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With a new union contract requirement that teachers participate in "professional development" and money in the budget to compensate them for it, Superintendent Kevin Skelly said teachers will have more opportunities to collaborate than they have in the past.
Skelly recently named teacher Kelly Bikle to a new position of "coordinator of professional development," where she will be charged with identifying what teachers need and planning activities.
Board members spent six hours Tuesday brainstorming over a host of proposed district goals for 2013-14, covering multiple topics, including anticipated curriculum changes that will come with the Common Core State Standards, which have been adopted by California as part of a push by the nation's governors and state school chiefs to align curricula with what they say are 21st century knowledge and skills.
Board member Camille Townsend said the new standards will require replacement of the K-5 mathematics textbook Everyday Mathematics, which was adopted by the board in a contentious 3-2 vote in 2009.
Skelly noted that Palo Alto teacher Anna Kearney has been named to a state committee to review K-8 math materials to determine whether they are aligned with the Common Core State Standards.
As the school "inclusion" movement brings increasing numbers of students with disabilities into regular classrooms, teachers need more help in educating them, board member Heidi Emberling said. She also said she wants more consistency in the anti-bullying curricula used across the district's 17 campuses.
Board President Dana Tom said he plans to switch school board agendas starting in August to place the "public comment" period at the beginning of meetings, around 6:30 p.m.
'Landlords from hell' plead guilty in four felony counts
A husband and wife dubbed the "landlords from hell" for a series of escalating actions and threats made against their tenants in a San Francisco apartment building several years ago have pleaded guilty to multiple felony charges, prosecutors said Wednesday.
Palo Alto residents Kip Macy, 38, and his wife, Nicole Macy, 37, were recently extradited from Italy for a case that began when they wanted to evict tenants out of a six-unit apartment building they owned in the 700 block of Clementina Street in San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood.
The couple pleaded guilty Tuesday to two felony counts of residential burglary, one felony count of stalking and one felony count of attempted grand theft and face up to four years and four months in prison when they are sentenced on Aug. 22.
Starting in August 2006, Nicole Macy sent an email from an account she created pretending to be a tenant to fire an attorney who was representing the tenant in a civil matter against the Macys, prosecutors said.
She also sent another fraudulent email to her own attorneys, pretending to be the tenant and threatening to kidnap and dismember the attorneys' children, prosecutors said.
The next month, the Macys twice cut holes in the floor of one victim's living room with a power saw.
They also cut sections out of the joists below the victim's floor in an apparent attempt to make the floor collapse, prosecutors said.
The couple also threatened to shoot another victim who was working as a building manager for them and burglarized other tenants' units, prosecutors said.
The Macys were charged in 2008 and indicted by a criminal grand jury the following year. In 2010, the Macys fled the country.
They were eventually taken into custody in Milan, Italy, in May 2012.
Assistant District Attorney Kelly Burke said the Macys had wanted to evict the tenants to renovate the apartments and sell the building.
East Palo Alto re-opens Woodland after flood repairs
Residents of a flood-prone neighborhood in East Palo Alto can rest easier now that the first phase of repairs to the San Francisquito Creek bank have been completed.
The creek overflowed in December 2012 and sent mud and debris onto Woodland Avenue, damaging homes and threatening PG&E infrastructure and a portion of the roadway, which had to be closed to traffic.
The damaged section of Woodland Avenue has since been resurfaced and reopened, and the exposed slope of the creek bank has been shored up with mesh, rock and installation of a new concrete dike, community development director John Doughty said.
"It's a great start," Doughty said. "This will hold for some time to come."
The repair project cost a little more than $165,000, Doughty said, though additional work is needed along the waterway. A bridge over University Avenue needs to be reinforced, and repairs need to be made to "boils" or weak points on the creek levee where high water seeps through and weakens the structure.
The eventual cost of the project could reach $2 million, and the City of East Palo Alto is continuing to pursue financing options for the remainder of the work, Doughty said.
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Pressure Sensitive Stickers
|Pressure sensitive stickers are used as a means for manufacturers to use existing labeling material by covering inaccurate and/or misleading labeling information with corrected text or used as a promotional tool, e.g., a starburst encircling sweepstakes terminology. A pressure sensitive sticker must be the type that destroys the underlying label or package if removed, or be self-destructive.
Temporary label approval is not required when the entire label including the pressure sensitive sticker is truthful, not misleading, and the product is not misbranded. Corrected text on pressure sensitive stickers can cover mandatory or non-mandatory information.
Labeling bearing pressure sensitive stickers falls under the provisions of the generically approved labeling regulations 9 CFR 317.5 or 381.133, which indicates the conditions for use of final labeling without prior Washington approval. Companies need to create and maintain records of all final labeling, otherwise known as generic approvals.
Consistent with the rules on generic labeling, sketch labeling approval is required for the entire label when pressure sensitive stickers contain special claims (quality, nutrient content, health, negative, geographical origin, other claims (natural, animal production, e.g., "no antibiotics administered", breed claims, etc.)), guarantees, foreign language or a change of the nutrition facts serving size.
Transferred labels bearing a pressure sensitive sticker covering the existing legend, are operating under the original establishments final label approval record. When pressure sensitive stickers are used to cover and correct other existing information, the rules for sketch approval and generic labeling apply to the entire label.

subset: commoncrawl


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2.0317 Transfer of records to the archives.Cite as [A.S.A.C. § 2.0317 ]
An agency, in accordance with disposition instructions on an approved records schedule and with the approval of the archivist, shall transfer to the government archives operated by the archivist those records of permanent value which are no longer actively needed in agency space of which have been stored in the records center pending scheduled transfer to the archives. Upon transfer, the archivist shall become responsible for the physical and legal custody, use, and withdrawal of the records. Provision for any agency needs which may affect the archivist's management of the records shall be agreed to by the archivist and the head of the agency in advance of the transfer of records.History: Rule 14-87, eff 4 Aug 87.


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By Shannon Carlin
Jared Leto, Pharrell, U2 and Karen O from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs are all up for Oscar gold this year at the 86th Annual Academy Awards.
Acts nominated include first timers like Pharrell for his Despicable Me 2 track "Happy," Bruce Broughton and Dennis Spiegel for "Alone, Yet Not Alone" from the movie of the same name and Karen O for "Moon Song" from the Spike Jonze film Her. Jonze is also the co-writer of the song, which appears in the film.
Also landing a nomination is "Let It Go" from the Disney animated picture Frozen. That song, which was sung by both the film's star Idina Mendzel and Demi Lovato, was also nominated for a Golden Globe.
Cut down from a very long list of possible nominees that included Beyoncé, Sirvana and Will Ferrell, this year's Best Original Song nominees include U2 for "Ordinary Love" from the Nelson Mandela biopic Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, which recently took home the Golden Globe.


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The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.
LEADERS: Azerane Bam BinkyBunny JerseyGirl LBJ10 LittlePuffyTail LongEaredLions RabbitPam
I noticed I never posted pictures of Sophie's place! So here they areeeeeee
Sophie's maze haven condo!
JD my fish and the cage where the babies are
Sophie celebrates Halloween too! and there's my bunny magazine lol it has really cool information.
From another angle....
Sophie's carrier for when we take her to the vet! (she's biting it lol)
And here's Sophie behind the plant thinking she's invisible
Before we used to levae her in there at night but she managed to escape every single time so now we let her in and out whenever she pleases lol she gets out going into the condo and then she has the other entrance from the kitchen where she plays with a box. Her litter boxes are in the living room by the window, that's her chosen spot I wanna put some shelves but idk where!
I think nobody liked my habitat This has to do with my mommy's ridiculous Halloween decorations on the table..I told her they were too festive, if I could only reach to the table I'd munch on them!


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Posted in
The #3 ranked Lady Eagles from Tongue River may have arrived in Big Horn by bus but then they took to the air and soared over the Lady Rams in three sets 25-13, 25-16, 25-13. When the final point was scored in the third set the TR players and fans simultaneously erupted in celebration - they had not only swept the Lady Rams on the day but almost on the year. Big Horn's only win against the Lady Eagles was a second set 25-20 win back on Sept. 6th. Next up for the Lady Rams is a road trip to Sundance on Saturday while the Lady Eagles entertain Sundance on October 12th and Riverside on the 13th. Then both teams make the long bus trip to Cheyenne East for the Regional Tournament on October 19-20.


