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The Community of Disc Golfers and About All Things Disc Golf
Well today was one of those days that made me realize that some things are just plain stupid and have no place in league. Today that thing was 3 holes of worst shot in random doubles. And I'll tell you why...
I was feeling it today and so I was pretty in tune with my shot. I love doubles because you can be aggressive and go for it. Anyway I think that we might have bogeyed the first. We stepped up to hole #2 and my brain is trying to grasp this whole concept of dumbing down my game. I decided to not let that get to me until my second shot on #2. I had thrown a decent shot up the gut, but because of my partner we ended up on top of a plateau to the right which is actually #1s fairway and we were also close to the basket for #18. My partner stepped up and shanked into the trees. I stepped up, threw my Champion Banshee at the proper angle, went straight, banked left down the hill and dead center. Guess what? We are playing worst shot so that was just wasted. There was no point in me hitting that shot and in fact we bogeyed. This is random doubles and I'm being penalized for making a great shot. BS I say.
That is the last time I will play said format. I didn't pick my partner, but I am being penalized by randomly having him as a partner. His bad shot counts more than my good shot. He is a friend and I don't have any problem playing with him in doubles. But why was his shank worth more than my great shot. Doesn't make sense.
I thought about this and there is only one way to correct this problem. First I will say right now that I will not play another round of random doubles when worst shot is involved. It amplifies any inequalities greatly. Last time I had a guy that was so bad we went OB on every hole. I had no reason to even throw. Stop the insanity! The solution is to say that everything in the basket stays in the basket. You never take anything out so a made basket is a made basket and you are still rewarded for good play. The problem that I have with this whole thing is that it was not announced before money was taken. I was expecting regular doubles, nothing funny so that I may be aggressive. That was taken away from me and I had no say in it. I came to play random doubles.
You just can't take that shot away from me. It's mine and I'd like to see anyone do better.
Mad Dog signing out...
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Gillian Anderson Gossip
Gillian Anderson gossip, latest news, photos, and video.
Jude Law opens the London Film Festival
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The London Film Festival kicked off tonight. The opening night film is 360 starring Jude Law, Rachel Weisz, and Anthony Hopkins directed by Fernando Meirelles. Didn't see Weisz or Hopkins among the arrivals in the photo agencies. It's likely then that Jude is the only actor there to represent the movie. Full Story
Looking good Dana Scully
Gillian Anderson arrived at LAX from London yesterday with a lot of thick blonde hair looking very, very natural and very, very beautiful. Maybe the best she's ever looked. 15 years ago she was FHM's Sexiest Woman Alive. I think she's better now. Anyway, Gillian lives and works in England, has done for years, will next be seen in the new Johnny English movie and a miniseries adapted from the book The Crimson Petal and the White by Michael Faber which for years was supposed to be a feature film with Kirsten Dunst attached. Full Story
Posh Hates Scully?
Premiere of the new X-Files movie went down last night in LA and a pregnant Gillian Anderson absolutely glowed on the carpet. She's a crazy bitch but I love that she doesn't know how to pose. I love that she looks like a normal person. And beautiful. Love even more her story about Victoria Beckham. Full Story
Mulder and Scully in Vancouver
Excited??? The new X Files movie has been shooting in Vancouver for weeks, tentatively scheduled for release later this year. Set is cloaked in secrecy, as you would expect. Exclusive thanks to Flynet: first images of Mulder and Scully locked in a tender moment. Full Story

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Former McLaren driver Fernando Alonso has said that McLaren can't be written off heading into the 2011 season, despite a poor pre-season. Alonso has insisted that McLaren shouldn't be under estimated with the new MP4-26.
McLaren have had a difficult start to pre-season testing with Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton both struggling in Barcelona.
A poor pre-season has traditionally spelled a troubled season for teams. With the 2009 season a prime example for McLaren.
However, Alonso pointed out that the problems associated with the new car were due to the vastly different driving styles of the two drivers (Hamilton and Button).
"I think not because Formula One is dominated by aerodynamics," Alonso said. "For example, if a wind tunnel predicts a gain of a tenth of a second, that is valid for Alonso, Massa, Hamilton, Button and all the others, regardless of driving style of each"
"Maybe the tyres are all that matters in terms of having to adapt your way of driving."
The excitement continues to build for the season opening race at the Australian Grand Prix.
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What should the pressure be on a MIG regulator?
Most regulators come "pre set" to something..
but nobody says what it should be?
I'm not talking about flow rate.
Yes, I do understand the concept of choked flow.
I can get the proper flow rate with either lower pressure (10 psi)
or higher pressure (80 psi), but it seems like the higher the pressure,
the more the first blast of gas when trigger is pulled.
Is that good, or just wasting gas?
Results 1 to 8 of 8
Thread: MIG gas regulator setting
09-25-2013, 07:42 AM #1Junior Member
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MIG gas regulator setting
09-25-2013, 08:59 AM #2Member
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Not sure I fully understand and bear in mind that I am not a pro, but I have two gauges on my mig, one for the pressure in the tank (which has no adjustment) and one for the flow rate. The flow rate is in cubic feet per hour and I usually set mine in the range of 18-20 cfh. This is with the trigger pulled.Miller Challenger 172
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09-25-2013, 10:36 AM #3Senior Member
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30 CFH. You should have a dual gauge reg on the tank one gauge shows bottle pressure and hrs other is your working pressure.Miller syncrowave 200 runner with coolmate 4
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09-25-2013, 04:50 PM #4Senior Member
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Jim is not asking about the flow rate. There is flow and pressure. I have a high pressure and low flow fixed regulator to run my air lockers in my jeep. It does .5 cfm at 100psi. Jim wants to know what pressure, in psi, that a regulator flows at a given cfm. I'd have to look but I think my Radnor flow meter is at 50psi output. Not sure though.MillerMatic 251
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09-25-2013, 04:51 PM #5Junior Member
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Thanks for your replies....
Once again, I'm not talking about flow nor CFH.
On a normal gas regulator, (ie. Acetylene) there are two gauges.
One for tank pressure, other for line pressure.
On a Mig regulator, there is tank pressure gauge and a flow meter.
The line pressure gauge is missing.
IF that line pressure gauge was there, what should the pressure be?
I know that because of choked flow, the dynamic pressure
will be lower when gas is flowing.
So, if my regulator pressure (not the flow) is adjustable, what should that static/non flowing pressure be?
thanks again.
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Here is a link to a simple GMAW gas flow rate chart...
Flow rates are in CFH... Cubic Feet Per Hour
This should take the mystery out of it...
Here is a video that may help to clarify things...
Unfortunately some of this is sales pitch... but the basics are there and easily understandable...
The more you know, The better you know, How little you know
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Buy the best tools you can afford.. Learn to use them to the best of your ability.. and take care of them...
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09-27-2013, 07:42 AM #8Senior Member
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Jim, why would you need this information? Just curious.


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Hang tight!
Recipe by Melt Organic Buttery Spread
"Delicious salmon cakes seasoned with Old Bay are gently pan fried until golden brown."
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1/2 cup
white wine
3 tablespoons
Old Bay seasoning, divided
1 tablespoon
kosher salt
1 (1 pound)
boneless salmon fillet
1 teaspoon
kosher salt
1 1/2 cups
dried bread crumbs
3 tablespoons
Melt® Organic Buttery Spread
scallions, finely chopped
1 small
yellow onion, finely chopped
eggs, beaten
Juice of 1 lemon
Canola oil for frying
My husband's comment when tasting"these are nice you should make these again" really about sums up my opinion too. Easy to make although I used sage and onion stuffing mix instead of the bread crumbs. I will make these again, nice with a salad for a light summer meal.
I did not use the wine in the poaching process, but I did add Dijon Mustard to the mixture before frying. I also used a mixture of panko and bread crumbs, I forgot that panko browns faster. I would not suggest using Panko. Very good recipe!!!! I made home remoulade sauce mentioned in Salmon Croquttes video. YUM!!!
13 Ratings
This is a very good basic recipe. I used some leftover baked salmon, mayonnaise instead of the buttery spread and panko instead of bread crumbs, but followed the rest of the recipe. My husband and I both thought it was very good and he ask that I make it again soon.
Delicious!! Full of flavour. I pan-fried with a few tablespoons of olive oil to be healthier, and they turned out great!
I made these for dinner last night and they were great. I substituted butter for the Melt stuff (I don't think they sell it here) but stuck to the recipe otherwise. My wife does not like fish but she liked these. Her friend who ate a couple of them raved about them. I'll be doing it again.
These were so DELICIOUS! Used leftover salmon so I didn't use the white wine. Only other change was I added Worcestershire sauce! I will definitely make this again my Husband loved it & he's not much of a fish eater! :)
I thought these had a good flavor. The salmon flavor is very prominent, instead of the fillers. I only had 2 issues. One they were extremely salty. I used leftover salmon from a recipe that had soy sauce in the marinade. I probably should have reduced the salt. I used panko bread crumbs and am not sure how plain bread crumbs would have changed the recipe. After refridgerating over night, I still had to be very careful they did not break. I made a 1/2 recipe and got 6 patties from 2 standard pieces of salmon.
This is an excellent recipe. I used leftover grilled salmon so there was no need to boil it. I used buttery saltines instead of breadcrumbs and real butter. I served them with tartar and remoulade sauces.
