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Why Conserve?
Southern Californians live in a semi-arid region that must import about half the water we need, using 20% of the state's electricity to bring water to our City. We must use our limited water supplies as efficiently as possible to lessen the frequency and impact of water shortages. Conservation is an important and easy endeavor we must all participate in to secure water for our future.
In Long Beach, tenants in multi-family units use 1/3 of the City's water supply.
Many Long Beach tenants do not pay for water, but most pay for electricity and/or gas. Few know about the drops to watts connection—that it takes energy to pump, heat, treat, and deliver the water we use every day. For example, 75% of water used in the shower is typically hot water! By saving water, you can oftentimes save more money on energy costs than water costs.
How to Conserve:
I. Save water and money with the water-efficient rebates available below. Applications are only accepted online at SoCal Water$mart.
To view available rebates for tenants, please visit our Rebates Page.
II. If you live in an apartment, condominium, duplex or triplex, click here for easy water conservation tips you can try on your own.
III. Don't forget to read the "Six Simple Steps for Water Conservation."
Additional Information & Resources
Watering Index & Watering Calculator
Water Use it Wisely Conservation Tips
How to Work With Your Gardener
Click here if you are a property manager/owner looking for ways to save water in your apartment or condominium


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Thank you to everyone who came to say Hi this Sunday at The Hastings and Rother Charity Fair at the Azur in Hastings.
The atmosphere was vibrant and the College performances were highly delightful. Always a pleasure to attend.
Thank you to everyone who came to say Hi this Sunday at The Hastings and Rother Charity Fair at the Azur in Hastings.
The atmosphere was vibrant and the College performances were highly delightful. Always a pleasure to attend.
Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium is appealing for volunteers to take part in a beach clean tomorrow morning/early afternoon.
Staff from Blue Reef have organised the event for Thursday, October 9th on the stretch of beach beside the aquarium and they're hoping to attract a large number of local people to come along and give their support.
Volunteers will be issued with collecting bin bags, a pair of gloves and a reporting form to record their finds.
"Hastings Council has kindly agreed to provide us with a selection of litter picking tools and volunteers from Clean Seas Please will also be lending a hand," said Blue Reef's Leanna Lawson.
"The plan is to meet up at the aquarium at 11am on the day so everyone can be registered and issued with cleaning items, datasheets and beach clean booklets.
"All the rubbish that we collect on the day will be brought back to the aquarium where it will be separated out and individually itemized.
"After that we will recycle as much of it as we possibly can while the rest will be disposed of safely in an extra refuse container" she added.
The event has been arranged as part of the Marine Conservation Society's 'Great British Beach Clean' initiative.
Anyone under the age of 17 who wants to take part will need to be accompanied by an adult. Volunteers are asked to contact Blue Reef to confirm their attendance prior to the event. They should also wear sensible footwear and clothing and bring sunscreen if the weather is hot.
• The beach clean event is due to take place on Thursday, October 9th from 12pm-2pm. Anyone interested in taking part should contact the aquarium direct prior to the event on 01424 718776.
Thank you to everyone who made time to stop by for a cookie and a chat at this weekends Hastings Seafood and Wine Festival.
The Festival, was like always packed with loads of interesting stalls and the public was great.
Hope to see you at The Herring Festival on the 1-2 November 2014!!
This fatberg in London took a team of workers from Thames Water four days to clear.
The mixture of congealed fat, wet wipes and other litter was washed into drains or flushed down toilets.
Thames Water says the fatberg formed under an 80-metre stretch of Shepherd's Bush Road, as long as commercial plane.
Workers finished removing the dirt last Friday to stop local homes and businesses flooding.
They used high-powered water jets to break up the congealed mass so that wastewater could start to pass through the sewer again.
Dave Dennis, Thames Water sewer operations manager, said: "We have 108,000 km (62,000 miles) of sewers, and that's a lot of pipe to keep clear.
For more read the whole article here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/29015390
A huge thank you to everyone who took time out of their bank holiday weekend to come and see us at the Clean Seas Please Event last Friday 22 August.
It was lovely to see so many kids enjoying themselves making jelly fish kites, kites made of baby wipes and fish made out of paper plates.
A huge thank you to the Mayor for attending as well Southern Water Road Show, Eat@ The Stade and The Stade Open Space, The Hastings Flag, The Shore Academy, Hastings Borough Council and Radiator Arts.
Radiators Arts themed their summer arts project around Clean Seas Please this year. The young people attending the Arts Clubbers group first collected rubbish from the beach and using this, along with some recycled rubbish produced the collection of fearsome sea creatures so can see below.
On Tuesday morning we all set off to the Southern Water Sewer Tour in Brighton. Starting from the entrance at the pier we all donned hard hats and rubber gloves then headed down into the depths of Brighton Sewer. Our tour guide Stewart told us about all the problems they have with the fats and waste people flush down their drains.
The Clean Seas Please Team! This is when we were looking at the effects of "ragging" on our sewers. The picture below sums up why we all need to change our behaviour.
He gave us lots of information about the history of the sewers and how the Victorians build them. He also explained how a lot of the machinery works in pumping the water around various sewers. We got to walk up sewer pipes, in hidden tunnels and under manholes. The tour ended climbing up a ladder and emerging through a manhole, which surprised may passers-by.
Here is the man himself, our sewer tour guide, Stewart!
After being dubious about the smell the sewer might give off, it was actually an inspiring afternoon. We learnt so much about how the sewers work and what they have to do to remove all the deposits which are made by waste. It was a great experience and I would recommend anyone to go if they get the chance, it may not be the same as going to the pier or the aquarium but it was thoroughly enjoyable, even for someone who didn't like the heights.
On Wednesday 7th May, two members of the team visited Alexandra Park to see the installation of a new addition to the stream. Despite the weather forecasts predicting torrential rain all day, for once we were quite blessed with the weather with sunshine pouring down on us as we spent our day by the boating lake. The reason for our visit was the Smart Sponge Plus. This is a new technology that has been developed in order to reduce the bacteria flowing into our seas, eventually resulting in cleaner, safer seas. As it really helps our campaign, we decided it would be interesting to pop along to see the installation and get a better idea of how it all works.
We chatted to Barry Marshall, from Smart Sponge who gave us all the details. He explained how the technology contained in the Smart Sponge Plus catches all the bacteria, and not only absorbs it but also destroys it. This is great news for the bathing water quality, as a lot of the nasty bacteria that were compromising the quality in Hastings. Barry explained that the slightly discoloured sponges have been used before in this location and are being reinstalled after being cleaned, whereas the white sponges were brand new. We arrived just in time to see the Smart Sponge Plus being installed; it was a smooth installation up until the last few blocks, when there was nowhere left to stand! A double layer of 'geotextile' was installed in order to stop all the debris from the stream (leaves, sticks, etc.) from entering the steel cage and disturbing the Smart Sponge Plus. Unfortunately there was quite a build up from the flow of the stream being diverted for over 24 hours, so the park rangers had the glamorous job of fishing the majority of it out with a net!
Empty Smart Sponge Plus Cage
Installing the Smart Sponge Plus
As the flow of water was gradually increased, the difference in the water quality before and after the Smart Sponge Plus installation was incredible. The water was a murky, dark colour in the sections before the installation, and after it was running clear with the bottom of the stream visible. This all happened in the space of a few hours, so lets hope it really helps to continue improving the water quality in the upcoming months before the new water bathing directive starts in October 2015. A more detailed post on the inner workings of the Smart Sponge Plus will be available in the upcoming weeks, with more in-depth and technical information on exactly how this will help and affect the local seas.
We had a great day out and are extremely thankful to Barry for sharing his extensive knowledge with us and letting us spend the day with him!
Dirty Water Before the Smart Sponge Plus
Clear Water After the Smart Sponge Plus
Yesterday marked a very important date in the Clean Seas Please! campaign – it was exactly 18 months until the new EU directive on water bathing quality comes into force.
What this means is that if, in the coming months, our sea water doesn't improve then it may fall below the required standard – which would make it unfit for us to swim in. And Hastings and Bexhill beaches are among the most at-risk in the county of meeting this fate.
If it does happen, this could have a devastating effect on the local area. Not only would it seriously damage the tourism industry, which brings in a lot of income locally, but it would mean we couldn't enjoy the beach ourselves on a nice sunny day!
It's not all doom and gloom, though. We have been delighted to hear from people at recent events who are aware of the upcoming change in bathing water quality levels. And there are more and more people signing up to our campaign and helping us spread the word about this important issue. The support we have received in the local community has been fantastic – which is a very promising sign.
Now we want to ramp up the discussion even further to make sure as many people as possible know what we are all about and why. We want to do all we can so that our beaches are fit for all to enjoy; and we're saving the date 10/10/2015 so that we know what we are up against.
As a community, we can all help our local beaches flourish, so that they don't just meet the new standards, but are among the best in the land!
So, it all started off with the sun shining on the day of the Hastings Half Marathon. However, this was all to change. Our journey started with us getting stuck in a little bit of traffic, but we still made it with plenty of time to spare before the marathon commenced.
It was a great feeling to see the first runners pass us. They were running along in their stride, giving it their all and making it look so easy. We were very proud to see our CSP team, running on behalf of us, dressed in our blue Clean Seas Please t-shirts! It was fantastic that some runners had run in fancy dress; we witnessed a giraffe, a shoe, an American football player, and many a tutu!
Once all the runners had passed our first pit stop, we made our way to the finish line, where we had a Clean Seas Please stand set up. Runners were definitely appreciating our free Clean Seas Please water bottles that we were handing out!
It was at this point that the day took a turn for the worst; a torrential hailstorm. Luckily for us, we had decided to wear our wellies and waterproof jackets! We got very cold at this point, so decided to make our way back to our cars.
We would like to take this time to thank all of those who signed up to our campaign on Sunday; it's great to have all of your support! Congratulations to all the runners, what an achievement!
Click on this link below to see our Facebook page – Many pictures were taken on the day!

subset: commoncrawl


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Faculty + Resources
The award-winning accounting and finance faculty at LMU's College of Business Administration is made up of highly-trained and diverse professionals who not only focus on innovative research but also ensure that students are exposed to the latest theories and technologies in business.
