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|GM Gangsta Kingpin
No problem.
We forgot about the headband, so add 2000 to this:
Item.............................Sell Value
Cash.............................15,000 gp
Belt of Giant Strength +2.........2,000 gp
Belt of Giant Strength +2 (switched for dex belt).........2,000 gp
Belt of Incredible Dexterity +2...2,000 gp
Ring of Protection + 1............1,000 gp
MW Longsword......................157.5 gp
MW Longsword......................157.5 gp
MW Morningstar......................154 gp
MW Light Crossbow.................167.5 gp
Total..........................22,636.5 gp
Share (Assuming 5 Talons).......4,527.3 gp
Share (If we have lost Juno)....5,659.12 gp w/ 2 cp remaining
So, that's 24,636.5, or 4,927.3 split 5 ways, if you're planning to save a portion for group funds, or 6159.1, 4 ways.
If Juno comes back, I'll talk to her and we'll figure something out. I really like smaller parties, so if she doesn't make it back, we'll just soldier on. There are only 4 goblins in my other group, and they all get a chance to shine, and things move pretty quickly that way.
I keep forgetting to make Sidoze roll spell failure for his armor, so he might want the ring. Maybe a wand of Mage Armor would be a good idea! lol!
I like the idea of the extra portion split out for group expenditures like healing wands and restoration potions.
Quill will definitely make use of the headband. That leaves 2927.3.
2010 for a +1 short sword and 917.3 on gift certificate.
|GM Gangsta Kingpin
That qualifies you for free shipping @ Absalom.com. 2310 for the sword.
4,927.3 would be good for setting up a headquarters, and probably leave enough for a "group-owned" healing wand. At your next level, you'll qualify for some special followers, which I'll outline when the time comes.
You could rent a townhouse in the crappier area of the docks near the precipice quarter for about 250/mo. Dangerous neighborhood, but we like dangerous...lol
|GM Gangsta Kingpin
I'm not sure how much you want to RP it, but I think some good contacts can help you spend your money without too much attention.
The news is everywhere, and powerful people will be looking for justice.
|GM Gangsta Kingpin
Just to make it easy, we can just say you had no trouble spending your money. Go ahead and get what you want.
I'd suggest Quill as treasurer to keep track of party loot.
|GM Gangsta Kingpin
Very good. There's a knock at the door the following day.
|GM Gangsta Kingpin
City watch! We're here to ask a few questions. Open up in the name of the nomarch!
|Andrezi Zeldana
A few questions, a knock on the door of where? The last stated location was Quill's hideaway which is behind a secret door. Or are we back at an Inn? If so, who's door is being knocked on? I can't speak for the others, but Andrezi would certainly have a private room.
|GM Gangsta Kingpin
Quill's hideout is in an abandoned building, IIRC. Hard to say who's there. At least Sidoze is.
|GM Gangsta Kingpin
I didn't do a map. Forget about it. You're all doing your own thing and meet where and when you decide.
Back from computer problems. I think that was a nudge by the GM to generate some activity. As it stands, I thinks h will let us congregate somewhere to start a new scene. I will start us back in the tavern after several days
Quill moved into the private dining room at the back of the tavern. It was empty, but she knew the others would show....she hoped. Sticking together was important now, no lose ends. She hoped the others showed and didn't go back to her place...a couple days cooped up with them had her thinking if it was all worth it, but the new sword in her satchel and the pile of coins on her shrine tell her that it was very much worth it.
She places an order of wine with a selection of mats, cheeses and bread. As she sips on her wine, she recalls what she learned from the rumors on the streets.
She paid a visit to Jasper, the official with the City Works. He was always a light touch if you listen to his stories, but him and his co-workers go every where in the city. They see and hear everything.
Gather Information (Diplomacy)-> 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
|GM Gangsta Kingpin
I'm confused what?
Forget the knock at the door. You weren't all together at Quill's.
|GM Gangsta Kingpin
Brig and Dottie are glad to see you, and your room is furnished and stocked as usual. There is a lot of talk going around about the daring robbery, and Dottie goes on and on about it.
"Oh, those poor paladins! They say the cleric was a big mucky-muck over there at the bank, and they might raise him, just to find out what he knows."
|GM Gangsta Kingpin
Of course, rumors are just that...
|Andrezi Zeldana
Andrezi makes his way into the inn, giving his fellow Talons a nod as he walks in. Hearing the news of the possibility of raising the cleric from the dead, he makes his way over to Quill and Sidoze.
In a hushed tone, "I hear the rumors, but I'm not too concerned yet. We should retire to a private chamber to discuss this further."
Taking a Belt of Dex, having one of my kukri enchanted to +1. Contributing a bit from his remaining startin gold and having his armor enchanted to +1 as well.
|GM Gangsta Kingpin
I trust players to handle their stuff as they can. No sweat. This is Absalom, and items are easy to get for anyone with the coin. They don't ask questions.
Sidoze flicks his eyes up to Andrezi as he approaches and nods and then looks to Quill before rising to follow the pair to their private room set aside for them.
Gather Information
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
"What rumors have you heard? Im curious if I have heard different ones." he asks as he takes a seat among the others.
Knowledge Local
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
"Well I guess this brings us to what to do now, we still need a place we can hole as a meeting place preferably with some escape routes do either of you know a place as such? My knowledge is limited in that area. Also I would ask if we should now use the funds we got to start hiring others spare muscle per say. Quill I believe you would be perfect in this area I have in mind, in this new place we will need to start marking out our territory, shops will need to studied and then coerced into givng us the protection money they will need to give so we make sure other gangs don't bother them. " He pauses before continuing.
"Also Andrezi remember that kidnapping job I mentioned earlier? I believe you and I and possibly even Quill would do well on this certain job. What say you?"
|GM Gangsta Kingpin
Ah, yes. Kidnapping! There was also the trouble at Mariana del Mar, that little joint being overcharged by the Club Club.
|GM Gangsta Kingpin
There was also Capt. Alton Brightwood, wanting a certain troublemaker from the Pesh dealers abducted. You could talk to either, really.
|Andrezi Zeldana
"Also Andrezi remember that kidnapping job I mentioned earlier? I believe you and I and possibly even Quill would do well on this certain job. What say you?"
"I'm game, though taking people alive is not my strong suit."
Sipping her wine, Quill nods greeting to the later arrivals.
At Sidoze's mention of new 'business', she downs the rest of her glass in a big swallow. "I am in too. This laying about, has got me on edge. It would be good to be pursuing new interests."
Sorry on the slow posts. I am working 14 hour days at work, trying to meet a deadline. The worst is behind me, but I missed about 4 days where I didn't log in at all...work, eat, sleep, work, eat, sleep... I will still be slow through the end of the month, but I shouldn't be absent.
|GM Gangsta Kingpin
He had a problem with Dhanush. Seems he's too greedy. You could go see him if you like.
|GM Gangsta Kingpin
|Andrezi Zeldana
"Well there is a man who works for the Pesh dealers our client wants him brought to him so his people can convince him to lower his prices I believe. However this man has quite a few body guards." Sidoze outlines the mans habits from what the captain had told him.
"There is also another man we can talk to who seems to have a similar grudge against this dealer. We could speak to him as well." He adds.
Sorry andrezi sorta lost my head busy with getting this promotion at work. Hey handsets what was that guys name again?
|Andrezi Zeldana
Sorry andrezi sorta lost my head busy with getting this promotion at work.
No worries, been there done that. ;)
|Andrezi Zeldana
"Bodyguards aren't a problem. Do we have to wear kid gloves with them, or can we be....efficient?"
Contemplating Sidoze's second statement, "We're not beholden to either one of these guys, let's play them off of each other so that we get the best price out of the deal."
"I dont remember any special requirements about the bodyguards. No reason to be gentle." Sidoze grins looking at both his compatriots.
"Andrezi and I will score out the target Quill you think you could hint at possibly solving the other clients problem? Then we can arrange the drop and if it happens that both clients meet to obtain the target well... Its not our fault, plus with two parties with no obvious ties to each other we can get payed twice for one job as you both said." Sidoze winks at the pair.
|GM Gangsta Kingpin
This game goes slowly, which is fine. That does cause me to forget little details, as you're all aware. I'll try to keep it all straight.
It seems Brightwood wanted Dhanush abducted and brought to him. That was a week ago, so you might want to see what's up before you commit. No price, etc., was arranged, and Brightwood wanted to meet a few of you, if you were interested. That was 5 days ago.
Will play up my new understanding in character.
Listening to the further details, Quill comes to the understanding..."Oh...an abduction. I guess that is harder to pull off for two parties, unless they just want a body part abducted. I guess we scope the streets and find out if Brightwood proceeded without us while we was hiding out. If the bounty is still open, we should at least hear the terms, and as you say, see if the other party might outbid him. Since possession seems to be the goal."
|GM Gangsta Kingpin
You know where to find Brightwood, if you like. Do all of you want to go?
"Sounds like the best plan so far however Quill I would still say comw in disuse so that if we still intend to play both parties off each other we viably can. Andrezi any thoughts?" Sidoze asks turning to the their quiet partner.
Unless the others want to add anything gm I think thats it
Quill is already rummaging through her bag, thinking on a disguise. "Sounds good. Let's go."
Once they leave, Quill will duck into an alley and come out as a street urchin. She will take some time to 'work' the streets to find out about brewing feud that has led to contracts being posted, and if those offers still stand.