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Salmon Cakes by Melt(R) Buttery Spread
Serving Size: 1/4 of a recipe
Servings Per Recipe: 4
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 590
Calories from Fat: 291
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Flavorful and scrumptious salmon cakes.
Simple salmon cakes with fresh dill and green onions fry up golden brown.
See how to make quick-and-easy fish cakes with fresh salmon.


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Now that the International Space Station has a 3-D printer, engineers can design new tools on the ground and then beam them up to space.
This year, Le Grand Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center decorated for the holidays in style with decorated ornaments that previously graced the hall of the governor's mansion.
On Friday, Dec. 19 at 11:30 a.m., Ja'Colby Hawkins, age 17, of 702 North Odom in Bastrop turned himself in at the Bastrop Police Department with his attorney present. A warrant was out for Hawkins' arrest as a suspect in connection with...
Christmas is set to be a bit merrier and brighter for a number of area families and children this holiday season thanks to a group of donors and volunteers working with the Friendship Community Ministry at 1602 West Madison and Pastor...
The Sony hack, the latest in a wave of company security breaches, exposed months of employee emails. Other hacks have given attackers access to sensitive information about a company and its customers, such as credit-card numbers and email addresses.
One expert address the causes behind holiday-season migraines.
For Christmas tree decorations, homemade usually trumps store-bought.
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While Russell Wilson was throwing interceptions in the NFC championship game, punter Jon Ryan kick-started Seattle's rally with his arm.
As it is, a pretty persuasive case could be made that Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas and the rest of the Seattle Seahawks defense is among the very best groups on that side of the ball in NFL history.
A weekly look at what's happening in Jefferson City.
One by one, the newest members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame stepped onto the stage as their names were called. When the eighth man elected Saturday, the late Junior Seau, was announced, his two sons stood with the group.
[WARNING: The following story contains spoilers from Saturday's episode of Black Sails. Read at your own risk.]Look who's back!Saturday's episode of
Move over, marinara.
Creamy casseroles, sans the calories.
Amy Duggar, the niece of 19 Kids and Counting stars
An online video released Saturday night purported to show an Islamic State group militant behead Japanese journalist Kenji Goto, ending days of negotiations by diplomats to save the man.
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Animals without backbones - Stage 1
Students make discoveries about Australian invertebrates using written stimulus questions in the Birds and Insects exhibition.
Self-guided program
Students observe and explore invertebrates and investigate ways in which living things are different.
- Syllabus links: Science and Technology Stage 1
- Duration: one hour
- Cost: general Museum entry charge per student
- Location: Birds and Insects exhibition, Level 2
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- Academic Philosophy
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The freedom of students to plan individual programs carries with it the responsibility to develop coherent courses of study. Because of this flexibility and individualization, the relationship between student and advisor is an important one. By the senior year, the student works closely with a two- or three-person team, which certifies fulfillment of all requirements and readiness for graduation.
The purpose of the advising system at COA is primarily to aid a student with academic planning, but it also serves as a source of personal support. Flexibility is central to the system; a student is encouraged to change advisors if those assigned do not meet his or her needs. There are also other formal sources of advice (Career Services, Mental Health Counselors, etc.) and all members of the COA community serve as informal advisors. A student shouldn't hesitate to make an appointment to meet with any faculty member to discuss course work and plans.
Advisors function officially in approving independent study proposals, Internship proposals, Final Project proposals, Human Ecology Essays, and certifying fulfillment of graduation requirements. Beyond this, the goal of the advising system is to give each individual at the College a group of people with whom to share ideas and plans. It is hoped that through discussions with advisors, a student is better able to plan a program of study suited to his or her goals as a human ecologist.
First-year Orientation
Upon arrival, all new students are assigned an advisor who participates in the opening orientation sessions and helps to acquaint his or her advisees with all the resources needed to help in academic decision making. As the year progresses, each student is expected to move toward association with a long term faculty advisor. The choice is the student's; the closer he or she is to graduation, the more critical it is that a good relationship is established with the advisor(s). A student may change advisors at will; a Change of Advisor Form must be filed with the Registrar's Office when the student changes advisors.
Advising Team
The ultimate goal of the advising system is to establish a team which remains with a student through graduation. The team is composed of one teaching faculty member and one student and, optionally, a third person from the COA faculty. The members of the team should have a solid understanding of a student's major interests, long term program, and goals. Ideally, the team acts as a source of guidance and support through graduation. It is also the responsibility of the team to certify that all requirements for graduation are met.
When selecting an advising team, the student should talk with the COA faculty, staff, and students he or she is considering to ensure that they are willing to add to their advising commitments. It is especially important when selecting student members to be sure that they will be available to approve Internship plans and Final Project work. This is sometimes complicated, since fellow students may graduate or take leaves of absence from the campus.
The Associate Dean for Academic Services is available to help students with any aspect of the advising system.
COA — Life Changing.
"COA has been life changing for me because it has given me the opportunity to challenge my professors in the same ways they challenge me and to interact with them as colleagues rather than as teachers. "
Noah Hodgetts | Class of 2010


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We're obviously Carey Mulligan fans to begin with (who isn't?), but after seeing Katie Ermilio's fall '12 lookbook we feel like we want to dress her, too. The collection is full of dainty yet sophisticated dresses and gowns that are simply made for
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Photos: Courtesy of Katie Ermilio


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If you can dream it, you can do it. -Walt Disney
Quality is a great business plan. -John Lasseter
Let's make some funny pictures. -Tex Avery
I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend. -Howard Zinn
When critics sit in judgment it is hard to tell where justice leaves off and vengeance begins. -Chuck Jones
And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? -Jesus
A man should never neglect his family for business. -Walt Disney
What's most important in animation is the emotions and the ideas being portrayed. -Ralph Bakshi
Once you have heard a strange audience burst into laughter at a film you directed, you realize what the word joy is all about. -Chuck Jones
Before enlightenment: chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment: chop wood, carry water. -Buddhist Proverb
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The case for an Independent Union
Share your views on the state of the Animation Industry.
The case for an Independent Union
In the latest email newsletter from the Entertainment Economy Institute, http://www.entertainmentecon.org , one of their featured articles came from the Guild's blog. It goes like this...
Scott Ross is Against Unions .. Yet Wants to Organize
TAG Blog
Posted by: Steven Kaplan
July 21, 2010
Scott Ross, for those who don't know him, is one of the visual effects industry's giants. He was a director at Industrial Light and Magic and one of the founders and directors at Digital Domain. During his tenure in these studios, the visual effects for films have created, set and then raised the standard for visual effects today. Perusing his IMDB page, one finds the films that set the standard for effects over and over again. His opinions are highly sought out as an expert in visual effects as well as the former CEO of DD and a Manager at ILM.
He was recently interviewed by Jeff Heusser for an FX Guide podcast where he shows his stance on organizing the workforce by stating:
"I think a Union situation exacerbates the conditions we already have and will force companies to go out of business".
Click here to learn more. http://animationguildblog.blogspot.com/ ... wants.html
Here's a link to Scott Ross' podcast and comments that warranted a spotlight on the Guild's blog.
http://www.fxguide.com/qt/2671/fxpodcas ... scott-ross
Whether or not you agree with Scott Ross, an anonymous poster on the Guild's troll friendly site called the man a douche bag. And the Guild let those comments stand of course, because it's perfectly normal for gutless guilders to call other people names, but when their business rep is called out for his behavior towards artists at a Guild meeting, AN's link is taken off.
What Scott Ross is saying is what we've been saying at AN in recent years. Perhaps there needs to be a different approach to organizing besides the typical union. Not too difficult a concept to grasp, unless of course, you're running the Guild.
You know, it would be easy to make fun of the Guild like they do with others. It would be so easy to employ their own formula against them in the way they use it against those they think have ideas that are in conflict with their agenda. For example, I could say that in spite of their shiny new building, you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, but I won't do that. I could speculate that the Guild might not even be in existence, if not for the fact that everyone who finds employment at a union studio is forced to join. It's easy to behave like the Animation Guild when you don't have to try to get members. When people have to join or else lose their jobs.
Then again, with the benefits the Guild offers, I don't think they'd have a problem getting people to sign on. All they would have to do is drop the sanctimonious attitude, listen with consideration to what people have to say, and let the merits of what they have to offer speak for them.
Unfortunately for some time now, concepts like cooperation, unity, fraternity seem to be meaningless terms to them and fall on deaf ears for a benefits management organization that imagines itself otherwise. It's easier to attack the message and more often the messenger than to actually listen to what's being said.
In my opinion, the case for an Independent Union in animation is best made by the behavior of the animation union.
I'm happy to see a discussion along the lines of an alternative union being initiated by a VFX industry heavyweight. I can see why the Guild would be threatened by this, since the very notion of an independent union is anathema to them. Afterall, there would be no need for this discussion if the union wasn't as arrogant to independent professionals and many of their own members as they are. If they took the time to listen and reach out to people, if they had to sell professionals on joining. If there was an option to join, I'm very confident we'd of seen much different attitudes on their part a long time ago. But that's what happens when you don't have to try.
