text:
I recently had the privilege of delivering my first State of the City address as the Mayor of Charlottesville, which was covered by the Daily Progress and NBC 29. Here is the full text:
State of the City Address
Mayor Mike Signer
City of Charlottesville
January 17, 2017
Good evening, everyone.
If you haven't seen a State of the City address before, this is my first one, too. Hopefully, we can help each other get through this.
The goal of the State of the City address is, once a year, to take you through the accomplishments of the past year and to give you a sense of where we're heading.
The tradition has been for just the Mayor to deliver the address. But given how hard everyone on City Council works for the City, I didn't see any reason for me to hog the limelight, and so I've asked my colleagues this year to also address you after my remarks.
Let me begin by declaring that the State of our City is strong.
We have maintained our AAA bond rating by two rating agencies.
At 3.9%, our unemployment rate is the lowest in Virginia.
And we have 39,155 jobs in the city, which is the most ever recorded.
We have a $162 million budget, with over 40% spent on our public schools.
And due to our sound fiscal practices, we ended last year with a $6 million surplus, most of which we directed toward our long-term capital projects, which are usually underfunded.
We have received many accolades in the last year as well.
We were ranked #3 among Virginia cities in Human Rights First's Equality Index for LGBT folks.
Entrepreneur Magazine named us the #4 city in the country for entrepreneurs.
Expedia Magazine named us the #1 place to visit in the U.S.
And the New York Post declared us #3 of the nation's 15 Best Places to Live.
We received the "Go Green" Award from the Commonwealth of Virginia.
And Travelocity put us #1 in 9 top small cities for foodies.
And Health line named us one of the healthiest small towns in the U.S.
I ran for City Council on a theme of "One Charlottesville," which to me meant building bridges, focusing on what unites us rather than what divides us.
During my first Council meeting as Mayor, one year ago, I announced the following goals:
"We have an opportunity before us to rebut today's cynicism with governance itself. As Mayor, I want schoolchildren to watch us on TV and think that they might want to be on City Council someday. I want to lead this City Council to become an exemplar for our citizens of collegiality, of deliberation, of transparency, and of good government."
I promised that my main value as Mayor would be to strive for the common good. I said I would pursue two overarching goals with this Council: respect and results.
I believe that together on this Council we have accomplished that—and then some. Vice-Mayor Bellamy, Councilor Szakos, Councilor Galvin, and Councilor Fenwick, it has been an honor and a privilege to work with you this last year.
I especially want to thank our City Manager Maurice Jones for the hard work that he and his staff do every day implementing our vision for Charlottesville. Mr. Jones recently became the president-elect of the Virginia Local Government Management Association—an honor he richly deserves.
Reflecting on the last year, it's the images that stick with me the most.
It was riding on a snowplow through a blizzard with one of our hard-working Public Works staff to get snow out of the way and get people moving.
It was sitting and learning during my first open office hour from the leader of Cville Women in Tech who passionately argued that we should implement an Open Data policy.
It was listening to the hundreds of supporters—pro and con—who showed up to the Blue Ribbon Commission meetings to reflect on our City's troubled history and our public spaces.
It was standing with a group of citizens protesting yet another police shooting in another city, and walking folks over to meet our new Chief of Police, Al Thomas, who made sure to be there in person.
It was visiting the new headquarters of another remarkable start-up whose founder hopes to devise a non-surgical vasectomy and who decided to locate on Harris Street, in the heart of our City.
It was talking with residents at Crescent Halls about their fears and hopes about where they live.
And it was visiting the Boys and Girls Club last week, where I played a game of Mario Brothers (which was called Donkey Kong when I was little—and this will date me—on my Atari 5200) with three kids on a system they'd designed where an electric current flowed through our bodies so we could play together.
That's our amazing city. Our diversity and our ingenuity, our friendliness and our beauty—and our people, above all else—are what make us a World-Class City.
But when I watched City Council previously, I didn't see that reflected on the dais. Too often, I saw acrimony. Too often, I saw a body that got stuck, whether in arguments with staff or with citizens.
We need political will to solve our problems, even the most difficult ones. We need deliberation to work our way through the issues. And we need collaboration and compromise to get things done.
That's been the approach this year, and it's worked. Coming into office, I saw four major areas where we needed to move forward: innovation, infrastructure, governance, and reconciliation.
Innovation because for our economy to thrive for all, we cannot just depend on a few major monolithic employers. We instead need creativity and innovation for a resilient, flexible economy---an economy more like a thriving summer garden than a sparse forest of a few tall trees.
Infrastructure because we live in a city that depends on built things—concrete, steel, wood, and metal. These things are expensive, and they are difficult to handle politically. But they are crucially important. And if we fail to deal with them, then they will fail us.
Governance because we must provide a government that mirrors the best aspects of the human beings who pay for it—that's transparent and responsive, outgoing and reflective, learning and resilient.
And reconciliation because the past, as William Faulker said, is never past. Surveys show our deepest value in the Charlottesville area is history. We have injuries in our past, on both race and class, that haunt us today. And we must continue to strive to recognize, address, and overcome them.
We made progress on all four fronts. Let me be clear. In an age of cynicism not only about government but about politics, all of these accomplishments depended on political will.
Here are what I see as a "top 10" from 2016:
#1: We increased the funding of our public schools by over $2 million. Our public schools represent our most profound commitment—both in terms of dollars and human capital—to our most vulnerable. They are the engine of progress in our City, and we delivered for them.
#2: We expanded the technology tax credit. 15 years ago, we were the first city in Virginia to create a city-wide 50% rebate on professional taxes for technology companies. That was expiring last year. We not only renewed the tax credit. We expanded it, from 5 to 7 years, which will allow more young companies more help during those crucial early years of growth.
#3: We lowered building heights on West Main Street because of our concern to protect historic neighborhoods surrounding, and because of our interest in historic preservation. While this reduced the value of the real estate on this corridor by tens of millions of dollars, we thought the future of the city was more important.
#4: We voted to move the West Main Street Streetscape Project ahead. This project had been stalled for decades. The new street will at long last make biking safe on a crucial corridor. It will modernize utilities, quadruple tree canopy coverage, beautify the corridor, and widen sidewalks, making West Main Street, in the long-term, a destination like the Downtown Mall.
#5: We made serious progress on parking. We presented a unified front against a threat to privatize our Water Street Garage. We invested almost $3 million in a parcel that will allow us to expand parking downtown. And we provided the public with a comprehensive parking plan, including the creation of a new Parking Division.
#6: We prevented the proposed re-zoning of the Booker Hill neighborhood, protecting a historic African-American neighborhood from increased gentrification. We allocated $80,000 to the rehabilitation of the historic Daughters of Zion cemetery, which tells an important chapter of Charlottesville's history—that of our robust African-American middle-class. And we created the Blue Ribbon Commission on Race and Public Spaces, which produced a thorough and thoughtful report that we'll be discussing tonight.
#7: We became the first Virginia city to require that city agencies register voters on-line. In a time when the right to vote is under systemic assault, measures like this will expand the franchise while bringing innovation to the basic functions of a democracy.
#8: We voted to create a new Open Data Policy. This was an important step for both transparency and innovation that will make all city data machine-readable and allow folks to access and mine our data, coming to new discoveries about what we're doing well and where we can improve.
#9: We passed a series of Memorandums of Understanding with our friends in Albemarle County. These covered the environment, transit and transportation, redevelopment, and education, committing our governments to a new era of regionalism in an era where we're all seeking efficiency and collaboration.
#10: We passed new governing procedures for our meetings. Among other benefits, we brought work sessions that were previously held off camera into the public eye, and we focused our agendas and deliberations on action, rather than just talk. Together, these steps have led to more engaging, efficient, and effective meetings.
So it's been a good year.
But not for everyone.
When I was at former Vice-Mayor Holly Edwards' memorial service last week, I was painfully reminded of the fact that for Holly and for many others, Charlottesville can feel like a city that is leaving our most needy neighbors behind. Hearing all of these accolades and accomplishments, some folks might still be thinking, "That's all great. But I feel like folks are getting squeezed out, that they're not comfortable in a changing city."
The plain fact is that Charlottesville is in demand right now. That means that a lot of our assets are also in demand, from housing to parking to infrastructure. And as any college student in Econ 101 will tell you, when there isn't enough supply, the cost increases.
While this is a problem that many declining cities would love to have, it has real human costs, and it will present us with many challenges. I can't tell you there will be easy solutions. What I can tell you that over the next year, we will try our best. We will listen, and we will learn, and we will ask our staff and our stakeholders alike to come to us with the best ideas for increasing opportunity equity and—and in a way that's responsible to our taxpayers and our budget.
I want to begin by putting one big idea on the table. I believe we should explore the benefits of doubling our contribution to the Affordable Housing Fund. We currently spend about $1.6 million a year on this Fund, and we have invested in the resources we need to take the program to the next level. We have a new director, a new housing study, and a new strategic plan on the way. We're in a great place to redouble our commitment.
One of my proudest moments this year was recognizing and thanking Khizr and Ghazala Khan for their service and patriotism.
During that wonderful experience, I thought a lot about why they resonated so powerfully with this nation. I believe it had to do with their authenticity.
As our city grows and changes, it will become even more urgent that we understand and love one another, despite our differences. That we rejoice in our community. As bad as our politics is, my experience as Mayor gives me faith that there's no problem we can't solve without working together.
This week in Washington, I'm painfully aware that we'll be inaugurating not only a new president, but a style of politics that traffics in stereotypes and in coarse, even vulgar language that demeans the nation envisioned by Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and George Washington.
Some say fight fire with fire. I say (and this is definitely not original), when they go low, we go high.
When I think of one word that captures where we are, and where we should go, it's pluralism. The fact is that nobody has a monopoly on the truth. Cities, like people, must keep learning. And we must recognize that difference—of opinion, of ideas, of people—is the key to our common strength.
In today's politics, it's not just citizens who are under siege. Elected officials can also become a target. I'll confess that as a first-time office-holder, it has been a somewhat surreal experience to hear some of the stereotypes that people have hurled and me and my colleagues.
I don't tend to talk much about myself in public. So many of you may not know that I was born in India to a single mother. My birth father died while she was pregnant. My birth name is Atri. It's the name of an ancient Indian prophet, and that's the name I was known by until the 7th grade. We came back to the U.S. when I was two, when my dad adopted me, along with his whole, wonderful, boisterous New York/New Jersey family.
I'm proud of my Jewish heritage, but I also heard my first hurtful ethnic slur when I was in elementary school. I attended majority-minority public high schools, where my closest friends were black, Pakistani, Ukrainian, Vietnamese, and Peruvian. My father was afflicted with a serious lifelong illness when I was in ninth grade that prevented him from working, so my family spent many years in the grips of deep economic stress and anxiety. I have both a first cousin and a sister-in-law who are African-American. My sister and her wonderful wife are social workers who have two amazing daughters.
These things don't make me anything other than completely ordinary—in that I don't fit into categories easily, and that I have often felt like an outsider.
The reason I love Charlottesville so very much is that I feel completely at home here. I believe our embrace of authenticity, and of uniqueness, is what makes our community so uniquely wonderful. And I believe this is reflected in your elected officials.
I see it in Wes Bellamy, who grew up in public housing and who's now earning a Ph.D., and who's a uniquely passionate and charismatic fighter for social and racial justice.
I see it in Kristin Szakos, whose father was a professor of African-American studies, who trained and practiced as a journalist and who's one of the most skilled community organizers I know.
I see it in Bob Fenwick, a U.S. Army veteran trained by the Jesuits at Georgetown, who's a small businessman and poet who speaks to the heart and soul of our neighborhoods.
I see it in Kathy Galvin, an architect originally from the rough and tough town of Brockton who brings both passion and rigor to every project she touches.
We don't get it right all the time, but we are definitely trying our best.
But we don't make Charlottesville a World-Class City. You do. It's you who we wake up in the morning and go to sleep at night thinking about. Because it's you who make this such a remarkable, such a challenging, such an inspiring, and such a truly World-Class City to serve.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for the honor, and the privilege, of being your Mayor.
Mike's 2017 State of the City Address
I recently had the privilege of delivering my first State of the City address as the Mayor of Charlottesville, which was covered by the Daily Progress and NBC 29. Here is the full text:


text: abortion State Senate approves fetal tissue ban, despite possible risks to medical research By Kate Wells • Apr 27, 2016 Flickr/Bill Dickinson It would be a felony to get any money for donating or transporting fetal tissue in Michigan, under bills passed by the Republican-led Senate today. But Democrats say the bills are cracking down on something that's already illegal – and potentially criminalizing basic medical practices. Since 1993, it's been illegal to make any profit from fetal tissue donation. Federal judge dismisses ACLU case against Trinity Health over abortion issue By Lindsey Smith • Apr 11, 2016 Jim Renaud / Creative Commons A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit the ACLU filed in 2015 against a Roman Catholic hospital group. The lawsuit challenged the hospital group's anti-abortion policy. Livonia-based Trinity Health operates 86 facilities in 21 states. The ACLU alleges pregnant women who develop complications are being discriminated against at Trinity's hospitals because the Catholic health group won't terminate pregnancies. Violence against Planned Parenthood has happened here By Jack Lessenberry • Dec 3, 2015 When it comes to senseless violence, the last few weeks have been, simply, horrible. Yesterday's mass killing in San Bernadino, the Paris attacks, the shooting at a Planned Parenthood center in Colorado Springs six days ago. Listen Listening... / 3:00 Jack Lessenberry When I first heard a bulletin about the Planned Parenthood shootings, I mistakenly thought that it had happened in Michigan. And I have to confess that I was irrationally relieved that it didn't happen here, though lives lost in Colorado are no less important. Lessenberry talks abortion and pot bills, money and refugees By Christina Shockley & Jack Lessenberry • Sep 23, 2015 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Listen Listening... / 3:57 This Week in Michigan Politics, Jack Lessenberry and Christina Shockley discuss proposed bills relating to abortion and medical marijuana, what's behind the $21 million lobbyists spent at the state capital this year, and the impact of a possible influx of Syrian refugees to Metro Detroit. Lawmakers try again to add criminal penalties for coercing abortion By Jake Neher • Sep 22, 2015 Matthileo / Flickr - http://j.mp/1SPGCl0 People would face criminal penalties for coercing someone to have an abortion under a bill in the state House. Republican state lawmakers have been trying to add the penalties for years. Supporters say prosecutors should have them as a tool to crack down on domestic abuse. Stalled road fix talks, new abortion bills, and online sales tax By Emily Fox & Jack Lessenberry • Dec 17, 2014 user Kcdtsg / wikimedia commons This week, Jack Lessenberry and Emily Fox discuss the final days of lame duck, including the hold up on a plan to fix the roads, a pair of Senate-approved abortion coercion bills, and a bill that would impact online purchases made in Michigan. Listen Listening... / 2:48 Listen to Jack and Emily discuss this week's top stories in Michigan. Abortion coercion bills clear Michigan Senate By Michigan Radio Newsroom • Dec 12, 2014 Lester Graham / Michigan Radio The Republican-led Michigan Senate has voted to make it a crime to coerce a woman to have an abortion against her will. The legislation would prohibit stalking or assaulting a pregnant woman or anyone else with the intent to force an abortion against her wishes. After learning that a woman does not want an abortion, a person also could not threaten to cut off legally required financial support or withdraw from a contract with her. State Senate approves increasing penalties for coercing abortion By Jake Neher • Dec 11, 2014 Lester Graham / Michigan Radio Coercing someone to have an abortion would carry tougher penalties under bills approved by the state Senate on Thursday. The crime could result in criminal penalties under Senate Bills 1156 and 1157. Insurers would be required to offer abortion insurance under Democrats' bill By Jake Neher • Sep 24, 2014 Michigan Municipal League Democrats in the state Legislature want to require insurance companies to offer coverage for abortions. The Republican-controlled Legislature passed a petition-initiated law last year banning abortion coverage in standard health insurance plans. Under that law, people can only buy coverage for abortions as a separate insurance plan, known as a "rider." Democrats say just seven of Michigan's 42 health insurers offer those riders and none of them offers the plans to individuals buying insurance on their own. Proposal would overturn law requiring Michigan women to buy abortion coverage By Stateside Staff • Jun 19, 2014 Sean Marshall / flickr Listen Listening... / 4:28 It was during the lame-duck session late last year when the state Legislature passed a law blocking insurers from paying for abortions as part of general coverage in company health care plans. Under the law, women would have to buy extra coverage for an abortion, even in cases of rape or when the woman's life is in danger. The law was passed without a public hearing on the basis of petitions that had been circulated by Right To Life of Michigan. It took effect in March. Now two lawmakers are trying to get that law overturned. Sen. Gretchen Whitmer, D-East Lansing, will introduce the measure in the Senate while Rep. Sarah Roberts, D-St. Clair Shores, will do so in the House. The week in Michigan politics By Jack Lessenberry, Christina Shockley & Emily Fox • Jun 18, 2014 Matthileo / Flickr This Week in Michigan Politics, Jack Lessenberry and Christina Shockley discuss the latest in the same-sex marriage debate, roads funding, whether Democrats can overturn the abortion insurance law, and a new controversy with the Education Achievement Authority. Listen Listening... / 4:04 Week in Michigan politics interview for 6/18/14 Right to Life supports only part of so-called "heartbeat package" By Tracy Samilton • Jun 11, 2014 Flckr Legislation in the state House proposed by state Rep. Thomas Hooker, R-Byron Center, would require abortion providers to use ultrasound to detect a fetus's heartbeat – and offer the woman a chance to hear it. That bill has the support of Right to Life of Michigan. But the group does not support Hooker's two other bills that make it a crime to perform an abortion after a heartbeat is detected. Ultrasound can generally detect a heartbeat at about seven weeks. The Abortion Insurance Opt-Out Act takes effect tomorrow; what can we expect? By Stateside Staff • Mar 13, 2014 user mudowp / Twitter Listen Listening... / 4:31 It was late last year that state lawmakers passed The Abortion Insurance Opt-Out Act. Starting this Friday, insurance companies will not be allowed to sell policies that include abortion coverage as a standard feature. Customers would have to buy separate add-ons, riders, to cover abortion and they would have to do it before ever knowing whether they will want to obtain an abortion. And how that might or might not happen is pretty confusing. Marianne Udow-Phillips is with the Center for Healthcare Research and Transformation, and she joined us today to discuss the issue. Listen to the full interview above. Starting Friday, basic insurance policies in Michigan are barred from covering abortions By Steve Carmody • Mar 10, 2014 Michigan's law barring insurance companies from including abortion coverage in basic policies takes effect this week. 7 insurance companies, including Blue Cross/Blue Shield, will offer an additional rider. David Waymire is a spokesman for the Michigan Association of Health Plans. He says most Michiganders get their insurance from self-insured company health plans which are not covered by the law. "So there's really a small number of people that will ever be affected by this law at this point," says Waymire. New art series presents abortion and contraception as part of human history By Stateside Staff • Feb 4, 2014 Facebook Listen Listening... / 6:18 Can art and history change the tone of the conversation in the pro-choice movement? Artist and activist Heather Ault believes they can. Heather is the founder of 4000 Years for Choice. She's created an art series that presents abortion and contraception as a part of human history, a history of women seeking to control their reproduction. Her posters are currently on exhibit at the Lane Hall Gallery on the University of Michigan campus. Heather Ault joined us today. Listen to the full interview above. How will Michigan's new abortion law work? By Stateside Staff • Jan 22, 2014 http://whitmer.senatedems.com/ Listen Listening... / 6:56 On the 41st anniversary of Roe v. Wade – the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark ruling that legalized abortion nationwide – women's reproductive rights remain in the political spotlight. Let's turn our attention to that subject here in Michigan. It was mid-December when state lawmakers approved a controversial law requiring consumers to buy separate policies for abortion coverage. This means a person has to buy a rider before knowing they need an abortion; they would not be able to buy a rider after getting pregnant. And the law does not include exceptions for rape or incest. The law goes into effect in March, and there's confusion over just how this is supposed to work. Marianne Udow Phillips is director of The Center for Healthcare Research & Transformation at the University of Michigan. She talks to us today and explains what the new law means. Listen to the full interview above. The week in Michigan politics By Jack Lessenberry, Christina Shockley & Emily Fox • Jan 15, 2014 Rick Snyder for Michigan This Week in Michigan Politics, Jack Lessenberry and Christina Shockley talk about Governor Rick Snyder's upcoming State of the State address, a new effort to save Detroit pensions and the Detroit Institute of Arts, and how abortion right advocates are backing off efforts to block a law that requires women to buy a separate health insurance rider to cover abortions. Listen Listening... / 4:00 Week in Michigan Politics interview for 1/15/14 Abortion rights advocates won't attempt repeal of Right to Life-backed insurance rider law By Lindsey Smith • Jan 14, 2014 Rick Pluta / Michigan Public Radio A coalition of abortion rights advocates will not try to immediately repeal a Right to Life-backed state law that requires women to buy a separate health insurance rider to cover abortions. "Our efforts and our resources are better spent on a broad strategy to address this growing frustration that is about more than just one issue in one discrete moment in time, but about the larger impact of politicians using women as target practice," said Rana Elmir, Deputy Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan. Confusion over who's affected by Michigan's new abortion law By Mark Brush • Dec 17, 2013 Rick Pluta / Michigan Public Radio There's a new law in Michigan, and insurance companies and their customers are trying to figure out who's affected by it. Starting March 13, 2014, women will be required to purchase additional insurance for abortion coverage. Insurance companies will not be allowed to provide the coverage as part of their normal plans. But analysts say the new law does not affect some health care plans. More from Chad Livengood and Gary Heilein in today's Detroit News: Confusion reigns about the law, said Rick Murdock, executive director of the Michigan Association of Health Plans, an industry group representing 16 health plans in the state except Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Self-insured employers, who pay directly for medical care for employees, are regulated by the U.S. Department of Labor and not subject to state rules, said Murdock, the office of Michigan House Speaker Jase Bolger and some state officials. Murdock said smaller firms — usually those with less than 150 to 200 workers — as well as companies that don't self-fund their coverage and people buying private health insurance on their own are "fully exposed" to the law. That amounts to one in three individuals with group or government-sponsored health plans, according to Livengood and Heilein. How will Michigan's abortion law work? By Jennifer White & Mercedes Mejia • Dec 17, 2013 chrt.org Listen Listening... / 5:14 Last week, the Michigan legislature approved a voter-initiated law that bans abortion coverage in standard health insurance policies. The law does not include exceptions for rape or incest. Joining us now to help us better understand the new law is Marianne Udow-Phillips, Director of the Center for Healthcare Research and Transformation based at the University of Michigan. Opponents to target Michigan abortion law in 2014 By The Associated Press • Dec 15, 2013 Steve Carmody/Michigan Radio Incensed Democrats and abortion rights advocates are vowing that Republican lawmakers overreached so much with new restrictions on abortion coverage in Michigan's public and private health insurance plans that it'll cost them in next elections. A ballot drive to override the law is being considered. If enough signatures are collected, the statewide vote would coincide with November elections and keep the issue fresh in voters' minds. Lessenberry talks about the big bills that passed this week and the first female CEO of GM By Jack Lessenberry & Rina Miller • Dec 14, 2013 Lester Graham / Michigan Radio file photo This Week in Review, Rina Miller and Jack Lessenberry discuss the passage of the ani-abortion coverage bill and campaign finance bill, as well as the appointment of the first female CEO of General Motors. Listen Listening... / 3:00 Week in Review interview for 12/14/13 Fight over veto-proof abortion law not over; groups going to work to overturn By Zoe Clark & Rick Pluta • Dec 13, 2013 Listen Listening... / 5:00 It's Just Politics with Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta What is it about Decembers in Lansing? Last year, it was right-to-work. This year, the controversy is over a petition initiative, a veto-proof law that will require people to buy separate insurance for abortion coverage. It could not be part of a basic health insurance package in Michigan. It was an initiated law, put before the GOP-led Legislature by the very, very influential anti-abortion group Right to Life. As we've noted before on It's Just Politics, Right to Life is virtually unrivaled in its ability to organize a petition campaign, and to squeeze votes out of the Legislature, especially when Republicans are in charge. So, that's it, right? Law is passed. All done. Well, not so fast. Because what is begotten by a petition drive can be challenged by a petition drive. Michigan's pro-choice movement thinks it can take down this new law with a referendum. In fact, meetings have started to try to organize a ballot drive. What happened to the high profile bills in Lansing? By Michigan Radio Newsroom • Dec 13, 2013 User: Brother O'Mara / flickr Dark money bills go to Gov. Snyder's desk "People who pay for so-called "issue ads" would be able to stay anonymous under a bill that has cleared the state Legislature. It would also double the amount of money people can give to campaigns and political action committees – or "PACS". The bill now goes to Gov. Rick Snyder's desk," Jake Neher reports. Three medical marijuana bills move forward "Medical marijuana patients in Michigan would have more ways to legally obtain and consume cannabis under three bills that cleared the state House Thursday. A bill to allow medical marijuana dispensaries to operate again in Michigan and another to let patients use edible or topical forms of medical marijuana will now go to the state Senate. Lawmakers in both the House and Senate approved legislation that could clear the way for pharmacies to sell medical marijuana in Michigan. That now goes to Gov. Rick Snyder's desk," Jake Neher reports. New petition drive planned against anti-abortion coverage law "A campaign is organizing to block the new law that will require people to buy a separate insurance policy for abortion coverage. The Legislature approved the law this week. Because it's a petition initiative, it will take effect next year without the governor's signature. Abortion rights advocates are putting together a coalition to launch a petition drive." Rick Pluta reports. Talking about the restrictions on abortion coverage passed by Michigan lawmakers By Stateside Staff • Dec 12, 2013 Thetoad / Flickr - http://j.mp/1SPGCl0 Listen Listening... / 7:21 The Michigan House and Senate have approved a controversial law that will require consumers to buy separate policies for abortion coverage. The question was put to the Legislature by a petition drive pushed by Right To Life, which was launched after Governor Snyder vetoed a similar measure last year. He vetoed that measure because there were no exceptions for cases of rape or incest. But, because this 2013 version is a voter-initiated law, the Governor does not have veto-power this time around. We caught up with Rick Pluta, Lansing Bureau Chief for the Michigan Public Radio Network , to talk about this bill. State legislature adopts abortion insurance ban By Jennifer White • Dec 12, 2013 Steve Carmody/Michigan Radio Listen Listening... / 4:22 It's Thursday, the day we talk about Michigan politics with Ken Sikkema, former Senate Majority Leader and Senior Policy Fellow at Public Sector Consultants, and Susan Demas, publisher of Inside Michigan Politics. The state legislature is wrapping up the session this week. On Wednesday, a controversial voter-initiated bill put forward by Right to Life was passed by the Republican majority House and Senate. The bill bans abortion coverage in standard insurance plans, which means Michiganders will have to purchase a separate additional rider if they want abortion covered as part of their insurance plan. This bill does not provide exceptions for rape or incest. It also does not provide an exception when the life of the mother is at risk. A similar bill was vetoed by Governor Snyder last year, but as a voter initiated bill, he doesn't have that power this time around. Listen to the full interview above. Groups already considering challenge to Michigan's new abortion insurance rider By Rick Pluta • Dec 12, 2013 Rick Pluta / Michigan Public Radio Wednesday's vote by the Legislature to enact a law to require people to buy separate health policies to cover abortions may not be the final word on the question. There are meetings underway to organize a referendum challenge. Abortion rights advocates are putting together a coalition to launch a petition drive. They want to challenge the new law with a referendum on the ballot next November. In this morning's headlines: The final bills of the year, DIA involved in bankruptcy talks By Michigan Radio Newsroom • Dec 12, 2013 User: Brother O'Mara / flickr Anti-abortion coverage bill approved "The Michigan Legislature has approved a petition initiative that will require people to buy a separate health insurance policy for abortion coverage. The measure cannot be vetoed by Governor Rick Snyder. But it could be challenged via another petition drive," Rick Pluta reports. What bills could move through on the last day of session "Big legislation that could win final approval today would expand a state reform school district to failing schools beyond Detroit and ease the potential discontinuation of traditional land line service. Legislators also plan to update campaign laws heading into an election year by doubling donation limits and keeping intact rules for political ads over objections from the secretary of state," the Associated Press reports. DIA now involved in bankruptcy talks "The Detroit Institute of Arts has been allowed into talks on how to protect pieces in its collection during Detroit's bankruptcy. Museum officials say they're mobilizing public support to help implement a fundraising strategy that will meet the city's needs and ensure the well-being of the museum," the Associated Press reports. Anti-abortion coverage bill is a case of a bad solution where no problem exists By Jack Lessenberry • Dec 9, 2013 Listen Listening... / 2:57 Lessenberry commentary for 12/9/13 Let's suppose for a minute that liberal activists win solid control of Michigan government in next year's elections. Once they take over, they introduce a bill that says: No insurance policy can protect anybody who has an accident on the way to or while attending a Tea Party or Republican Party meeting. If those people want to be covered, they need to pay extra and buy a special rider, and they can only do that before they attend such a meeting. Well, if anyone were to propose that, I would hope you, me and everyone else we know would be screaming bloody murder at this outrageous violation of democracy and human rights. Yet the Michigan Legislature seems to be about to do something just as bad, if not worse. The State Senate has already voted to make it illegal for health insurance plans to cover abortion -- even in the case of rape, incest, or to protect the mother's health. Anybody who wanted that kind of protection would have to buy an extra supplemental rider. Few abortions covered with insurance in Michigan By The Associated Press • Dec 7, 2013 Steve Carmody/Michigan Radio LANSING, Mich. (AP) - When lawmakers vote to restrict insurance coverage of abortions in Michigan, it will affect a small number of abortions because the vast majority already are paid for out of pocket. Health insurance covered fewer than 750, or 3 percent, of 23,000 abortions reported to the state last year. Pages« first ‹ previous 1 2 3 4 5 next › last »