Data Resources
Faculty within the College of Business Administration have access to numerous research databases for business, economic and financial information.
Business Insights: Global
Contact: Glenn Johnson-Grau
Research and compare companies and industries using industry rankings, company profiles, market share data, investment reports, charts and graphs.
Contact: Chun Lee
Financial and accounting data available to faculty and undergraduates only.
EIU Economist Intelligence Unit
Contact: Glenn Johnson-Grau
Offers three kinds of business intelligence: Country analysis on more than 200 markets, industry trends in six key sectors and the latest management strategies and best practices.
Global Market Information Database
Contact: Glenn Johnson-Grau
Provides comparable statistics for over 205 countries on economic indicators, health, foreign trade, environment, lifestyle, industrial and agriculture output, communications and more.
Mergent Online
Contact: Glenn Johnson-Grau
A fully searchable database with financial details of over 25,000 active and inactive U.S. companies. In addition, subscribers gain access to companies representing over 95% of the non-U.S. global market capitalization. Database includes over 300,000 annual reports from globally listed companies, with archived reports for over 10 years.
Morningstar Investment Research Center
Contact: Glenn Johnson-Grau
Offers access to many popular Premium features of Morningstar.com, including research and independent opinions on thousands of mutual funds, stocks, and exchange-traded funds. Morningstar Investment Research Center incorporates the best of Morningstar data, analysis, technology, and information design. Includes analyst reports of 2,000 mutual funds and nearly 2,000 stocks.
ProQuest Statistical Insight
Contact: Glenn Johnson-Grau
Access to statistical information compiled by federal and state governmental agencies, business and trade groups, independent research organizations, and universities.
SEED database
Cornerstone Research and the NYU Pollack Center for Law & Business launched the Securities Enforcement Empirical Database (SEED) which tracks and records information on SEC enforcement actions against public companies.
SRDS Media Solutions
Contact: Glenn Johnson-Grau
Media rates and information for media types including print, broadcast, newspaper, direct marketing and online. Includes Business Publications Advertising Source, Consumer Magazine Advertising Source, Newspaper Advertising Source, Radio Advertising Source and TV and Cable Source. The SRDS database catalogs more than 100,000 U.S. and international media properties.
Contact: Glenn Johnson-Grau
An international database that specializes in tabular data dealing with companies, products, industries, and demographics. Tables cover market share, rankings, forecasts, production, consumption, number of users/outlets, exports, imports, usage, capacity, etc. Tables are from a range of sources including trade and business publications, investment research, trade associations, statistical annuals, primary research, international organizations and government. Most tables are linked to the full text articles they were selected from.
Contact: Kristine Brancolini
Provides LMU faculty with access to Compustat, CRSP, and other databases.


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Today we present to you the collection of 15 best games in the history of chess.
These games involve the most amazing ideas imaginable, greatest combinations, superb sacrifices, tremendous positional play and so on. By deeply studying the annotations you will not only enjoy the greatest chess games but will also improve your own chess.
Analyzing a select master's games is an important component of our training program which will boost you chess understanding and bring the results you always wanted.
Ready to start winning games? Check out our store and articles:
Dear chess friend,
If you are referring to Game 1, the answer is the following:
White resigns as he has no answer to the threat of …Rxh2 mate.
#1 Im amateur to chess, how this game continue? I don't see how it finishes…
Also, GM Dragoljub Velimirovic played a lot of beautiful games with a lot of sacrifice… Immortal games and immortal chess player with his Velimirovic attack !!! R.I.P GM Velimirovic
You cannot ignore Andersson's immortal game and evergreen games while listing the top 10 or 15 games ever played.
These are definitely great games, but do they deserve the title 15 best games ever? Not so sure about it! Where is Anderson's immortal game for example? That is IMHO the most wonderful game ever played in chess history. Paul Murphy also got incredible games beside the one you listed. Mikhail Tal played more beautiful games than the one you listed, Marshal had the most beautiful Queen's sacrifice ever and his game was not listed, Alekhine had quite few beautiful games, etc.. I think the title "15 best games ever" is overstatement


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Our mission is to alleviate poverty through lasting solutions that help people build assets, create jobs and raise their standard of living.
To be an unconventional community-based bank that profitably and responsibly provides innovative and impactful financial services to enable low-income individuals and communities to invest in their futures.
Core Values
Our Core values are founded on a culture of equipping and empowering our staff in order for them to offer excellent and quality service. They are summarized in an acronym – 'INSPIRES.'
- Invest in the potential of people
- Nurture trusted long term relationships
- Serve beyond self
- Pursue growth and learning
- Innovate and continuously improve
- Reward integrity, accountability and commitment
- Excel at what we do
- Surprise and delight with our service


text: Self-Advocacy Toolkit This toolkit will give you the resources to advocate on your own behalf, or on behalf of a friend, relative or child, to achieve the result you need. Following the toolkit's instructions, from the first step through the last, will help you achieve your advocacy goals. Along with instructions for pursuing your advocacy goals, you will find worksheets and sample documents to help you organize your thoughts and speak effectively to your audience. To be successful with your advocacy, you need to remain focused and persistent. Whether advocating for access to health care, workplace accommodation, access to medication or another issue of importance to you, this toolkit will be your essential guide. The Self-Advocacy Process Identify Your Issues & Personal Story Background Research Setting Your Goal Know Your Audience Framing Your Issues & Messages Action Plan & Resources Take Action 1. Identify Your Issues & Personal Story Identifying and clarifying your issue requires that you be able to take information and distill it down to its simplest form. Knowing your issue includes knowing who to approach to help you solve it, and how they can help you solve it. Identifying and clarifying your issue Discussing your issue in the context of a personal story. Your personal story or experience is the key to effective advocacy. Tools Advocacy Worksheet [PDF] - Keep the Advocacy Worksheet with you while you go through the rest of this kit, adding to it as you learn. Getting Started Using the Advocacy Worksheet, begin by writing down the issue. Think about the journey that has brought you to the point of making a decision to take action. Example: "My grandmother was diagnosed with scleroderma five years ago. My grandmother receives top-notch care in Toronto, but last year moved to Niagara-on-the-Lake for the better climate, and has yet to be able to find a rheumatologist in her new town. Her family doctor in Niagara-on-the-Lake is not familiar with scleroderma. As a result, my 86 year-old grandmother has kept her rheumatologist in Toronto and has to travel every two months to Toronto. This is dangerous for her, particularly in the winter months, but the appointments are absolutely necessary." Determine the most important parts of your story. Distilling your story into issues that can be addressed is the foundation of your advocacy plan. Examples: My grandmother's family doctor in her town is not familiar her condition, scleroderma. My grandmother does not have access to a rheumatologist in her area. Use the Advocacy Worksheet to help you discuss your issue in a personal way. Personal stories are compelling to decision-makers of all kinds, and being able to tell your story in a clear, compelling, concise and consistent way will help your audience to understand what you're trying to achieve. To start, try to fill out Sections A and B of the Advocacy Worksheet. 2. Background Research Once you have identified your issue, you need to do your research. Research helps you decide what you want to change, how you will go about it, and who to approach (i.e. your "audience"). Research helps: your credibility and increases the likelihood of success by finding out the core facts and figures about your issue you become well-educated on the impact of your issue There are many credible sources to provide you with the information you need. Using a variety of sources and perspectives will give your advocacy both substance and credibility. Possible Sources of Information Facts and figures on the Arthritis Society's website Life with Arthritis in Canada Report Public Libraries Government websites Information You Might Seek Out Are there other personal stories that will help illustrate your issue? How many people are affected by your issue? What are the social or economic costs of not addressing your issue? What is currently being done to address your issue? What has been done in the past? What other people or groups are involved in addressing your issue? Tips for Researching Your Issue Enlist the assistance of librarians at your local public library to help you find and interpret complicated sources such as legislation or policy. Search the Arthritis Society's website for information about your issue. The Arthritis Society's website has a wealth of information about arthritis. Use the "Search" bar, using key words, to find information relevant to your issue. Online discussion forums and groups can help you find relevant information from others in an informal, chat-type setting. Use tools such as quotation marks, the "+" key between your search terms and the "websites from Canada" button when using internet search engines such as Google. 3. Setting Your Goal Determining what you want to achieve sounds easy, but don't take this step lightly. Now that you have determined your issue and have done your background research, you are ready to set your advocacy goal; that is, the clear and concise goal of your advocacy efforts. Also known as your "ask", your goal should be the ONE goal you want to achieve. It is important that your goal is not a list of what you want, but rather the one thing you need right now. This will require a choice to be made if your issue requires multiple changes. Remember, advocacy is a process, and you can always pursue secondary goals - "first things first". Determine your advocacy goal – what do you want to achieve? Ensure your goal is achievable, measurable, practical and time-limited Tools Advocacy Worksheet [PDF] Turning Your Issue into a Goal While clarifying your issue, you likely thought about the solution to your issue, or when you did your background research, you discovered how others with similar issues have achieved change. Now it's time to turn your issue into an advocacy goal. Considering your issue, what are you looking to achieve as the result of your advocacy efforts? No matter what your goal is, it should be: Achievable - Make sure your goal is possible to attain and that your audience is able to do the action you need Measureable - Make sure your goal has an outcome that can be shown as completed Practical - Make sure your goal is realistic Time-Limited - Set a deadline for your goal to guide your planning Examples of an achievable, measureable, practical, and time-limited goal, or "ask" include: Access to Canada Pension Plan (CPP) or Employment Insurance (EI) benefits within eight weeks Daily bussing to school for your child by the next school year Ergonomic accommodations such as seating or footrests in your workplace within a month Once you have determined your advocacy goal, now fill out Section C of the Advocacy Worksheet. 