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Hunkydory Summer: Floral Fantasia
Viewer Comments
Work interrupted my watching the webisodes in a timely manner (how dare it!). But the note box and cards alone are well worth the price of admission! Thank you for introducing Hunky Dory. Love HD and PW!
Oh my goodness! Gail and Paulett you and your designers have outdone yourself!!! I have resisted the Hunkydory because of the price, How ever,------No more. This is amazing not only for the cards you get but the quality of those cards. Thanks so much for helping us find all the supplies and more than one way of doing the card. I wish we lived closer. I would love to meet each of you. After all you are"in my home" many times each month. May God bless,Peggy
I am in love! Absolutely gorgeous pack and amazing projects. I have just ordered my kit! Well done Hunky Dory and Paper Wishes! Loving your webisodes ladies.
I am new to Paper Wishes and love every product I've purchased so far. I love the webisodes and refer back to them for sample cards. I have been unable to find a cardmaking group in my area and the webisodes are almost like being in a craft class.I purchased the easel cards from the last webisodes and have Hunkdory sets too and cannot wait to start making cards Love everything about Paper Wishes.
I'm glad you are having another week of webisodes featuring Hunkydory. I love their products as they just add elegance to the cards I make. Like Paulette, I am more prone to make as much use out of the various pieces as possible rather than just one oversized card that does not mail well.
I love Hunkydory products and have ordered many of the kits. They are always beautiful and so fun to make. Just last week I ordered the Floral Fantasia kit and how pleased I was to discover it is the first webisode of the week! Please continue to offer these gorgeous kits and I will keep buying!
Love this Webisode, actually I love them all!!!
I love Hunkydory kits, they usually have some unusual cards. This kit has some really nice cards, and I love baskets! Will you be getting Christmas kits this year? I bought a kit last year and my friends and family loved the Christmas cards that I made.
Reply from Paper Wishes Customer Service:
Yes, we will be getting four new Christmas Hunkydory kits the very beginning of Sept.
For the easel cards I would score along the inside edge of the eyelet part so that it could be folded up to help hold the easel in place and then also decorate the bottom of it as well
I really appreciate your videos, especially for products that may have some specific assembling projects. I truly feel like I am sitting at the table with two good friends, thank you!
Wonderful episode as per usual, ladies! Here I thought I was being smart using my HunkyDory kits on the die cut step card and shutter card--and then you did it on the webisode!! I guess a good idea is good no matter how many people think of it. I loved the cards made with the card toppers. Wonderful ideas--Thanks!
At first I thought, more Hunkydory? But boy was I wrong.
This Webisode has such beautiful and extraordinary pieces and projects, I am just speechless.
Thank you for opening my eyes....I am so happy.
I'm just going to start signing over every paycheck to PW because you always have such cool stuff. I can't stop buying your products, & this kit is another "Must Have." Your current Warehouse Sale is probably the best one I've ever seen, and the special Splurge Sale had fantastic items at outstanding prices. It's impossible to say no to any of your products because they are all outstanding. P.S. I wish every week was a WOW week!
I have to say two things. One. who ever designed these cards is amazing. Must have an engineering degree.Also I want to say how much I like the double sided tape. It is great.I use it all the time for the micro glitter, gilding snd perfect pearls on dazzles. Very impressive.Lots of compliments.
Paper Wishes Weekly Webisodes feature free scrapbooking video classes and card making video classes! Every week Paulette and Gail bring you new online scrapbooking or card making classes demonstrating the very latest paper craft and scrapbooking techniques. Each of our free card making and scrapbooking classes also gives you unique project ideas and tips from Paper Wishes' Design Team. Come back often so you don't miss any of the fun in our card making and scrapbooking classes! You are sure to be inspired! Also watch for our "Week of Webisodes" events where we feature new scrapbooking video classes daily!


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Quote:I disagree a boxer in a boxing ring maybe, but a boxer in a street fight or in free range fight. I think not. Amature boxers at their range can be awesome, but in a dirty street fight they fight too clean.
Quote:JkaorgJust disagree completely with this statement. Its impossible to know how ALL the amateur boxers in the world are going to fight.
Quote:The same could be true of the Black Belts, if the amateur boxer has some streetfighting back ground he would think and fight differently. But if the Black belt had some boxing/street fighting experince so would he.
Quote:Boxing is a good sport that can work in the street at mid range. But it is limited by its own definition.
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Winter is a great time for road trips.
The trees have mostly shed their leaves, providing a better view of local landscape.
Take a day trip along Chuckanut Drive, where you can see past the trees into Samish and Chuckanut bays, and through farmlands between Skagit Valley and Bellingham.
You can stop along the way for a hike at one of the route's many outdoor attractions, then continue on to Fairhaven for Christmas shopping and a bite to eat.
It's slower than the interstate, but the drive is more enjoyable.
To get there, take I-5 north to Exit 231 toward Bow-Edison. At the roundabout, take the third exit onto Chuckanut Drive and keep right.
Blanchard Mountain and Larrabee State Park
Blanchard is the only place in the Cascades where the mountains meet the sea, and its Oyster Dome Trail provides a full view of this remarkable union.
The climb to the dome is quite a workout at more than six miles round-trip, but a little sweat is a small price to pay for unparalleled views of the Samish Sea and the soaring Olympics.
If you can't make time for the trail, skip it and stop by Larrabee State Park. It's right along Samish Bay with secluded beaches, two fresh water lakes and more than 2,000 acres to explore.
You'll need a Discover Pass to park at either. It's $10 daily or $30 annually at www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
About five miles north of Larrabee, park your car and wander through Fairhaven.
The next few stops are close enough to walk to.
Gallery West is the perfect place to make a dent in your Christmas list. From paintings and prints to wood and glass works, the shop has great gifts for just about anyone.
See a pocket-sized wooden box that slides open to reveal a small compass ($18 to $23) or check out an artsy wooden iPhone stand to rest your device on when you're playing music or charging it at night ($20).
Gifts come in a range of prices, so you won't have to spend more than you'd like.
Stop by Avenue Bread for lunch. The local darling serves gourmet sandwiches on house-baked bread — fresh sourdough, ciabatta, foccacia, rustic French and New York deli rye — and the prices are reasonable at less than $10 per item.
Grab the portable adaptation of a holiday favorite, the cranberry turkey sandwich, priced at $7.50. It's a heavy helping of sliced turkey, cucumbers, mixed greens and cranberry cream cheese (with clusters of dried cranberries) slathered between two slices of rustica bread.
If you want something hot, try their Breakfast Eggenue, a warm English muffin with eggs and fresh topping combinations, such as Swiss cheese, bacon and tomato, or ham, red pepper, pesto and provolone.
They have wraps, soups, salads and sweets too.
After lunch make your way through Village Books. It's a charming indie book shop that rivals Powell's Books in Portland or The Elliot Bay Book Co. in Seattle.
It offesr a great selection of new and used reads for everyone in the family, an in-house cafe and adjacent gift shop with neat little finds: greeting cards, journals, stationary, lotions and soaps, candy and homemade fudge.
Boulevard Park is a great place to unwind at the end of the day. Stroll through the park's boardwalk that overlooks Bellingham Bay and stop into Woods Coffee, a local favorite, for coffee or tea and a tasty baked treat, such as their white chocolate raspberry scone.
A woodland trail begins in the northernmost corner of the park and continues into downtown Bellingham. It's a long walk, but a fun route if you want to further explore the city.
To get back, drive east on Old Fairhaven Parkway and take I-5 south.
If you go
• Avenue Bread Fairhaven: 1135 11th St., Bellingham; 360-715-3354, ext. 2; www.avenuebread.com.
• Gallery West: 1300 12th St., Bellingham; 360-734-8414; www.artgallerywest.com.
• Oyster Dome Trail: The trailhead is just after the 10-mile post on Chuckanut Drive, with parking on the west shoulder.
• Larrabee State Park: 245 Chuckanut Drive; 888-226-7688; www.parks.wa.gov.
• Village Books: 1200 11th St.; 360-671-2626; www.villagebooks.com.
• Woods Coffee: 470 Bayview Road; 360-738-4771; www.thewoodscoffee.com.


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Estimated Delivery 7 to 9 Days
Tracking number available in 3 days time.
Elegant Letter Print Zipper Design Bags Set for Ladies
Handbag Type: Other
Style: Fashion
Gender: For Women
Pattern Type: Print
Closure Type: Zipper
Interior: Interior Slot Pocket
Occasion: Versatile
Main Material: PU
Hardness: Hard
Weight: 1.319 KG
Size(CM)(L*W*H): 30 x 14.5 x 23 CM
Strap Length: 12 CM
Package Contents: 1 x Card Bag 1 x Wallet 1 x Clutch Bag 1 x Shoulder Bag 1 x Coin Purse
|Order Price Range (RM)
|Delivery Fee (RM)
|Below 300.00
|Above 300.00
Delivery Information
Currently we only take and full fill online orders from persons paying in RM (Ringgit Malaysia) and requesting delivery within Malaysia.
All orders will be delivered by YHS Online Stores approved reputable door-to-door courier service provider to ensure that you will receive your orders on time.
Orders shipping from our location normally take 3 business days for delivery once we received the payment. This may vary according to the courier service provider schedule.
We are 100% genuine online seller, selling only Original Product (no AP, no re-conditional unit).
Buying from us is as simple as 1 2 3. Choose your product,make the payment and wait for your product the next working day.
Packages are generally dispatched within 2 days after receipt of payment and are shipped via courier partner and additional cost will be applied, so please contact us before choosing this method. Whichever shipment choice you make, we will provide you with a link to track your package online.
Shipping fees include handling and packing fees as well as postage costs. Handling fees are fixed, whereas transport fees vary according to total weight of the shipment. We advise you to group your items in one order. We cannot group two distinct orders placed separately, and shipping fees will apply to each of them. Your package will be dispatched at your own risk, but special care is taken to protect fragile objects.
Boxes are amply sized and your items are well-protected.
** Delivery is only within Malaysia.
Return Policy
If the goods need to be returned, please inform us about the observed problems as soon as possible. You can do so by email at firstname.lastname@example.com along with the following details:
- respective product name
- reason of return – exact description of the problem
- date of goods takeover
- your contact details – name, address, phone number, e-mail
- which form of return are you claiming
Send the claimed goods along with the return claim for consideration to the following address: B-2-5B Jalan 12/144A Taman Bukit Cheras,56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia.
Returns can be delivered in person or by post to the above mentioned address – best in the original, otherwise in other suitable protective packaging, along with the above mentioned information and a copy of relevant invoice. When sending the package, do not forget to mark it as FRAGILE.
Make sure, you do not send the returns by cash on delivery method. We will not accept such package and will return it to your address. Please avoid this way of claiming back the amount for the purchased product. We will inspect the damage first and then be in contact with you to solve this matter.
The warranty applies only for items returned within 14 days of receipt. Returns beyond 30 days will not be accepted.


