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Natrona Heights area Meals on Wheels kitchen damaged by flooding from burst water pipes
Burst pipes and resulting flooding has shut down a local Meals on Wheels program based in Natrona Heights. Inside the Highlands Areas Meals on Wheels, they're cleaning up and hoping to bounce back and continue to serve those in need.
Firefighters of the Citizens Volunteer Hose Company based in the same building on Burtner Road are helping with repairs and cleanup of water damage from burst frozen pipes. They say there were several breaks in the 3/4-inch line which runs through the ceiling of the room used as a kitchen by the Meals on Wheels.
VIDEO: Watch Bob Mayo's report
"They have just been wonderful. Without them, we would have really been in trouble. We're in enough trouble the way it is, but we can maybe get through it with their help and everybody else's help," said Joanne Diller, Highlands Area Meals on Wheels president.
Hundreds of gallons of water were flowing and doing damage when the break was discovered this morning.
"When I came in our back room with the double doors, the water was just rolling out the double doors," said Diller, who came to the scene after the discovery by a volunteer who was there to clean.
This setback isn't the first to affect the program's three-days-a-week delivery to 120 clients in Natrona Heights, Tarentum and Brackenridge.
"Unfortunately, we haven't delivered since the first of January due to weather conditions. And tomorrow was going to be our first day back, however that is not going to be possible. I am not exactly sure how long we are going to be down," Diller said.
The plight of the Meals on Wheels brought concern from Citizens Volunteer Hose Company volunteers like Matt Rusiewiz.
"It's a lot of the older residents helping the other older residents of this community. So they all kind of work to help each other out. And now people are going to possibly not be able to get a meal for a while until they get this up and running again," Rusiewicz said.
Fortunately damage to food was minimal. Packaged foods were safely up on shelves, and they kept the walk-in refrigerator and freezer securely closed, cool and airtight. A microwave and a coffee maker were damaged by the water. The Meals on Wheels president said that restoration of the kitchen is the bigger issue.
Diller hopes to arrange for pre-packaged food until the program and bounce back and get health department OK to reopen.
Today was not scheduled to be a food delivery day and she said "We contacted all of the clients or their backup numbers, to tell them that we weren't going to be able to deliver" on Friday. "I'm going to hope that everybody had something to eat or wasn't in that much trouble."
The Highlands Area Meals on Wheels can be contacted at 724-226-3196 or PO Box 395, Natrona Heights, PA 15065.


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wmslegal brauchte ein neues Logo Design und hat einen Wettbewerb auf 99designs gestartet.
Aus 77 Designs von 16 Designern wurde eine Gewinner gewählt.
"S.J. Williams and Associates, LLC" a.k.a. "Williams Legal"
This firm is being formed secondary to a split between me and my law partner. Many clients dealt with him and not me, so I need something memorable in my firm mark because my hard work ethic alone will not grow the firm. I want people to remember my card and logo even if they can't remember my face.
My practice is in the areas of business law, civil litigation, IRS disputes, white collar criminal defense, auto accidents, and divorces and wills.
The firm is located just outside of Washington, DC which means the image of success is important. My firm owns the building so a logo icon will be placed on it, but the full business name cannot.
I need a new brand - brand me!!
Logo will appear in a very public print campaign to the general public to maintain/ repair image. We will be sending pieces 1) to existing clients to show we are strong and secure, 2) to new prospective clients via brochures and direct mail, and 3) potentially placed on our building to emphasize continued presence in the community.
Some of the clients were my former firm's, but don't necessarily know me so I have an inroads but need to make a lasting first impression. As noted above, we take care of businesses and business people, and the problems that they get in to. Our clients tend to be 30-50 y.o. entrepreneurs and business people, so they are young but progressive and intelligent.
As referenced, this is a new venture based on a split of the former firm. Because of some of the negativity surrounding the separation, I want no more than passing reference to the old logo (globe with scales). The old globe and scale were burgundy. That color can be still be used, but be aware I'm not really feeling them right now. Our firm tag line "Private Lawyers. Trial Lawyers." which I would like to keep. And since I would like to put the mark on the building, i do need some type of graphic (but nothing cartoonish). Playing with the letters - "SJW" or "SJWA" or "W" or "WL" (Williams Legal) are all fine. I am not a fan of the lady of justice - especially if she blind or blindfolded! I want to avoid scales and gavels unless they are interesting.
I will be very active and prompt in getting you feedback. There is also future work for the designer as we have a legal issues radio talk show and are currently being courted to do a cable tv show. Gonna need some tee shirts, etc soon.
Clean, creative, modern & memorable is the ticket!!
Finden Sie heraus, wie ein Designwettbewerb funktioniert, oder lernen Sie mehr über unsere Logo-Design-Angebote.

subset: commoncrawl


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Arkport officials are hoping to wrap up the Arkport Joint Fire District in the next week.
Arkport officials are hoping to wrap up the Arkport Joint Fire District in the next week.
The Arkport village board, and the Dansville and Hornellsville town boards, are in the final stages of setting up the district, according to Buffalo-based attorney Mark Butler.
"There's some paperwork I'm completing for the fire district," he said, adding the last official step will be for the district's commissioners and treasurer to be sworn in.
An important piece of the puzzle for Arkport — how the village will recoup the nearly $40,000 to start the district — also has been figured out.
According to Arkport Mayor Jeff Roderick, the village has spent more than $38,500 on the fire district, not counting the village's costs to operate the fire department for the past 6 months.
Those costs began to skyrocket after Arkport residents filed a petition in March requesting a referendum on the district's creation. The village government took the petition to the Steuben County Supreme Court because officials believed the petition was not completed correctly. Judge Joseph Latham ruled March 28 that the petition was completed incorrectly.
To cover the cost of the legal action, Roderick said a hefty bill was presented to him on his first day on the job in April.
"My first day in office, I walked in and found a bill for $29,000," he said, adding the cost up to that point was around $10,000 to form the district.
Butler, who was hired by the village to set up the district, said the village will be able to get its money back without causing the fire district to go into debt or raise taxes for residents.
"The law provides that the costs of fire district creation are reimbursable to the village," he said, adding the fire district will pay the village back over a five-year period.
This way, Butler said, the district does not have to borrow to pay the village, nor will it have to increase taxes.
"What that does is spread the cost of that over the tax base," he said. "That equalizes the cost of operation over the users."
The funds to pay back the village will come from taxpayers across the district, including village residents. Butler added the funds will be included in the tax rate for the district, which will appear on the residents' tax bills as a separate tax from the local municipalities.
Roderick also said the rent for the district's use of the fire hall has been set. According to Roderick, the fire district will pay $2,000 in both 2008 and in 2009 to use the building, with a 5-percent hike each year until 2012.
"After that point, they have the option to stay there," he added.
The Evening Tribune