Disguise -> 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Gather Info (Diplomacy) -> 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Knowledge Local -> 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
While the disguise is not great, those getting too close might think her a bit cute for an urchin, she tends to keep smoving to keep pace with the group and that limits her interaction, although also limits what she might learn.
Before the actual meeting, Quill will expend a casting of Disguise Self to make up close inspection a little more difficult. (+10 for 40 min.)
|GM Gangsta Kingpin
Quill doesn't get anything specific, but the Pesh Princes are in a bit of a tiff with a gang called the Night Tax. Their specialties overlap a bit, though the Night Tax gang is way more into robbery and protection rackets. They have a vicious reputation, and can pop up anywhere in the city.
|GM Gangsta Kingpin
You can go to the docks and see if the Lustrous is still there. Brightwood would probably talk to you. He seemed impressed, before.
|GM Gangsta Kingpin
There's stuff to do. You're only 4th level. What do you want to do?
|GM Gangsta Kingpin
You can go to the docks and see if the Lustrous is still berthed.
|GM Gangsta Kingpin
Head count? 2?
Solo adventure, it is, then.


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Holidays on the BoardwalkLocation: Myrtle Beach Boardwalk
Come down to the Boardwalk for some holiday fun and see the Boardwalk light up at night! From noon until 5 p.m. Santa will be riding on the SkyWheel on the Boardwalk. Also starting at noon until 1 p.m. there will be musical entertainment by the Socastee High School Singers and at 6 p.m. Elvis (David Chaney) will perform. From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Santa will be available for pictures at the Wild West Photos and Old Time. Come out for a day of fun!Next Date:

subset: commoncrawl


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ACHICA > Bitossi: Glass
Sale closed
Bitossi: Glass
Bitossi Home aims to interpret the continually evolving trends of the contemporary home to produce a stunning collection of tableware to suit all occasions. Established nearly 40 years ago, Bitossi Home is now one of the most important Italian producers of homewares and accessories. The products of Bitossi Home today represent its experience gathered over the years, and its dedication to maintaining the idea of home as its focus. Inspired by its natural Tuscan surroundings, its glass tableware collection has an elegance and tradition fused with a cosmopolitan spirit, meaning they sit well at any table setting.


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Results 1 to 10 of 26
Thread: Can't keep shrimp alive - help!
Can't keep shrimp alive - help!
Apologizing in advance for the length of this post, but I want to include as much info as possible to hopefully help figure out what our problem is.
So have a 20gal high tank, cycled for 5 months now. Most recent changes involved switching substrate from blue gravel to Eco Complete in January. Planted, I would say moderately with a variety of plants. Running a Renal XPM canister filter. Lighting is a Nova Extreme T5HO SLR with 2 X 24w bulbs. Running pressurized CO2, according to pH/kH table it is at 12-15 ppm. Modified EI dosing - no CSM+B, was planning on using Flourish trace but have only added macros (since getting these shrimp), and at a lower dose than usually recommended.
Have had a variety of fish in this tank, as it was the original we bought when we first got into the hobby 5 months ago. Previously we had a group of false juli corydoras, some harlequin rasboras, and a pearl gourami. Had added about 25 red cherry shrimp, which slowly disappeared over 1-2 weeks. Thought maybe the gourami was the culprit, so he got moved, but we were finding bodies, not just random disappearances. Never did figure out why they all died, parameters were pretty much the same as now. Everyone talks about cherries will live in anything and breed in anything, so no idea why all of ours died. Most recent occupants before this week were a group of guppies. Guppies were moved a few days before adding shrimp, minus a handful of babies.
So both of us have been bitten by the shrimp bug, and really wanted to give these guys a try again. Moved the guppies, massive water change, added carbon to the filter. Got 10 yellow neos and 10 Caridina cf babaulti green shipped from a very reputable breeder on Thursday. Lost 3 the first night, wasn't really that surprised, figured stress had a lot to do with it (only shipped overnight tho). Lost another 5 today. So there's almost half of our shrimp gone, just like that. Fed them last night and did see them eating and active, altho it seems the green Caridinas are the majority of the fatalities. Probably didn't even need to feed them, as there should be plenty of biofilm and such in a good established tank, but wanted to see if they would come out.
Tested everything we could test today, and here are the results:
Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, copper all 0.
pH (meter) - 6.9
temp (meter) - 75
kH - 3
gH - 3
phos - 2
TDS (meter) - 188
So, any ideas? We are so frustrated, because it seems like everyone on these forums talks about how easy it is to keep and breed Neos, yet we aren't seeing it, even with trying to do everything right. Knew we were taking a chance with the Cardinas, but not like we were trying to do CBS/CRS or any of the other "sensitive" shrimp. Any thoughts/ideas/guidance would be appreciated, as we're tired of just looking at pics of shrimp and want some of our own!
Your phosphates seam a little high at 2ppm and your temp seams a little low at 75F.
I would start by looking those as potential factorsIf you take your time to do the research FIRST, you can successfully set-up and keep ANY type of aquarium with ease.
"Not using a quarantine tank is like playing Russian roulette. Nobody wins the game, some people just get to play longer than others." - Anthony Calfo
Fishless Cycle Cycling with Fish Marine Aquarium Info [URL="http://saltwater.aquaticcommunity.com/"]
Your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate are all at exactly 0? That seems odd. Nitrate at exactly 0 is usually a sign of either an uncycled tank or a sign of tap water. Since it is a tank that has been set up for awhile it seems like the nitrate in particular can't possibly be at 0. If you are using a liquid test kit, if you aren't shaking it properly before use it can give an inaccurate reading. You might try bringing in a sample of your water to either Petsmart/Petco and having them test your water for free, just in case your test kit is expired/confirm your test kit is accurate. Even still, the nitrate would have to be pretty high to have me worried about it. It just seems odd to me that all 3 readings would be at 0.
Have you tried turning off the lights, waiting at least 15 mins or more, and checking to see if anything is picking on them? It doesn't always work but sometimes you can catch them in the act. None of your water readings seem off, so my mind immediately goes to bullying.
Only other thought I have is that with the phosphate reading slightly high, is there a chance you are seeing a high level of cyanobactia in your tank? Do a google image search for 'cyanobacteria fish tank' if you aren't sure of what I am talking about. If the cyanobacteria gets truly excessive it can kill fish.
Cliff mentioned the temp at 75 being a possible issue, you might consider raising it to 77-79 but I really doubt you would be losing fish over 2 degrees.
PS: Sorry if I sound like I'm condescending to anyone. I work at a fish store and I've become used to dumbing it down a little. I don't try to be.
Last edited by Zander; 03-17-2013 at 02:48 AM.
All 3 being 0 as well as phosphates being 2 are all likely due to this being a heavily planted tank, and we actually dose nitrate and phosphate (macros) throughout the week. As far as the temp, seems like the range listed for these shrimp is 64-74, altho have seen people keeping them at higher temps also. No cyanobacteria seen in the tank.
About bullying - forgot to mention we also have about 30 celestial pearl danios in the tank as well. We were told that the CPDs might snack on baby shrimp but should be ok with adults. Most of the Caridinas in particular are bigger than the fish!
No worries about sounding condescending - and I don't mean to come across as argumentative either! *lol* Just trying to work through things and clarify stuff. Any other thoughts/ideas? We are thinking of trying to increase the gH, to see if that helps.
Part of the reason for the extremely low nitrates is because we did 3 huge 85% water changes to the tank the day before we added the shrimp to bring our TDS down closer to tap water and to remove some excess meds that we had used the week before (we have been running carbon in the filter also, so I doubt the meds are the culprate)
I'm going to be to the point here
1. What meds exactly? What does the msds say?
2. What do the bodies look like when you find them?
3. what do the healthy shrimp look like?
4. Is the co2 on all the time? Or only during lights on?
5. Is there any metal at all in the tank?
6. what ferts exactly?
Temp isn't the issues, nitrates I believe if you really plant the excrement out of tank you can get that.My 33 gallon/125 liter tank. My photography on flickr.
1. It was Levamisole. I did 3 85% WC's then added carbon to the filter 2 days before adding the shrimp. All the meds should've been out of the tank by time the shrimp were added.
2. Considering they are yellow and green shrimp I am finding dead orange shrimp in the tank. We just watched one shrimp that we believe was dying swim across the tank and then jerk around before become still on the bottom of the tank. Should we be looking for something in particular?
3. The shrimp that are alive are nice and brightly colored.
4. Co2 is on with the lights. When it is off we run a bubble wall.
5. No metal in the tank at all.
6. Macro- KNO3 & KH2PO4 mixed into a solution. Trace- Seachem Flourish Trace. Both Macro and Trace ferts are shrimp friendly from the research we did. The only other thing I have been adding to that tank is Seachem Aquavitro Mineralize (GH booster) to up the GH in the tank (0 out of the tap).
Levamisole is a dewormer that's not especially toxic to inverts so that's not it.
The dying shrimp symptoms are very interesting. What I look for is if they curl up completely before dying which often happens with metal poisoning.
In this case I can't see any clear errors. I'd turn down the Co2 a bit and lower the dosage of the ferts a bit, see if that improves.My 33 gallon/125 liter tank. My photography on flickr.
Very, very long shot, but in a smallish tank with a pressurized co2 unit during lights on and then switching to a bubble wall when lights off(which gasses out all the co2) and such a low hardness, maybe the are pH fluctuations occurring that the shrimp don't tolerate that well?
I upped my GH to 6 over the course of the last few days hoping that would help because quite a few people on different forums have said my GH is low and thats why they are dying. Yet this morning my wife found 3 more dead shrimp.
