you save by paying online, it may be well worth the nominal charge. Some payment options include credit/debit card, and electronic checks. To see all the options, visit the County website at www.mauicounty.gov and click on "Online Services" on the left margin; then select "Pay your County Bill." It's that easy!
COUNTY SERVCES: When the State ID cards were issued at the Governor's Liaison Office in Wailuku, handicapped and elderly people were allowed to go to the front of the line. Now that the ID cards are b
As of Jan. 2, 2013, the state Department of Transportation (DOT) and all County driver license offices began implementing Act 310, Session laws of Hawaii 2012, which affects the issuance of Hawaii State Identification Cards statewide. Applicants are required to show proof of legal name, date of birth, social security number, legal presence and proof of principal residence address. While some applying for renewal of their State ID may be able to process their renewal through the mail, others may need to join first-time applicants in bringing their legal documents to a County driver license (DMVL) office for processing. In addition to State ID cards, the County Service Center at Maui Mall administers a large number of County services such as motor vehicle registration, driver licenses and permits, commercial driver licenses, dog licenses, bicycle and moped registration, acceptance of refuse and water payments, and issuance of the initial disabled parking placards. Given the quantity and variety of services provided, we are unable to offer "front-of-line priority" at this time. However, the County has expanded the availability of State Identification services so that applications are now accepted at all seven of the County DMVL offices throughout the county including Molokai and Lanai. For more information, visit www.mauicounty.gov/dmvl and click on the left tab, "State of Hawaii Identification Cards."
DMVL: I need to renew my car registration soon. What's the secret to avoid getting stuck in a long line at the DMV?
There are several ways you may be able to avoid waiting in line at all. The County's online registration renewal system is one great option, or you can send in your payment by mail if you are renewing your registration no later than 10 working days before the expiration date. There are many other forms you can complete online as well, including applications for a duplicate title, change of address, and notice of transfer when you sell a car. Don't forget that you can actually find out the wait times from home by using the online listing of DMVL offices with current wait times at each location. Just visit www.mauicounty.gov/dmv and click on the "Wait Times" link on the left.
DOGS: Are there any dog parks on the island where I can let my dog run free?
Yes, the County will be holding a grand opening soon at Central Maui's first leash-free park, in Keopuolani Park. There is a dog park in Wailea, which is managed in partnership with the County and the Wailea Community Association. And another dog park is currently being built in Makawao, through the efforts of both the County of Maui and community volunteers and donors. I am a firm believer that pet owners need to help keep their neighbors and the general public safe by either obeying the leash law, or enjoying their pet safely in the confines of a fenced area such as a dog park. This is not only a courtesy, it is an important safety issue, so we are glad to help make fenced recreational areas available to pet owners.
EMERGENCIES/CIVIL DEFENSE: : I heard the flood bulletins that went out last week when we had all that rain. What's the difference between a Watch, an Advisory and a Warning?
The Maui County Civil Defense Agency works closely with the National Weather Service (NWS) Forecast Office in Honolulu, and other agencies such as the Tsunami Warning Center of the Pacific, to issue weather and emergency-related bulletins. In general, a Watch is issued to allow time to prepare for weather threats that are anticipated but have not arrived yet. Advisories are issued when weather conditions may impact our lives in ways that are not a direct threat to life and property, but ignoring them may lead to hazardous conditions. Warnings are issued when a threat is occurring or is imminent, and immediate action is needed to protect life and property. For flood-related bulletins, the NWS issues three types of area-specific notices: Flash Flood Watch— heavy rain leading to flash flooding is possible; Flood Advisory— nuisance flooding is occurring or imminent; and Flash Flood Warning— flooding is occurring or will develop quickly; take shelter and/or move to high ground. To learn more, visit www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl.
HEALTH: When Tropic Care Maui County begins in June, will the program give me free health insurance?
No, it will not provide insurance. However, Tropic Care Maui County will offer free health care services by military personnel participating in a rapid deployment exercise. The free services will be performed at six locations throughout Maui County by approximately 400 uniformed personnel including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, ophthalmologists, dentists and others from active and reserved ranks of the armed forces around the United States. The free health care services will include physical examinations, vision checks (and single-lens glasses), basic dental care and nutrition counseling, among others. The clinics will not accept advance appointments and participants will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis. Identification will not be required, and no fees will be charged. Non-citizens, individuals with no local address and those with no health insurance are welcome to attend. Please keep in mind that participants will probably need to wait in line, so come prepared with your own water, snacks, supplies and other comforts in case seating and shade are not available at a particular clinic. Tropic Care Maui County is a partnership between my office, the County of Maui, the State Dept. of Health, and the Innovative Readiness Training Program of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs. For more information on locations, dates and times, visit www.mauicounty.gov/TropicCare or call 270-7855 and ask for the Tropic Care hotline.
HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES: What if I need a doctor's note signed or a form saying that yes, my son did get a physical exam? Will those forms be offered at Tropic Care?
No. You are responsible for bringing any forms and records that you need signed by medical personnel. The members of the U.S. military that are providing these free clinics do not have these forms on hand; however, they have said that they will sign any appropriate forms that people have with them that pertain to the services received. These include the Students Health Record-Form 12, the Sports/Athletic Physical Examination Form, College Entry Physical Examination Form, dental health certificates and the Physical Examination form for children and special needs adults entering foster care homes. If you have any questions about forms call the Mayor's Office at 270-7855 and ask to be transferred to the Tropic Care hotline, which is staffed by Tropic Care Coordinator and former Council Vice-Chair Joe Pontanilla. He can get your answers or refer you to someone who can. Online, visit www.mauicounty.gov/TropicCare.
INVASIVE SPECIES: Do we have a concrete program to reduce the population of deer on Maui?
Recently, the Maui Axis Deer Working Group was awarded State grant funding from the Hawaii Invasive Species Council, and just completed the interview process for a coordinator position. The Working Group, a multi-stakeholder group of farmers, ranchers, hunters, resort industry and State and County reps, will work closely with the new coordinator to finalize a draft management plan, map areas which are affected, devise strategies for deer control in various regions, and help mitigate damage. The Mayor's Office of Economic Development is currently funding a grant to the Maui Axis Deer Harvesting Co-op, which was formed late last year and is already on the job with deer control on specific properties. Part of their goal is to explore the feasibility of harvesting venison that may be USDA-certified and made available commercially in markets and restaurants. OED also supplied funding support to the Working Group. Should any resident be experiencing problems with Axis deer, they are encouraged to contact Agricultural Specialist Kenneth Yamamura at 270-7808, or Maui County Environmental Coordinator Rob Parsons at 270-8250
LAND USE/ZONING: How are we supposed to get by? There are guest-only signs on the condo property.
The State has jurisdiction of coastal land up to the high water mark (also referred to as the vegetation line or the "high wash of the waves"). In this case, it sounds like private property (the condos) abuts State property. Unless permission is given by the private property owners, crossing their property could be considered trespassing. Our Planning Department works to assure both lateral and perpendicular access to private property, which can sometimes be a condition of a permit, subdivision or change in zoning— often there is a dedicated easement or parcel through or right next to a property, specifically for access. It's important to remember that along some natural, undeveloped coastlines, the beach is impassible during high tide. Since beach access at high tide is not necessarily guaranteed, it's a good idea to check the tide chart before planning a beach walk.
MISCELLANEOUS COMPLAINTS: I heard you mention the County's bond ratings during your State of the County Address the other night. What exactly are those, and what do they mean for me as a taxpayer?
Just as with other municipalities, the County of Maui issues government bonds for sale to the public to raise capital for projects. These bonds are rated by bond rating agencies based on the County's overall fiscal well-being, which results in the equivalent of a credit score. For the first time in history, Maui County has the highest bond rating in the state, just under a AAA rating. Standard & Poor's and Fitch Ratings give the County of Maui a AA+ bond rating, while Moody's Investor Service has bestowed a Aa1 rating. These excellent ratings allow the County to issue bonds at a much lower interest rate, which in turn saves the County and the taxpayers millions of dollars in interest costs.
MISC. COMPLAINTS: I have seen the adverse impact of graffiti on communities and property values. My immediate concern is the increase in graffiti I have observed in Paia; there has recently been an in
