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Our staff is always available to make your visit to Gilda's Club Westchester enjoyable and beneficial. If you have any questions, please e–mail us at email@example.com or click on a staff person's name to send an email.
Chief Executive Officer
Melissa Lang, DrPH, MPH, MPA, MA
Melissa Lang has been Gilda's Club Westchester's Chief Executive Officer since 2011. She brings a range of experience that includes healthcare management and delivery, public policy, and health advocacy. Her background includes several years of experience in long term care and disabilities, hospice and palliative care, and aging services. Melissa is committed to the field of psychosocial oncology and delivering quality programs that improve the lives of individuals and families as they navigate through difficult medical circumstances.
Melissa actively engages in advocacy and policy development in a variety of settings and serves on several committees that address issues related to cancer treatment and survivorship, family caregiving, Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, aging and end-of-life care, and access to health care. Committed to the dual focus of quality of care and quality of life affecting older adults, Melissa served as a New York State Certified Long Term Care Ombudsman and is currently the Vice President, Board of Directors, for The Center for Aging in Place.
Melissa holds a Doctorate in Public Health, Health Policy and Management, from New York Medical College; a Master's Degree in Public Health, Healthcare Management, from Columbia University, School of Public Health; and a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs. Building on her interest in exploring the legal and ethical issues in medical policy, practice, and research, Melissa completed a Certificate in Bioethics and Medical Humanities at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and is currently pursuing a degree in Bioethics at Columbia University.
Development Coordinator
Amanda Nardozzi
Oncology Social Worker
Liz Barnett, LMSW
Liz has been with Gilda's Club since 2016, facilitating support groups and providing individual counseling for Gilda's Club members. Prior to Gilda's Club, she worked as an oncology social worker at the Bennett Cancer Center at Stamford Hospital, where she provided individual and family counseling to oncology patients. Liz earned her MSW from New York University's Silver School of Social Work and also has a B.S. in Engineering from Cornell University. She is currently an MSW Fellow with the Zelda Foster Palliative and End-of-life Program at NYU.
Director of Business Operations
Cory Ethridge
Having earned an MBA in Finance from NYU, Cory has worked with numerous nonprofit organizations in the areas of bookkeeping, accounting and donation processing. She has in-depth experience in electronic giving and has helped dozens of nonprofits with their online donations and monthly giving programs. She also has an extensive background in moving-for-health fitness programs that complement Gilda's Club Westchester's mission.
Director of Corporate Giving and Partnerships
Stephanie Falk
Stephanie joined Gilda's Club Westchester in 2008 and is presently the Director of Corporate Giving and Partnerships. In this capacity, Stephanie is responsible for developing strategic partnerships with the Westchester, Rockland and Connecticut business communities and also oversees the organization's Resource Advisory Council which is made up of long-time Gilda's supporters and former Board members.
At Gilda's Club Westchester, Stephanie has worked as both the Director of Special Events (2008-2012) and as the Director of Development (2012-2015). She designed a comprehensive development and fundraising strategy for the organization and was responsible for maintaining relationships with existing supporters and cultivating support and awareness among new donors, while also leading the organization's engagement and major gifts initiatives. Stephanie also directed all of Gilda's Club Westchester's major fundraising events including the Annual Comedy Gala, Golf Invitational, Women's Tennis Classic and Wellness Symposium, Mah Jongg Invitational, and Night of Laughter at Gotham Comedy Club in NYC.
Prior to working at Gilda's, Stephanie worked as a Vice President, Retail Brand Director for Lady Foot Locker and then as a marketing and communications consultant, providing strategic planning and brand development for corporate clients in the areas of special events, retail and marketing. Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications from Syracuse University.
Oncology Social Worker
Erica Forest, LCSW
Erica is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 10 years of oncology experience. She joined Gilda's Club in 2014. She previously worked as a clinical social worker at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in both Manhattan and Sleepy Hollow, NY providing crisis intervention and counseling including individual, group, couple and family work. She has worked with individuals and families impacted by all cancer diagnoses and stages, and has extensive experience working with people undergoing stem cell (bone marrow) transplant. She graduated with a Master's of Science in Social Work from Columbia University and has received DBT, family therapy and psychotherapy training.
Program and Evaluation Coordinator
Judy Freeman
Judy began working at Gilda's Club in June of 2002, following a seventeen year career at Columbia University's School of Social Work. During the past eleven years, her position has evolved. Judy's primary responsibility is to make sure the calendar is kept as full as possible with activities, lectures and workshops. She coordinates the monthly scheduling of approximately 25 continuing day-time and night-time volunteers and she also reaches out to the community at large to book open to the public lectures and workshops facilitated by physicians, authors, exercise specialists, community organizations and many others who are considered to be experts in their fields. She gets pleasure in being able to offer a varied schedule of activities for members.
A native of White Plains, she enjoys interacting with members of the community, both inside and outside the clubhouse. Judy graduated from Utica College of Syracuse University with a BS in Secondary Education.
Clinical Support Manager
Joan Jacobus, LCSW
Joan Jacobus joined Gilda's Club Westchester in May 2017 as Clinical Support Manager. She brings a wealth of experience in program management, aging and end of life care, and navigating health care systems. Her primary focus at Gilda's Club is program development, overseeing clinical staff and meeting the emotional needs of Gilda's Club Members.
Joan's prior work experience with not-for-profits includes twenty years of clinical work, serving people with life threatening or chronic illnesses. During her time in business, she was honored by New York State Governor Cuomo's Office for Leadership in Serving the Community and was the Vice President for Corporate Volunteers of New York. Joan has a Master's in Social Work degree from Hunter College and a Master's of Business Administration degree from New York University. In addition, she completed a post-graduate program at Gestalt Associates for Psychotherapy.
Children, Teens and Families Manager
Laura Moore, EdD, CHES, CCLS
Special Events Manager
Robin Wexler
Robin Wexler joined Gilda's Club Westchester in May 2016 as the Special Events Manager. In this role, Robin leads the portfolio of Gilda's Club Westchester special events including the Stair Climb, Annual Gala, Comedy Night, Mah Jongg Invitational, and Golf, Tennis & Yoga Classic to raise funds and generate awareness for the organization.
Robin has more than 20 years of experience in strategic marketing and brand development, media relations, event planning and execution, and digital marketing for both non-profit and for-profit organizations. Prior to working at Gilda's, she directed the marketing and media relations efforts at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center and Stepping Stones Museum for Children. Robin also supervised both the national celebrity and national ambassador programs for the March of Dimes in its national office.
Prior to her non-profit work, she served as the director of public relations for Starter Corporation in New Haven, CT. Robin's career started at Edelman Public Relations in New York City in the consumer marketing group. Robin proudly holds a Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of Texas at Austin.
Director of Program Administration
Jen Scully, ATR-BC
Jen Scully has extensive experience working with individuals and families who are impacted by serious illness and loss. Since she was hired in 2007, Jen has overseen the Children, Teens and Families Program, School-Based Program, and quality improvement at Gilda's Club Westchester.
Jen is currently the Director of Program Administration. She oversees administrative and non-clinical aspects of the program including lectures, workshops, and social events. In addition to her work in the GCW clubhouse, Jen also provides support and education to the larger community by coordinating and carrying out GCW's school outreach program, Gilda's CLASS, and serving as a resource to community organizations. She is also responsible for program evaluation and other quality initiatives to ensure high quality programming and clinical excellence.
Jen has a Master's degree in Art Therapy and Mental Health Counseling from Lesley University and is a board certified registered art therapist. Prior to working at Gilda's Club, Jen worked as Children's Program Coordinator for Hospice of the North Shore in Massachusetts. She has also served as an adjunct lecturer, teaching Creative Arts Therapy in Clinical Social Work, at NYU's Silver School of Social Work.
Director of Clinical Partnerships
Christine Speck, LCSW
Chris is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 5 years of experience working with critically ill individuals and their families. She joined Gilda's Club in 2016. Previously, Chris worked as a Social Worker with Hospice of Westchester, providing supportive counseling to patients, families and caregivers. She has worked in a variety of settings including at home, in hospitals, and in-patient and skilled nursing facilities. Chris is experienced in individual, family and group counseling and has worked with all ages across many diagnoses. She completed her Masters in Social Work at New York University in 2011 and was selected as a Zelda Foster Fellow which included additional training and mentorship in palliative and end-of-life care, as well as a focused internship at Westchester Medical Center in oncology. Chris completed a Post Masters Certificate in Palliative and End of Life training at NYU, and was the winner of the Association of Oncology Social Worker's Conference Scholarship in 2011.
Member and Volunteer Coordinator
Essie Steckler
Essie began working at Gilda's Club Westchester in March of 2002, and is the point person for many of the programs. She assists members by signing them up for new member meetings and is responsible for coordinating the monthly mailing to members and outreach contacts. In addition to formatting the monthly calendar, Essie keeps the Community Bulletin Board updated with current information. She also travels to hospitals, medical offices and libraries to distribute outreach material. Essie oversees the volunteers for reception, clubhouse caterers, clubhouse events, monthly mailers. Additionally, Essie volunteers her time at White Plains Hospital. A graduate of Mandl The College of Allied Health, Essie previously owned Modern Hardware and Paint/Essie's Chocolate which was sold in 2009.
Essie enjoys every day spent at Gilda's Club Westchester with the members, volunteers and staff. Helping others is the best way to help yourself!
Director of Major Gifts
Marjorie Weintraub
Marjorie Weintraub joined Gilda's Club Westchester in March 2017. She brings significant fundraising expertise with national and area not-for-profit organizations to Gilda's Club as the Director of Major Gifts. An accomplished non-profit executive, Marjorie will focus on major gifts, donor cultivation, board development and special targeted initiatives.
Marjorie served in many development roles during her career, raising funds to support arts, education, religious, and a variety of cause-based organizations. Locally, Marjorie served successfully as in-house Development Director and Development Consultant for a host of institutions including the JCC of Mid-Westchester, J-Teen Leadership, Northern Westchester Center for the Arts, Solomon Schechter School of Westchester, The Harvey School and Westchester Reform Temple.