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Thinking about getting your "Gangnam Style" on for Halloween? It's easier than you think to dress like PSY— but if you want an exact replica of the Gangnam tux, there is only one company in the country you can buy it from. And supplies are limited!
"You know that at every single Halloween party and bar this year, that song is going to get played…If your'e wearing that outfit, you're immediately the center of attention. And people are going to want to dance with you!" GoGangnam.com's Dana Precious tells CBS Local.
The site have replicated PSY's signature jacket, in both powder blue and green.
"You can do the exact outfit really easily that [PSY] had which is black pants [and] white tuxedo shirt. Our tuxedo jackets come with a black bow tie. And just throw on your black sunglasses and you're replicating the outfit."
If dressing as a South Korean pop star isn't quite what you had in mind, Precious offers up ideas on how to make PSY's look your own. The jacket and bow tie combo is surprisingly easy to sex up.
"When we did our photo shoots…[girls have] shown up in the glittery shorts, like short shorts with sequins on them matched with the jacket. I saw a pink tutu get matched up with the jacket. A really short black mini skirt with high heels…Wear it with only a push-up bra, nothing else underneath it. It buttons around your belly button and then you're wearing cleavage with the bow tie. Pair that with a really short skirt and f-me pumps."
If you prefer scary over sexy, there's always zombie PSY — or some of the blood-ridden suggestions Precious offers.
"If you want to go scary, you could do anything from getting those fake bullet holes and putting them on your forehead with some blood dripping down on the jacket. Or make it look like there are one of those fake swords going through the middle of you with blood."
The "Gangnam Style" tux jacket is available at GoGangnam.com and on Ebay — but Precious says supplies are limited. It is recommended that you place your order on or before October 11 to guarantee delivery.
The jacket is a poly blend, that Precious says feels like cotton. It is lined and contains shoulder pads for the most authentic PSY-like look — and it comes with the signature bow tie.
-Courtney E. Smith, CBS Local
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Katsushika Hokusai and Nobuyoshi Araki: Who is the more erotic? Part 3 of Hokusai
Lee Jay Walker
Modern Tokyo Times
Katsushika Hokusai was born in 1760 and Nobuyoshi Araki was born in 1940 and today Araki still continues to take photo images. Hokusai is famously known throughout the world for The Great Wave off Kanagawa and his Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji. However, Araki is known for his sexual images and the unique erotic styles that he often takes but Araki is much more diverse than this because his work involves many different forms of photography.
Hokusai and Araki were born in different Japan's but sexual artistic flair can be witnessed by both individuals because sexual images and erotic art forms belong to aspects of their respective work.
Both individuals were born in Tokyo and while Hokusai is famous for non-erotic forms of art to most lay people the same can't be said about Araki because Tokyo Lucky Hole is either extremely erotic or pornographic depending on your viewpoint.
Irrespective if we use the word "erotic" or "pornographic" because people have different sensibilities the fact remains that Araki is extremely gifted and creative. Like all photographers the artist will either appeal or not appeal. However, Araki is clearly showing a sexual and seedy side of Tokyo which not only exists but is quite prevalent in many main areas in modern day Tokyo.
Their different art forms can't be compared because both were born in very different societies and technology, thought patterns, environmental differences and countless other factors, means that it is unfair to compare and counterproductive.
However, it is abundantly clear that the "erotic" side of aspects of their work is a uniting factor and both are famous sons of Tokyo. Yet, in the image of most art lovers both clearly have a distinctive connotation and mystery and while the "erotic" and seedy side of Tokyo creates image of Araki in the mind; it is clear that for most people Hokusai is deemed to be "a classical artist" and one of the most famous artists that graced the soil of Japan.
Indeed the word "artist" and "contemporary artist" is also subjective because while Hokusai will smoothly fit into the word "artist" you will have different opinions towards Araki. This applies to stating that Araki is a "contemporary artist" but for conservative individuals Araki will be tainted by the word "pornography." Also, the vagueness of "contemporary artist" means that it is difficult to define in the absolute sense because different thought patterns view the world differently.
The first time I ever saw work by Araki was in Manchester, England, when I viewed Tokyo Lucky Hole when I was around 19 years old. My first impression, and coming from a non-artist background at the time, was "wow" and these ladies look "so hot" therefore for myself I viewed this to be pornographic when I was young but I did find it in the art section.
However, the more you view aspects of Araki's work then it does become abundantly clear that in his field he is extremely talented and not everything is what it seems.
In my article called "Nobuyoshi Araki shows the cultural side of Tokyo in the flesh" I state that Araki "…goes much further because this famous photographer opens up a Tokyo which is often neglected or not imagined. He also fuses his photography with the landscape of Tokyo amidst naked bodies or ladies being tied up and his imagery is clearly powerful."
"Therefore, Nobuyoshi Araki is also focusing on the emptiness of entertainment districts and the sex industry; albeit from an erotic human form and the energy and visual nature of his photography expresses many emotions."
"Like any artist; people will see different things within his photography and while some people will gain from his works others may reject him on various grounds. However, if you look deeper into his work then Nobuyoshi Araki is providing a real glimpse into a Tokyo which exists and not only this, he does this by creating a rare energy within simplistic and complex themes."
Hokusai is in reverse because my first contact with the work of Hokusai was when I viewed The Great Wave off Kanagawa and Fuji in Clear Weather and this was followed by the Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji. Immediately I liked Hokusai because the sheer power of The Great Wave off Kanagawa was striking. I therefore believed that Hokusai was similar to John Constable (a classical artist from England who was born in 1776) who painted The Hay Wain and Dedham Vale and many other classic paintings.
Yet, many years later I viewed the The Dream of the Fisherman's Wife by Hokusai and other images from Kinoe No Komatsu which is a collection of shunga. I was shocked because I never understood this side of Hokusai and The Dream of the Fisherman's Wife is not only erotic but it mind boggling because of the perverse nature of what is happening.
In my article called "Katsushika Hokusai and erotic art: The Dream of the Fisherman's Wife (Part 2 of Hokusai)" I comment that "The image shows a lady who was deemed to be a shell diver (ama) with her legs wide apart while the fully grown octopus performs cunnilingus. She is fully naked and her breasts and hairy pussy are clearly visible and her body is clearly welcoming both the fully grown octopus and the small and younger octopus."
"The eyes of the fully grown octopus are really striking because while performing cunnilingus on the lady it is clear that the eyes are fully focused on her face and pleasure and satisfaction belong to both."
"It is suggested that the small octopus may be the son and if so then this makes the sexual experience even more erotic to some or alternatively "on the edge" for others. Either way, only Hokusai really knows the role of the small octopus but it is clear that the lady is enjoying the power of the fully grown octopus and the magical touch of the younger octopus which is fondling her nipple and mouth."
"Her face depicts complete sexual bliss and in the image it appears that nature and humans are one and the same. Yes, visually different; however, enjoying the sexual experience together."
"The image which is graphic is also based on consent, pleasure, joy, and bliss."
Other images by Hokusai are also extremely sexual and graphic between people having sex and maybe just like Araki showing the seedy side of modern Tokyo it could be said that Hokusai was also doing the same. However, the image where a woman is happily spreading her pussy so that she can feel the pleasure of an octopus and clearly feeling orgasmic; then for myself this image is not only mind boggling it is mysterious, perverse, erotic and showing images of pleasure all into one image.
The scholar Danielle Talerico desires to put this image into the context of the Princess Tamatori story which was well-known in the Edo period. However, Hokusai may have played on this in order to create something else because in the Princess Tamatori story she dies from her wounds. However, in Hokusai's work it is clear that sexual pleasure and mutual gratification is taking place and the image does not show fear.
This is getting away from the point of Hokusai and Araki and the question of who is the more erotic. Of course, people will have different opinions and again time, environment and other factors will make the judgment difficult.
Also, because of the very nature of art and different thought patterns then some may deem Hokusai to be "a master artist" or "a perverted artist" when it came to shunga. The same applies to Araki because to some people his work is "erotic art" but to others it is "pornography" and not artistic. Also, can aspects of pornography be deemed to be artistic?
This minefield does not belong to this article and despite all the sexual images by Araki I believe that Hokusai's work was more erotic and this applies to many images from his Kinoe No Komatsu collection. More to the point, the image of The Dream of the Fisherman's Wife is in a different dimension to anything that Araki created.
Obviously both individuals have created their work within themselves and their respective work is not based on competition with anyone. However, the point is that while Hokusai remains within the fold of "classical artist" it is clear that Araki "is on the edge" and either he is well liked or disregarded.
Yet, if Araki is disregarded based on his subject matter then clearly the same does not apply to Hokusai. Both individual have opened up a door to "a hidden Japan" which is "not so hidden" for people who reside in major cities like Tokyo and Osaka.
However, when it comes to erotic images then The Dream of the Fisherman's Wife by Hokusai takes some beating and the power of this image remains today.
http://www.asia.si.edu/exhibitions/online/hokusai/launch.htm (Hokusai)
http://www.hokusai-kan.com/treasure01.htm (Hokusai)
http://fantomatik75.blogspot.com/2010/02/les-cordes-nobuyashi-araki.html (images taken from this website when applies to Araki but photos remain within the search engine but problems with modern website)


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LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- The news is about to get worse for FOX's "Running Wilde."
In addition to last night's installment being dropped in favor of a repeat, FOX has also pulled upcoming originals on December 19, December 26 and December 28.
Repeats of "The Simpsons" and "The Cleveland Show" will sub in for the series on December 19 and December 26, respectively, while an extra hour of "Glee" will fill the Tuesday, 9:00/8:00c hour on December 28.
In addition, encores of the series will wrap in the Saturday, midnight/11:00c slot on January 1. The network had previously planned to keep repeats of the series in the time period (a la "Brothers" last season).
It's not clear what will fill said half-hour come January 8. (Repeats of "The Good Guys" are still a go on Saturdays at 11:00/10:00c, as previously reported.)
As for the five remaining original episodes of "Running Wilde," network sources insist they'll turn up at a later date.