First off, any graffiti vandalizing County property will be cleaned up by County staff. Private property owners are responsible for taking care of their own facilities. After being forwarded your inquiry, MPD officers drove through Paia, up along Baldwin Avenue and out to Haiku to assess the level of graffiti on both public and private property. They observed limited graffiti in alleyways in Paia town, a more conspicuous site at the former sugar mill, and some graffiti on one side of the second concrete revetment along Hana Highway. The officers also checked reports from 2012 and found there were a total of three cases reported in the Upcountry district, which includes the North Shore area. There were seven cases of graffiti reported in Kahului in 2012, and three cases in Wailuku. No arrests were made, due to reports citing "unknown responsibles." While it is often difficult to catch perpetrators at work, a unique MPD program targeting juvenile first-time offenders helps clean up the graffiti. Project P.O.I. ("Positive Outreach Interventions") is a program co-funded by County and federal funds, and offers young first-time offenders the opportunity to voluntarily write a letter of apology and an essay about their involvement in the offense, attend a "second-chance" class with their parents, and participate in four Saturdays of supervised community service including graffiti cleanup, taro patch restoration in Iao Valley, rock wall rebuilding at the ancient Hawaiian fishpond in Kihei, and yardwork for senior citizens. Their final class includes observing real-world court proceedings of adult offenders, followed by a graduation ceremony. After one MPD officer created an anti-graffiti project many years ago, the idea was folded into Project P.O.I, which saw its first class of seven graduate in 2000; there have been 735 graduates to date with 17 more graduating this Wednesday. I'm proud that our Police personnel make it a high priority to steer our youth in the right direction, and grateful that graffiti gets wiped out in the process— truly a win-win for our community.
NOISE: What are the laws regarding noise pollution coming from loud vehicles on our increasingly crowded island?
The law requires all motor vehicles to have mufflers. The purpose of a muffler is to help control exhaust noise from the motor of a motor vehicle. Maui County Code, Title 10, Article 1, Chapter.10.20.440 prohibits a motor vehicle on a public highway or street unless the motor and/or exhaust system of the motor vehicle is properly equipped and adjusted to prevent the escape of excessive or unusual noise. The ordinance also states that no person shall operate a motor vehicle on a public highway or street with a motor and/or exhaust system that has been altered or modified to such an extent that the noise of the motor and/or exhaust system is excessive or unusual because of a dummy muffler, cutout, by-pass or other similar device. In layman's terms, anything louder than a stock muffler is a violation. After-market mufflers that are advertised as being legal in all 50 states only meet emission control requirements, not noise requirements. The fine for having a loud muffler is $72. Maui Police Department officers enforce the loud muffler ordinance; the Traffic Section conducted two separate operations last year to address this issue and have plans to address the noise problem again this year. Moped modifications are prohibited by Hawaii Revised Statutes, which state that no moped shall be modified in any manner except as authorized by the motor manufacturer, and any modification shall not increase the power capacity of the motor above 2HP. For more info, visit www.mauicounty.gov/laws and select "Maui County Code."
PARKS & PARK FACILITIES: I live in Iao Parkside in Wailuku, about 50 feet from the outfield fence of the baseball field. I often wake up to the sound of leaf blowers, riding mowers and power tools as
The restriction on leaf blowers enacted by the State Legislature, HRS §342F-30.8, specifies that "Government entities, and agents acting on behalf of government entities, shall not be subject to this section." While I cannot speak to the reason the exemption was included in the legislation, I can assure you that I've asked our Parks employees to be considerate of neighboring properties while complying with permit requirements that allow the public to enjoy County facilities. Our Parks employees face tight time constraints when completing work on the fields before permitted users begin activities, which often start at 2:30 p.m. These permitted users include soccer games, baseball games and other youth and community events. Parks staff work hard to mow the lawn, blow off the sidewalk, remove leaves from facilities, weed whack edges and water the fields— all before permitted activities begin. Parks maintenance staff begin work at 6:00 a.m. in order to complete all these tasks in time; however, they wait until about 7:00 a.m. to begin the work that makes more noise. It is indeed a delicate balance, taking noise into consideration while providing County services and maintaining the County facilities the public needs and wants.
PARK FACILITIES: When will the Sakamoto Pool reopen?
The Coach Soichi Sakamoto Pool is scheduled to reopen at the end of June. An official announcement and exact date will be announced next month. Our Department of Parks & Recreation has done a great job repairing the pool and getting it back into shape.
PERMITS: I want to file a complaint about my neighbor, who I think is putting up an illegal structure on his property next door. Can I make an anonymous complaint?
: There are several ways to notify County departments that you suspect unregulated or illegal activity. However, only complaints that include the complainant's legal name and contact information will be researched and/or investigated. While the complainant's name will be disclosed to the alleged offender upon request, contact information will not be released. The County's Request for Service (RFS) program provides an important connection between government and our community, and this policy helps ensure that complaints received can be verified. To register a complaint, visit the County website at www.mauicounty.gov/rfs and follow the instructions. If you do not have access to a computer, you can call a County department directly and ask to file a complaint. As public servants, we do our best to meet the needs of our community, and appreciate feedback that is constructive and courteous.
PERMITS: My understanding is that any construction that takes place requires a building permit, so do these buildings have the County's blessings?
All structures need building permits unless they are specifically exempt. Building permits are processed by the Department of Public Works, Development Services Administration (DSA). They review permits for compliance with the building code, which includes building setbacks and heights. Most building permits are also routed to the Planning Department to determine compliance with zoning, which includes the number or density of dwellings allowed on each lot. Assuming that street parking is allowed, the parking of commercial vehicles and boats in a residential area can be a gray area. If there is no commercial activity being conducted on the residential lot, then there probably is not a violation. Some businesses allow their employees to take work vehicles home; however, if commercial activity is taking place, then it could be a zoning violation. If you are aware of construction without permits, construction that may not be in compliance with permits, or commercial activity in residential areas, then you may file a Request for Service which can lead to an inspection by Public Works and/or Planning.
PERMITS: Will there be another "Open House" at the County Building for people to talk to different departments regarding County building permits?
The next Permitting Open House will be held on Wednesday, June 26th from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. The session will be held at the Mayor's Conference Room on the 9th floor of the County Building, and will include staff from the departments of Public Works, Fire, Water Supply, Planning, and Environmental Management. The representatives will be on hand to help answer and route questions related to the permitting process.
POLICE: Will the new Police structure being built in off Pi'ilani Highway in Kihei have solar photovoltaic panels on its roof?
Due to interconnectivity issues, initial plans for 400 solar photovoltaic (PV) panels at the new Kihei Police Station were not approved by MECO. However, tentative plans are being made to issue a new, multi-facility Request for Proposals that would allow solar developers to propose "micro-grids" that could allow solar PV at the site. Currently, the County has solar PV systems installed at 15 facilities; we hope to be able to add the Kihei Police Station to that list if we can work through the interconnection issues. Over the next 20 years, the County expects to save $10.43 million and nearly 56 million kilowatt-hours generated by solar energy. You can also read more about the County's alternative energy installations and sustainability initiatives in the "High Street Journal," the official newsletter of the County of Maui, at www.mauicounty.gov/newsletter.
POLICE: How can Maui Police Department Officers ensure that laws are being followed, specifically: 1) seat belts are properly placed? And 2) cell phones are hands-free?
With regard to enforcing seat belt or cell phone violations, the officer should be certain that the violation occurred or is occurring at the time of the traffic stop. Window tint does not always prohibit officers from observing violations of the seat belt or cell phone law. If a vehicle's tint is dark and prohibits an officer from seeing the person inside the vehicle, the tint is less than the allowable 35% light transmittance. Officers would then do a traffic stop for the tint and use a tint meter to determine how dark the tint is on the vehicle. If a violation occurs, the officer can issue a citation for dark tint. No tint shall have a light transmittance of less than 35% for all front seat driver and passenger window. For vans, minivans, trucks, or buses there is no limit on the windows to the rear of the driver provided they are equipped with rearview mirrors on both sides. Also, tint may not encroach upon the AS-1 line on the front windshield. State statutes: §291-21.5 Regulation of motor vehicle sun screening devices ($287 operator fine / $537 installer fine); §291-11.6 Mandatory use of seat belts ($92 fine). Maui County Code: 10.52.260 Mobile electronic devices ($97 fine). To read the laws online, visit www.capitol.hawaii.gov and www.mauicounty.gov/laws.
PROPERTY TAX: My elderly uncle is a veteran on a fixed income. His property tax bill is due soon, but he's having a hard time since the bill went up and he's living on a pension. Is there any way he c