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Wondershare Dr.Fone For Android 5.3.3 + Patch
Wondershare Dr.Fone For Android 5.3.3 Final Release – Convenient Android OS recovery software which incorporates with new cutting-edge technology to restore android phone from backup, recover deleted or lost data and files from Android, retrieve messages, contacts, photos and video from Android Smartphones or Tablets such as: Samsung, LG, HTC, Huawei and many more. With an easy interface to use, the program is ideal for amateur or professional users.
Dr.Fone For Android 5.3 Features:
This easy-to-use recovery software used to assist Android users to recover data and photos from Android devices and Samsung phones. For example, you can recover deleted Samsung Galaxy S photos, recover Samsung videos, recover Samsung messages and phone contacts, etc. Android users can easily restore lost contacts, SMS messages, digital photos and multimedia files from Android devices. Users can also browse the data before recovery to let them select which file types to recover, and connect Android device to computer to create backups.
It doesn't matter if you haven't created any backup before. With Wondershare Dr.Fone For Android 5.3 you can directly scan and recover Android data, even if the device is not working properly or not starting, if the system is inaccessible, if the unit is broken or if you have lost your password. Scan and recover data from Samsung Galaxy S3/S4/S5/S6, directly recover data from Samsung Galaxy S3/S4/S5/S6. Recover pictures on Samsung Galaxy S5/S4/S3 Mini and recover accidentally deleted files on your Samsung Galaxy S3, S4, S5, Note or Tab.
Dr.Fone For Android 5.3 Installation Instructions:
|Title :
|Download Wondershare Dr.Fone For Android
|Shared on:
|August 14, 2015
|System Requirements:
|Windows 8/8,1, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows 2000, Windows NT, Windows XP, Windows 10 (32-64 bit)


