text:
State Glossary
Accountancy Board – Regulates the practice of public accounting in Ohio.
Adjutant General – Consists of the Ohio Army National Guard and Ohio Air National Guard which both train and deploy soldiers and airmen to complete community, state, and federal missions.
Administrative Services, Department of – Provides centralized services, specialized support and innovative solutions to state agencies, boards, commissions, local governments, and state universities.
Administrative Support Division – Provides administrative, financial, legal, communications, and human resources support to the Department of Administrative Services Director and state agency-facing business units.
Adopt Ohio – Manages and facilitates adoption services.
Adult Workforce Education & Training Network – Provides customizable, labor market-driven, post-secondary workforce education and training services to employers.
Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity (AA/EEO) – Guides, directs, assists, and monitors the administration of agency EEO programs by ensuring fair and equal treatment of all individuals in the processes which affect employment.
Aging, Department of – Works to improve choice, independence, and quality of life for aging Ohioans with an emphasis on community-based options that promote active, healthy, and independent living.
Agriculture, Department of – Protects Ohio citizens by ensuring the safety of the state's food supply and the health of Ohio's food animals and plant life while also creating economic opportunities for Ohio farmers, food processors, and agribusinesses.
Air Quality Development Authority (OAQDA) – Helps conserve air as a natural resource by preventing or abating air pollution and assisting in the financing of air quality facilities for industry, commerce, and research.
Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services, Department of (ODADAS) – now part of the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. OhioMHAS promotes and establishes mental health as a cornerstone of health and wellness for individuals, families, and communities throughout Ohio and oversees Ohio's publicly funded alcohol and drug prevention, treatment, and recovery services system of care.
Amber Alerts – A missing child response program that utilizes law enforcement and media resources to notify the public when children are kidnapped.
Apprenticeship Council – Registers and monitors apprenticeship programs in the state to ensure quality and safety.
Architects Board – Regulates the practice of architecture in the Ohio.
Arts Council – Administers grants programs in the areas of arts learning, individual creativity, arts access, project support (general and creative economy) and operating support to arts organizations and artists, and provides services that enhance the growth of the arts in Ohio..
Asset Management Services – Helps state agencies fulfill their statutory requirements for maintaining, reporting and certifying inventories of state-owned assets.
Athletic Commission – Regulates mixed martial arts, wrestling, kickboxing, karate, tough person contests, and athlete agents to protect the safety of the participants and the interests of the public.
Attorney General – The chief law officer in Ohio protects and provides services for businesses, consumers, government, law enforcement, legal professionals, military personnel, veterans, nonprofits, schools, seniors and victims of crime.
Auditor of State – Responsible for auditing all public offices in Ohio including cities, villages, townships, school districts, universities, and state agencies, boards and commissions.
Aviation, Office of – Performs a number of functions to meet the needs of aviation customers and is composed of the Flight Operations, Aircraft Maintenance and Aviation Programs Sections. An office of the Department of Transportation.
Barber Board – Protects the public by establishing, maintaining and monitoring sanitary and professional standards in the barber industry via inspections, investigations, disciplinary actions, and licensing decisions.
Benefits Administration Services Office – Administers benefits for State of Ohio employees.
Broadcast Educational Media Commission – provides leadership and support in extending the knowledge of the citizens of this state by promoting access to and use of educational broadcasting services, and administers programs to provide financial and other assistance to educational television and radio and radio reading services.
Buckeye Boater – A free newsletter that contains the latest news from the Department of Natural Resources Division of Watercraft, boating destinations, tips, and more.
Budget and Management, Office of – Ensures that the financial operations of state government are handled in a manner consistent with state laws and policies. Develops budgets; monitors, processes, and reports on financial transactions; and reviews and coordinates the financial policies and activities of state agencies.
Building Appeals, Board of – Reviews building owners' appeals made to adjudication orders issued by local, county, or state fire or building officials and can reverse, modify, or repeal an order of the enforcing agency if it is found to be contrary to a fair interpretation or application of the governing laws or rules and will be contrary to the public interest and result in unnecessary hardship.
Building Standards, Board of – Formulates, adopts and amends the Building, Mechanical, Elevator, Boiler and Pressure Piping Codes and the rules that govern the erection, construction, repair, alteration, and maintenance of buildings. Certifies local building departments to exercise enforcement authority and to accept and approve building plans. Conducts hearings and investigations as deemed necessary in the discharge of its duties.
Business Services Division – Receives and approves articles of incorporation for Ohio business entities (including limited partnerships and limited liability companies) and grants licenses to out-of-state corporations seeking to do business in Ohio. Documents secured commercial transactions filed under the Uniform Commercial code and oversees the issuing of notary certifications, licensing for ministers and apostilles, and certifications.
Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board – The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board is responsible for maintaining the historic character of the Statehouse and Capitol Square while providing for the health, safety and convenience of those who work in or visit the complex.
Career Colleges and Schools, Board of –Monitors and regulates Ohio's private post-secondary career colleges and schools to ensure compliance with minimum standards.
Casino Control Commission – Licenses, regulates, investigates and penalizes casino operators, management and holding companies, employees and gaming-related vendors to ensure the integrity of casino gaming.
Cemetery Dispute Resolution Commission – Assists consumers in resolving complaints against registered cemeteries.
Central Services Agency (CSA) – Provides payroll, administrative and financial services for state professional licensing boards specified in the Revised Code and for other boards and commissions that do not possess the resources to perform these functions.
Chemical Dependency Professionals Board – Regulates the licensure and certification process, issues and renews licenses and certificates, investigates ethical complaints, approves educational coursework, and acts a catalyst for positive change in the field.
Child Care Voucher Program – Provides cash grants once a year to state employees for work-related child care expenses.
Child Support, Office of – Oversees child support services and payments. An office of the Department of Job and Family Services.
Chiropractic Board – Protects the welfare of Ohio's citizens and regulates the chiropractic profession by setting and enforcing standards for licensure.
Choose Ohio First – Awards scholarships to recruit talented Ohio college students into studying in fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine at Ohio's public and private institutions.
Civil Rights Commission – Investigates complaints and resolves discrimination charges filed by the citizens of Ohio.
Claims, Court of – Hears and determines all civil actions filed against the State of Ohio and its agencies as well as appeals from decisions made by the Attorney General on claims allowed under the Victims of Crime Act.
Clean Air Resource Center – Helps small businesses meet EPA regulations while also reducing their costs and gaining tax exemptions.
Clean Ohio Fund – Restores, protects and connects Ohio's important natural and urban places by preserving green space and farmland, improving outdoor recreation, and cleaning up brownfields to encourage redevelopment and revitalize communities.
Coalition for Adult Protective Services (OCAPS) – A statewide coalition that strives to enhance the provision of services to adults at risk of abuse, neglect and exploitation through education and advocacy.
CollegeAdvantage – Ohio's Section 529 qualified tuition program, a tax-advantaged college savings program.
Collective Bargaining, Office of – Serves as the principle representative of the state and negotiates all of the state's labor contracts. Develops and directs the state's labor relations policy.
Collective Bargaining Academy, Office of – Offers comprehensive labor relations training to exempt supervisors, managers, labor relations, and human resource personnel.
Commerce, Department of – One of Ohio's primary regulatory agencies and is comprised of seven operating divisions (Financial Institutions, Industrial Compliance & Labor, Liquor Control, Real Estate & Professional Licensing, Securities, State Fire Marshal, Unclaimed Funds) and one administrative division. Balances consumer protection with the needs of the industries and small business persons it regulates.
Communication and External Relations – Responsible for media relations, internal and external marketing and public relations efforts, external customer relations management, and lobbying activities of the Department of Administrative Services.
Common Sense Initiative – Reviews and reforms Ohio's regulatory system and polices to eliminate excessive and duplicative rules that stand in the way of job creation.
Communications Division – Coordinates the public relations and media outreach programs for the Department of Aging.
Commuter Choice Program – An employee benefit program which facilitates the pre-tax payment of eligible parking and transit expenses for program participants who pay to park their vehicle while at work or who use public transportation or vanpools.
Compliance Assistance and Pollution Prevention, Office of – Provides information and resources to help small businesses comply with environmental regulations and helps customers identify and implement pollution prevention measures.
Construction Compliance Unit (CCU) – Responsible for ensuring that state contractors implement and adhere to the State of Ohio's affirmative action program and does so by issuing certificates of compliance and conducting site visits and compliance reviews.
Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB) – Licenses commercial contractors in the State of Ohio for the electrical, HVAC, hydronics, plumbing, and refrigeration trades.
Consumers' Counsel (OCC) – The state's residential utility consumer advocate. Represents the interests of residents before state and federal courts and regulators as well as educates residents about issues related to utilities.
Cooperative Purchasing – Offers Ohio counties, townships, municipalities, school districts, public libraries, regional transit authorities, park districts, and others the benefits and cost savings of buying goods and services through state contracts.
Correctional Institution Inspection Committee – Conducts inspections of all state correctional facilities and monitors current issues in Ohio prisons.
Cosmetology and Barber Board – Examines and licenses cosmetologists, estheticians, manicurists, and barbers for practice in Ohio. Also licenses tanning facilities.
Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage & Family Therapist Board – Protects Ohio citizens regulating the licensed practice of counselors, social workers and marriage & family therapists.
Controlling Board – A mechanism for handling certain limited day-to-day adjustments needed in the state budget. Provides legislative oversight of various activities of the executive branch and carries out responsibilities delegated to it by the legislature.
Criminal Justice Services, Office of – Strives to positively impact Ohio in the prevention, intervention and reduction of crime and delinquency and serves as the lead justice planning agency for the state.
Cultural Facilities Commission – The former Cultural Facilities Commission was merged with Ohio Facilities Construction Commission in 2013.