Could it be as simple as PH swings from gassing out the co2 at night? Should I lower my co2 during the day and not run the bubble wall at night?


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By NEMS Daily Journal
Dennis Carlisle Sr.
HOLLY SPRINGS – Dennis Coleman Carlisle Sr. died Monday, Dec. 17, 2012., in Holly Springs. He was born Oct. 14, 1926, to Louise Bobo Carlisle and Gideon Clark Carlisle in Okolona.
In November 1944, he was drafted and joined the Navy. After training at the Great Lakes Naval Station, he was deployed in January 1945. He served on the USS Trippe DD-403 and traveled through the Panama Canal to Iwo Jima. He was then transferred to the USS Whilhoite DE-397. He was discharged on July 8, 1946.
He graduated from Okolona High School in 1947 and went to work at the Kroger Company in June 1947. He worked in stores in Amory, Starkville, Grenada and eventually became store manager in Starkville. On Aug. 21, 1949, he married the love of his life, Martha McGehee. While he was in the Navy, she wrote him a letter every day and he kept those letters his entire life. After they married, the two lived in Starkville for several years where all of their children were born.
He bought the Big Star in Holly Springs in November 1963 and remained there until he retired in 2001. He was a former member and president of the Rotary Club. He was a member of the First Methodist Church and served on many committees. He served on the first Board of Marshall Academy. In 1970, he was elected a director on the board of the Bank of Holly Springs and served until death.
In his spare time, he enjoyed working in his yard, reading about history, particularly World War II, and watching western and war movies.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Martha McGehee Carlisle; his sister, Mary Ann Thompson; his two sons, Dennis Coleman Carlisle Jr. and Fred Lewis Carlisle (wife, Patti); and his two daughters, Marty Carlisle McClatchy (husband, Sam) and Mary Louise Carlisle Davis (husband, Jeff); 11 grandchildren, James Neil Carlisle (wife, Elizabeth), Mason Clarke Carlisle, Sam Power McClatchy III, Margaret Carlisle Shaw, Molly McClatchy Booth (husband, Daniel), Fred Coleman Carlisle, Thomas Goff Carlisle (fiancée, Meade), Katherine McClatchy Boerner (husband, Michael), Stephen Carlisle Roberts, Alexander Banks Carlisle and Olivia McKeown Davis; and three great-grandchildren, Jorden Lane Carlisle, Madison Elizabeth Shaw and Landen Blaine Fennell.
Services will be today, Dec. 19, at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Holly Springs. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery. Holly Springs Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
The pallbearers will be his grandsons. Honorary pallbearers will be William Earl Robinson and Larry Tidwell; the Board of Directors and officers of the Bank of Holly Springs; the employees of Carlisle's Big Star; and the Birthday Girls.
Glenda Wall
TUPELO – Glenda Grissom Wall, 68, died Monday, Dec. 17, 2012, at Sanctuary Hospice House after a brief illness. Glenda was born in Tallahatchie County to David Zona and Audrey Estelle Dewberry Grissom. Her parents were ministers in area Church of God of Prophecy Churches. She graduated from West Point High School and attended beauty school. Glenda married Herb Wall on Nov. 22, 1972, in Tupelo and became a partner in the family business, Rebelanes, until their retirement in 1999. An active and avid bowler, she was Rebelanes Bowler of the Year in l985 and was inducted in the Tupelo Women's Bowling Hall of Fame in 2002.
Glenda was known for her positive and uplifting personality and her promotion of solid values in young people. Three years ago, she and Herb helped start Lifeline Fellowship in Tupelo. They previously attended Hope Church for over 20 years. Glenda grew up in church camps, playing the piano and singing gospel songs. She especially loved being in the church choirs and celebrating her faith through music. She loved her flowers, plants and the inspiration all God's creation and nature brought her. She and Herb enjoyed trips and traveling and had just earlier this year celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in Hawaii, their 5Oth state to visit. A Godly woman, she will be forever remembered for her devotion to her Lord and Savior, family and friends and the sport of bowling.
A service celebrating her life will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012, at the Tupelo Chapel of Holland Funeral Directors with Chris Barker and her cousin, Bro. Willard Cook, officiating. Her son, Scotty, will deliver family reflections. Private burial will follow in Lee Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today and from noon to service time, all at the Tupelo Chapel.
Survivors include her husband, Herb Wall of Tupelo; two daughters, Ellen Wall and Debbie Gable, both of Tupelo; two sons, Chris Wall, who died on Oct. 6, 1993, and Scotty Wall (Laurie) of West Lafayette, Ind.; six grandchildren, Amber Malone (Bill) of Tupelo, Lindsey Harmon (T.J.) of Hatley, Cole Seymore of Tupelo and Abigail, Emmy and Bradyn Wall of West Lafayette, Ind.; three great-grandchildren, Cooper Malone, Eva Laurel Malone and Tucker Harmon; one brother, Doyle Grissom (Jean) of Pelahatchie; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Chris; a grandson, Graham Scott Wall; and her mother-in-law, Mrs. Lillian Wall.
Pallbearers will be Bob Triplett, Tony Roehrick, Biggs Shannon, Rick White, Jon Ginn and David Parker.
Memorials may be made to the Chris Wall Memorial Scholarship Fund, 4477 Chesterville Road, Tupelo, MS 3880l.
Condolences may be emailed to firstname.lastname@example.com.
Bill Appleby
Dr. William F. "Bill" Appleby passed away peacefully, Nov. 6, 2012, in Lake Junaluska, N.C. He was born June 20, 1928, in Drew and was a graduate of Eupora High School, Millsaps College (BA 1950 and Honorary Doctorate of Divinity 1987), Emory University Candler School of Theology (Masters of Divinity 1952) and the Methodist Theology school in Ohio (Doctorate of Ministry 1978).
A United Methodist minister, he faithfully served and loved many small and large churches in North Mississippi for 42 years. He held special affinity for small membership churches and was a co-founder of the first "Cooperative Ministry" in the North Mississippi conference involving 26 congregations on 3 pastoral charges in Thishomingo County. He served as District Superintendent of the Tupelo District and a Conference Council Director of both the North Mississippi and Mississippi Conferences. Additionally, he served on many conference boards and commissions as well as institutions affiliated with the United Methodist Church. He was honored to have served as a delegate representing his conference at the Southeastern Jurisdictional and the General Conferences of the United Methodist Church.
He was proud to serve the church and its people and to have mentored and counseled others, particularly young clergy. He cherished his deep and meaningful friendships with others.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty Smith Appleby and leaves a loving wife, Minna Hayes Appleby, and his children, Frank and Libby (Marty Stamper), and their children Will and Lizzy Appleby and Layne and Taylor Smith as well as his step children, Greg Gilbert (Suzy) and Kyle Gilbert (Julia) and their children.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, 2012, at the Frist United Methodist Church in Clarksdale. The family will receive friends at the church beginning at 9 a.m. prior to the service. Interment will be private at LaGrange UMC in Choctaw County.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a United Methodist affiliated ministry or institution of your choice.
Billy Hamlin
WEST POINT – William R. "Billy" Hamlin, 71, passed away on Monday, Dec. 17, 2012, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle in Columbus. He was born Oct. 29, 1941, in Clay County to Margie Lee Willis and William Rooker Hamlin. He was a butcher, and the owner and operator of Hamlin's Grocery in West Point for 34 years. He was a member of West End Baptist Church. He was a 1961 graduate of West Point High School and a United States Navy veteran of the Vietnam War. He married Wanda Byrd Hamlin on June 12, 1982, in West Point.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Calvert Funeral Home Chapel in West Point with the Rev. R.C. Bryan officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery in West Point. Calvert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include his wife, Wanda B. Hamlin of West Point; three daughters, Alisa Massey (Kent) and Melinda J. Hadley, all of Kissimmee, Fla., and Stacy Riley (Andy) of West Point; three sons, Chris Hamlin (Angela) of Kissimmee, Fla., Alan Easter (Sha) of Becker and Jason Easter of West Point; 12 grandchildren, Justin Hadley, Jamie Massey, Kenterra Massey, Caleb Easter, Danielle Riley, Zachery Easter, Katie Easter, Lacy Riley, Drake Riley, Drew Riley, Madi Easter and Marli Easter; one great-granddaughter, Bella Hadley; two sisters, Mary Emma Hamlin of Panama City, Fla., and Marie Kelley (Olen) of West Point; and one brother, Buddy Hamlin of West Point.
Pallbearers will be Jeff Harlow, Gary Golson, Joe McMillian, Robert Pittman, Mac Steadman and Alan (Abele) Pennington.
Memorials may be made to Sally Kate Winters Home for Children, P.O. Box 1233, West Point, MS 39773; Fellowship Baptist Church, 1491 Frye Road, Starkville, MS 39759; or to the church of your choice.
Visitation will be from 9 to 10 a.m. Thursday at Calvert Funeral Home.
Friends may leave an online condolence at www.calvertfuneralhome.com.
Kristen Hartley
FULTON – Kristen Dawn Shumpert Hartley, 21, died Monday, Dec. 17, 2012. She was born on Oct. 15, 1991, to Randy Shumpert and Melissa Oswalt in Tupelo. She attended the Church of Christ. She loved drawing, animals, music and spending time with her husband, family and friends.
Services will be at noon Thursday at Senter Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Russ Crosswhite officiating. Burial will be in Itawamba Memorial Garden.