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Public Service Loan Forgiveness
The Public Service Loan Forgiveness program discharges any remaining debt after 10 years of full-time employment in public service. The borrower must have made 120 payments as part of the Direct Loan program in order to obtain this benefit.
This contrasts with the loan forgiveness of the remaining balance after 25 years of repayment under the income-contingent and income-based repayment plans for borrowers who are not employed full time in public service jobs.
See also the list of Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Income-Based Repayment and Public Service Loan Forgiveness and the list of other student loan forgiveness programs.
The public service loan forgiveness program has several restrictions:
Employer Certification Form
The US Department of Education released an employment certification form and instructions on January 31, 2012. See also the Dear Borrower Letter.
Use of the employment certification form is recommended but not required. It is best, however, to submit the form annually or whenever the borrower changes employers to ensure that the qualifying service is properly recorded.
Upon submission, the US Department of Education's servicer will inform the borrower whether the employment reported on the form satisfies the requirements for public service loan forgiveness. Borrowers will also be able to track their progress toward obtaining public service loan forgiveness.
After the borrower has fulfilled the requirements for public service loan forgiveness (i.e., made 120 qualifying payments while working full-time in a qualifying public service job), the borrower will need to file a PSLF application to obtain the loan forgiveness. A link to this form will be added to this web site when it becomes available.
Obtaining a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan
To obtain a federal direct consolidation loan, contact the US Department of Education.
If you have not yet consolidated, you can seek a federal direct consolidation loan in order to obtain an income contingent repayment plan. Federal direct consolidation loans are available if you haven't been able to obtain a FFEL consolidation loan, income sensitive repayment terms acceptable to you or if you have defaulted on your FFEL loans.
Be sure to ask for income-contingent repayment or income-based repayment. The consolidation loan application does not currently include a checkbox for requesting these repayment plans, so you must ask for it separately.
The US Department of Education web site provides additional information about public service loan forgiveness.
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NBA Ref Fail: Tries To Do A Behind The Back Pass To The Players..And Tries To Act Cool About It!
Orlando Vs. OKC ref fail
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Thursday, 20 March 2014
Wednesday, 5 March 2014
February Beauty Favorites
Sunday, 2 March 2014
Afričko blago / Shea maslac
Tuesday, 28 January 2014
Fashion Picks ft. AUPIE
I would like to introduce to you all to AUPIE. So maybe you have already heard of this online shop. They offer everything from clothings to accessories to shoes and even bags. Aupie was established in the 2008's Christmas night. Just within half a year, Aupie has changed from a simple vintage specialty shop into a pint-sized platform of high-street fashion.
If you sign up now you get a 15%coupon for your next purchase which can save you from those expensive costs! Whats better though? FREE SHIPPING! Whenever I see those two words it makes me jump around in joy.
Let's get onto my favourite picks now! Have a look at these and let me know which are your favourites.
Posted by Naida at 07:05 7 comments:
Labels: Aupie.com, Beauty RollerCoaster, fashion blogger, leather jacket, leather skirt, Naida Pekmezović, ripped jeans, tatoo print chiffon shirt, vintage wine red bag, winter coat, winter picks
Tuesday, 21 January 2014
Tuesday, 14 January 2014
U saradnji sa Dressale.com imate priliku osvojiti haljinu u vrijednosti od $200! Svi oni koji se uključe u nagradnu igru, ali ipak ne uspiju osvojiti neku od fantastičnih haljina, dobit će kupon u vrijednosti od $15!
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In the May 6 Republican primary, voters will choose from three candidates who are running for the position of Henderson County sheriff: incumbent Charlie McDonald and challengers Michael Brown and Erik Summey. The candidates recently answered questions from the Times-News about why they are running, crime reduction efforts and school resource officers.
More information about the My 6 primary and early voting can be found at www.hendersoncountync.org/elections or by calling 828-697-4970.
Why are you running?
Charles McDonald: I am running because of a deep conviction that I am in this position for a cause greater than myself, and I feel that I am the only man to carry forward the great work that we have begun in my first two years in office. We are in the process of implementing effective organizational change, modern leadership practices and professional development of our employees in all areas. We have brought accountability to the forefront, starting with leadership. We are well into a process of change and renewed commitment to customer service. We have begun to properly gather statistics and data in order to better direct our resources and agency focus to specific problem solving. Already, this has yielded a 28.86 percent reduction in residential breaking-and-entering and larcenies. We have established rigorous but effective hiring standards and put in place promotional and bonus processes that reward exceptional work and motivation over the old system of "promotion by tenure." I am running because I am the only candidate with the proven leadership, vision and courage to finish what has been started. I have worked tirelessly for the past two years to earn your support and confidence.
Michael Brown: I chose a career in law enforcement with the ultimate goal of serving my community. I am a lifelong resident of Henderson County and the third generation of my family to serve this county in law enforcement. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from WCU and have been in state law enforcement for 19 years. I am currently a senior state trooper with the NCSHP. I am married to my beautiful wife Lynn and have three children, Erica, Jessie and a newborn baby Jezreel Grace.
Erik Summey: My decision to run for sheriff of Henderson County did not happen overnight. I worked at the Henderson County Sheriff's Office for 17 years from 1989 to 2006. The majority of my time there was spent working in a supervisory capacity as a sergeant and lieutenant. I have been at the Fletcher Police Department for over five years, the last three years I have been the chief of police of the department.
What are your goals?
McDonald: My goals are to continue the process that we have embarked on to enhance our capacity to gather and analyze data, and develop effective strategies to reduce specific crimes. We will continue to develop inspirational leaders and hire the most qualified personnel as we set in place a new culture of professionalism that will not easily be undone. We will continue to increase our involvement with citizen groups and community partnerships by offering education and support in disaster preparedness, community/security initiatives, and law enforcement support. The office of sheriff is culturally and historically unique regarding its purpose and its relationship with its community. We are its sons and daughters, its brothers and sisters. We are of, and not over, our county. Our effectiveness rests in community trust and support. It is only with that support that we can be "the blue ring around our community" defending against lawlessness and all threats to our safety and well-being.
Brown: This is an excellent opportunity for the citizens of the county to elect a sheriff for the future, who will serve the people of this county for many years to come. We have had five sheriffs in the last 10 years including the current interim sheriff. I want to bring a sense of security to our community and the men and women of the sheriff's office to improve morale within the department. My goal is to provide the most professional, quality law enforcement service to the citizens of Henderson County while being a good steward of your tax dollars. I believe the position of sheriff demands unsurpassed character and integrity. I hold myself to a high ethical standard and will earn your trust and confidence as sheriff.
Summey: I believe there are better ways the Sheriff's Office can be managed to support the employees as well as the community. The department needs to be structured to provide an appropriate amount of women and men working on patrol, investigations, and the communications division. I will give the autonomy to the department heads and supervisors to run their divisions and teams as they see fit. My campaign has five focus points which are to review animal control and enforcement, enhanced efforts on drug enforcement and drug-related crime, fiscal responsibility, courthouse security and school safety, and establishing a victim's services coordinator.
What type of crime do you see posing the biggest threat to our community, and how do you propose to combat it?
McDonald: The crimes are drugs, violence, thefts and neglect of children and dependents. I believe these are the results of a failure of society to stand together against what is wrong, and coming together for what is right. There is a tragic combination of apathy, a sense of helplessness, and an over-reliance on others to fix our problems. Our tendency, as a society, is to look the other way, to avoid rational confrontation and hope that someone else will take care of the problem. The issues with drugs, domestic violence and other crimes will only be effectively stymied by a collective effort by good and moral people who will partner with others, including law enforcement, teachers, pastors, rabbis, business and community leaders, to say "No further! We are taking back what is rightfully ours!" It won't happen overnight, but the collective good can overcome that which is arrayed against it when good people stand up and together for a noble cause. After I am elected sheriff, I intend to move forward to encourage more talented and skilled people from within our community, many who may be retired, to bring their talents and time and pure motives, to the service of Henderson County and its future.
Brown: I believe drug and property crime are at the forefront of issues facing our community. I will re-allocate personnel from seven deputies per shift to nine per shift to increase the number of officers on patrol, who answer calls for service, to enhance patrol coverage and reduce response time in a proactive effort to reduce crime. This can be accomplished by re-allocating deputies from top heavy administrative positions to fill critical, high priority positions. I will re-establish the criminal interdiction team and assign more officers to the investigations unit. I will work to create a drug diversion investigator position to enforce laws pertaining to the illegal use and distribution of prescription medication. I would also work to increase the partnerships we have with the local police departments in the county and the state Highway Patrol in a combined effort to reduce the crimes being committed against our citizens in this county. I will put renewed emphasis on community involvement through Crimestoppers and neighborhood watch programs.
Summey: In Henderson County the drug problem has been, and continues to be, the biggest threat. Over the last 20 years the estimate has typically been that 80-85 percent of the property crime in our county is committed by persons with an addiction to a controlled substance. I have several ways to combat this problem. I worked in and was a supervisor in the narcotics unit at the Sheriff's Office from 1993-2003. I know that the department can do more to combat the distribution of controlled substances coming into our county. During that 10-year period, we worked with the DEA and conducted several historical drug conspiracy cases. These cases are time-consuming, but we focused on, arrested, charged and convicted many persons right here in our community who were responsible for bringing cocaine/crack cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana into our county. The other side to combat the drug problem in our community is through educating our young people of the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. I will enhance the DARE program to make it more effective in our schools and I will keep the summer DARE camp program. I will also work on an initiative called Drug Free Community project.
The 2012 shooting at a Newtown, Conn. elementary school sent shockwaves through communities. Some lobbied for more school resource officers in elementary and middle schools. How do you feel about SROs? Are they needed? And if so, why and for what types of schools?
McDonald: A shooting in a public place results in shock and horror. Newtown was tragic because it involved children in a place we'd like to consider "guaranteed safe." There are no such areas. By taking a collective responsibility for our safety, we'll have a positive effect in reducing or mitigating the risk of random senseless violence. The safety and security protocols in the schools and their adherence to them are the responsibility of the superintendent. Last year they reduced unauthorized access by installing security features, a laudable effort. SROs' responsibilities require training and commitment, but they cannot ensure acts of violence won't occur and their worth is measured more than just to serve as a counter-measure to school shootings. I have SROs in high schools, soon all middle schools, but not elementary schools. Through the implementation of our "Adopt a School" initiative, we have uniformed deputies dropping in at schools for unannounced visits – an initiative supported by teachers and parents. The best way to mitigate violence involves community partnerships that identify problems early. Spending over a million more dollars on SROs isn't the best utilization of resources based on realistic threat analysis. Nor is getting tied to more grants.
Brown: School resource officers are vital to protecting our children in our schools. We are not immune from a terrible tragedy like what happened with the school shootings in Columbine, Newtown and many others. Most of these schools did not have deputies in place as a preventive measure. One of my most important goals if elected sheriff is to provide that security, by placing resource officers back in our middle schools and then working to make our elementary schools safer. We need to have the same security in all our schools as is now provided in our high schools.
Summey: While I was at the Henderson County Sheriff's Office I supervised the school resource officer program for several years. The key word in this job title is "resource." I absolutely feel there is a need for them in our schools, and school security is also one of the focus points of my campaign. Having an SRO in an elementary school can have a positive impact on a young person's life. At the same time, it is the law enforcement agency's responsibility to be sure to pick the right employee for this job. It is way more than just being an armed security guard, as some would suggest. An SRO can be a deterrent to student-on-student crime at the school during regular hours and sporting events. The SRO can also build the one-on-one relationships with students and teachers that will allow the ability to solve problems before they start. An effective SRO also has the ability to work with educators, parents to enable the students to make informed, responsible decisions. The SROs can also become DARE instructors within the schools. The DARE program is another effective instructional program that can be taught within the schools.
School resource officers aren't cheap. How would you propose to fund the officers without putting an extra tax burden on residents?
McDonald: I believe that I have demonstrated already, the most reasonable and cost-effective way to protect our schools based on current and short-term anticipated threat levels. Should the threat level change, I would take appropriate actions based on current and specific information. As far as "putting retired cops and former military people with weapons" in schools, let's ask the superintendent and his teachers and principals what they think about that. There was a comment made by one of my opponents who sees this as a viable solution, that if it was good enough to pass through the legislature, then it must be a good idea. To that line of thought, I would say this. If the "acid test" for the reason and logic of any particular piece of legislation rests in the fact that it came from Raleigh, then we are all to be pitied indeed. Again, freedom and security both come from the strength of a community to stand up and rally together for what is good. People working together in concert with other affected interests, and with a common and noble goal, can bring about change.
Brown: Placing school resource officers in our schools can be accomplished by creating a volunteer school safety resource officer program in cooperation with the local school board at minimal cost to the taxpayer. This program was established by law in 2013 by our N.C. General Assembly under N.C.G.S. 162-26, which allows a sheriff to create a program using qualified special deputies who are non-salaried volunteers to provide security in our schools. These sworn special deputies would undergo the same background investigation requirement and firearms qualification as well as other intensive training as a full-time deputy would receive. We can recruit for these positions from within our own community of retired local, state and federal law enforcement professionals who still have a high quality of service to provide to our community. Our children, parents and educators deserve the very best when it comes to safety in our schools.
Summey: In speaking with parents and other members of our community over the last several years, I believe the need is there to have SROs in our elementary and middle schools. My proposal is to work with our school board and county commissioners to create a short-term and long-term plan to implement these positions. I would propose pursuing grants to help reduce the cost. These grants are not guaranteed and the process will typically gauge the need for funds based on school crime rates, numbers of disadvantaged children and the population of the county. Typically the grants are match-required and eventually the cost would be absorbed by the county. I know that there has been some discussion about recent legislation that was passed allowing sheriffs and chiefs to create a volunteer SRO program within a given public school system. There is no sworn position in law enforcement, whether full-time, part-time, or volunteer, that does not incur cost. Specialized training on social and cognitive development of children is required for SROs, benefits, duty gear, vehicles, etc… all cost money. These costs are eventually paid for by the tax payer through the department's budget.
Sheriff candidates answer T-N questions
In the May 6 Republican primary, voters will choose from three candidates who are running for the position of Henderson County sheriff: incumbent Charlie McDonald and challengers Michael Brown and Erik Summey. The candidates recently answered questions from the Times-News about why they are running, crime reduction efforts and school resource officers.