Dental Board – Regulates the practices of dentistry, dental hygiene, dental assistant radiography, and expanded function dental auxiliaries.
Deposit, Board of – Designates the depositories of the public moneys of the state and implements the Uniform Depository Act as it applies to the state.
Development Services Agency – Focuses on supporting businesses, individuals, and communities in Ohio
Developmental Disabilities Council – A planning and advocacy body committed to creating change that improves independence, productivity and community inclusion for people with developmental disabilities.
Developmental Disabilities, Department of – Seeks to improve the quality of life for Ohio's citizens with developmental disabilities and their families by ensuring the availability of programs, services, and support and by promoting their health and safety.
Digest of Ohio Motor Vehicle Laws – The Digest of Ohio Motor Vehicle Laws contains all of Ohio's motor vehicle laws.
Division for Community Living (DCL) – Manages community-based Medicaid-related programs to provide a cost efficient high-quality alternative to receiving services in a nursing facility.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Art, Writing & Multimedia Contest – The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Art, Writing & Multimedia Contest encourages students to reflect upon Dr. King's life and the impact of his work in the Civil Rights Movement and in present day America.
Driver Training Program – Teaches new drivers the skills they need to stay safe while on the road.
eBusiness Center – A secure portal for the regulated community and consultants to electronically complete and file Ohio-EPA-related reports and permit applications.
Encouraging Diversity, Growth & Equity (EDGE) – Facilitates access to state government contracts and business services for EDGE certified businesses and establishes goals for state agencies in awarding contracts to certified businesses.
Education, Department of – Works with school districts, sets education policy, and directs the planning and evaluative functions of Ohio's public schools.
Elder Connections Division (ECD) – Coordinates legal and benefits assistance and safeguards the rights of consumers of long-term care and other services throughout Ohio. A division of the Department of Aging.
Elections Commission – Oversees political party spending, campaign finance laws, and corporate political activity and investigates and hears cases involving unlawful campaign practices and false statements.
Embalmers and Funeral Directors, Board of – Protects consumers and regulates the funeral profession by establishing standards of competency through the licensure of embalmers, funeral directors, crematory facilities, embalming facilities, and funeral homes.
Emergency Management Agency – Coordinates activities to mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.
Emergency Medical Services – Responsible for the education, certification and investigation of all emergency medical service and fire service providers in the State of Ohio. Ensures that all non-emergency, emergency, and air medical service organizations provide appropriate care and transportation.
Employee Assistance Program – A screening, information, referral, and support service for state employees and their family members designed to help participants with personal problems.
Employee Development Fund – Provides groups of State of Ohio employees with the opportunity to pursue continued learning and receive reimbursement for their expenses.
Energy Office – Works to grow the economy of the state by connecting companies and communities to financial and technical resources to deploy renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency. An office of the Development Services Agency.
Engineers and Surveyors, Board of – Safeguards the health, safety, and welfare of the public by providing effective licensure and regulation of professional engineers, professional surveyors, and engineering and surveying firms.
Environmental Protection Agency – Protects human health and the environment by restoring contaminated land; protecting water resources; and implementing standards for air quality, drinking and stream water quality, wastewater treatment, and solid, infectious, and hazardous waste treatment and disposal.
Environmental Review Appeals Commission – Hears and resolves appeals resulting from various technical and legal final actions taken by the Director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, the Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture, the State Fire Marshal, the State Emergency Response Commission and county, and local boards of health.
ePayment – A secure system that allows taxpayers who owe the Department of Taxation to pay online by credit card or electronic check.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Academy – Provides leadership and continuing education in Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) to EEO and human resource professionals.
Equal Opportunity Division – Advocates for Ohio's minority and socially disadvantaged businesses by aligning them with state government contract and procurement opportunities. Oversees and monitors the administration of Ohio's Equal Employment Opportunity programs.
Ethics Commission – Administers, advises upon, and enforces ethical conduct in government under state general law, the Ohio Ethics Law, and related sections of Ohio Revised Code.
Every Move You Make, Keep it Safe – A grassroots safety campaign organized by the Department of Transportation that promotes safe travel practices for pedestrians, motorists, and those using other means of transportation.
Expositions Commission – Responsible for conducting the annual Ohio State Fair and maintaining and managing property held by the state for the purposes of conducting fairs, expositions and exhibits.
Facilities Construction Commission – Guides capital projects for state agencies, state-supported universities and community colleges, including Ohio's comprehensive public K-12 school construction and renovation program.
Family and Children First – Helps families seeking government services by streamlining and coordinating services, resources and systems.
Fatherhood Commission – Strives to enhance the well-being of Ohio's children by advocating for responsible fatherhood, promoting father engagement, and inspiring and supporting diverse groups and communities to improve the quality of fatherhood.
Finance, Office of – Provides budgetary, asset management, compliance and audit management, fiscal and financial reporting, information and policy services to the operating divisions of the Department of Administrative Services.
Financial Institutions, Division of – Regulates state-chartered financial institutions and consumer finance companies through charters, licenses, and examinations. A division of the Department of Commerce.
Findings for Recovery Database – Used by local governments and state agencies to check and ensure, as required by law, that public contracts are not awarded to persons or businesses against which a Finding for Recovery has been issued and remains unsolved.
Fleet Management, Office of – Provides state agencies with comprehensive motor vehicle management services. An office of the Department of Administrative Services.
General Assembly – The legislative branch of Ohio's government. Consists of the Ohio Senate and the Ohio House of Representatives.
General Services Division – Performs a variety of functions including procurement, fleet management, insurance, printing, construction management, mail services, real estate services, asset management, facilities management, security services, and surplus property services. A division of the Department of Administrative Services.
GlobalOhio – Extends Ohio's economic reach into the global marketplace by promoting the export of Ohio goods and services through trade missions organized to initiate and nurture relationships with potential international business partners. A division of the Development Services Agency.
Golden Buckeye Card Program – Provides discounts for Ohioans age 60 and older at more than 20,000 businesses statewide.
Governor – The state's highest-ranking public official and leader of Ohio's government.
Governor's Awards for the Arts in Ohio – A statewide program that showcases and celebrates Ohio artists, arts organizations, arts patrons, and business support of the art.
Governor's Council on People with Disabilities – Advises the Governor and General Assembly on statewide disability issues.
Governor's Office of Health Transformation (OHT) – Focuses on addressing Medicaid spending issues, plans for the long-term efficient administration of the Ohio Medicaid program, and acts to improve the overall performance of Ohio's health system.
Great Lakes Restoration Initiative – Combats ecological and environmental issues affecting Lake Erie, creating a pathway for recovery and restoration.
Help Me Grow – Provides funds to implement and maintain a coordinated, trans-disciplinary, family-centered set of services for expectant parents, newborns, infants and toddlers and their families. A Department of Health program.
Higher Education Department – Advises the Chancellor on issues of statewide importance affecting higher education.
Higher Educational Facility Commission – Assists independent, not-for-profit institutions of higher education finance the construction, renovation, or rehabilitation of educational facilities through tax exempt bonds.
Hispanic/Latino Affairs Commission – Advises policy makers and elected officials on issues affecting Hispanic Ohioans. Connects Latino communities across the state and builds the capacity of community organizations so they may better serve the fast growing Latino population of Ohio.
Historical Society – Promotes knowledge of Ohio's history. Administers the state historical museum, library, the State Archives of Ohio, and houses the State Historic Preservation Office. Maintains and operates 58 historic sites and museums that encompass nearly 5,000 acres and over 300 buildings and structures throughout the state.
Homeland Security – Works to protect the State of Ohio and plans, develops, and coordinates statewide policies that are intended to support organizations focused on preventing, protecting against, responding to, and recovering from acts of terrorism, natural disasters, and other emergencies.
Homestead Exemption – Allows qualifying Ohio homeowners (senior citizens and the disabled) to shield $25,000 of the market value of their homes from property taxes.
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) – A federally funded program designed to help eligible low-income Ohioans meet their home heating costs.
Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP) – A federally funded program designed to increase the energy efficiency and reduce household energy costs of dwellings owned or occupied by income-eligible Ohioans.
House of Representatives – Half of the legislative branch of Ohio's government. Consists of 99 members who voice the opinions of citizens.
Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) – Finances the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, and remodeling of housing intended for rental or ownership, or both, by families of low or moderate income.
HRD/OCB Policy Office – Provides assistance and support to state agencies regarding the application of employment laws and regulations. Provides training and updates to state agency Human Resources professionals on employment law issues and works on, and tracks, legislation and regulatory changes impacting state employment practices. An office of the Department of Administrative Services.
Human Resources Division (HRD) – Provides human resources services and information to state employees and helps state agencies conduct personnel functions. A division of the Department of Administrative Services.
ID R Kids for Safety – Allows Ohio parents to apply for identification cards which can assist authorities in the event that a child is reported missing.
Industrial Commission – Serves injured workers and Ohio employers through prompt and impartial resolution of issues arising from workers' compensation claims and through the establishment of adjudication policy.
Industrial Commission Online Network (ICON) – Allows parties with workers' compensation claims to view claim activity, submit appeals, objections, and requests for .522/.52 relief. Allows users to view all documents associated with the claim as well as request interpretive services, continuances, or cancellations.
Industrial Compliance and Labor, Office of – Reviews and approves the building plans for the construction and renovation of commercial and public building projects. Ensures a safe environment in buildings by inspecting elevators, boilers and plumbing, electrical and structural systems, and provides testing, certification, licensing, and continuing education for numerous skilled trades in the building industry.
Information Technology (OIT), Office of – Delivers information technology and telecommunication services to state government agencies, boards, and commissions as well as policy and standards development, lifecycle investment planning, and privacy and security management.