Survivors include her husband, Brian Hartley of Fulton; her mother, Melissa Oswalt (Jeff) of Fulton; her father, Randy Shumpert of Fulton; her grandmother, Linda Cummings of Fulton; sisters, Erin Felks of Fulton and Angel Tennison of Corinth; brother, Lee Shumpert of Fulton; nephew, Ashton Shumpert of Fulton; and several cousins.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, O.L. and Virginia Shumpert, and Olen Priddy; and an aunt, Melinda Buckley.
Pallbearers will be Tim Priddy, Caleb Ozbirn, Cory Lewis, Cory Timms, Joey Hunt and Gary Barnes.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today and 7 a.m. until service time Thursday.
Online condolences can be expressed at www.senterfuneraldirectors.com.
Euphus Dwight Ruth
BRUCE – Euphus Dwight Ruth, 84, died Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012, at home. He was born Sept. 22, 1928, in the Old Town community in Calhoun County. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Bruce. He was a 1947 graduate of Bruce High School and a U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean conflict. He was a former manager of the Boyt Cottonwood Ranch in Devers, Texas, a retired co-owner of Bruce Motor Supply and a retired director of BancorpSouth of Bruce. He was a former member of Bruce Lion's Club, an active supporter of Bruce Schools athletics and a charter member of the David Murphree Chapter of the Sons of the Revolution. He loved the outdoors and was an avid quail hunter and crappie fisherman. He enjoyed life to the fullest and cherished time spent with his family, especially his wife Mattye, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Parker Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Bruce. Dr. Daniel Hathorne will officiate. Burial will be in Bruce Cemetery.
He is survived by his wife, Mattye Collins Ruth of Bruce; one son, Euphus Dwight Ruth Jr. of Greenville; one daughter, Deborah Ruth Cain; a son-in-law, Jerry Cain of Olive Branch; grandsons, Jeremy Cain, Joshua Cain, Jordan Cain, Cody Cain and Casey Ruth; two sisters, Mildred Ruth Moore of Marks and Nancy Ruth Turner of Memphis; one brother; B.C. Ruth (Clint) of Cleveland; and a host of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Barney and Flossie Ruth; brother, Dale Ruth; and sisters, Lorene Ruth Burris, Delphi Ruth Inman and Glennie Ruth Harrelson.
Pallbearers will be Jeremy Cain, Jerry Cain, Jordan Cain, Joshua Cain, Brent Harrelson, Allen Jeffery, Casey Ruth and Cody Ruth. Honorary pallbearers will be Larry Collins, Noel Collins, Scott Collins, Jimmy Hubbard, Rex Jarrett, Darrell Logan, Dr. Bruce Longest, Bob Peaks, Ricky Vaughn and members of the First Baptist Church of Bruce Men's Adult Sunday School Class.
Visitation will be from noon to service time Saturday at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be made at www.parkermemorialfuneralhomes.com.
Ronnie Duncan
DUMAS – Ronnie Joe Duncan, 51, died Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012, at his home. He was born July 9, 1961, in Ripley to Willie Mark and Etta Francis Sweatman Duncan. He was a forestry technician with the United States Department of Agriculture and a member of Spouts Springs Presbyterian Church.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Spouts Springs Presbyterian Church in Ripley. Burial will be in Spouts Springs Cemetery. McBride Funeral Home of Ripley is in charge of the arrangements.
Survivors include his wife, Connie Smith Duncan of Dumas; two daughters, Lindsay Duncan of Ripley and Emily Duncan of Dumas; one son, Nathan Harrison (Shawna) of Ripley; his parents; one sister, Brenda Shelton (Jeff) of Ripley; one brother, Daniel Duncan (Amanda) of Ripley; and three grandchildren, Austin Harrison, Riley Presley and Avery Duncan.
Pallbearers will be Nathan Harrison, Jeff Shelton, Steve Gibens, Daniel Duncan, Nic Shelton, Duncan Shelton, Brian Bates and David Hopper.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today and from 7 to 8 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home and from 10 a.m. to service time Thursday at the church.
To view and sign the online guestbook, visit www.mcbridefuneralhome.com.
Oleen G. Palmer
AMORY – Oleen G. Palmer, 85, died on Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012, at her residence. Born on Aug. 17, 1927, in Sulligent, Ala., she was a daughter of the late Marlin and Mary Jane Noe Seales. She attended high school in Detroit, Ala. On Jan. 27, 1945, she married Rubel F. Palmer. She worked as a bookkeeper for C&F, Fowlkes Contracting, Cox Kitchens, Amory Body Shop, and for Soap Francis. A Godly lady who was a champion for Christ and passionate about her church, she was a member of First Baptist Church, Grace (Mary Lib's) Sunday School class, and Triple L. She was a member of the Pilot Club and Junior Auxiliary; worked with Meals on Wheels; and was a strong supporter of St. Jude Children's Hospital. Strong-willed and the rock of her family, she enjoyed spending time with her family, being outdoors, playing bridge, working in her flowers, and listening to Southern gospel music.
She is survived by her daughters, Rita Hood, Amory, and Mary Jo Huffman (Robert), Meridian; son, Butch Palmer (Vickie), Smithville; grandchildren, Jason Hood (Kayla), Elisabeth Williams Oliver, Daniel Williams (Kelly), Nikki Sandifer (Jamie), Micah Huffman and Tanner Palmer; great-grandchildren, Skyler and Cade Oliver; Natalie, Mary Haley and Camden Hood; Ann Marie Taylor; and Owen, Braden, and Colton Williams; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Rubel F. Palmer Sr.; a daughter and son-in-law, Janice and Larry Williams; and 11 brothers and sisters.
A celebration of life service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at E.E. Pickle Funeral Home with Dr. Allen Simpson officiating. Burial will follow in Hatley Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Jason Hood, Daniel Williams, Micah Huffman, Jamie Sandifer, Tanner Palmer, Skyler Oliver and Cade Oliver. Honorary pallbearers will be Grace Sunday School class.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Memorials may be given to St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to American Cancer Society, c/o Beth May, P.O. Box 269, Amory, MS 38821.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at eepicklefuneralhome.com.
Benny Kelly
ENDVILLE – Benny Ray Kelly, 73, died Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, at his son's home. He was a beloved husband, father, brother, uncle and grandfather.
Survivors are one brother, Reed Kelly of Endville; one nephew, Shon Kelly (Valerie) of Endville; two great-nieces, Breana Shay Kelly and Marley Jade Kelly; five children, Skip Rodgers (Sue) of California, Ronnie Rodgers (Deloris) of Blue Springs, Tammy Bedford (Jimmy) of New Albany, Carl Carroll, and an adopted daughter, Kayla Gattice; grandchildren, Christopher Pickens of New Albany, J.J. Bedford of New Albany, Crystal Hopkins and Joey Hopkins of Pontotoc, Nicole Crawford of Arkansas and Candice Gattice of Pontotoc.
He was preceded in death by his father, Leroy Kelly; his mother, Mary Alice Steele Kelly; and his wife, Elanore Kelly.
Tutor Memorial Funeral Home of Pontotoc was in charge of the arrangements.
Carrie Norman
CORINTH – Carrie Norman died Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012, at Magnolia Regional Health Center in Corinth after an extended illness. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Grayson's Funeral Home.
Horace Parker
MANTEE – Horace Parker passed away Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012, at the V.A. Nursing Home in Oxford. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Memorial Funeral Home of Houston.
For online condolences, visit www.memorialfuneralhomehouston.com.
Betty Roberts
IUKA – Betty Lou Arnold Roberts, 74, died Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, at the Regional Medical Center in Memphis.
Services will be at 1 p.m. today at North Crossroads Community Church. Burial will follow in North Crossroads Community Cemetery. Cutshall Funeral Home of Iuka is in charge of the arrangements.
Memorials may be made to the North Crossroads Community Church.
An online guestbook can be accessed at www.cutshallfuneralhome.com.
Bernice Neel
ECRU – Bernice McDonald Neel, 95, died Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012, at Southern Magnolia Estates in Golden. She was born March 28, 1917, to Samuel and Emma McDonald. She was member of Ecru Baptist Church. She was a bookkeeper for McClure's Furniture Store and the Tennessee Department of Welfare. She was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Browning Funeral Home Chapel in Pontotoc with Bro. Roger Wood officiating. Burial will be in Ecru Cemetery. Browning Funeral Home of Pontotoc is in charge of the arrangements.
She is survived by one daughter, Charlotte (Al) Barton; one son, Henry E. Neel Jr.; one sister-in-law, Gloria McDonald; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Ellis Neel Sr.; her parents; one sister; and two brothers.
Pallbearers will be her grandsons.
Visitation will be from 5 until 8 p.m. today and until service time on Thursday at the funeral home.
Lois Tubb
HATLEY – Lois Lafern South Tubb, 91, died on Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012, at her home. Born Dec. 20, 1912, in Casey, Ill., she was a daughter of the late Robert Otis and Leota Lafern Downey South. She grew up in Chicago and attended schools there. She married Woodrow Ernest Tubb in December 1940; he died in June 1999. She later married Jewel Clinton Tubb in January 2001; he died in March 2004. She graduated from Bakersfield Junior College in Bakersfield, Calif., and worked as a nurse before her retirement. She was a member of the Church of Christ.
Private graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Hatley Cemetery with Bobby Cleveland officiating. E.E. Pickle Funeral Home of Amory is in charge of the arrangements.