4. Know Your Audience Determining your audience is a key step in formulating your advocacy plan. Once you have clarified and researched your issue, you need to find the right person, or people, to approach. Your research should have clarified whether your issue should be undertaken with government, medical professionals, education professionals or others. Determine your "audience" Knowing your audience will help you to complete the next step, which is framing your message so that you engage the interest of your audience. You need to know who your audience is before you can determine if they have any special interests, personal knowledge of arthritis or your issue, or if they represent a political party that has taken a stand on your issue in the past. Your audience might be your local provincial representative, your child's school superintendent, a medical specialist or your employer. Is the change you seek something that affects a group of people, e.g. all teachers or all medical students, or do you just need one individual to make a change? Does your issue fall within the responsibilities of the federal government, provincial government, municipal government, local school board, your workplace human resources department, or another institution, e.g. the College of Physicians and Surgeons? Who has the ability or influence to make the change you are seeking? Tools Advocacy Worksheet [PDF] Who's Who and Who Does What Chart [PDF] Determining your audience Use the Who's Who and Who Does What chart to determine the level of government in which your audience resides. For example, if you need to access a medication, your audience is likely your local elected provincial representative. If your issue is medical, ask your family physician to whom you should address your advocacy efforts. If you have an issue related to elementary or secondary school education, consult your child's teacher, vice-principal or principal for assistance in determining your audience. If you have a workplace issue, consult your human resources staff or union representative. In some cases, you many identify more than one audience. You can approach all possible audiences to determine who the best person is to help you with your goal. Once you have determined your audience, write your audience's name and contact information in the "Audience" section of the Advocacy Worksheet [PDF]. Knowing your audience will help you complete the next step of the toolkit. 5. Framing Your Issues & Messages Imagine that your personal story "paints the picture" of what your issue means in your life. The picture that you have painted needs to be framed in a way that will help your audience to see your picture in a context that he/she understands. Remember, your audience likely has not had the same experience with your issue that you have, and needs some assistance from you to understand your story. This process is called "framing", where you develop statements, or key messages, that create a "frame" around your issue. Develop your key messages that explain the essential points of your issue in simple language Understand your audience's agenda and where your issue fits in Present your key messages as a "win" for your audience and for you Tools Framing Your Issues and Developing Your Messages Worksheet [PDF] Advocacy Worksheet [PDF] Use the Framing Your Issues and Developing Your Messages Worksheet to help you organize your issues, research and key messages. Getting Started In order to know what kind of frame you need to put around your picture, you need to determine your audience's agenda, or where your audience is coming from and what matters to them. You can determine your audience's agenda by: Go over your background research: Likely there is information in your research about how your audience has taken action on similar issues in the past, or what your audience's intentions are for the future. Go to the source: If your audience is a local elected representative, school board or another institution, consult your audience's website for policies or positions on your issue and goal. Your audience may also belong to a group, e.g. College of Family Physicians of Canada, Canadian Rheumatology Association. If your audience is an individual that does not belong to a group that has a website or public information, consult him/her directly. Key Messages Develop your 2-3 key messages. Your key messages are the most important pieces of information that you will use to engage your audience and achieve your goal. It is critical to use accurate and current information in these messages. Each of your key messages should be: 25 words or less A factual explanation of the important points of your issue in simple language Clear, compelling, concise and consistent Example #1 – Sandra needs to go to school Issue: "My child has juvenile arthritis and cannot walk to school" Goal: "My child needs to be bussed to school." Audience: Local school trustee Key Messages: "Every child has the right to go to school." "The school board is obligated to ensure children get to and from school safely." Example #2 – Phil needs access to rheumatoid arthritis medication Issue: "I cannot afford to pay for the medication I have been prescribed and that will improve my condition and quality of life." Goal: "My provincial drug plan needs to include my medication on the formulary." Audience: Local provincial government representative Key Messages: "My doctor has said I must take this medication or my disease will get worse." "This medication is covered in other provinces on a case-by-case basis." "This medication is proven to improve the condition of those who live with rheumatoid arthritis." Audience's Agenda Fit your key messages into your audience's agenda. Example #1 – Sandra needs to go to school The local school board has a policy that all children with disabilities shall be provided transportation to and from school. Sandra's mother can meet with her local school trustee to ensure that Sandra, who lives with juvenile arthritis, is included in this policy and that bussing will be provided. Providing Sandra with bussing to and from school fits within the school board's mandate and policy. Example #2 Phil needs access to rheumatoid arthritis medication Phil lives in a province that does not cover his prescribed medication on the provincial drug plan. Phil cannot afford the medication himself and does not have an employer-based health plan. Phil's local provincial representative has been working on getting the provincial drug plan to cover medications like Phil's on a case-by-case basis. Phil can meet with his local provincial representative to make sure his medication is included in the list of medications that is being advocated for inclusion, and can continue to work with his local elected representative on his goal. Fill in your 2-3 key messages on your Advocacy Worksheet. The next step is to put all of your work together and make a plan to approach your audience, and start advocating. 6. Action Plan & Resources Now that you have identified your issue, done your research, set your goal, know your audience and have developed your key messages, it is time to put all of that work into action. Develop an action plan to achieve your goal Learn about advocacy resources Your action plan will help you to identify what needs to be done, who needs to do it, and when it needs to be completed. To keep yourself on track, it is important to write down your action plan and update it as the process moves forward. You can use the Action Plan Worksheet to organize the steps you need to take to achieve your goal, who will be responsible for each step (if you are working with others), when each step should be completed and what resources are needed. Tools Action Plan Worksheet [PDF] Advocacy Resources Advocacy resources assist you in achieving your goal, or the means of delivering your key messages. Anything you develop to communicate with your audience, supporters or people outside of your advocacy effort, is a potential resource. This toolkit contains samples of some of the following resources that you may use (marked with a "*"): Letter, written or e-mail* Blog In-person meeting* Telephone call* Action Plan Most self-advocacy goals can be met by engaging with your audience using this four-step method. Telephone call → Written letter → In-Person meeting → Follow-up However, you may not have to follow all four steps, e.g. you may choose only to send a letter or make a telephone call. The next section will explain how to use each of these resources and includes samples for your reference. 7. Take Action The next stage of self-advocacy is to begin engaging with your audience, and continuing through the process of achieving your goal. There are many options for both making contact with your audience and maintaining that contact. The methods that you use will depend on your abilities, goal, audience, and timelines. Tools Advocacy Worksheet [PDF] Framing Your Issues and Developing Your Messages Worksheet [PDF] Action Plan Worksheet [PDF] Written Letter Format [PDF] Forms of Address [PDF] Sample Phone Call Guide [PDF] Sample Meeting Agenda [PDF] Thank You Letter [PDF] Engaging your audience Generally, self-advocacy goals can be achieved by engaging your audience using the following method. Telephone call → Written letter → In-Person meeting → Follow-up Sometimes, only one of these methods needs to be used, or perhaps two of the three. Just remember that no matter what method, or combination of methods you choose, you should always follow-up with your audience. Telephone Call Make an initial telephone call to your audience to request a meeting. Explain your purpose for the meeting, and make sure to be clear about who will be attending. You can use this Sample Phone Call Guide [PDF] to use for this call. This is not required if you are only planning to send a letter or e-mail. Hazards: When you speak on the phone to someone in your audience's office about your goal, you may be passed around or get a voice mail message. Be persistent and make sure you speak to someone who is capable of scheduling a meeting with your audience. Written Letter You may choose to write a letter to achieve your goal. Sometimes, a letter is all that is required! The Written Letter Format document is a tool that will help you to organize your issue, research, personal story and key messages into a letter format to achieve your goal. Remember to follow-up with your audience within two weeks of sending your letter. Letters should be e-mailed, but can also be sent by mail, faxed or hand-delivered. You can use this Written Letter Format [PDF] guide or Forms of Address [PDF] chart for how to address your letter properly. Written Letter (to get a meeting) The purpose of writing a letter is to get a meeting with your audience. Follow-up your call with a written letter repeating your purpose, goal and key messages. The written letter is good practice for stating your goal and key messages clearly and succinctly, and is an excellent foundation for the next steps. Letters should be e-mailed, but can also be sent by mail, faxed or hand-delivered. You can use this Written Letter Format [PDF] guide or Forms of Address [PDF] chart for how to address your letter properly. Hazards: Regardless of how you send your letter, make sure to follow up by telephone and/or e-mail persistently but respectfully until you get a meeting scheduled. You may be offered a meeting with someone other than your audience. Generally, you should take these opportunities, but continue to pursue the person you need to see. A "NO" is not an option. Remember, you are entitled to have your goal addressed by the person who can do something about it. Meeting Face-to-Face For most advocacy goals, a meeting with your audience is recommended. Face-to-face meetings ensure that you receive the full attention of your audience, and you have the opportunity to tell your story fully and for maximum effect. A face-to-face meeting also enables you to engage in a conversation with your audience. You may wish to bring a family member, friend or colleague with you to your meeting for support and to have a second opinion on how the meeting went. Having a support person can help you organize your thoughts prior to the meeting and assist you in any follow-up work that needs to be done to achieve your goal. Perhaps most importantly, a support person can help you to remain calm and relaxed in an unfamiliar or intimidating environment. Preparing for your meeting: Know how long the meeting is scheduled for and develop an agenda with an established goal and that is appropriate to the length of the meeting. You can use this sample meeting agenda [PDF]. Review any information about your audience Review your issue, goal and personal story Plan on taking someone with you and make sure you decide when each person will speak, leaving time for your audience to speak Try writing out the version of your personal story that you want to deliver, and practice telling it with friends or family members Before your meeting: Send your agenda ahead of time, along with any material you want your audience to read, e.g. a fact sheet or related information Advise whom you will be bringing to the meeting, and ask for information about who will be attending with your audience If possible, gather information about other meeting participants (other than your audience) Contact the person you are meeting with 1-2 days prior to confirm At the meeting: You can use this step-by-step Sample Meeting Agenda [PDF] guide to conduct your meeting. Arrive at the meeting 10 minutes early Stick to your agenda and remember your goal Be passionate and respectful, not argumentative or confrontational Pay attention to body language, yours and theirs Provide specific examples with specific solutions, if applicable Take notes; this can be done by the person accompanying you Leave behind any appropriate material Thank them for their time and indicate when you plan to follow up After your meeting: Send a Thank You Letter [PDF] to the people you met with, and include any follow up information that your promised to gather Follow up again in a couple weeks to see if there has been any progress on the issue, including any commitments made by both you and your audience in your meeting Continue to follow up at regular intervals for progress reports Be persistent, but respectful


text:
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
DeadMau5 - Raise Your Weapon
by Hector Diego
The song features vocalist Greta Svabo Bech.