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With 16X DVD recorders now hitting store shelves, there isn't much time for newly minted 12X units to make an impression on savvy consumers. Still, a handful of vendors including Plextor, Sony, Artec, TDK, and even Lite-On have taken the 12X plunge, presumably, to gain some short-term speed advantage over the aging 8x competition.
Like most of its contemporaries, Lite-On's new SOHW-1213S is a dual-family device writing and reading most common formats. In terms of its raw specifications, the 1213S records DVD+R discs at 12X (ZCLV), DVD-R at 8X (ZCLV), DVD±RW at 4X (CLV), CD-R at 48X (CAV), and CD-RW at 24X (ZCLV). Reading is accomplished for prerecorded DVDs at 12X (CAV), dual-layer and single-layer DVD±R/RW at 8X (CAV), prerecorded CD and CD-R at 48X (CAV), and CD-RW at 24X (CAV).
Keep in mind that identical speed ratings don't necessarily mean that competing recorders perform equally in the real world. Straightforward analysis using Nero CDSpeed 3.12 certainly bears this out in that the 1213S takes a somewhat unremarkable 7:35 to write full DVD+R discs. By comparison, Plextor's latest 12X gem (the PX-712A) is at least a minute faster across the finish line. Lite-On's 8X DVD-R operation at 9:21 per full disc also lags behind the more fleet-footed Plextor, but the other media types tested met expectations at 13:59 for DVD+RWs, 14:34 for DVD-RWs, and a scintillating 2:37 for CD-Rs. Frankly, all manufacturers should embrace this kind of CD performance for the simple fact that far more CD-Rs roll out of the average DVD recorder than do DVDs.
The 1213S suffers from the same curse as all other high performance units by writing full speed to blank discs from only selected manufacturers. Currently, this list is still limited (Taiyo Yuden, MCC, Sony, Ricoh, and Maxell for 12X DVD+R and Taiyo Yuden, MCC, CMC, Gigastorage, GSC, Maxell, Ritek, Sony, and TDK for 8X DVD-R).
A bare-bones software ensemble consists of Ahead's Nero OEM Suite (Nero Express 6.0, InCD 4, NeroVision Express 2, Nero BackItUp, MPEG-2 SVCD/DVD Plug-in) and CyberLink's PowerDVD 5. In addition, a free downloadable tool is available to switch the book type (disc category) of DVD±RW discs. It's worth noting as well that Lite-On recorders have long enjoyed the attention of an enthusiastic hot-rodder community fashioning utilities such as OmniPatcher to mess around with low-level reading and writing parameters and Kprobe to perform C1/C2/PI/PO and other disc quality assessments. But keep in mind that using some of these tools may invalidate warranties. Also, the accuracy and precision—and therefore practical worth—of various 1213S testing combinations remain an open question without further detailed study and assurances.
Attractively priced at $119, Lite-On's SOHW-1213S isn't the swiftest, most featured, or most technically advanced recorder on the market but still offers faster-than-8X DVD+R performance and furious CD operation for the budget-conscious.
System requirements: 450MHz Pentium 3 (800MHz recommended), Windows 98SE/Me/2000/XP, 128MB RAM (256MB recommended), 5GB free HDD space, half-height internal ATAPI drive bay.


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Coming Soon: Darphin's Designer Zit-Zapping Duo
Coming Soon: Darphin's Designer Zit-Zapping Duo
Due in stores this fall are two new sebum-controlling skin-care products from Darphin called Purifying Targeted Gel ($50) and Overnight Refining Lotion ($50).
The clear, fast-drying gel can be applied to the affected area as often as necessary. The lotion acts as an astringent to kill bacteria and reduce oil production and shine, especially to your t-zone —all without drying out your face like so many other spot treatments are prone to do.
The products contain essential oils, which are blended together with salicylic acid, lemon, Vitamin C, and isolutrol (a balancing agent) to help purify the skin, control sebum production, stimulate skin renewal, soothe, irritated skin and reduce the look of large pores. The treatments are gentle enough not to irritate the skin, yet are strong enough to fight off persistent pimples. And did I mention how great the smell is?
I've been using this combo for three days and so far I haven't experienced any flaking or unusual dryness — yippee!


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Container Plant Adds 90 Jobs In Prineville
PRINEVILLE, Ore. (AP) — Sisters-based GFP Emergency Services has opened a new facility in Prineville and created jobs for 90 people to revamp shipping containers for use as temporary housing, medical and other facilities.
And more jobs appear headed to the city, with a Madras-based company's plans to start another container-conversion business in Prineville.
The new jobs, along with the Apple and Facebook data centers, are welcome news for Crook County, which had the highest monthly unemployment rate of Oregon's 36 counties for four years, until October.
"The data center industry, and now a company like GFP coming here, gives us reason to believe that Prineville is heading back to economic growth," said Steve Forrester, Prineville city manager.
GFP, which provides wildland firefighting services, makes evacuation shelters and provides base-camp services and catastrophe management, started leasing about 65,000 square feet at the Prineville Freight Depot last month, said GFP President Don Pollard.
The company employs about 90 workers at the Prineville facility, its own and subcontractors, to convert shipping containers into temporary buildings used during emergencies, or for energy exploration, mining and pipeline construction — activities requiring base camps in remote areas where there is no food or showers.
John Knotek, owner of ICP Northwest in Madras, said his company plans to build its own modules for both residential and commercial uses in the former Workman & Sons facility on Northeast Peters Road in Prineville.
ICP currently has between five and eight employees operating at the company's Madras and Culver locations, he said. It plans to consolidate headquarters and manufacturing in Prineville and hopes to have all approvals for the move in about a month.
"We're actually creating more jobs by relocating and consolidating in Prineville," Knotek said. "We'll be creating about 50 jobs for this year. As we complete our rollover, I can see that number increasing."
GFP Emergency Services and ICP Northwest previously worked together, with ICP serving as a subcontractor for GFP.
But a dispute led ICP to file a lawsuit against GFP in Crook County Circuit Court in December.
Russell Deboodt, Prineville and Crook County manager for Economic Development for Central Oregon, said those who lost jobs in manufacturing and construction could use their skills refurbishing containers.
"A company like that coming to Prineville looking for those skills is a good thing," he said.


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The Hotel Riu Palace Tikida Agadir (All Inclusive) is situated in a wonderful part of Agadir in Morocco. The only thing separating it from the beach is the promenade and its location makes it the perfect option to enjoy the colourful exoticism of Morocco, the beaches and the blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
Surrounded by 10,000m2 of gardens, in this Palace you will breathe in calmness and a relaxing atmosphere, helping you to forget the stress of everyday life. It includes a fresh water swimming pool, an indoor pool, a gym and a Thalassotherapy centre with a range of different treatments, massages, sauna and Hammam.
Morocco's cuisine is rich, varied and full of flavours and aromas with contrasts of sweet and salty, spicy and bitter as dominant features. In the buffet restaurant and themed restaurants you can sample the best recipes prepared by our chefs to satisfy any palate.
Thanks to the All Inclusive system you can enjoy the exclusive entertainment programme with a range of activities and sports to do as a family, couple or with friends. It includes tennis courts, mini golf, badminton, pétanque, darts, volleyball, soccer and water gym. If you're a golf lover you'll find a course with different routes and difficulties close to the hotel. To finish your day in style, the hotel offers a selection of shows and live music as well as the perfect atmosphere for enjoying a drink at the bar. Children can also make use of the mini club where the entertainment team ensure your kids have a ball.
If you want to visit Agadir and discover the rich local culture and marvellous inland oasis, you'll find yourself in the country's main beach resort where you can relax without missing out on the legendary charm of Arabic culture. We recommend excursions or a visit to the Kasbah, the harbour, the Medina, the Valley of Tamraght, the National Park of Souss-Massa and several markets that you'll find in the city centre. You'll discover why so many tourists flock to this exotic destination in search of the mix of Arabic, African and Mediterranean history and culture.
An extensive beach, golden sand, delicious cuisine and exotic culture: the Hotel Riu Palace Tikida Agadir has it all.
Enjoy the best offers of Morocco and spend some relaxing time at the hotel.


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Viacom's Bundling Violates Antitrust Law, Cablevision Says
Bethpage, N.Y.-based Cablevision issued a statement saying it had filed a sealed complaint claiming that Viacom had engaged in a illegal tying arrangement that ran afoul of federal antitrust law and asking the court to award treble damages and legal fees....
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text:
Former That's So Raven star Orlando Brown was arrested last month after allegedly striking his girlfriend in a Torrance, Calif. police station parking lot.
E! News spoke with Torrance Police Dept.'s Sergeant Kranke who told us an eyewitness saw a car pull into the parking lot with two people--Brown and his girlfriend--inside. They were arguing when he allegedly struck her.
Sgt. Kranke tells us the eyewitness then walked into the police station and alerted the front desk that they needed to send officers outside immediately because there was a domestic situation going on.
When officers responded, Orlando initially refused to exit the car. After he finally adhered to their orders, he was arrested and later found in possession of methamphetamine.
Sgt. Kranke informs us Brown was then charged with domestic battery, obstructing an officer and possession of narcotics. His case went from a misdemeanor to a felony because he was in possession of meth within the jail.
Meanwhile, Brown took to Instagram on Thursday morning to slam tabloids over what he claims are false reports.
"Right when I find peace of mind, TMZ says its 'ridiculing time,'" he wrote beside a photo of himself posing in front of a Mercedes. "So 'allegedly' I beat my women up..and walked into torrance jail with 'kristal meth' on me....Brace yourselves for this one."
He adds, "'The devil is a lie i feel him breathing' Kanye said it best...Its ok thoe...Be sure to watch TMZ....This is an interesting one...Even to me! Real talk!"
(TMZ was the first to report the story).
PHOTOS: Best (or Worst) Mug Shots Ever


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Question: "Where is your favorite place to go for a "stay-cation'?"
Nick Froelich
"Forty miles west of Sarasota in the Gulf of Mexico, for the fishing."
Will Froelich
"I like Nick's answer. But, also, Siesta Key. There's all sorts of fun stuff to do there. It's a very relaxing place — beautiful."
Hal and Barbara Laeger
"The Ritz-Carlton. I've seen the way it treats its guests, so I'd have to say there."
Nancy Huffman and Maity Schrecengost
"The Florida state parks, especially the Stephen Foster state parks."
Charlie Woods
"I'm a sailor, so I just go. But, here, the best place to go would be the park at Marina Jack. The park here is good if you've got kids or a dog."
Ernest Barboutis
"Marina Jack. In the morning, go on the south side. In the afternoon, the north side. You get to watch all of the boats."
Question: "Where is your favorite place to go for a "stay-cation'?"