Marjorie earned a Masters degree in Non-Profit Management from the George Washington University and a Bachelors degree in Family and Community Development at the University of Maryland. She is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the American Society for Training and Development and Women in Development, New York. She has two college aged children and is a twenty five year resident of Westchester County.
Clinical Support Group Facilitators
Susanne E. Berman, LMSW
Haya Caspi, MSW, LCSW-R
Miranda Dold, LCSW
Lydia Ecker, LMSW
Craig Haen, PhD, RTD, CGP, LCAT, FAGPA
Laura Himmelstein, LCSW, CHTP
Joan Milano, LCSW
Christine Paletta, LMSW
Debbie Vincent, LMSW
Heidi Weiss, LMSW, MHA


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Changing Strides Therapy LLC - Crosslake, Minnesota
Contact: Stacy Gustafson
Facebook page: Changing Strides Therapy
Families, groups, adolescents, and children.
We provide equine assisted therapy services. We also provide family, group and individual therapy services.
We specialize in adolescent and child therapy services.
EAGALA Certified
Crosslake, MN
United States46° 41' 7.7424" N, 94° 6' 46.9476" W
See map: Google Maps

subset: commoncrawl


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HEMPSTEAD, Long Island (WABC) --There is growing frustration at a troubled Long Island school district.
Parents are upset they have been kept in the dark about the Hempstead school budget. Hempstead has been dealing with overcrowding issues.
Hempstead School board president LaMont Johnson said he was holding a press conference Thursday to discuss the school district's budget for next year and it's implications.
When we got there - this is all he wanted to say regarding specifics.
"You have to come May 10th if you want to see the full budget and to see if there is any cuts," said Johnson.
A report online shows that the school board has already approved a budget which will cut more than $766,000.
Line items showing reductions include curriculum development and supervision and student transportation.
"They're very vague about everything. We got letters sent home. But nobody says anything or really tells us anything," said parent Rhiny Cruz.
"We are doing our best to have the academics reach the high levels that the taxes are. Until that time we don't feel comfortable that we should raise the budget," said Johnson.
The Hempstead School District has faced a number of serious issues this school year including refusing to accept hundreds of undocumented students and violence in the schools against teachers.
"All the numbers that this community is receiving from the district have to be questioned. We are receiving so much misinformation in regards to the budget in regard to admissions and how many students are coming," said Hempstad resident Melissa Figueroa.
Taxpayers and parents want specifics. So did we.
"Why would you consider cutting teachers and curriculum?," we asked, but Johnson walked away.


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Effort accounting is needed in software and IT for the simple reason that labor is generally the most important controllable element of cost. Labor cost (effort hours times prevailing labor rate) is an essential and fundamental element of efficiency measurement. Six Sigma projects in software and IT (especially DMAICs) are often focused on driving down the effort associated with a particular process. To know if an improvement has produced the desired impact, an organization must know time spent, both before and after the improvement.
Rarely will effort accounting be sufficient in itself. Typically, it will be combined with other measures. A company may, for example, normalize by size in order to enable valid comparison across projects of different scope. It also may combine effort data with defect count data to calculate average effort required to find and/or fix a defect, or combine effort data with a count of support requests to calculate average effort required to service a support request. Derived measures such as these combine several elementary measures to develop values that can be used for planning, evaluation and estimation.
When applying Six Sigma, it is always wise to know the validity of the data that will be used to make significant decisions. The discipline for determining validity is known as measurement systems analysis (MSA). In transactional environments, including software and IT, MSA poses questions such as the following for assessment of any measurement system:
Accuracy: Unfortunately, most of the effort accounting data is not very accurate. While reasons for this vary widely, the most significant causes include:
Consistency: There also are significant deficiencies in this area, including:
It is critically important that organizations focus their attention on the reliability and usability of any measurement systems involved in Six Sigma efforts. The following list of do's and don'ts will both improve the quality of effort accounting data and reduce the cost of collection.
1. Don't collect information you don't use to make decisions or drive improvement. Curiosity or we always did it this way are not reasonable justifications for the cost and annoyance associated with effort accounting.
2. Do establish a process to verify the accuracy of the data being collected. This means at least weekly review of data by first level supervisors. Did the team really work on the projects/phase indicated? Do the hours reported jive with the time actually worked? Is overtime work reflected in the time reported?
3. Don't let the fact that the reporting system is used for other purposes interfere with the need to get valid effort accounting. For example, if you need to report eight hours per day for payroll or benefits systems, build a simple export from the actual hours data to the payroll system. An excuse is not a reason.
4. Do keep to a manageable number the categories against which any individual needs to report. Maybe you can get people to report with reasonable accuracy against two or three accounts in one day, but you will never get reliable data about 10 or 12 categories. It also is worth noting that assigning more than two concurrent tasks is a sure formula for low productivity. Studies by leading management consultant Tom DeMarco and others indicate a 50 percent reimmersion penalty for task switching associated with complex tasks. Help your people stay focused and finish one thing before beginning another. They will be much more productive and less frustrated, and effort accounting overhead will be significantly less and the figures correspondingly more accurate.
5. Don't let inappropriate incentives or punishments get in the way of the truth about how time is really being used. If people get negative feedback when they tell the truth, you will never find out what is really going on. And consequently you will never be able to get at root causes and find permanent solutions. Management-by-fact is a central feature of a Six Sigma culture.
6. Do make sure to frequently and fully communicate the operational definitions needed for accurate effort accounting. Make sure your people know why they are reporting effort, and what you do with that information. Show them how they will benefit from the process improvements that are possible with accurate data. Communicate the information that is relevant to the target audience. If, for example, process improvements can reduce the frequency of late night support calls, that reduction is probably a meaningful motivator for those involved. Never use the data to punish.
7. Don't confuse effort accounting with status tracking. For status tracking, all you need to know is which tasks are complete and which are not. Be honest with yourself – have you actually ever used task-level effort accounting data to plan a future project? Most organizations do not, but often claim that is why they collect the data. Unless you are doing earned value analysis, you probably do not make any valuable use of task level effort data.
8. Do consider using a very simple chart of accounts for effort accounting. For example, collect effort data by project, phase and cost-of-quality categories only. Cost-of-quality categories include:
- Value-added effort – in general, the time it takes to do the task the first time
- Appraisal effort – time spent on checking the work done, which includes all reviews, inspections and testing
- Rework – all time devoted to correcting defects identified by appraisal efforts
- Prevention – activities such as training and DMAIC projects – not normally accounted for by project
This approach gives a five-phase project a total of 15 accounts – certainly manageable.
Most software organizations are spending 60 to 70 percent of total effort on appraisal and rework, but few realize this because most effort accounting practices rarely bring it out in the open.
Productivity improvement in software is fundamentally simple – increase value-added effort by reducing rework, which, in turn, is accomplished by changing the mix and effectiveness of appraisal activities and by instituting or expanding prevention activities.
9. Don't confuse sampling with 100 percent reporting. You need 100 percent reporting against a basic chart of accounts such as described above, but you can readily drill down when necessary by using much smaller samples taken as needed. For example, you may wish to know the relative cost of finding and fixing different types of defects. The approach proposed above shows the average for all types. If you want to differentiate cost by type, you can certainly do that with a sample – much less overhead, but fully as effective as 100 percent reporting, provided the sample is properly drawn.
It is not rocket science, but software and IT organizations will continue to fall short of their objectives without significant improvements in measurement systems, beginning with effort accounting. Yet, the discussion of measurement systems for software companies should not end with effort accounting. Other critical measurement systems also need exploration.


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TV Daily Schedule: KQED 9
Another way to search for programs is from the TV Programs A-Z Directory.
KQED 9: Monday, December 11, 2017
Channels 9.1 • 54.2, 25.1 | XFINITY 9 and HD 709
Schedule is subject to change. Please visit kqed.org/tv/schedules/daily for the most up-to-date info.