There are several property tax relief programs your uncle may be eligible for, and it would be best to apply for any applicable exemptions or credits right away since they would be applied to his property tax bill as soon as legally possible. Keep in mind that the second half of the real property tax bill is due on February 20, 2013; there would be no relief on the current tax bill. For the future, however, your uncle would benefit to inquire about the County tax relief programs. A new exemption was passed last year allowing totally disabled veterans or their surviving spouse to pay a real property tax of $150 per year. Hopefully your uncle is already receiving the Homeowner's Exemption (HE), which reduces property taxes for residents who own and live in their primary residence and files a State of Hawaii Resident Individual income tax return. If your uncle already receives the HE, he may also qualify for the income-based Circuit Breaker tax credit, if his property taxes exceed 2.0% of his adjusted gross income; applications for the HE are due by on or before Dec.31st preceding the tax year being claimed. Circuit Breaker applications are received between Aug. 1st and Dec. 31st of each year, and are credited to the property the following tax year. Tax filings and other documentation will be required for the various discount programs; for more information and to download forms and instructions, visit www.mauicounty.gov/RPT. For more information on tax relief programs, call the Real Property Tax Division at 270-7697.
PROPERTY TAX: why doesn't the County ask residents to positively certify compliance with the Homeowner exemption on a yearly basis?
Indeed, it's important to make sure that only bona fide residents receive the Homeowner exemption on their property tax bill. Rather than asking residents to self-certify, the Real Property Tax Assessment Division runs the Homeowner exemptions against resident tax payer lists from the State of Hawaii, and addresses are compared to listings from the U.S. Postal Service. These comparisons are run electronically, which makes them very efficient. With over 26,500 Homeowner exemption parcels, processing this much mail annually would be costly, time-consuming and less effective than the current system.
RECYCLING: I got a flyer from somebody at the recycling center when I went to drop off my cardboard. Is it true you're planning to shut down all of the County recycling centers?
No, that is not true. There will be no changes to the current level of service until further analysis can be done, due to the amount of confusion and concern that has been expressed. Flyers had been circulated at a residential recycling drop-box center recently by employees of a private vendor that the County pays to haul residential recyclables for processing. These flyers were not generated or distributed by Maui County. The flyers provided only partial information, and ensuing rumors have spawned a great deal of misinformation. The Budget proposal that I sent to the Council contains the same amount of funds for the County's Recycling program as this year, which will give us time to transition the County-subsidized residential drop-box operations to private vendors. During this transition we anticipate that there will be no disruption to the public's ability to recycle items at residential drop boxes. At the same time, we need to ask for help to keep costs down by recycling conscientiously and by cutting down on the amount of material that needs to be recycled in the first place. The public needs to understand that it takes about $300 tax dollars per ton per recycleable to haul and process the materials, then the processor pays even more to ship the material to a facility in Asia or on the Mainland.
RECYCLING: Is there a way I can choose to not receive phone books that I don't want or need?
Yes – to opt out of any of the three phone books currently published in Maui County, visit www.yellowpagesoptout.com and remove your name from the delivery list(s). The County Recycling Section of the Dept. of Environmental Management receives many calls from residents who do not want all three books.
REFUSE & RECYCLING: We live on an automated trash pickup route. The lid on our trash cart is broken. How do I get a replacement for it?
It's very simple process; just call the Maui County Dept. of Environmental Management, Solid Waste Division at 270-7875 and ask to have your trash cart lid replaced. You can provide your address and your lid will be replaced in a couple of days. The trash carts are the property of the County, so the County is responsible for repair or replacement due to normal wear and tear. However, if a trash bin is left out in an unsafe place and gets lost or damaged due to negligence, it is the homeowner's responsibility to pay for a replacement. So be sure to take care of the cart, and move it back onto your property after each collection.
RENEWABLE ENERGY: Why is there a "ceiling" on the number of homes within each community/subdivision that can go solar? People may have the money to install photovoltaic (PV), but my understanding is i
The County's role with regard to residential solar systems is to issue electrical permits and inspect the work for code compliance. The County does not have a "ceiling" on the number of electrical permits it will issue for solar systems. If you want to add solar PV to your home, you are faced with the question of how to provide backup power. If you want to have MECO as your backup power system, your system will be considered "interconnected" to MECO's system, and Public Utility Commission (PUC) Rule 14H will apply. Rule 14H requires the utility to screen for issues that could affect reliability. Currently, residences on Maui installing average-sized systems (up to 10kW) can draw up to 75% of the daytime load from PV before a formal interconnection study is required to add more PV. This is a significant step forward, compared to MECO's circuit penetration levels a few years ago.
ROADS: On my morning drive to work, I keep running into the same pothole. Who do I call to get the pothole fixed?
Thanks for the question. Potholes are a major safety issue for drivers, and can cause some serious damage to vehicles. You can call the County Public Works Highways Division at 270-7869 to report a pothole, and staff will help determine whether the road in question is a County road or a road maintained by the State. If you already know the pothole is on a State highway or road, you can call the State Dept. of Transportation Highways Division at 873-3535.
ROADS: Case in point: drivers are always avoiding the rough rides by moving to the right shoulder and through the bike lane. Is Kahului a lower priority than Kihei and Lahaina?
I'm pleased to announce that we now have federal funding for Kamehameha, Hina, Papa, and Wakea to do complete reconstruction of the roadways and any sidewalks needing repair as well. In fact, we have one project for Kamehameha and Hina that we moved up one year in the queue for federal funding so that we can begin work this year. All districts get road work every year, and some get more than others in specific years as federal funds for those individual projects become available.
ROADS: Can you please see what you can do about getting Amala Place road in Kahului properly paved?
The good news is that Amala Place will be repaved sometime this year in conjunction with the Wastewater Reclamation Division's force main project. The paving project will run from Hobron Lane to the Kahului Wastewater Treatment Plant.
ROADS: Please explain why all of Vevau was not paved or what the plan is for that portion of the road.
The section of Vevau Street between Kane Street & School Street is privately owned by A&B. Future plans for the area are uncertain; however, the company has indicated that any improvements to the road would take place in conjunction with development in the area.
ROADS: How much longer does the subcontractor have to maintain it?
Since the Kihei bikeway and roundabout were opened last year, the landscaping has been maintained under a County contract with Ka Lima O Maui. The annual landscaping maintenance contract, managed by the Department of Parks & Recreation, is in the process of being renewed. The Department of Public Works is responsible for maintaining the road and related facilities such as signage and pedestrian crossing lights. There are no plans to change the way the areas are maintained.
ROADS & HIGHWAYS: Who makes the decision on which roads will get repaved? I noticed that Makani road in Makawao was repaved last year. However, in my estimation the whole length of Makani Road at
A: The County Department of Public Works, Engineering Division, utilizes specialized software to help assess and prioritize the County-maintained roads that need repaving. Our annual funding for road resurfacing is further spread out amongst all the districts annually. Additionally, about 70 miles of our roadways are eligible for Federal funding, and those roads are also prioritized to keep the $6-10 million a year in Federal funding coming back to Maui County. Makani Road was Federally eligible, but Kaupakalua, West Kuiaha, and Kokomo are not. The good news is portions of Kaupakalua are getting repaved this year, West Kuiaha next year, and Kokomo is right behind them.
ROADS & HIGHWAYS: Yesterday I passed a large dead animal on the side of the road near my home. Who should I call to get it removed?
If the dead animal is a smaller animal such as a dog or cat, you should call the Maui Humane Society at 877-3680 for removal. If the animal is larger, such as a pig, axis deer or cow, you should call the County's Highways Division (Dept. of Public Works) at 270-7869. If you know that the dead animal is located along a State road or highway, please contact the State Highways division at 873-3535.
ROADS & HIGHWAYS: Our issues have to do with two stoplights and the extreme and seemingly unnecessary delays in the lights "changing" during various parts of the day.
State DOT Highways controls the two intersections you mentioned; the phone number is listed in the Government pages in the front of the phone book under State Offices, Dept. of Transportation- Highways Division, Maui District Office. In general, signal timing is set to change throughout the day. The roadway getting the majority of traffic during peak hours (morning rush, after school, and pau hana times) will have long green through-times, and shorter green times for the cross-street. During some non-peak times, and especially during late evening hours, the signals will easily accommodate traffic from the smaller streets and quickly stop traffic on the major roadway.
ROADS & HIGHWAYS: What is the status of plans to repave or resurface the stretches of Kamehameha, Wakea and Papa avenues in Kahului that need major reconstructive work?
These are all federally-funded projects that are in design or have recently been bid out. Kamehameha Ave. (Puunene to Papa) and Hina Ave. (Wakea to Niihau and (Molokai Akau to Ani): Bids recently opened; construction is expected to start at the end of this year/early next year. Wakea Ave. (Kaahumanu to Puunene): Bids recently opened; construction expected to start at the end of this year/early next year. Wells St. and Wakea Ave. (Puunene Ave. to Hana Hwy.): Expecting to advertise for bids by the end of this year, with construction slated to begin within the first half of next year. Papa Ave. (Kaahumanu to Puunene): Expecting to advertise for bids by the end of this year, with construction set to start within the first half of next year.