Labels: Dance Music, DeadMau5, Greta Svabo Bech 0 comments
at 7:53 PM
The Ballad Of John And Yoko
by Hector Diego
We are continuing The Year of John Lennon for 2012--money back guarantee that the world will not end.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Obama Sings
by Hector Diego
If you haven't heard Obama singing, you must.
Labels: Barack Obama, Election 2012 2 comments
at 6:58 AM
Good Morning Good Morning
by Hector Diego
A guy realizes that he is ordinary in every way. Although he has nothing to say in his defense, he thinks it's OK. That is what I think this song is about.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Miracles of Modern Science--Pumped Up Kicks (Foster the People cover)
by Jay Allbritton
Diabolically good cover of FtP's new classic. They whistle. There's this hard-core break for no other reason than to make me spit water through my nose. These guys are geniuses.
at 11:55 PM
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Undefined--So What'cha Want (Beastie Boys cover)
by Jay Allbritton
Digging this Studio Brussels YouTube channel I have stumbled upon.
Labels: Beastie Boys, cover, Undefined 0 comments
at 11:53 PM
Hey Bulldog
by Hector Diego
We are continuing with The Year of John Lennon at The Walrus Speaks.
Washington State To Vote On Cannabis
by Hector Diego
The Pacific Northwest state is close to legalizing recreational cannabis. What else are you supposed to do on all those rainy days? Read the article.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Tori Amos--Honey
by Jay Allbritton
This is a brilliant performance of another great song that Amos left off her albums. There's a bit of a strained conversation about Letterman and Leno at the beginning of the clip that you can bypass by jumping to the 1:29 mark.
Labels: David Letterman, Jay Leno, Tori Amos 2 comments
at 6:00 PM
Rilo Kiley--The Good That Won't Come Out
by Jay Allbritton
Labels: Rilo Kiley 0 comments
at 2:38 PM
Rock And Roll Music
by Hector Diego
I have taken the spiritual advice of Frank Turner, and now, turning to the Church of John Lennon, let's have some more rock and roll.
Frank Turner - I Still Believe
by Hector Diego
The guy is saying that rock and roll will save the world, save souls. I could think of crazier ideas...
Labels: Frank Turner, I Still Believe 0 comments
at 9:05 AM
Thursday, January 26, 2012
by Jay Allbritton
S-K live on Henry Rollins's TV program.
Labels: Henry Rollins, Sleater-Kinney 0 comments
at 3:06 PM
Tori Amos--Spark
by Jay Allbritton
Tori recently spoke to NPR about her new album, Night of Hunters.
This is the music video for Spark from her amazing 1998 album From the Choirgirl Hotel.
This is the music video for Spark from her amazing 1998 album From the Choirgirl Hotel.
at 2:30 PM
Plastic Ono Band - Cold Turkey
by Hector Diego
I never understood how great this song was in my youth. I couldn't relate to John Lennon's heroin addiction. But now, forty years later, I do understand what it means to not get enough sleep. I don't use heroin, thank God (and Goddess).
Labels: Cold Turkey, God, Goddess, John Lennon, Plastic Ono Band 0 comments
at 12:53 PM
Sarah Winters--S & M (Rihanna Cover)
by Jay Allbritton
Sarah Winters has a covers EP available through Bandcamp (h/t Cover Me).
Labels: Covers, Rihanna, Sarah Winters 0 comments
at 1:00 AM
Rolo Tomassi--I Love Turbulence
by Jay Allbritton
I assume the name of this magical screamo-melodic band is a reference to a line uttered by Kevin Spacey's character at a key juncture in the film L.A. Confidential. At any rate, I dig the sound of these crazy kids.
Labels: Rolo Tomassi 0 comments
at 12:30 AM
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Tori Amos--China
by Jay Allbritton
I started posting all these Tori clips because I wanted Hector Diego to get a feel for the depth of Amos's catalog, especially her early years. What I did not expect was that doing so would trigger a Tori avalanche in my brain. I can not get enough of this. I'm sure it will end soon, but as of now, it's 1993 all over again and there's no end in sight. Not when i keep finding gems like this performance of China with a couple of professional vocalists on background.
Labels: Live Performance, Tori Amos 0 comments
at 9:19 PM
Tori Amos--The Wrong Band
by Jay Allbritton
"Instead of just leavin'...She said it's time I open my eyes...Don't be afraid to open your eyes...
Maybe she's right."
Maybe she's right."
at 9:01 PM
Feist--Inside and Out
by Jay Allbritton
She ain't no vision. She's the girl who loves you inside and out.
Labels: Feist 0 comments
at 6:17 PM
Caroline Smith--Denim Boy
by Jay Allbritton
Soulful solo rendition in a doorway.
Labels: Caroline Smith 0 comments
at 3:08 PM
You've Got To Hide Your Love Away
by Hector Diego
Great vocals by Lennon.
by Hector Diego
It's the entire film, brought to you with love by The Walrus Speaks. 2012 cannot be the end of the world so long as we are playing the Beatles! So make some popcorn, put your arm around your dearly beloved, and hang out in Beatle land for one hour and thirty one minutes.
Labels: Beatles, Film, Help 0 comments
at 12:47 PM
Slaughterhouse River Of Blood
by Hector Diego
You can see a river of blood from a slaughterhouse, on the left. Slaughterhouses are highly regulated factories, but quite typically the regulations are not followed, and enforcement of these regulations is lax, particularly the regulations regarding humanitarian slaughtering procedures. Therefore, to save time and money, and quite often just to be cruel, humanitarian slaughtering procedures put in place by well meaning legislators are routinely ignored.
Take a good look. This is where your Big Mac or Sad Meal comes from.
Labels: animal slaughter, slaughterhouses, USDA, vegetarianism 0 comments
at 12:39 PM
Fiona Apple--Paper Bag
by Jay Allbritton
Word on the street is that a new Fiona Apple record is imminent. Only been 6 years. Bring it on.
Labels: Fiona Apple 1 comments
at 12:30 AM
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Tori Amos--Caught a Lite Sneeze
by Jay Allbritton
I've seen Tori live five times, which is more than just about any other musician I don't know personally. Only twice, of those five times, did she play with a band. I love her both ways, but the band adds another dimension. And it does stop the audience from drowning her out by singing too loud or screaming out in the middle of a quiet moment in a song. She knows you love her. Keep it to yourself.
at 2:09 PM
Happiness Is A Warm Gun
by Hector Diego
Great lyrics, and very moody. John Lennon got the idea for this song, as was common for him, by watching television.
First Aid Kit--Emmylou
by Jay Allbritton
The new Mogis-produced album from Swedish sister act First Aid Kit dropped today. It's called The Lion's Roar, and it's va nice slice of soothing harmonious goodness.
Here is NME's review.
This song is on it:
Here is NME's review.
This song is on it:
Labels: First Aid Kit 0 comments
at 11:27 AM
Moody Blues - Departure/Ride My See-Saw
by Hector Diego
Uplifting music for a gray morning in North Florida.
Internet Forever--Break Bones
by Jay Allbritton
On their twitter page, this band calls themselves a pop band for the twenty twenties, so they certainly have a plan. I think they may be a pop band for far sooner than that.
Labels: Internet Forever 0 comments
at 1:00 AM
Monday, January 23, 2012
Wild Flag - Endless Talk
by Hector Diego
Hey, you're a little bit ruthless
Claws out and wild
You wore me down to toothless
So gummy and mild
Labels: Carrie Brownstein, Endless Talk, Janet Weiss, Mary Timony, Rebecca Cole, Wild Flag 0 comments
at 7:24 PM
Elliott Smith--Waltz #2 (XO)
by Jay Allbritton
"I'm doing just fine hour to hour, note to note..."
Labels: Elliott Smith 0 comments
at 2:36 PM
The Year Of John Lennon - Please Mr. Postman
by Hector Diego
Lennon's vocals in "Please Mr. Postman" are so classic. Have a Happy 2012, from The Walrus Speaks!
at 2:30 PM
Tori Amos--Caught A Lite Sneeze
by Jay Allbritton
The line "made my own pretty hate machine" is a reference to the debut Nine Inch Nails album Pretty Hate Machine.
Labels: Nine Inch Nails, Tori Amos 0 comments
at 2:13 PM
St. Vincent--Creul
by Jay Allbritton
The brilliant Annie Clark performing live at KCRW last fall.
Labels: St. Vincent 0 comments
at 12:06 AM
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Stevie Nicks - Landslide
by Hector Diego
It's a live radio performance. Exquisite.
Labels: Fleetwood Mac, Landslide, Live Performance, Stevie Nicks 0 comments
at 9:44 PM
Come Together
by Hector Diego
"Come Together" is so very, very John Lennon.
Labels: Abbey Road, Beatles, Come Together 1 comments
at 8:14 AM
Florence And The Machine - Rabbit Heart
by Hector Diego
Great vocals.
at 6:53 AM
by Jay Allbritton
"How do you do it?"
Labels: Incubus 0 comments
at 2:00 AM
Tori Amos - Crucify
by Hector Diego
We crucify ourselves. Why do we do that?
Labels: Crucify, Tori Amos 0 comments
at 1:49 AM
Tori Amos--Song for Eric
by Jay Allbritton
Some of Amos's finest moments are from the songs that are not on her records. This is one of those.
at 1:30 AM
Saturday, January 21, 2012
John Lennon - Working Class Hero
by Hector Diego
It's day 21 of The Year of John Lennon at The Walrus Speaks.
Labels: John Lennon, Working Class Hero 1 comments
at 6:06 PM
Sleater-Kinney - Little Babies
by Hector Diego
Why do I like this song? Because it is good, hot, rock and roll.
Labels: Little Babies, Sleater-Kinney 0 comments
at 6:00 PM
Tori Amos--Hey Jupiter
by Jay Allbritton
This is actually a re-mix of the original, but I like this version better.
at 1:56 PM
Rilo Kiley Cover - Does He Love You?
by Hector Diego
Someone by the name of bdamiano12 recorded this. Outstanding.