Inspector General – Investigates allegations of wrongful acts and omissions by state agencies, officers, and employees, as well as any person who does business with the state.
Insurance, Department of – Provides consumer protection through education and fair but vigilant regulation while promoting a stable and competitive environment for insurers.
Investigative Unit – Provides enforcement of state, federal, and local laws with emphasis on liquor, food, stamp, and tobacco offenses. Offers educational guidance and professional assistance to law enforcement agencies and the general public.
Job and Family Services, Department of (ODJFS) – Develops and oversees the state's public assistance, workforce development, unemployment compensation, child and adult protective services, adoption, child care, and child support programs.
Job Outlook Report – Provides employment projections for Ohio in the next 6 years.
Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review – Reviews proposed new, amended, and rescinded rules of state agencies, boards and commissions to ensure that they do not exceed the creating entity's authority, conflict with rules of other entities, or conflict with the intent of the legislature.
Joint Legislative Ethics Committee – Serves as the ethics advisory committee for Ohio's legislative branch of government.
Kno B4 U Go for a Worry Free Rush Hour – Provides Twitter updates from the Department of Transportation on current traffic alerts and information.
Labor Market Information – A source for reports and data about employment levels, unemployment rates, wages and earnings, employment projections, jobs, training resources, and careers.
Lake Erie Commission (OLEC) – Works to preserve Lake Erie's natural resources, protect the quality of its waters and ecosystem, and promote economic development of the region.
Landscape Architect Examiners, Board of – Responsible for the regulation of the practice of landscape architecture in Ohio.
Learning & Professional Development, Office of – Meets the needs of organizations and the public that it serves by offering State of Ohio staff members the opportunity to learn new skills needed in both public and private organizations. An office of the Department of Administrative Services.
Legal Services – Provides accurate and timely legal advice and information to the Governor and the Director and divisions of the Department of Administrative Services.
Legislative Inspector General – Provides legal advice and guidance to lobbyists to prevent ethics violations. Responsible for lobbying compliance relative to attempts to influence legislation, executive agency decisions, and the investment decisions of the five state retirement systems.
Legislative Service Commission – Provides nonpartisan drafting, fiscal, research, training, and other technical services to the Ohio General Assembly.
Lifeline Telephone Assistance – A program that makes basic local telephone service more affordable for income-eligible families by offering discounts for monthly telephone bills and/or installation costs of telephone services.
Liquor Control Commission – Ensures compliance with liquor laws and regulations. Provides fair and impartial hearings for the protection of the public and liquor permit holders.
Liquor Control Division – Responsible for controlling the manufacture, distribution, importation, licensing, regulation, and sale of beer, wine, mixed beverages and spirituous liquor. A division of the Department of Commerce.
Long-term Care Ombudsman Programs – Advocates for people receiving home care, assisted living, and nursing home care. Works with providers, residents, and their families to resolve problems and concerns.
Lottery Commission – Generates profits for programs benefiting primary, secondary, vocational, and special education through the operation of the state lottery.
Manufactured Homes Program – Regulates the installation of manufactured housing.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission – A statewide advocate of Dr. King's principles of nonviolence. Annually honors Ohio's citizens who work to promote diversity and eliminate discrimination through nonviolent methods.
Division of Materials and Waste Management (DMWM) – Ensures that hazardous and non-hazardous wastes are managed in accordance with the applicable regulations. A division of the Environmental Protection Agency.
Medical Board – Provides medical regulation and licenses. Oversees the practice of medicine and its branches to protect and enhance the health and safety of the public.
Medical Transportation Board – now part of Emergency Medical, Fire and Transportation Services Board.
Medicare Balance Billing – Provides protection for those being billed by practitioners for amounts beyond what was approved by Medicare.
Medicare Premium Assistance Program (MPAP) – Helps those eligible for Medicare get help in paying the cost of Medicare premiums, deductibles, and/or insurance.
Mental Health and Addiction Services, Department of (OhioMHAS) – Promotes and establishes mental health as a cornerstone of health and wellness for individuals, families, and communities throughout Ohio and oversees Ohio's publicly funded alcohol and drug prevention, treatment, and recovery services system of care.
Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)/Encouraging Diversity, Growth & Equity (EDGE) Unit – Implements Ohio's minority business set-aside program by certifying minority businesses as eligible to participate in the program, assisting state agencies with the selection of set-aside contracts, and monitoring program compliance. A unit of the Department of Administrative Services.
Minority Health Commission – Funds projects that are focused on the reduction of the incidence and severity of those diseases or conditions which are responsible for excess morbidity and mortality in minority populations.
Missing Children Clearinghouse – A database of missing children in Ohio.
Motorcycle Ohio – Motorcycle safety and education program.
Motor Vehicle Repair, Board of – Administers and enforces the laws on motor vehicle collision repair registration in order to enhance consumer protection and promote industry growth and compliance.
Motor Vehicles, Bureau of (BMV) – Responsible for licensing drivers, registering and titling of motor vehicles.
Multi-Agency Radio Communication System (MARCS) – A statewide radio and data network that provides secure, reliable public service wireless communication for public safety and first responders.
MyOhio.gov – Allows state employees to view their paychecks and work-related news and provides access to OAKS applications.
Natural Areas and Preserves, Division of – Protects natural areas with ecological and/or geological significance. A division of the Department of Natural Resources.
Natural Resources, Department of (ODNR) – Manages the use of natural resources in the State of Ohio.
Newborn Screening Program – Screens and identifies babies at risk for disorders and serious diseases.
Nursing, Board of – Enforces the laws and rules regulating the practice of nursing. Approves pre-licensure nursing education and dialysis training programs. Oversees the licensure examination of nurses and takes disciplinary action when violations of law occur.
Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Athletic Trainers Board (OTPTAT) – Responsible for the regulation of the practices of occupational therapy, physical therapy, athletic training, orthotics, prosthetics, and pedorthics.
Ohgo.com – An interactive map of Ohio's roadways that provides real-time traffic updates and road conditions.
Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) – The Ohio Administrative Code contains the full text of state agency rules and regulations filed with the Legislative Commission.
Ohio Administrative Knowledge System (OAKS) – The Ohio Administrative Knowledge System exists to improve the effectiveness, efficiency and integration of state government business functions through an Enterprise Resource Planning system while supporting business initiatives and requirements.
Ohio's Best Rx – Ohio's Best Rx is a prescription drug discount card program designed to lower the cost of prescriptions for Ohio residents without prescription drug insurance.
Ohio Business Gateway – The Ohio Business Gateway concentrates on making government accessible to businesses by helping them find the information and services they need and helping them complete any necessary transactions electronically.
Ohio Channel – A website that provides unedited and commentary-free coverage of Statehouse activities including the Ohio House of Representatives, the Ohio Senate and the Ohio Supreme Court as well as news conferences and meetings.
Ohio Geographically Referenced Information Program – Devoted to the development and use of geographic information systems in Ohio.
Ohio History Central – An online encyclopedia of Ohio's natural history, prehistory and history.
Ohio I-File – The Ohio I-File wizard asks taxpayers a series of questions and then compiles a state or school district income tax return based on those answers.
Ohio Judicial Conference – Studies the coordination of the work of Ohio courts and encourages uniformity in the application of the law, rules and practices throughout the state. Promotes an exchange of experience and suggestions respecting the operation of the judicial system and makes recommendations for the improvement of the administration of justice.
OhioLearns/Ohio Learning Network – OhioLearns and the Ohio Learning Network is a searchable catalog of college level distance learning courses, programs and degrees from Ohio's colleges and universities.
OhioMeansJobs – Matches job seekers and employers throughout Ohio.
Ohio Memory – An online scrapbook of Ohio history.
Ohio Revised Code (ORC) – Contains all acts and laws passed by the Ohio General Assembly and signed by the governor.
Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program – Provides free health insurance information and services for people with Medicare.
Ohioana Library Association – Dedicated to collecting, preserving, and promoting the written work of Ohio's writers, artists, and musicians.
OhioMeansJobs Centers – Located in all 88 Ohio counties, these centers provide services to local businesses and job seekers.
OhioProud – The Department of Agriculture's marketing program that identifies and promotes food and agricultural products that are made and grown in Ohio.
OhioResponds.gov – Helps communities coordinate volunteer opportunities to prepare for, and respond to, local emergencies.
One-Stop Training Centers – Located in all 88 Ohio counties, these centers provide services to local businesses and job seekers. Now called OhioMeansJobs Centers.
OPlates.com – Allows you to renew or replace your vehicle registration, purchase specialty license plates, and change your address with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles online.
Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities – Ensures that individuals with disabilities achieve quality employment and independence by working with partners in business, education, and non-profits to facilitate customized employment plans. Administers Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. Formerly known as the Rehabilitation Services Commission.
OVI (DUI) Laws – Make it illegal to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
PASSPORT In-Home Care – Helps Medicaid-eligible older Ohioans get the long-term services and supports they need to stay in their homes.
Petroleum Underground Storage Tank Release Compensation Board – Serves underground storage tank owners and operators by managing the Financial Assurance Fund while providing financial assistance to remediate contamination caused by releases from assured petroleum underground storage tanks.
Personnel Board of Review – Hears the appeals of qualified state employees who have been subjected to a reduction in pay or position, laid off, suspended, discharged, or discriminated against.
Pharmacy Board – Pursues optimal standards of the practice of pharmacy through communication, education, legislation, licensing and enforcement of the laws and rules governing the practice. Also licenses home medical equipment facilities that sell, deliver, rent, install, demonstrate, replace or maintain home medical equipment.
Power Siting Board – Supports energy policies that provide for the installation of energy capacity and transmission infrastructure for the benefit of the Ohio citizens. Promotes the state's economic interests and protects the environment and land use by issuing certificates of environmental compatibility and public need for the construction, operation and maintenance of major utility facilities.