text:
During Black History Month, the WSF is proud to celebrate and honor all the incredible African-American women making waves on and off the field of play. In October 2016, we hosted our 37th Annual Salute to Women in Sports awards gala, a night where hundreds came together to salute the most accomplished women in sports and the girls they inspire. One phenomenal woman who graced our stage that evening was Claressa Shields.
Claressa recently made history at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games as the first American boxer, male or female, to win back to back gold medals. We celebrated her as the evening's individual Sportswoman of the Year.
As part of her acceptance speech, Claressa recited an original poem about the hard-work and determination that went into her making it back to the Olympics and making history by winning gold in Rio. We salute you Claressa!
"When impossible becomes possible…
The hard work in the gym brought tears to my eyes sometimes.
The pain in my body felt like I could die at times, but I kept going.
With my eyes to the sky I ask for strength, because sometimes I felt so weak within.
The word impossible was a threat to me, because I was on the urge of breaking another boundary.
Something that had never been done before, I had to tell myself go out there and have fun.
My heart pounding as I entered the ring, this was no dream, Rio 2016.
I pray to God to remove all doubt, what I was doing was impossible, that's what everyone thought.
When impossible became possible, I couldn't contain myself.
What a great job I had done, I thank God, myself and everyone else.
Impossible is just a word, with the word "possible" in itself,
I can, I will, I must succeed! These are the words I scream to anyone chasing a dream!"


text:
Alturas de Machu Picchu
by Catalina Jaramillo
In January of 1981, the Chilean folk-psychedelic-progressive-rock band Los Jaivas, got into a very ambitious project. While living in France, during their political exile, they were encouraged to transform Pablo Neruda's masterpiece "Alturas de Machu Picchu" into music. The result was one of the best Chilean albums ever made.
The Nobel laureate wrote the poem in 1944, one year after visiting the sacred city built on top of the Peruvian Andes by the Inca civilization in the 15th century. After walking for days across the Amazon jungle and up the mountain, he saw the temples and palaces made for the Inca Empire's elite and the hundreds of agricultural terraces cut into the hill for plantations. The vastness and the grandiosity of the city touched him deeply. But he was also moved by the human toll of building such wonders without iron, steel or wheels. The poem, included in Canto General the book where he tells the history of Hispanic America, starts as a spiritual journey in search of meaning and transforms into a political hymn on behalf of the oppressed. Neruda becomes the voice of the indigenous, the dead, and the conquered; claiming a definitive Latin American brotherhood based on common ancestors.
The idea of making songs out of such a poem came from Daniel Camino, a Peruvian producer whose vision was to make a cantata, a music concert, in Machu Picchu and to broadcast it in different countries of Latin America as a special television production. His plan also included folk stars Chabuca Granda, from Perú, Mercedes Sosa, from Argentina and the Peruvian writer and politician Mario Vargas Llosa as the host.
When Camino met Los Jaivas in Paris, they didn't take his proposal seriously; no one had ever done anything on top of Machu Picchu before and the whole idea seemed a little crazy. But Camino insisted and convinced the band's seven members to read Neruda's poem and start imagining songs about this place that none of them had ever visited before. Improvising masterfully, Los Jaivas started arranging the 12 cantos of the poem to music, building a complex, layered, multi-dimensional sonic universe for Neruda's words. The seven tracks of the album, created roughly in three months, are a succession of instrumental progressions that ascend and descend in intensity. Even if you don't understand the deep lyrics of the poem, the music takes you through Neruda's journey. The sounds of instruments from the Altiplano—quena, zampoña, trutruca, ocarina, tarka—transport you to the top of the Andes, like an eagle hovering above the ancient city, while the piano narrates a story that sometimes become violent and full of anger with electric guitar solos, drums and distortion (Minimoog).
After the creation of the album—recorded in Germany and France, and edited in 1981 in Chile, Perú, Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay and Brazil and later in France, Spain, Germany, Italy and The Netherlands—the band returned to South America on tour. It was the first big rock show during Pinochet's dictatorship and the lyrics against oppression were passionately chanted by many. On September 9th they traveled to Machu Picchu, climbed the mountain with all their instruments—the piano was carried by helicopter— and filmed over three days after the tourists left. Canal 13 in Chile and Radio Television Peruana in Perú broadcast the performance on October 8th of 1981 with Mario Vargas Llosa as its host. The rest of Camino's dream didn't come true, but his vision inspired an historic record and blew the minds of everyone who watched that film that night and ever after. In 2011, Los Jaivas, who still play out with new and rotating members, repeated the concert celebrating 100 years since the international discovery of Machu Picchu by the American historian Hiram Bingham.
1. "Del aire al aire" – 2:17
2. "La poderosa muerte" – 11:12
3. "Amor americano" – 5:28
4. "Aguila sideral" – 5:22
5. "Antigua america" – 5:38
6. "Sube a nacer conmigo, hermano" – 4:46
7. Final – 2:37