Survivors include two daughters, Charlotte Tubb Gann (Thomas) of Hatley and Carolyn Tubb Gaskill (Ed) of Fayetteville, Ark.; son-in-law, Jerry Brown (Jo) of Texas; one brother, Ted South of California; eight grandchildren, Lisa Blanke, Holly Williams, Cheryl Matthews, Bobbi Gallegos, Rachel New, Michael Brown, Jeremy Brown and Ernest Gann; and 14 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; daughter, Malinda Brown; two brothers, Stan South and Bob South; and two sisters, Bonnie Heller and Rosemary Legeur.
Visitation will be from 9 until 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Memories and condolences may be expressed at eepicklefuneralhome.com.
Lamond Holland
BALDWYN – Lamond Burton Holland, 84, died Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012, at his home after an extended illness. He was a retired auto body repairman and a Baptist. He was a member of the Kirkville Masonic Lodge.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Waters Funeral Home with Bro. Bill Adams officiating. Burial will be in the Kirkville Cemetery.
Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Johnnie "Bea" Malone Holland of Baldwyn; his daughter, Connie Dingler and Bruce of Baldwyn; his son, David Holland of Baldwyn; and a special caregiver, Diana Williams.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jodi and Lela Johnson Holland, and two brothers, James "Cotton" Holland and William "Red" Holland.
Pallbearers will be Mike Scott, James Hopkins, Bobby Wiggington, Floyd Cockrell, Arthur Wilemon and Billy Spencer.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Derrell Lea Jr.
POTTS CAMP – Derrell Elmore Lea Jr., 31, died Monday, Dec. 17, 2012, at North Mississippi Medical Center.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Holly Springs Funeral Home. Burial will be in Coldwater Baptist Cemetery at Barton.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today.
Ruby Burns
MARIETTA – Ruby Irene Burns, 89, died Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012, at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by McMillan Funeral Home in Booneville.
Mary Smith
MYRTLE – Mary Nell Minor Smith, 73, died Monday, Dec. 17, 2012, at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. She was born Aug. 8, 1939, in Pontotoc to George and Quay Carter Minor. She was a homemaker and a member of New Albany Church of Christ. She loved cooking, spending time with her grandkids and attending church.
Services will be at 1 p.m. today at United Funeral Service in New Albany with Minister Mike King officiating. Burial will be in Beulah Cemetery. United Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.
She is survived by her husband of 46 years, Carl Smith of Myrtle; two daughters, Lisa Bristow (Clifton) and Sandra Moffitt (Lamar), all of Myrtle; three grandchildren, Marisa Catt (Justin), Joanna Moffitt and Dylan Bristow.
She was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters and one brother.
Pallbearers will be Joe Bagwell, Thomas Bagwell, Gene Hudson, Harold Russell, Lamar Moffitt and Clifton Bristow.
Visitation will be from 11:30 a.m. to service time today at the funeral home.
For online condolences and guest registry, visit unitedfuneralservice.com.
Eula Ausborn
FULTON – Eula Dell Ausborn, 83, died Monday, Dec. 17, 2012, at Darlington Oaks in Verona. She was born Sept. 3, 1929, in Fulton to Phillip James and Bular Works Lester. She lived in Itawamba County her entire life. She attended IAHS and ICC, where she graduated with a degree in nursing. She was nominated by Gov. Bill Waller to the State Board of Nursing from 1973 to 1977. She served in Jackson as a proctor to give the State Exams to RN's and LPN's. She retired from her nursing career in 1989. She enjoyed working in her flower and rose gardens and watching the wild birds at her feeder.
Services will be at 2 p.m. today at Senter Funeral Home Chapel in Fulton with Minister Shane Ray officiating. Burial will be in East Fulton Baptist Church Cemetery.
She is survived by a daughter, Janice Adel Ausborn of Fulton; a son, James David Ausborn (Cindy Ann) of Fulton; six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; the father of her children, James David Ausborn Sr.; and a host of nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Cemus Lester.
Pallbearers will be Bruce Summers, Eddie Stanton, Tristen Hughes, Brandon Hughes, Tyler Parker, Michael Cooper, Andrew Stanton and Clinton Poores.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time today at Senter Funeral Home.
Online condolences can be expressed at www.senterfuneraldirectors.com.
Ada Davis-Meaders
WEST POINT – Ada Katherine Davis-Meaders, 83, died Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012, at the Clay County Medical Center in West Point.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Carter's Mortuary Services Chapel in West Point. Burial will be in New Prospect Cemetery in Starkville.
Visitation will be from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home.


text:
Finally - arrival !
Trip Start Aug 30, 2012
205Trip End Mar 21, 2013
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We pull up outside the house or at least I think we do. The front garden looks like one of the tropical greenhouses at Kew and I cant even see the house through the undergrowth
The cup of tea has gone down and a semblance of normality is slowly returning. We spend the next 5 hours cleaning everything in the kitchen and bathroom, the first signs of love and affection they have received since we left. If I excuse Jai's mum from the cleaning for a number of reasons I still fail to understand how family living next door and all around can ignore seeing the place in the state that it is. Ignorance is bliss I guess ! One of Jai's sisters even pops in whilst we are cleaning but after a quick hello where is my present she is off without an offer to help. Nobody else shows their faces until they are sure that we have broken the back of the cleaning. Tiredness has crept up on me again and after eating I retire for a couple of hours.
Later I venture out of the back door but hastily backtrack for fear of the wold beatsts that may be lurking in the rainforest that has overtaken my back garden
I decideto get the motorbike out and it is hard work kicking it over for the first few times. Jai's grand daughter comes to visit with the little girl from next door - the devils spawn. Wetake the bike out for a short run around the village stopping to get some petrol and say a brief hello to George and Wan. I have to stay here for a beer - well, it would have been rude to say no wouldnt it.
Back to the house as darkness falls and strangely in the half light it looks a lot better. Something to eat then a shower - oh yes, I'd forgotten the joys of a cold shower ! - then to bed to bring these notes up to date. To paraphrase James Bond, tomorrow is another day.


text:
- 3 years ago by Jill O'Rourke
- 2 Comments »
- Share a Tip
Even though I'm pretty sure I would marry Bilbo, Frodo, Sam, Merry or Pippin in a heartbeat (maybe even all of them, if they're up for a little polygamy), having a hobbit as a significant other would likely have its drawbacks. So in honor of this Friday's release of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, let's take a look at the pros and cons of dating a hobbit. More


text:
It's been a long while since I even looked at advogato, but looking at it today reminded me to update my web site info. And, what the hell, post something.
The new web site is http://www.tomhull.com/ -- I moved the old stuff to the ocston directory. (My good friends at Caldera had shut the ocston site down a month or two ago. Running on UnixWare, it was always pretty lame.) But I still haven't done much with the domain -- been too busy working on another web site to pay much attention to my own.
The other web site is: http://www.robertchristgau.com/ -- a public repository for a substantial chunk of Village Voice rock critic Robert Christgau's encyclopedic writings. The centerpiece here is a database of 10K rock and more/less related albums, with grades and short reviews, consolidating Christgau's three decade-spanning Consumer Guide books. Lots of essays, too. All implemented with free software, of course: Linux, Apache, PHP, MySQL, ht://Dig.
Not much other news. Still no employment. Looking for consulting work (not much of that either) sucks. Home automation project is on hold. Same for Ftwalk. Been reading a lot -- mostly history, mostly background for the stupid antiterrorism war.


text:
Town Square
Tough Choices for Whom
Original post made by stephen levy, University South, on Jan 11, 2012
So it could be a year of making tough choices but tough choices for
Town Square is full of pleas for the Palo Alto council and residents to make "tough choices" but their pleas need a plain English translation because they don't mean what "tough choices" means to me. Here is my translation
Making tough choices
Translation: Please cut programs I don't like. This call often occurs in cases as the recent infrastructure commission report that raises the possibility of asking voters to fund new infrastructure projects. What "make tough choices" rarely if ever means on Town Square is make choices that are tough for the poster.
Do away with "niche programs" of "flavor of the day" spending
Translation: Please cut programs I don't like. This call often occurs in cases as the recent infrastructure commission report that raises the possibility of asking voters to fund new infrastructure projects. Note that these programs have been approved by the Council or by a majority of voters and are never programs favored by the posters themselves.
We have to prioritize
Translation: Please cut programs I don't like. This call often occurs in cases as the recent infrastructure commission report that raises the possibility of asking voters to fund new infrastructure projects. Despite the fact that virtually all posters on the infrastructure threads favor public safety and infrastructure as their top priorities, not one offered to pay for their top priority. Rather they asked offers to sacrifice rather than actually pay for what they said was important to them. That seems "convenient" to me and hardly a tough choice for the posters.
We must live within our means
Translation: If the city needs to spend more, please cut programs I don't like to make money available. Living within our means makes sense for individuals (most of the time) but for public agencies these same residents can choose to cut private spending to make room for more public spending. This may not be the preference of posters as is their right, but it is "living within our means". And it brings forth the true meaning of setting priorities and making tough choices.
To me a tough choice is one that has implications for me. So I would favor some reduction in Social Security and Medicare benefits or the growth of benefits for individuals with above average incomes.
In Palo Alto tough choices means that I favor paying my share of additional taxes for additional spending that I favor. Making tough choices does not, for me, mean asking someone else to pay but not me.
Question for readers
What tough choices do you favor in Palo Alto or the nation that are actually tough for you?
Comments (30)
a resident of Meadow Park
on Jan 11, 2012 at 10:18 am
"What tough choices do you favor in Palo Alto or the *nation* that are actually tough for you?"
Nationally - create jobs programs, which get folks paying taxes both federally and locally, increases revenues in the only sustainable way that can balance the budget, like we had in the 90's.