Labels: Covers, Does He Love You?, Jenny Lewis, Rilo Kiley 1 comments
at 12:15 PM
Los Campesinos!--By Your Hand
by Jay Allbritton
It is so validating when the obscure bands I become obsessed with show up in the mainstream. Nice exchange with Letterman at the end too. Kind of a shame that this didn't happen two albums ago.
Labels: David Letterman, Los Campesinos 0 comments
at 4:37 AM
Friday, January 20, 2012
Tori Amos--Leather
by Jay Allbritton
At the beginning of this clip, Amos explains that when she played this song for someone in the recording industry he told her that if she played this song, she wouldn't have a career. Wrong!
at 9:12 PM
Etta James, 1938 - 2012
by Hector Diego
Her heart was wrapped up in clover...
Labels: At Last, Etta James 0 comments
at 2:22 PM
Etta James--Feelin' Good (Six Feet Under Promo)
by Jay Allbritton
Farewell Etta James.
This is the iconic promo from the final season of the show Six Feet Under that makes wonderful use of her classic "Feelin' Good".
This is the iconic promo from the final season of the show Six Feet Under that makes wonderful use of her classic "Feelin' Good".
Labels: Etta James, Six Feet Under 0 comments
at 2:03 PM
Bruce Springsteen--We Take Care Of Our Own
by Jay Allbritton
Cribbing a bit from "Born in the USA" this political anthem about economic injustice hides in plain sight, thinly disguised as a jingoistic jingle. Like "Born in the USA," the chorus is ripe for the Republican National Convention, but the verses tell the tale.
Labels: Bruce Springsteen 0 comments
at 11:42 AM
The Year Of John Lennon - Give Peace A Chance
by Hector Diego
Everybody's talking about...
Labels: Give Peace A Chance, Hare Krishna, John Lennon 0 comments
at 9:45 AM
Tori Amos - God
by Hector Diego
The Station Agent posted this song a day or two ago, but it was not the full version. This song is too great not to hear in full. And yes, I believe God does need a woman to look after him...that would be Goddess.
Labels: Feminism, God, patriarchy, Tori Amos, women 0 comments
at 9:41 AM
Caroline Smith Duo--Eagle's Nest, Calliope
by Jay Allbritton
Caroline Smith and Jesse Schuster perform the songs "Eagle's Nest" and "Calliope" inside a former orphanage in Duluth, Minnesota in November of 2010, during a snow storm.
Labels: Caroline Smith Duo 0 comments
at 3:02 AM
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Kimya Dawson--Anthrax
by Jay Allbritton
Kimya Dawson performing live at Sidewalk Cafe in NYC on Dec 26, 2001.
Labels: Kimya Dawson 0 comments
at 4:14 PM
Tori Amos--God
by Jay Allbritton
"Do you need a woman to look after you?"
at 1:59 PM
Tori Amos--Silent All These Years
by Jay Allbritton
According to Amos, she wrote this song with the intention of submitting it to Al Stewart. Thankfully, her producer talked her out of it and it went on to become the centerpiece of her first album.
Labels: Al Stewart, Tori Amos 0 comments
at 1:53 PM
Rilo Kiley--Capturing Moods
by Jay Allbritton
Pretty solid camera work for being about twelve or so rows back. From Toronto, on May 28, 2008.
Labels: Live Performance, Rilo Kiley 0 comments
at 12:21 PM
by Hector Diego
2012 cannot be the end of the world so long as we are playing John Lennon and the Beatles. 2012 is The Year of John Lennon!
at 11:59 AM
Johnny Horton - The Battle Of New Orleans
by Hector Diego
Horton had a string of hits with historical themes. Quite a corker, that guy.
at 9:03 AM
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Johnny Horton - North To Alaska
by Hector Diego
I dedicate this song to my brother Otis, who has lived in Alaska for three decades or so.
Labels: Johnny Horton, North To Alaska 0 comments
at 9:36 PM
Faith No More--Falling to Pieces
by Jay Allbritton
Labels: Faith No More 0 comments
at 7:11 PM
Tori Amos--Cornflake Girl
by Jay Allbritton
"You bet your life it is..."
at 2:58 PM
Nerina Pallot--Sophia
by Jay Allbritton
Live at the BBC, circa 2006. Very good stuff.
Labels: Nerina Pallot 0 comments
at 1:41 PM
The Mountain Goats--Going to Georgia
by Jay Allbritton
John Darnielle wields bitterness so well in all of his songs, but he wields it especially well in this road song.
Labels: Mountain Goats 0 comments
at 11:53 AM
The Comedy Of John Lennon
by Hector Diego
This has cheered me up this morning, so I thought I would share it.
at 11:06 AM
Neil Young Covers Imagine
by Hector Diego
Neil, Neil, how we love you...and John.
Labels: imagine, John Lennon, Neil Young 0 comments
at 10:53 AM
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
The Sledding Crow
by Hector Diego
A crow sleds down a roof in Russia.
Labels: Russia, sledding crow, The Walrus Speaks 0 comments
at 4:50 PM
The Year Of John Lennon - Strawberry Fields
by Hector Diego
The world cannot end in 2012 if we continue to play John Lennon and the Beatles.
at 7:31 AM
Ringo Starr - Wings
by Hector Diego
From his new album Ringo 2012, featuring Joe Walsh.
Labels: Joe Walsh, Ringo 2012, Ringo Starr, Wings 0 comments
at 7:26 AM
Caroline Smith and the Good Night Sleeps--Young Turks
by Jay Allbritton
Nice reclamation of this Rod Stewart tune I never liked until now. Very excited about Caroline Smith.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Leonard Cohen - Show Me The Place
by Hector Diego
This is not lighthearted music.
Labels: Leonard Cohen, Show Me The Place 0 comments
at 10:23 PM
Public Enemy - Fight The Power
by Hector Diego
My wife, Kim, dedicates this song to the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King on his birthday. The King is dead, long live the King.
at 7:19 PM
Okay, One More Time With This Gotye Song
by Jay Allbritton
A clever youtuber aligned Walk Off the Earth's cover of "Somebody That I Used to Know" with Gotye's original and it lines up perfectly. As if playing it all on one guitar wasn't difficult enough, they nailed the tempo.
Labels: Covers, Gotye, Kimbra, Walk off the Earth 0 comments
at 12:19 PM
John Lennon - Crippled Inside
by Hector Diego
One thing you can't hide, is when you're crippled inside. Ain't that the truth!
Telekinesis - Country Lane
by Hector Diego
Not bad at all.
Labels: Country Lane, Telekinesis 0 comments
at 8:25 AM
Sunday, January 15, 2012
The Elected--Greetings in Braille
by Jay Allbritton
...so now that you finally failed
just like you said you would, down to the last detail.
Well if living's such hell,
here's to your dying days.
You won't have to be afraid.
And the heroes you met were just fiction,
yeah, with high expectations.
And your friends grew up faster than you got successful,
told you to keep it up.
Good comes to those who work.
And the stories they told you were true, babe.
Your mom really went crazy.
But that doesn't have to be you. No.
And I miss Tara and Melissa, Allen and John.
And you'll never have friends like you did when you were young.
But our bodies were pulled away and swept out to the sea
And I'd call and say hi if I thought you'd remember me
cause somethings are worth leaving old memories for...
Labels: Blake Sennett, The Elected 0 comments
at 5:50 PM
Caroline Smith--She Ain't Got It
by Jay Allbritton
Live at 89.3 The Current.
Labels: Caroline Smith 0 comments
at 2:50 PM
Smoosh--We Are Our Own Lies
by Jay Allbritton
These youngins are going to do some big things sooner than later.
Labels: Smoosh 0 comments
at 2:03 AM
Charli XCX--Stay Away
by Jay Allbritton
I think I like songs that sound like this more than I actually like this song.
Labels: Charli XCX 0 comments
at 1:30 AM
Wild Flag, Patti Smith - Ask The Angels
by Hector Diego
I guess we should have the original version as well.
Labels: Ask The Angels, Patti Smith, Wild Flag 0 comments
at 12:14 AM
Wild Flag Live - Future Crimes
by Hector Diego
This is the best live version I have heard. I like the echo bit at the end. Philadelphia 3/16/11.
Labels: Future Crimes, Live, Philadelphia, Wild Flag 0 comments
at 12:03 AM
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Tim Tebow and David Bowie as One--Tebowie!
by Jay Allbritton
Clever little bit from Fallon. Good luck to the Broncos tonight against the dreaded Patriots. Sadly I don't see Timmy pulling this one off.
Labels: Jimmy Fallon, Tebowie, Tebowing, Tim Tebow 0 comments
at 5:32 PM
Rilo Kiley - All The Good That Won't Come Out
by Hector Diego
We are still mourning the break up of Rilo Kiley here at The Walrus Speaks, for an entire year. "All The Good That Won't Come Out" is the first Rilo Kiley song that the Station Agent had me listen to, and I was instantly hooked.
Nerina Pallot--Real Late Starter
by Jay Allbritton
I too am off to a late start today...
Labels: Nernia Pallot 0 comments
at 1:33 PM
Loma Linda Wants No Sad Meals
by Hector Diego
That's right, folks. The health conscious, vegetarian people of Seventh Day Adventist Southern California community Loma Linda are outraged that McDonalds is trying to bring Sad Meals to their fair city. As a vegetarian since 1974, I must concur. I do agree that vegetarianism, like any moral issue (and I do consider it a moral issue), cannot be legislated, but if the citizens of Loma Linda manage to ban the stupid golden arches, I will be very pleased.
Read the article.
Hear the music.
I decided not to post "Free Me" with images of animals being abused. I can't take it this morning. How about you? Does knowing how your meat is produced bother you, or not? Are you hiding from yourself?
Labels: Free Me, Goldfinger, McDonalds, Sad Meals, vegetarianism 0 comments
at 12:54 PM
The Corin Tucker Band--It's Always Summer
by Jay Allbritton
We've been playing a lot of former Sleatter-Kinney members Carrie Brownstien and Janet Weiss's new band, Wild Flag. So, in the interest of fairness, here's a peek at what the other member of S-K, Corin Tucker, has been up to.