text:
You are a wine connoisseur in every sense of the word. You love the sound of wine hitting the bottom of a glass, and you love trying out different wine and food combinations... What if you could stay in a hotel that shares your love of wine?
If you're looking for a wine lover's getaway, here are the best hotels for wine lovers around the globe. Check in and have the concierge pour you a glass...
Bushmans Kloof|South Africa
A trip to South Africa is not complete without a night's stay at Bushmans Kloof. This award-winning luxury hotel boasts one of the finest wine collections throughout the country, and showcases the best wines the country has to offer.
Check into the ultra exclusive Riverside Supreme Suite and get ready to be pampered. This beautiful suite has a separate lounge and private patio -perfect for any romantic getaway. Freshen up in your own private, outdoor shower and step into a gorgeous infinity pool. Housekeeping will discreetly visit three times a day, but you'll be too relaxed to ever notice.
When you're ready to for dinner, head down to the cellar to choose the perfect wine to complement your meal. You may then choose the best location. Let your feet soak in the River Boma as you and your loved one enjoy a private romantic dinner right on the banks of the river itself. Many of the wines in stock have won awards such as the Veritas, the Michelangelo and the Old Mutual SA Trophy awards.
You'll be hard pressed to find a more luxurious experience in Hong Kong. The Mandarin Oriental pulls out all the stops for all its guests, ensuring that each one has an incredible stay, and for the wine enthusiast, there's nothing better.
For the ultimate stay, be sure to reserve the Mandarin Suite, which offers floor-to-wall windows showcasing the beautiful city and its harbor. You'll have a private butler available to assist you in any way possible, and you'll have access to your own private spa room for any massages or facials you may want.
If you're ready for a night out in style, take the elevator to the 25th floor and stop in at M Bar. This bar offers some of the best views of the city and serves up a long wine list of amazing vintages from all over the world. If you're coming to M Bar after 5 pm, dress appropriately. Casual attire will not be permitted.
For an exclusive experience, book a dinner in the Krug Room -a room hidden deep within the hotel where guests can sample the 180-bottle collection of Krug champagne. It remains the largest collection of the champagne outside of France.
Auberge du vin|argentina
You may have heard of the Valle de Uco, but seeing and tasting it for yourself will be a much better experience. This boutique hotel is new to the wine scene, but it's made quite the impression in the community.
The Auberge du Vin is new to the area and offers plenty of top-notch amenities. You'll enjoy breathtaking views of the vineyards and mountains from the floor-to-ceiling windows in your unit, and at night, you and your loved one can relax in the bar and lounge on site. Enjoy gourmet cuisine at the restaurant and sample the different wines available before you begin exploring the valley for yourself.
When you're ready to see the vineyards up close and personal, arrange for a private tour or tasting with the staff. Their insider knowledge of the area will help you choose the right tour to fit your pallet. With such a close location, you'll never be too far from a glass of wine.
Want the ultimate Tuscan wine experience? You'll never feel more pampered than in Tuscany at L'Andada, a historic estate-turned-hotel that never lost its beauty. Once owned by the Medici family, La Badiola Estate was once owned by Grand Duke Leopold II. He frequently brought his court to this charming estate in the summer. Now the estate serves as a temporary home for wine lovers around the world.
L'Andana is a wine and foodie's dream getaway. The estate has its own private cellar where guests can enjoy wine tastings, as well as wine classes. For the foodie, the estate also offers cooking classes.
If you're looking for a romantic getaway or a honeymoon location, L'Andana will give you an experience and atmosphere you'll never forget. In addition to the tastings and classes, the hotel also has its own driving range and spa. No matter how you like to relax, the hotel staff will see that your every need is met.
When it's time for bed, step into a world of luxury in one of the hotel's wonderful suites. The Prestige Suites offer plenty of space and captures the beauty of the Mediterranean and the vineyard just outside your window. The furniture and draperies are carefully selected to ensure the finest quality and the most breathtaking design.
The carneros inn|california
Enjoy a tailored, wine tasting tour with a visit to Napa Valley in California, and a trip to Napa Valley would be unimaginable without a stay at the Carneros Inn. The inn is ideally situated near a number of great wineries where you can sample the best flavours of Napa Valley.
This gorgeous inn spares no expense when it comes to its valued guests. Whether you're traveling with just your loved one or with another couple, the Carneros Inn's suites will fit your every need. With suites up to 1.200 feet in size, you'll feel perfectly pampered as you sleep on the finest linens and step onto the heated slate floors in the bathroom. At night, you and your loved one can curl up in front of the fireplace with a glass of wine.
Of course, there's more than wine in Napa Valley. Golfers will find a number of great courses that offer a sincere challenge along with plenty of relaxation and enjoyment. Art enthusiasts can tour art galleries in the area, and if you're hungry, there are culinary tours and demonstrations that will show you how to create savory dishes using the freshest ingredients.
You love wine. You love travelling. Why not combine the two? Book a weekend getaway at any one of these stunning hotels and stay in the lap of luxury... Which one will you stay in first? Share with us!
This post is written by Sienna Gyngell, a freelance writer for Chapman Freeborn who loves all things travel and luxury. An avid traveller who aimes to help others find luxury experiences in the most spectacular of places. I don't know about you, but I'm going to pour some wine in my glass now...


text:
Rhian Daniel
The Wellcome Trust and The Royal Society
Sir Henry Dale Fellowship
Statistical methods for studying multidimensional mediators of genetic associations with chronic diseases
5 years (1 Oct 2015 – 30 Sep 2020)
Recent advances in OMICs technology have transformed the nature of biomedical research. Highly-correlated, very high-dimensional biomarker and imaging data are increasingly available in many large prospective datasets such as UK-Biobank. In this fellowship, I will focus on the extension of causal inference methods, particularly mediation analysis with multiple mediators, to these high-dimensional data settings. I plan to apply these methods to address mediation analysis questions in several rich datasets, including the UCLEB consortium of 15 British cohorts with access to 1H-NMR metabolomic data as well as genetic material and incident clinical events (totalling 35K participants with >7K cardiovascular events).


text:
When I first saw the trailer for No Man's Sky I was a little more than intrigued. I'd been a gamer for years, I've played shooters, platformers, simulations, RPGs and MMOs. I was always drawn to RPGs because I love a great story. However good those stories were, as years went by and games became more sophisticated, so did my desire to be in control of the stories themselves.This brought in the era of "open world" games. Like them to RPGs or MMOs, the open world aspect even brought RPG elements to actions games. To truly immerse yourself in a fantasy world, be that robbing banks and stealing cars in GTA, or scrounging for bottle caps and blowing the heads off of raiders in Fallout, you need the control to do so at your own pace.
A Primer For Procedural
So what was the next step? What more can you add to an open world game to give players a sense of awe and wonder? It so happens to be an open galaxy. A game so remarkably big that it pushes our own perceptions to it's limits. See, most open games have invisible walls or barriers. Skyrim has impassible mountain ranges and oceans for example that define the edges of the playable world. When you run up against those boundaries, it's like someone waltzed in on your holo-deck program and shut it off, revealing the 20×20 box you were actually standing in. With No Man's Sky however, there are no walls. There are no limits that you, or anyone, has the time to put to the test. Our own sun will burn out before someone could possibly visit every planet or moon in a game like this.
The Cost of Giving a Computer, Creative License
One aspect of procedural generation, even at this level of sophistication, is that no matter how much variation you tell a computer to generate, there will always be a pattern that we will see. Is that much different than the real world? One might say the creatures and flora look too similar from planet to planet. If someone asked me however to observe a frog and a toad, I'd note the similarities in the basic shape and then be quick to point out that one has warts and one has webbed feet. The real world is full of this kind of kinship. Not every creature can boast uniqueness like a platypus. The same goes for geography. There are deserts in Africa and there are deserts in the United States. Both of these biomes are the same with subtle differences. Now think for a moment that these examples I speak of are on just one planet, and not spread over 18 quintillion worlds. The challenge soon becomes much more forgiving.
The Play
Playing No Man's Sky has been an emotional rollercoaster. The first few moments I was as wide eyed as any child on Christmas morn. I was bewildered and anxious of what to do first. There was no hand holding. There was nothing but an alien world and my wits. Granted there was a few prompts but this was to get me at least a few kilometres from my ship. In those first few hours I was in open galaxy bliss. I had nothing but curiosity edging me forward. Then with a few solar systems at my back I had some tough admissions to make. Making your way in the galaxy is like hearing the same playlist of songs, over and over again with the occasional new track added to surprise you. No Man's Sky is repetitious because no matter how big the playlist, our brains are prone to detect patterns in everything. Was I bored? No. When the patterns started to ware, I just shot to orbit and pressed on. There was an ever pressing drive to discover the next planet because it may be the next one that is that unexpected song in the playlist that makes the experience new again. This is what sets No Man's Sky apart.
No DLC? No Problem
Sean Murray has stated that there will be no DLC for the game, but rather just patches indefinitely. There was quite a negative reaction to this in the media. However I feel this was the best way to commit to fans of the game. What this means is free content and new features as they make the game better. Base building and large playable freighters have already been announced. So forgive me if I am too quick to forgive some first week hurdles. You see I am hoping one day we will all me talking about "Vanilla No Man's Sky". One far off day when the game is so different that we will barely remember the first time we landed in a space station.
This Is Not Your Other Games
Explore, Fight, Trade and Survive. These are the things you do in No Man's Sky. You don't however, explore with a script to follow, fight with the fidelity of Destiny, trade with the complexity of Civilization, or survive with the tension of The Last of Us. No this is a game where you loose yourself and forget your earthly troubles. You journey for the journey itself, leaving your name on a planet for someone to find one day. You leave your legacy behind you with every hyperspace jump.
The Nitty Gritty
Now the numbers. As fond and philosophical as I am about No Man's Sky, there are some play aspects that get frustrating. More crashes than I would normally think were par for the course. If I am honest I am not entirely keen on the inventory system for all it's constant management and slow button timers. There are the usual basket of bugs. More than I'd expect from a game so long in development. Like I said, Sean Murray himself is taking to twitter on addressing the post PC launch issues and has made it clear that the team at Hello Games is hard at work on patches. That said, and with a rocky start for the procedurally generated epic, this reviewer gives this game…
A Launch Day rating of 8 of 10
So from all of us here at The Galactic Observer, who without No Man's Sky would not be here, we look forward to keeping you informed of the journey and the updates as No Man's Sky grows and continues to give us a desire to explore the galaxy.
Be sure to head on over to our FORUMS to check out the latest patch notes and join the discussion.