12:00 amAustin City Limits [#4210H] Margo Price/Hayes Carll Welcome up-and-coming country singers Margo Price and Hayes Carll to ACL. Price supports her debut album Midwest Farmer's Daughter, while Carll sings songs from his album Lovers and Leavers. duration 56:46 SRND51 TVPG
1:00 amMasterpiece Classic [#4444H] The Paradise, Season 2 - Part 4 Denise and Moray have everything they wished for - almost. What lengths will they go to in order to fulfill their ultimate dream, and can their love withstand blind ambition? Denise faces new challenges that keenly point out the difference between friendship and leadership, while Moray suddenly seems to live in the shadows, much like Jonas. Meanwhile, a Paradise employee faces a painful visit from the past, that also holds the opportunity for ultimate forgiveness. duration 53:11 STEREO TVPG
1:55 amMasterpiece Classic [#4445H] The Paradise, Season 2 - Part 5 The Food Hall opens at the Paradise, but there's a different jewel distracting attention - the new timepiece display. At the centerpiece, is a stunning and mysterious watch from Katherine's late father. It is Katherine's cherished object, but it also harbors a secret that becomes currency in the power play at the Paradise. Sam is beguiled with the watch, and uses it to build an impressive watch sales enterprise. Meanwhile, Denise is given an extraordinary opportunity, but accepting it may put her in opposition with Moray - what will she do? The time to make a decision is ticking away. duration 53:11 STEREO TVPG
2:50 amMasterpiece Mystery! [#4409H] Sherlock, Series III: The Empty Hearse Sherlock (Benedict Cumberbatch) is not dead: this much we know. But how did he survive his leap off the roof of St. Bart's Hospital? There are many theories, but none of them matter to John Watson (Martin Freeman), who is less concerned with how his friend survived than with why his friend didn't let him know he was alive. Sherlock returns to London with an assignment (stop an impending terrorist attack on the city) and a plan (restore the old Sherlock-John partnership). When he finds that his brother Mycroft's warning that John has moved on with his life is true, will Sherlock have to accept a new reality and a new partner? duration 1:28:53 STEREO TV14 (Secondary audio: DVI)
4:20 amMasterpiece Mystery! [#4410H] Sherlock, Series III: The Sign of Three Who leaves a wedding early? In The Sign of Three, it's the best man, namely Sherlock (Benedict Cumberbatch). John Watson (Martin Freeman) may live to regret offering the role to a man who didn't realize he was John's best friend, but more importantly, one of the guests at John's wedding to Mary Morstan (Amanda Abbington) may not live to see the end of the day. Too bad that Sherlock is unable to focus his tremendous powers of deduction on the murder that's hatching right under his nose, but then the responsibilities of a best man are more diabolically exhausting than preventing a very clever killing. duration 1:28:30 STEREO TVPG (Secondary audio: DVI)
6:00 amThomas & Friends [#1204H] Christmas Time Cranky Christmas - Sir Topham Hatt sends Thomas to the docks to collect a very important Christmas parcel. When unloading the ship, Cranky drops the parcel and fears that he broke the contents within. He hides the parcel, but it's soon found and Thomas sets off to deliver it. When Thomas slips on the icy tracks, he thinks that he broke the contents of the parcel. Sir Topham Hatt opens the parcel and reveals materials for the community's ice skating rink-unbroken! Learning Goals: being helpful, expressing thanks, taking responsibility for actions, being kind and polite, apologizing. Snow Place Like Home - The snow is causing all sorts of trouble for the engines. Emily is at the Steamworks waiting for a truck, Kevin is trapped outside, and Victor ventures out to rescue Kevin, who he thinks is headed towards the depot. Luckily, Thomas is sent to the depot, too, and is able to find Victor before any other engines get stuck in the snow. Learning Goals: being a good friend, helping others, expressing sympathy and concern for others, applying one's best efforts, resourceful thinking. duration 28:46 STEREO TVY (Secondary audio: DVI)
6:30 amCat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That! [#117H] A Long Winter's Nap/The Tree Doctor * A Long Winter's Nap: Sally and Nick are so excited to go ice skating tomorrow, that they can't fall asleep! Cat's friend Boris the Bear can help! Off they go to the Gleep-sneep Woods to learn how Boris gets ready to take his long winter's nap. Back at home, Nick and Sally follow Boris' advice, and, with the help of a bedtime story from Cat, they quickly fall asleep.
* The Tree Doctor: Sally's little maple sapling hasn't grown any bigger! To discover why, The Cat in the Hat takes the kids to meet Dr. Twiggles. With the help of the doctor and his songs, Nick and Sally discover how trees "eat" - through their leaves and roots. They also learn that trees grow verrrry slowly. A few more years and their maple sapling will grow into a maple tree! duration 28:46 STEREO TVY (Secondary audio: DVI)
7:00 amReady Jet Go! [#138] Holidays In Boxwood Terrace Jet pitches an idea for the annual Boxwood Terrace Christmas Pageant, and not only is it accepted, he gets to direct it! He casts Sean, Sydney, Mindy, and Sunspot as characters in the play, and hires Mitchell Petersen to help him find this elusive thing called "Christmas Spirit." / Jet is looking for the Spirit of Christmas, something intangible that Sean and Sydney can't quite define. Mitchell wants to belong to the group, but doesn't know how to do it. Both kids get their answer in a heartfelt conclusion. duration 28:55 SRND51 TVY (Secondary audio: DVI)
7:30 amWild Kratts: A Creature Christmas In this special, it's Christmas time and the Wild Kratts are taking a break from creature adventuring to celebrate. But when the Wild Kratts receive an alert that their favorite creatures are suddenly disappearing around the globe, their holiday party quickly turns into a rescue mission. Our heroes must race against time to thwart their greedy archrivals' most miserly scheme yet! Will they be able to travel to the ends of the earth and return their baby animal friends to their homes in time for the holidays? Find out on Wild Kratts: A Creature Christmas. duration 58:46 STEREO TVY
8:30 amCurious George: A Very Monkey Christmas Curious George and the Man with the Yellow Hat enjoy their Christmas preparations. duration 58:46 STEREO TVY (Secondary audio: DVI)
9:30 amDaniel Tiger's Neighborhood [#139] Snowflake Day! In this thirty minute holiday musical episode, the Neighborhood is celebrating Snowflake Day! Daniel has a very important role as the snowflake in the Neighborhood's Snowflake Day Show and he can't wait to say his lines! The Enchanted Garden is full of excitement and winter cheer as everyone pitches in to make the celebration a true Neighborhood success! duration 28:55 STEREO TVY (Secondary audio: DVI)
10:00 amDaniel Tiger's Neighborhood [#208] Daniel's Winter Adventure/Neighborhood Nutcracker Daniel's Winter Adventure - Daniel, Dad, Prince Wednesday and Prince Tuesday are all going sledding! But once they get to the hill and see how tall it is, Daniel and Prince Wednesday get scared. Dad assures them that if they try it a little bit at a time, they might surprise themselves and have a great time. Later, Daniel goes ice skating for the first time. When he tries it a little bit at a time, he realizes it is not so hard. Neighborhood Nutcracker - Daniel is going to see a show called The Nutcracker Ballet! Once he arrives at the performance, he finds out that Prince Wednesday is sick and needs Daniel to fill in for him and dance on stage. Daniel is reluctant at first but realizes that if he learns the steps a little bit at a time, he can dance the Nutcracker and the show will go on! Strategy: If something seems hard to do, try it a little bit at a time. duration 28:55 STEREO TVY (Secondary audio: DVI)
10:30 amSplash and Bubbles [#140H] Whitebeard/Coral Day Ripple is excited because, according to legend, tonight is the night that Whitebeard, a mysterious creature who lives in the North Pole, sails over Reeftown, singing his beautiful music. She tries to convince the other Reeftown friends to stay up and watch for him to appear. / It's the holiday season in Reeftown as everyone gets ready for Coral Day, a celebration of the wonderful coral that make up their home. Splash, new to Reeftown and its traditions, wonders what he can contribute to the festival. duration 28:46 SRND51 TVY
11:00 amSplash and Bubbles [#125H] The Lure of the Rocks/What's The Story, Maury? After a series of mishaps, Dunk becomes convinced that his lucky rock has become a bad luck charm. In order to bring back his good luck, Dunk is determined to get rid of the rock in the most permanent way possible: dropping it in the molten magma of the volcano located far down in the deep. / Maury, who's always "spreading the word" about things on the reef, often gets things wrong. Due to his poor vision, he sometimes mistakes what he thinks he sees, with comic results. duration 28:46 SRND51 TVY (Secondary audio: DVI)
11:30 amOnce Upon A Sesame Street Christmas It's Christmas Eve on Sesame Street! After putting out cookies for Santa, Elmo's dad tells him a bedtime story about his great-great-grandmonster Elmo and how Sesame Street was once an unfriendly street. Everyone was grouchy and there was no holiday spirit. With the help of Grandmonster Elmo's new friends, they try to find a way to bring back the holiday spirit in hopes that Santa would come to visit. They learn that all you need is kindness! duration 58:46 STEREO TVY (Secondary audio: DVI)
12:30 pmSuper Why! [#320H] Judith's Happy Chanukah Whyatt is excited to have been invited to Red's Gramma's house to celebrate Chanukah, but doesn't know much about the holiday. To learn more, the Super Readers jump into the book Judith's Happy Chanukah where they meet Judith, who loves Chanukah so much that she can't wait to share it with her new friends. Educational Objectives: To learn about holiday traditions. Kids will play with the alphabet and identify the letters C, O, I, N, and S. They'll learn the word LATKES, rhyme -OIL words, and use the power to read to change the story and make both Red's and Judith's Chanukah celebrations special. duration 28:46 SRND51 TVY (Secondary audio: DVI)
1:00 pmPeg + Cat + Holidays This is a special holiday episode of Peg + Cat featuring "The Christmas Problem," "The Hanukkah Problem," and "The Penguin Problem. " This series is designed to engage preschool children and teach them how to solve math-based problems with Peg, a chatty and tenacious five year-old, her feline pal, Cat, and her smart, handsome, cool friend Ramone. duration 58:46 STEREO TVY (Secondary audio: DVI)
2:00 pmReady Jet Go! [#138] Holidays In Boxwood Terrace Jet pitches an idea for the annual Boxwood Terrace Christmas Pageant, and not only is it accepted, he gets to direct it! He casts Sean, Sydney, Mindy, and Sunspot as characters in the play, and hires Mitchell Petersen to help him find this elusive thing called "Christmas Spirit." / Jet is looking for the Spirit of Christmas, something intangible that Sean and Sydney can't quite define. Mitchell wants to belong to the group, but doesn't know how to do it. Both kids get their answer in a heartfelt conclusion. duration 28:55 SRND51 TVY (Secondary audio: DVI)
2:30 pmBBC World News America [#17345H] duration 27:18 STEREO TVRE
3:00 pmPBS NewsHour [#12116] duration 56:46 STEREO TVRE (Secondary audio: none)
4:00 pmHistory Detectives [#106Z] John Brown's Letters, Japanese House, Poems * John Brown's Letters - Sacramento, California--A woman in Sacramento, California, has reason to believe she may be a relative of John Brown, the 19th-century abolitionist. Do her grandmother's letters prove that she is a descendant of the historical figure? The Detectives attempt to answer her query once and for all with a series of investigations into the authenticity of the letters and her family tree. Will this investigation prove to be a crucial piece in the puzzle of her family history?
* Japanese Tea House - Gilroy, California--How did an authentic Japanese tea house become part of the famed San Francisco World's Fair in a time just preceding World War II? The Detectives attempt to reveal the origins of the tea house and explain how it came to be featured in the fair at a time shortly before Japanese internment camps were established. How did the tea house make its way to America in the first place, and who was behind its inclusion in the fair?