Procurement Services, Office of – Assists state agencies and political subdivisions with the procurement of various supplies and services. An office of the Department of Administrative Services.
Properties and Facilities, Office of – Preserves and maintains the state's investment in real properties and provides comprehensive property management services. An office of the Department of Administrative Services.
Project Learning Tree – A comprehensive environmental education program that strives to help educators develop learning experiences that encompass the total environment.
Psychology Board – Ensures Ohioans' access to safe and competent psychological services through examination, licensing, education, and enforcement.
Public Defender, Office of the – Responsible for providing legal representation and other services to those accused of a crime who cannot afford to hire their own attorney.
Public Safety, Department of (ODPS) – The Ohio Department of Public Safety protects the safety and security of Ohioans.
Public Utilities Commission of Ohio – Regulates providers of utility services.
Public Works Commission – Administers the State Capital Improvement Program, the Local Transportation Improvements Program and the Clean Ohio Conservation Green Space Program. Funds public works projects such as the construction of bridges, roads, storm water, wastewater, and water systems.
Racing Commission – Governs Ohio's horse racing industry and is dedicated to the protection, preservation and promotion of horse racing and industry-related components.
Rail Development Commission – Plans, promotes and implements the movement of goods and people on Ohio's rail transportation network. Funds railroad crossing safety improvements and provides grants, loans, and other assistance for rail-related issues.
Ready.Ohio.gov – A one-stop resource with the information Ohioans need to prepare for all types of emergencies.
Real Estate and Planning, Office of – Assists state agencies and universities with real estate-related needs and audits the use of state land and space. An office of the Department of Administrative Services.
Real Estate & Professional Licensing, Division of – Responsible for licensing real estate brokers and salespeople, real estate appraisers, and foreign real estate dealers and salespeople. Registers Ohio cemeteries and real estate developments located in other states but marketed in Ohio.
Register of Ohio – Provides public notice and information about state agency rulemaking proceedings.
Rehabilitation and Correction, Department of – Ensures that adult felony offenders are effectively supervised in safe, humane, and secure environments and strives to rehabilitate offenders so that they may become responsible, law-abiding citizens.
Riffe Gallery – The State of Ohio's art gallery.
Risk Management, Office of – Responsible for providing its customers with comprehensive risk management services and protecting the assets of the state. An office of the Department of Administrative Services.
Save the Dream – Ohio's foreclosure prevention initiative aimed at helping Ohioans take action to save the dream of homeownership.
School for the Deaf – Provides comprehensive education for Ohio's deaf and hard-of-hearing students.
Secretary of State – Oversees the elections process, ensures business filings are quick, efficient, and easy to retrieve while safeguarding corporate identities, and maintains public records for the state.
Securities, Division of – Strives to maintain a balance between enhancing capital formation and providing investor protection by enforcing the Ohio Securities Act. Licenses those who sell or give advice about investing in securities and requires that all securities sold in Ohio be registered or be properly exempted from such registration. Investigates alleged violations of the Ohio Securities Act. A division of the Department of Commerce.
Senate – Half of the legislative branch of Ohio's government and composed of 33 State Senators representing the citizens of Ohio.
Senior Community Service Employment Program – A paid job training and work experience program for adults age 55 and older.
Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program – Provides coupons to Ohio residents 60 and older who meet certain income requirements that can be redeemed for fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, and honey.
Service and Volunteerism Commission – ServeOhio aims to strengthen Ohio communities through service and volunteerism.
Speech and Hearing Professionals Board – Licenses speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and hearing aid dealers and fitters.
State and Federal Surplus Services – Disburses government-owned property declared as surplus to other state and/or municipal entities and hosts auctions to sell the remaining property.
State Board of Education – Creates policy and makes recommendations for K-12 education in Ohio.
State Employment Relations Board – Administers the Ohio Public Employees' collective bargaining act and hears, adjudicates, and works with various labor-related cases and issues.
State Fair – Conducted annually by the Ohio Expositions Commission.
State Fire Marshal – Works to safeguard the public, its property and the environment from fire and related risks through education, regulation, investigation and enforcement. A division of the Department of Commerce.
State Highway Patrol – Provides statewide traffic services, emergency response, and support services. Investigates criminal activities and provides security for the Governor and other dignitaries.
State Library of Ohio – Leads and partners in the development of library services in Ohio. Promotes and enables resource sharing among libraries and library networks. Provides access to information for Ohio's state government and specialized services to Ohio's residents.
Statehouse Museum Shop – Offers unique, Ohio-themed gifts.
Statehouse News Bureau – Provides comprehensive, educational coverage of legislation, elections, issues, and other activities surrounding the Statehouse. Provides state government news to Ohio's public radio and television stations.
State Printing and Mail Services – Provides its customers with a total publication solution and offers a full range of commercial procurement services with contract printers throughout the state, records and forms management, mail services, mainframe printing, fulfillment services, and a network of copy centers.
Summer Crisis Program – A program designed to help qualified households pay for summer cooling.
Supreme Court of Ohio – The court of last resort in Ohio. Hears appeals from Ohio's 12 District Courts of Appeals, exercises original jurisdiction in certain cases and carries out other assorted duties.
Take Charge! Live Well! – Provides state employees with tools and services to help them make healthy lifestyle choices.
Talent Acquisition Office – Provides recruitment and consultation services to state agencies, employees, and job applicants. An office of the Department of Administrative Services.
Tax Appeals, Board of – Provides taxpayers and tax authorities with an accessible, fair and efficient appeals process. Resolves appeals in a timely and judicious manner by facilitating settlement or by issuing written decisions, which are based on Ohio statutes, case law and board precedent.
Taxation, Department of – Collects and administers most state taxes and several local taxes, oversees real property taxation, and distributes revenue to local governments, libraries, and school districts.
Taxpayers' Bill of Rights – A publication that provides an explanation of the rights and obligations of citizens as taxpayers.
Think Ohio First – A program that gives Ohio companies every opportunity to compete for state business and encourages state government to fully consider these companies/entities that create jobs for Ohioans when it is purchasing supplies and services.
TourismOhio – Markets and celebrates Ohio's unique travel opportunities, tourism experiences and attractions, and promotes the State's outstanding quality of life.
Traffic Safety Office – Strives to save lives and reduce injuries on Ohio's roads through leadership and partnering efforts with others interested in traffic safety.
Transparency.Ohio.gov – The government accountability and transparency website for the State of Ohio.
Transportation, Department of – Responsible for the planning, building, and maintenance of transportation systems in Ohio.
Treasurer of State – Responsible for collecting, investing, and protecting state funds using sound fiscal policy.
Tuition Trust Authority – Provides tax-advantaged investment options, collectively known as Ohio's CollegeAdvantage 529 Savings Plans, for Ohio families to save for their children's college education
Turnpike Commission – Operates and maintains the Ohio Turnpike and provides users with safe, modern and helpful services such as service plazas or road maintenance in order to improve their travel experience along the Turnpike.
Unclaimed Funds, Division of – Protects Ohio citizens by collecting, keeping safe, and returning monies designated as unclaimed by financial institutions and other entities to their rightful owners in a timely fashion.
Unemployment Compensation, Office of – Provides resources for people seeking unemployment benefits, employers that need to file and pay unemployment taxes, and information on unemployment programs.
Unemployment Compensation Review – Conducts hearings on previously issued Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services unemployment compensation decisions that have been appealed by the claimant or employer and affirms, reverses, or modifies these decisions.
Utility Radiological Safety Board – Develops a comprehensive nuclear power policy for the state and promotes safe, reliable, and economical power and recommended policies and practices that promote safety, performance, emergency preparedness and public health standards that are designed to meet Ohio's needs.
Veterans Homes – The Ohio Veterans Home Agency provides two licensed nursing homes in the State of Ohio that provide nursing services and different levels of care for veterans.
Veterans Services, Department of – Seeks to identify, connect with, and advocate for veterans and their families.
Veterinary Medical Licensing Board – Ensures that those who are licensed by the board meet certain minimum education and training criteria to safely practice veterinary medicine.
Vision Professionals Board – Oversees activities related to licensing of nearly 6,500 optometrists, opticians, and ocularists.
Wage and Hour Administration – Administers and enforces Ohio's Minimum Wage Laws, Ohio's Minor Labor Law, and Ohio's Prevailing Wage Law by helping the public understand their rights and responsibilities under these laws.
Water and Sewer Rotary Commission- Provides interest-free loans to counties, municipalities, and certain special districts to pay the portion of the cost of a sewer or drinking water line extension project which otherwise would have been paid by assessments on agricultural land.
Water Development Authority – Provides financial assistance for environmental infrastructure from the sale of municipal revenue bonds through loans to local governments and from issuance of industrial revenue bonds for qualified projects in Ohio.
Watercraft, Division of – Responsible for boating safety, education, and law enforcement on all Ohio waters. A division of the Department of Natural Resources.
Women, Infants and Children – Provides nutrition education and nutritious foods to pregnant women, new mothers and their children up to age five who meet income guidelines.
Women, Infants and Children Farmers' Market Nutrition Program – Provides coupons to purchase authorized fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs from authorized farmers at farmers' markets.
Workers' Compensation, Bureau of – Protects injured workers and employers from loss as a result of workplace accidents and enhances the general health and well-being of Ohioans and the Ohio economy.
Workforce Administration, Office of – Responsible for workforce planning, managing the classification plan for centralized and decentralized state agencies, and reviews position descriptions for centralized agencies. Reviews position specific minimum qualification requests and performs other tasks related to the state's workforce. An office of the Department of Administrative Services.