text:
Weekly shopping lists showcase flavorful, healthful recipes customized by store, diet & price
Customer Reviews
All reviews are from people who have redeemed deals with this merchant.
What You'll Get
Much like composing a will, composing a grocery list requires the foresight to know what your kids will want. Outsource an unpleasant task with this Groupon.
$29 for 12 Months of Online Meal Planning ($58 Value)
Grocery lists customized by household size, food preferences, and favorite stores ease the hassle of cooking daily meals.
The Fine Print
Promotional value expires Jan 9, 2013. Amount paid never expires. Limit 1 per person, may buy 4 additional as gifts. Must activate by expiration date on your Groupon, program expires 12 months from activation date. Merchant is solely responsible to purchasers for the care and quality of the advertised goods and services.
About eMeals
eMeals charts out a week's worth of dollar- and health-savvy dinner recipes to relieve the burden of kitchen-related stress. Each week, organized grocery lists based on food style, family size, and even grocery store showcase flavorful culinary creations for discerning palates. Plans developed by a staff of culinary pros capitalize on sale items at stores such as Walmart, Publix, and Kroger, and an "any store" list can be used to navigate the aisles of other favored grocers. Family meal plans serve seven meals for four to six people, whereas plans for two are tailored to singles, couples, or a pair of sock puppets on a date atop a chest of drawers.
Special paleo, gluten-free, clean-eating, low-fat, and portion-controlled meal-plan options aid nongeneric eaters in assembling targets for their health and fitness regimens. The classic version of the budget-friendly family plan supplies culinary sustenance to families of four to six for an average weekly cost of $85.
eMeals allows shoppers to save time and money, simplify their lives, and feed their families a nutritious, homemade dinner every night.


text:
The short answer: some of these kids, some of the time. The long answer: To use K-tape effectively, you need to understand the mechanics of tape on the skin and underlying tissues, how connective tissue disorders disrupt skin healing, how to minimize skin shear and inflammation, and that only using one type of tape may not be enough.
I love to use taping for kids with hypermobility, but kids with connective tissue disorders such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome aren't always able to tolerate taping without some significant adaptations. Children that were preemies often have similar issues that make taping more challenging. Fragile skin, immune system reactions, fragile blood vessels, etc. will require adaptations and alterations to standard taping procedures and protocols. Read more about CTDs in Could Your Pediatric Therapy Patient Have a Heritable Disorder of Connective Tissue?. But it doesn't mean an automatic "no"!
Here are my clinical suggestions to make K-taping more successful for kids with connective tissue distorders:
- Very few children with connective tissue disorders are able to communicate discomfort clearly. Their hypermobility creates limitations in proprioceptive and kinesthetic awareness. Children of all ages with poor proprioceptive discrimination have a sensory deficit that directly reduces their feedback for taping. Therapists have to be very skilled at observation and clinical judgement. A good therapist will carefully listen to a parent's descriptions of movement, skin conditions and complaints to hear clues that should guide your taping.
- Assume significant skin sensitivity and fragility. If a child sails through your test tape period, don't assume that you can use regular taping procedures and protocols. Always use a test tape, and consider doing multiple test tapes in different locations and with different levels of tension. Paper-off tension is highly recommended in treatment, and so is caution with taping protocols that add significant skin shear. Those include placing the tissue on stretch as you apply the tape, and protocols in which rotary force is exerted (such as spiral patterns around limbs). Because skin recovery may be impaired, skin tolerance can deteriorate after repeated taping. Use the most conservative treatment plan, even if you are getting good results. Slow and steady is better for everyone.
- Expect to take taping breaks and shorten the amount of time tape stays on the skin. These kids should receive longer periods without tape. This allows any micro-damage to be repaired. Once the tape has lost the majority of it's elastic properties, it is less beneficial and becomes more of a risk for skin integrity. Instruct parents to trim the tape or remove it completely when the edges start to catch on clothing. The effect is constant shear on the skin next to the loose edge. This is irritating for all kids, but it can create significant inflammation for kids with CTD's. Try taping another location and returning to taping after a substantial break. Children with connective tissue disorders usually have more than one area of instability that could benefit from taping.
- Use pediatric tape and pediatric protocols well into childhood and perhaps beyond. I use the Milk of Magnesia barrier technique with all children under 3, and with all children with diagnosed or suspected connective tissue disorders. I am also a big fan of PerformTex' pediatric tape. Their adhesive seems to be to be less intense than ROC Rx tape, and significantly less adhesive than regular tape. The cute monkeys and flowers don't hurt! I have been using Kineseotex' Light Touch tape, which has an ultra-gentle adhesive with good results. The biggest drawback, other than cost, is that it is easily peeled off, so using excellent skin preparation and management, such as careful bathing and limiting clothing shear, is essential. Once I started using pediatric tape, I haven't looked back. No parent wants to see their child's skin inflamed, and no therapist wants to strain their client's trust by appearing to be unconcerned about skin integrity and pain.
- Expect that some children truly cannot tolerate taping, and move on. Good therapists have many different ways to make a difference in a child's life, and taping may be tolerated better as a child grows up. We can never predict the clinical course of a connective tissue disorder with certainty, so don't give up, but don't become rigid in your treatment planning either.
Looking for more information on treating hypermobility and hypermobility syndromes? Check out How Hypermobility Affects Self-Image, Behavior and Activity Levels in Children and Hypermobility and Proprioception: Why Loose Joints Create Sensory Processing Problems for Children. I am working on an e-book series for parents and therapists of kids with hypermobility. Check back here soon to see when and where it is available!
Are you the parent of a child with EDS that has questions about taping or other therapy treatment? Contact me through my website and book a consultation on my website tranquil babies. I will review your goals and your therapies, and help you identify how things can change to make greater progress today!
My e-book on potty training, The Practical Guide To Toilet Training Your Child With Low Muscle Tone, is a great reference for therapists and a helpful resource for families. Many of our hypermobile preschoolers are still in pull-ups because no one knows how to make it easier. My book has readiness checklists and equipment assessment guides that can help kids move forward with training immediately! Visit my website to purchase my book at tranquil babies, or go to Amazon , or visit Your Therapy Source, a wonderful site for therapy materials.


text:
Believe it of not, I took a stroll to the top a hill one morning. The same old hill (one of many) that I used to ride my bicycle around when I was a kid, pissing off monkeys, picking up cherries and pretending to be soldiers. In the old days, there were not many people on the hills. There were stray dogs, hence justifying the usefulness of a slingshot at that time. I can play as much as I want until it's time to go home. Now, as I was walking to the top, I came across a handful of people. All with pleasant faces, smiling at me. A lady approached me and asked, "Are you from around here?" I said yes, the hills used to be my playground when I was small. "Good". She gave me a pat on the back and handed me a pamphlet. I ended up chatting with some old folks and nearly bought a t-shirt they were selling. Unfortunately, I didn't bring any money.
Back at home I told my mother about it. She smiled and went inside her room. She came back with a red t-shirt printed "Save Taman Melawati Hill". She already bought the t-shirt for me.
The view from atop of the hill was always spectacular. But the growing image of red earth and chopped trees
kept on bugging my view of tranquility suck! Yeah, people need property and property is money… and green is the colour of money.


text: I have a child trailer for my bike, and I'm wondering how important the alignment between the trailer and the bike is? I noticed yesterday that once hitched to the back of the bike, the rear wheel is about 4-5 inches to the right of the centreline of the trailer, and I'm wondering how much of an impact that has on the running of the trailer? I'd have thought that it would be better for the pull from the bike to pass through the mid-point between the two wheels... The trailer is very much like the one sold on this website, although I actually got mine from eBay.


text: 2017 was a busy year for Percy Bysshe Shelley and later this week I will publish my Top Ten Shelleyan Moments of 2017 - watch for it!! It was also a busy year for my website and its associated social media platforms. The website experienced 12,000 Unique Visitors 15,000 Visits and over 21,000 Page Views. These are huge numbers for a site dedicated to a poet who has been dead almost 200 years. Shelley was a highly motivated political creature who dedicated his life to changing the world. At some point he realized that he would never manage build sufficient momentum to do this in his lifetime. I think this was profoundly demoralizing. However, he recovered and I believe he started to write for future generations - in otherwords us. If those of us who love him do not join him in this enterprise, then we are letting him (and ourselves) down. So let's not. Join our community and help spread the word.