Labels: Corin Tucker, The Corin Tucker Band 0 comments
at 11:29 AM
Saturday Play--Gotye's "Somebody that I Used to Know"
by Jay Allbritton
David Allun Jones has an excellent review of Gotye's "Somebody that I Used to Know" (via Jonk Music). Between the original and Walk Off the Earth's cover of it (5-person guitar-style, no less) I am positively obsessed with this song.
I whole heartedly agree with Jones that guest vocalist Kimbra's contribution to the song takes it to another level. Jones writes:
Here's Gotye's performance of the song at LA public radio station KCRW.
I whole heartedly agree with Jones that guest vocalist Kimbra's contribution to the song takes it to another level. Jones writes:
Once featured guest (and MM fave) Kimbra arrives on the half-way mark to help fill in between the lines in the role of the new ex-girlfriend though, "Somebody That I Used To Know" is elevated to a whole new plateau of awesomeness, her steely cut-down of his behavior in their own relationship providing one of the most fantastic "wait…what?" musical moments in recent memory in it's jaw-dropping verse-ending reveal ("You said that you could let it go/ And I wouldn't catch you hung up on somebody that you used to know!!!") that brilliantly shifts the target of all his succeeding hook agitation towards her.The album isn't even available in the states until January 31.
Here's Gotye's performance of the song at LA public radio station KCRW.
Labels: Covers, Gotye, Kimbra, Music, Saturday Play, Walk off the Earth 0 comments
at 11:00 AM
Helium - Lullaby Of The Moths
by Hector Diego
Beautiful. Moody.
Labels: Helium, Lullaby Of The Moths, Mary Timony 0 comments
at 10:18 AM
John Lennon - Oh Yoko
by Hector Diego
This is totally classic.
at 9:00 AM
Marijuana Policy Project 2011 List
by Hector Diego
You can read the Huffington Post article here.
1. Congress de-funds the White House drug czar's ad campaign.
2. Our ideal bill is finally introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives -- a bill that would let states determine their own marijuana policies without federal interference.
3. Public support for "making marijuana legal" reaches an all-time high of 50%.
4. Delaware legalizes medical marijuana.
5. Maryland and Vermont improve their medical marijuana laws.
6. Maine, New Jersey, New Mexico, and D.C. implement/expand their medical marijuana laws.
7. Arkansas and Connecticut lower their penalties for marijuana possession.
8. World leaders reject the drug war and advocate marijuana decriminalization via the "Global Commission on Drug Policy."
9. Ron Paul shakes up the political debate by relentlessly criticizing the drug war during his presidential campaign.
10. Governors ask the federal government to reschedule marijuana.
Friday, January 13, 2012
John Lennon - God
by Hector Diego
Today is day 13 of The Year of John Lennon here at The Walrus Speaks.
Labels: God, John Lennon, Plastic Ono Band 0 comments
at 3:26 PM
Jimmy Fallon Does Tebow And Bowie
by Hector Diego
Station Agent, it just keeps spinning out of control.
Labels: David Bowie, Denver Broncos, football, Jimmy Fallon, Tim Tebow 0 comments
at 3:21 PM
Mazzy Star--Fade Into You
by Jay Allbritton
The reunited Mazzy Star will be one of many 90s acts doing it live at Coachella.
Labels: Coachella, Conan O Brien, Mazzy Star 0 comments
at 12:07 PM
Liz Phair--Supernova
by Jay Allbritton
Live on Letterman.
Labels: Liz Phair 0 comments
at 12:01 PM
Wild Flag--Future Crimes
by Jay Allbritton
"If you're gonna be a restless soul/ Then you
're gonna be so, so tired."
Labels: SXSW, Wild Flag 0 comments
at 1:08 AM
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Wild Flag - Judy Is A Punk
by Hector Diego
I don't know Jack about punk, but this here is good hot rock and roll.
Labels: Carrie Brownstein, DC, Janet Weiss, Judy Is A Punk, Live, Mary Timony, Rebecca Cole, See No Evil, Wild Flag 0 comments
at 11:19 PM
Helium - Wanna Be A Vampire Too, Baby
by Hector Diego
I'm not much into vampires, but I'll make an exception for Mary Timony.
Labels: Baby, Helium, I Wanna Be A Vampire Too, Mary Timony 0 comments
at 10:11 PM
Suzanne Vega - Pornographer's Dream
by Hector Diego
Suzanne meets the girl from Ipanema.
An Atheist Defense Of Tim Tebow
by Hector Diego
A prominent atheist says that all this God hoo-ha detracts from Tebow's real worth as a football player, and I have to agree. The man has guts.
I like the way Silverman has added Rodin's "The Thinker" to Tebow's pose.
Read the article.
Labels: American Atheists, Dave Silverman, Denver Broncos, Jesus, NFL football, quarterbacks, Religion, Tebowing, Tim Tebow 0 comments
at 8:21 PM
The Year Of John Lennon - Mother
by Hector Diego
Here is the studio version.
I couldn't resist posting this live version. Be sure to listen. Lennon's brief soliloquy is the God awful truth, isn't it?
Labels: 1970, John Lennon, Mother, Plastic Ono Band 0 comments
at 1:34 PM
Wild Flag--Short Version
by Jay Allbritton
I'm continuing to catch up on the path of fire blazed by WF last year in support of their debut. Carrie Brownstein recently said that she would like to see the band put out a new record in the Fall.
at 10:49 AM
Mary Timony - I Fire Myself
by Hector Diego
As I am exploring the musical history of Mary Timony, I am discovering a lot of great stuff.
Labels: Helium, I Fire Myself, Mary Timony 0 comments
at 2:55 AM
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Tegan and Sara--The Ocean
by Jay Allbritton
Doing it the way they do it best--acoustic.
Labels: Tegan and Sara 0 comments
at 4:00 PM
Caroline Smith and the Good Night Sleeps--Tying My Shoes
by Jay Allbritton
Minneapolis, Minnesota's very own.
John Lennon - Gimme Some Truth
by Hector Diego
Paranoid prima donnas. These are great lyrics!
Labels: Gimme Some Truth, John Lennon 0 comments
at 11:54 AM
Adele - Someone Like You
by Hector Diego
A stellar voice.
Labels: Adele, female vocalists, Someone Like You 0 comments
at 11:43 AM
Del Shannon - I Go To Pieces
by Hector Diego
Del Shannon was one of the biggest composers of the 1960s.
Labels: Del Shannon, I Go To Pieces 0 comments
at 1:24 AM
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Walk off the Earth--Somebody That I Used to Know
by Jay Allbritton
Okay, this blew me away. Not only is it a top-notch cover of a song I'm in love with--Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know"--but this band covering it does so on ONE GUITAR!
Labels: Covers, Gotye, Walk off the Earth 0 comments
at 4:01 PM
Wild Flag--Black Tiles
by Jay Allbritton
As of right now, their album can be downloaded from Amazon for the paltry sum of $5.00.
at 10:46 AM
Wild Flag--Beast of Burden
by Jay Allbritton
Wild Flag's take on the Stones' "Beast of Burden" from Philly.
Labels: Covers, The Rolling Stones, Wild Flag 0 comments
at 10:37 AM
Pomplamoose - Mr. Sandman
by Hector Diego
This is a cover of the famous classic by the Chordettes, 1940s. And we get to see the beautiful face of Natalie Dawn.
Labels: Chordettes, Covers, Mr. Sandman, Natalie Dawn 0 comments
at 8:21 AM
Monday, January 09, 2012
Juliana Richer - Silver Lining
by Hector Diego
Richer covers Jenny Lewis' classic Rilo Kiley composition. I believe this youngster is a strong contender in our TWS Talent Competition.
at 8:10 PM
Wild Flag--Short Version
by Jay Allbritton
One of the best new bands of last year took their act to Jimmy Fallon's program.
at 1:00 PM
Sunday, January 08, 2012
The Year Of John Lennon - Nowhere Man
by Hector Diego
A bit like you and me? Whatever was Lennon talking about?
at 10:49 PM
Wild Flag - Romance
by Hector Diego
My new favorite band, as well.
Labels: David Letterman, romance, Wild Flag 0 comments
at 10:05 PM
Rilo Kiley--The Execution of All Things
by Jay Allbritton
Happy birthday to Jenny Lewis who turns 36 today. Here's a look back at her early days with Rilo Kiley.
Labels: Jenny Lewis, Rilo Kiley 2 comments
at 12:40 PM
The Year Of John Lennon - Working Class Hero
by Hector Diego
Beware, Blue Meanies. Lennon is coming after you.
Labels: Blue Meanies, John Lennon, Working Class Hero 0 comments
at 11:08 AM
Helium - Skeleton
by Hector Diego
Much of Mary Timony's work is strange, and I like strange.
Labels: Helium, Mary Timony, skeleton 0 comments
at 5:50 AM
MC Yogi - Om Namah Shivaya
by Hector Diego
Om Shivaya namah.
at 2:50 AM
Saturday, January 07, 2012
Royal Ice Cream Covers "Video Games"
by Hector Diego
This young woman performing the Lana Del Rey hit "Video Games" is a strong contender in The Walrus Speaks' Talent Competition, wouldn't you say Station Agent?
at 6:13 PM
Amy LaVere - Damn Love Song
by Hector Diego
A female lead singer playing an upright bass. You gotta dig it.
Labels: Amy Lavere, Damn Love Song, upright bass 0 comments
at 5:13 PM
Wild Flag - Future Crimes
by Hector Diego
The Station Agent got me into Wild Flag, and I have a feeling I will never get out.