ROADS & HIGHWAYS: Every so often when driving at night I notice a street light that has burned out. Who should I call to report this?
You should call Maui Electric Company, which maintains the street lights. Their 24-hour number for trouble calls is 871-7777.
ROADS & HWY: How can we request for one of those radar feedback signs to be placed in our neighborhood?
: I understand your concern. You can contact the Maui Police Department at 244-6400 regarding motorist safety concerns, so that the issue can be researched and analyzed. If a hazard is identified the appropriate treatment may be applied, which may include enforcement and/or a speed display sign. Also, for State highways and roads, the State of Hawaii, Department of Transportation has speed display signs available. Like the Maui Police Department, the DOT studies traffic accident data and measures traffic speed flow charts before implementing a speed display sign.
ROADS & HWYS: Who is responsible for maintaining the landscaping of the median of the highway and the 1 foot wide grass band between the sidewalk and road curb?
The portion of Honoapiilani Highway you refer to belongs to, and is maintained by, the State Department of Transportation (DOT). DOT Highways has indicated that a contract will be finalized soon to provide improved maintenance in the area.
STATE DEPTS.: Are the rental car companies subject to any restrictions on price gouging?
The County does not have a department that handles consumer issues; however, the State Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) handles complaints about rental car companies and other businesses. To report unfair or deceptive business practices, visit the OCP website at www.hawaii.gov/dcca/ocp; if you do not have internet access, call the Maui office at 243-4648. The web page contains links to "File a Consumer Complaint," as well as information on identity theft, landlord-tenant issues and mortgage foreclosures. OCP has jurisdiction over a wide range of businesses and commercial activities including motor vehicle rentals, door-to-door sales, solar energy devices, offers of gifts and prizes, refunds and exchanges, collection practices, towing, and fine prints. OCP also has recently investigated and initiated enforcement actions in numerous consumer fraud cases stemming from mortgage foreclosure rescue scams under HRS Chaps. 480 and 480E.
STATE DEPTS: Are all the lunch wagons along Maui roads doing business legally?
The County does not have a health department; that function is carried out by the State. Lunch wagons are considered mobile food establishments, and are permitted, monitored and regulated by the State Department of Health (DOH). Inspections are conducted on a regular basis by DOH inspectors who check the lunch wagons' commissary, sanitizing of equipment and utensils, lavatory, garbage, cleanliness of physical facilities, and water and wastewater systems. The permits issued to lunch wagons also regulate vermin and animals on the premises, poisonous or toxic materials, personnel, and food supplies, protection, storage, preparation, display, service and transportation. To report unsanitary conditions or a lunch wagon that cannot produce a valid permit, call the Sanitation section of the Maui District Health Office, State Department of Health, at 984-8230.
TRASH: My house is located on Kula Highway, but even though the road seems wide enough we do not have automated trash pickup. How can I find out if we will ever get automated service?
The Solid Waste Division has converted roughly 80 percent of the residents receiving curbside trash pickup to automated service. There are some areas Upcountry that will be automated within the next three to four years. Not all homes can receive automated refuse service and it may depend on accessibility for the large trucks; roadway conditions; and route capacity. In those areas where automated trucks cannot access, the County will be looking at semi-automation which will require the use of different types of equipment. For more information about your specific area, call the Department of Environmental Management's Solid Waste Division, at 270-7875.
TRASH: I was wondering if the trash pickup personnel could arrive and pick up a little later than they do now? Here in Kihei, they show up in my neighborhood anywhere from 5:45 – 6:30 a.m. and it's a
The Department of Environmental Management, Solid Waste Division, handles residential refuse collection, which includes about 44,880 pickups every week in South Maui, Central Maui, West Maui, and all of Upcountry including Kula, Pukalani, Makawao, Paia, Haiku and beyond. Unfortunately, the time your trash gets picked up cannot be changed without impacting the efficiency of refuse collection along your route, as this would involve re-routing the entire route. The change would also impact the length of time it takes to pick up your route, and cause increased fuel consumption. Each route is designed so that the trucks can collect trash, travel to the landfill to dump the trash, return to the route, continue collection and finally return to the landfill to dump the final load within their 10-hour workday. Each route is designed to handle a maximum of 1,000 pickups in a day.
TREES: I live in Kahului next to a County property. A tree on the County side has become a potential safety hazard with a lot of dead branches that are breaking off. Who can I call?
Please call the County Arborist at 270-7397 to request a site inspection. The arborist will help determine whether the tree is located within the County Right-of-Way, and whether the County is responsible for trimming the tree.
VEHICLES/DMVL: Does the County of Maui receive any of the registration fees for rental cars? If not, why not?
The County of Maui receives registration fees for rental cars that are initially titled and registered on Maui; they are issued license plates that begin with the letter "L" (e.g. LDP 550). According to HRS §286-41, if a vehicle is moved to another county, the existing certificate of registration will be valid until it expires. At that point, the registration must be renewed with the county the car is being driven in, unless the car is only being temporarily transferred to another county for less than three months.
WASTEWATER: The County sewer pumping station #6, located on South Kihei Road next to the Kihei Fire Station, has a distinctly unpleasant odor emitting from it and has for years. What's up with that?
This problem is being addressed as we speak: After an odor-control study was completed, funding was allocated for the recommended modifications to the pump station. A contract in the amount of $784,625 was awarded in late 2012 for the installation of a Granulated Activated Carbon (GAC) air filtration unit, the rehabilitation of the wet well, and other architectural and mechanical improvements to the station. Construction is expected to begin on April 1st, with targeted completion in August 2013.
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Winter has arrived, and we have been having a ton of fun learning with the printable games in our winter centers. As you probably know, early readers are like weeds – they keep growing faster and faster until one day – it seems like they just appear! That's how I feel about Kindergarten as we approach winter. Some of my readers just take off! It is definitely an exciting time.
These Winter Emergent Readers are a great support in the classroom to help us work on sight words, color words, decodable words, and more. Best of all, after the kids read and color them – they can take them home to practice!
Grab your set of winter readers on their own in our Winter Emergent Reader Pack, or with 100+ Readers in our Emergent Reader Mega Bundle!
Winter Emergent Readers
This pack of books includes 3 easy-prep titles for your emergent reader –
- Winter is Here!
- The Snowman's Hat
- Ready For Winter
Just like our CVC readers, these books are SO easy to prep, which makes them perfect for the classroom (or home too!)
Just print double sided, cut in half, and you have two copies ready to go!
First up, I printed off "Winter is Here."
The repetitive text is great for early readers who are working on tracking print, and working on sight words are and here.
Winter vocabulary is used for a fun and engaging twist, and my kids love to be able to color the pictures.
The front of each book says "colored by" instead of "name" – which makes them feel quite special!
Early readers work hard on color words as well, as often they need to be read by sight, or we haven't learned the spelling patterns of them yet, so we need to recognize them by memorization.
Our second reader, "The Snowman's Hat" is a fun little reader that requires kids to read the color words in order to finish the pictures correctly.
They have to read the words in order to know which color to make the snowman's hat.
For readers who need support in my small groups or who cannot do this independently, I either highlight the color words in the correct color for them to check and match, or we refer to posters hanging in our classroom that have color words and colors on them.
Finally, our last winter reader, "Ready for Winter" has us imagining that we are gathering up some winter items!
This reader focuses on sight words I, will, get, and my.
The vocabulary changes and is based on a winter theme, and kids have the pictures for support.
Often with simple readers you will find kids do memorize the text. This doesn't mean that specific text isn't valuable and you shouldn't read the book (sometimes I get asked this by parents). This is especially true if you find that those kids still cannot read the sight words out of context or on their own.
The goal is to have them work on their tracking. Encourage them to point to each word (use fun or silly reading pointers to make it more engaging) to ensure that they are truly reading and seeing each word for what it is and not just repeating from memory. Often times it can be great to stick with familiar books because it builds confidence for early readers.
You can also write words from the story on sticky notes in a small group, mix them up on the table and use them as flashcards, or have them put the sentence in order before and after reading.
There are lots of fun ways to extend the learning! Your kids will love the books, and parents will love seeing books come home, too!
Grab Your Set
Ready to work on sight words and decodable words with your beginning readers?
Grab your printable copies of the winter emergent readers over in our shop on Teachers Pay Teachers, or grab our Emergent Reader Mega Bundle (includes over 100 books) and save big!