text:
Tomorrow is Not Guaranteed/
You might remember me mentioning that my ceiling collapsed last year due to a roof leak that went unnoticed while I was on a West Coast tour. After getting a new roof this summer, I am finally repairing the interior damage.
The entry and kitchen are getting some new drywall, fresh paint, a window, and I figured while everything is ripped to shreds, I might as well replace my ailing tile countertops.
I've always wanted painted cabinets, but never did it because everyone always says, "You can't paint nice wood!" It's a Pandora's box in a 1923 house. There is no end to the needed renovations.
Last week as I was agonizing (again) over whether or not to paint the cabinets my friend called, upset. She had just heard the terrible news that a young friend of hers received a terminal cancer diagnosis.
I couldn't stop thinking about the situation as I scraped and sanded the ceilings that afternoon. I had just had a session with a client who also recently received a terminal diagnosis. He was desperate to know if there is an afterlife that we can communicate with as he worries about his impending departure from the Earthly plane.
I take this all to heart; it's like the Universe is sending the message again to live fully each day. I know we all have our ideas of what that means to us, but somehow hearing that another young parent is going to die soon tripped a trigger in me. It's ridiculous to NOT paint my cabinets if that is what I like. It suddenly felt ridiculous to delay anything that I wanted or needed to do.
It reminded me of this article I wrote in July of 2014 that garnered a huge response from my readers. I copied it below. The original blog post is here.
It Can Happen to You.
I admit: my job has taken a toll on my level of tolerance for going to bed angry; screaming about the messes that have been made; delaying apologies, even if I wasn't wrong. These days I'm owning my stuff, all of it, every situation I created. I can't let you leave without saying, "I love you." anymore. Yes, I want one more hug, maybe two. Yes, I cry when you turn the corner and are out of sight. I can no longer tolerate stuffing my feelings. No, I can't sit back and be an observer anymore. All of these are occupational hazards. Every single day, I consult with person after person who is trying to cope with the worst day of his or her life. I always think I've heard it all when it comes to tragic ways to die, and as it turns out, I haven't. The stories just keep coming.
These are the side effects of realizing truly, deeply and even sadly, that tomorrow is not guaranteed. Tragedy isn't confined to a social class, a country, good people or bad people. There is no way to delineate who is next. Cancer doesn't love a certain skin color. Accidents don't care if you just had a world class fight with your spouse. Heart attacks really don't mind that you were going to retire next month. Aneurysms happen to healthy 8-year-olds. And 16-year-olds. Tomorrow is not guaranteed.
The real tragedy in all of this is not so much that the people I work with don't see this, because they are LIVING it, but the average guy on the street thinks, "Oh, that poor family." He doesn't really get that he might be the next man on his knees banging his head on the floor trying to feel reality because his mind just can't process what he just heard over the phone. Yes, that's actually what happens when you get the call that your child was found dead. You pound your head on hard surfaces to see if a reality still exists.
I know this may not be an uplifting read for you, but it is something that gnaws away at me daily. I am impassioned about living today fully, and this is why. On a recent road trip with a girlfriend, I finally let all of this out to her and confessed I wish I could write about it. "Do it! You need to," she said.
Ladies and Gentleman, life owes you nothing. Somehow your Soul managed to get inside of a body to have this experience on Earth and however many days, years or decades you get to wear it is a gift. Does this not stir within you a deep, abiding desire to live fully today? It really should. No matter what you've lost up to this point, you are still here, simply by virtue that you are reading this, and still capable of creating love today.
Do you owe it to your loved one who died to live fully today? That sounds noble doesn't it? Honestly, you owe it to yourself. You are still breathing and you still have a chance to do something today.
What you choose to create is completely up to you. Of course there will always be excuses and circumstances which prevent you from doing what you really want. You may always cling to the excuse that what you really want is to return to the past. I like excuses, too. I'd avoid every problem possible if they didn't constantly smack me in the face. Excuses are the walls that separate you from healing and getting on with the business of living.
Let's simplify this just a little: no excuses. No buts. Shed the anger. Lose the regret. Instead, ask yourself one simple, but life-changing question: Where can you create love today?
©Mollie Morning Star 2014-15 Short excerpts of this article may be shared on the internet provided a live link back to this original source is used. Reproduction in print is prohibited.


text:
Work for just one or two hours a day and earn up to $12,000 per month. If you are an admin in the Wikipedia, then you can earn much more than that amount.
Sounds too good to be true? Well… it is true. Being an active editor in Wikipedia since 2004, I never thought it can be a source of income. In April 2011, I was contacted by a guy named Prince Matthew on my Wikimail (quite sure that it is not his real name, but I came to know that this guy owns a 2,000 acre rubber estate in Kottayam district). He had a very strange offer – He will pay me USD 12,000 if I side with him in a soon-to-be –starting Wikipedia edit war.
I was astonished at first by the offer. So I asked him to clarify. He gave me the details. All I have to do is to work with a 4 member team to change a Wikipedia article. The article he was mentioning was Nair. As we have seen recently, the article has been changed almost entirely, from this version to this. He even offered me to pay a first instalment of $12K as advance payment, either through Paypal or in person! I told him I need some time to think about it, and promised him to contact later.
Being a resident of Kerala, engaging in this sort of activities seemed too risky for me, even if it can get me enough money to live a life of luxury. My decision not to participate in this edit warring was probably inspired by the arrest of KV Shine, an Ezhava blogger who was charged in 2010 by the Kerala Cyber Police. Prince's edits are more than likely to anger the Nairs, and he wanted to mask his identity by posting using Muslim/ Ezhava usernames. Regretfully I informed him that I am not that interested in the project.
Although I opted out of this venture, I kept my ears open. Within a week, Prince recruited three Wikipedia editors and one admin. These users were:
Boing! said Zebedee (This was the sole admin)
First to be recruited was CarTick. Being the son of a well known Dalit Panthers of India leader from Tamil Nadu, he is ideologically opposed to Forward Caste communities like Nairs. An offer of $12,000 per month was more than enough for him to join the project. The other three including the admin, were from Liverpool in England. They were not having any ideological reasons to attack the Nairs, but only the monetary factor to join the project.
The work started in mid-April 2011. The four editors were asked to contribute to non-Nair articles for two-three months, in order to mask their intentions. Sitush started editing the article page from 3rd May onwards, while his colleagues waited for some more time before joining him. But unfortunately their task was not an easy one. Nair article till that time was maintained by a very strong Cabal lead by a guy called Suresh Varma. This Cabal consisted of at least half a dozen other editors, including Chandrakantha Mannadiar, Anand Nair, Linguisticgeek, Shannon1488, KK.etc.
But as we say, fortune favours the brave. As I could find out from a chat with one of the members of the pro-Nair Cabal, the leader Suresh Varma, was arrested and sent to jail for tax evasion in February 2011. Another editor died in a car accident a month later. This was the opportunity Prince and his cronies had been waiting for a long time.
Cartick started the edit war, and was supported on the talk page by the other two editors. In the absence of Suresh Varma, the Nair Cabal was a disorientated and emotionally driven bunch of inexperienced editors. Very soon, with the help of the admin who is on their side, Prince Matthew and his editors were able to block and ban all the members of the Nair Cabal.
Soon, another problem surfaced. An irate bunch of neutral editors like RajKris and morelMWilliam jumped in to the talk page and started pointing out the inconsistencies of the edits and abusive use of the Admin Power. They were joined by a bunch of mostly Nair newbies. Prince decided that he himself should act now. He created a bunch of sock accounts like KondottySultan, Chekon and Govindsharma. (Each of this accounts were created with a unique purpose. They will hide his real Christian identity. But more importantly, people will think that Kondotty Sultan is a Muslim, Chekon is an Ezhava and Govindsharma is a Brahmin. So he hoped to turn the Nairs against Muslims, Brahmins and Ezhavas in one go!).
One of the Nair Cabal members, whom I talked to claimed to know Prince's real identity. He claimed that during the college years, Prince had a crush on a Nair girl. But she rejected him, since he is a Christian. (They claim that they are descendants of Brahmins who were converted by Saint Thomas. But non-Christians in Kerala claim the story is total nonsense and that they are converted Pulayas and Parayas, who tried to escape from the evils of caste system). Prince is single to this date and two decades old revenge is still fuming in his mind. I am still quite suspicious of this story, but the Cabal member pointed out a reply made by one of his sock accounts to a post made by two Nair girls in the Wikipedia talk page. It seems that there is some truth in what he said.
Prince started posting degrading and offensive propaganda using his sock (proxy) accounts. Sitush adopted a new approach. He will cut down 90% of it saying too offensive, but will let the remaining 10% stay. Hardly anyone among the neutral editors (William and Rajkris) knew about this mutual understanding between the two.
By the end of June 2011, the aim had been largely accomplished. The article was completely changed to paint the Nair community in a very bad light. Sitush and his gang of editors were happy with the payments they got, while Prince, whose annual income exceeds 8 million USD hardly, cares about the 1-2% of his annual income going for the pastime. The neutral editors, RajKris & Co. couldn't concentrate or fight a full fledged war against these professionals and soon gave up.
These sorts of instances come up more and more with Wikipedia getting wildly popular nowadays. People who want to use it as a tool for propaganda dissemination will continue to hire paid editors like Sitush, who did a wonderful job within the last two months.
So what we should do in case we want to earn some money? You just should have the right contacts; you should advertise a bit about yourself in various forums and hope for the best. If you are willing to take the risk, this is going to be a gold mine, as I don't know any other job which will pay you $400 for a single hour of work.


text:
Very Compact Rotation Stage to Optical Table Adapter
The MDE293 Adapter Plate allows the mounting of very compact rotation stages and the MDE260 series linear stages onto optical tables or M6 studded posts. The example shown below allows an MDE261XZ slide system mounted atop an MDE283 rotation stage to be fitted to an optical table by means of the MDE293 adapter.
Related products and accessories


text:
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces the release of the Ring of Fire Draft Resource Management Plan (RMP) Haines Planning Area Amendment and Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for a 90-day public review and comment period. The BLM will accept public comments from December 14, 2012, through March 14, 2013.
The decisions to be made through this planning effort include:
Whether to retain the Special Recreation Management Area designation;
Whether any part of the Planning Area meets the criteria for an Area of Critical Environmental Concern designation;
Whether to retain the Monitoring and Control Area (closed to helicopter landings) for wildlife studies; and
Establishing a maximum number of authorized annual helicopter landings.
The Planning Area is located in Southeast Alaska. Approximately 320,000 acres of BLM-managed public lands are located in two main blocks or parcels: the north block is located northwest of Skagway, along the United States-Canada border; the south block is located southwest of the City of Haines, along the boundary of Glacier Bay National Park. The planning area encompasses the cities of Haines and Skagway.
The Draft RMP Amendment / DEIS considers four management alternatives, which are designed to address resource concerns and issues in varying ways.
The public is invited to review and comment on the Draft RMP Amendment / DEIS. Public comments will be most helpful if they relate to specific concerns or conflicts that are within the legal responsibilities of the BLM and can be resolved in this planning process.
The BLM will announce future meetings or hearings and any other public involvement activities at least 15 days in advance through public notices, media news releases, and/or mailings.
Copies of the Draft Ring of Fire RMP - Haines Planning Area Amendment and DEIS are available at the Anchorage Field Office at the above address; or, on the Anchorage Field Office's planning website: http://www.blm.gov/ak/st/en/prog/planning.html.