Workforce Development, Office of – Provides information and tools to Ohio's workforce system, interprets federal and state laws and serves as the primary policy maker for workforce programs. An office of the Department of Job and Family Services.
Youth Art Exhibition – An annual art competition held at the James A. Rhodes State Office Tower during April and May. It is dedicated to the educational and artistic advancement of talented young people in the State of Ohio and is open to all high school students in Ohio.
Youth Services, Department of (DYS) – The juvenile corrections system for the State of Ohio. Encourages positive change in the lives of youthful offenders through collaborative partnerships and culturally relevant therapeutic and academic interventions that support public safety and prepare youth to lead productive lives.


text:
Biz Bits: 5 steps for grads to jump-start their career
Tip of the Week
Competition for employment is fiercer today than ever before. To prepare for life after graduation, there are steps college students can take to bolster their appeal in the job market. Martha Schottelkotte, director of Career Services at Brown Mackie College - Cincinnati, works with college students daily to help them strengthen employment prospects. "There are definite steps students can take to pave the way toward employment well before they graduate," Schottelkotte says. "We encourage students to adopt a professional mindset the moment they enroll." Schottelkotte goes on to outline five steps students can take to prepare for the eventual job search.
1. Join student clubs for major area of study.
2. Join professional organizations.
3. Focus on academic excellence.
4. Secure an internship or externship.
5. Do volunteer work.
BBB Watch
The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers about Healthy Online Services, a company based in Savage, Minn., which sells weight-loss supplements and other health products online. The company has an "F" rating with the BBB due to a nationwide pattern of complaints involving billing and customer service issues. The BBB has received 207 customer complaints against the company in the past 12 months.
Consumers filing complaints with the BBB indicate they are suddenly being billed months after signing up online for a free 14-day trial. Customers who have signed up to receive products at various websites operated by the company state that after paying shipping and handling, they were supposed to get their products and have the option of continuing on with their agreement after the trial period ended, incurring monthly charges or cancel the agreement during the trial period.
"From the complaints we've received, it's obvious that many ads offering 'free trial' offers for acai berry products, anti-aging pills and other miracle supplements blanket the Internet, including trusted websites of national news organizations," said Steve J. Bernas of the BBB. "Hundreds of consumers complain to the BBB that the 'free trial offers' have actually cost them hundreds of dollars, month after month."
For additional information on free trial scams, file a complaint or research a company, visit www.bbb.org.
The List
Here are the best-paying job in the United States, according to www.forbes.com:
1. Surgeon: $219,770
2. Anesthesiologist: $211,750
3. Oral and maxillofacial surgeon: $210,710
4. Orthodontist: $206,190
5. Obstetrician and gynecologist: $204,470
6. General internist: $183,990
7. Physician, all others: $173,860
8. Family and general practitioner: $168,550
9. Chief executive: $167,280
10. Psychiatrist: $163,660
Number to Know
6,000: Number of jobs that Pfizer Inc. will cut, the company recently announced.
GateHouse News Service

subset: commoncrawl


text:
News In Brief
More downpours are forecast for California, which received another dose of rain over the weekend - but without major new flooding. However, several highways were closed by landslides, and flash-flood warnings are in effect for parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
In Tennessee and Alabama, residents cleaned up after a tornado ripped through the states. Thousands were without electricity, more than 200 homes were destroyed or damaged, and one person was killed.
A guest list released by the Clinton administration shows that President Clinton invited 400 of his party's top financial supporters to the White House 1-1/2 years before his reelection. And a spokesman for the comptroller of the currency said bankers and bank regulators often sat down with political operatives from the Democratic Party. The administration acknowledged the events were arranged by the Democratic Party, but denied anything was wrong with holding the meetings at the White House.
Publix Super Markets agreed to pay $81.5 million to settle a class-action suit brought by 150,000 women who accused the grocery chain of sex discrimination. The suit originally brought by eight women in 1995 said Florida's largest private employ-er passed them over for raises and repeatedly denied them management jobs. The grocer also agreed to allow the EEOC to monitor hiring and promoting for up to seven years. And it reached a preliminary agreement with the EEOC to pay $3.5 million to settle complaints of racial discrimination. The money is pegged for programs to improve race relations.
The Justice Department will no longer defend in court a federal law that allows Medicare and Medicaid payments to Christian Science care-givers, Attorney General Janet Reno told Congress. A federal judge in Minnesota ruled last August that such payments violate the constitutional separation of church and state.
Clinton says he'll recommend that Congress set aside $43 million for new early-warning systems for food contamination. He said the proposal is part of the budget plan he'll send to Congress next month.
A soldier whose allegations about sexual harassment sparked an investigation into a military sex scandal plans to leave the Army today. Jessica Bleckley was granted an honorable discharge for hardship reasons. She went public with allegations that a drill sergeant at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland had harassed her. Since then, four other instructors there have been charged with sexual crimes, including rape.
A West Point cadet accused of raping a female cadet was acquitted by a jury of seven male US Army officers at West Point, N.Y. The woman was the first to bring rape charges against a fellow cadet since women were admitted to the military academy 20 years ago.
Saudi Arabia's ambassador indicated his government won't allow US agents to participate more actively in the probe of a bombing that killed 19 US airmen in Dhahran. In a rare public criticism of the country last week, FBI director Louis Freeh and Attorney General Reno demanded that the kingdom allow greater US involvement.
Three men charged with robbing banks and with bombing a newspaper office and abortion clinic also are being investigated for the July 27 Olympic Park bombing in Atlanta, according to the Spokesman-Review in Spokane, Wash. The newspaper, which is the same one that was bombed, quoted anonymous FBI and Justice Department officials as saying the men are the "strongest leads" in the bombing.
Enough evidence exists to "clearly implicate" Khmer Rouge leaders in crimes against humanity during their 1975-79 rule in Cambodia, the US-funded Cambodian Genocide Program announced. And the genocide toll might be closer to 2 million rather than the previously cited 1 million, new evidence suggests. Researchers at the Yale University program in New Haven, Conn., came to the conclusions after studying meticulous records of the killings kept by the Khmer Rouge.
Chechen guerrilla leader Aslan Maskhadov predicted victory in today's presidential election and vowed to turn the breakaway region into a sovereign state. He is widely favored to win, although the field also includes 15 other candidates. In Moscow, a Kremlin spokesman said Russia was ready to cut relations with any government that granted diplomatic recognition to Chechnya.
Leftist rebels in Peru released another hostage from the Japanese ambassador's residence they have been occupying since before Christmas. The freed hostage was a police official who needed medical treatment. To ease growing tensions over the standoff, Peru's government pledged to seek "a peaceful solution without bloodshed."
Albanians set fire to the national oil company headquarters and clashed with riot police in another day of protests that were first aimed at pyramid schemes but now are turning against the government. For more than a week, desperate citizens have protested in front of pyramid-scheme companies, demanding the return of their life savings. Some of the schemes have gone bankrupt; others have had their assets frozen by the government. Some government officials are accused of using money from the schemes to finance election campaigns.
The Orthodox patriarch of Serbia said he would lead a procession through Belgrade, a move that analysts warned would increase the risk of a violent confrontation between opposition protesters and police. Patriarch Pavle has led earlier processions that were joined by anti-government demonstrators without incident. But police clubbed at least 20 demonstrators Jan. 24-25, as tensions have grown in almost 10 weeks of protests.
Britain's opposition Labour Party retreated from its vow to vote against spending public tax money for a new royal yacht. Labour, which leads in public-opinion polls as Britain nears a new national election, had said there were more important priorities for the money. But a spokesman later said no such decision had been made yet, and that a new royal yacht "could be an asset for the country." The vessel, projected to cost $100 million, would replace the 44-year-old Britannia.
Delegates from 100 countries open a two-week UN conference on the environment today in Nairobi, Kenya. They are expected to discuss downsizing the agency's environmental programs because of ongoing financial difficulties.
The Taliban religious army boycotted a new attempt at negotiations over the political future of Afghanistan. Taliban officials said the talks - sponsored by Iran - were destined to go nowhere because there was no possibility of a cease-fire. They accused Iran of interference in Afghan affairs. Meanwhile, Taliban forces claimed to have captured a valley linking the capital, Kabul, with opposition-controlled zones to the north.
Protests against China's plan to weaken civil-liberties laws in Hong Kong grew into a march by hundreds of pro-democracy activists. They converged on China's de-facto diplomatic mission in the colony, with their leader saying: "The battle will be lost if we keep silent." China assumes control of the colony on July 1.
A powerful cyclone that tore through the African island nation of Madagascar was blamed for more than 100 deaths, state radio reports said. The 124-m.p.h. winds also destroyed several towns, leaving left thousands of other people homeless or missing.
This settlement really goes to breaking the glass ceiling in the promotion of women."
- Frederico Costales of Florida's Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, on an agreement by Publix Super Markets to pay $81.5 million to settle a lawsuit by 150,000 women accusing the chain of sex discrimination.
San Diego Zoo officials have made their first stab at matchmaking between two giant pandas on loan from China. In the hope that they'll mate this spring, Bai Yun, a female, was introduced to Shi Shi, a male, last week. He touched her face with one paw, considered a good sign. Fewer than 1,000 giant pandas live in the wild, all of them in China. The only other panda in captivity in the US is a male, at the National Zoo in Washington.
Call it a self-fulfilling pro-phecy. In Albany, Ga., city commissioners voted to pull the plug on television coverage of their meetings because of too much grandstanding in front of the cameras. That's exactly the argument against such coverage that's always used by opponents. But in Albany, it seems, there was another dimension. The meetings had become so rancorous that rival cities were using the videotapes to show new businesses why they shouldn't locate in Albany.
Who's Paid the Most at National Public Radio?