* Poems -San Francisco, California--In the first half of the 20th century, nearly 250,000 Chinese immigrants attempted to enter the United States. Because of discrimination against Chinese, and laws meant to impede their passage, most were detained and interrogated on Angel Island, America's west coast immigration center. The experience of these immigrants is documented in hundreds of poems that have been carved into the walls of the Angel Island detention center. Many of these have been translated, but little is known about the authors. Kathleen Wong, a second-generation Chinese-American, believes that her grandfather and great-grandfather spent time on the island and that her great-grandfather committed suicide there. She knows little about her ancestors' experience on Angel Island and their possible connection with the poems. History Detectives will investigate the story of her family's passage to the United States to find out if any of the poems were written by her ancestors. duration 55:15 STEREO TVG
5:00 pmNightly Business Report [#36246] duration 26:46 STEREO TVG (Secondary audio: none)
5:30 pmBBC World News America [#17345H] duration 27:18 STEREO TVRE
6:00 pmPBS NewsHour [#12116] duration 56:46 STEREO TVRE (Secondary audio: none)
7:00 pmAmerica's Test Kitchen from Cook's Illustrated [#1603H] A Hearty Start to the Day Host Christopher Kimball goes into the test kitchen with test cook Becky Hays to learn how to make the best eggs piperade. Next, test cook Dan Souza uncovers the secrets to making chocolate hazelnut spread at home. Then, tasting expert Jack Bishop challenges Chris to a tasting of maple syrup. Finally, test cook Julia Collin Davison shows Chris how to make the perfect 100 percent whole wheat pancakes. duration 26:46 STEREO TVG
7:30 pmCheck, Please! Bay Area [#1216H] Waterfront Pizza and Mediterranean Restaurant, Saul's Restaurant & Delicatessen, Lolinda Sit outside with the locals and enjoy hookah by the water at Foster City's Waterfront Pizza and Mediterranean Restaurant. Then, stop in for pastrami and matzo ball soup at East Coast meets West Coast deli-done-Berkeley style, Saul's Restaurant & Delicatessen. Finally, dig into wood-fired meat, meat and more meat at San Francisco's Lolinda. duration 25:51 STEREO TVG
8:00 pmAntiques Roadshow [#1815H] Anaheim, Hour Three AR is in Anaheim, California, where host Mark L. Walberg and appraiser Rosie Sayyah head to Joseff Jewelry to discuss Hollywood costume jewelry. Highlights include an 18th-century Chinese cinnabar lacquer box that was originally created as gift wrapping and is appraised for $40,000 to $60,000; a collection of wanted posters found in southern California hotel ledgers, ca. 1900, featuring a Butch Cassidy wanted circular; and a shadow box attributed to Joseph Cornell that was found in the trash by the owner's father and could fluctuate in value from $100 to $150,000, depending on authentication. duration 56:46 STEREO TVG
9:00 pmAntiques Roadshow [#1816#] Richmond, Hour One In Richmond, Virginia, host Mark L. Walberg and appraiser Reid Dunavant travel to the Virginia Museum of Fine Art to talk about silver coffee and teapots. Highlights include a late19th -century Albert Neuhuys watercolor that was bought by a very young collector for $2 and is now valued at $1000 to $1500; a 1982 UNC championship signed basketball featuring teammates Michael Jordan, James Worthy, Sam Perkins and more; and an early 20th-century Alice R.H. Smith watercolor that originally belonged to the owner's mother, a close family friend of the artist, now appraised for $85,000. duration 56:46 STEREO TVG
10:00 pmIndependent Lens [#1717] The Armor of Light Meet two Christians - an Evangelical anti-abortion activist and an African-American mother whose son was murdered - who find common ground in the fight against the rising tide of gun violence. duration 1:26:46 STEREO TVPG (Secondary audio: none)
11:30 pmThe Lowertown Line. [#124H] Bruise Violet duration 26:46 STEREO TVPG
12:00 amAmanpour On PBS [#101H] duration 26:46 STEREO TVRE
12:30 amTavis Smiley [#4256] duration 26:46 STEREO TVRE (Secondary audio: none)


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The VCS Robotics Team competed in the Maine Robotics Track Meet. Five robots were entered into four events and three ribbons were brought home! It was a fun filled day!
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VCS students at Robotics Track Meet!posted May 11, 2015, 10:30 AM by David Trask [ updated May 12, 2015, 9:20 AM ]


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With a series of captivating color palette that is both striking and utterly vibrant, the divine rugs found within the Mykonos collection by Surya are sure to sparkle from room to room within any home décor. Hand tufted in 100% wool, the classic prints gracefully placed atop these perfect pieces will maintain a sense of elegance will the pops of hypnotizing hues embody current, charming trend in your space.
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- Pantone: 16-1522, 18-1435, 12-1304, 16-1412
- Made in: India
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- Pile Height: 0.315
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14K Yellow Gold 0.75 ct Mixed Diamond Womens Square Belly Ring
Style: Belly Ring
Metal: 14K Yellow Gold
Total Carat Weight: 0.75 carat
Diamond Color: H-I
Diamond Clarity: SI1-SI2
Weight: 3.1 grams
Length: 33 mm
Width: 18 mm
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Style: Belly Ring
Metal: 14K Yellow Gold
Total Carat Weight: 0.75 carat
Diamond Color: H-I
Diamond Clarity: SI1-SI2
Weight: 3.1 grams
Length: 33 mm
Width: 18 mm
Designed with mixed princess and round cut diamonds, this belly ring has a very special look! Handcrafted according to the highest jewelry standards, the ring has approximately 0.75 carats total weight of diamonds, H-I color, SI1-SI2 clarity and weight 3.1 grams, 33 x 18 mm are the dimensions of the ring. The piece comes with a detailed certificate/appraisal.
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"The Revenge of the Space Pandas" or "Binky Rudich and the Two-Speed Clock," a comedy by David Mamet, has its opening weekend of performances at Bridge Street Theatre, 44 W. Bridge St., Catskill. Shows are Friday and Saturday, July 13 and 14, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, July 15, at 2 p.m.
Blast off for the Planet Crestview with a 12-year-old boy scientist, his female sidekick and a sheep named Bob. Quake with terror as our heroes are taken prisoner by Crestview's Supreme Ruler, a preening narcissist who'll stop at nothing to become the only man in the entire Goose Nebula to own a wool letterman's sweater.
Will a nearly-forgotten film star be able to rescue the earthlings from being whacked-out with a giant pumpkin? And will they ever find their way back to Earth? The spirit of Ed Wood (creator of the infamously bad cult film "Plan 9 From Outer Space") lives on in this retro-sci-fi adventure written by one of America's preeminent playwrights with children in mind, but with plenty of sly, sarcastic, satirical humor for adults to guffaw over.
Nothing this huge (or this screwy) has ever been attempted before on the Bridge Street Theatre stage. The production has a cast of 16 (the largest the theatre has ever assembled), with wacky, whimsical, Dr. Seuss-like sets by Rodney Alan Greenblat (of Catskill's "The Rodney Shop"), and elaborate and extravagantly zany costumes by Jennifer Anderson.
The monster cast, a terrific mix of seasoned professionals and enthusiastic student performers (all locals), features Wil Anderson, Amara Wilson, Alexa Powell, Julia Rothwax, Caitlin Van Loan, Molly Osswald, Lily Gallagher, Isabella Truncale, Art Skopinsky, Michael Keck, Natalie Parker, David Smilow, Andrew Joffe, Phillip Levine, Piper Levine and Steven Patterson. Production stage manager is Tyla Patterson.
"The Revenge of the Space Pandas" or "Binky Rudich and the Two-Speed Clock" concludes the following week, with shows Thursday through Saturday, July 19 through 21, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, July 22, at 2 p.m.
Advance adult tickets are available online for $22 at pandas.brownpapertickets.com or by calling (800) 838-3006. Tickets can also be purchased at the door prior to each performance for $25, subject to availability. Students pay only $10 and children from ages 5-10 are only $5. Children under 5 will not be admitted. Admission for the July 15 performance is pay what you will.
Call (518) 943-3818 or visit bridgest.org for more information.


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The Denver & Rio Grande Railway (D&RG) was incorporated on October 27, 1870 by General William Jackson Palmer and a board of four directors. The D&RG was to run on 3 foot rail from Denver to El Paso, an estimated 875 miles south, then south to El Paso, westward along the Arkansas River, and continue south the the San Luis Valley of Colorado toward Rio Grande. The first rails were laid out of Denver on July 28, 1871, and reached Colorado Springs by October 21. The 3 foot narrow gauge was chosen due to construction costs being less than the standard rail. The narrow gauge had the hidden benefit that it turned out to be advantageous in the mountain terrain of Colorado and the Rockies.
As the D&RG railroad was feverishly laying track, so was the Aitchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway (ATSF). The two railroads fought over the same terrain, provoking the 1877 to 1880 war over right of way. Both railroads hired gunslingers and brought politicians, while the courts intervened to bring settlement to the disagreements. The two railroads continued to fight over land through the mountains through the 1880s.
By 1880, D&RG founder William Bell had begun to organize railway construction in Utah, which became the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railway in mid-1881. The "Western" (D&RGW) was to work eastward from Provo, Utah to an eventual link with the D&RG in Colorado. This happened near Green River, Utah on March 30, 1883, and by May of that year, the D&RG formally leased its Utah subsidiary as previously planned.
The rapid expansion and continual fighting with the ATSF caused financial hardship on the D&RG. The railroad went into receivership in July 1884, with foreclosure and sale of the Denver & Rio Grande Railway following shortly. The new Denver & Rio Grande Railroad took formal control of property and holdings on July 14, 1886.
The D&RG continued expanding through the late 1800s. The railroad built west from Pueblo, reaching Cañon City in 1874. They built through the Royal Gorge, reaching Salida on May 20, 1880, and was pushed to Leadville later that same year. From Salida, they pushed west over the Continental Divide at the 10,845 foot Marshall Pass and reached Gunnison on August 6, 1881. They continued building west, completing the narrow gauge transcontinental link with the Rio Grande Western Railway in March 1883, thus completing the link from Denver to Salt Lake City.