text:
from emeryl
- Yield
- 12
- 1 cup fresh raspberries
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1 cup fresh blackberries
- 1 cup sliced strawberries
- 1 cup sugar
- Juice of one lemon
- 2 pints heavy cream
- 8 ounces Mascarpone cheese
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 prepared sponge cake, (9 by 9 by 2-inch), sliced into 3 layers
- 1 cup Chambord liqueur
- 1/2 cup raspberry coulis
- Fresh mint sprigs
- Powdered sugar in shaker
- In a mixing bowl, combine all the berries with the sugar and lemon juice. With a fork, lightly mash 1/4 of the berries against the side of the bowl. Allow the berries to sit for 1 hour. Using an electric mixer, whip the cream until stiff peaks form. In a mixing bowl, fold half of the whipped cream into the Mascarpone cheese, along with the powdered sugar. Blend until the cream is fully incorporated. To assemble, lay one layer of the sponge cake on the bottom of the pan. Brush the layer with the Chambord. Spread 1/3 of the cheese mixture over the sponge cake. Spread a 1/3 of the berry mixture over the cheese. Repeat the procedure until all of the cake, berry and cheese mixture are used. Spread the reserved whipped cream over the top of the cake. Allow the cake to set, about 1 hour. Place a slice of the tiramisu on the plate. Garnish with raspberry coulis, fresh mint and powdered sugar.
Related Video
Nutritional Info
- Calories552
- Carbohydrates47 g(16%)
- Fat36 g(56%)
- Protein4 g(8%)
- Saturated Fat22 g(110%)
- Sodium114 mg(5%)
- Polyunsaturated Fat2 g
- Fiber2 g(10%)
- Monounsaturated Fat10 g
- Cholesterol139 mg(46%)


text:
Mother of 3 Who Died in Sioux Falls Fire Faces New Charges
SIOUX FALLS - The mother of three children who died in a Sioux Falls house fire is now facing child abuse and neglect charges.
Thirty-four-year-old Rhiannon White was originally charged with possession of a controlled substance following the Dec. 22 fire that killed 6-year-old Alivia Coon, 12-year-old Savannah Coon and 16-year-old Michael Hensley.
Authorities say White tested positive for methamphetamine, ecstasy and marijuana when she was taken to the emergency room after the fire. White and her husband escaped with minor injuries by jumping from a second-floor window.
The latest indictment charges White with six counts of contributing to the abuse or neglect of a minor. She turned herself in Monday on the new charges and was released.
Officials could not confirm the cause of the fire because the damage was so extensive.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


text: Not surprisingly, saving for retirement is a popular topic of discussion for a financial adviser like myself. But what is surprising, at least to me, is the lack of true commitment most people make to retirement savings. To that point, a recent survey by the Employee Benefits Research Institute (EBRI) found that 56 percent of American workers admit that they and their spouse haven't even calculated how much they should have saved by the time they retire. Not surprisingly, the same survey found that over half of Americans are either "not confident" or "not too confident" they'll have enough money saved to live comfortably through their retirement years. Unfortunately, retirement savings is not a "cross that bridge when you come to it" type of problem. If you don't plan and save for retirement now, you're not even going to have a bridge to cross in the future. Saving is the key to your future comfort. The Center for Retirement Research suggests that people need about 80 percent of their pre-retirement income in retirement to maintain their pre-retirement living standard. The savings rate needed to hit this target depends on several factors including earnings, the age at which you start saving, retirement age, and asset returns. For example, the average earner who starts saving at 35 and retires at 67 needs to save 18 percent each year, assuming a 4-percent return. The comparable rate for low earners is 12 percent and for high earners the rate ticks in at 22 percent. Those are big (and daunting) percentages no matter where you fall on the earnings spectrum. It is possible to notch the percentages down a bit if you start saving earlier and work longer, but the reality is still there -- You need to save (more than you think) now to ensure you'll have money to spend later. If you aren't coming close to saving at least 15 percent for retirement don't roll over and give up. Instead, bump up your savings rate a percent or two each year for the next few years. Studies (or a compounding interest calculator) show that in the early and mid-stages of retirement savings accumulation, how much you save is much more important than investment performance. Many of the factors that go into retirement planning are out of your control. You don't know the exact age at which you will retire, you don't know exactly how much money you will need, and you certainly don't know how long you will live. The one thing you can control is your savings rate. Taking control of it today could lead to a much happier tomorrow. Jason MacGregor, principal of Minich MacGregor Wealth Management in Saratoga Springs, is a fee-only registered investment adviser who provides investment advice to individuals and company retirement plan participants. He can be reached at (518) 499-4565,email@example.com


text:
Ready for the World: The World 100
This race carries more than a big dollar payout
Today, the number of big dirt Late Model races that pay the big purses and attract the top name drivers are plentiful. It wasn't always the case.
The World 100, an annual event at Ohio's Eldora Speedway, has a lot more going for it than many of the events on a racer's schedule. Its fame doesn't come from the top money it pays. There are many races that pay more to win--in fact, one event at Eldora (The Dream) pays nearly three times as much to the winner. Fame comes from longevity.
The classic World 100, started in 1971, was the brainchild of Eldora promoter Earl Baltes, who wanted to recognize dirt Late Model racers. Held the second weekend in September, this race draws over 200 cars and puts the stars of Late Model touring into the pit areas with regional hopefuls. The big guns are there because no sanction schedules against the World 100.
With the importance of the World 100, it's interesting to examine how different drivers prepare for such an event. Rodney Combs never won the event, but tried to make it whenever he could, even when off plying his trade in pavement racing. He always brought his best equipment, bringing as many as three or four cars. "They allowed it back then and it gave you a better chance to qualify well," he explained.
Billy Moyer has won the World 100 five times, more than any other driver. Moyer used to bring a new car every year, but has changed that practice. "With a car that has a couple races on it, it gives me confidence," he explained. "The same can be said for the engine with several races on it and then having it freshened."
Moyer once relied heavily on the notes from the previous year. "But now, these cars change so quickly, the notes many times don't help. The tires don't change, but the chassis sure does. I like a loose race car at Eldora, which is a momentum track. It seems to work for me."
The winner of the biggest race in Eldora history took home one million dollars, but his World 100 wins mean as much as the big payday. Donnie Moran knows the track has changed over the years, but the winner has to be able to change with it. "The quick way around used to be around the top, but Earl moved the dirt around a little. Now, the middle of the track is the fastest way. There used to be a heavy cushion at the place, but that's not the case anymore. I like my car to be on the loose side at this place."
Moran usually reaches out for a new car for this event. "You can look at your notes from previous World 100s and use them as a starting point. If you are driving a different brand of car or there has been a change in the technology, those notes might not help much."
Rick Eckert won The Dream, but has been shut out of the World 100. Eckert believes the key to unlocking that success comes in track time. The best way to get Eldora track time is running a Late Model race--such as an American Late Model Series event--at the track before the World 100 weekend. "It really helps and many times the guys that got in there did better in the World."
Eckert's not sold on using new equipment. "Oh, I might use a new engine if I had one, but carwise, I want one under me where I have had success. Even though you don't have any control over it, getting a qualifying position in the middle of the field seems to be best at this place most of the time, but then again, not always."
The first World 100 win for Steve Francis came in 1999. He wants proven performance. "I might run the car at the August North-South race (at Florence Speedway in Kentucky) and a Labor Day race before the World. That way, I'd have about 200 laps on the engine."
Francis understands that qualifying is the key. "I usually watch about 30 cars, 15 cars at one end of the track and 15 on the other, which gives me a pretty complete picture of the condition of the track."
Another element is pit placement. Francis prefers to be in the infield. With the overflow pit areas, many top teams find themselves on the hills above the track.
World 100 Procedure
* Drivers draw for qualifying; each driver draws a number for first round, then a number for second round. One qualifying lap each round. * Top 120 qualifiers run in six heat races. Remaining cars run in one of up to three non-qualifiers' races on the night before the World 100. * Winners of the six heat races fill the first three rows of World 100. Cars finishing second and third in the heats automatically qualify for the main. Cars from fourth back in the heats must run a B main or C main. * Provisional spots open to fastest two cars from qualifications who did not earn a spot through other means.