I'd love to get something going along the lines of a new union, and maybe someday we will. I think it would be good for everyone, even the Guild. Maybe someday we'll see something form, from whatever corner of the industry it may come from. If not from this generation, then hopefully from the artists that will follow us. It's a subject for discussion that is necessary, regardless of the hostility that comes from some of the entrenched reactionaries in the biz.
Good luck to all and I hope there's some forward progress in this area in days to follow. Let's keep the idea alive and encourage ongoing dialogue.
Re: The case for an Independent Union
Actually if I'm understanding him correctly it sounds like he's argueing eliminating Unions completely. While Unions do help the workers all of the helping causes less profit to the business since they have to pay more to the workers. And to be honest when given the chioce between getting profit or hiring more people the owners are going to pick making profit, I know that I would. Unions and Taxes always have and aalways will be a detriment to companies hiring more people/artists.
Re: The case for an Independent Union
Actually Paul, here's his own words on the matter, taken from the link I posted above.
http://www.fxguide.com/qt/2671/fxpodcas ... scott-ross
Scott Ross says:
July 29, 2010 at 11:18 am
Slams Unions?
I love the choice of words. A little over the top? I am not against unions…. I am for solutions.
At present, I don't see how a Union solves the VFX industry dilemma. I'd be open to learning more about how unions might be a solution for the industry, in fact, I'd like to invite the IATSE and/or the Animation Guild to sit down with me and have an open public forum to discuss what the paths of correction might be to save our industry. If the appropriate path is a Union or a Guild…. I'd throw my support behind either effort. Let's stop making disparaging remarks and start solving problems!
Re: The case for an Independent Union
I stand corrected on my interpretation of his words.
Re: The case for an Independent Union
Last month, I followed the link to Scott Ross's podcast from the VFX Soldier blog, but didn't post anything about it on here because I believed you guys were light-years ahead of me on this subject!
First, Charles was right, then Scott. We need solutions more than we need unions.
Re: The case for an Independent Union
I disagree EAllen. We do need unions as much as we need solutions. The problem is that this particular union offers no solutions to the points that Scott Ross brings up. The only solution they offer is to sign a union rep card along with personal insults against anyone who questions them.
The union can't create jobs so they say, although that's debatable cuz the union rep has one one as well as others who're employed within their system. They can't protect jobs. They can't even protest if there was a reason for it cuz of the no strike clause.
They act like they're doing their membership a favor when they do what they're supposed to do in addressing grievances. They consider union members who experience long term unemployment as "disgruntled". That came from the president of the Guild himself.
I could go on but it's useless. Nothing will change cuz they're not about change. They're about keeping things the way things are. It's too convenient for them not to change. There's no reason to change. There's no reason to listen. There's no reason to reach out. The Christmas party is the extent of it. It's too much for these guys to even acknowledge what we're talking about. The priority is in making themselves look good, not in pro-active steps that would address the issues that Scott Ross brings up. It's easier to belittle him and others who have something constructive to say other than actually listen to what's being said.
A good benefits management organization, but abysmal leadership. That's one reason why so few people in or out of the Guild actually care about the Guild. There's no inspiration, just the same ol crass attitude we've seen for years and years.
We were going to schedule the Guild as guests for AN Night in October. We were going to discuss the upcoming elections among other things, but there's so little interest in them from among the people we've talked to we'd be better off having a Halloween party instead.
Scott Ross is right. Solution oriented discussion, not name calling.
Re: The case for an Independent Union
Hey Charles, I still hope you can get Hulett and even Kevin for October's AN!
My point, Charles, was that solutions, being that the word signifies the conclusion to a problem or an issue, are apparently lacking in the animation industry's discussion of the pertinence of unions and guilds at this point. I wasn't attempting to diminish the importance of unions; we'll always need them, in one form or the other. However, it's alleged the current Guild aren't really acknowledging the needs of artists, even (reiterating, of course, the "alleged" status of these statements, since it's challenging to do much of any independent verification) going so far as to shortchange artists when it comes to making available voting eligibility information and being coy with info on employment opportunities.
I too have long believed in the importance of unions and guilds, but only (of course) when they actually have the backs of the artists, as opposed to ostensibly doing it while being self-serving otherwise. This appears to be a problem that demands a solution if any union, independent or otherwise, is to exist in adherence to basic fundamental ideals.
Re: The case for an Independent Union
EAllen my friend, the way things are at this time, there's no way we're going to waste an AN Night on Hulett and Koch. I'd rather get Steve Silver or some other person of significance who can contribute to the evening in a meaningful way.
Here's something else that came to mind about the way the Guild does their business. How many times over the years have we heard artists complain about being expected to work for free. The union is on top of that, right? Protecting everyone's rights, right?
Well then, if that's the case, then how come the president of the Guild and the executive board members of the Guild are expected to work for free? The business rep Hulett gets paid. Why not the president? Why not Guild members who serve in an administrative capacity? The Guild certainly has the money. Enough to construct a brand new building on Hollywood Way in the heart of Burbank. Doesn't make sense. The organization whose purpose is to protect animation artists and keep them from being exploited, exploit artists themselves by expecting them to work for free.
Oh, I forgot. The animation union can't create jobs in animation. Except for the business rep.
They target Scott Ross. Call him names and ridicule him, and as such, divert attention away from their own faults.
Re: The case for an Independent Union
While there have been (and will continue to be) cases where artists work for no money with the understanding that they will receive something fair and equitable in return (a positive word, a written recommendation, screen credit, brag rights, etc.), working gratis should never be a requirement. Simply put.
I don't know nearly enough about those individual situations to write about that here with any articulation, but your description Charles seems to be in line with a substantial number of complaints from Guild members who understandably can't come forward with their names on their written accounts.
Ostracism in this industry can be catastrophic, especially if you have a family to feed!
Re: The case for an Independent Union
Greetings to all! I am Steve Kaplan and the new Labor Organizer for The Animation Guild. This discussion was recently brought to my attention and I wanted to weigh in and correct some misconceptions that have been levied.
Please excuse the copious editing I did of Charles' post. His obvious hatred of the Guild lent itself to some verbose exposition that I felt was better read once. It leads to my first point nicely though. Charles did some creative editing of my post on the Guild blog and it seems missed my point all together. I was against the misconceptions and outright lies Scott Ross put forth about the IA and unions in general and spoke out against them. However, what Mr. Ross suggests is a great idea and I stated my support of it. He put forth the idea that VFX facilities should organize themselves under a society of his design. This society would help standardize practices and costs in order to staunch or even stop the undercutting of costs and overall "race to the bottom" that is currently being run. In both my post on the TAG blog and on the FX Guide page, I stated that as much as I believe the organization of VFX facilities would lead to healthier companies and therefore better environments for artists, I also stated that the need for artist representation remains important. Allow me to use my own words:
In point of further correction, Mr. Ross was not proposing an independent union. He was suggesting a society that mirrors the VES in design for the Visual Effects studios. According to what I heard from the interview, this society could allow membership to individual artists, but was designed for the studios to be members and pay dues in to (a point I found ironic considering he had stated that the studios already were killing themselves on their margins).
Finally, I offered no hostility in my posts and even offered Mr. Ross my email address along with my support of his position of organizing the facilities in the FXGuide response. I have yet to receive any word from him.
In reading some of the dialogue between AN and our president, Kevin Koch, its obvious that there are strong feelings against TAG here .. especially with Charles. I did not register here to wage battles with AN. I wanted to correct what I perceived to be a misconception regarding my posts and my position on Scott Ross' ideas given in his interview with FX Guide. I am sure, Charles, you will have things to say about it.
I would be glad to continue to visit this blog and speak about the Guild and our practices and policies. I will start a thread and open myself to questions or comments. If, however, I'm met with vitriol and hatred that I saw was brought against Kevin, I too will make myself scarce here.
Steve Kaplan
Re: The case for an Independent Union
Welcome to AN Steve.
I say this with all due respect, but I feel compelled to ask, what the hell is wrong with you people? Hatred of the Guild? You come to our forums and accuse me of hatred of the Guild? You don't know me, we never met, and yet you accuse me of hating the Guild. No wonder there's so many people fed up with you guys.
I hope this gets through to you and others, especially your president Kevin Koch... Kevin was always, and I mean always welcome here. He was respected and admired. Those were the good ol days. I won't get into the details before he decided to stoop to personal insults of which you guys seem to excel at. If I'm being judged as hateful because of my criticism of your union, then you guys win olympic gold for it. Not only do you allow the most vitriolic comments I've read on any animation related site, but you come here insulting this community along with accusations of hatred.
AN has always been a huge supporter of the Guild. Unfortunately, that passes by you guys I'm sorry to say. Everything becomes personal with you. Maybe it's cuz you have a hard time seperating yourselves from the mythology you entertain.
You guys are the union. Unity. All I have to do is re-read the post you made to confirm that's the last thing you care about. As in the case of Mr. Ross, any suggestion of an alternative organization or criticism of the Guild is met with accusations of hatred, personal insults and name calling. A call to organize is not being anti-union. Calling attention to the shortcomings within the Guild is not being hateful.
Instead of name calling, condescending attitudes, aloofness, close mindedness, why don't you guys reach out. Learn to make friends and influence others. Instead of being so defensive and engaging in passive aggressive attacks upon people in the biz who want to be associated with you and support the organization. I don't think it's too much to ask, or maybe it is.