subset: commoncrawl


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A New Year with New Products!By
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Hello everyone! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season filled with fun, friends and family.
I spent the entire month of December sick, sick, sick!! I had a sinus and throat infection that would NOT leave despite 2 treatments with penicillin. it certainly did not help that I was so busy I couldn't get the rest I needed. So that is exactly what I did during the holidays – I rested.
So needless to say, absolutely no stamping or creating was going on in my life during the last month but I did manage to find some energy last week and get back to it. There were SO many new and wonderful products that had been sitting unopened on my desk for a month!! It definitely felt good to craft and I can't wait to share it all with you – let's get started!!
This card is FULL of wonderful pretty new things!! First I used the new Tea for Two DSP series pack found on page 3 of the 2013 Occasions Catalogue. I also used a paper doily (page 5) to soften up the background and the wonderful new Delicate Details Lace Tape (page 3) on the bottom. I LOVE that stuff!! It's beautifully soft and ornate and is sticky on one side to make it user friendly.
Some other new products used include Core'dination Cardstock in Primrose Petals color which is textured and sandable – so fun!! You'll find this and other colors of cardstock on page 12 of the Occasions Catalogue. Also featured on this page and my card is a new embellishment – the Designer Builder Brad. It's very light and quite flat making it easy to use on projects. Any image or color can be punched and placed in the center of the brad with an epoxy bubble placed over top the image completing the look.
And that's not all!! Here is the full supply list for this card:
Stamps – Itty Bitty Banners
Ink & Paper – Tea for Two DSP, Primrose Petals, Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Island Indigo
Big Shot – Bitty Banners Framelits, Hearts Collection Framelits, Hearts a Flutter Framelits, Elegant Lines embossing folder
Accessories – Delicate Details Lace Tape, subtles button, linen thread, doily, piercing tools, Designer Builder Brad
Big News:
The new Create with Connie & Mary: Spring Edition 2013 is starting very soon and I am a design member! How cool is that!!
All this week, we will be introducing the talented guest designers so visit the CWCM site each day this week to hear from them all!
This Create with Connie & Mary: Spring Edition 2013 offers 30 INCREDIBLE ideas seen ONLY as a subscriber to our edition! EACH project comes with a full downloadable tutorial making it is easy to use as a class or for your personal use. And how much is all this? Well the early bird special is $29.95…that's $5 off the regular subscription price of $34.95!!! That around $1 an idea. Some tutorials cost that much for just one and we have 30 just for YOU!!! So don't wait…the early bird special only lasts until January 19th! Come check it out!!
What is new at Stampin'Up!?
Feel the Love with 2 Free Specials
From January 3 through January 21, Stampin' Up!'s got two super special valentine offers sure to set your heart aflutter!
1. Get the Sealed with Love Simply Sent Kit FREE—a $9.95 CAN value—when you buy the brand-new My Little Valentine Stamp Set! This four-piece stamp set, created exclusively for this promotion, contains the perfect sentiments to express your feelings for your children, spouse, girlfriends, or mail carrier!
|My Little Valentine (English; clear-mount)
|Enamorados (Spanish; clear-mount)
|Mon petit amour (French; clear-mount)
2. Purchase the Valentine Treat Bundle—complete with the brand-new Happy Valentine Heart Single Stamp and the cutest little treat bags ideal for all of your precious valentines. Even better, the brand-new Happy Valentine Heart stamp coordinates perfectly with the Full Heart Punch for fast and easy creating.
|Bundle Item
|Retail Value
|Special Bundle Price
|Valentine Treat Bundle Includes the Happy Valentine Heart Single Stamp (clear-mount) and 1″ x 8″ cellophane bags
*Full Heart Punch not included in bundle
Both of these offers—and the exclusive stamps—are only available through January 21, so visit my online store today to take advantage of these limited-time offers!


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This is the first in the new wild life series released by the Royal Canadian Mint. There is a limited mintage of only 50,000 coins produced. The original wild life series had 6 coins featuring the Wolf, the Grizzly, the Cougar, the Moose, the Antelope, and the Bison, and these new privy marked coins will be released in the order of the original series in the span of the next three years.


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Podcast: Play in new window | Download
So you've been messaging every girl you can find on OkCupid and none of them are writing you back? Stop failing! Online dating expert, Sara Luvhard, returns in this week's episode where we reveal the best tips for beefing up your OkCupid Profile. This guide is guaranteed to fill your sack.


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Tuesday's Top Trailer: Moonrise Kingdom
Welcome to a weekly feature here at Movies with Abe, Tuesday's Top Trailer. One of my favorite parts about going to see movies is the series of trailers that airs beforehand and, more often than not, the trailer is far better than the actual film. Each week, I'll be sharing a trailer I've recently seen. Please chime in with comments on what you think of the trailer and how you think the movie is going to be.
Moonrise Kingdom – Opening May 16, 2012
I missed this trailer when it was first released a while ago, but now that it's featured on the IMDB home page, I had the fortune to catch it despite its peculiar title. It's a fitting moniker for a film that looks downright bizarre, but what else would you expect from director Wes Anderson? His last live-action film, "The Darjeeling Limited," was my favorite film of 2007, and the Oscar-nominated animated feature "Fantastic Mr. Fox" was pretty great too. Now, Anderson is back to using well-known actors in funky outfits to tell this story that centers on children, and from the looks of it in the trailer, these kids are going to be having a blast. What works so well about the trailer is the moody music and melodramatic scenes, turning the hunt for two young lovers into a search-and-rescue operation of the highest dramatic proportions. I'm pleased to see that, along with Anderson regulars Bill Murray and Jason Schwartzman, Frances McDormand, Bruce Willis, and Edward Norton, who I'd see in just about anything, are also in the cast. As usual, the cinematography and art direction is stylized and mesmerizing, and this looks to be one of the most unique and hypnotic films of the spring.