Labels: Future Crimes, Wild Flag 0 comments
at 5:07 PM
In My Life
by Hector Diego
Continuing with The Year Of John Lennon here at The Walrus Speaks.
at 10:24 AM
Friday, January 06, 2012
Lana Del Rey - Axl Rose Husband
by Hector Diego
at 5:15 PM
More Jon Stewart On The GOP In Iowa
by Hector Diego
How about Stuart for Comedian in Chief?
at 5:05 PM
Raw Cannabis A Wonder Food
by Hector Diego
The DEA and the White House do not want you to know the truth about cannabis. In this video, you will learn about cannabis not as a recreational substance or even as a medicine. Instead, it is a dietary food that should be eaten raw for maximal health.
at 4:08 PM
Kimbra - Two Way Street
by Hector Diego
Kimbra, Lana Del Rey, Adelle, etc., there is much good music from female artists these days.
Labels: Kimbra, Two Way Street 0 comments
at 2:52 PM
Marvin Gaye--Inner City Blues
by Jay Allbritton
More true now than ever. "Turn off the nuclear juice!"
Labels: Marvin Gaye 0 comments
at 11:11 AM
2012 Year Of John Lennon - Oh My Love
by Hector Diego
Love conquers all. It just might take awhile.
Labels: Imagine album, John Lennon, Oh My Love, Yoko Ono 0 comments
at 8:36 AM
Stewart Comments On The Iowa GOP Race
by Hector Diego
You gotta love this guy.
Labels: Election 2012, GOP, Iowa, Jon Stewart, Presidential campaign 2012 0 comments
at 8:31 AM
Thursday, January 05, 2012
2012 The Year Of John Lennon - Woman
by Hector Diego
Some people say the world is going to end in 2012. Not while we are playing John Lennon, it isn't! So keep it right here--www.thewalrusspeaks.blogspot.com on your cyber radio dial!
Labels: 2012, end of the world, John Lennon, Woman 0 comments
at 3:26 PM
Lana Del Rey - Born To Die
by Hector Diego
I just discovered Lana Del Rey. I'm almost 56, what do I know.
Labels: Born To Die, Lana Del Rey 0 comments
at 11:35 AM
Krishna Trance
by Hector Diego
More Goa trance.
Labels: Goa trance, Krishna, psychedelic trance, trance 0 comments
at 10:18 AM
Shiva Trance
by Hector Diego
I suppose this is psychedelic or Goa, trance. I'm not much into the genre, but I like the message.
Labels: Goa trance, Hinduism, psychedelic trance, Shiva, trance 0 comments
at 10:14 AM
Wednesday, January 04, 2012
Wild Flag - Electric Band
by Hector Diego
The Station Agent has introduced me to some mind blowing music. And now Wild Flag-Mary Timony, Carrie Brownstein, Janet Weiss, and Rebecca Cole. They are Goddess Awesome great!
Wild Flag at SXSW
by Jay Allbritton
Thanks to NPR for this wonderful treat.
Labels: NPR, SXSW, Wild Flag 1 comments
at 7:19 PM
The Black Keys--Howlin' For You
by Jay Allbritton
The critics' darlings do it live.
Labels: The Black Keys 0 comments
at 12:11 PM
Rock On Hanuman
by Hector Diego
Labels: Hinduism, Krishna Das, MC Yogi, Rock On Hanuman 0 comments
at 11:14 AM
Stones - Street Fighting Man
by Hector Diego
at 10:56 AM
Stones - Sweet Neo Con
by Hector Diego
There is that dumb ass tongue again. But from "Street Fighting Man" to "Sweet Neo Con", the Stones have come a long way, politically.
at 10:38 AM
Rock And Roll Music
by Hector Diego
For all the Beatles' innovations, Lennon always insisted that none of it was better than good old rock and roll music, his first and greatest musical love. Continuing with our Year Of John Lennon, let's listen in.
Labels: Beatles, John Lennon, Rock and Roll Music 0 comments
at 3:25 AM
Elvis Presley - Long Tall Sally
by Hector Diego
Everything that Uncle John needs? We're running a family blog here, so we won't comment on that.
Everything that Uncle John needs? We're running a family blog here, so we won't comment on that.
Labels: Elvis Presley, Long Tall Sally 0 comments
at 3:12 AM
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
Crowded House - Weather With You
by Hector Diego
Cute little guitar riff.
Labels: 1990s, Crowded House, Weather With You 1 comments
at 1:47 PM
Phish - I Am The Walrus
by Hector Diego
Derek turned me on to this cover of the Beatles' "I Am The Walrus." I couldn't access the link he sent, but this version is great. Thanks, good buddy.
Labels: Covers, I Am The Walrus, Phish 1 comments
at 11:32 AM
Rilo Kiley - Silver Lining
by Hector Diego
Labels: Jenny Lewis, Rilo Kiley, Silver Lining 1 comments
at 8:57 AM
The Elected--Time is Coming
by Jay Allbritton
I was excited to see The Elected were featured on this week's episode of the CBS show How I Met Your Mother.
Labels: How I Met Your Mother, The Elected 0 comments
at 4:03 AM
Monday, January 02, 2012
Teen Interviews Lennon In 1969
by Hector Diego
You have GOT to hear this. A kid sneaked into Lennon's hotel room in Toronto. Lennon was game, and the interview is totally fascinating. The kid says dumb things, but Lennon does not take offence or correct him. Instead, he takes the opportunity to give us Lennonisms that will always endure, such as, "We're all Hitler inside, and we're all Christ inside."
John Lennon - Watching The Wheels
by Hector Diego
This acoustic demo gives me the chills.
Here is the studio hit.
Keep it here--www.thewalrusspeaks.blogspot.com--on your cyber radio dial, for The Year of John Lennon. Walrus Radio will not allow 2012 to end the world.
Labels: 2012, Beatles, end of the world, John Lennon, Watching The Wheels 1 comments
at 11:00 AM
Cry Baby Cry
by Hector Diego
One critic wrote that all of Lennon's melodies have the sophistication of "Row Your Boat." Be that as it may, "Row Your Boat" is a classic that will be sung a thousand years from now. And so will Lennon's compositions.
Labels: Beatles, compositions, Cry Baby Cry, John Lennon, Row Your Boat, White Album 1 comments
at 10:51 AM
John Lennon - Out The Blue
by Hector Diego
This is one of Lennon's songs that never got released, and I think we can all understand why. However, this song does have potential, and I wish Lennon had not given up on it.
Labels: Beatles, demos, Guitars, John Lennon, orchestras, Out The Blue, Outtakes, pianos, releases, solo 1 comments
at 10:43 AM
Sunday, January 01, 2012
John Lennon - Stand By Me
by Hector Diego
A good friend is worth more than gold.
Labels: friends, friendship, John Lennon, Stand By Me 0 comments
at 1:12 PM
Lennon Peace Memorial Of Light In Iceland
by Hector Diego
Yoko Ono built this memorial to St. John, which was inaugurated in 2006. It's called the Imagine Peace Tower.
2012 - The Year Of John Lennon
by Hector Diego
That's right all you folks out there in cyberland. The Walrus Speaks has declared 2012 the year of John Lennon! I heard that the Blue Meanies had reverted to their pre-Yellow Submarine status, and aim to END THE WORLD in 2012 WITH DISCO. But Walrus Radio will not let that happen! We are the anti-disco cyber radio station. So keep it right there on your cyber radio dial--
www.thewalrusspeaks.blogspot.com for an entire year of John Lennon!
Michael Cassidy - Ohe Vaishnava Thakura
by Hector Diego
Happy New Year from New Raman Reti, Alachua, Florida.
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- Marijuana Policy Project 2011 List
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- Wild Flag - Judy Is A Punk
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Antique walrus print courtesy of FineRarePrints.Com


text:
Irrelevant. Does he have queso? That's the real question.
You must be Logged in to post a comment
Touché probwasyou.
Yeah, a queso herpes.
As long as it's not Fomunda queso...just sayin.
That should always be the question
You're right, that's why I asked the guy with the ass load if ramen if he had cheese...lol...
Chips and queso...mmmmm....


text:
I sit alone in the darkness on a mattress with no sheet, no blanket – and pull the mosquito net down around me. We are still living in the boys quarters for a couple more weeks most likely, while our main house is painted. I had left my room and the 9 beautiful people in there with me sleeping soundly to move to another room…for one purpose: to cry my soul out before my Jesus. the events of the day weighing upon my heart. And I didn't want to weep my heart out and wake the babies.
Sometimes people think it might be easy living here…doing this life. Being mother to 6 children under the age of 3; running a household in a foreign country; being the sole provider for so many people – having their lives depending on me for absolutely everything; not knowing many people, but more than that – not having many people really know me. It is not easy. It is very difficult at times.
But oh, it is so, so worth it.
In the darkness, Betty silently enters the room, lifts the mosquito net, and crawls in beside me. We had finished our prayer time together not long ago, yet the cares and burdens still seemed to be weighing so heavily on our hearts. She apologizes. I apologize. The stress and cares of this life threaten to overwhelm at times…and it wears on both of us. We snap at each other during the day and end up sitting there at night in the darkness as we cry. We pour out our souls to Jesus and to each other. I whisper a thanks to my precious Jesus for giving her to me. for the blessing of her life. For her love, support, and help.
The burdens. The chains. The weights.
Yes, carrying the burden that Jesus has given me to carry. The yoke He has given me to bear, the vision He has called me to bear, the responsibility that he has placed upon my shoulders. It may be heavy at times…but I know that He allows that heaviness to remind me to put the burden back onto His shoulders where it belongs. He allows the burden, the weight, the responsibility to fall hard upon my soul…so that I must fall to my knees under its weight. So that I must look up to the heavens and cry out for His help. So that I must press my face against the cold hard floor and praise Him in the storm. So that when everything falls apart, I must remember that it is His arms that hold me together.
When it becomes too much for me…then I know that I am once again trying to do this on my own. He gently whispers to my soul, "You were not meant to carry this burden alone. You were not meant to bear this vision alone…you were not meant to walk this road alone. I will carry you…if only you will let Me. Let Me, Amy. Allow Me to carry you; let Me sustain you…allow Me to lift your burdens. I was the One meant to carry them."
Who does that?? Who else does that for me?
I look beside me to Betty and know that He has sent her to me. He has given her to me on this earth to be a bodily reminder that He is carrying my burdens He has given to me a friend who so badly wants to help carry my load, help me walk this path…live this life with me. The faces of my family back home come to my mind. The emails, the calls, the texts...