In the fiscal year spanning Oct. 1, 1994 - Sept. 31, 1995, records show that NPR paid more than $25 million in base salaries to its executives and staff. The network's best-paid people:
Delano Lewis, president $170,660
Barbara Hall, vice president $112,455
Bill Buzenberg, vice president $112,355
Bob Edwards, senior program host $148,506
Linda Wertheimer, senior host $101,723
Robert Siegal, senior host $101,460
Scott Simon, senior host $101,128
Daniel Schorr, senior news analyst $105,581
Mary Kay Magistad, correspondent $81,388
Ray Dilley, projects director $75,240
- Public Broadcasting Report


text:
If not for a few key turns of events, Siyamiyateliyot Elizabeth Phillips might not be the last surviving fluent speaker of Upriver Halq'eméylem, the language of the Stó:lō people.
The first one was the tragic loss of her mother, who died giving birth to her in 1939. Her father already had several children to care for, and he took Elizabeth from her home village of Cheam across the river to Seabird Island to be raised by the Peters family, who were fluent Halq'eméylem speakers.
The second was becoming an honorary elder in the Stó:lō community while still in her 30s. The mother who raised her wanted to participate in the Elders Language Circle at the Coqualeetza Education Centre, but needed Elizabeth to translate for her as she only spoke Halq'eméylem. So Elizabeth was immersed in conversational sessions with elders several decades older than her, and kept her Halq'eméylem language skills sharp.
And the third is the more than 50 years of work she has put in formally working to preserve the language, cooperating with linguists and other professors from a variety of universities.
Now this formerly young elder is a true elder, approaching the age of 80, and has outlived those with whom she used to enjoy speaking her language fluently. But she continues to work to keep Halq'eméylem alive. For her efforts to ensure that current and future generations can speak the language, the University of the Fraser Valley is recognizing Elizabeth, whose Stó:lō name is Siyamiyateliyot, with an honorary Doctor of Letters degree at its June 6 afternoon convocation ceremony, starting at 2:30 pm. The public is welcome to attend.
It can be lonely being the last fluent speaker of a language. Elizabeth even thinks and dreams in Halq'eméylem, but has nobody to converse fluently with anymore.
While being interviewed, she casually peppers the conversation with Halq'eméylem words such as xwelítem for white person, and Kwikwetlem for the community of Coquitlam.
"I only knew Halq'eméylem at first, but I would listen at the door as the Indian Agent came to talk to my dad, and he would translate for my mother, and I got to know both languages. One day, a xwelítem spoke to me in English and I answered, and my parents were surprised that I knew English."
As a child, many in her community spoke Halq'eméylem, but after residential school experiences, the children came home not knowing their language and eventually only the elders could speak it.
In spite of many obstacles, Elizabeth's dedication has enabled her to share her knowledge of Halq'eméylem widely. She has devote over half her life to trying to save her ancestral language, and generously helps anyone who wants to learn it.
She worked at the Coqualeetza Education Centre on efforts to preserve the language, starting in the 1980s. These days, she regularly visits Halq'eméylem classes offered by UFV.
In the 1970s and 80s, she cooperated with professional linguist Brent Galloway and other fluent speakers to create the Halq'eméylem dictionary, helping to preserve a language that was fading fast.
"Halq'eméylem was an oral language until the Coqualeetza elders group created a writing system with Dr. Galloway," recalls Elizabeth's daughter Vivian Williams. "My mother and 11 other elders went and lived in a dorm at UBC where they learned to use the writing system and completed the orthography of the language. Without their effort the language might be dead now. And now my mom is the last one alive who was involved in this project."
In recent years, linguist Strang Burton recorded her speaking her native tongue both on film and as an ultrasound recording, enabling students to see how the muscles move inside the mouth for certain sounds.
Elizabeth and the late Xwiyólemot Tillie Gutierrez and linguist Susan Russell co-authored Talking in Halq'eméylem, Documenting Conversation in an Indigenous Language, published in 2017.
For Elizabeth, it's the casual encounters with her former students that make her efforts worthwhile. She has proudly witnessed some going on to earn their education degrees and become teachers. Others stop her on the street to thank her.
"I was waiting for the bus after shopping and a young man came up to me and said éy swayel [hello]. He was from a class that I have visited taught by Koyalemot Mary Stewart. It happens at bingo too. Someone came up and asked if I was Elizabeth and thanked me for preserving our language."


text:
India will aim to achieve the number one position in the ICC ODI championship table for the first time ever when they square off against Pakistan in a three-match series, commencing in Chennai on December 30.
ICC World Cup 2011 champions, India are ranked third on the table with 120 ratings points, just a rating point behind current No. 1 England and South Africa in second place.
England are fraction of a point ahead of South Africa.
If India manage to win the first One-dayer against Pakistan, they will climb to the top of the table with 121 ratings points, which would put them ahead of both England and South Africa by a fraction of a point.
If India, which have only achieved a ranking as high as number two so far in the ODI championship table, win all three matches in the series, they will become the leaders at 123 ratings points, two points ahead of England and South Africa.
But if India lose even one of their three games against Pakistan, they would remain at the third spot.
Pakistan, currently ranked sixth, on the other hand can hope to move up a spot to fifth if they win all three matches against India, gaining six ratings points to move to 110.


text:
It is with the a sad heart and mind that I let all of the readers of Life In The Foothills know that Barbara who began this a few years back has succumbed to her illnesses and passed away last Sunday. Writing this blog as she dealt with her health issues gave her tremendous pleasure and as she told me many times a purpose to continue and fight the cancer that finally took her.
I shall miss her tremendously as she was my wife, my best friend, and my life's love. Those that did correspond with her please know you helped her with her fight and added to the pleasure she received as she writing her stories.
To all of you thank you.
I myself do not have the same strength as Barb did at this time. I am in that emotional spot at this time that wants me to run from reality yet it wants me to confront it as well. I know many of you have experienced this as well.
As this will be the final post I ask that no-one reply to this as I will not be monitoring any reply to have it posted. So rather than reply please simply send out a thought or prayer on Barb's behalf and that will serve a better purpose than a typed message.
God Bless her and keep her safe.


text:
For nearly two years, refineries in the Midwest have been buying crude oil at steep discounts thanks to a glut of U.S. and Canadian oil. But drivers in the Midwest haven't seen a corresponding decrease in gasoline prices. In fact, they sometimes pay more at the pump than people in other parts of the country, even as windfall profits flow to BP, Koch Industries Inc. and other large Midwestern refiners.
"It's good to be a refiner," said Tom Kloza, chief oil analyst at the Oil Price Information Service, a company that tracks energy markets. "For 20 years, the rule of thumb was that if you made $5 a barrel east of the Rockies, that was a good profit for a refinery. Recently, we saw a period in the Midwest where refiners were making $40, or $50, or even $60 a barrel on gasoline."
The disparity of fortunes between Midwest refiners and consumers isn't a surprise to industry analysts.
In today's complex fuel market, retail gasoline prices are no longer just a reflection of the cost of oil. A host of other factors—such as refinery fires, power outages and damage from extreme weather events—now have an increasing impact, in part because there are fewer refineries fulfilling the nation's thirst for fuel.
The correlation between the price of oil and the price of gasoline has become so skewed that analysts say it calls into question one of the central benefits touted by supporters of the controversial Keystone XL pipeline: That the project would lower U.S. gas prices by providing Gulf Coast refiners with a steady flow of cheaper oil from Canada.
"Now there are all sorts of wild cards—all sorts of additional complexities," said Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst at GasBuddy.com, which helps drivers find low gas prices. "Sometimes it doesn't matter if you're putting $100 oil into that refinery or $60 Canadian oil, because we're becoming more subject to these refining limitations and outages."
Nowhere has this shift been more obvious than in the Midwest, where ramped up tar sands oil production and construction of new and expanded pipelines helped create an oil glut that first surfaced in 2011.
Although Midwest pump prices have periodically dipped a bit, refiners that bought the cheaper crude kept most of the gains for themselves. Earnings reports show they processed the discounted oil, then sold the resulting fuel to distributors and consumers at prices that were pushed up by Midwest fuel shortages and by the higher cost of other kinds of crude oil.
In mid-December, for instance, when the discount peaked, refiners could buy Canadian heavy oil for about $44 per barrel—almost half the going price of $88.32 per barrel for West Texas Intermediate, the U.S. benchmark oil. Gas prices in the Midwest sank to the year's lowest average, $3.14 a gallon. But that was still 10 cents more than drivers were paying on the Gulf Coast and only 11 cents cheaper than the national average, according to figures from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
So far this year, retail gas prices in the Midwest have been mixed. They were below the national average until the end of April, but in late May, additional refinery problems sent them soaring to 20 cents above the national average. The price spike dissipated after some of the problems were solved. But industry-watchers expect the gyrations at the pump to continue.
"We've had crazy up and we've had crazy down in the Midwest," said Kloza, of the energy price tracking company. "Everything we've seen so far in 2013 in the Midwest has had nothing to do with crude. It's had nothing to do with [uncertainty around the] Keystone."
Complex Fuel Market
The biggest factor in the region's gas prices has been the partial shutdown of the Midwest's largest refinery—BP's plant in Whiting, Ind.—so it can be upgraded to process larger amounts of Canada's heavy crude. The project is taking longer than planned, and analysts expect it to be at least a few more months before the refinery runs at full capacity.
Several other Midwest refineries have also had problems. A maintenance project in Joliet, Ill. took almost twice as long as planned. There was a fire in Detroit. Lightning struck a plant in Lemont, Ill. There were pipeline spills in Wisconsin.
"The Midwest has just had a lot of bad luck," said Phil Flynn, a Chicago-based energy trader at the Price Futures Group. "We also had power outages during a storm that slowed production. We had that pipeline in Minnesota, because of the floods, knocked out of commission."