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Fans Can Now Send Adult Greeting Cards that are Certain to Satisfy
LOS ANGELES, June 8, 2017— Today, RedTube (NSFW), a premier adult video sharing platform, announced the launch of 'Speak From the Heart,' a new adult greeting card shop available on its site. Users can now give the gift of getting off with a selection of clever cards suited for a variety of holidays and occasions.
"We are very excited to launch our official adult greeting card shop," said Alex Taylor, Vice President at RedTube. "Whether you are seeking a fun way to commemorate a wedding anniversary or birthday, or you just want to say 'thank you' to an intimate friend, RedTube's 'Speak From the Heart' shop has the card to satisfy every occasion. Think of us as the sexy alternative to Hallmark."
RedTube's new adult greeting card shop will open with 20 uniquely designed cards for a variety of occasions and sentiments, including birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, holidays and messages of gratitude. Cards are available for purchase on redtubeshop.com, where they are also available in printable PDF.
"In an age of disappointing online dating apps, we all have that friend who has fallen on 'hard' times, or perhaps, you know someone with an 18th birthday around the corner; either way, you can now give them a lift with a perfectly matched RedTube card," said Taylor. "At their core, greeting cards were made to make people smile, and we believe RedTube's new selection will do just that…and a whole lot more."
RedTube, which receives more than 20 million visits to its site each day, sees the greeting card shop as an opportunity to tap into a whole new market that is sure to give its fans and the beneficiaries of the greeting card, another reason to feel good.
For more information or to purchase a RedTube greeting card today, please visit redtube.com/event/greetingcards.
About RedTube:
RedTube is a premier adult video sharing platform. Founded in 2007, it is one of the leading online destinations for people seeking free, streaming adult videos. RedTube hosts a vast archive of over 1 million pornographic videos and receives over 20 million visitors a day. More than just videos, the website also hosts hundreds of thousands of photos and features a social media platform that boasts a thriving community of over 3 million registered users.


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I hope you've had a lovely long Easter weekend! I went to over to Saint-Germain-des-Prés this morning to catch the movie Journal d'une Femme de Chambre starring Léa Seydoux and strolled around the area afterwards.
I believe it was my first time having lunch at a terrace this year, with the distant sound of a piano concert on place Saint-Germain no less.
The Jardin du Luxembourg was unsurprisingly incredibly crowded. Not a free chair in sight!
If only pictures could capture fragrance.


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This month was stock up month for us. When I fill in things we use that are in general non perishable. I also stock the freezer. Buy things for the home, like mini blinds… shelves… furniture… The last couple weeks have been busy.
This week also heralded in the 5th anniversary of my cancer diagnosis. I was diagnosed on Feb 24th. I had surgery on March 2nd and was pronounced cancer free a few days later.
Well yesterday I had my 5th year check up. The doc says I am all clear! He also said that the type of cancer I had is unlikely to recur after the 5 year mark. He says I am free! Woot! True the test results take 2 weeks but he says there is nothing to suggest they will not be clear. WHEW!
OK so now I want to do a product review. As you know, my Beloved surprised me with a Kindle Fire for Christmas. I have had an used for the last 3 months.
What I love:
The graphics are fantastic! The graphics are better than on my pc. Granted my pc is now 3 years old and advances have been made.
It is easy to use and transport. I love being able to read anywhere.
It fits in my purse. This is neat, I can use it to take notes or read and study.
The games. I am not a big gamer but the uno, yatzhee , mahjong and words with friends are addicting!
Free programs. Everyday Amazon offers a free Android ap, and they all work on the kindle!
Now the down sides.
The power plug is inconveniently located at the bottom. It is a pain to use when plugged in. Plus the plug wiggles around and feels like it will fall apart any minute.
The fonts for the web and email functions can not be enlarged and are set at 8 or 10 pt. I need 12 to read easy for long periods. So I do not do much web browsing which, truth be told was part of the reason for the purchase.
It is hard to read in sunlight.
It has sensitivity issues… Some programs, and this may be the fault of the programs, but some react too quickly when touched some too slowly if at all.
It takes a long time to boot up and for web pages to load. Plus the wifi eats power way too fast.
I also do not like that some programs are so web based you HAVE to be connected to use them. A big one I had issues with was youversion Bible software. It MUST have internet access to function at all. I wanted it to be able to study and compare different Bible versions and verses, but some places I go do not have wifi access and so it would not work. Again this may be a program function but since the BIG reason I wanted it was easy Bible study with out lugging my laptop pc around, it is a neg.
Basically I found myself using it to play games. While that is fun, it is also a big time waster.
My solution, I traded it with my Beloved for his netbook. It does everything I want, runs the kindle ap, gives me access to the many Bible programs that are really downloaded and installed, whether I am online or not.
So over all was the Kindle Fire worth it for me? No. A regular kindle would have done me just fine. That was my fear when Beloved got me the Fire. However he is having fun with it so for that I am glad we got it!
hugs y'all


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Key Content
- OCHA: UN Resident Coordinator calls for urgent support to Angola to address rising humanitarian needs [EN/PT]
- OCHA: Southern Africa: Humanitarian Key Messages, December 2019
- IPC: Sumário da Situação de Insegurança Alimentar Aguda IPC 2019/20 [PT]
Appeals & Response Plans
- UNICEF: Humanitarian Action for Children 2020 - Angola
- UNHCR: The Democratic Republic of Congo Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRRP) January 2019 - December 2020
Useful Links
Alerts/ Disasters
Most read reports
- OCHA: Southern Africa: Humanitarian Key Messages, December 2019. 6 Dec 2019
- Govt. Angola: INAD removes explosive devices in Cuito. 25 Jan 2020
- Govt. Angola: Over five million children get polio vaccine. 19 Jan 2020
- FAO: As climate shocks intensify, UN food agencies urge more support for southern Africa's hungry people. 31 Oct 2019
- FAO: GIEWS Country Brief: Angola 24-January-2020. 24 Jan 2020
Snapshot 9–15 September 2015
Afghanistan: The number of severely food insecure has risen to 1.5 million people, according to a new assessment. 7.3 million people are moderately food insecure. Food security among IDPs is worsening, with around 200,000 people reported to be in need of immediate assistance.


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Nigerian naira on Thursday appreciated to 385 per dollar at the parallel market as Central Bank Of Nigeria, CBN, sold $20,000 to Bureax de Change (BDCs) for onward sale to small-end users.
The currency gained 15 naira against the Euro to close at 410 from 425 and 5 naira from 500 to 495 against the Pound sterling.
At the official market, it closed flat at 306 per dollar.
This development is coming as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) injected $280 million into the Foreign Exchange Market on Tuesday, April 18, 2017, and on Wednesday, April 19, 2017, carried out spot, wholesale interventions in the interbank FOREX market by offering a total sum of $100m to authorized dealers to meet the 7 to 15-day forwards requests of customers.
The latest intervention was confirmed by the Acting Director, Corporate Communications Department, CBN, Mr. Isaac Okorafor, who, however disclosed that the banks and authorized dealers were only able to pick up $68.51 million.
Okorafor attributed the inability of the authorized dealers to fully subscribe to the CBN to a surfeit of forex in the system, which may lead to further appreciation of the naira.