He not only figuratively and spiritually removes my burdens…He also sends angels my way in the precious forms of friends and family and even strangers. I'm sure you know exactly what I am talking about.
We are not meant to go this life alone. We are not meant to walk the straight and narrow with no other hands to grab onto when the way becomes so straight and the road becomes so very narrow…when I begin to slip off the edge because the weight is too much, the burden too heavy, the pressure too great…I look around and the only hands I have to grab onto have scars on them. Deep. Beautiful. Ugly. Nail. Scars. And it is these hands…these hard and yet, so very soft hands that I reach out for and cling onto as He pulls me back up from the edge of the narrow road.
I look into the eyes of my children and the cares, instead of increasing and becoming greater…they seem to almost evaporate in the complete love and adoration that I see in each pair of eyes. When I look at them in the candlelight, I can count my blessings…one by one sitting in front of me on the towel laughing and refusing to sit still. I get to bathe 6 filthy little bodies covered in red dirt, mucous, and food every night. I get to play "airplane" with the spoon and food. I get to change diapers all day long and change outfits several times a day. I get to wake up at all hours of the night to walk sleepy upset little bodies.
I get to. I get to.
The privilege. It is a privilege. And as I sit and tickle them and "scare" them with the stuffed animal dog late at night as I try to tuck them in, but end up getting them riled up more…He sweetly says, "This is your privilege."
I get to love them. I don't have to – I get to. I get to carry the burden of their daily lives…together with my Jesus. I get to be yoked together with Him…and have the burdens of His heart become the burdens of mine. I get to have the chains of the Gospel become the chains that bind me to my Savior.
I get to. The privilege is huge. I get to live this privilege.
And as I walk back into my room and look at each sleeping head (even the head that fell down the stairs in an attempt to walk this evening and scared Mommy for a few minutes), I see the privileges lined up all in a row under the mosquito nets. My children who would rather sleep as close together as possible with Mommy rather than spread out on the big bed. My privileges.
His yoke is easy…His burden is light…because He carries the enormous weight Himself. He gives us the light load, and chooses to carry the massive burden Himself. His shoulders are capable. They carried those horrible beautiful wooden boards down the cobblestone streets thousands of years ago…and He forces me to look at Him. watch Him carry that cross. Watch Him walk that road, carry that burden – the weight of the sins of the world on His shoulders, and He asks Me, "You think I'm not capable of carrying your burden? You think I'm not able to carry the weight of your soul? Look, Amy. Look at what I carried. Look at what I already did for you. Allow Me to carry your burdens again….allow Me to bear the load."
And so I kneel down. I kneel down and roll my burden onto the floor. I let it slide off my shoulders and back and let it land with a thud beside me. I glance over and see the nail scarred feet standing next to my burden. I watch those precious now nail scarred hands reach down, pick it up and confidently throw it over His shoulder. I glance up and look into the radiant face of my Savior smiling down at me. He lifts me to my feet, walks me to my bed, and tucks His precious child in for the night. Then sings over me the blessed words,
"Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:29-30


text:
New AOPA president wants to bring fun back to small airports like Wichita's
Mark Baker, named president of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association in September, was in Wichita for the first time in his new role recently, but it wasn't his first trip to the city.
In 2005, as then-president of Gander Mountain, Baker was in town to open the Gander Mountain store along the east bank of the Arkansas River in downtown Wichita.
This time, Baker, 55, was in Wichita to attend the inaugural Kansas Aviation Expo, held before the Wichita Flight Festival at the end of September.
A pilot who learned to fly in his 20s, Baker has logged more than 7,500 hours of flight time and has owned a number of airplanes over the years.
"When you get into any airplane and you take the controls, the full activity of creating flight – going down the runway and getting in the air – it's just fun," Baker said. "It just feels good. ... I never get bored with it."
Baker wants to bring the fun factor back to small airports around the country.
After the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, airports put up fences and took other measures that can be off-putting.
"I've been driven a little bit crazy about all the fences around the airports," Baker said. "We need to make it welcome."
Instead, airports should add picnic tables, grills and sheltered areas to the nation's 5,000 public-use airports, so that people can watch airplanes and be "part of the aviation experience," he said.
It's a way to encourage the use of general aviation for fun or business and create pilots, Baker said.
"Everything in aviation starts at the airport," he said.
Baker is AOPA's fifth president in its 74-year history. He replaces Craig Fuller, who announced earlier this year his plans to to move to other opportunities.
Before taking the AOPA post, Baker served as CEO of Orchard Supply Hardware Stores Corp., and he also has served in senior executive roles with Scotts Miracle-Gro Co., the Home Depot and other companies.
A native of Minnesota, Baker and his wife, Vickie, have four children.
Under his leadership, Baker wants the AOPA, which has 400,000 members, to focus on regional rather than large national events.
This week's annual AOPA national summit in Fort Worth will be its last so it can hold more intimate gatherings.
AOPA will also work to encourage the start of flying clubs and ride alongs.
"Most people have a romantic idea about flying," Baker said. But they don't know how to start.
"We have to create the access and the welcome," he said.
AOPA works to be an advocate of general aviation. It works with other trade groups, such as the Experimental Aircraft Association, the National Business Aviation Association and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association.
"We all are working together to make sure we protect this freedom to fly," Baker said.
They want to ensure that the actions the Federal Aviation Administration takes to reduce its budget makes sense to the industry, he said.
AOPA also wants to work to support regulations that improve safety, lower costs and reduce restrictions.
Baker is reviewing all of AOPA's services and practices.
The aviation industry has gone through a tough time since the downturn five years ago.
Some pilots quit flying or started flying fewer hours. That's understandable when people are worried about the economy and their jobs, Baker said.
"I think aviation has the potential to come back very strong," he said. "We all believe in aviation. We believe it will keep going."


text:
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Standard Course Codes - Project Details
The Statewide Standard Course Code system is used to load a single file containing course code mappings. A mapping shows the relationship between the Local Education Agency's local course code to a statewide standard course code. The Colorado Department of Education is currently allowing LEAs to use SCED version 3 and 4 codes for the statewide standard course codes. The course code mappings are required as part of the Teacher Student Data Link collection, and LEAs must map courses prior to submitting student and educator course data.
In the 2017-2018 year, the SSCC began allowing LEAs to use SCED version 4.0. Version 3.0 codes are still active and can be used by LEAs if they do not wish to update their codes to version 4.0. Local Education Agencies are still required to update any mappings containing deprecated SCED codes from versions 1.0 or 2.0. LEAs will need to map all their local courses to a statewide standard course code, including electives, courses offered at post-secondary institutions (concurrent enrollment), online courses, credit recovery courses, and any courses LEAs offer to their students.
The Statewide Standard Course Code system is used to compare course offerings across school districts and longitudinal analysis. There are a variety of users and reports that utilize the SSCC data including but not limited to the Office of Civil Rights, the Student Course Participation and Achievement Report, and CAP4K Monitoring.
The 2017-2018 Statewide Standard Course Code Interchange is now open and will remain open until September 1st, 2018.
File Layout and Definitions
- Statewide Standard Course Code File Layout (PDF) (updated 9/6/2016)
- Template for uploading a file to the SSCC system - This link opens an Excel spreadsheet that districts can use to fill out and then upload into the SSCC system. Please remember to remove the header of the spreadsheet before uploading to the SSCC system.
- SSCC Overview - This video provides and explanation of SCED codes and why they are needed.
- SSCC Quick Start Guide (DOC) - This document is a Quick Start Guide that will walk you through accessing the system.
- SSCC Login - This video provides an overview of the SSCC system and solutions to some common login problems.
- Uploading a file to the SSCC system - This tutorial provides a demonstration on how to use the Upload Feature of the SSCC system.
- Local Course Codes - This tutorial provides a demonstration on how to use the Local Courses Pages of the SSCC.
- SSCC Dashboard - This tutorial demonstrates how to use the Dashboard Page of the SSCC system.
- Steps to replicate course code mappings 2015-16 (DOCX) (Updated: 12/29/2015)
- Steps to replicate course code mappings 2014-15 (DOCX)
- Steps to export courses and make changes (DOCX)
- 2014-15 Webinar Power Point (PPTX)
SCED Codes
- School Courses for the Exchange of Data (SCED)
- SCED Code Finder
- SCED Version 4 file
- SCED Version 3 file
- SCED Version 2 file (please note both SCED 2011 files below were combined into a single set of codes. Prior-to-Secondary codes were removed)
- SCED Prior-to-Secondary Crosswalk for moving to SCED 3.0 (Excel)
- Colorado Specific Additions - PDF, EXCEL
Additional Resources
Contact: Annette Severson at firstname.lastname@example.com


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Carrier Availability For This Route: 8/10
Based on recent dispatch reports, the carrier availability rating from Missouri to Hawaii is 8/10. When calculating availability, many factors are taken into account in order to provide you with the most accurate transportation data and each state is rated individually - Missouri has a rating of 3/5 and Hawaii has a rating of 5/5, combining for a total availability rating of 8/10.
Shipping From Missouri
Missouri is a state located in the Midwestern United States. It is bounded on the north by Iowa; on the east by Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee; on the south by Arkansas; and on the west by Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska. The total area covered by the state is 69,697 square miles. The geographic center of Missouri is in Miller County. The largest land area of Missouri, the Ozark Plateau comprises most of southern Missouri and extends into northern Arkansas and northeastern Oklahoma. Taum Sauk Mountain, the highest elevation in the state is located in this region. The area is well known for its forests, mountains, large springs, lakes and rivers.
Shipping To Hawaii
Hawaii is an archipelago of islands in the central Pacific Ocean, and holds the distinction of being the only US state that is completely comprised of islands. The main islands of the state are Hawaii, Maui, Oahu, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Niihau,and Kohoolawe. The island archipelago is located some 2,000 miles southwest of the US mainland. The islands have been formed through continuous activity of tectonic plates. The active volcanoes of Hawaii are located in the southern half of the island named Hawaii. The state of Hawaii is host to a whole variety of flora and fauna and a whole range of environments from its tropical climate to its high altitude.
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