Because of those glitches, gasoline inventories in the Midwest fell close to 25-year lows.
The region's refiners aren't complaining, though. Even though Canada's heavy crude has gotten a lot more expensive in 2013—it's now trading at $82.34 per barrel compared to $96.50 per barrel for U.S. benchmark oil—refiners that buy it still pocket a double-digit discount that doesn't get passed along in lower gasoline prices.
The strongest profit margins have been in the Midwest, but refiners elsewhere also benefited from snags in gasoline supplies that sent pump prices soaring well above production costs. Refinery problems on the West Coast last year triggered California's fastest and largest spike in gasoline prices. When Hurricane Sandy hit the Northeast, it led to gas lines, fuel shortages and higher gas prices that lasted long after normal fuel flows were restored.
The Energy Information Administration estimated that despite cheaper oil imports from Canada, higher domestic production and lower gasoline demand, Americans spent almost 4 percent of their household income on gas in 2012. That's the highest percentage in nearly 30 years, and puts it in a tie with 2008, when oil prices neared $150 a barrel and gasoline prices set record-highs that were recently eclipsed in many regions.
Oil and fuel markets have grown more complex in other ways, too. Energy traders now play a significant role in setting market prices, and so do things like currency exchange rates and the ebb and flow of fuel exports. In addition, every gallon of U.S. gasoline contains an increasing amount of ethanol, making corn prices an increasingly important element in determining what consumers pay at the pump.
What's more, surprise developments—such as the recent surge in U.S. oil production—have disrupted longstanding price relationships between different types of crude as well as between oil and gasoline. At times, U.S. crude prices and gasoline prices have even moved in opposite directions.
The price of "crude is still crucial, but … gasoline is ultimately what we need to burn," said Kloza of the Oil Price Information Service. For that reason, refinery glitches and other events that put a crimp in gasoline supplies have made U.S. fuel prices "much, much more bipolar than crude."
Refiners Are in Charge
Refinery hiccups have been around as long as refineries themselves. But the ripple effects of a single outage are more immediate and more dramatic now because of an accelerating trend toward fewer, larger, and more complicated refineries.
In addition, refiners and others in the industry now keep as little extra oil, gasoline and diesel on hand as possible. Crude oil gets delivered to refiners essentially on an as-needed basis. Gasoline and diesel are carried from refineries to gas stations in a similar just-in-time fashion, whether the fuel is being moved across town or from the Gulf Coast to the Northeast.
Gasoline stockpiles in the Rocky Mountain region, for example, amounted to 24.9 gallons per person last year, a 42 percent drop from 43 gallons per person in 1980, according to the Oil Price Information Service. The change is even more striking on the West Coast, where gasoline inventories that stood at 38.5 gallons a person in 1980 fell by almost half, to 19.8 gallons per person, last summer.
Low inventories help refiners cut operating costs and reflect a distribution system that's become more efficient over the years. But they also can lead to magnified and immediate price spikes at the pump if there's a problem in the supply chain.
Another constantly shifting element that affects pump prices is the lure of higher profits for refiners that export fuel—especially diesel—from the United States to countries where demand is growing. The focus on exports has accelerated so much that the U.S. recently became a net exporter of fuel for the first time. Because diesel exports are particularly lucrative, many Gulf Coast refiners are making more diesel and less gasoline from each barrel of oil.
Everything in Flux
All these changes are still transforming the industry, making it harder than ever to make assumptions about energy prices.
Just a few years ago, it was possible to reliably predict the rough cost of the nation's gasoline merely by observing the price of benchmark crude on the New York Mercantile Exchange, where traders buy and sell contracts for North Sea Brent and West Texas Intermediate crudes based on actual conditions and speculation about oil prices, supply and demand. The connection between oil and gasoline prices was so ingrained and so consistent that politicians, the oil industry and the public have equated the two for decades.
Drawing on that well-established link, it made sense to assume that building the Keystone XL would directly affect gasoline prices. After all, the project would boost the nation's imports of cheap crude from Canada, and more oil would translate into lower fuel prices.
In this new world, however, it's just not that simple, analysts say.
Although it's hard to predict whether all these trends will continue to hold such sway over gasoline prices, they say the dominant and unshakable correlation between oil and gasoline prices has been severely weakened, if not broken altogether.
"Crude oil versus your prices for refined products … I think they're separate and distinct entities now," said Andre van der Valk, who worked at an oil company and now owns four gas stations in Southern California.
Still, many politicians cling to the notion that importing more of Canada's tar sands oil through the Keystone would lower U.S. gas prices. The project's effect on gas prices is expected to be one of the factors that the Obama administration considers when determining whether the pipeline is in the national interest.
No matter which way the decision goes, refiners expect their good fortune to continue. If the Keystone isn't built, the supply of heavy Canadian crude won't be as robust for Gulf Coast refiners, but it will continue to flow via rail and other pipelines. If the Keystone is built, their profits will get an extra boost. They'll be able to buy even more of the cheaper Canadian crudes, along with crude from North Dakota and West Texas, and then sell the byproducts at prices that don't reflect the oil discount.
"Right now, if you're a refiner, whether you're on the Gulf Coast, the East Coast or whatever, you're saying to your fellow refiners, 'Pinch me, I want to make sure this is not a dream,'" Kloza said.


text:
Will Manitowoc Earnings Get a Big Lift?
Manitowoc will release its quarterly report on Monday, and even with the sluggishness in the economies of many of the fastest-growing countries in the world, shareholders believe that stock still has a lot of promise. The rapid growth in Manitowoc earnings in recent years is expected to slow for the quarter, but investors still look forward to a rapid acceleration in earnings growth in the years to come.
Most of Manitowoc's success has come from its production of cranes, with products ranging from the traditional building-top cranes that you've seen atop skyscrapers to specialized mobile telescopic cranes that allow workers to do heavy lifting in rough-terrain environments. But Manitowoc also has a food-service equipment business that diversifies its exposure somewhat from the construction industry. Let's take an early look at what's been happening with Manitowoc over the past quarter and what we're likely to see in its quarterly report.
Stats on Manitowoc
Analyst EPS Estimate
Change From Year-Ago EPS
Revenue Estimate
$1.07 billion
Change From Year-Ago Revenue
Earnings Beats in Past Four Quarters
Source: Yahoo! Finance.
What's holding Manitowoc earnings growth back?
Analysts have trimmed their views on Manitowoc earnings in the past few months, reducing their June-quarter estimates by a nickel per share and their full-year 2013 projections by more than twice that figure. Yet the stock has held up relatively well compared to its peers, rising 12% since late April.
Interestingly, Manitowoc actually started the quarter on the wrong foot, as it disappointed investors with a poor earnings report at the beginning of May. Although its crane segment posted reasonable sales growth of 7.8%, the food-service equipment business saw much slower revenue growth of 2% and actually reported a 3.7% drop in operating income.
The entire construction sector has taken huge hits due to sluggishness in Chinese growth, the continued European financial crisis, and unrest in areas like Brazil. Peer Terex had to cut its full-year earnings guidance last month, with its construction and material- and port-handling businesses showing particular weakness. Yet the potential silver lining for Terex was its aerial works platforms division, which saw 21% growth in its most recent quarter. The aerial segment's success points to strength in the niche that Manitowoc shares with Terex.
Moreover, Manitowoc has managed to maintain a healthy backlog of orders that show the company's potential to sustain its long-term growth. With $776 million of outstanding crane orders as of March, the backlog represents about four months' worth of revenue for the segment, roughly in line with what industry giant Caterpillar's $20.4 billion in order backlog equates to as a proportion of its much larger total revenue. Yet Manitowoc hasn't seen Caterpillar's substantial contraction in sales recently, pointing to the crane-maker's greater resiliency.
The big question facing Manitowoc is which of its promising segments has more potential. Food service has actually been a growth area lately, with commercial-oven makerMiddleby seeing huge gains in its business and its stock as restaurant companies go through massive expansions around the world. Even if global construction activity stays depressed, the rising consumer classes in many emerging markets could help Manitowoc weather the storm by encouraging continued restaurant expansion.
In the Manitowoc earnings report, watch to see which segment produces the greater growth both this quarter and in company projections for the future. As long as the setbacks in the global economy prove to be normal cyclical downturns rather than permanent slowdowns, then Manitowoc's prospects to produce outpaced growth in future years look bright.
Manitowoc shows how you can profit from our increasingly globalizing economy just by investing in your own backyard. The Motley Fool's free report, "3 American Companies Set to Dominate the World", shows you more great ideas along the same lines. Click here to get your free copy before it's gone.
Click here to add Manitowoc to My Watchlist, which can find all of our Foolish analysis on it and all your other stocks.
The article Will Manitowoc Earnings Get a Big Lift? originally appeared on Fool.com.
Fool contributor Dan Caplinger has no position in any stocks mentioned. You can follow him on Twitter @DanCaplinger. The Motley Fool recommends Middleby. The Motley Fool owns shares of Middleby and Terex. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Copyright © 1995 - 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.


text:
Scream 5 Could Kill The Film Series, Not The TV Series
11 years after Scream 3 premiered, Wes Craven returned to Woodsboro to torment Sidney Prescott and the gang one more time. In 2011, Scream 4 pulled audiences back into theaters to the tune of $97 million worldwide, and brought in untold wealth to Dimension Films and The Weinstein Company in the resurgence of fans buying the first three. So Scream 5 and even Scream 6 seemed inevitable. But it's 2013, so what's the deal?