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Organizing Schools to Improve Student Achievement: Start Times, Grade Configurations, and Teacher Assignments
The Brookings Institute released a new report in September 2011 that cited school start times as a way to improve student achievement.
According to their report, education reform proposals are often based on high-profile or dramatic policy changes, many of which are expensive, politically controversial, or both. In this paper, the Brookings Institute argues that the debates over these "flashy" policies have obscured a potentially important direction for raising student performance—namely, reforms to the management or organization of schools. By making sure the "trains run on time" and focusing on the day-to-day decisions involved in managing the instructional process, school and district administrators may be able to substantially increase student learning at modest cost.
In this report, there are three organizational reforms that recent evidence suggests have the potential to increase K–12 student performance at modest costs: (1) Starting school later in the day for middle and high school students; (2) Shifting from a system with separate elementary and middle schools to one with schools that serve students in kindergarten through grade eight; (3) Managing teacher assignments with an eye toward maximizing student achievement (e.g. allowing teachers to gain experience by teaching the same grade level for multiple years or having teachers specializing in the subject where they appear most effective).
The Brookings Institute report conservatively estimates that the ratio of benefits to costs is 9 to 1 for later school start times and 40 to 1 for middle school reform. A precise benefit-cost calculation is not feasible for the set of teacher assignment reforms described, but they argue that the cost of such proposals is likely to be quite small relative to the benefits for students. While it recognizes that these specific reforms may not be appropriate or feasible for every district, they encourage school, district, and state education leaders to make the management, organization, and operation of schools a more prominent part of the conversation on how to raise student achievement.


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This horchata panna cotta is a dish that blends two cultures (Mexican and Italian) together in a food dish. Since horchata already has the cinnamon and vanilla base I knew it would work so well in a custard form like panna cotta. Actually, Panna cotta is very easy to make because it is not a "true" custard since it gets it help from gelatin. It is as simple as heating your milk, vanilla and cream with sugar then adding the gelatin and letting it set up in the refrigerator until firm. Its a great dessert to learn if you are not great with baking or pastry making!
Your first step will be to: make the horchata .
You will have extra horchata left over from the recipe above but that is just a bonus!
Once this is done, you can proceed to the panna cotta step below. If you choose to do the traditional panna cotta and not the horchota version then just follow this link to: my traditional panna cotta recipe!
Horchata Panna Cotta
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 1/2 tablespoon powdered gelatin
- 2 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups of horchata
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Place the water in a small bowl and sprinkle the gelatin over the top. Stir to distribute, and set aside to soften 2 to 3 minutes.
- Get out your dishes (ramekins) that you will be pouring the panna cotta in and set aside. Depending on the sizes of your ramekins is how many you can fill so anywhere between 5-8 ramekins.
- Half-fill a large bowl with ice and add enough water to make an ice bath and set aside.
- In a small saucepan, combine the cream, horchata, cinnamon stick and sugar and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Remove from heat, and take out the cinnamon stick and then whisk in the softened gelatin and the vanilla extract.;
- Set the saucepan in the ice bath (making sure the top of the saucepan is well above the surface of the water), and whisk until the mixture is lukewarm.;
- Pour mixture into ramekins and chill at least 6 hours or overnight. If you're going to keep them longer than overnight, cover them with plastic wrap, pressing the wrap gently against the panna cotta to prevent a skin from forming.
- You can top the panna cotta with crushed biscotti like I did or a little sprinkle of cinnamon.
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I had the honor of escorting Reagan's friends on the class field trip today. We went to the Fiske Planetarium at the University of Colorado. Fun trip and not too far from school. The kids had the show to themselves. An hour flying around the universe and learning about space. I enjoyed the presentation and would probably go back for … Read More
Mead HS Cheer Camp
A couple of the neighbor girls are on the cheer team at the nearby high school. So when they dropped by to tell our kids they could join in a mini-cheer camp the girls were all in. I don't know if they will be the athletes or the cheerleaders later in life but its clear that they want to be … Read More
Ski Weekend
With a 4 day weekend and Natalee in town, the girls got some more time on the slopes. Part of me is still in disbelief that they ride the chairs by themselves. It was just a few years ago that I was clutching their coats the whole way up. Having fun yet? Break time! Reagan always has Mac-n-Cheese. I ate … Read More
Deep Snow
A few weeks back, Reagan wanted a snow fort. The snow wasn't packing. So we took a bunch of boards and made a flat surface on top of the snow. Then dug some out underneath. The fort wasn't that great. "Wait", I told her. Next time! So we arrive today and Reagan had forgotten all about this. So when she … Read More


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CoolSculpting in West Palm Beach, FL Reviews
Reviews About CoolSculpting. JoAnn Francis Medical Esthetics Spa Located at 871 Village Blvd, Suite 603, West Palm Beach, FL. 33409 Provides CoolSculpting to the Residents Near Palm Beach. Request a Complimentary Consultation Online or Call (561) 616-1001.
If you have stubborn deposits of fat on your body that won't go away no matter how hard you diet or exercise, then a CoolSculpting procedure at JoAnn Francis Medical Esthetics Spa may be just the thing you need to regain confidence, so you can enjoy your skinny jeans and sleeveless tops all year long. If you live in West Palm Beach or near Palm Beach and Haverhill, look no further than JoAnn Francis Medical Esthetics Spa for all of your CoolSculpting needs.
By now, you may have heard about CoolSculpting either in a television commercial or on the Internet. It is an increasingly popular fat reduction method that has been gaining traction throughout the United States. With celebrity endorsements, it's no wonder more and more people are curious about what CoolSculpting is and whether it might be right for them. As more people become familiar with and undergo CoolSculpting, there are an increasing number of success stories available.
If you've ever found yourself wondering if CoolSculpting really works, look no further because the answer is a resounding yes! From countless before and after photos to individual testimonials, it has become obvious that CoolSculpting is a safe, effective, and long-term fat reduction procedure. Take a look at the CoolSculpting reviews below to hear what real patients have to say about undergoing their procedure, how quickly they saw results, and what their session felt like.
Of course, there are many places that offer the CoolSculpting procedure for their patients. What sets JoAnn Francis Medical Esthetics Spa apart is our commitment to your unique goals. We pride ourselves on providing comprehensive, individualized attention to each of our patients. We know that no two bodies are alike, and we strive to provide you with the best results for your individual body. When you come to JoAnn Francis Medical Esthetics Spa, you will always find yourself in a warm and friendly office environment that is dedicated to your comfort, safety, and satisfaction.
When it comes to CoolSculpting, it is very difficult to determine a cost prior to your individual consultation. The price of CoolSculpting depends on the area(s) being treated, your body, and your personal esthetic goals. We believe it is important to discuss all of these factors during your consultation before quoting a price for your treatment plan. The professional staff at JoAnn Francis Medical Esthetics Spa is dedicated to helping you achieve your ultimate goals, and we work hard to do everything we can to ensure you achieve the body you want at an affordable price point.
When considering a CoolSculpting treatment, it is important to remember that the results of your procedure are permanent. The process freezes the stubborn fat cells, which allows your body to eliminate them naturally. Once they're gone, they're gone for good!
If you are curious about CoolSculpting and what it can do for you, let the professionals at JoAnn Francis Medical Esthetics Spa answer your questions and work with you to develop a customized treatment plan that will enhance your natural beauty and help you feel comfortable and confident in your own skin. Don't wait another day, call JoAnn Francis Medical Esthetics Spa in West Palm Beach, FL and schedule your consultation today!


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Cities like to make up their own municipal mottoes, like tony Scottsdale, which calls itself: "The West's Most Western Town."
We decided to take 10 Phoenix suburbs and give them more realistic monikers. Here we go:
10. Apache Junction: "Arizona's largest trailer park."
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9. Mesa: "We just say we're from Phoenix."
8. Paradise Valley: "Rich people live here."
7. Glendale: "We don't have our act together."
6. Peoria: "Hey, at least it ain't Glendale."
5. Scottsdale: "Park your BMW between the other two."
4. Tempe: "The temporary home of thousands of blackout-drunk college students."
3. Buckeye: "The beginning of the end of civilization."
2. Gilbert: " Mormon capital."
1. Sun City/Sun City West: "Old people live here."