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Chill out with the Sámi people
Leave the clock behind and explore the vast expanses of the breathtaking Sámi homeland, join in the festivals and activities of the locals, and get to know their way of life. We introduce you to just a few "Sámi things" you can experience over the course of a year.
The Sámi area of Northern Lapland offers year round unlimited outdoor and indoor activities, and most of all close contact with the unique culture of the Sámi – the only indigenous people of the European Union. The Sámi live in the Northern parts of Finland, Norway and Sweden as well as in parts of North-Eastern Russia. In Finland, the Sámi population is approximately 9 000 strong, and the preservation of their endangered language and culture is governed by an autonomous parliament of Inari, Finland. At the end of January and beginning of February, you can celebrate the end of the polar night by going to the Skábmagovat, the Indigenous Peoples' Film and TV Production Festival in Inari or join the Sámi for their National Day celebrations on February 6. In the summer, you can take part in the Teno river salmon fishing championship in Utsjoki in July, while the Music Festival of Indigenous Peoples, Ijahis idja (Nightless Night), and the Triphon procession of the Russian-orthodox Skolt-Sámi through four villages all take place in August.
In Lapland, swapping the hustle and bustle of ski resorts and cities to the peace and quiet of the wilderness takes mere minutes.
Related Links
Recommended Articles
Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland, is home to an eclectic – and unusual – array of museums.Read More
In Finnish folklore, an element of mystery is associated with Lapland, the country's northernmost province.Read More
Finnish Lapland - its barren, beautiful natural landscape has an irresistible charm.Read More
Twenty years ago, Akira Omori packed his backpack and went on the road. The young man couldn't have then imagined that he would leave Tokyo behind for good.Read More
In an exclusive interview, the one and only Santa Claus reveals why, for him, Finnish Lapland is and will always be the best place to live.Read More
Finnish Lapland is the land of myths, legends and dreams. Many are centered on Lapland's gold fields and the world's purest gold - the one found in and around the Lemmenjoki and Ivalojoki rivers.Read More


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On August 10, 2012, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) proposed two notices containing rules to protect homeowners from surprises and costly mistakes by their mortgage servicers.
"Millions of homeowners are struggling to pay their mortgages, often through no fault of their own," said CFPB Director Richard Cordray. "These proposed rules would offer consumers basic protections and put the 'service' back into mortgage servicing. The goal is to prevent mortgage servicers from giving their customers unwelcome surprises and runarounds."
More from CFPB