Jobs created on a large scale allow the local economies to recover.
Austerity is not the answer - growth solves most of the problems.
Is being pro-jobs a tough choice? Yes, it must be. Just look at all the wackos that prefer austerity and cutting crucial services!
a resident of Midtown
on Jan 11, 2012 at 1:34 pm
Set long-standing priorities of governance: Public safetey, then infrastructure. Apply the tax dollars to that end, with no exceptions. Anything beyond that is a non-essential choice. Apply the remaining dollars, if any, to the non-essentials. Such an approach would be a horribly tough choice for our city council, or Steve Levy, to make. Of course, they can make their case to increase taxes to pay for the boutique projects, but that would not change the prioities.
Steve Levy wants to raise taxes (his and yours!). Nothing surprising about that.
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jan 11, 2012 at 2:08 pm
Here's some tough choices I would make.
Have one (plus children's library) located in either Main or Mitchell Park with one selection of materials and fewer librarians as a whole, but sensible opening hours.
Have large one stop supermarkets and big box stores in Palo Alto, say at Charleston/San Antonio, to reap the tax dollars Palo Altans spend out of town.
Charge rent to AT&T for using poles/trees city buildings, for cell towers.
Leave Cal Ave alone, apart from any necessary road resurfacing.
Make all city parking lots free for 2 hours then have pay per hour machines in all lots - garages and surface parking. Make all street parking in downtown metered and continue into a couple of blocks north and south of University Avenue and Cal Ave. Residents can have exemption stickers for 2 cars per address.
Stop funding PACT and similar free programs, charge a nominal amount and more for non-residents.
Charge for the shuttle and improve it to serve all parts of town to get kids to high and middle schools.
I think that is all that comes to mind straight away.
a resident of University South
on Jan 11, 2012 at 2:25 pm
stephen levy is a registered user.
The challenge was "What tough choices do you favor in Palo Alto or the nation that are actually tough for you?" meaning causing some pain or sacrifice to yourself. I may be missing something but the choices posed by resident and Jeff come close to the usual Town Square definition of tough choice as "do not spend money on programs I don't like"
So name some choices that would reflect sacrifice on your part.
a resident of Midtown
on Jan 11, 2012 at 3:55 pm
I happen to like PACT and outdoor art. I would hate to see them go, but I am willing to sacrfice them, IF we have straightforward priorites (public safetey and infrastructure). I also like libraries, but we have too many of them.
Now back at you, Steve: What current programs would you diminish or eliminate in Palo Alto? I am not asking you which taxes you want to raise, I am asking about a particular program/service that you currently like, but would be willing to cut, in order to rebuild our infrastructure.
This should be interesting!
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jan 11, 2012 at 4:59 pm
I would imagine that someone in your position has a good personal retirement and health plan, so the "tough for me" items you list probably are not going to be very tough for you. touche.
I love the idea of free public transport, of free after school childcare, of free libraries just a short walk away, of nice public amenities in nice parks, free parking, etc. but they are luxuries we can't afford.
I think that rather than what is tough for me, it is what can the city afford and giving various freebies is a bad start. I would hate to see for example, sales tax increased, and then still see all the freebies handed around. I think as an economist (which you are and I am not) it is very easy to start looking at big numbers with long names, and forget that spending v income is often at the more obvious level where change can be easily made.
It is not just what is tough for me, but it is what is tough for Palo Alto as a city. There are many things which we can't afford to do any more. San Jose is talking about reducing library costs by replacing some librarians with volunteers - this is not just a Palo Alto issue. But, what is tough is for politicians to upset a group with political clout by saying "no".
Let's just get Palo Alto to say, "no more freebies, sorry we can't afford them" today and see if that makes a difference in our bottom line tomorrow.
a resident of Fairmeadow
on Jan 11, 2012 at 7:42 pm
> What programs would you cut?
Virtually no one in the City can answer this question, since the City's budget does not provide a clear listing of services, programs and costs.
What is needed is a listing, published yearly, that identifies the major programs, or services, that identifies the following:
Program/Service Name
Responsible Manager
Budget Section Identifier
Program/Service Expenditures
Program/Service Revenues
Estimated Number of Service/Program clients
Number of Employee Hours Providing Program/Service
Estimated Percentage Non-Residents Utilizing Program/Service.
And so on.
With such a listing, we all could begin to see exactly where the money goes, and how much cutting (or increasing) given services would have on the budget.
We (the residents) have asked for such a list, year after year .. but the City Manager, and the City Council, have simply turned a blind eye to these requests. This failure on the part of the City Manager and Council would make these kinds of questions much easier to answer, and exhibits another of the many reasons that this is not a well-managed City government.
a resident of Adobe-Meadow
on Jan 11, 2012 at 9:20 pm
"Tough" choice: roll back the tax cuts. Let's start taxing as we did in the 90s, and all of the sudden the country and the state will do much better.
Alternatively, raise taxes on really high income. Same result with little pain.
And spare me the "job creators will flee" BS.
a resident of Adobe-Meadow
on Jan 11, 2012 at 9:22 pm
Note that if we eliminate the Bush tax cuts, I'll pay more taxes.
Oh another one: get rid of the social security tax holiday. Here too it will cost me money, but we need to balance the budget and shrink the deficit.
a resident of Midtown
on Jan 12, 2012 at 9:06 am
Cut refuse pickup to once every two weeks and lower our growing
utility bill. Most of us have reduced waste.
Cut Saturday mail delivery and stop raising stamp costs.
Quadruple dog licensing fees, increase animal services, and encourage fewer dogs, of which we are going to have more numbers than children. Dogs pollute (barking, feces) and are generally abandoned by ownersduring working hours, barking neurotically from abandonment.
Look to Mountain View governance for tips. MV has excellent infrastructure, sound planning, a performing arts center, new libraries and fire stations, excellent public safety, and good revenue streams.
Put more foot patrolmen on downtown University Avenue, where
cars park in crosswalks while drivers pick up lattes, and alcohol-fueled visitors engage in very edgy behaviour that excites some
("vibrant downtown!") and leads to violence for others.
a resident of Meadow Park
on Jan 12, 2012 at 10:03 am
Point of clarification: "Oh another one: get rid of the social security tax holiday. Here too it will cost me money, but we need to balance the budget and shrink the deficit."
Social Security has never added a dime to the deficit.
Otherwise agree - 1990's tax levels, spending levels. Cut the areas Bush grew the government spending back, or pay for them with new taxes beyond the 90's rates (Medicare part D, DoD spending, etc...)
One place to borrow like crazy? ALWAYS borrow to create jobs during a severe recession or depression! You can't get out of bad times with austerity.
Return the economy to the roaring 1990's and cut during good times, like Clinton did - he cut everything, from the Pentagon through the EPA, etc..
A strong jobs program is the true Trickle Down; Bush's tax cuts for the rich destroyed jobs during his terms - he had the worst job creation record of any president since Hoover. JOBS created trickle down to every local economy!
a resident of Barron Park
on Jan 12, 2012 at 10:47 am
At some point, our property taxex can only afford to pay for the city expenses. All programs/functions will require to pay in cash by the residents.
a resident of Community Center
on Jan 12, 2012 at 11:21 am
Steve has teed up a good question, and I believe it calls for a more upstream question.
It is more philosophical and conceptual, and one I have raised in the past.
What is the character of Palo Alto?
This town is not a standard suburban, bedroom community.
May I suggest to posters on Steve's blog that you think about what sort of personity of Palo Alto in which you wish to live.
This is a unique and great town, an there are some others elsewhere in the States, but not many.
Before we get into Steve's question, we need to ask ourselves what we want to be in Palo Alto, and how we define ourselves.
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jan 12, 2012 at 1:20 pm
> Before we get into Steve's question, we need to ask ourselves what
> we want to be in Palo Alto, and how we define ourselves.
That has already been done, over the past 120 years, or so. The process was "organic", "planned", unplanned, quick, and slow. As it turned out, there was no official "defining" process, in place, over all of those years, however. For better or worse, we define ourselves via: "the Palo Alto Process".
As it turns out, most of the property in Palo Alto is privately owned, so the Paul Losches, and Steve Levy's and the "Historical Preservation" people and the cyclists (and the next special interest standing in line) can only force us into so much of their mold, no matter how much they may huff and puff, and threaten to "blow our houses down".
The "Historical" people tried their damnedest to make believe that Palo Alto was full of "historical value" that needed to be preserved. They tried to force this silliness down our collective throats. But as it were, the process allowed the electorate to have a say .. rather that just the oligarchy that has tried to run this town for the past few decades.
It's unfortunate that the current process is not better defined, and open to pubic review. But at least we are not the sheep that the Steve Levy's and his ilk would make us out to be.
But let's at least put one answer on the board: Palo Alto is a town that has not lived within its means for a long time. It has gotten carried up in the headiness of being a "social engineer", rather than an asset manager. It has lost its way, putting money into "amenities", rather than "necessaries", such as roads. It spends a lot of its money acting like a "noble host" to people who don't live here .. many of whom see Palo Alto as a "rich town" that they can milk for their own agendas.
a resident of Charleston Gardens
on Jan 12, 2012 at 1:28 pm
" It has lost its way, putting money into "amenities", rather than "necessaries", such as roads."
Well said, Try-Living-Within-Your-Means. A perfect recent example is the "demand" for a bike bridge over 101 that has to be "aesthetically pleasing" --in other words money is no object.
a resident of Midtown
on Jan 12, 2012 at 3:06 pm
"May I suggest to posters on Steve's blog that you think about what sort of personity of Palo Alto in which you wish to live."