text:
An exhibition of work by 35 contemporary African artists and photographers with unique perspectives on their own continent. The exhibition reveals how artists are using photography to respond artistically to the enormous changes currently taking place in African economic, social and cultural life. The artists also break away from lingering stereotypical images of their cultures, histories and countries. The show includes over 180 works by 35 artists. The majority of the works were produced since 2000, many were commissioned for the exhibition.
The exhibition highlights several themes. Artists like Zarina Bhimji (Uganda) and Zwelethu Mthethwa (South Africa), make the landscape a vehicle for understanding historical trauma or social alienation. Others focus on the rapid changes occurring in African cities, emphasising urban lifestyles and architectural developments. The human body is also a recurrent subject, sometimes addressed provocatively as in the work of Nigerian-born Oladélé Bamgboyé, who explores the shifting boundaries of identity, gender and sexuality. The history of the continent is likewise represented with many of the younger African artists reconstructing it by challenging or reinventing the narrative of the colonial past.
The exhibition is accompanied by an English-language publication, Snap Judgments: New Positions in Contemporary African Photography, containing an essay by Okwui Enwezor (published by ICP/Steidl Verlag).
Artists featuring in the exhibition Snap Judgments:
Doa Aly (Egypt)
Lara Baladi (Egypt / Lebanon)
Oladélé Bamgboye (Nigeria / UK)
Yto Barrada (Marocco)
Luis Basto (Mozambique)
Zohra Bensemra (Algeria)
Zarina Bhimji (Uganda / UK)
Mohamed Camara (Mali)
Ali Chraibi (Marocco)
Omar D. (Daoud) (Algeria)
Depth of Field (collective) (Nigeria)
Allan deSouza (Kenya / UK / USA)
Andrew Dosunmu (Nigeria / USA)
Hala Elkoussy (Egypt)
Theo Eshetu (Ethiopia / Italy)
Mamadou Gomis (Senegal)
Kay Hassan (South Africa)
Romuald Hazoumé (Benin)
Moshekwa Langa (South Africa / the Netherlands)
Maha Maamoun (Egypt)
Boubacar Touré Mandémory (Senegal)
Hentie van der Merwe (South Africa / Belgium)
Zwelethu Mthethwa (South Africa)
James Muruiki (Kenya)
Lamia Naji (Marocco)
Otobong Nkanga (Nigeria / the Netherlands)
Jo Ractliffe (South Africa)
Tracey Rose (South Africa)
Fatou Kandé Senghor (Senegal)
Randa Shaath (Egypt / Palestine)
Mikhael Subotzky (South Africa)
Sada Tangara (Mali / Senegal)
Guy Tillim (South Africa)
Michael Tsegaye (Ethiopia)
Nontsikelelo �Lolo� Veleko (South Africa


text:
That's right! We've arrived at our new domain. Change your bookmarks and your feedreaders…and head over to our DOT ORG to join in the fun!
dot org
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Coming Soon…
So, we took an unintentional bloggy hiatus. I moved into a new house, my boxes are FINALLY unpacked and now we're moving Impress Your Kids, too! That's right, we've got our very own .com (well, it's actually gonna be a .org but, who's counting?)!
Stay tuned we'll be announcing it next week! Ooooh, I'm so excited!
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Good Friday/Easter Food Craft
I found this craft online years ago and always wanted to do it Easter Sunday at church. Alas, there aren't usually ovens on hand during Easter Sunday church services. Now that Lydia is old enough to kinda sorta a little bit understand about Jesus' death and resurrection, I thought it was time to finally do this one!
Collect the following delicious and somewhat sinful items: canned crescent rolls, marshmallows, melted butter, brown sugar (or cinnamon and sugar mix).
Roll said marshmallows in melted butter. Just enough to get 'em wet.
I told Lydia we were pretending the marshmallow was Jesus. (I know. Just go with it.) I explained how when Jesus was put in the tomb the women were going to rub his body with precious oils and good smelling spices. So, that's what we were doing–dipping Jesus in the butter…er, oil. (I know, it's weird. Keep reading.)
Then roll buttery marshmallow in brown sugar/cinnamon-sugar mix.
Or you know, roll Jesus in the spices.
Place one marshmallow on the wide end of a crescent roll. Roll up and make sure you pinch the edges so it's sealed tight!
Now, I explained to Lydia about the tomb and it being sealed with a rock. So we pretended the crescents were the tomb and we sealed Jesus…er, the marshmallow up in the tomb.
Cook for the appropriate amount of time.
If you don't seal the crescents up tight, your marshmallows might leak out…not a pretty sight. And kinda confusing if you're pretending they are supposed to be Jesus…
As we waited for the tomb-snacks to cook, we read a few stories about Jesus' death and resurrection. Lydia had lots of questions to ask. Some of them were about the pictures in the book. But some were about the angel that rolled the stone away or other aspects of the story. She was definitely interested.
When the timer rang, I put one tomb-snack on Lydia's plate. I reminded her that this snack was like Jesus in the tomb. I asked her what she thought happened to the marshmallow. Then we opened up the crescent and peeked inside. Our marshmallow was gone! It was a big empty roll! And Lydia was AMAZED. She stared at it—and was almost afraid! She said, "But where did it go?!"
I explained to her that just like we were surprised that our marshmallow was gone, Jesus' friends were surprised, too. They didn't expect Jesus to come back to life. But he did! And he's alive today.
Later on that day, when my husband came home, Lydia told him all about our snack. She said, "We pretended the ma'smewwow was De-dus!" Then she described how the marshmallow was gone and said, "I was like…I was like…" but couldn't put her finger on the emotion she felt! She was so excited and I *think* she caught the idea of the surprising and amazing miracle of Jesus resurrection!
(oh, and I *did* finally tell her the marshmallow just melted and wasn't resurrected!)
PS: these were DELISH.
Filed under food, holiday, Uncategorized
Dear Lydia,
Today we had a first.
We spent most of the morning on the couch in our pj's. We read lots of books and made a craft. Then I had to look up some phone numbers up on the internet and make some phone calls. You stayed next to me and played with your craft box and read. In between phone calls you looked at me and said, "I want to change clothes." I shrugged and said, "OK, when I'm done, we'll change."
A minute later you were quite agitated and said, "I want to change clothes!" And then you blurted out, "I'm hiding something from you! I'm hiding something from you!" You said this with your hand covering a part of your pajama pants. I thought maybe you had gone to the bathroom or drawn on your pants. Then I saw a tiny hole.
"Lydia, did you cut a hole in your pants with your scissors?" I asked.
You just nodded with tears in your eyes.
The dots all connected for me and I tried to speak gently, "And you were trying to hide it from me? That's why you laid on the floor to read? That's why you asked me to change clothes?"
Another nod.
I caught you up in my lap and had you sit face to face with me. "Lydia do you know the 2 things you did wrong?" I asked softly. You nodded in the affirmative again. "You cut your pants. Which you know you're not supposed to do. We only cut paper. Then you hid it from Mommy. You shouldn't hide anything from Mommy. Do you know what that's called?"
You just stared at me.
"It's a lie. And lies make Jesus so sad. They make me sad."
This whole time all I could see was your sweet contrite face. And all I was thinking was, "Should I discipline her? What do I do?!"
So, I finally said, "I'm not going to punish you. We're going to pray and you can ask Jesus to forgive you…remember our F verse? 'He forgives all our sins.'"
You were really crying now and did not want to voice a prayer to Jesus! So, I prayed for us instead. I thanked God that you had such a tender heart that even in the midst of sin, you chose to do right.
This whole time I was still frantically wondering, "Do I punish her?!" I finally decided that instead of changing clothes I was going to make you wear the pajamas until it was time for us to go out later tonight. You were horrified. You were crying and crying, pointing at the hole in your pants, "I don't want to wear these!"
You were so sincere and so remorseful. I honestly tried not to smile because you were so beautiful. And I said, "This is what we're going to do. Let's take your pants off and we'll throw them in the trashcan, ok? This is just what Jesus does. When we ask him to forgive us, he throws our sins away and never remembers them."
It was a long walk to the trashcan and you held my hand tightly the whole time. We threw your pajamas away. Never to be seen again. Just like your sin.
Lydia, I know you won't remember this day. But I hope you remember this: that Jesus loves you. He takes your sin from you when you ask. And he dresses you with new clothes. (Isaiah 61:10) He sees you as his perfect daughter.
Just as I do.
Filed under Uncategorized, why
Best Easter Books for Kids
Today Lydia and I read all the books on her bookshelf that had to do with Jesus' death and resurrection (aka "easter"). I know at 3 years old she can't understand it. She doesn't even know what death is. She's never experienced it or known someone who died. But today, as I held her in my arms and read 5 or 6 versions of the greatest story ever told, I got tears in my eyes. I know that the truth of Jesus' love for us will be planted in her heart.
The book I love the most for "easter" is The Parable Of The Lily by Liz Curtis Higgs. This is part of a series that gives a meaningful parable (aren't all parables meaningful?) to common holiday items (like my favorite Christmas book, The Parable of the Christmas Tree).
The Parable of the Lily is about a little girl, Maggie who gets a surprise package in the mail—a box of dirt! She is disappointed and places it on a shelf. One day she accidentally knocks it over and out of the dirt pops a flower bulb. She is aggravated at her plant and throws it into the yard. Early Easter morning, she walks out into the garden to see that her dirty ugly boring bulb has blossomed into a beautiful lily!
The parable-ness comes in when you read the scriptures on the bottom of each page. Higgs uses scriptures to compare Jesus to this flower—an unimpressive man, hated and rejected by his people, dead in the ground for three days, bursts forth with new life for everyone. She also ties in Maggie's father as the giver of the gift…just like God's indescribable gift of Jesus to us.
It's a beautiful book. I read it to Lydia once, then again with the scriptures. I wish I had thought of it earlier and we would have planted a lily, too. What an object lesson for her to see growing in her own front yard!
We also read The Easter Story by Tracy Harrast. It's part of the Peek-a-Bible series, a fun lift-the-flap series. I like this one because it tells all the important parts of the story—Palm Sunday, the Last Supper, Garden of Gethsemane, the crucifixion, the resurrection, Jesus' appearance to the disciples and his ascension.
The very last page does have a picture of some modern day kids holding Easter baskets, but at least it doesn't talk about eggs or bunnies.
Then we "read" my new favorite version of the Resurrection story from the See With Me Bible: The Bible Told in Pictures by Dennis Jones.
There are no words. Just pictures. And it is breathtaking. Jones absolutely captures the emotion of the story. It is the only book of all our books that actually showed Jesus in pain and with wounds (cartoon-ish, but still…). I couldn't find any online to share with you but I highly recommend this book!
The last book you could probably see coming a mile away since I have probably blogged about it 80 times. Yes, its the The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name by Sally Lloyd Jones.
There are about six different stories surrounding Jesus' passion–Mary anointing Jesus' feet, Jesus washing the disciples' feet at the last supper, the garden of Gethsemane, the crucifixion, the resurrection, Jesus appearing to the disciples & ascension. Here's the best part…
"If you were really the Son of God, you could just climb down off that cross!" they said.
And of course they were right…But Jesus stayed. You see, they didn't understand. It wasn't the nails that kept Jesus there. It was love.
"Papa?" Jesus cried, frantically searching the sky. "Papa? Where are you? Don't leave me!"
And for the first time–and the last–when he spoke, nothing happened. Just a horrible endless silence. God didn't answer. He turned away from his Boy.
Tears rolled down Jesus' face. The face of the One who would wipe away every tear from every eye…
The full force of the storm of God's fierce anger at sin was coming down. On his own Son. Instead of his people. It was the only way God could destroy sin, and not destroy his children whose hearts were filled with sin.
Then Jesus shouted out in a loud voice, "It is finished!"
And it was. He had done it. Jesus had rescued the whole world.
:: :: :: :: ::
Don't miss out on this opportunity to impress your kids' heart with God's ultimate story this easter season. Grab these books and give them in (or in place of) an easter basket. Then, make them a part of your book rotation, not just at easter-time—this is the story that should be central to your kids' lives…and to yours!
Do you have a favorite easter book to share?
Filed under books, holiday, Uncategorized
Little Easter Critter at AlphaMom
Flower Planting Kit at Let's Explore
How To Get Your Child To Read by Scribbit
Huge Crayola Giveaway at Blissful Kids
Creative Vacation Souvenirs by yours truly (!) at Family Bliss
Filed under linky love, Uncategorized
Palm Sunday & Easter Book Review
Ever since I first realized that the word "Easter" wasn't even in the Bible I've just had a "eh" feeling about the holiday. It just makes me feel weird that the day we celebrate Jesus' resurrection is so tightly wrapped in a convoluted earthy-pagany-american holiday. Now, don't get me wrong. I love Cadbury eggs. I loved getting a new Easter dress as a kid. I absolutely believe your kids will grow up to love the Lord if they believed in the Easter bunny.
As a mom who wants to use every second, every event, every story, every holiday and everything within me to impress my kids, I just try to separate Easter from the Resurrection of Jesus.
When Lydia was just a year old, I headed to the Christian bookstore to pick up some books about Jesus' death and resurrection. I figured there'd be tons of good stuff. But I was very disappointed when I started looking around. Every single solitary book had "Easter" in the title. Yeah, I know, that's what we call it. But still! Not even one book called, "Jesus is Alive!" or "Alive Again!" or "HOSANNA!" Not to mention you can't even buy a kids' book about Jesus' resurrection any other time during the year. (Just like you can't buy a book about Jesus' birth except at Christmas.)
But I'm getting side-tracked. Let's step off that soapbox and get to the real reason for this post!
I want to share one of our favorite "Easter" books with you. This is one of the books I picked up that day and even though it in fact called Easter, Easter Almost Here!, it's actually about Palm Sunday. (WHICH IS THIS SUNDAY! Where did the time go?!)
We read this book year round. It's a great rhyme, fun pictures, cute peek-a-boo cut outs, shiny, sparkly colors and a solid re-telling of the story of Jesus' arrival into Jerusalem. I like having a book that is about this specific event because it tends to get lumped together with the next week in Jesus' life.
Lydia and I can practically say it by heart. I've even heard her chanting it while playing or "reading" other books.
If you are looking for an "easter" book or a great intro to this important season, I highly recommend this book!
Filed under book review, holiday