We're a message board. You guys are a labor union. You have vast resources. We try and get by as best as we can. You guys can make things happen on a grand scale. But you choose to behave like kids and turn people off with your schoolyard behavior. I take that back, I think schoolyard kids act with more maturity than the Animation Guild.
Like I said before, I really question whether or not the Guild would be in existence if artists had the option of joining or not joining.
For the record, and as much as this may be a vain attempt to get it across to you and others within the Guild who like to think of us as adversaries, we are not the enemy. We are not your enemies. It's your own insecurities, fears and attitudes that have driven a wedge between you and AN.
Good luck.
Re: The case for an Independent Union
Thanks Charles! Its good to be here.
Maybe my belief of your "hatred" for the Guild comes from your prose. Maybe its just your word choice. I did not insult your community or you. I apparently misconstrued your voluminous anti-Guild posts as hatred. I'm glad to hear I'm wrong and stand corrected.
I stand by my posts of Scott Ross' interview. I am in favor of his proposed society and never levied any insults against him or called him any names.
Reaching out .. is what I'm hired to do. Its why I'm here.
Re: The case for an Independent Union
Happy to see Mr. Kaplan on here, repping the Guild side of the equation.
I hope Steve doesn't feel ambushed by us, because fair and balanced discussions are just what some of these matters were lacking. With Mr. Kaplan's help we can return that element to these discussions once more.
Re: The case for an Independent Union
Wow, it never seems to change.
Charles prose? Creative Editing? Its obvious we're against TAG and the UNion?? Thats awesome Steve! thumbs up!
More passive aggressive behavior from our "beloved" Union, ey?. Charles prose has always been that he supports the Union. If you read his voluminous posts for real then you probably read that as well..but I guess its easier to discredit the man this way.
Maybe you need to read more before you drop bombs like that. But maybe you should just leave now if you think our past debates and conversation was vitriol and hatred towards Kevin. Because chances are you're too sensitive....and I doubt your observations come from anyone's prose but the prose you guys share behind the scenes, Steve.
voluminous anti-Guild posts? hahahaha, geez, and you guys are considered leaders? oh my. And people wonder why we criticize the union.
Different name, same silliness.
Re: The case for an Independent Union
Greetings Snake!
I already corrected myself. If I was wrong, I continue to stand corrected. Good to know you'll weigh in as well. I look forward to your thoughts as I'm sure you'll offer them.
Re: The case for an Independent Union
Didn't sound like much of a correction to me. It sounded like it was still Charles problem with his prose and voluminous anti-Guild posts..so even when you were correcting yourself you were still saying the same thing.
Re: The case for an Independent Union
I never said Charles had a problem. He, and you for that matter, have strong feelings against the Guild and how we go about our business. As the Organizer, one of my goals is outreach and public discussions of TAG.
As I told Charles, its why I'm here and why I offered myself up to any questions or concerns.
Re: The case for an Independent Union
What I said is your correction still made it sound like it was Charles problem with his prose and voluminous anti guild posts....which he has never been anti guild....but Charles has already said that time and time again. There's no conversation here if you're still in the same position before your corrected yourself.
Maybe consider its your prose and the prose of the Guild reps time and time again thats the issue.Maybe its the anti AnimationNation.com and anti Charles message you guys send time and time again trying to label him and us as anti union...after time and time again he apologizes for any misunderstanding and how much he supports the union...one way by which he sends many students into your system who are have successfully found employment because of the skills and knowledge he shares with them...Charles has made the Union much money because of such actions while offering more then affordable education to go into a unionized industry....how is that Anti Union?
I've seen a man who has reached out too much to an organization that would rather assassinate his character in very passive aggressive ways then actually have a real conversation about the much needed changes. But it is to be expected I.M. not so H.O.
The union seems to be masters of getting out of any responsibility for their actions or lack there of.
Id' say I appreciate a new Union rep being here if I actually heard something new besides the side stepping and jabs at one man who's only fault is criticizing an organization who has the monopoly in their industry and who's suppose...to ....do something. I dunno still.
Re: The case for an Independent Union
Steve, I don't have strong feelings against the union. I have strong feelings for the artists. If anyone said to me I had strong feelings against the union or that I hated the union I'd call them a liar to their face.
This is the kind of thing that some of you guys in the Guild have propagated and why many in the biz have strong feelings against what you do, not against the union.
Personally, I think the Guild gets failing grades in many areas, including the thoroughly unprofessional job you guys do on managing your blog. You'll never see anyone come here anonymous to call someone they disagree with a douchebag or a nazi. If that isn't a manifestation of hatred, then I don't know what is.
I took extreme offense at the way that Hulett addressed Guild members at a meeting I was a part of on September 30, 2008. When I gave my account of what I witnessed here on the forums, you guys took our link off your blog.
Until now, your pretty much non-existent outreach has been, well, non-existent. I know I can be abrassive, and I've apologized over and over and over again throughout the years for anything I might of said in error, or even not in error, to help smooth things over, but I'm not backing down from what I believe in. And that is that artists should be in greater command of the industry, and that includes the Guild.
For that, I've been vilified by many. Even people I considered to be my friends.
Anger, frustration and objections to the way that fellow artists are being treated is not hatred.
Read what I wrote from the Original AN Articles in early 1999... "Empowering the Union" ...
http://www.animationnation.com/index.ph ... -the-union
Why would I encourage the empowering and strengthening of the union if I was against it?
The problem here isn't AN, it's you guys and your inability to take an honest, objective look at yourselves. Every time you're challenged, here comes the personal insults, the defensiveness, the arrogance, the condescending attitudes. You guys have continuously portrayed us as your adversaries when over and over and over again we've reiterated that we are not the enemy. We're you're friends, get it? We're your friends and we want to help make things better for everyone. Not just the Guild and its members, but everyone.
The Guild is more than just Hulett and Koch and others who see us as some sort of threat. It consists of several thousand members, most of whom probably don't give a damn. They work, pay their dues, and deal with life. I know you guys are doing the best you can, but you're so high up on that horse you've lost the sensation of having your feet on the ground.
It makes no difference to us whether or not you continue to participate on the forums. Personally, I hope you do. I think it's good you're here and I'm glad to see the Guild participating again. I hope that it can be constructive and not break down into the bs that we've seen before from some of your people. On my part, I'll try and temper my style, but I won't compromise when it comes to artists coming first.
And I'll continue to push for an independent entity in animation that can help artists who are not eligible for union benefits or have lost their benefits, or who want to organize into an alternative association of some kind.
That said, let's have some constructive dialogue and some peace around here. New forums, new day.
Re: The case for an Independent Union
I corrected myself by stating that, as Charles pointed out, I do not know him and was going simply off the old posts that I found on this site. I admittedly perused them and do not have a full history of ANs dealings with Kevin or Steve Hulett. I have brought up to Steve that I started an account here to answer any questions, and he said "Good" .. and that was it. I have not spoken to Kevin about his conversations here as he is out of the state and I do not communicate regularly with him.
If we have "sent out" any anti-AN messages, I've yet to be a part of them. I am here, as a resource to the AN community as voice for the Guild. I came because of the post Charles put up about my comments on Scott Ross' interview with FX Guide. They were caught by a Google search filter I have set up. Without this thread, ANs existence would still be unknown to me.
If you have any questions about the Guild, how we represent our members or our policies, feel free to post them in the thread I started. You can also email me directly at firstname.lastname@example.com. Or, if you are local to Los Angeles, give us a call and I'd be glad to treat you to lunch and have a discussion with you.


text:
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text:
» Check availability
» Facilities
|panoramic view
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|free ADSL connection
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|unesco heritage area
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|near bus stop
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» Choose our Apt with your friend, save money and enjoy!Are you a group of friend that want to see Florence and save money? If you decide to book directly from our website, you can book the flats of Signoria Apartment for your trip with a 5% discount!!Just book directly on our homepage and enter the promotional code signoriafriend
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9.75/10 - 16 reviews
|Sleep(s): 6
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Our "Rosso" apartment is located in Via della Condotta 16/blue in Florence, close to Piazza della Signoria, on the fourth floor of a historic building with a lift from the first floor.
The accommodation is big, bright and can host up to 6 persons with a double bed, a bunk bed, and a sofa bed for two.
The two bedrooms overlook a courtyard, it is furnished with every comfort: a fully-equipped kitchen, washing machine, internet connection, air conditioning, linens, microwave, TV, heating, hair dryer, iron etc.
The apartment boasts a large roof terrace with a spectacular view of Palazzo Vecchio and the Torre di Arnolfo, the perfect setting for delicious family dinners.
Its excellent location leaves guests a few steps from Florence's major attractions (the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, and Piazza Repubblica) as well as shops, restaurants and cafes. With everything in walking distance, this apartment is the ideal solution for families who want a peaceful stay in the heart of Florence's historic center.
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» One Bedroom Apt 2+2 adultsOur apartments"Lillà" "Celeste" and "Giallo"are located at via della Condotta 16/blue in Florence, close to Piazza della Signoria, respectively at the first, second and third floor of a historic building with a lift from the first floor. »More
» luxury 4+2 via calimaruzzaOur "Calimaruzza 1" and "Calimaruzza 2" apartments are located at Via Calimaruzza 1 in the historic center of Florence, just 20 meters from Piazza della Signoria and a minute's walk from the Uffizi Gallery. »More
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» Guestbooks
Stephan W. Berlin
2013-07-12 10:17:35
There is only one thing to say: the best place one could stay during a visit to Florence! Everything was just perfect and you can reach everything within a short walk (if it is not just in front of your door!). We stayed in the "red appartment" which has a roof top terrace and is just wonderful. We used Florence as a "base" from where we visited other places like Siena or Pisa and we can really recommend this way to explore these exciting places of Tuscany.