Paul, well, of course...that is what this discussion is all about. I assume most people would put public safety and infrastructure as the top priorities. However, for decades our council has not done so...it spent on the frills, at the expesne of infrastructure. I never recall being asked to vote on the following question: Would you, as a PA citizen, be willing to allow our infrasgtructure and public safety go into decline, so that PA can have a unique personality?"
The way it's done, Paul, is that infrastrucutre funds are simply spent on the frills then, when the streets start going to hell, there is a hue and cry about bad streets. The same people who caused the problem are the ones who then claim that we need to raise taxes in order to fix the streets. I am sure you understand the model, Paul, because you have an IQ above 100. Steve Levy fully understands the model, but he is one of the guilty parties that support it.
a resident of Midtown
on Jan 12, 2012 at 3:18 pm
Steven, I have to disagree with several of your statements:
1." … choices by resident and Jeff come close to the usual Town Square definition of tough choice as 'do not spend money on programs I don't like'"
I think Jeff put it well and succinctly: "Set long-standing priorities of governance: Public safetey, then infrastructure. Apply the tax dollars to that end, with no exceptions. Anything beyond that is a non-essential choice."
2. "Despite the fact that virtually all posters on the infrastructure threads favor public safety and infrastructure as their top priorities, not one offered to pay for their top priority."
I think we are all willing to pay for the top priorities. It's the nonessential stuff we don't want to fund. You say we should just give "additional taxes for additional spending." Why?
3. "… it brings forth the true meaning of setting priorities and making tough choices."
It's City Hall that doesn't know the true meaning of priorities.
When one goes through a wish list, it's a matter of weighing one thing vs. another. Do I want A OR B? Should I put money in my kids' college fund or take a world cruise?
Whether we're talking about money or time, alternatives exclude. But the city can't say NO to any special interest group. It wants A AND B – AND C AND ….
I, and many others, have been railing about priorities for YEARS. The city pays no attention. Can anyone show me a list of the cities PERMANENT ONGOING priorities that drive the budget?
The only priority lists we see change every year after the council's annual retreat, which produces such stuff as youth well-being and civic engagement. Every new mayor produces his/her top items, e.g., Yiaway Yeh's "explore the meaning of the city's swelling Asian population." What does any of that mean with respect to the essential business of running a city?
I'm not suggesting, nor do I think other posters are, that public safety and infrastructure are the ONLY priorities. Rather, they are the TOP priorities and should be fully funded before anything else. That would include putting aside money for upkeep, which has not been done for many years. Had it been, the IBRC would not have been needed because the city's inventory of roads, buildings, etc. would all be in great shape.
The city council should
- clearly articulate the real priorities that apply to all cities, public safety & infrastructure being at the top
- direct staff to budget to those priorities (fully fund them before funding anything else)
- cut non-essential services that cannot be funded, rather than ask for more money
- admit that we can't have it all.
This is simple and straightforward, but it requires real leadership and a willingness to face reality. In my 30 years in Palo Alto, I have never seen a council brave enough to do it.
a resident of University South
on Jan 13, 2012 at 9:49 am
stephen levy is a registered user.
I have a policy disagreement with the 15 or so posters who regularly complain about city, state and national public spending choices. I favor more public spending, expecially for investments in education and infrastructure. These posters generally favor less public spending compared to me.
Of course they are entitled to their opinions and voting privilege.
But this post is about language and I am teasing and calling out these posters about their shameless attempt to appropriate the language of fiscal responsbiulity to their causes.
When I vote to approve library or school bonds in Palo Alto I am both living within my means and making spending choices I can afford just as I am when we insulated our home. Of course I will have less to spend on other things but I am completely fiscally responsible.
If residents in Palo Alto, California and the nation want more public services and more public investment, these are fiscally responsible choices and choices we can afford as long as we make adjustments in the other parts of our spending.
What posters mean when they say "live within our means" and make choices "we can afford" is to do this by never raising taxes or reducing their private spending.
Of course, as other posters pointed out, when the nation cut taxes in the early Bush years, our "public means" changed. What was "within our public means at existing tax rates" in the Clinton years was no longer so after the so-called Bush tax cuts.
I and other posters can legitimately claim these were tax cuts "we could not afford" just as some claim now that we "cannot afford" infrastructure spending in Palo Alto without cutting other public spending.
As Paul Losch pointed out, this is really about what kind of city, state and country we want.
As long as we don't overspend our income, we are living within our means with whatever set of public and private spending choices we make.
The 15 or so posters who often poke fun at me are the ones who are living on an alternate planet.
Despite repeatedly being voted down by their fellow citizens in Palo Alto, they refuse to make the realistic choice they may be faced with over their top public priority--put up more money or go without your top priority in public safety and infrastructure. If your deepest wishes aren't going to come true you must choose among the actual choices.
Simply repeating a call for spending cuts not favored by your neighbors avoids making the tough choices these posters actually will face.
a resident of Embarcadero Oaks/Leland
on Jan 13, 2012 at 10:31 am
Thank you for your thoughts Stephen, but for me, setting priorities and making tough choices begins with our city leaders and elected officials demonstrating some financial responsibility and foresight. For years they have neglected vital infrastructure needs, supported projects and services that are non-essential, and have the audacity to come back to the tax payers with their hands out asking for more. They basically have spent the household budget on a vacation, new car, and and an addition on the house, and are now asking for more money to pay the bills, fix the leaks, and patch the roof. It's not about liking or disliking a publicly funded project or service. It's about what is essential and what is not.
a resident of Embarcadero Oaks/Leland
on Jan 13, 2012 at 10:46 am
One last thought on your reference to "we have to prioritize." I believe in your assumption that the majority of people do indeed set infrastructure and public safety as two of their top priorities. You then suggest that if that is the case, then why shouldn't someone want to pay for what they said was important to them. Real easy. As a tax payer, I would have expected our city leaders and elected officials to have worked within their budget, shown some financial responsibility, have a little foresight, and realize that if we keep spending on non-essential programs and services, we won't have any money left to pay for what is vital. With that said, I truly resent them coming back to us tax payers with their hands out again. What did they think was going to happen?
As for me, and as difficult as it would be personally, I would look at closing one or more library. I would shut down the animal services department and contract out to the county as other cities recently have. All park upgrades would be suspended. I would shelve proposed projects like the 101 bike bridge, electric vehicle charging stations, and golf course redesign, despite grant money that might be lost. It would still cost tax payers money that we can't afford to spend. Facelift improvements like the proposed work on California Avenue would be stopped. I would also examine whether or not public funds should be used to support programs like the Children's Theater, the Lucie Stern Zoo, and homeless outreach programs.
a resident of Midtown
on Jan 13, 2012 at 11:11 am
"As long as we don't overspend our income, we are living within our means with whatever set of public and private spending choices we make."
Yes, Steve, and we can continue to live within our means if we cut some programs and redirect that money to infrstructure (which has been neglected for years). You say this approach is not a "realistic choice", thus demonstrating your bias towards ever increasing taxation along with a 'we can have it all' mentality. Put it to a vote, then we shall see what is realistic or not.
a resident of Embarcadero Oaks/Leland
on Jan 13, 2012 at 11:25 am
I'm afraid that Stephen is somewhat guilty of wishing to hold everyone accountable, with the exception of our city leaders and elected officials whose irresponsible spending and lack of financial responsibility got us into this mess to begin with. If we keep approving tax measures, despite their irresponsibility and lack of foresight, they will always keep coming back for more. It's time for the public trough to run dry, then maybe they'll think twice in the future.
a resident of Midtown
on Jan 13, 2012 at 11:35 am
I'm not sure if you just don't understand my comments (as well as Marrol's and Jeff's) or if you're deliberately misinterpreting them to "prove" your point. I suspect a bit of the latter when you claim that "The 15 or so posters who often poke fun at me are the ones who are living on an alternate planet."
Disagreeing with you is not poking fun at you.
"I favor more public spending, expecially for investments in education and infrastructure. These posters generally favor less public spending compared to me."
So do I! It's the spending on non-essentials that's got to stop because we can't afford it.
"What posters mean when they say 'live within our means' and make choices 'we can afford' is to do this by never raising taxes or reducing their private spending."
Your interpretation is a big stretch. I'd be happy to pay more taxes IF I knew that the existing taxes I pay are not being wasted e.g., for the Children's Theatre/zoo/5 libraries -- or going into Karzai's Swiss bank account.
Living within "our" means and choices "we" can afford varies from person to person. Maybe you can afford to pay your mortgage, fund your kids' college funds, pay for medical insurance, put money in your 401K (because you don't have a public pension) AND take a trip to Europe. Many cannot. Maybe you can afford to pay more taxes for non-essential services that are not used by the majority. Many cannot.
I suggest you open your mind to other points of view and stop making assumptions about what people mean and what people can afford.
a resident of Embarcadero Oaks/Leland
on Jan 13, 2012 at 11:53 am
Well stated Pat, I would love to continue to support our non-essential pursuits, even to the point of paying a measure of higher taxes, just so long as we take care of our vital needs first. I cannot fathom paying more taxes when so much of what we already allocate is being spent frivolously. Let's take care of our truly essential business, and if there's anything left over, then let's look at these other projects and services. Stabilize the budget and pay for essential needs FIRST.