At the same time, they pushed south towards Santa Fe, New Mexico. They pushed west from Waldenburg, Colorado over La Veta Pass by 1887. They reached Alamosa by 1878, and they pushed south towards Antonito. From there, they headed over the Cumbers Pass, along the Colorado-New Mexico border, reaching Durango, Colorado in August 1881 and continuing north to the rich mining areas around Silverton in July 1882. Parts of this line survive today, including parts of the standard gauge line operated by the San Luis and Rio Grande Railroad, and the narrow gauge Durango-Silverton, both of which are run as tourist lines.
The original Denver & Rio Grande Western Railway built a narrow gauge line from Ogden, Utah via Soldier Summit to Grand Junction, Colorado. The railroad became the Rio Grande Western Railway in 1889 as part of a finance plan to upgrade the line from narrow gauge to standard gauge, and built several branch lines in Utah to reach lucrative coal fields. In 1901, the Denver & Rio Grande merged with the Rio grande Western, consolidating in 1908. The railroad was weakend by speculators, who had used the Rio Grande's equity to finance the Western Pacific Railroad construction. The United States Railroad Administration (USRA) took over the D&RG during World War I, and in 1918, the D&RG fell into receivership after the bankruptcy of Western Pacific. The Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad (DRGW) was incorporated in 1920, and formally emerged as the new re-organization of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad on July 31, 1921.
The DRGW continued acquisitions and building new track through the early 1900s, and again slipped into bankruptcy in 1935. It emerged in 1947, merging with the Denver and Salt Lake Railroad. This gave them control of the Moffat Road through the Moffat Tunnel, giving Denver a transcontinental link to the west.
The DRGW now possessed a direct route from Denver to Salt Lake City, but UPs more northerly route was much faster and less mountainous. DRGW thus began its "fast freight" trains: short, frequent trains pulled by multiple diesel locomotives. The speed of the diesels and the fact that they could be linked for quicker routes quickly outdated the steam trains on DRGW track.
To combat the UPs fast passenger service, the DRGW formed the California Zephyr with the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad (CB&Q) and the Western Pacific (WP). CB&Q took the train from Chicago to Denver, DRGW from Denver to Salt Lake City, and the WP heading the Zephyr from Salt Lake City to Oakland, California. Because they could not compete with speed, the California Zephyr offered a more leisurely "rail cruise" with ample vistas of the Rockies. The California Zephyr turned a profit through the late 1950s, but by the mid-1960s, it was only profitable during late spring, summer and fall. Then in 1970, WP pulled out. DRGW still refused to join the Amtrak system, opening the Rio Grande Zephyr between Denver and Salt Lake City until 1983.
In 1988 the company that controlled the DRGW, Rio Grande Industries, purchased the Southern Pacific Railroad, rolling both railroads under the more famous SP name. Along with the SP name, the new railroad used SP philosophies and dropped the "fast freight" that had served the DRGW so well in the mountains. This was mainly due to continually rising coal costs, and by the early 1990s, the Rio Grande/Southern Pacific Railroad had become largely dependent on hauling coal in Colorado and Utah.
After the merger, Rio Grande kept their paint schemes and reporting marks, but some of the SP locomotives got the Rio Grande treatment. The "Bloody Nose" locomotives had the serif font on the sides of the locomotives replaced by Rio Grande's "speed lettering".
In 1996, the SP/DRGW was sold to Union Pacific. The last Rio Grande engine in service was retired in 2008, and the Rio Grande faded from existence. Then in 2006, UP unveiled UP 1989, an EMD SD70ACe painted in a stylized version of the DRGW color scheme. Several others have been painted in remembrance of the several railroads UP have acquired. Along with the Rio Grande, there were also Missouri Pacific, Missouri-Kansas-Texas, Chicago and North Western, Southern Pacific, and Western Pacific.


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- Social:
Financial Times
Brussels Bureau Chief for Financial Times; former senior national security correspondent for the Wall Street Journal; former Pentagon correspondent for the Los Angeles Times
Financial Times
Brussels Bureau Chief for Financial Times; former senior national security correspondent for the Wall Street Journal; former Pentagon correspondent for the Los Angeles Times
A Migration Deal…a Compromise in Values? Countries of Europe are desperate to end the flood of immigration from Syria and other war zones, which last year exceeded a million people. They're making a deal with Turkey worth €6 billion. Tens of thousands of people would be shipped back and forth between Greece, Turkey and other countries to separate refugees from unwanted migrants. But the UN warns the plan might violate individual rights established by the Geneva Conventions in the aftermath World War II. Supporters say it's worth the risk to end the chaos -- and to prevent fascist parties from taking advantage of growing panic in Europe's democracies.
Europe's Response to the Refugee Crisis An emergency summit of the European Union convened in Brussels today after yesterday's decision by their interior ministers to re-settle 120,000 refugees from Syria, Iraq and Eritrea. Contrary to business as usual at the EU, it was not unanimous among all 28 countries.
Wild Swings in Global Markets Have Led to Fears of a Worldwide Slowdown "It wasn't very long ago that the dread hovering over global financial markets was that things were getting too calm." This summer, Federal Reserve officials were worried about complacency. Those days are very definitely over. America's economy is finally looking good, but Wall Street's sudden volatility is a signal that all is not well. We'll hear how slow growth in Europe, Asia and South America has led to warnings about the continued impact of the worldwide recession.
MH 17: The Victims' Bodies Go to the Netherlands and the EU Points to Russia The Netherlands lost 193 of the 298 victims when Malaysian Airlines FH 17 was shot down over Eastern Ukraine, and it will lead the investigation. Earlier, a refrigerated train with the remains of victims went from the crash site to Kharkiv, which is under control of Ukraine. Pro-Russian separatists turned over the black boxes to Malaysia, which will pass them on to Dutch investigators.
Obama's "Solidarity Event" in Poland Is Aimed at Russia President Obama is touring Europe, in part to bolster security in the aftermath of Russia's aggressiveness in Ukraine and its takeover of Crimea. In Warsaw, Poland today he said he'll ask Congress for a $1 billion "European Reassurance Initiative." "We'll increase the number of American personnel army and air force units continuously rotating through allied countries in central and eastern Europe. And we will be stepping up our partnerships with friends like Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia as they provide for their own defense."
Crimea Overshadows G-7 Meeting in The Hague President Obama is in the Netherlands for a planned, 52-member summit on nuclear security — and an unplanned meeting of the G-7 industrialized countries to deal with a more pressing subject, that of Russia's annexation of Crimea. Peter Spiegel is Brussels Bureau Chief for the Financial Times .
Bloodshed in Ukraine It's been another day of bloody clashes between police and protesters in Kiev, Ukraine's capital city. President Viktor Yanukovych says opposition leaders are trying to seize power by force, requiring him to order a crackdown. In Paris, US Secretary of State John Kerry responded to today's developments by "talking about the possibility of sanctions or other steps with our friends in Europe and elsewhere in order to try to create the environment for compromise." So what's at stake for Russia, and what's expected from Vladimir Putin?
European Allies React to US Spying Revelations One revelation from Edward Snowden was that the National Security Agency tapped the personal phone of German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Today, leaders of the European Union finished a two-day meeting, where American spying overshadowed economic concerns. President of the European Council, Van Rompuy, echoed their concern that "the partnership must be based on respect and on trust, including as concerns the work and cooperation of secret services." Peter Spiegel is Brussels Bureau Chief for Britain's Financial Times .
Secrecy, Diplomacy and Edward Snowden Edward Snowden says he went to work for a defense contractor so he could inform the American public about the government's secret surveillance of telephone and Internet conversations. Having fled from Hong Kong, he's still thought to be in the Moscow airport. Over the weekend, London's Guardian newspaper and Der Spiegel in Germany published new revelations that the US has spied on allies as well as enemies. Angry leaders in Europe say that could scuttle a trade deal between the US and the European Union — the biggest ever negotiated. Does the US keep more secrets than it needs to for national security? Should whistle-blowers be prosecuted or protected?
Nobel Peace Prize Goes to a Divided EU The European Union has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize at a time when the member nations are sharply divided. The EU was formed in the aftermath of two devastating wars in less than 50 years. The Nobel Peace Prize rewards the achievements of the more recent past. Is it also designed to affect the future? Peter Spiegel is in Brussels for the Financial Times .
As Greek Talks Falter, Eurozone Future Uncertain There have been recent elections in France, Germany and Greece, key countries in the ongoing Euro debt crisis, but it doesn't look any closer to a resolution. In Greece, there were developments over the weekend as various parties from the national elections a week ago try to assemble a government. Peter Speigel is Brussels Bureau Chief for the Financial Times .
Challenge to Austerity Programs after French, Greek Elections President Nicolas Sarkozy, the French advocate of austerity, lost yesterday's election to the Socialist candidate, François Hollande. Two so-called reformist parties in Greece were also defeated by voters. German Chancellor Angela Merkel lost no time in warning new leaders to stick with the program. Peter Spiegel is Brussels Bureau Chief for the Financial Times .
Can the Leaders of Europe Save the Euro? In Europe yesterday, there was another summit and another delay in taking the action needed to stave off another worldwide recession. But even some pessimists concede there was a new sense of urgency that could lead to a rescue plan before it's too late. We hear about efforts to save the Euro and avoid another worldwide recession.
Can the Leaders of Europe Save the Euro? Yesterday's summit of European leaders put off action until Wednesday, another delay in a financial crisis that's beginning to sound like 2008. The possibility of so-called "contagion" goes like this: Greece is on the verge of default, and austerity measures have led to rioting in the streets. If Greece fails, private investors could lose faith in Spain, Italy and, possibly, even France, with US lenders potentially next in line. Nobody really knows the extent of the danger. Will the Euro, designed to stabilize the continent, require that it break apart?
Slovakia Posed to Block Expanded EU Bailout Package All of Europe is now focused on Slovakia, a country of 5.5 million people that didn't even exist before 1993. But Slovakia's parliament, in the capital, Bratislava, holds veto power over efforts to bail out Greece and rescue the Eurozone. Peter Spiegel is Brussels Bureau Chief for the Financial Times .