Meg Shakar -
2013-01-07 10:41:31
So happy with our stay, the apartment fantastic, comfortable and in the perfect location. Danilo was always available to answer questions and accomodate our requests. We would love to come back to the apartment when it's a bit warmer to make the most of the patio and the view.
Kim C Calgary, Canada
2012-06-30 12:08:50
The Red apartment at the main location of Signoria Apartments was excellent. It was very comfortable and roomy including air conditioning (which I definitely appreciated with the summer heat!) You feel like you're right at home in this apartment. To top if off the service provided is amazing. You have a warm welcome when you arrive and an in depth overview of the sights and sounds of Florence. As well, if you ever have any questions the staff are available 24 hours a day for you to contact them. Even more, they helped me find an apartment to stay in Cinque Terre, my next stop in Italy. They took the time to phone various hotels who could only converse in Italian, which I greatly appreciated with my minimal Italian. I would most definitely recommend Signoria Apartments to anyone who is visiting Florence. Their apartments and customer service made Florence one of my favorite cities in Italy. Thanks Danilo, Lukas and Fabio!!
Gaynor -
2012-01-12 16:11:57
The location was amazing. It was a few steps from the Ufritzi Palace, Santa Croce, Ponte Vecchio and Duomo. The owner Danio was very accomodating and went out of his way to make us feel welcome. We were snowed in leaving Austria, and although we arrived late on a Sat night he did not make us feel guilty, instead he reassured us that he would be there on our arrival, and helped my young family with our luggage. The appartment was something you would love as a private holiday home. We had the penthouse suite. It was so cute, with bunkbeds for the kids to argue over, a lovely florentine living area, and provinical looking dining and kitchen. It was clean, bright, tastefully decorated, and felt like home from the minute we opened the door. We will be back and will tell all our friends about this little jewel...We caught a taxi from the train station for about 14 Euro, and the taxi pulled up right in front of the appartments. We loved everything. If we had known how lovely it was, we would have booked 5 nights just to be able to sit out on the private Penthouse balcony which overlooked the Uffritzi palace and Florentine rooftops..... We will be back
Cormac Cork-Ireland
2011-06-28 11:14:39
Location excellent, right in the centre of Florence. Bespoke and charming apartment, and very clean and comfortable. Great staff - Danilo and his brother were most helpful and friendly and gave us some very useful information about Florence
Vinay Mumbay-India
2011-05-17 10:58:00
Excellent location in heart of old city of Florence. Within walking distance from all sigh seeing areas / museums. Very elegant and fully functional apartments, good for longer stay also. Staff was very helpful.
Vanessa Laguna Beach-USA
2011-06-08 10:51:13
Excellent location. Wonderful staff. Beautiful decor will stay again for sure
Randall Camberra-Australia
2011-04-28 10:53:21
The staff were excellent and very helpful when it came to geting the best out of Florence, The apartment was clean and in great condition, but the fabulous location was the main drawcard from our perspective. It's quite literally a few steps from shops, restaurants and the main sights. Our only regret is not staying longer. We'll definitely return, but will stay for a week rather than just a few days. Highly recommended!
Roberto Italy
2011-06-03 10:42:28
Absolutely the best possible location. Blocks from the best Florence has to offer. Extremely clean and comfortable. But the staff really made the experience special. Couldn't have asked for a more accomodating and helpful group. Definitely recommend this for families or couples who really want a convenient and comfortable stay in the heart of the city.
Maria Grima Gozo, Malta
2011-03-10 13:01:34
These lovely apartments are a few steps away from Piazza della Signoria which makes it an incredible location. Danilo and his staff were very very helpful. Make sure to visit the trattoria and pizza place they suggest - excellent food�
Matthew Collier Dubai
2011-03-20 12:59:44
Danilo was a helpful host and the apartment was in an amazing location and well decked out. We wanted for nothing and had a fantastic time.
Rachel Vaughan St.Antonio- Texas, US
2008-06-02 11:56:55
Hi me and family loved the apartment! Like the person before me wrote: The view from the balcony is amazing,the city is lovely, no matter where you go,you are sure to have a good meal. The beds especially the queen are soooo comfy.My brother and I had a pillow fight here. If you are a kid, try it!!! We love Florence and the apartment, of course like every other family says: We want to come back soon...
The Sutton Family Sydney Australia
2008-10-12 17:28:45
We had a terrific time in Florence! The weather was great and we all enjoyed this beautiful apartment, having diners by the terrace with food and wine from the local shop, best time up the stairs!!


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- Independent
- The Enterprise
- The Recorder
Another year is coming to a close, and it's a chance for the The Calvert Recorder news staff to recap what we've seen — or, in what follows, heard throughout 2013. We've quoted elected officials and other VIPs and, most often, the regular people whose stories appear week in and week out on our pages. Here's what they had to say this year ...
"In my opinion, [the portion of the 2005 agreement in question] unambiguously does give Dominion the right to use the Cove Point Facility for the export of LNG."
Calvert Circuit Judge James P. Salmon rules that Dominion Cove Point Liquefied Natural Gas has the ability to expand into an export facility and does not violate a former agreement made between the company and the Sierra Club, Sierra Club Maryland Chapter and Maryland Conservation Counsel, after the Sierra Club filed a motion for a declaratory judgment.
"There is never going to be enough revenue to satisfy Annapolis."
Del. Mark N. Fisher (R-Calvert) voices his disapproval of the gas tax during a Calvert County Chamber of Commerce legislative breakfast. The gas tax passed and went into effect in July.
"The hard pill to swallow is that I will guarantee you that we have over $10 million or more over the lifetime of that golf course that have come out of the taxpayers' money to run that golf course. And it's been the biggest blunder Calvert County's ever done, unfortunately."
Commissioner Gerald W. "Jerry" Clark (R) criticizes the county-owned Chesapeake Hills Golf Course budget after staff presented the board with an estimated $2.09 million master plan to run the golf course through fiscal 2019.
"Never did I think I'd ever be in a position to even answer some of these things. I can't even fathom some of what's happened in the past."
Calvert County Public Schools Director of School Construction George Leah comments on his being asked to consider how secure school buildings are in the event of a shooting, following the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn., in December 2012.
"It's a sad day. Most of us are in shock. We all ... know we're going to miss it."
Dave "Spiggy" Spigler of Lusby regarding the retirement of the Hogettes. Spigler said his group, Spiggy and Friends, will continue fundraising work for area charities.
"People really valued her leadership, good advice and common sense. She was always very professional. She was very smart, very accomplished and very knowledgeable in the areas of law she practiced with us. ... She's just going to be sorely missed. It's going to leave a big hole."
Attorney Mark Davis remembers Sheryl Jones Alu, a longtime Calvert County volunteer and past chairwoman of the ethics commission, after she died in a car accident.
"I must commend you for sticking with this project and being patient with us, and I pray that the rest of them coming up will not be as laborious as this one."
Calvert County Planning Commissioner Malcolm Funn commends staff on the St. Leonard Town Center Master Plan, which the commission then approved and sent to the county commissioners for final approval, after five years and numerous meetings debating the plan's content.
"We really saw this as a county asset. ... We'd really love to see some community organizations come out and use it."
The Calverton School Head of School Spencer Taintor on the school acquiring the county's first synthetic athletic field.
"He was really committed to the things that he loved, and he certainly loved providing outpatient imaging services to the community. He was always in the forefront to make sure the patients in Calvert County would receive the very best outpatient imaging care possible."
President and CEO of Calvert Memorial Hospital Jim Xinis remembers Dr. Guillermo R. Zambrano, who died in a car accident in Prince Frederick.
"After not having money for two years for pensionable purposes, this should be a big deal."
Calvert Education Association President Debbie Russ after the union signed a contract with the board of education, which included a step increase and 1 percent cost of living adjustment.
"I wanna ask you, and say to you, that this process, while we're very, very grateful for it, started almost a year ago as far as the homeowners were concerned. And, it's still going on."
Lusby cliff-side homeowner Maria Siefert speaks before the Calvert County commissioners on the approval of a grant used to demolish and remove 10 houses deemed at imminent risk of falling into the Chesapeake Bay.
"I made the call [to police] Thursday night and that was probably the longest night of my life. ... Never in our wildest dreams did we imagine this."
Martha Bliss, grandmother of Amanda Lynn Foster, 27, of Lusby, whose boyfriend, John Warren Gibson Jr., 25, of Lusby, was arrested, charged and, later this year, convicted of murdering Foster with a kitchen knife and dumping her body in a trash can in the woods.
"We're pretty happy people finally have stuff in their pockets. The board is finally recognizing the hard work our members are putting in."
Joseph Sella, chief negotiator for the Calvert Association of Educational Support Staff, after the union signed a contract with the board of education giving support staff employees their first raise in five years.
"He is doing it for clearly political reasons. He's trying to get more Democrats elected."