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Read the full story here Web Link posted Tuesday, May 7, 2013, 9:28 AM
Town Square
Palo Alto to further debate manager salaries
Original post made on May 7, 2013
Read the full story here Web Link posted Tuesday, May 7, 2013, 9:28 AM
Comments (25)
a resident of Green Acres
on May 7, 2013 at 10:55 am
No raises. In fact, we should be cutting pay to match the increase in benefit costs that we're incurring now that the pension bill for the ridiculous defined benefit pensions we're paying our bureaucrats is coming due.
The better metric to look at would be voluntary turnover. I imagine it's well below the private sector, since most of these bureaucrats are grossly overpaid to begin with.
a resident of Community Center
on May 7, 2013 at 10:56 am
Can't we use the $40 million from Stanford, that is mentioned in another thread, for the salaries. After all palo alto needs these people and they cannot be replaced, so money should not be an object.
Now, without sarcasm, we should consider no raises or a salary cut-- if they want to leave, the good bye and good riddance and Keene can join them. Enough out of control salaries for incompetents.
a resident of Fairmeadow
on May 7, 2013 at 11:00 am
The compensation question is still not being properly discussed by the City Council, and the public in general. The pensions for government employees needs to be viewed as "deferred salaries", rather than some "benefit" that we don't talk about, or calculate in ay meaningful way.
We all need to fully understand that virtually every government manager making more than $100K/year will likely bring in from $3M-$10M (or more) in retirement--
Using a COLA of only 2%, public safety retirees receive the following payouts:
Total Pension Payouts
$100K--10-Years: $1.1M | 20-Years: $2.5M | 30-Years: $4.1M
$150K--10-Years: $1.7M | 20-Years: $3.4M | 30-Years: $6.2M
$200K--10-Years: $2.2M | 20-Years: $5.0M | 30-Years: $8.3M
California Police and Fire Department employees are routinely drawing over $100K in the larger cities, with their pensions at 90% of their high salary. Non-public safety employees can retire at up to 82% (or more) of their exit salaries. In another decade, or so, the public sector will totally bankrupt the private sector with their pension demands.
How in the world can this City Council not understand this fact—and be prepared to fold pension payments into the compensation levels offered their employees? The general issue of total employee compensation is laid out in this 8-page paper I wrote opposing the so-called "Business Tax" a couple of years ago--
Beneath The Palo Alto Business Tax:
Web Link
Unless we look at the total compensation of the employees, then these folks will be grossly overpaid during the course of their lifetimes. Clearly pensions are a big problem for not only Palo Alto, but the whole world—since we have allowed our elected officials to buy into the financially disruptive concept of "defined benefits"—two little words that pretty much guarantee to bankrupt any organization offering pensions to its employees.
To solve this growing problem--the City needs to dump its current pension program, it needs to outsource as much of its labor needs as possible, and it needs to shift to more e-government to reduce the need for unnecessary employees, as a beginning of a rethinking of local government. It also needs to build a comprehensive financial model—which would accurately identify all of the long-term costs associated all expenditures, including every compensation increase demanded by its employees.
Currently, it would appear that under the Keene Administration—we are simply flying blind, with little hope of knowing what is over the next hill, much less the next mountain. Given the extremely generous compensation package to this Administrator (and his Assistants)—Palo Alto should expect, and get, more from him.
a resident of Southgate
on May 7, 2013 at 11:01 am
If we eliminate James Keene, Kevin Skelly and a few other management-level people with sub-par performances, there would be enough money to increase the salaries of those who have earned them!
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on May 7, 2013 at 11:10 am
Question to Ms. Price: why not be prudent by waiting until salary data is studied and increases can be done (or not) using solid information as a basis for any increase? Surely increases (if warranted) can be applied retroactively. This is too sensitive an issue to proceed without a thorough analysis of the entire compensation package, of which base salary is a single factor.
a resident of Old Palo Alto
on May 7, 2013 at 11:32 am
"Last thing we want to be doing is recruiting folks, investing in them, training them and then having them jump to another city that pays more," Klein said. "And that's a real possibility, especially if we're out of touch with the market."
WHY SHOULD CITY HIRE UNTRAINED PEOPLE??? Why the city hired this guy who does lack simple logic?
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on May 7, 2013 at 1:00 pm
As David Price asked in the Daily Post yesterday, why is the city council comparing salaries of its staff with salaries of staff in other cities? All of these salaries--in Palo Alto and in other cities--are inflated.
The comparison should be made with people doing the same kind of work in the private sector, whose salaries are more realistic.
Why should we taxpayers be paying city staff inflated salaries?
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on May 7, 2013 at 3:06 pm
The whole things is farcical. Everybody knows city employees are wildly overcompensated (I like Wayne Martin's term "deferred compensation"), and Mountain View is not about to steal dozens of our people. Mountain View and every other city in California has the same problem we do. Stockton has it worse.
But: The no-spine City Council doesn't want to argue with the City Staff, but they know the every Palo Alto resident is watching them. So they made no decision at all and kicked it to a committee.
For 2014, everybody remember: GAIL PRICE voted to give it away now, without even the Finance Committee wimp-out.
The city takes our money, spends it on themselves, and then asks us for a bond issue.
The only solution is a different council profile in 2014.
a resident of Palo Verde
on May 7, 2013 at 3:30 pm
Did I see any of you commenters at the Council meeting last night? Or does everyone watch on TV?
a resident of Midtown
on May 7, 2013 at 6:48 pm
200 Managers, average salary of $110,000 per manager = $22 million dollars. A 2% raise, will be a 3% raise because of benefits like increased pension contribution. Total comes to $660,000.
Guess that's why the City Manager cut the staffing at Animal Services by to pay for this; plus he froze staffing for 6 police officers.
A the $660,000 to the $120,000 extra the city spent on Natural Gas Honda Civics, the $200,000 on the PR manager, the $200,000 on the "Chief Sustainability Officer", the extra $3 million that wasn't anticipated the city is spending on the California Ave redesign, and not to mention all the extra spent on cleaning up the Mitchell Park Library construction fiasco.
Can anyone see why the streets are in the shape they are in, and why the city can never afford to build a public safety building????
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on May 7, 2013 at 9:15 pm
If we must pay top dollar to get the best staff then why do we
routinely outsource all studies to consultants? Normally if you
maintain a staff you do the studies in-house. If you do not maintain
a staff you hire consultants. The salary surveys need to incorporate
this fact to have any validity.The problems in Palo Alto are far deeper however when you look at what is happening to our City. The staff is ignoring the consultants reports, skewing the results in the interpretation, or hiring the wrong consultants. We are in serious trouble.
a resident of another community
on May 8, 2013 at 8:51 am
Utilities employees (per HR benchmark study) are paid 10 - 12% less than comparable agencies such as PG&E and City of Santa Clara. Yet Palo Alto's electic rates are lower and reliability is higher than surrounding cities. So why should these employees stay with Palo Alto, especially with all the comments here about them being "overpaid" and not working hard?
a resident of Old Palo Alto
on May 8, 2013 at 3:11 pm
...simply amazing! City Manager Keene proposes to award his shadow organization of managers with a 2% increase in salary and benefits for maintaining deficit budgets for the past 10 years. While important decisions on city matters are left to the numerous Blue Ribbon Committees and outsourced consultants, managers earning starting wages of $100,000 and more are held to no standard and provide no leadership to move the city forward. Keene's only management plan is to maintain the status quo of inaction and place blame on his lack of leadership skills onto others. His shadow organization of managers has grown so vastly in the past 5 years that even the Palo Alto Weekly can't or won't print an accurate number of full-time management employees. What a shame!
a resident of Fairmeadow
on May 9, 2013 at 10:10 am
> Yet Palo Alto's electic rates are lower and
> reliability is higher than surrounding cities
Given that Palo Alto does not publish its up-time on its web-site (ie—reliability numbers), nor do any of the commercial sector companies, then how can anyone make a statement like this with any chance of its being proven true? A couple of years ago the whole city of Palo Alto was in the dark for 8+hours. Has this happened to any city serviced by PG&E?
As to the cost of electricity, this is one of all of the utilities that Palo Alto residents are forced to buy from the City-owned Utility. One needs to look at the total package: electricity, gas, water, waste removal, storm drains, street sweeping and UUT before trying to make any cost comparisons between the PAU and other cities/service providers. So far, the PAU has not provided the rate payers this sort of information on at least a semi-annual basis.
We are seeking a big drop in natural gas prices nationally. Anyone got any idea if the PAU has been able to take advantage of these lower prices, passing along savings to the customers. The answer is: "Probably not". PG&E buys on the spot market—Palo Alto seems to buy very expensive gas from Canada. California will soon be a major supplier of natural gas. Wonder how long it will take PAU to understand that fact, buy cheap gas—passing along savings to the customers?
And let's not forget the 82% pensions that PAU employees get—which are lavish, when calculated over a 30+year retirement. From my previous posting, anyone at the PAU who retires at 30 years, and lives thirty more years, will very likely see $4M, or more, depending on their exit salaries. PG&E doesn't offer this lavish pension "benefit", now does it. Well, how many rational people will walk away from 4+M for a few extra dollars in their weekly salary?
When the pension, and retirement health care benefits as fully calculated, and put on the table—the PAU employees are well compensated.
a resident of Old Palo Alto
on May 9, 2013 at 7:58 pm
There are plenty of workers willing to work for less. Voters, let's exercise our rights and vote to replace management ! And No more Bonds!
a resident of another community
on May 9, 2013 at 11:08 pm
Wayne Wayne Wayne,
Master of the leading or should I say misleading questions.
"Given that Palo Alto does not publish its up-time on its web-site (ie—reliability numbers), nor do any of the commercial sector companies, then how can anyone make a statement like this with any chance of its being proven true?"
Lot's of info here:
Web Link
And Electric rates haven't gone up in 5 years:
Web Link
Second lowest in the state!
"We are seeking a big drop in natural gas prices nationally. Anyone got any idea if the PAU has been able to take advantage of these lower prices, passing along savings to the customers. The answer is: "Probably not"."
Gas prices are set to go down this year BTW
" A couple of years ago the whole city of Palo Alto was in the dark for 8+hours. Has this happened to any city serviced by PG&E?"
You obviously have never lived in a PG&E area. Plus to bring up an extremely freak event as a plane taking down PG&E lines an if it's normal is well, normal for you.
The UUT is a huge benefit to the City. The founders of the Utility decided it would be better to keep all of the monies in Palo Alto rather than paid to some corporate giant.
You love to rant about the projected pension payout. One number you never mention is how much has been paid into the pension over the 30 years. It's not as if someone retires that "CalPers" has to start from zero and pay out your $4+M figure. Their pension will be paid out of the investment income from 30 years of deposits. I hate to shout at you way up on your Palo Alto pedestal but over here at PG&E we think Palo Alto's pay is a joke. You are way behind in the market and it's obvious when you look at how many of your employees have left for PG&E, Santa Clara, Roseville, Lodi, Contractors, and private consulting firms.
a resident of Fairmeadow
on May 10, 2013 at 8:02 am
> Plenty of information here--
Web Link