Is Time Running Out on the Eurozone? With a bigger economy than the United States, the Eurozone has the resources to avoid a break-up. But does it have the political will? With Greece imposing drastic austerity measures, Germany's parliament gave Chancellor Angel Merkel a bigger vote than expected today in support of increasing the Eurozone's bailout fund . We hear about the latest efforts to hold it together and the prospects for a double-dip recession worldwide.
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey's truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we'll go behind the "velvet rope" for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.
The week that wouldn't quit Will next week get even weirder? (Special one-hour episode)
President Trump: US to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord Trump says he was elected to serve Pittsburgh, not Paris.
Trump plays scolder-in-chief with NATO allies At the opening of NATO's dramatic new headquarters in Brussels today, President Trump acknowledged that Article 5 — promising that "an attack on one nation is an attack on all" -- has only been invoked one time: in the aftermath of September 11. But the President failed to provide what 27 other Alliance members have been waiting for: a re-commitment by America's new leader to Article 5. Instead, they got a scolding.


text: C3 X Hobby 2012 C3 X HOBBY EXCLUSIVE MERCHANDISE 2014 1/144 NRX-0013 Gundam Virsago resin kit by NAOKI C3 X Hobby 2014 Exclusive - RESALE August 20, 2014 GK C 1/144 NRX-0013 Gundam Virsago Release Date: August 23, 2014 Price: 15,000 Yen resin kit sculpted by NAOKI images via A.E. media Thanks for viewing! Labels: C3 X Hobby 2012, C3 X HOBBY EXCLUSIVE MERCHANDISE 2014


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Free delivery from Roman Originals on affordable women's clothing and designer ladies fashion such as: wedding clothing, ladies trousers, skirts, dresses, blouses, knitwear, coats & jackets to suit any occasion. From evening wear to day wear, casual to formal we have a style and size to suit you!
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" Jacket length " Sleeve length
Keep warm and look stylish in this trendy waistcoat. Made in a subtle yet striking check material and featuring on-trend fringe detailing, this cosy gilet is the style hero your wardrobe needs this season.


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Monday is tax day but last night our accountant filed our taxes electronically in Colorado, California, New York, Arizona and both our Federal return for my business and our personal return. In the end, after paying about $80,000 in taxes during the year, we owe exactly $20,200. This is $190 to Arizona and $20, 010 to the Feds. Now you'd think with that kind of tax bill we make a whole bunch of money. Well think again Sherlock, you see when you own a Company or shares of a Company, you have to pay taxes on the profits of the Company even if those profits are not distributed to you, meaning no one gives you any cash, which is exactly what happens in our case. Oh well, it's our system and is still the greatest Country in the World, despite any faults.
I'm off to Boulder today and then Longmont. Both boys stayed late for basketball and will again tonight. Then it's the weekend, yeah! The first ski area in Colorado opens today at 9 am. It's now 6:15 and I need to get moving so time to run. Not much else going on. Hope everyone is doing well. GB


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In the News
AAACAP accepts medication screenings by mail
Monday, November 17, 2014
The Area Agency on Aging of the Capital Area is expanding its free medication screening capabilities so more seniors and caregivers can access the service and prevent possible negative effects of combining medicines.
Screening applications are now available online. Elderly caregivers and people who are 60 or older can download the form and mail it to 6800 Burleson Road, Building 310, Suite 165, Austin, Texas, 78744.
> Download the applications here.
Allowing digital access to the free medication screenings will let people across the 10-county region receive the benefit of their prescriptions and other medicines being reviewed for negative reactions, cost savings and effectiveness.
Since St. David's Foundation and Department of Aging and Disability Services awarded the grant, AAACAP has provided 417 medication screenings.
> Discover more services provided by AAACAP.
> Learn more about medication screens and download the forms to mail.
RETF cameras catch illegal dumpers in the act
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Using a camera purchased by the Capital Area Council of Government's Regional Environmental Task Force, Williamson County Deputy Constable Eric Thomas is on the verge of closing four illegal dumpsite cases in two months. He has issued two warrants, made one arrest, and one case is still outstanding.
CAPCOG purchased 10 SpyPoint cameras to assist with illegal dumping surveillance in earlier 2014, and an additional 10 cameras are on order. The current cameras, which have already spent almost 1,000 hours in the field, have helped apprehend illegal dumpers and cleaning up dumpsites.
Because the cameras have worked so well for Thomas, Williamson County Constable Kevin Stofle purchased two additional cameras to assist the deputy's efforts.
"They have been very effective in showing what was going on at these dumpsites," Thomas said.
In some cases, the use of surveillance in the area has led the Constable's office to create deterrents for people using an illegal dumpsite, such as where to post signage or showing how and why people access the site. In other instances, the equipment captured video of non-environmental criminal activity which helped the Williamson County Sheriff's office make arrests.
One of the most important parts of having access to the cameras is they become a force multiplier, said Sgt. Douglas MacDougall, an investigator for the Travis County Attorney's office.
Twenty-four hour surveillance on an illegal dumpsite at minimum would require three officers, but it should have six, said MacDougall. That costs law enforcement agencies time and money. A camera however can drastically decrease the personnel resources and time spent at a scene.
One officer can spend three hours or less getting the information from a camera and reviewing it in a sped up manner, MacDougall said.
"With the case load I carry, I can set it up in the area and come back in a week's time to check the activity," Thomas said. He normally replaces batteries and gets the footage at the same time. "It definitely gives us a tool to better utilize our time."
Being the only person, who works environmental crimes for Williamson County precincts 2 and 3, time is important. Thomas currently has 75 active cases spanning on issues of nuisance to illegal dumping to hazardous waste complaints.
> Help stop illegal dumping by reporting incidents.
MacDougall, who serves a third of Travis County and assists with cases in the nine other CAPCOG counties, visits and works investigations on about 20 illegal dumpsites a week.
"There is not a ton of us that do environmental crime work," MacDougall said. "But now we have 10 camera systems that are expandable that we can give to people in the 10 counties. It is to their benefit and ultimately to the region's benefit, because ultimately solid waste dumping affects the whole region and enters the water system."
RETF members can reserve a camera and schedule a pickup or drop-off time for the equipment.
> Contact Ken May, CAPCOG Regional Services Director.
> Contact Matt Holderread, CAPCOG Solid Waste Program Planner.
Workshops set for strategic criminal justice plan revisions
Thursday, November 06, 2014
The Capital Area Council of Governments and its Criminal Justice Advisory Committee (CJAC) are coordinating two meetings for input on Regional Strategic Criminal Justice Plan revisions.
The plan identifies gaps and prioritizes needs related to direct victim assistance, juvenile justice, mental health, and criminal justice services. Regional criminal justice stakeholders developed the plan last year.
> Read the current Regional Strategic Criminal Justice Plan.
Agendas for the meetings will include a presentation and review of the 2014 plan, an analysis of data on past state funding to the region, and small group discussions to identify needs and suggest plan priority revisions. Topics will include training; direct services; education and outreach; housing, sheltering, or other facility needs; investigation and/or prosecution; support technology and equipment; and personnel support.
Criminal justice planners can attend the meetings at the following times and locations:
- 9 to 11 a.m., Nov. 14, at J.B. Hallie Jester Building, 1801 Old Settlers Blvd., Round Rock, Texas.
- 9 to 11 a.m., Nov. 19, in the CAPCOG Pecan Room, 6800 Burleson Road, Building 310, Suite 165, Austin, Texas.
A complete analysis of regional input and data from the meetings will be provided to CJAC in December to develop plan revisions.
> Contact Chad Coburn, CAPCOG manager of community development planning.
> Read more about the CAPCOG Criminal Justice Advisory Committee.
EPA offers technical assistance workshop for sustainable economic growth
Monday, November 03, 2014
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is soliciting letters of interest from local governments, so it can provide technical assistance for up to 25 communities about ways to promote sustainable economic growth.
The Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities Program helps increase a community's capacity to implement smart growth and sustainable approaches by demonstrating to local communities how to use various tools. The growth techniques in the program strive to protect the environment, improve public health, create jobs, expand economic opportunity, prepare for the effects of climate change, and improve overall quality of life.
The program will provide technical assistance through a 1- to 2-day workshop on a specific smart growth development topics to include:
- Bikeshare Planning
- Equitable Development
- Infill Development for Distressed Cities
- Sustainable Strategies for Small Cities and Rural Areas
- Flood Resilience for Riverine and Coastal Communities
The deadline to apply to participate in the program is Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014.
> Learn more about and apply for the program.
> Read about CAPCOG's Economic Development Program.
> Discover CAPCOG's Solid Waste Planning Program.
Got questions about text-to-9-1-1? Get answers
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Source: Answers are compiled from the FCC and CAPCOG's Emergency Communications Director, Gregg Obuch.
If cellphone users in the Capital Area text their emergency to 9-1-1 today, they would receive a message telling them to call. But soon those messages will be answered by a live operator who can dispatch the proper emergency responders.
While a few areas in the United States already rolled out a text-to-9-1-1 service, the Capital Area Council of Governments and the Capital Area Emergency Communications District anticipate responding to text-to-9-1-1 reported emergencies in 2015.
But what is text-to-9-1-1, and why would someone want to use it?
Text-to-9-1-1 is the ability to send a "short message" (SMS) or other kind of text message to 9-1-1. Texting during an emergency could be helpful if you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, or if a voice call might otherwise be dangerous or impossible. However, those who are able should always call 9-1-1.
Do area phone companies support text-to-9-1-1, and do regional Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) have the equipment and training to use it?
The "Big Four" wireless carriers – Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile – began providing text-to-9-1-1 capabilities in mid-May of this year. Under current FCC requirements, other service providers have until Dec. 31, 2014 to provide the service. The PSAPs in the CAPCOG region have the necessary equipment in place. Training for call takers will be provided before text-to-9-1-1 is activated in the region. Planning for the deployment of text-to-9-1-1 currently is underway.
Why is it important to plan the implementation of text-to-9-1-1?
Text messaging is one of the primary ways people communicate today, especially younger people and people with hearing and speech disabilities. Several studies estimate more than 6 billion SMS text messages are sent daily in the United States. To ensure emergency texts are routed to the proper 9-1-1 center; it requires proper coordination with each service provider.