text:
The French Archives Nationales contain 252 miles of documents, measured according to shelves loaded with boxes full of manuscripts, and they do not include material related to defense, foreign affairs, and overseas territories. France's one hundred provincial archives contain far more -- about 1,753 miles. Still more can be found in municipal archives, various university archives, and private collections. Most of it has never been read, much less scanned.
Photo credit: Ben Schumin's photostream, shelves at Archives II, http://www.flickr.com/photos/schuminweb/10159531696 per Creative Commons
Harold Henderson, "It's almost 2014, and the digital age is still a ways off," Midwestern Microhistory: A Genealogy Blog, posted 30 December 2013 (http://midwesternmicrohistory.blogspot.com : viewed [date]). [Please feel free to link to the specific post if you prefer.]


text:
Manchester woman injured by shrapnel at Boston Marathon
MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) � A New Hampshire woman who was injured by shrapnel while watching the Boston Marathon says she didn't realize it at first.
Denise Spenard of Manchester says she and a friend were pushed into a restaurant when the first explosion happened Monday afternoon. She said she felt something sharp, but didn't know she was hurt until she looked down and saw blood on her abdomen.
Spenard tells WMUR-TV doctors took X-rays of her and told her to return Friday for surgery.
Spenard, who still has the shrapnel in her side, says she's thankful to be home.
Information from: WMUR-TV, http://wmur.com