Calvert County Commissioner Evan Slaughenhoupt (R) on Sen. Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert, Prince George's) introduction of a bill to modify the way commissioners can be elected in Calvert. The bill passed, and commissioner candidates must now file to run either at large or in a particular district, beginning with the 2014 election.
"From our perspective ... it is a memorial to all that served, not only in [the Vietnam] War, but actually in all wars."
Ray "Bomber" Nieves, president of the Nam Knights of America Old Line chapter, after receiving approval from the Chesapeake Beach Town Council to construct a Vietnam War memorial at Veterans Memorial Park.
"It truly looks like the end of the tunnel is near. ... It seems like everyone got it all together at the same time."
Cliff homeowner Sue Davis after years of watching her Lusby cliff property erode into the Chesapeake Bay when the home buyout finally went through for 10 cliff homes.
"Things are definitely changing. It's a more mature crowd. ... We're still working on the music level ... but we've had no major incidents where the public is to be concerned for their property or safety."
Deputy Childress of the Calvert County Sheriff's Office, who works as head of security for Captain Biggs restaurant and bar during the Calvert County Board of License Commissioners review of the liquor license.
"There is declining enrollment in the county, but in this particular spot there is growth."
Calvert County Superintendant Jack Smith discussing the need for redistricting Beach Elementary School in Chesapeake Beach.
"I believe the fairest rate structure is pay for what you use. A wastewater treatment plant … is not a for-profit business. Therefore, there's no motive … for providing subsidies. I don't believe there should be a discounted rate [for utilities]."
Chesapeake Beach town council member Valerie Beaudin explains the reasoning behind her and town council members Eric Reinhardt and Jeff Krahling creating an online petition advocating to change the town's utility rate structure from a tier-based structure to a universal, flat rate.
"While no bill is perfect, the proposed features in this bill increase the needed transparency for electing county commissioners … and helps citizens understand this election process."
Concerned Black Women of Calvert County President Annette Funn expresses her support for a proposed bill at the Maryland General Assembly that would alter the election process of the Calvert County Board of County Commissioners.
"UniStar thanks the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for its consideration of the Petition for Review. We look forward to receipt of the revised guidance on foreign ownership, control and domination and hope to participate in that process. In the meantime, we will continue to support the NRC's ongoing review of the Calvert Cliffs [Nuclear Power Plant Unit] 3 application."
A written statement from UniStar Nuclear Energy LLC after the five-member U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission upheld a previous Atomic Safety and Licensing Board decision to deny UniStar's application for a third reactor at Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant.
"The feel of the county — that I'm sensing — is they're waiting. We're all waiting. We're waiting for information. We're waiting to see what's happening."
Calvert County Chamber of Commerce President Carolyn Hart describes county businesses and residents as the federal government sequester looms.
"Out of all the [special tax districts] that we've sat up here and looked at … over the last 10 years or so, this presentation is the most comprehensive and well-done one that I've seen. It seems like they really have, the [Chesapeake Ranch Estates] board, really has their act together with what they're posing to do here."
Calvert County Board of County Commissioner Gerald W. "Jerry" Clark (R) said of the Chesapeake Ranch Estates proposed fourth special tax district plan.
"It's clear to the court that you chose purposefully to conduct your business as a drug dealer."
Calvert County Circuit Court Judge Marjorie L. Claggett explained as she sentenced William Randolph Kyler Jr. to 65 years in prison after he was convicted of being a drug kingpin in connection with the distribution of cocaine and crack cocaine.
"This is a sad day for both the Willard and Nerem families, as well as our community. Our thoughts and prayers go out to these families."
Calvert County Sheriff Mike Evans (R) said during a press conference following the apparent murder-suicide involving brothers-in-law Raymond William Willard and Carl Ray Nerem at a Hollowing Point Road in Prince Frederick.
"Where did the decision come from that there needed to be [a Metropolitan Planning Organization] in this area? It looks like to me, from this map, the [U.S. Census Bureau] really had to go out and bring in different areas … to come up with the number of populations to create this."
Commissioner Gerald W. "Jerry" Clark (R) reacts to the federal designation combining Lexington Park and southern portions of Calvert County, including Chesapeake Ranch Estates and Solomons, as an urban area requiring a Metropolitan Planning Organization.
"We believe that having achieved these milestones of signed terminal service agreements, an [engineering, procurement and construction] contract and our [Federal Energy Regulatory Commission] filing, we are well positioned to obtain permission from the U.S. Department of Energy to move forward with this vital infrastructure project."
Dominion Cove Point Liquefied Natural Gas chairman, president and CEO Thomas Farrell II said in a news release about the company's proposed LNG export project moving forward.
"If someone is threatening your life, you have a right to defend yourself. Whether [the suspect] was inside of the house is irrelevant. The homeowner was in fear for his life; therefore, he was acting in self-defense."
Lt. Steve Jones, commander of the Calvert Investigative Team, said of the police investigation of a shooting at a Harlequin Court home in Huntingtown that left one man dead and a woman in custody.
"Yeah, I've had a great career. I loved it. I've enjoyed every minute of it."
Calvert County Sheriff's Office Lt. Col. Tom Hejl of retiring after 40 years of law enforcement at both the state and county level.
"It's about good government. It's about openness. It's about ease in terms of understanding who gets elected."
Maryland Senate President Thomas V. "Mike" Miller Jr. reacts to his proposed bill altering the method of electing the Calvert County Board of County Commissioners passing on the final day of the legislative session despite opposition from county delegates, commissioners and some county residents.
"Dave, your mom and I are very, very proud to be here with you today to see what a fine young man you've grown up to be and what a tremendous, professional police officer, sheriff's officer you have become. We're very proud of you."
Lt. Col. Vincent duCelier, a retired Prince George's County police officer, said to his son Calvert County Sheriff's Office Maj. Dave McDowell during a promotion ceremony following the retirement of Tom Hejl as the assistant sheriff.
"It was an incredibly productive and incredibly efficient session. It was in so many ways the antithesis of last year, and I think, given that they decided to have such an ambitious agenda, they needed it to go smoothly."
St. Mary's College of Maryland political science professor Todd Eberly commented on the 431st legislative session of the Maryland General Assembly.
"Last year, I never got an 'A' in math. And this year, I actually got into honors pre-algebra [for next year's classes]."
Lexie Hart, 11, talking about her Southern Middle School sixth-grade math teacher, Jon Cox, who was named Calvert's Teacher of the Year.
"I'm looking forward to continuing to represent the citizens of Calvert and St. Mary's counties vigorously. ... I will continue to be a soldier in the fields."
Del. Anthony J. O'Donnell (R-Calvert, St. Mary's) regarding Maryland House Republicans' decision to elect a new minority leader. O'Donnell had served as minority leader since 2007.
"It wasn't something we wanted to do. It breaks our heart. ... I don't know if you ever move on from that. I don't know if we'll ever feel like it's finished."
Lusby homeowner Sue Davis reflects on her struggle to save her cliff-side home from falling into the Chesapeake Bay. Hers was the first house set for demolition after a federal grant allowed for the buyout of 10 homes identified as being in imminent danger.
"I am very disappointed in Calvert. The rural counties have to stick together on some principles."
St. Mary's County Commissioner Todd Morgan (R) on Calvert's decision to move forward with designating parts of Calvert and St. Mary's counties as a federal Metropolitan Planning Organization. Both boards of commissioners later reluctantly approved the designation.
"We have not as a community been given an opportunity to vote on what this is: a tax."
Chesapeake Ranch Estates resident David Lysinger comments on the CRE Special Tax District during a hearing with the Calvert County commissioners. The commissioners hold the ultimate authority to approve an STD.
"Well, that's wonderful news. ... I'm very happy and grateful. That's absolutely wonderful."
Commissioner Susan Shaw (R) reacts to news that Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) included $20 million for the design and engineering for replacement of the Gov. Thomas Johnson Memorial Bridge in the state's transportation plan.
"Every penny we asked for we would have used wisely. So, while it's not all good news, I do thank you for your support."
Then-superintendent of Calvert County Public Schools Jack Smith addresses the county commissioners during the commissioners' budget hearing. Smith said the budget's allocation for the school system was not enough to cover the schools' deficit.
"... Our budget process is about as transparent as a brick wall."
Commissioner Evan Slaughenhoupt (R), in opposition of the county commissioners' adopted FY14 budget.
"... I don't know what universe you're operating in, but it's not the same one I'm operating in."
Commissioner Susan Shaw (R), in response to Slaughenhoupt regarding the commissioners' adopted FY14 budget.
"We've hit out goal. Oxygen and reproduction rates are up and disease and mortality rates are down."
Len Zuza, president of Southern Maryland Oyster Cultivation Society (SMOCS), said about the end of further oyster restoration efforts in area waters.
"One of my favorite expressions is, 'You don't need to be sick to get better.' Calvert County is not broken. It's a very good school system. But you don't have to be sick to get better,"
Calvert County former superintendent of schools, Jack Smith, upon his resignation from the school system.
"There are always favorable and unfavorable events when you have 16,400 students, 2,200 employees and 90,000 residents in the county... To connect any particular issue or set of issues at this moment, for my choice to pursue other interests, would be inaccurate."
Jack Smith upon his resignation from Calvert County Public Schools as superintendent.