What are issues CAPCOG and the emergency communications district want to avoid when implementing text-to-9-1-1?
A key challenge in activating text-to-9-1-1 in our regional call centers is selecting the text-to-9-1-1 platform that works best in the emergency call centers. CAPCOG is conducting extensive research and reviewing methods used by other 9-1-1 areas that participated in the testing phase of the deployment and were the first to activate text to 9-1-1 in their areas. This will help CAPCOG and the regional call centers select the best option that fits our needs.
If I am able to text-to-9-1-1, will the 9-1-1 center automatically know my location?
Texting 9-1-1 is different from making a voice call. During a voice call to 9-1-1, the call taker will typically receive a phone number and the phone's approximate location automatically. This is called "Enhanced 911" or "E911." However, in most cases when texting 9-1-1 from a wireless phone, the call taker will not receive this automated information. For this reason, it is important to give the 9-1-1 call taker an accurate address or location as quickly as possible when using text-to-9-1-1.
If text-to-911 is available to me, why should people use it only when calling 9-1-1 is not an option?
Voice calls to 9-1-1 are usually the most efficient way to reach emergency help. For example, voice calls allow the 9-1-1 operator to more quickly ask questions and obtain information from the caller, while two-way communication by text can take more time and is subject to limits on the length of text messages.
> Read more about CAPCOG's Emergency Communications Division.
> Learn more about text-to-9-1-1.
CAPCOG seeks nominations for Jack Griesenbeck Award
Monday, October 13, 2014
The Capital Area Council of Governments will accept nominations for its annual Jack Griesenbeck Leadership in Regionalism Award until Nov. 7.
Named after Bastrop County Judge Jack Griesenbeck, who was CAPCOG's first chairman, the award traditionally honors someone that consistently advocates a regional and multijurisdictional approach through their work with local governments, nonprofits, and other organization. Nominations can be either an elected official or a volunteer who has played a pivotal role in bringing the spirit of regionalism to the 10-county CAPCOG region.
CAPCOG has honored individuals with this award for more than 10 years. Previous recipients of the award include:
- Mayor Kirk Watson, City of Austin
- Dr. W. Neal Kocurek
- Robert J. Huston, Chair of Texas Commission of Environmental Quality
- Mayor Ray Sanders, City of Lockhart
- Bob Daigh, Texas Department of Transportation Austin District Engineer
- Texas Senator Gonzalo Barrientos
- Mike Simpson, City of Austin and Texas Radio Coalition
- County Judge H.T. Wright, Caldwell County
- Police Chief Mark Whitacre, City of Marble Falls
- Texas Senator Troy Fraser
- Mike Fisher, Emergency Management Coordinator of Bastrop County
- Seth S. Searcy, Attorney at Law
To submit nominations to CAPCOG, download the form and submit it to Mason W. Canales, the CAPCOG member services coordinator, by email or fax, 512-916-6001, by Nov. 7. The recipient of the award will be announced at the Dec. 10 CAPCOG General Assembly meeting.
> Download the Jack Griesenbeck Leadership in Regionalism Award nomination form.
> Contact Mason W. Canales, the CAPCOG member services coordinator.
> Read about last year's honoree, Seth S. Searcy.
Schreck joins CAPCOG to aid economic development across the region
Friday, October 10, 2014
Chris Schreck has joined the Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG) staff as its economic development manager. In the position, he will assist with regional economic planning and provide analysis support for entities in CAPCOG's 10 counties.
Schreck looks forward to helping area communities take advantage of economic opportunities as the region's technological, demographic, and competitive landscapes continue to develop.
Prior to starting at CAPCOG, Schreck provided economic and technology policy consulting for SRI International, where he focused on technology-based economic development, higher education, and economic data analysis. He also worked for the US Treasury Department and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation and provided wireless market forecasting for IMS Research.
Schreck earned a master of public policy from Georgetown University in Washington D.C. and a bachelor of arts in economics from the University of Texas at Austin.
> Contact Chris Schreck, CAPCOG's community and economic development manager.
> Read more about CAPCOG's community and economic development program.
AAACAP aids residents with Medicare enrollment
Friday, October 10, 2014
Benefit counselors with the Area Agency on Aging of the Capital Area (AAACAP) are prepped to assist those in the region with Medicare open enrollment that starts Oct. 15.
Medicare open enrollment is the one time of year people who use Medicare can switch their Medicare Advantage and Medicare prescription drug coverage plans. There are so many choices involved in selecting a Medicare program; it can be hard for people to determine what provides the best savings for them.
AAACAP counselors are available to help navigate those tough decisions. They also provide screening for qualification into the Medicare Savings Program and low-income subsidies for every person they counsel during the open enrollment period.
Residents can receive assistance from AAACAP benefit counselors at 512-916-6062 or toll free 888-622-9111, ext. 6062.
> Learn more about Medicare open enrollment.
> Discover more about AAACAP benefit counselor services.
Bastrop County and its students promote sustainability
Tuesday, October 07, 2014
Several Bastrop County entities teamed up to improve proper household hazardous waste disposal and recycling awareness and reduce the amount of trash entering landfills.
In September, Bastrop County, the cities and school districts of Elgin and Smithville, and Keep Bastrop County Beautiful began creating an informational campaign that will educate the public about their local waste disposal options.
Students around the county will be the primary movers and shakers by creating the campaign, which is anticipated to be completed before the end of the school year.
Bob Haisler's high school marketing class in Elgin ISD will develop print materials such as bookmarks, advertisements, and other traditional media to distribute to students, place in public buildings and hand out at events.
Smithville ISD students will create videos about how to reduce, reuse, recycle, and, when all else fails, keep hazardous waste off garbage trucks and out of landfills. The videos will be posted on several social media sites operated by entities throughout the county.
"I am so very proud to see Bastrop County students working together and using new media to educate the public about the importance of proper disposal of hazardous household waste," said Bastrop County Judge Paul Pape. "This program enables us to continue achieving the goals we established in our regional Solid Waste Management Plan (back in 2007) to reduce improper disposal of hazardous materials and stop illegal dumping in our beautiful county."
The Capital Area Council of Governments administered about $7,500 in grant funds for the project through its Solid Waste program, which selects local projects to receive state funds acquired by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
"This grant supports our commitment to sustainability in Bastrop County, and we appreciate the confidence and support from the Capital Area Council of Governments," Pape said.
The projects also will update Keep Bastrop County Beautiful's interactive website and the companion "Talking Trash in Bastrop County" guidebook.
The program continues a long partnership between Bastrop County and its cities and school districts. The entities worked on the Recycling in the Schools project in 2010, which provided recycling resources for Smithville and Cedar Creek schools, and the Household Hazardous Waste Clean Up in 2013. Both were funded in part by the CAPCOG Solid Waste program.
> Visit Keep Bastrop County Beautiful's website.
> Read more about the CAPCOG Solid Waste Program.
> Contact Jill Strube, Bastrop County grant administrator, or Jack Page, Smithville public works director.
General Assembly approves CAPCOG FY 2015 Budget
Saturday, October 04, 2014
Capital Area Council of Governments General Assembly representatives in September approved a $23.8 million budget for expenses during the 2015 fiscal year.
The FY 2015 budget will continue to support CAPCOG's numerous programs such as nutrition assistance of older adults, air quality planning, and the regional law enforcement academy. But it also allows for the expansion of other programs to include the creation of an Aging and Disability Resource Center and a Homeland Security Emergency Management disaster debris management plan.
Area Agency on Aging of the Capital Area's portion of the budget included $7.9 million in expenditures and the Capital Area Emergency Communication District's budget included $11.9 million in expenditures.
The General Assembly also appointed the nominating committee that will help select CAPCOG's 2015 Executive Committee.
The next General Assembly meeting will be Dec. 10.
> Download the CAPCOG Fiscal Year 2015 Annual Budget and Work Plan.
> Read more about the General Assembly.
Regional Law Enforcement Academy graduates 23
Thursday, October 02, 2014
CAPCOG Regional Law Enforcement Academy cadets of the No. 72 Basic Peace Officer Course prepare to enter their graduation ceremony at the Texas Capitol on Sept. 26.
Eight of the 23 cadets from the CAPCOG Regional Law Enforcement Academy No. 72 Basic Peace Officer Course filled positions in area policing agencies right after graduation on Sept. 26. The remaining cadets are expected to also obtain jobs in the region after completing testing for peace officer positions in area communities.
With the region's growth, there are plenty of opportunities for cadets to serve the public as law enforcement officers. CAPCOG and the academy are honored to help fill that need by providing practical training and exercises to ensure cadets become TCOLE certified before serving their communities.
The cadets also learned about opportunities outside the region when police departments from Houston, College Station, Flower Mound, Pasadena and Lubbock pitched their agencies to the cadets during the five-month course.
Other departments coming to the academy is a testament to the training CAPCOG is offering, said Mike Jennings, RLEA director. "I would like to think that it says our academy is recognized as one of the best for producing a quality police officer."
The eight cadets will become officers for San Marcos and Llano police departments, Caldwell and Williamson counties sheriff's offices, and the Travis County Fire Marshall's Office.
Another full-time, day class is accepting registration for a course beginning in January 2015.
> Learn details about the January 2015 Basic Peace Officer Course.
> Discover more training opportunities offered by CAPCOG.
Lee County Commissioner earns statewide leadership award
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Lee County Commissioner Maurice Pitts poses with Penny Redington, Texas Association of Regional Councils executive director, after receiving the TARC Regional Leadership Award given in honor of Wilbur R. Dunk.
The Texas Association of Regional Councils (TARC) in late September presented Lee County Commissioner Maurice Pitts with its 2014 regional leadership award.
Pitts earned the award, which is given in honor of former Kimble County Judge Wilbur Dunk, because he has shown extraordinary dedication to the purposes and possibilities of regional cooperation through his work with councils of governments, stated TARC.