Well, Harvey Weinstein still wants Scream 5 to happen. As reported by Indiewire, he confessed as much at the Zurich Film Festival Masterclass, saying he's pushing his brother Bob, who runs Dimension Films, to get it going:
It's true. Despite all odds, survivor Sidney, dopey Deputy Dewey, and danger junkie Gale Weathers all pulled through this latest brush with Ghostface. Yet it sounds like if Harvey has his way, this series will end with these heroes being put down for good. The fates of the Woodsboro trio are far from sealed as the last news on Scream 5 stated that screenwriter Kevin Williamson had a plan for a trilogy, but no actual script for the fifth installment had yet been penned. This was just a month after Scream 4 opened, when Craven offered that another Scream was a possibility, but he was taking a breather first.
Craven's contract with Dimension demands that any Scream sequel must be offered to him before any other director. With two years having passed, maybe this horror auteur is ready to jump back in the blood-splattered saddle? But aside from Harvey's enthusiasm, there's no sign that Scream 5 has any forward momentum. Thankfully, there is the upcoming spin-off TV series to satisfying Scream fans' blood lust.
Last spring, MTV greenlit a pilot for the Scream series, but the studio was being stingy on details of how the scary show would relate to its movie source. Shock Till You Drop has since uncovered a report that the TV drama will serve as "a new beginning" for the story we all know, which seems to suggest reboot. But a definite difference from the film series is that this Scream will include a supernatural element. While purists will likely sneer at this addition, it seems a pretty smart move as supernatural horror is a pretty big trend on television right now, from American Horror Story to Grimm and the newly debuted Sleepy Hollow. Production on the Scream series is expected to begin next year. As for Scream 5, it's still a possibility, but I wouldn't hold your breath.
Your Daily Blend of Entertainment News
Staff writer at CinemaBlend.


text:
One large reason why Google's earnings fell dramatically this quarter can be summed up in a word: Motorola.
Sure, Google wanted Motorola badly—to the tune of $12.5 billion—for its patents, but Mountain View is now responsible for a lot more. Collectively, in Q3 2012, Motorola lost $527 million ($505 million in the mobile segment alone). The rest of Google, meanwhile, took in $3.26 billion. So, accounting for Motorola's half-billion dollar quarterly loss, the company as a whole made $2.74 billion in income, down from $3.07 billion a year ago.
"We're really pleased with Motorola's progress in its 150 days," said Patrick Pichette, Google's chief financial officer, in the company's scheduled earnings call on Thursday. "We're just at the beginning of the Google and Motorola story."
In other words, Google has struggled to fully integrate Motorola's business into its own—granted, it has only had one full quarter to do so. Just earlier this month, Google said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it would be laying off workers outside the United States in addition to the 4,000 job cuts it announced in late August.
However, analysts say that despite the stock slide, Motorola still remains a relatively small part of the company, and that this may just be a short-term bump in the road.
Motorola "not a major consideration," analysts say
"Motorola details are not a major consideration for investors in Google," Brian Weiser, an analyst at Pivotal Research Group, told Ars.
"The company provides such minimal disclosure (and is unlikely to improve on that front, such that it would be impossible to tell how, if at all, it would impact the company) and at any rate, is more likely than not simply tidying the manufacturing business up for a sale that it's not worth paying much attention to given the relative scale of the rest of Google's business."
He added that Google has also said that it plans on trimming down the company and selling off parts of it. In late August, various media outlets reported that Google was in the early stages of trying to sell the Motorola Home Business unit to the tune of $2 billion.
"[Google has] been less explicit in their thoughts beyond that, but it appears that the manufacturing business is best viewed as an option for Google," he added. "Under all circumstances they want to turn it around from a product development and profitability perspective. If by the time they have turned it around it happens to be strategic to hold on to the business, they will."
Ben Schachter, an analyst with the Macquarie Group, told Ars that focusing in on Android-powered devices is likely the future of Motorola within Google.
"As for the Motorola integration, it is clear that while the patents were important, they were not the only factor in the acquisition," Ben Schachter, an analyst with the Macquarie Group, told Ars. "We expect Google to meaningfully scale down the size of Motorola while focusing on fewer (but higher-end) products—not only phones, but tablets and other Internet connected devices."


text:
Last year we had a blast at our neighborhood Bloktoberfest – every year it gets bigger and better and if you're in Philly we would strongly encourage you to check it out this upcoming Saturday! It's technically a fundraiser for our neighborhood, but you may not notice at first because the craft beers are amazing & there's multiple stages for great music. Did we mention it's 4 blocks long and there's a ton of local food and even lots of (generally cleanish) port a potties as well? Yes, please!
ABOUT BLOKTOBERFEST (from their site)
"Bloktoberfest, an all-ages, free-to-attend celebration of beer, food, music, and Philly will be returning for its fourth year on Saturday, October 13th, 2012, from noon to 8pm, taking over four blocks of South Street between Broad Street and 18th Street. In partnership with the South of South Neighborhood Association, South Street West Business Association, and Bella Vista Beer Distributors, Bloktoberfest will once again showcase a wide selection of beer by craft breweries from around the country, food from neighborhood vendors and food trucks, and multiple stages of live music featuring nationally recognized and emerging local acts. The event is not for profit, with beer proceeds directed back into a variety of local charities and programs."


text:
It's May of 1862, the early days of the American Civil War. Mexico had a war on its hands, too; they were fighting the French, and it was going poorly.
Mexico had just come to the end of its own civil war; it was out of cash and unable to pay its international debts. France had taken exception to this, sent an army and navy to Veracruz, and was marching to take Mexico City and claim its gold. They did take Mexico City, did claim their gold, and eventually installed their own emperor. Briefly.
But the road to Mexico City held a surprise. A small force of Mexican infantry and Zapotec Indians routed a much larger force of French near Puebla, three or four days' march outside the capital. It was a small victory, but it would take another year for the French to finally take Mexico City. It was an inspiring, symbolic victory, and became a rallying point for the Mexican people and armies in what would become a years-long struggle to regain control of their country. It was May 5, 1862; a few days later, the President declared a national holiday in honor of the "Battle of Cinco de Mayo", and the celebration of that uplifting, but inconclusive, victory continues today, typically with street fairs, dancing, food, and drink.
It took me a long time to catch on to Cinco de Mayo. Commemorating Mexican army victories is not part of my family heritage, any more than being a pretend Irishman on St. Patrick's Day. But over time I've learned that just as St. Patrick's is a good day to drink beer and Irish whiskey, Cinco de Mayo pleases me as a fine excuse to refresh my acquaintance with tequila.
And it needs to be refreshed. For some reason, winter and tequila just don't go together in my cocktail repertoire. A good springtime celebration is just what it takes to jolt me back into the cool summer drinks regimen.
And this year I'm setting the Margaritas aside; this time, my tequila drink of choice is the Paloma.
Mixing the Simple Paloma
In its simplest form, the Paloma ("The Dove") is basically a highball—a tall, cool glass of tequila and grapefruit soda. Some people dress it up with a salty rim, margarita-style, or squeeze half a lime over the top, but that sort of embellishment runs counter to the basic blue-collar simplicity of the highball. It's a tequila analog of rum-and-Coke, Jack-and-Coke, bourbon-and-ginger, or even the gin-and-tonic—it's basically your favorite flavor of soda with lots of ice and a shot of your favorite hooch. Quick, easy, cool, and satisfying.
Paloma (Highball)
- 2 oz blanco tequila
- grapefruit or citrus soda
Add ice to a highball glass. Add tequila, then top up with soda. Optionally, squeeze a half lime over the top, and add the shell into the drink.
There are any number of grapefruit sodas you can use in the Paloma. The most popular seem to be Squirt, which seems to be available everywhere, and the less-widely-distributed Mexican brand Jarritos.
Mixing the Cocktailian Paloma
But if you aren't into commercial sodas, you can also make the Paloma from scratch.
All you need is fresh lime, grapefruit and soda water.
- 2 oz tequila
- ½–¾ oz fresh lime juice
- 2 oz fresh grapefruit juice
- pinch of salt or ½ tsp 1:4 salt solution
- ¾ oz simple syrup
- soda or tonic to taste
Combine all ingredients except soda with ice, and shake until cold. Pour, including ice, into a highball or Collins glass; include the spent lime shell, and top with a splash of soda or tonic. Optionally, garnish with a grapefruit or lime twist.
Use a good tequila. A decent blanco seems to be traditional, but aged tequilas will work well, too. Just mix with one you like.
The two ounces of grapefruit juice in this formula is more than you'll encounter in many recipes, but this proportion maintains the grapefruit-forward aspect of the drink. I've found that less juice just gets lost in the mix.
Lime keeps the citrus aspect from being one-dimensional, and seems to brighten the overall flavor.
The salt is a classic accompaniment to tequila, and also seems to raise the flavors in the drink. I use a one-part-salt to four-parts-water solution; you could just add a pinch of salt directly into the drink and hope it dissolves, but it's hard to maintain consistency with that technique. You might also find that the salt is not helpful if you use older tequilas.
(I've seen recommendations to add salt to the rim, Margarita-style. I'm against it; it's messy, and this is not a Margarita.)
The soda is there to brighten the drink with a bit of fizziness. You can add a little or a lot, according to your taste. Paloma is meant to be a tall drink, so l lean toward topping up the glass with the fizzy—and that is probably why I lean toward a strong portion of grapefruit juice. You might find that you enjoy the Paloma mixed with the less traditional tonic instead of standard sparkling water; the note of bitterness from the quinine seems to enhance the overall flavor.
So there you have the Paloma, two ways. Whether you take the easy highball approach, or the made-from-scratch, fresh fruit cocktailian path, Paloma is another cool refresher for the hot days ahead.
"Tequila and Grapefruit — the Paloma" at cold-glass.com : All text and photos © 2016 Douglas M. Ford. All rights reserved.