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Figueredo invited for coffee
To the Editor:
In reply to B.J. Figueredo's Sept. 27 letter which is quite critical of me, I'd like to invite Mr. Figueredo to join me for a cup of coffee at an establishment of his choice. I'd be happy to pay for his cup, if he's comfortable with that.
I sincerely extend this invitation because I have no interest in attacking him or in defending myself. Such a letter by me, no matter how sanely and intelligently written, would likely only further polarize the situation.
Let's face it, it's easy to drop a bomb on someone from the safe distance of a letter in the newspaper. But when you meet face to face in a civilized manner, it allows for the possibility of greater respect.
In getting to know each other as real human beings instead of as easy-to-bomb, two-dimensional targets, Mr. Figueredo and I may discover we share some common interests. It's possible.
It's that possibility for real interaction which interests me more than the depressing negativity of attack/counter-attack in politics. So I make an appeal to Mr. Figueredo's goodwill.
If Mr. Figueredo agrees to meet me, and if he wants to know what I think of his letter, I'd be happy to respectfully tell him over a cup of coffee. I believe that's mature.
Mr. Figueredo, or anyone interested in meeting a sane, intelligent write-in candidate for president, can e-mail me. My address is iwasgandhigmail.com.
But perhaps you've already made up your mind. Let's face it, it's easy to just throw your vote away by simply voting for the lesser of two evils.
Alex J. Boros
Not your father's Republicans
To the Editor:
Deja vu 2010! The candidates fielded by the NH GOP are telling us once again that they will create jobs and fix our economy. Do you remember hearing that two years ago? And what did they do? They went after women's healthcare, tried to interfere between employers and employees, decimated the safety net for our most vulnerable citizens, attacked our public education, and tried to take away the civil rights granted our gay and lesbian neighbors. This stealth agenda has left our economy lagging our neighbors' growing prosperity. In fact we've lost jobs!
It reminds me of the promise at the national level that if we only give the richest among us enough tax cuts, the benefits will trickle down to us. We've been buying that for 30 years now, and what did it get us? The greatest income inequality since the Gilded Age. The middle class is in crisis, and we're the drivers of our economy, the people with decent incomes and secure employment who create the demand that drives job creation.
You think the NH GOP has changed its mind and seen the light? The Concord Monitor recently discovered that a couple hundred proposed bills were being hidden by Speaker O'Brien until after the election. Suddenly they are appearing on the House website, and guess what? It's a repeat of what they didn't get passed in the last two years.
We saw how party discipline works over the last two years as well. "Vote the GOP line, or else" was the rule for the majority party, and they purged the ranks in the primary this year. Ask your GOP candidates if they can stand up to this sort of bullying, because it's not going to be your father's Republicans running things if they keep the legislature.
Lucy Edwards
Who are the extremists?
To the Editor:
Let's look back. Millions of people, on their own dime, from all across the country, descended on Washington D.C. on Sept. 12, 2009 to protest the out of control spending and fight for limited government, the rule of law and our constitution. They came home with a purpose, they got involved. They became leaders and activists of various sorts in their communities to advance the above mentioned causes with their principles and values intact. A true grass roots movement.
Whereas, the occupy movement, the 99 percent, started and promoted by the extreme left wing of the Democrat party and funded in large part by unions, illegally squat on public property causing millions of dollars in damages. There were rapes, public indecency, murders, along with pimping teenage girls (in Manchester), property destruction, defecating on police vehicles, along with many other criminal activities, while many were getting paid to protest.
To date, we have Maggie Hassan, running for governor, the Democrats and the media claiming the Tea Party as extremists while sympathizing with the out of control occupiers that want free handouts. It appears that the democrats are truly losing their grasp on what is right and wrong for America's future.
The freedom of this country is at stake in this Nov. 6 election. Our only option is to vote out the real extremists till they become irrelevant and have to come back to reality with some inkling of common sense and sound judgment. I ask that you join me in voting a straight Republican ticket. There are solid individuals running, that will represent this state and its people, with strong and sound principles and values. This is a do or die election for our country. Every vote counts.
Randy Bowen
It's all about jobs
To the Editor:
Jobs, Jobs, Jobs everyone agrees on this. We want more jobs for Rochester to continue the recovery from the Great Recession. But what is the issue today in Rochester and the state that has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country?
"We know that while the unemployment rate has improved, it is still higher than the historical average. But it is not clear whether unemployment is high because workers lack the necessary skills, or because many employers are reluctant to hire in a still weakened economy because of low demand." (New England Partnership Report, May 2012.)
Within the frame work that our state has had a net out- migration over the last four years why do we not have fuller employment? A. Our industries are currently running at full employment because of maximum use of technology which means high productivity and fewer workers. B. On the other hand, many high tech jobs are unfilled do so due to lack of qualified employees. (The highest rate of unemployment is in low skilled worker pool.) C. We have limited demand for the unskilled worker especially in construction - no demand for new housing or plants. Government infrastructure employment is drying up due the drying up of stimulus funding. (Remember in six months the big Spaulding turnpike project will end.)
The Rochester Development Office working with the Democratic governor and $4.5 million federal loan brought in Saffran USA which will employ 400 workers over the objective of Rochester Republicans. The NH-DRED commissioner said "we commend the city of Rochester in bringing in this quality Company�." This would not have happened if you did not pay in with your tax dollars. At the same time, the new Republican state budget cut the tobacco tax with no resulting increase in tobacco sales - money for job training. Republicans cut job training programs by giving the UNH system its biggest budget cut in history at the very time UNH is struggling to complete the new Paul Business School addition, a major component in training highly skilled workers. Seventy million dollars is unavailable to fund our state government today because of the decisions made by Gov. Benson in 2004.
Remember the theory, "you got to spend money to make money?" The Republicans praise themselves on the biggest state budget cut in recent memory, but the revenue projections have not come through to help build jobs.
David P. Miller
House candidate Wards 2-3
Don't make Medicare a voucher program
To the Editor:
Medicare makes a difference. It keeps older people healthy. But Congressmen Frank Guinta and Paul Ryan voted to ruin Medicare by changing it to a voucher program. Seniors would have to shop around for health care.
Having shopped around for Medicare supplemental plans for myself and Medicare Prescription plans for my mother, I can tell you it is not easy. It is a process I would not recommend for anybody, computer savvy or not. Also, the voucher would not/could not keep up with the rising costs of medical care. This is wrong, and proves Congressman Guinta is wrong for seniors and their families.
Do not vote for Congressman Frank Guinta if you believe Medicare should not turn into a voucher program.
Salme Perry
Roman occupation?
To the Editor:
In Farmington's September issue of the Puddledock, there is a piece on page 11: "Jeannette Donovan Receives Boston Post Cane." There's a fine photo of three selectmen presenting the cane to Jeannette, and at the bottom of the page, there's a note mentioning that the selectmen's secretary, Megan Taylor Fetter, reminds us that there are three other centurions in town.
Huh? Centurions in Farmington? What legion is based in Farmington? Could it possibly be Varus's lost legion?
Jane Wingate
Soldiers' Helpers thank you
To the Editor:
Soldiers' Helpers would like to give a big thank you to the T.A.P.S. group at Turbocam in Barrington for their most generous contribution to us. After our June mailing, our toiletries and a number of other items were completely depleted and our shipping funds were basically gone. With Turbocam's help we have 24 boxes that had been waiting to be mailed that can now go to our troops. So thank you very very much. They have been a very big help to our group this year and we truly appreciate it.
Also, thank you to everyone who came by the Soldiers' Helper booth at Hay Day, recently. We have a lot of postcards now that can be put in with our care packages and we received some donations and sold quite a few raffle tickets and other small items. So thank you very much for your help. We will ill be able to report on the progress of the hats for the WWII Veterans who go on the Honor Flight to the WWII Memorial in Washington, DC.
If you would like any further information about Soldiers' Helpers, please email me at pudgyaunt99aol.com or call (603) 781-4195. Thank you again for all your help,
Alice and Chris Greenleaf
Soldiers' Helpers
Enough dishonesty in politics
To the Editor:
One would have to say what is wrong with this picture? Upon checking the qualifications on the state of NH website (http://sos.nh.gov/Qualifications.aspx), it states State Representative — Must be 18 years of age, a registered voter and domiciled in New Hampshire for at least two years. Must live in town or ward you are a candidate for.
On Sept. 20, a number of Rochester citizens presented themselves before the Ballot Commission at the state capital with the assistance of Rep. Cliff Newton. I was appalled to find out that Mrs. Anne Grassie admitted that she had not moved to 146 Brock St. (Ward 4) as she had stated back in June when she registered to run as a state representative. Yet, because her intent is to move she gets to stay on the ballot.
I realize that times have changed, but let me tell you in my time, nobody would ever think of deceiving their constituents in such a manner. Her excuse for not moving is worse than the lie she has perpetrated. Her bedroom furniture doesn't fit into the other house. Well missy, in my day we took those things into consideration when we moved. So, if she did not move, how is it that she was able to vote in Ward 4? By her own admission she does not/has not lived in Ward 4. In my day, this would be considered voter fraud! She even deceived our own City Clerk by spinning her web.
I do not care what one's party affiliation is, this is wrong on so many levels; in my opinion she is no longer fit to be in office. If the shoe was on the other foot, and it was anybody but Mrs. Grassie, those people would be in serious trouble.
The intent was for Mrs. Grassie to deceive the voters into thinking something that is false. When I was younger, we voted those individuals out, I hope this happens to her. There is enough dishonesty in politics that we do not need it rubbed in our faces! I must say there is a total lack of integrity with this woman!
Eleanor Cissell
'War on women' doesn't exist
To the Editor:
I have no reason to doubt Lucy Edwards' sincerity, but when I read her letter in last week's Times about "duties" as a citizen in America I had to pause for a moment, especially when she proclaimed voting as a duty. Voting is not a duty it is a right granted to us under our Constitution. In fact there are only a few responsibilities mentioned in our Constitution. Things like being lawful, loyal to America and serving in our military are specific things mention as civil duties. Love and charity are things people do, not governments.
And not unlike many of her friends who've been writing letters these days, Lucy likes to use the word radical only when it describes things they didn't do. I wonder if Lucy thinks increasing the NH state budget by 24 percent with one time federal stimulus money and expecting to pass that burden on to the taxpayers of NH in the middle of a recession was radical? Or how about creating or raising over 100 new taxes and fees in the middle of a recession? Do you think allowing a man dressed as a woman into women's public bathrooms was a good idea? And who do you think pays for this kind of irresponsible governance?
The so called "radical budget" passed by the current legislature was necessary to avoid passing $800 million in taxes on to NH's people and businesses — a hole left to us by the previous Democrat controlled legislature. And the "war on women" Lucy and other Democrats keep talking about doesn't even exist. It's made up by people who believe scaring other people to get what they want is right.
As I first mentioned, I do believe Lucy Edwards is sincere, but we share a different view of New Hampshire. Lucy believes government comes first and I believe people come first. Shared responsibility in a community is vital, but it's people who make up a community, not governments — government's role is to support the community.
Vote Republican if you want to preserve values that embrace the individual and offer the freedoms and liberties of a truly free society. Going back to unbridled spending at a time we all know we can't afford will limit our abilities to take care of ourselves and our families.
Rep Fred Leonard
Vote for Fred Leonard
To the Editor:
I would like to extend a sincere "thank you" to Fred Leonard for his service over the past two years for his work and dedication as a NH state representative. Fred, along with many of the Republican representatives from Rochester, was diligent in helping to bring a better focus on the economy and jobs that seemed to be missing from the previous state legislature.
As a testament to Fred's commitment to helping improve our state's economy and job market, he was recently endorsed by the National Federation of Independent Business in New Hampshire. They said Fred's "voting record indicates that you are committed to the needs of the thousands of small businesses and their employees in New Hampshire and NFIB is confident in your continued support for the small business person when you are serving in Concord ."