This is the Auditor's Services/Accomplishment report. It has not, historically, provided any data about PAU services reliability. And it is very, very, unlikely to provide any information about PG&E system reliability. Without accurate reliability data from both entities—it is impossible to compare the service reliabilities of the two organizations.
By-and-large, the American power grid is very stable. Industry sources report that it demonstrates 99.999% uptime. If people in PG&E country have problems with reliability—they can complain to the CAPUC. We here in Palo Alto, can not complain to the PUC about the PAU, however.
> You obviously have never lived in a PG&E area.
What exactly are you trying to say? Reliability is measured in "up-time minutes" (for the most part). Can you provide any details (such as PG&E downtime minutes) to back up this vague, and otherwise, meaningless statement?
PG&E is a statewide service provider—covering tens of thousands of square miles. The PAU's area of responsibility is 25 square mines. There is simply no meaningful way to compare the two organizations.
> Plus to bring up an extremely freak event as a plane
> taking down PG&E lines an if it's normal is well, normal for you.
Palo Alto's electricity is provided by a single high-tension line, which provides a 100% likelihood of failure during events like: a plane/helicopter strike, fires, terrorism, and earthquakes, worker errors. There have been (we're told) at least two studies over the years about the vulnerability of this high-tension feed from the PG&E source into Palo Alto. If memory serves, the reports concluded that it might cost upwards of $40M to "underground" this feed. The PAU seemed not to elevate a decision as to whether, or not, to spend this sort of money on creating a "secure" access to the PG&E transmission system to the City Council. Nor were there any other primary feeds into the city from other sources installed—giving us at least two primary feeds into our redistribution grid.
The responsibility for providing reliable service lies solely on the PAU and the City Council. There is, for the most part, no oversight of the Utility by the CAPUC.
> The UUT is a huge benefit to the City.
The UUT exacts over $11M out of the rate payers, which goes into the City's General Fund—where it disappears, quickly, into who knows where. The original purpose of the UUT was to pay for the lease of the Cubberley Center—which has grown from about $4M to about $6M over the years. There was never any claim that the UUT would be used to pay salary/benefits for City employees—but that's what's happened. It is very difficult to see that it is a "great benefit" to the City.
> The founders of the Utility decided it would be better to
> keep all of the monies in Palo Alto rather than paid
> to some corporate giant.
Have you actually read the history of the founding of the Utility? The electrical service company that was operating in Palo Alto a hundred years ago was hardly a "corporate giant"—it was more of a shoe-string operation. It is true that the claims of those promoting the Utility was to drive the for-profit electrical service provider out of town, but it's not clear that the monies retained have been used as nobly as the Stanford professors promoting municipal ownership would have envisioned.
a resident of Fairmeadow
on May 10, 2013 at 8:19 am
> One number you never mention is how much has
> been paid into the pension over the 30 years
This is a difficult number to provide with accuracy—since there are about 2500 public sector agencies in California, each with its own pension plan. Some agencies require that employees contribute to their pension accounts, others don't. Which the pension crisis looming so clearly now—most public agencies have begun to request that employees contribute.
But let's make an estimate, using a 30-year timeline, for an "average" employee that works for thirty years, and is asked to pay 8% of his/her salary:
Initial Salary: $35,000
Working Years: 30
Yearly Salary Increase: 3.65
Last Year's Salary: 102,600
Yearly Pension Contribution: 8%
30-Year Pension Contribution: $156,372
So, the answer to the "Ex-Utility Employee's" question is that for someone who has worked for 30 years, ending his/her career with an exit salary of $100K, he/she will have contributed about $156K that will result in a $4M pension payout.
We would need to look at individual agencies to refine this datapoint. But hopefully, everyone gets the picture—that government sector employees are getting something like a 24:1 multiplier on their pension contributions.
a resident of Barron Park
on May 10, 2013 at 11:58 am
What's another 2% raise, they're all morally bankrupt and corrupt.
a resident of Palo Verde
on May 10, 2013 at 1:12 pm
Just for fun I looked at my own private sector Federal pension (Social Security). If this were my full retirement year, and I earned the maximum in each of the last 35 years, I would have paid in $119K, and also earned another $119K for my employee to put in for me.
Indexed to current dollars using the FICA multipliers would make that $187K plus $187K. If I'm 66 my annual benefit would start at $30,588. So if I lived another 25 years I'd get out about twice the indexed amount that went in.
Just something for comparison to Wayne's calculation.
I should also note that the Social Security benefit is progressive, in that those who earn less will get out a larger percentage of what went in.
a resident of Palo Verde
on May 10, 2013 at 1:27 pm
1st para should have been -- for my EMPLOYER to put in for me. The company doesn't print the matching money, employees must earn it.
a resident of another community
on May 10, 2013 at 6:49 pm
You can find the PG&E and Palo Alto Utilities reliability numbers in the minutes of the April 2010 Utilities Advisory Committee meeting. This is the one I know of, and since UAC keeps track of these numbers ( it's a Utilities Management benchmark ), I'm sure the updated numbers are included in more recent UAC meetings. (FYI - Palo Alto's minutes per customer per year of outage time are about 50% lower than PG&E).
As for the HR Utility manager benchmark study - look on the HR website and/or Council minutes - this study has been updated every year for at least six years, and the 10 - 12% differential remains.
No sweat for me, I left Palo Alto to work in the utility consulting field where experience and expertise are appreciated and rewarded.
As for electric rates - a quick check of your bill (assuming you're a Palo Alto resident) vs. the rates published on PG&E's web site will show you the difference. For residential electric rates, Palo Alto is lower overall.
a resident of another community
on May 10, 2013 at 10:10 pm
Additional clarification for you Wayne - Palo Alto is served by THREE transmission lines, not one. The three lines run in the same corridor next to the airport, that's why one plane crash in February 2010 took out all three lines and blacked out the City. PA Utilities is not "doing nothing", this issue has been raised by CPAU with PG&E, CAISO and the CPUC and ALL (with CPAU involvement) are working out a solution. These projects don't happen overnight, it typically takes 4 - 6 years due to planning and permits (including public hearings).
You don't get this level of PG&E and CAISO involvement with "morally bankrupt and corrupt" City employees. But keep up the obtuse criticism folks - PG&E, Santa Clara and Consultants are all looking to hire experienced Utility employees from other utilities.
a resident of another community
on May 14, 2013 at 8:57 am
Another very qualified Palo Alto utility employee turned in resignation papers this week. We will welcome his with open arms and better pay.
a resident of another community
on May 16, 2013 at 4:25 pm
I'll vouch for "PG&E's" comment. In addition to still offering a retirement pension, they also offer a 401K plan for employees with a 60 cents per employee dollar Company contribution (non-management employees) and 75 cents per dollar contribution (management employees). Their employee training/education benefits are also very generous. Fully competitive with Palo Alto's benefit package, at a higher salary in many cases.
They are very focused on improving their gas & electric reliability, and it takes qualified utility employees to accomplish that.
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text:
Today, Sojourners is launching a new project called Emerging Voices, and it's one of the most exciting things I have been involved with for a long time. It aims to mentor, develop, and promote the most dynamic up-and-coming communicators — speakers, preachers, and teachers — who so clearly are called to lead and publicly articulate the biblical call to social justice.
The vision for this project is exciting and something to be celebrated. It also calls to mind a critical observation: Our world often wants saviors, not prophets; new messiahs, not leaders.
We want heroes with superhuman strength who save the day, not mere mortals who speak the truths we typically don't want to hear. Even the modern day giants of social justice — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Dorothy Day, and Mahatma Gandhi, for example —were at best prophets, but never saviors.
It's easy to slip into the mentality that one person, one voice will rise up in a generation, and that he or she will change the world as we know it. Perhaps we even think, "Maybe I will change the world."
King spoke of this temptation as the "drum major instinct." This is the basic desire of humans to lead the charge, and ultimately, reap the recognition — or, at the very least, to place our confidence in a single human being.
Two months before his assassination, King warned his listeners at his home church of Ebenezer Baptist:
"When the church is true to its nature, it says 'Whosoever will, let him come.' And it is not supposed to satisfy the perverted use of the drum major instinct. It's the one place where everyone should be the same, standing before a common master and savior."
However, King understood that even if he were able to overcome, or at least suppress, this instinct within himself, others would still submit their wounds and place their dreams upon him. Envisioning his funeral, he said that if he were to be remembered as a drum major, then he would like to be remembered as a drum major for justice, for peace, and for righteousness.
The role of savior has already been filled, and the cross Jesus bore is the ultimate rejection of this human drum major instinct. That's where Christians must always start.
Nevertheless, we still need prophets, leaders, and voices who point us in the direction of this hope. The whole 11th chapter of Hebrews is essentially a long list of "shout outs" to the men and women of the Hebrew Scriptures who persevered in their faith despite never receiving what was promised to them. Individually, these men and women are saintly celebrities, but together they form a "great cloud of witnesses," which still inspires believers to run the race of faith and pursue the finish line of the Kingdom.
After 40 years in public ministry, I am feeling an urgent and personal call to help raise up and support the next generation of faithful leaders — a new cloud of witnesses — who are boldly and creatively heralding the biblical call to social justice. More and more of my time is spent mentoring these emerging leaders.
Placing our hopes in a single drum major has never been a faithful response, and it is also increasingly ineffective. The world is changing. Notably, in the United States somewhere between the years 2040 and 2050 we will no longer have a racial or ethnic majority. We need a multitude of fresh and culturally relevant voices that can address the challenge of faith and the common good within our diverse and complex society and, in particular, issue a prophetic call to the churches and to our society. We have formed a very hopeful and impressive circle of young leaders and we have already had a retreat together, which proved to be an extraordinary time.
I strongly encourage you to take a look at these communicators on our brand new website, www.emervoicesproject.org. Look at their faces, hear their stories, read what they have written. Consider inviting them to speak at your church, school, or public forum; join the conversation on their blogs; and glean insight from their books.
Ultimately, Emerging Voices aims to be unlike any other speaker platform that already exists. It's intentionally diverse, particularly along the dimensions of race, ethnicity and gender; it's collaborative as it seeks to build a community among its participants; it's equipping as we want to help the participants to develop their unique calling and skills; and finally, and most importantly, it's elevating a common vision of biblical justice not through a single voice, but through many.
I believe the Emerging Voices project is crucial for the future of the church and the world. Spending time with these emerging voices was deeply encouraging — both to me and to them — and gave me a powerful sense of the leadership they are already accomplishing. We all walked away with a real sense of hope and excitement about continuing our journey together.
Jim Wallis is the author of Rediscovering Values: A Guide for Economic and Moral Recovery, and CEO of Sojourners. Follow Jim on Twitter @JimWallis.
Have Something to Say?
"Introducing The Emerging Voices Project: One Vision. Many Voices."