"It's gonna be a long road. It's gonna be a hard road" for those who have lost someone or will lose someone "before the final papers go through... but there is daylight at the end of the tunnel."
Susan Ballenger, a community activist involved with Southern Memorial Gardens, said of the 30-acre cemetery's pending sale.
"This was a situation of cops and robbers, except the principal was playing the cop and making the kid out to be the robber."
Lawyer Robin Ficker, the family attorney of a then 5-year-old boy who was suspended for bringing a cap gun onto a school bus. The boy's original 10-day suspension was expunged from his record by the request of former Calvert County Superintendent of Schools Jack Smith after appeals by the parents and their lawyer.
"Nobody really knows what my son has gone through. He had grown and learned so much [in kindergarten]. That was taken away from him that day, instead of making it a moment where he could have learned."
Mother of a then 5-year-old boy who was suspended for bringing a cap gun onto a school bus. The boy's original 10-day suspension was expunged from his record by the request of former Calvert County Superintendent of Schools Jack Smith after appeals by the parents and their lawyer.
"I am absolutely encouraging people to sign the petition and force the council to take another look at this issue."
Chesapeake Beach Town Council Member Bob Carpenter in response to a citizen-organized petition to force the town to vote on a proposed tiered versus flat-rate water sewer rate structure. The council spent months battling over the rate structure, with council members Pat "Irish" Mahoney, Jeff Krahling, Valerie Beaudin and Eric Reinhardt pushing for a flat-rate structure, and Carpenter and Mayor Bruce Wahl urging the council to accept a tiered structure.
"A Calvert County homeowner was terrorized and a young man lost his life. That should open our eyes to the catastrophic effects that the prescription drug problem has had in our county."
Calvert County State's Attorney Laura Martin (R) after her office determined no charges would be filed against a homeowner who shot and killed a man who was attempting to break into his home and steal prescription drugs on Easter Sunday. The then 63-year-old homeowner was a retired Metropolitan Police Department lieutenant.
"I've been saying that everyone has their own superman or superwoman in them, and mine came out full force because I wasn't going to go out like that. That wasn't my fault, I didn't ask for that, and I wasn't going to let that take me down so easily ... All of a sudden, I said, 'I don't want to die.' ... I didn't like the drowning sensation; I didn't like feeling helpless."
Dunkirk resident Morgan Lake, a then 22-year-old woman who survived being forced off of the Bay Bridge by a tractor trailer. Lake's vehicle plunged into the bay, but she was able to escape the sinking vehicle and swim to safety.
"We're very pleased with what [State's Attorney and prosecutor] Laura Martin has been able to do for the family and for the case. We're very relieved, of course, that we're not going to have to go to trial, and we think for once [John Gibson]'s done something ... halfway decent. ...We're sorry that we're all having to go through all of this. It's been extremely devastating for the whole family."
Martha Bliss, grandmother of murder victim Amanda Lynn Foster, after Calvert County Circuit Court Judge Marjorie Clagett accepted John Gibson's Alford plea in the case. Gibson was accused of stabbing Foster then dumping her body in St. Mary's County. Gibson is scheduled for sentencing on Jan. 13.
"I really want the schools to be showcased this year because the teachers work really hard and their interest is all about helping the students and seeing them progress."
Interim superintendent Nancy Highsmith, commenting on the challenges facing teachers with new Common Core curriculum standards.
"I think it's really important that common sense is being used. I think that can increase school security ... If the principal is suspecting the student of something serious enough to warrant a suspension, they should notify the parents within 15 minutes by phone."
Board of Education member Joe Chenelly, commenting on the need for the school system to revamp suspension and parental notification policies following instances where parents reported they were not notified in a timely manner when their child had been suspended.
"All of this is for nothing if we do not come together to where we can do something positive for our country and our community."
Bernard Young, who was one of many Southern Marylanders who made the trip to Washington, D.C., in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s March on Washington, where he delivered his immortal "I Have a Dream" speech.
"It's sad that I won't be able to serve the community the way I had always dreamed ... I feel especially bad there's this one girl [who] just loves our store and cannot wait to get here. When she does really well, for whatever reason, she gets to come in here and get some kind of a gift. She just explodes every time she gets to come in here. That's what I will miss the most — just those types of experiences — and the personal connections I've made with teachers."
Laurie Uherek, owner of Educate and Celebrate, who had to shut her doors after plans were announced to revamp the Calvert Village Shopping Center. Uherek was among several store owners who either shuttered doors or were relocated to other areas in the county.
"I know it's my fish, and I want the thing back."
Tom Booth of Huntingtown, after controversy arose over whether 12-year-old Colton Lambert's state record-breaking bass was caught at Booth's pond or a different location, as the Lamberts argued. Booth ultimately chose not to enter litigation over the issue.
"It took me a long time to make the decision. I tell people that I've never done anything where hard work and integrity didn't pay off, so that made me think that politics was not the place for me. I realized that I encourage more women to be in politics, so I felt I needed to step up to the plate and do what it takes to get the seat back."
Former delegate Sue Kullen of Port Republic on her announcement to run again to represent Calvert in the 2014 election.
"[The board] wants the school system to make sure that parental notice will happen as quickly as possible, and we're always working on that. We need to balance a thorough investigation with immediate notice."
Calvert County Board of Education member Dawn Balinski comments on proposed revisions to the school system's weapons policy, after the board received complaints that parents were not immediately notified of a student's suspension, and after a May incident involving a weapons policy violation garnered national attention.
"I think the action was wrong and overbearing. I also think it was absolutely ridiculous it took 26 hours to contact the parent and my son was already being punished."
Carin Read of Lusby reacts to school officials' decision to discipline her sixth-grade son for forming his hand into the shape of a gun and pointing it at another student, and contacting her to inform her of the decision a day later. Her son's record was later cleared.
"It's really sad that they're making this a political football. Ultimately, who gets hurt is everyone in town."
Business owner Wesley Donovan, who sponsored a petition to bring the Chesapeake Beach water and sewer rates to referendum after the town council voted to pass a flat rate utility structure.
"We've been waiting a long time for this building. ... It's how we as a college can work with the community to improve Southern Maryland. We are just so excited about this day."
College of Southern Maryland President Brad Gottfried during a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new, environmentally-friendly building at the Prince Frederick campus.
"And anybody that thinks it's gonna get easier ... you're being foolish. It isn't gonna get easier. It's gonna get tougher."
Commissioner Gerald W. "Jerry" Clark (R) addresses economic challenges for businesses in the county at a Chamber of Commerce breakfast.
"We know absolutely, 100 percent that there is an unmet need. It's just, OK, how do you target it? And, once you do, how do you resolve it, is what the problem is."
Calvert County Transportation Services Supervisor Sandy Wobbleton discusses public transportation concerns during a League of Women Voters town hall meeting.
"I think the fervor of the parents wanting the school to be there saved it. They reached out to other people, got our name out in the public and just wanted us to succeed."
Jean Moyer, parent and former employee of Our Lady Star of the Sea School in Solomons reflects on the school's 80th anniversary and its near closing in 2012.
"Despite all the problems in the housing market over the last several years, still the leading cause of bankruptcy in this country is because of debt incurred from health problems. People don't have insurance, they get sick, they get into a car crash, appendix ruptures, and they end up going bankrupt. They lose their car, they lose their house, anything they were saving for their kids' education. So having people now be able to afford insurance not only makes a difference in their day-to-day lives, but may make a big difference for their family's security down the road."
Calvert County Health Officer Dr. Laurence Polsky discusses impacts of the Affordable Care Act with the county commissioners.
"This whole thing has been a fiasco. ... I think you might be better to come up with a whole new Board of Elections, because I am disgusted with what has taken place and how it was done, and I would like to [resign] as well."
Chesapeake Beach Board of Elections Chairman Malcolm Funn addresses the town council after weeks of challenges made as to whether there were enough valid petition signatures to send the town's utility rates to a referendum vote. Funn and election board member Ron Draper both announced their resignations at the council meeting.
"Our hardworking federal workforce ... should not have to face furloughs. Like so many other Americans, they have mortgages to meet, college tuitions to pay, and families to support. That's why I have joined my colleagues in sponsoring this bipartisan proposal to meet our basic moral obligation to our public servants and ensure all federal employees receive retroactive pay."
U.S. House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md., 5th) makes a statement regarding the government shutdown that resulted after Congress could not come to a federal funding agreement.
"More than anything, I feel disappointed. I've always been so proud to be a federal employee, especially for [the Department of Homeland Security] ... but I have never felt so let down by anything or any person in my life. I really feel like the government failed me."
Jennifer Malenab of Chesapeake Beach reflects on her struggles during the federal government shutdown.
"When I was a kid, if I got in trouble, I got put in a corner. I wish I could put all the politicians in the corner."
U.S. Census Bureau employee and North Beach resident Brian Greenwell shares his feelings regarding Congress and the shutdown.
"I am actually happy to say, you can get $1.2 billion out of your head. It's not going to be needed. It's not going to be necessary, in our opinion."
Daniel Nees, senior research associate at the University of Maryland Environmental Finance Center, shares the center's research on the federally-mandated Watershed Implementation Plan with the Calvert County commissioners. The commissioners sought help from the center in finding strategies to lower the cost of funding the county's WIP.