text:
Uta No Prince Sama Maji Love 1000% & 2000% Review/
Synopsis: Uta No Prince Sama Maji Love 1000% is a singing anime. It follows the story of a girl named Haruka who wants more than anything but to have her idol sing one of her songs. So she enrolls in a Perfoming Arts Academy in order to make her wish come true. In fact destiny plays a role in this because part of her assignment is to compose music for another partner and she has to choose between six guys that are all supertalented, not to mention super good looking! The story picks up from that in the sequal Uta No Prince Sama Maji Love 2000% where a new guy shows up and the story progresses from there where Haruka has another challenge,which includes the other boy coming into the fray. No spoilers about this. If you want to know more, the episodes are on www.crunchyroll.com.
Music- The music in the show is grade A work. I love the songs and in each series, the boys have their own character songs. They are wonderful. I love Toykia's songs (partially because he is my favorite of everyone). The music is so good and the piano instrumental for both openings is beautiful.
Animation- The animation is gorgous and it works well with the bright colors of the scenes. It is a beautiful anime to look like (especially the boys). The animation for the dancing is awesome and my friend and I do the dance at the end of the episode. ^-^
Overal Grade: A+
It has a great music and great animation. Even though the story is linear, its hard to tell which boy Haruka would go with and even with that, each character is unique and have a great backstory. Plus each charcter is relatable and people will fall in love with the guy they are most compatible with. Its a great show and I wish more people watched this show. I recommend this show to anyone who have watched Ouran High School Host Club since Uta reminds me of it. If you haven't watched Ouran, than I also recommmend watching that as well. It's another great show.
Thank you for reading my review and keep watch of more anime reviews in the future!!!! Anime Rules!!!!!!


text:
Home Remodel Blog
Benefits of Residential Renovations
Home Remodel Blog
Benefits of Residential Renovations
Benefits of Residential Renovations
Renovation is the process of remodeling a house. The process involves making changes to the electrical connection, kitchen equipment, plumbing, roofing as well as the bathroom. The following are the goals of improving a home. To begin with, one can improve his residential house so as to increase the comfort level of the house. When you want to make your house look modern, you need to upgrade the air conditioning systems, increasing the electrical connections as well as the plumbing, installing new and improved lighting systems, making the kitchen to be spacious and have new and modern tools, increasing the bed capacity and the type of mattress and changing the floor. Besides, one can renovate his or her house so as it can be safe and be able to withstand accidents. The following are safety remodeling measures that are essential, these include installing fire sprinkler systems, setting backup generator, replacing the old doors with new security doors, replacing the windows with modern ones, setting up fire and burglar systems, and setting storm cellars for protecting the home from raging tornadoes. Get more information about
Grande Prairie renovations
In addition, home owners can renovate their house so as to repair and maintain some section of their houses, these strategies include repainting the rooms, repairing the electrical and plumbing systems, repainting and constructing new windows and doors, replacing the worn out roofs, and repainting the wall and ceilings.
When you renovate your house; you are more likely to get the following benefits. Homeowners get additional profit when they renovate their houses since it increases the value of the house. When you remodel your bathroom and kitchen, it becomes easier to sell the house since home buyers mostly pay attention to the condition of the bathroom and the kitchen.
When homeowners renovate their houses, to makes the house to be safe. Remodeling is also a great way to make a house look unique, a special design for the home will do wonders for driving sales, when it is done effectively, it will direct traffic throughout.
Through renovation, homeowners may install new lighting systems that are energy efficient as well as new water taps that release water evenly and sufficiently, besides, they can add new heating devices that consume less power, such components will enable you to conserve energy in your home.
Before you decide to renovate your house you also need to have a rough estimate of the overall remodeling process. It is recommended to consult a contractor who will be responsible for the renovation work. To read more about home remodel
view the link.
Consider hiring a company that is authorized and licensed to operate in the location that you need the services, also look for one who has a positive reputation in the locality.
Makati City, Manila, Philippines
This site was built using
Create Your Website Today >>


text:
Security Solutions
Safe and secure access to homes and apartments are no longer optional requirements in todays world. 1st Call Aerials are experienced with a range of solutions from leading manufacturers as well security standards like Secured by Design.
Designers and manufacturers of door entry, concierge, access control solutions for social and private housing, Schools, Universities and multiple entrance commerical buildings.
Founded in 1956, Comelit Group SpA is an industrial company operating on a worldwide scale and specialising in the design and manufacture of video entry, video surveillance, anti-intrusion, home automation, access control and fire protection systems.
Provider of bespoke and vandal resistant audio video door entry systems. BPT were bought by CAME in 2012. CAME specialise in automatic gates, parking barriers, retractable bollards, turstiles and turbular motors.


text:
(Adds Foreign Ministry statements, more detail)
WARSAW, March 8 (Reuters) - Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said on Saturday Poland had evacuated its consulate in Ukraine's Crimea due to disturbances by Russian forces.
Sikorski said on Twitter: "Because of continuing disturbances by Russian forces there, we have reluctantly evacuated our consulate in Crimea, Ukraine."
The consulate is in Sevastopol, the home of both Russia's Black Sea Fleet and the Ukrainian navy, where Russian troops drove a truck into a missile defence post and took control of it overnight.
The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs added that the consulate in Ukrainian city of Odessa would take over the duties of the Sevastopol unit.
The ministry called on Polish citizens to leave the Crimean peninsula and avoid travelling to eastern areas of Ukraine. (Reporting by Adrian Krajewski; Editing by Rosalind Russell)
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.


text:
Why Glow Pilates?
At Glow Pilates our focus is YOUR specific needs and physical conditions
This is achieved through keeping class sizes smaller to allow for the individual attention and tailored exercises. Correction is the key to effective results to bring about better posture, strength, flexibility and tone.
You may be new to Pilates or a long time devotee. Each class will aim to improve the strength of the deep abdominals and lower spine, improve and target postural muscles, encourage good breathing patterns and correct whole body alignment of the joints and muscles.
A personal induction session is strongly recommended before you start which includes a postural analysis.
What is Pilates?
Pilates is a form of total body conditioning that is accessible to people of all ages and all levels of fitness.
The principles of Pilates work to restore mind and body concentration by maintaining a constant awareness of how the body moves.
Pilates was devised by Joseph Pilates as a means of physical fitness and total body well-being. The six core principles are concentration, centering, control, breathing, precision and flow which are integral components of each Pilates session.
Pilates exercises range from very gentle to extremely challenging. It is important to learn the fundamentals first. As exercises and techniques build with time and experience they should challenge strength, balance and co-ordination.
The exercises are safe and effective, working on improving tone and alignment of the body by targeting key postural muscles combined with lengthening and toning rather than creating bulk.


text:
- This event has passed.
ART EXHIBIT: Purple Haze Show
January 12 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Event Navigation
The Hoffman Center for the Arts Gallery in Manzanita will feature purple art in all media to start off the new year. The "Purple Haze" show will open Friday, Jan. 4 and remain up all month.
Artists from Astoria to Tillamook were invited to submit works in ceramics, collage, fiber, drawing, painting, photography, or sculpture.An artists' reception will be held Saturday, Jan, 5. Refreshments will be served. The Gallery is free and open to the public on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, from 1 to 4 p.m. For more info: http://hoffmanarts.org


text:
|Sighting Report
|Occurred : 10/17/2013 08:17 (Entered as : 10/17/13 8:17)
Reported: 10/17/2013 5:27:18 PM 17:27
Posted: 10/23/2013
Location: Palm Harbor, FL
Shape: Unknown
Duration:~45 minutes
|Strange starlike object seen in southwestern florida sky, with dim object directly beneath.
A bright, star-like object was seen in the southwestern sky in Palm Harbor, Florida. A small reddish star-like object was directly underneath it. This object has been seen in the same spot for two nights in a row. Neither of them move, they are both stationary.
The color of the object is white with a sort of greenish-bluish glow and the object beneath has an orangish glow to it. The white object is brighter than a planet and the red object is dim. It is very strange as it does not appear to go away.


text:
The house sold at auction back to the lender. Over the past couple of years I have become increasingly appalled at the housing/mortgage crisis and alarmed that the 'fixes' really aren't helping overall. He tried several times to get the loan restructured but as he is making significantly less than he was at the time of the last re-finance the mortgage company turned him down. Given the extreme number of foreclosed houses they have in their possession now isn't it somewhat counter productive to keep on foreclosing rather than work things out?!?
By law they have to give me 90 days to move as I've been a tenant here for over a year. It's still not clear that they're planning on doing that though, I've notified them of my tenancy and so has Will but they still haven't given me any information on how/where to pay rent, etc. The new job starts tomorrow so in a way, moving soon is a good thing. Except for shortage of funds. The drive over 'the point' of the mountain during blizzard conditions will NOT be missed this winter. In fact, I look forward to a much shorter commute and, hopefully, major savings in gas.
Since the office is right downtown I've been looking at some places in that area as well as out in the Taylorsville area closer to where I lived before. Do I go for a cheap and tiny, as in less than 600sq ft, place as a temporary move then go for a larger one later or do I find a medium more expensive sized place for more money that should work indefinitely? Bit of a dilemma. I have a feeling that wherever I go, it may be for quite a while so I want something that will feel like home rather than merely a place my stuff hangs out. What do we do with the kids' cat? They are both in college in the Seattle area and can't have the cat and I really don't think $400 pet deposit plus extra rent is a good idea right now. uh… and as mentioned in past posts… it's not my cat! not not not!!! Perhaps wherever Will moves will allow animals and he can keep Zeus.