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Although I don't doubt that its true, I wont stop fighting for the part till its been confirmed by either NewMoonMovie.Org or by Summit Itself.NOTE: It's just a rumor, we'll have to wait to see if this news is confirmed. Thanks, Laura of Team Solomon!
Posey has been talked about for awhile and has been my biggest competition thus far. So if he got it, great.
**Update** Now that Koa has included his original source, I don't think that he has to panic just yet. Seems unfounded.


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Results tagged ' Horacio Ramirez '
Some Non Tender Thoughts
Alot of interesting things happened last night during the tender, non-tender deadline at midnight. Players got that realistic nudge of if they are considered a positive piece of the roster puzzle in 2009, or if they are totally expendable to the franchise. Some names came across the board that you thought would be offered a contract, but ended up on the scrap heap with the rest of them.
There were a few names circulating who teams were trying frantically to try and trade before midnight to get some kind of value off the player before he left his old teams clutchs. Up until the witching hour, the Orioles tried to trade Daniel Cabrera and in the same breath sign Lance Cromier to a reduced salary. Neither player was offered a contract in the end, and that leaves the Orioles with an interesting starting pitching arrangement as of midnight. As of right now, only Jeremy Guthrie is penciled in the O's rotation in 2009, but they do have options in the minor league system.
But some other names popped up on the radar after midnight that were suppose to be key pieces in their teams puzzles, but were discarded like old soda cups at the stadium when the clock struck midnight. Some have already re-signed with their old clubs, while a majority of the non-tenders are re-evaluating their careers and taking a breath before jumping back into the fire.
Philadelphia Philles Pitcher Scott Mathieson and Cincinnati Reds outfielder Norris Hopper resigned with their old squads during the night hours under a minor league contract. What was so wild about the Hopper non-tender is that it left the Reds, who also had their Fan Fest last night, with only 2 outfielders on their roster until Hopper inked his name on a contract.
But some of the veterans that were left off of rosters last night will find solace today and will not be out of work long. Several have had discussion already with clubs and it might be a minimal amount of time before they are signed, sealed and delivered to their new bosses'. But some names last night did not make sense on the syrface. Several of the names on the non-tendered list had great seasons and seemed to be in the plans before December 12th.
Take former Astro Ty Wiggington, not only is he a super utility guy who can seriously play any position under the sun, but he left his old team with decisions to make no at third base. Wiggington was the Astros strongest candidate at third, and no it will escalade into a full blown battle for a successor at the position in the Spring. The 31 year-old hit a strong .285/.350/.526 in 429 plate appearances. He probably doesn't mind reaching free agency early in a weak third baseman market. The Indians and Twins still have vacancies.
Then you have the relievers who seemd to put up excellent numbers and be on the teams' radars for 2009, and got put out to pasture fast and without remorse. Such was the case of Florida Marlins' reliever, Joe Nelson. Wow…a 2.00 ERA still gets you non-tendered in Broward County. He's not effective as a close down reliever good, but he had a huge strikeout rate and is definitely a useful reliever in early innings.
The you have the case for my favorite whipping boy of 2009, Daniel Cabrera had been in the Oriole system for 10 years before finally getting the heave ho last night. Let's think about that again…………10 years. This guy has always been the ackwardly potent Orioles pitcher to face during a series. But his Dr Jeckle and Mr Hyde pitching style might have finally out stayed its welcome in Camden Yards. Many a hitter will tell you about pitches grazing the strikezone like a surgeon, then the next one is coming at your head without a want or reason. At times Cabrera posted very big strikeout numbers and had impressive groundball rates. With a fresh start, who knows.
Now here is a non-tender that made sense due to a earlier trade, but why do you give up speed and youth and keep an older outfield that will get older as the year progresses in 2009. I truly feel that former Kansas City Royal Joey Gathright was a victim of the inside rebuilding of the team, but they are giving no consideration to speed and upgrades. Gathright is one of the fastest men in baseball, and that can wreck havoc on a pitching staff if used correctly. Gathright will have a uniform in 2009, and will be dirt and clay-stained by the 5th inning after stealing a few bases.
Then there is the case of former Colorado Rockies outfielder, Willy Taveras. Like Gathright, Taveras is a speed demon, but his recent plus/minus ratings in center field are poor. And you can't steal first base. And there is the mystery still humming around on why he was not considered healthy enough to complete a trade with the Mets for Tim Redding earlier in the week. This one might take a few months to really get to the heart of the problem, then we can move on and let Willy play baseball again…somewhere.
This next one is pretty personal to me, because I have known this guy for some time and know the BS and the challenges he has faced in 2008. His former team the Tampa Bay Rays considered him a valuable member of the roster before the first half break in the season. From that moment on, Jonny Gomes was relegated to the bench and had minimum chances and outfield starts.
Gomes is the type of player who needs to play every day. He lives and breathes off the emotions and the enrgies of the game. To put him on the bench without a sense of the games pace, you take him mentally and emotionally out of the contest. Gomes got pop, and destroyed lefties outside of this year. That's about it though. But sometimes, things like this are done for a reason. Maybe a change of scenery will do wonders for him, and finding a team who might need a power fourth outfielder or D H might be his calling in baseball.
When the Los Angeles Dodger let closer Takashi Saito go last night, there was a sigh of relief around baseball. Here is a bona fide closer who might not cost and arm or a leg, who can effectively close out a game without incident. Saito posted some dominant big league numbers for the Dodgers, but he's a huge question mark after having platelet-rich plasma injected into his elbow in an experimental procedure. Sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie, but without all the Godzilla and Mothra figures.
I think we all know where former Washington Nationals pitcher Tim Redding will be throwing in 2009. Now that he is free and clear, the Colorado rockies will be knocking on his door and frantically calling his agent to get him signed quickly to the Rockies starting rotation. In the high alititude of Denver, he might be good for a sub 5.00 ERA as a back of the rotation starter. Tim, I hear the Rockie Mountain oysters are great at the Buckhorn.
What did not surprise anyone in baseball is the non tendering of former Milwaukee Brewers starter, Chris Capuano. Because of his last 2 injuries there might be a small question of the ability for him to throw effectively in 2009. Considering the Brewers are in need of a extra pitcher now, you might see him resigned to a lower deal with a few health incentives thrown in for good measures.
People seem to forget that Capuano has his second Tommy John surgery in May 2008. But his past exploits from 2005-2006 might get him a Spring Training invite and a possible rotation spot out it all if he is shown to be healthy and productive for the team.
But then you have players like former Red Sox catcher Kevin Cash, who was Tim Wakefield's personal catcher in 2008. You have to think that the Red Sox are using thisa to get a reduced salary for the part-time catcher. But can catching Wakefield and watching your errors and passed ball totals skyrocket into space be worht the reduced cash flow.
But then you have guys like Aaron Miles of the St. Louis Cardinals, who was also non-tendered in 2007 before signing again for 2008 at a reduced salary. Could the team be again trying to use this as a measure to instill costs with a player who has come back one after being slapped in the face by his team. Hopefully someone like the Cincinnati Reds might find him a better liking to their team and he move on over without giving the Cardinals the satisfaction of another stay on their roster.
In all, Major League Baseball saw about 36 players who recieve non tendered offers last night. Some of these players will resign for a small contract or even a minor league deal with some organization, while other are currently seeking and wanting another chance at starting and helping a team to the next level.
But for people like former Royals infielder, Jason Smith, the non-tendering was not as bad as the designated for assignment he recieved earlier in the day from the team to make a roster spot for newly signed relief pitcher Horacio Ramirez before the non-tender deadline.
Love Me Non-Tender Candidates 2008…Part One
After all the Post season celebration have muffled to a silent roar, we embark on a journey that no player wants to roam. That journey down the road of arbitration. Where the road is lined with pitfalls and traps, one of tendering offers or letting the players kneel by the wayside to gather themselves after being cast off by their clubs. It is a time to reflect and expose the best and worst of this time of year for baseball. It becomes the time when you really know what your team GM and your coaching staff think of you as a productive member of their franchise. And the journey starts now……………….
On this date, Friday, December 12th, every team in the major leagues must decide to either tender contracts to their arbitration-eligible players, or set them free as more glut in the 2009 free agent market. And while in past years the non-tendered players weren't considered to be difference-makers, the list could be more interesting this year. There are several players on this list who either had bad situation on their teams or might have been fighting back from injuries in 2008.
Players who are "tendered" on Friday are considered signed for 2009 at a salary to be determined, not less than 80 percent of his salary the previous season, and both sides continue negotiating. If a deal cannot be struck, the team and the player will each file a proposed 2009 salary in early January. Those figures are exchanged on Jan. 19, and a date for a salary arbitration hearing is then set for Feb. 1-21.
If the sides still cannot come to terms before the date of the hearing, a representative for the team and one for the player present a case before a panel of arbiters, which chooses one salary or the other. On the other hand, if a player is not tendered a contract before Friday's deadline, he becomes a free agent.
A nationwide economic downturn has affected how Major League Baseball teams are conducting business, and in an effort to cut corners, the number of non-tendered players could increase, based solely on the market's projected rise in their salaries based on arbitration data and past results.. The same can be said for the quality of those players. Some of the guys being considered for non-tender have been great contributors to their teams in the past, but not during the 2008 season.
Past players non-tendered include David Ortiz, Rick Ankiel, Ryan Franklin, David Eckstein, and Chad Durbin. Usually at least a few useful guys are unearthed. I am going to submit a few names that are being considered to be non-tendered starting at midnight tonight. Some of these names might sign free agent contracts with their old teams, but usually if a player is released from that team, they tend to float to another organization instead of resign with their old clubs.
Coming into the deadline are a few names that might mean somehting to several Tampa Bay Rays fans. A few names from the past are being considered to be non-tendered tonight. One of them is currently on the Rays roster and might have been pre-destined for this list during the season with the acquiring of Gabe Gross during the season.
Designated Hitter/ Right-fielder Jonny Gomes has been the emotional sparkplug of this Rays young team for several seasons. But in 2008, after some spotty play in the outfield, both in left-field and right-field. Posting a ugly .167 batting average during the season might not bode well for Gomes to even be considered a contract in 2009. But one of the great facts of arbitration is that Gomes made $ 1.25 million in 2008, and the arbitration might not even give him a substancial increase.
He might skate by and be offered a contract based on his loyalty and the teams' need for at least some kind of right-handed bat in the rightfield corner. Situations could change in the next few months, but the Rays could "rent" Gomes for now and get a trade return on him later in the Spring if needed.
The Rays have other players who will be on the bubble on Friday, like right-fielder and left-handed bat, Gabe Gross. He might be the best cltch hitter the Rays had in 2008, but he also might be caught in the numbers games as the team just traded for the young and undercontract for 6 more years Matt Joyce. Both players have a defensive pedigree, and it all might come down to if the Rays think that Gross will win the spot and be worh the money to keep, or set Joyce up in right and let Gross go, hoping he remains to be put under a free agent contract at a reduced price.
This might be the tricky one for the Rays. Gross did everything asked of him in 2008. He also is a great clubhouse guy who is never in trouble and always helping the younger outfielders. His ceiling might be higher than Joyces' right now after a banner year where he set career numbers in almost every offensive category. It was a year where he was used more, and saw more plate appearances than any other time in his career. Gross might join Gomes on the free agent market where there is a glut right now for corner outfielders. If not for that trade during the Winter Meetings, Gross would have been offered a contract without question.
An ex-Rays who might be getting considerable consideration from his current team is the Houston Astro's Brandon Backe. However, with the current state of the Astros' rotation — they have little Major League-ready depth in their farm system and few backup options to protect themselves from injury and inconsistency — they may decide to hold on to the right-hander. And with a salary of only $ 800,000 for 2008, he might come in at a considerable discount compared to the free agents on the current starting pitching market.
Astros General Manager Ed Wade sounded like he's willing to give Backe another look but at the same time noted the right-hander's 2008 season was a disappointment and he'll have to prove a few things in 2009. But the Astros have very little pitching depth, and the three top prospects — Brad James, Sergio Perez and Bud Norris — likely won't be ready for the big leagues come Opening Day. That alone may ensure Backe is tendered a contract on Friday.
Another ex-Rays who has had to basically live out of his suitcase this past season is reliever Chad Gaudin. Two years ago it seemed that the Toronto Blue Jays were serious about the young pitcher and staked him a claim in their Bullpen. But during the off-season he was traded to the Oakland A's where he started and relieved for the Athletics. He was then sent packing to the Chicago Cubs in the deal for Rick Harden as a key plug for the Cub's Bullpen problems.
Since arriving in Chicago, Gaudin went 4-2, with a 4.26 ERA and got 27 strikeouts in 27.1 innings of work in 2008 for the Cubbies. Gaudin is known for his slider and his sinker, which both have above average movement to both sides of the plate. Also in his arsenal is a sinking change-up that can come in on left-handers. Gaudin might be a casualty of expectations in 2009, and might be non-tendered as rendered a free agent by the Cubs.
Another possible casulty to the non-tender pile might be a National League pitcher who has been fighting to get into game shape for over a year after having 2 injuries in the past 2 seasons. Milwaukee Brewers' starter Chris Capuano came to the team with high expectations. He was considered one of the top 5 pitchers in 2007 before a labrum injury forced him to have surgery on 10/11/2008. Capuano rehabbed and was struggling to get into game shape when another injury hit him during 2008 Spring Training. This time a torn ligament in his left pitching elbow basically shelved him for the entire 2008 season. He was retroactively posted to the 15-day DL on March 27th.
He was twice transferred on the DL lists in 2008, going from the 15-day disabled list again on September 1st, then subsequently put back on the 60-day DL on October 31, 2008. Capuano's case is complicated because he earned $3.75 million last season but did not pitch because of the injury. If the Brewers tender him a contract, they could not cut his salary by more than 20 percent, and it seems unlikely they would commit such an expense to a pitcher still rehabilitating. If the Brewers in fact decide to non-tender Capuano, they would try to re-sign him to a new, less expensive contract for 2009. He's eligible for free agency after next season.
There are other "big names" being considered during the non-tender phase of arbitration. A few might have seemed like promising rising stars in the MLB a few years ago, but might have had tough times and might be in consideration for being released by their clubs. One of the most visible name on this list might be former 2003 Rookie of the Year winner Angel Berroa of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Another name sure to be heard on Friday will be Baltimore Orioles' pitcher Daniel Cabrera. The club has to decide whether to offer a contract to Cabrera. If Baltimore doesn't, the hulking right-hander will become a free agent one year ahead of schedule. If the O's do, they may wind up going to arbitration. Andy MacPhail, Baltimore's president of baseball operations, said Thursday that he's still trying to make a decision. Cabrera, although erratic, remains one of the most experienced starters in the Orioles' organization .
Baltimore has just one starter penciled into next year's rotation and is trying to add at least two veterans by trade or free agency this offseason. Jeremy Guthrie remains the only surefire member of the starting staff, and Baltimore must decide whether Cabrera is a replaceable asset or one that's worth one last shot at trying to salvage his potential. Cabrera has made at least 26 starts in each of the past five seasons, and he's logged at least 140 innings in each of those campaigns. The 27-year-old started relatively strong in 2008, jumping out of the gates to a 6-5 record and a 4.33 ERA in the first half of the season. After the All-Star break, however, he was 2-5 with a 7.59 mark.
And still, the overall numbers represented an improvement on his previous season. Cabrera went 8-10 with a 5.25 ERA in 2008 and snapped a two-year streak of leading the league in walks. One year earlier, he went 9-18 with a 5.55 ERA. I think the Birds will take a gamble on Cabrera for one more years and help place at least one more piece into the pitching puzzle for 2009. But I do think he will have a short leash in 2009 with the Orioles, and might be a trade deadline casualty if he is again wild and uncontrolable next year.
Pittsburgh management has still not made a determination to whether or not they plan to offer a contract to right-handed reliever Denny Bautista before the midnight on Friday for teams to tender contracts to all arbitration-eligible players. Bautista is the only one of the team's eight arbitration-eligible players whose status is in question. The Pirates' management team has had internal debates this week about whether or not to keep Bautista, though no resolution has yet been made.
The Pirates acquired Bautista late last June in a minor trade with the Tigers, and the control problems that Bautista had in Detroit and other previous stops resurfaced again with the Pirates. He allowed 28 earned runs and 28 walks in 41 1/3 innings of relief for Pittsburgh. He struck out 34. Bautista earned $395,000 in 2008, just over the Major League minimum. He would be in line for a significant pay raise should he go through the arbitration process with the Pirates.
The Pirates will tender contracts to their seven arbitration-eligible players — Ryan Doumit, Zach Duke, John Grabow, Adam LaRoche, Paul Maholm, Nate McLouth and Tyler Yates. Of that group, Doumit, Duke, Maholm and McLouth are all arbitration eligible for the first time.
The Red Sox must tender 2009 contracts to all unsigned players on their 40-man roster by Friday at midnight ET. The only players this truly impacts are those eligible for arbitration. For the Red Sox, that list includes first baseman Kevin Youkilis, closer Jonathan Papelbon, backup catcher Kevin Cash and lefty specialist Javier Lopez.
Reliever Manny Delcarmen was seven days short of enough service time to qualify for arbitration, so the Red Sox can simply renew his contract in Spring Training. Cash is the most likely candidate to be non-tendered on Friday. The Red Sox's catching situation is in a state of flux, as the team continues to negotiate with Jason Varitek and scour the market for trade possibilities.
Even if Varitek returns, the club might seek a young player with more offensive potential than Cash to be the backup. The Red Sox like Cash defensively, and he does a nice job of handling Tim Wakefield's knuckleball. However, there's a chance he simply doesn't fit into the plans for 2009. Even if the Red Sox non-tender Cash, they are still free to negotiate with him or re-sign him at some point. The same goes for any non-tendered player.
The Royals need to find some room on their 40-man roster and that could be accomplished on Friday, the deadline for clubs to offer contracts to players. When the Winter Meetings closed, the Royals had 39 players on the winter roster but had signed pitchers Doug Waechter and Horacio Ramirez. They'd also reached an agreement with pitcher Kyle Farnsworth, and when that contract is approved another body will be added.
Adding Waechter filled the roster and, by Friday, a spot will be needed for Ramirez. The Royals could designate a player for assignment or non-tender a player, in short, not offer him a contract. The only way a club can keep an unsigned player is to tender a contract. If a player is non-tendered, he goes off the roster and becomes a free agent. Then he can sign with any club, including the Royals.
One possible option for the Royals would be to non-tender pitcher Jairo Cuevas and sign him to a Minor League contract. Cuevas has been the subject of a tug-of-war between the Royals and the Braves, each team claiming him on waivers from each other in the last two months. One writer speculated that, in order to save money in an effort to sign shortstop Rafael Furcal, the Royals might non-tender such players as catcher John Buck and outfielder Mark Teahen who both figure to do well in salary arbitration.