It is my hope the voters of Rochester Wards 1 and 6 will join me in casting their vote for Fred Leonard, state representative of Strafford District 22, on Nov. 6 and return this proven representative of the people and our businesses to Concord!
Michele Paradiso
An extra reason to run
To the Editor:
This morning I had an interesting time reading over Fred Leonard's voting record. It is available on line at Granite State Progress. His votes gave me additional reasons for running again!
His votes on budget and money issues gave his constituents the short end of the stick. For example: He voted to eliminate essential health programs; he voted to severely cut health services to the elderly and disabled; and he voted to gut state subsidies to the state college system; and in addition, he voted to provide corporate giveaways to tobacco companies.
If parents in Wards one and six are wondering why tuition is so high at state colleges thank Fred Leonard! He voted to severely cut our tax subsidies to these colleges. Do we really want someone in Concord who panders to corporate interests while disregarding the needs of our citizens?
Rose Marie Rogers
Candidate for State Representative
Dist. 22 (Wards 1 & 6)
Trust women to make their own choices
To the Editor:
At this point, many New Hampshire women have probably heard about the comments of Missouri Congressman Todd Akin, an anti-choice extremist who opposes abortion rights even in the case of rape and incest.
What they might not know is that we have another, even more extreme anti-choice candidate right here in New Hampshire: Ovide Lamontagne. Ovide is a self-proclaimed "Tea Party favorite" who's been running for office and losing for the past 20 years. Now he's the Republican candidate for governor (again), and announced that he still opposes all abortion rights, even in the case of rape and incest — just like Todd Akin.
But Ovide goes even further. He now says he supports a so-called "Human Life Amendment" to the constitution. This amendment would not only overturn Roe v. Wade, it would make abortion illegal, making criminals out of women and their doctors. Not only that, it would even make many forms of birth control and fertility treatments illegal. This amendment is so extreme, even the voters of Mississippi rejected it when it came up on the ballot last year!
Ovide supported Bill O'Brien and his cronies when they defunded Planned Parenthood, and now he wants to go even further, signing on to an anti-choice agenda that includes passing a new law to allow insurance companies to drop coverage for birth control.
Ovide was the wrong choice for New Hampshire women 20 years ago, and he's the wrong choice now. On November 6, vote for Maggie Hassan, who won't allow the government to control our health care choices!
Gail Mitchell
Mitt, it's time to wake up!
To the Editor:
We have less than 40 days to go to the election, and unless Mitt Romney shows some fire and passion he may lose. He may even lose his own state (NH) unless he puts an appearance in.
The country is at a crossroads. If we continue down the road we are going we will end up a third-rate world power. Our president seems unable to deal with foreign policy. There is a high risk of a Middle East war. The only thing that the Muslims respect is strength and we must show that. Our economy is stagnant, oil is still high and sucking up a high percentage of our income. If there is trouble in the Middle East, what will fuel oil cost us this winter? People on fixed incomes like myself are being hurt especially hard, with a choice between gas/fuel oil and food.
Romney has to do an outstanding job on the upcoming debate, he has to spell out clearly what he will do on energy jobs, and national defense. He is spending too much time defending himself. This election is a repeat of the 2008 election, with a weak Republican candidate and a lot of scare tactics by the opposition. We have to wake up and realize that Russia and China are not our friends, they trade with us because it suits their purposes. They then arm our enemies, supplying Iran with the latest military equipment.
A lot of people do not know history. Around 1200-1400 A.D., we fought a series of wars with the muslims called the Crusades. We lost most of those wars. Here we are again facing the same situation. The whole summer has been wasted arguing over Medicare, the budget, and women's health, while the world situation deteriorates. The debates are set up on domestic issues, if we do not deal with the foreign issues we won't have to worry about the domestic issues.
Romney is not the perfect candidate, he is so rich he is a target for the opposition, but he only used tax laws that were passed by a Democratic Congress. Some of these tax laws were and are good laws, the low capital gains rate, the earned income credit, and the educational credits. The scare tactics that these benefits will be cut if the Republicans win must not intimidate us.
Although Mitt is not a charismatic candidate he is a steady man, who will think before he acts and while that might not be very entertaining it is safe. There are plenty of highly capable people that he could put in his cabinet such as Rubio, Christie, even Sarah Palin. We have to vote with care in this election, it is truly the most important in the history of this country.
In closing, I wish to express my condolences to the family of John Rigazio, I read many of his articles in the "Times" and he always called it as he saw it. He will be missed.
Sydney A. Rose
Mitt exposed
To the Editor:
If you ever wondered whether Mitt Romney cares about middle class and low income Americans, you need not wonder any longer. At a private fundraiser, Mitt showed his true colors. We no longer need to guess how Mitt feels about "the rest of us."
Caught on videotape, Mitt stated that 47 percent of all Americans do not pay taxes and are freeloading off those who do pay taxes. Mitt crassly divides America into two halves: those who matter and the 47 percent whom he does not care about. It is not his job, he said, as a candidate (nor apparently as president), "to worry about those people."
As it turns out, those 47 percent, "undeserving freeloaders" include hard working men and women in low-paying, blue-collar jobs who don't earn enough to owe federal income tax, elderly Americans whose Social Security pensions are too low to be taxed, disabled veterans, and individuals who have been maimed at work. Most of us would hardly consider these individuals "freeloaders." Mitt failed to mention that the 47 percent also includes Americans who, like Mitt, are extremely wealthy, but are able to shelter their income in overseas banks or via tax loopholes.
From his revealing statements, it is clear that Mitt Romney has no intention of being the President of all Americans, but rather will continue to protect the assets of the very rich, who are growing richer on the backs of hard working middle- and low-income families. In order to finance tax breaks for the super rich, Mitt will cut Medicare, Social Security, and other programs that support those in need. As for the very wealthy, they will continue to sink millions into the campaigns of Republicans leaders like Mitt Romney and Congressman Frank Guinta who have taken a pledge never to increase taxes on the very rich, thus allowing the wealthiest Americans to continue to amass their fortunes. For them, it is an investment with high returns.
Beth Olshansky
Military retirement pay
To the Editor:
Former Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter, vying to regain the People's Seat, worked diligently on behalf of the Armed Services while serving in Congress. A sampling of her legislative accomplishments include: the Veterans Health Equity Act (provides access to in-state full-service care to NH Vets) and an amendment to the FY2010 NDAA to prohibit the disposal of medical and hazardous waste in open-air burn pits in war-zones. Carol also staunchly defended and secured over $35 million for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.
One of Carol's most important achievements for vets was her House sponsorship of the Military Retirement Pay Fairness Act. This act protects retired military personnel from confronting extreme financial hardship when required to repay separation benefits.
There were thousands of mid-career service members, including the writer of this letter, who accepted an early separation with monetary benefit, during the Post-Cold War drawdown. Thousands of these members were invited back into the military in the mid 1990's when troop strength needed to be restored. There were at least 1101 retirees who reenlisted several years after initial separation, who went on to complete a military career and qualified for retirement pay.
In cases like mine, the Department of Defense (DOD) was mandated to recoup the separation benefit from the member's retirement pay. The repayment formula was draconian and did not consider the economic climate nor the financial standing of the member. The DOD was prepared to recoup an amount equivalent to my monthly mortgage for 27 months until Carol Shea-Porter and Jeanne Shaheen came to my aid. Their legislative work enabled me to negotiate a manageable monthly payment plan that did not impose such an intolerable financial hardship.
My Congresswoman stated, "As a member of the Armed Services Committee and a former military spouse, I understand the unique challenges military families often face. I am so pleased that the NH delegation will be helping not only Master Sergeant Merritt, but also all of the other veterans who are struggling with this unfair repayment formula."
I hope you will join me in November to vote for Carol Shea-Porter, who earned my gratitude and admiration.
Wayne H. Merritt
Medicare differences
To the Editor:
In response to Lew Henry's Letter to the Editor, Rochester Times Sept 27 2012: I would like to thank you for reading my letter. Also, thank you for your service. I am sorry however that your 'fair share of research' on the matter apparently lead you as far as some Democrat website.
First you are correct that ObamaCare does ban the abuses you claim. Other than that and one other statement I can find no other fact or truth in your letter. Seems you 'appear to have fallen victim to the relentless propaganda machine of the Obama and Shea-Porter campaign'. You claim that it is a myth that Obama cuts Medicare. A simple search on the web for Obama 716 billion Medicare cuts would show about 190,000 results, such as this one from The Washington Post Romney's right: ObamaCare cuts Medicare by $716 billion. Forbes Aug 16 2012: Fact-Check the Obama campaign's defense of its $716 billion cut to Medicare.
The CBO determined http://cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbofiles/ftpdocs/121xx/doc12119/03-30-healthcarelegislation.pdf in 2011 that the federal health care law would reduce Medicare outlays by $507 billion between 2012 and 2021. In a more recent estimate http://cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbofiles/attachments/43471-hr6079.pdf released this year, the CBO looked at the years 2013 to 2022 and determined the health care law affected Medicare outlays by $716 billion.
Mitt Romney is running on his budget, not Ryan's budget. Romney's budget eliminates that laws Medicare cuts.
You are also correct in that Obama's cuts, you call it savings, do not reduce benefits — $415 billion of the cut comes from fee-for-service payments to doctors and hospitals as I said in my letter. Perhaps you would do the same job for less money, but most hospitals and doctors have expenses to be paid. Why would they take a Medicare patient for less money than a patient with private insurance would pay more? So more doctors drop Medicare patients, what good is insurance if you can't find a doctor to treat you?
The Obama administration's own Medicare actuary explained in his January 26 2012 testimony before Congress that ObamaCare could make 15 percent of hospitals serving Medicare patients unprofitable. As I also said in my last letter for every $1,000 lost in Medicare payments resulted in a 6-8 percent increase in mortality rates. So it doesn't cut benefits as you say, but it would cut quality.
As for your and the other democrat claims of the $6,400 per year increase in health care cost for seniors, has already been, proven to be false.
Most, if not all of these facts were in my previous letter. Since you blindly follow Obama and Shea-Porter, I know you will find some fault with them. But, like history facts are facts.
I can't understand why any veteran or military person or anyone other than those living off those of us that choose to work for a living could support this president, the way he or his administration gives out national security information to terrorist, according to Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein (Calif.) Lies and misleads continually, but being in America it is your right, at least right now it still is, to vote for who you want, regardless of their qualifications or ideology.
John Dority
Vote for Steve Beaudoin
To the Editor:
I am writing on behalf of Steve Beaudoin who is running against Sandra Keans as state representative in Ward 2. There is a stark difference between the two.
Steve and his family are well known and respected in our area, having had local businesses. Steve is now retired after 15 years and is running against Sandra Keans because it is time for a make over in the state house. I, personally, want to thank Steve for taking a stand and offering his valuable time for a great cause. Even though the pay is little, the rewards are huge.
Steve will reduce red tape and wasteful spending. He will remove unnecessary taxes and fees and cut regulations on small businesses. He will fight frivolous spending by preventing special interest and unelected agencies from writing there own checks. He is against big government and them encroaching on our personal lives. He believes in private property rights, the 2nd Amendment and personal freedom.
I would put Steve Beaudoin in the same category with Warren Groen and Cliff
Newton, our current representatives, of whom I have great respect and sincere gratitude for all they have done. Steve is down to earth, sincere, true to his beliefs with integrity and unwavering principles. Steve will listen to his constituents and use his common sense to do the "right thing". As a staunch conservative, I truly feel, he will be a tremendous compliment to our already exceptional group of representatives from this city.
Every vote counts, so take the time to vote for Steve Beaudoin in Ward 2 on Nov. 6 and let's say a final farewell to Sandra Keans, who has taken up residency in the state house. We need fresh ideas and sound judgment for the betterment of our city and great state. Steve Beaudoin will make you proud.
Shona Bowen
Letters to the Editor - October 4, 2012
Figueredo invited for coffee