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jan 13, 2012 at 12:21 pm
> Of course, as other posters pointed out, when the nation cut taxes
> in the early Bush years, our "public means" changed
Not exactly. The government went right on spending, because it was taking money from future taxpayers by buying bonds from the finance community (or China, as the case may be). For those of us who use this term to describe our household finances, we mean when the ability to spend stops when our earnings have been consumed. Yes, some people do borrow beyond that point, with the possible outcome that they will have to go into bankruptcy at some point in the future.
The government shamelessly steals from future generations to placate current special interests, all too often. It is difficult for it to go bankrupt because it can print money(at the Federal Level, anyway) borrow and raise taxes.. State and Local governments can borrow, and raise taxes, also. However, going bankrupt, or putting those in jail who caused these problems .. unfortunately never seems to happen in the public sector..
> As Paul Losch pointed out, this is really about what kind of city, state and country we want.
Sure .. let's shift the focus of the conversation from "hard choices" to a walk in "La-La Land" where everyone has their own airport, and golf course, and a Library of Congress and a fire station and a police station and a hospital on every block (or two). And who will pay for it? Why—"the people who live in the big houses, of course!"
Talk about your "alternate universes" ..
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jan 13, 2012 at 12:28 pm
I suppose I am one of the 15 or so posters you disagree with.
When my son comes to me and says he wants to play baseball, I look into the costs and decide if we as a family can afford it. I look at my son who has a deep passion for sport and realise that physical exercise is a good thing and also being part of a team, but that it will mean that I have to find the money from somewhere. I talk with my son and probably the other members of the family, some of whom may want to do other expensive pastimes, and we make some fiscal decisions. We decide that to pay for the baseball, we will have to cut out our weekly trips to the movies and perhaps also one of our weekly meals out at a restaurant. I ask the family if they are willing to sacrifice the movie and weekly meals out, but state that we will still be able to go on vacation, in return for playing baseball. The decision is made and we forfeit our movies and eating out. That is being financially responsible.
What would not be financially responsible is to tell my son, sure you can play baseball, I will put the charges on the credit card and ask my boss for a raise to pay for it.
If Palo Alto wants to make some expensive expenses, then we have to cut something out somewhere else. We are getting taxed to the hilt be it for library bonds, school bonds or improving a hospital in South San Jose, as Palo Alto residents. We do not have bottomless pockets and asking us to make sacrifices when the city is not making any sacrifices is beyond the pale. Let the city do some cost cutting on fluff and then perhaps you can ask us to do the same with our finances.
a resident of Midtown
on Jan 13, 2012 at 12:36 pm
" … this is really about what kind of city, state and country we want."
Absolutely. The trick is to understand the difference between "want" and "can afford," which Resident so eloquently described.
I wonder if Stephen is aware that there's a family of 5 (3 young children) living on the streets of Palo Alto in a camper. Not everyone in the city is a millionaire.
a resident of Barron Park
on Jan 13, 2012 at 1:39 pm
Mr. Levy seems unwilling to understand the points the (15?) posters are making. It is a difference between "wants" and "must haves". We "must have" a new Public Safety Building; we don't "need" a bike bridge.
Past City Councils has catered to the many different "want" communities and grossly neglected their responsibility of supplying the "must haves" for our City. Shame.
Although Mr Levy was on the IBRC, he doesn't seem to understand that the posters recognize what he is saying, but they do understand his position. It seems he suggests we keep doing as we've done in the past and fulfill everyone's "wants". Then tax residents if the "must haves" cannot be done because the well ran dry.
a resident of University South
on Jan 15, 2012 at 2:35 pm
stephen levy is a registered user.
I respect the choice for posters to disagree with my choices for public services in Palo Alto, the state and nation. I know that for most of the 10-15 (15 may be too high) regular posters that we do disa+gree. Of more relevance is that these posters also disagree with the majority of Palo Altans.
But my intent was to disagree about language and, in particular, the shameless attempt by posters to appropriate the language of fiscal responsbility to their cause and only their cause.
"Wamts and needs" is just a substitute for "essential services", nich programs and flavor of the day" in posters' disagreement with the choices of residents.
And the repeated charge that this is somehow the fault of "city leaders" rings as hollow. If elected officials consistently went against voters' wishes they could and would be defeated.
I believe that the posters disagreeing with me ARE trying to be fiscally responsble in their way just as I am fiscally responsible in my approach.
I don't have children living at home so don't use public services directed at children and families. Yet I support these services as did the generation that provided them for me and if I want something new such as additional infrastructure, I vote to pay my share as I and most residents did with the recent library and school bonds.
If I don't think the infrastructure investment is a good idea (as I did not for HSR) I vote no but I do not ask other residents to give up services to keep my tax bill down.
Some posters say "let's vote". I am ok with another vote on HSR if needed and would love to have a public vote on the Bush tax cuts, which seem to be unpopular with the public.
Perhaps the City Council will reduce some current spending to provide funds for infrastrcuture but I doubt they will do so starting with the posters' list of "essential services" since so far that list is supported by nameless negative residents who are always complaining that the majority of residents do not see their wisdom.
Wants, needs, essential services, and priorities are in the eyes of teh beholder. That is why we have council elections.
And fiscal responsbility can be acheived with lower OR higher taxes depending on the preferences of voters and elected officials for public services versus private consumption at any point in time and can change as circumstances change.
a resident of Midtown
on Jan 15, 2012 at 3:23 pm
Steve Levy,
Let me cut to the chase. You think infrastructure and public safety are just two of many possible options for our city to fund. They are not governance priorities to you. You see them as a leverage tool to pay for for any flavor of the day that you support. I get it.
You were part of an infrastructure panel that listed underfunded infrastructure and public safety needs, and (surprise!) you want additional public funds to fund these needs. Yet, you refuse to support the notion that infrastructure and public safety are governance PRIORITIES! You are a tax-and-spender, Steve, nothing more.
If you think that Palo Alto will support additional taxes to pay for what should have already been paid for, then go ahead and put it on the ballot, since you feel so confident.
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2017 guide to summer camps
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By Michael Aneiro
Ask for a dividend and ye shall receive a dividend – if your name is Carl Icahn, anyway. Transocean (RIG) confirmed that it plans to recommend a $2.24 per share annual dividend ahead of its annual shareholder meeting April 13. The move comes after activist investor/Bill Ackman nemesis Carl Icahn urged the company to pay a $4 annual dividend, and after Transocean suspended its dividend program (then at $3.16) a year ago in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig disaster in the Gulf of Mexico almost three years ago.
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RIG shares were up 15 cents Monday to $52.30.


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Updated on 24 January 2013
TEDA's biopharmaceutical industry chain is extremely well developed, with 396 enterprises providing medicine manufacturing, medical equipment production and services. Most of the foreign-invested firms focus on manufacturing, whereas the domestic firms are engaged in R&D innovation and production. This has helped to create synergies between large companies such as GlaxoSmithKline, Novo Nordisk and Novozymes, as well as device or manufacturing companies such as Hannah. There are also Contract Research Organizations (CROs), such as Wuxi AppTec, and even Traditional Chinese Medicine manufacturers engaged in innovation within TEDA. More importantly, an industry biotech chain has been formed that includes research and development, technology transfer, production, business logistics and tradeshows. As pointed out by Mads Kronborg, Public Relations Manager for Lundbeck: "We chose TEDA because the actual facilities of the site met our technical and strategic requirements...also, the industrial park hosts a number of other multinational pharmaceutical companies thereby forming a 'hub'."
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By Ben Levisohn
China's solar stocks started the day on the back foot after the European Union said it would impose tariffs to combat manufacturers selling their panels below cost.
Bloomberg has the details:
The European Commission expects to introduce the levies by June 6 to punish Chinese solar manufacturers for selling panels in the 27-nation EU below cost, a practice known as dumping, the official said yesterday on the condition of anonymity. The commission in Brussels is the EU's trade authority.
The duties, which will affect more than 100 Chinese companies and average 47.6 percent, will be the preliminary outcome of a dumping inquiry that the commission opened in September, said the official. The probe is due to end in early December, by which time EU governments must decide whether to impose "definitive" anti-dumping duties for five years.
The new report adds detail to ones that had emerged last week suggesting that tariffs were on their way.
Trina Solar (TSL) has dropped 1% to $4.67 today in early trading, while Yingli Green Energy (YGE) has jumped 1.4% to $2.23. Suntech Power Holdings (STP) has ticked up 0.6% to 59 cents, LDK Solar (LDK) has gained 0.8% to $1.21, and Jinko Solar (JKS) has gained 0.2% to $6.14.


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Topic: Letters.letters.letters
I emailed with Stacie and the answer to copying posts is that we would need permission, just so people feel feel better about it in case they were called to the show! Just this morning 4 permissions came through. Sophie, hope you are feeling better. Maybe this will perk you up. I have 13 letters! Keep them coming. We have until Sunday! Again if we do not get enough, we will abort for now and perhaps down the road we can try again. I would hate to see this happen as we really do not have time to waste! Who knows that better than all of you!!!
Any suggestion I offer is intended as friendly advice based solely on my own experience. Please consult your doctor for professional guidance.


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Yup, even in Newtown people don't want their rights taken away.
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) Applications for gun permits have jumped in Newtown since the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre, which sparked a renewed debate about stricter gun control laws and a surge in gun sales around the country due to worries about new limits.
Newtown in recent years has issued about 130 gun permits annually. Police say the town received 79 permit applications in the three months since the Dec. 14 massacre, well over double the normal pace.
"A good percentage of people are making it clear they think their rights are going to be taken away," said Robert Berkins, records manager for Newtown police.
Read more: http://www.newstimes.com/news/crime/...#ixzz2O1Xjo0CW


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