"I don't have enough words in my vocabulary to tell you what it means to us. ... I'm really thankful for what you've done. This is one of the greatest memories of my life."
Longtime Solomons resident and civic leader Alton Kersey, on the Solomons Civic Association's dedication of the Watermen's Memorial Garden in his name.
"If this policy change is not working and the public starts contacting us, we're gonna look at it again; we're gonna review it until we get it right."
Calvert County Board of Education Vice President Kelly McConkey comments on newly approved changes to the school system's look-alike weapons policy.
"Our utmost concern is for the safety of all children, not only the victim, but also the person that is being accused of something. We want to be sure we have the story correct, we want to be sure we have all the facts. When we don't have that, then it doesn't look like we're giving due diligence to our students."
Interim Superintendent of Calvert County Public Schools Nancy V. Highsmith, on the schools' weapons policy revisions.
"We're gonna design it and operate and minimize the environmental issues. We are working very, very, very hard and doing lots of studies and modification to the existing design."
Michael Gardner, Dominion Cove Point Liquefied Natural Gas manager of LNG operation, stresses Dominion's commitment to minimizing any environmental impacts of its proposed exportation project, during an informational meeting hosted by the League of Women Voters.
"I don't think that I have enough information to know the full extent of this project. ... We need to get answers before it's a done deal."
Patuxent Riverkeeper CEO Fred Tutman shares his concerns about Dominion's proposed exportation project during a meeting held by various environmental groups at the Southern Community Center.
"It's kind of like walking into a ransacked house."
Southern Memorial Association Inc. co-owner John Yeatman on his visit to the foreclosed Southern Memorial Gardens cemetery in Dunkirk. After the cemetery and its plot owners suffered years of hardship, the private corporation bought and re-opened the business.
"We are happy that there is an indictment in this case. It was an emotional case for law enforcement. This was an emotional case for the community."
Capt. Steve Jones of the Calvert County Sheriff's Office comments after Melissa Schrae Bowen, 33, of Prince Frederick was charged in the deaths of two infants found on two separate occasions.
"There's no point in lobbying this board of commissioners with regard to decisions that are going to be made by [the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission]. We don't have any influence with FERC. They're the experts, and they're gonna do what they're gonna do. ... So, for anybody to somehow think that we can march up to FERC in Washington, [D.C.,] and have some influence with them is kind of silly."
Commissioner Susan Shaw (R) addresses public concerns as to why the commissioners were not more vocal in regard to the proposed Dominion Cove Point Liquefied Natural Gas export facility.
"Shame! Shame! Shame!"
A hearing room full of county residents against the proposed Dominion Cove Point LNG export facility react after the county commissioners voted to exempt LNG facilities from the county zoning ordinance and International Building Code requirements.
"Maryland really has been, the last 10 years, on a path of transitioning off of climate-changing fossil fuels and on to clean, renewable energy. But in the past six months, a radical detour has been proposed for our state. It's a very different energy vision that would seriously knock us off our current path."
Chesapeake Climate Action Network Executive Director Mike Tidwell rallies a meeting room against the proposed LNG facility. CCAN held multiple meetings as part of its "Maryland Crossroads 2013 Tour: Clean Energy, Not Cove Point!"
"I mean, how can you take a 4,000-home community that barely has paved roads in many instances, has no business center and, in fact, has no businesses, and designate it as an urban area?"
Del. Anthony J. O'Donnell (R-Calvert, St. Mary's) expresses concern over the federal government's request to designate the Chesapeake Ranch Estates and other portions of Calvert County, along with portions of St. Mary's County, as a Metropolitan Planning Organization.
"There's never been a project of this size and this complex in our history."
Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative public affairs manager Tom Dennison regarding the co-op's $110 million reliability project to carry a 230-kilovolt system through Calvert to St. Mary's, digging tunnels 50 feet below the Patuxent River.
"There is more we have to do to get the correct information out there. I think there is still a lot of misinformation — that is one of our goals as a system. There are a lot of misconceptions, and we need to be sure we clear those misconceptions. It was a good start last night."
Nancy V. Highsmith, interim superintendent of Calvert County Public Schools, regarding a Common Core State Standards forum held in Calvert to educate the community about the new educational standards.
"I do understand why the board would want to move it forward. I just have a real problem with the federal government extorting a vote out of local government, and by them holding back money, basically what they're doing is extorting a vote."
Commissioner Gerald W. "Jerry" Clark (R) shares his views on the county's option to either approve its Metropolitan Planning Organization status or potentially lose federal funding for the Gov. Thomas Johnson Memorial Bridge replacement. Both the Calvert and St. Mary's commissioners approved the measure with reluctance.
"We're having unprecedented eruptions. Everyone's freaking out about it."
Andy Brown, Calvert County senior naturalist at Battle Creek Cypress Swamp Nature Center, regarding the first recorded sightings of a snowy owl in the county.
"I'm glad that a little over 700 people voted in the referendum. It really shows how much people care about the issue. ... People didn't want to have their rates doubled or tripled all in one shot."
Wesley Donovan, sponsor of a petition to bring Chesapeake Beach's flat rate utility structure to referendum, after the town voted in a special election to reject the flat water and sewer rates.


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ETSU Baseball splits doubleheader with Binghamton
Saturday, February 22, 2003JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Feb. 22, 2003) - East Tennessee State had an offensive explosion in game one, defeating Binghamton, 13-3, in the first half of a doubleheader before the Bearcats turned the table, taking down the Bucs, 15-7, in game two Saturday from Cardinal Park in Johnson City, Tenn. The Bucs opened the scoring in the bottom of the first, as sophomore catcher .Caleb Moore (Knoxville, Tenn.) hit a two-run homer over the left field fence. Freshman third baseman Shane Byrne (Johnson City, Tenn.) scored in front of Moore, having walked earlier in the inning. Binghamton cut the Buccaneer lead in half after scoring an unconventional run in the top of the second. Centerfielder T.J. Kowalchuk reached on an error, then moved to second on a balk. Kowalchuk next moved to third on a passed ball and scored on a wild pitch. ETSU put another run on the board in the bottom of the second frame, as sophomore shortstop Justin Clear (LaFollette, Tenn.) drove in sophomore right fielder Kevin Brotherton (Erwin, Tenn.) with a perfect hit-and-run single to left field. The Bearcats trimmed the Buccaneer lead to 3-2 in the top of the fourth inning on a solo homer by Joe Costello with one out. But again the Bucs quickly responded, this time in resounding fashion, scoring ten unanswered runs in the fourth and fifth innings. A three-run homer by junior second baseman Andy Howdeshell (Maryville, Tenn.) and a grand slam by Byrne essentially put the game out of reach. Junior starter Tim Turner (Marietta, Ga.) picked up his first win of the season (1-0), pitching five innings, allowing just two hits and one earned run while striking out seven. Mark Messina (0-1) was charged with the loss for the Bearcats, pitching 4.2 innings and allowing nine earned runs on seven hits. "Tim was not as sharp as he normally is, but he still pitched very well," said ETSU head coach Tony Skole following the game. Howdeshell, Brotherton and Clear all had two hits in the game. Byrne led the Bucs with four RBI's, while Howdeshell added three and Moore had two. "We got timely hits and big RBI's in game one," said Skole. "We got great production out of the top of the order with our top three batters driving in nine combined runs." Binghamton's bats came alive in game two, scoring runs in all but one inning. The Bearcats gained the early advantage in game two, jumping out to a 6-0 lead after one and a half innings. Kowalchuk connected for a three-run homer in the top of the first and a two-RBI double by designated hitter Dusty Edwards were the big blows in the first two innings for the Bearcats. The Bucs chipped away at the Bearcat lead, scoring their first run of the game on a single by Clear in the bottom of the second that scored freshman center fielder Steven Calicutt (Spartanburg, S.C.). Binghamton widened their lead to 7-1 in the top of the third as first baseman Jacob Thiel singled in Kowalchuk from third. East Tennessee State cut the Bearcat lead in half to 7-4 in the bottom of the frame, scoring three runs. Senior first baseman Chad Boruff (Knoxville, Tenn.) had the big hit of the inning, blasting a two-run home run over the left field wall. After the Bearcats scored another run in the top of the fourth, ETSU responded with three more runs to close to 8-7. Byrne laced a two-run double to center field and Boruff hit a double of his own to score Byrne. But that was as close as ETSU would get, as the Bearcats would score seven unanswered runs, including six in the seventh, to end the game. Binghamton got great relief pitching from Mike Weglinski, who went the final 3.2 innings to earn his first win (1-0) of the season. Weglinski scattered five hits and allowed one earned run while striking out two. Freshman pitcher Jeremy Hall (Gray, Tenn.) was charged with the loss (0-1) after pitching three innings and allowing four earned runs on six hits. Boruff and Clear led the Bucs with two hits each in game two, while Boruff paced ETSU with three RBI's. Kowalchuk had a great game for Binghamton, going 3-for-4 with four RBI's and three runs scored. Right fielder Tony Berube also had four runs driven in for the Bearcats. "We are not going to win many games when we allow the opposing team to score in every inning but one," said Skole. "Hopefully we can come out tomorrow with more energy, and play a little better" The Buccaneers and Bearcats close out their weekend series Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. from Cardinal Park in Johnson City, Tenn.
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