text: The USTA's has a new plan for junior tournaments in 2010. The plan is built around less high level tennis for everyone. The plan includes a provision which limits the number of dates available for National Level 3 tournaments to four per year and reduces the draws to 32. In addition the National Level 2 tournaments are reducing their draws to 32 for each of the 4 available dates. To better understand how drastic a cutback this is in 2009 there were 14 possible dates. Obviously having more dates allows for greater flexibility in tournament selection. In 2010 there will only be 4 possible dates. Combined with the reduction of draw sizes from 64 to 32 the amount of tennis is going to plummet. I have talked with parents of junior players at the last few tournaments and I cannot find a single one who thinks this is a good idea. The idea of playing more local tournaments is not going to give US kids the kind of competition necessary to improve their tennis. This is a complete disaster for US junior tennis. The story going around is somehow the Southern USTA section has so many adult members, which equals to votes, that they have complete say over USTA junior tennis decisions. Somehow they decided this was good for them and rammed it through the committee at the last possible moment without any discussion. (This is a rumor and I don't know if it is true) These were / are the dates for National Level 3 tournaments for 14s in 2009. Jan 2nd Copper Bowl Jan 16th ******* Winter Champ / Tennis Plaza Cup May 1st Gater bowl / Muterspaw May 15th Columbus Indoor May 22nd New England Open May 28th Quicksilver / Peach State Classic July 10th Southern Open / ******* Open Aug 2nd West Coast Champ / Texas Open Sept 2nd Labor Day Champ/ Carmel Valley / Summer Smash Sept 18th Mike Agassi NO QUIT / Kentucky International Oct 9th Dunlop Junior Champ Oct 22nd Cincinnati Open Dec 14th Junior Orange Bowl Dec 18th California Bowl


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It is unfortunate, but if you are not aware by now you should be. The vast majority of people are unable to live the life they intended by the age of sixty five. Here is the break down I was recently previewed to during a financial seminar.
A study of 100 peoples financial well being calculated from when they were 25 to 65:
16-Above Average
22-Below Average
With all the millions of people in America for that matter, going to colleges, dreaming, aspiring for more out of life, why is it that only about 1%-5% are truly achieving their dreams? If your dreams today are your answers for tomorrows questions what is the hold up? What I have come to find out is that everyone dreams, but not everyone dreams equally.
We have heard that "the sky is the limit," "shoot for the stars so you can settle for the moon." Settle!?! This is the land of opportunity you shouldn't have to settle for anything! The time is now to take control and put an end to your "Journey Of Brokeness" (J.O.B.). If you need the "secure" income for the time being that is fine, but if you are not spending time, regardless of how much it is, building some type of passive income stream life is not going to be getting any easier anytime soon.
Don't give the control to your financial planner who is telling you how much to put away so you can have an income when you are in your 60's, work hard on something you believe in NOW so in the next 3-5, or 5-10 years have a remarkable income that will pay you the rest of your life. Whether it is learning to invest wisely in real estate, investing in house buying companies in Denver, studying internet marketing to leverage global markets, getting started with a network marketing company, whatever it is find something where you can control results. Everything has ratios, number of contacts to number of deals.
It is 100% up to you. The price is the promise. How much are you willing to pay, and is it worth it? Ninety percent of business and success is inspiration, only ten percent is info. "Some of us learn from other peoples mistakes, the rest of us are the other people." – Zig Ziglar
Make the decision today and stop being the other person. Step out of your comfort zone and take action!
Good luck and have a wonderful day!


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Lifetime movies are pretty much the best. If we've learned anything from these sparkling cinematic gems, it's that our spouses are all murderers, our daughters are pregnant at any given time and there are secret cameras watching you wherever you go.
We've also learned there's no shame to the Lifetime game: Well-known celebs take a turn on Lifetime sets all the time ( are they all as good/bad as Lohan? Debatable), and the results are awesome. Whether they were already established stars or just getting started, these folks know it's always a good idea to have a credit in a movie named something like "My Pregnant Teenage Daughter Stole My Baby," or "Honey, Don't Kiss The Murderous Gardener."