Commissioner Pitts, having served on Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG) boards and committees for more than two decades, is a true advocate and spokesman for regionalism, said Betty Voights, CAPCOG executive director. Pitts always has been a board member who is consistently active in CAPCOG's programs and committees.
Pitts, a current CAPCOG Executive Committee member, is the 19th person to earn the award since its inaugural year in 1995. Elected officials on the TARC Board of Directors and members of its Executive Directors' Council selected Pitts after soliciting nominations from all 24 regional councils in the state.
TARC is a statewide organization established in 1973 that provides training, outreach, legislative representation and other support to area councils of governments.
CARTPO selects U.S. 290 projects as top regional transportation priorities
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Elected officials from eight counties selected two U.S. Highway 290 projects to be the highest ranking priorities for the Capital Area Regional Transportation Planning Organization, a rural planning organization.
The number one ranked project proposes to widen and reconstruct U.S. 290 in Lee County from the Bastrop County line to Navarro Street in Giddings as a four-lane, divided highway. The proposed project would span about 7.5 miles and has an estimated cost of $31.1 million.
A U.S. 290 project in Bastrop County earned the second highest ranking based on elected officials' scoring. The Bastrop County project, with an estimated $12.6 million cost, would stretch about 3 miles from Ranch to Market 2104 to the Lee County line. The project also would make the highway a four-lane, divided roadway.
Both projects ranked the highest during CARTPO's previous prioritization in March 2013. They were selected this year among 23 submitted projects from eight counties.
By prioritizing the projects, CARPTO is providing Texas Department of Transportation with guidance on the region's most pressing transportation needs, so the state agency can make informed decisions about funding highway construction.
County and city officials from Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Hays, Lee, Llano, and Williamson counties ranked the 23 projects. They scored the projects based on six criteria: safety enhancement, congestion relief, air quality improvement, system preservation, economic opportunity and local participation in the project.
> Find out how the remaining 21 projects ranked.
> Discover more about CARTPO.
CAPCOG promotes vehicle grant opportunities to improve air quality
Monday, September 22, 2014
Area grant opportunities for purchasing or retrofitting vehicles to help improve the region's air quality now can be found in one location on the CAPCOG website.
> Visit the Drive Clean webpage.
The Drive Clean: Get help buying a cleaner vehicle webpage provides information on multiple grants residents, businesses and governments can use to purchase, lease or retrofit vehicles, so they can replace their old vehicles with newer, cleaner ones.
Purchasing newer, cleaner model vehicles is only one way to help improve air quality by reducing emissions that can produce ground-level ozone.
> Read more about ground-level ozone and CAPCOG's Air Quality Program.
Justice Department launches website for crimes relating to elderly
Friday, September 19, 2014
The United States Department of Justice launched the Elder Justice website earlier this month. The site provides the elderly and people who support them with information about crimes affecting older Americans.
Justice.gov/elderjustice/ is a resource for victims, their families, practitioners, law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and researches seeking to understand and address elder abuse and financial exploitation, stated the website.
The website hosts a number of databases for each group to include a searchable list of local resources for reporting crimes, thousands of articles and reviews with information about elder abuse and financial exploitation, and information and resources on how to prevent elder abuse and assist older crime victims.
> Go to the Elder Justice website.
> Discover other resources for older American and their families.
> Learn about Area Agency on Aging of the Capital Area.
CAPCOG uses homeland security grant for cyber-attack recovery
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
The Capital Area Council of Governments will use a recently awarded $135,000 State Homeland Security Program grant to assist in preparing the region to respond and recover from cyber-attacks.
Funds from the grant will be used to perform a cyber-attack vulnerability analysis for CAPCOG's 10-county region. The analysis will help identify how such an incident could affect business processes, critical infrastructure, and the financial stability and viability of businesses. It will have an emphasis on small and medium-sized businesses.
Determining the impact of such an attack is the initial step in the planning process which will help the region and its businesses and governments develop a stronger, more responsive approach to handling cyber-security and cyber-attack recovery.
Ultimately, the work performed in the analysis could be used to facilitate the creation of economic recovery plans for individual businesses. After the analysis is concluded, CAPCOG plans to facilitate workshops with businesses and local governments during the 2015 year. The workshops will help businesses and governments identify their own risks and plans for economic recovery to include job restoration.
Cyber terrorism was identified as one of six possible threats to the region in the 2013 Regional Threat and Hazard Identification and Ricks Assessment.
> Discover more about CAPCOG's Homeland Security Division.
A caregiver's balanced life provides for better care
Friday, September 12, 2014
Everything seemed to be happening all at once for Cheri and Barry Krockover. In 2009, Cheri lost her job as a software analyst and tester, and Barry, her husband of 22 years, started to show behavioral changes related to memory loss.
By 2010, Barry, who is now 78, was diagnosed with dementia.
"In 2010, I officially felt like my life was over," said Cheri, who is now 64. "Then I came to the realization, that 'no, my life is not over. It is just going to be different.' What I have learned during the last four years is that your love for your spouse continues, but it also is very different… but it is still a powerful force."
In hindsight, Cheri sees losing her job as a blessing. It allowed Cheri to notice the signs of dementia early and Barry and her to spend the next few years being active together. But outlining a support system, learning about resources, and handling stress ensured Cheri stayed her positive, fun and happy self. More importantly, it helped her remain a great caregiver for her husband.
Early during her caregiving years, Cheri joined a job club where she discovered other unemployed caregivers. Rallying around their commonality, the caregivers created a second support group that let members share resources about caregiving. It also provided an outlet to discuss the common problems they faced and had to overcome.
"We shared ideas on how to cope, and other caregivers can find humor in some of the stresses and issues that arise while providing for a loved one," Cheri said. Having a connection with people who are going through similar trials and tribulations is almost priceless, she said.
The support group led Cheri to programs such as the Area Agency on Aging of the Capital Area's Stress Busting Program for Family Caregivers. The nine-week course helped explain the grief Cheri felt, she said. It also let her accept her role as a caregiver and taught her techniques to manage the pressures of providing for an Alzheimer's disease or dementia patient.
> Become a Stress Busting Program for Family Caregivers volunteer.
> Discover more about AAACAP.
To further mitigate stresses, Cheri created a resource wheel to organize her support system. Each person or group in the wheel is a different spoke that helps manage a different stress in life such as money, your spirit and caregiving.
Communication plays a key role in using a resource wheel, Cheri said. Telling your friends and associates about their role, lets them know exactly how they can help. It also lets them understand your situation. Some friends can help you relax during daily routine stresses such as shopping. Others, such as fellow caregivers, can make awkward caregiving moments funny, which helps you stay optimistic.
"That is a key to being a healthy caregiver, holding onto that optimism," Cheri said. "The better my own mental outlook it is, the more able I am to care for him. I was always the fun person in our marriage, and he still needs me to be the fun person."
Cheri is now a Stress-Busting course master trainer and will be speaking during the Striking a Balance 2014: the 13th annual conference for nonprofessional caregivers. Barry is doing well in a living and caregiving facility. The Krockovers see each other almost every day and still laugh with and love each other.
> Register for Striking a Balance 2014: the 13th annual conference for nonprofessional caregivers.
NCoA and AAACAP remind seniors about flu shots
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Flu season can begin in October, last until May and peak in January and February. With the start of the season nearing, the Area Agency on Aging of the Capital Area (AAACAP) and the National Council on Aging (NCoA) wants to remind seniors to get their flu shots.
Seniors, 65 and older, are one of the demographics at risk of experiencing complications after contracting the contagious respiratory illness caused by the flu virus.
Annually between 5 to 20 percent of U.S. residents become infected with the virus, but people 65 years of age or older make up 9 of 10 flu-related deaths and 6 of 10 flu-related hospital stays, according to NCoA and flu.gov. Getting a flu shot is the best preventive against the virus.
It is recommended that older adults receive one flu shot, preferably the high dosage shot, before flu season begins. The shot is free for people with Medicare who uses a provider that accepts the assignment. Medicare Advantage members also cannot be charged for the flu shot if it is given by an in-network provider.
> Read more about the flu shot and other routine vaccines.
> Learn more about the flu.
> Discover more resources for seniors to stay healthy.
TCEQ seeks emission reduction grant projects
Monday, September 08, 2014
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Texas Emissions Reduction Plan Program is accepting applications for the Emissions Reduction Incentive Grants (ERIG) Program.
The program provides grant funds to upgrade or replace older heavy-duty vehicles to include school buses; non-road equipment; locomotives; marine vessels; and stationary equipment.
Applications for the grant must be submitted by 5 p.m., Dec. 2, 2014.
Eligible CAPCOG counties include Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis and Williamson.
Because of several changes to the ERIG program this year, the TCEQ has scheduled grant application workshops, dealer trainings, and application assistance sessions to provide an overview of the application process. All workshops are free and don't require registration.
> Review the workshop schedule.
Contact the TERP program at 800-919-TERP (8377) or firstname.lastname@example.com.
> Read more about Central Texas Air Quality.
AAACAP and WellMed Senior Center offer aging resource fair
Friday, September 05, 2014
A resource fair, for people 60 or older, will provide aging adults with a variety of resources to benefit their wellbeing. The fair is from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Friday, Sept. 26 at the WellMed Senior Community Center, 706 W. Ben White Blvd. Suite 125A in Austin.
The Area Agency on Aging of the Capital Area and WellMed Senior Community Center are presenting the event. Attendees will have access to AAACAP staff that assists with benefit counseling, care coordination, health and wellness and medication screenings. Other local agencies also will be present to provide health and wellness information and resources.
To receive a medication screening one must be 60 years of age or older; take five or more prescription and/or over-the counter medications, supplements, or vitamins; and agree to participate in a short safety survey before and after the medication screening report is completed. Attendees wishing to have their medications screened also must bring their prescriptions or a list of their drugs to include any supplements.
Area Agency on Aging staff works with a pharmacist to review medications to identify potentially harmful interactions, reactions and related issues.
> Contact Amy Flanigan, AAACAP health & wellness coordinator, for questions.
> Read the event flier.
> Learn more about AAACAP.
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