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Placket Tutorial
I'm participating in A Frock By Friday, an online sew-along where women across the country world work on a dress step by step through the week to finish by Friday. It's led by Kathleen of Grosgrain.
The end result will be this fabulous dress. I chose a super lightweight denim for my dress and decided against using a contrast fabric. I decided to use a placket, a traditional menswear detail, on my dress front to give it some cowgirl flair.
Here's what I did. This tutorial (mostly) follows the steps laid out in David Page Coffin amazing Shirtmaking.
First, let's see the finished product. The buttonhole layer of my placket is 7/8 inch wide and the button layer is 3/4 inch wide. The placket is roughly 19 inches long.
Step 1: Cut the placket out. You'll need to cut out a rectangle 4.5 inches by 21 inches. Why? Well, since you're curious, the formula is
seam allowance + 3*button layer width + 2*button hole layer width
In this case that's .25 + 3 x .875 + 2 x .75 + .25 = 4.5 inches wide.
Place your placket face down and cut a 2 inch by 2.75 inch rectangle out of the bottom right corner.
Let's take a minute to orient ourselves.
Step 2: With the wrong side of the fabric up, fold the long side and the short side under by ¼ inch. Press.
Step 3: Marking your fabric. You will make 4 lines total, 3 on the placket and one on the dress front. Put the placket face down. You'll be able to see the edges you folded under. Make a line 1½ inches from the folded short edge. Make a line 1¾ inches from the folded long edge. Make a third line ½ inch from the long part of the bottom. The photo should make it clearer.
Marking the dress front is easy: mark a line down the center of the dress on the wrong side of the fabric.
Step 4: Sewing the placket to the dress front. Place the dress front face down on the table. Place the placket face down on the dress front. Position the placket so that the center line of the dress front is between the long lines you drew on the placket.
Pin the placket in place and sew the placket to the dress front along the lines you drew on the placket. The stitching will be in a U shape.
Step 5: Cut a Y shape between the lines of stitching. In the photo I've fanned it out so that it's clear where I've cut it.
Step 6: Turn the whole placket to the right side of the dress front.
We're going to work with the short side (the eventual button layer) of the placket first. Press the seam towards the placket. Then fold the placket back to the seam line and press again. Here's what it should look like, I've pinned the edge back so that you can see the seam.
Step 7: Sew two lines of top stitching on placket. This side of the placket now encloses dress front.
Step 8: Repeat steps 6 and 7 for the long side of the placket (the eventual buttonhole layer.
Step 9: You're almost there! You can probably see what need to happen to finish this. Let's take a look at the bottom of the placket.
Clip your threads and fold the short edge over carefully as shown. Pin it in place. Check to make sure the wrong side of the dress front also looks like the pictures and sew in place.
Step 10: Fold the long edge of the placket over the short edge. Turn the end of the long end under. You may decide to trim the long end a bit; that's fine. Press and sew the distinctive X at the bottom of the placket. You're done!
Ruhammie permalinkMay 31, 2010 2:48 am
I am in the middle of attempting this and when I sew the shorter part on before folding the longer part over it, my main fabric puckers. Did I cut the center too wide, sew the seams too wide or iron each side of the placket too narrow? Thanks for any insight.


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What's Inside
Becki's Beat ...
Keep informed about the on goings of HOHF
Executive Director: Becki's Beat
Our Foundation has been built on "Matters of the Heart", volunteerism, passion, creativity, sound principles, valued partnerships, perseverance, and work that we Love! Not by our own efforts, but only by God's might, a "Harvest of many Hearts" gets the work done. We are His ambassadors, who He has entrusted us, equipped us and directed me, for the good of His cause... to be His hands and feet. Because of the continued loyalty of our cherished contributors and volunteers, we have the privilege to do the work that we do so that the beat of this organization can continue to remain healthy.
SAVE THE DATE: SEPTEMBER 8TH, 2018 for our 11th fundraising event. We invite you to partner with us for "Up...Up...and Away, Adventures of the Heart!" The night will be filled with adventure as we let our mind ponder the possibilities to which this travel theme will take us. Wineries and micro-breweries will be returning. More than 60% of our fundraising revenue is generated from our auctions and we need your help with donations of vacation homes, trips, items, etc. Please email Jeanna Hoff at email@example.com to donate.
We continue to value our partnerships...
In 2017, HOHF administered five grants in house which helped 14 kids. Grants are used to help cover gas, food and hotel night stays while children are having surgery. Our long term partner: Tracy Family Resource Center administered an additional two grants on our behalf.
One of our goals is to extend a helping hand and a loving heart to our local families at a time of crisis when a Mom or Dad is feeling exhausted emotionally due to the condition of their child.
With Sutter Tracy Community Hospital and Premier Hyundai of Tracy, to date, an estimated 112 bags have been deliverd to our local Tracy hospital, to bless hundreds of families whose children are being treated at the hospital.
HOHF is excited to support partner Camp Taylor, Inc. and its programs for children with heart diseased and for their families, at their new camp loacation in Grayson, CA. HOHF has committed $50k, specifically for naming rights for the creation of a beautiful Memorial Water Garden where kids will have the opportunity to journal during gheir camp experience. We hope to raise the additional funding needed for this commitment, through our "Fund a Need for Camp Taylor" at our upcoming September event


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Orlando Wastewater & Storm Water Management
Commercial Septic & Plumbing Services in Central Florida
Keeping in compliance with local authorities and keeping yourself in business requires investing in your wastewater and storm water management practices. In a state like Florida where the rainfall comes down fast and comes down hard, managing the sudden rise in water levels requires years of experience and training. Since 1948, Brownie's Septic & Plumbing has been the go-to provider for water management practices for storms and drains.
For nearly 70 years, the foundation of our business has been Brownie's Environmental Services' System Management Program, which provides businesses with sustainable and efficient drainage systems. As a result, our customers sleep easy knowing that our team of experts has created the best possible system to protect their business.
Protecting your infrastructure with wastewater and drainage systems with Brownie's Management Program also offers you guaranteed cost options for lift station repair and construction, as well as maintenance and repair for retention ponds. Because the local authorities focus on water remediation and clean out after storms, we offer frequent cleaning, correction, repair, and maintenance for your system according to its original plan specifications.
Ensuring Best Practices in Every Area of Your Business
One of Brownie's Septic & Plumbing strengths is our commitment to exceeding all local and state standards in every septic and plumbing service we offer. We equip our technicians with the latest training and tools, allowing them to provide cutting-edge solutions to our customers. As a result, clients like Universal Studios, Hilton Orlando, the University of Central Florida, and utility companies have come to us for our specialized expertise when it comes to wastewater and storm water management.
Dial Brownie's Septic & Plumbing at (407) 890-0116 or contact us online to schedule service. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide emergency repairs, replacement, and maintenance.


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M57 Ring Nebula from Canon EOS600D DSLRPosted by XTSee on 1st October , 2012
Finally I've got round to posting up my images taken at the Kelling Heath Star Party 2012, using my new (un-modded) 600D camera. I chose a well-known and common target for my first image; the Ring Nebula is a good bright object. (Click the image to view full size, then click Back)
It took me quite a while to get everything setup and familiar with my DSLR, and experimenting with the ISO settings and exposure, turning off both the Long Exposure and High ISO Noise Reduction settings in the camera, change the screen to a less intense colour scheme and brightness, then trying out Liveview in the EOS Utility, pointing at a bright star to get focused, then slewing to M57 and trying to find it, then changing from Liveview which was totally black, to longer exposures, but still no joy……
By now it was about midnight (well I also kept chatting to various people wandering by, all quite a relaxed affair really) and I still hadn't managed to image anything….. well the night is yet young, I was planning to stay up until about 3am.
After going back into the caravan for a coffee and whisky, and a think about what I could be doing wrong, I decided to go back to basics and check everything over. Returning outside and red-light back on, I discovered that despite my dew-controller being turned on it was at a low power setting, and the front of the C6 was thick with dew, doh! So hairdryer to the rescue I got it cleared, and whacked the dew controller to maximum.
Finally and after upping the ISO to 6400, and doing a 30 second exposure I was able to make out the starfield and the nebula very faintly, but by the time I was ready to take some more shots for stacking, the darn thing had crept behind a tree! Game over for the night on M57.
So the above image is the result of just one 30 second image, processed with some stacked Darks which I created a few days later (so wrong temperature), and no Flat frames. Post-processing was done in Nebulosity, then Photoshop. Rather noisy, and could have done with being cropped, but I like it.