War and Peace at the Met (co-produced with the Maryinskii Theatre) was quite an experience as was brunch at the Russian Tea Room, visit to MOMA (where we saw Van Gogh's Starry, Starry Night), walk through Central Park, dinner with Greggles, visit to Rockefeller Center, shopping at the Food Emporium, and of course, last but not least, all associated with Sacha's being in NY (moving to an area near the Queens bridge).
Needless to say, my gratitude "journal" or should I say "journey" is full of these things, but mostly full of gratitude to God.
Reading the bio of Nelson Mandella (Long Walk to Freedom) was also a high point as was listening in the Prius to books on tape from Bob Woodward (State of Denial) and George Tenet (Eye of the Storm).
The Russian Tea House brunch included kasha for me, pecan pancakes for Rick, and a golden omlette with spinach and mushrooms for Sacha. The traditional tea service comes with tea served in a glass and cherry preserves, reminding me so much of an experience I had in Russia.
I did not realize until I went to the web site that the restaurant was founded in the 1920's by members of the Russian Imperial Ballet company. I also didn't know there were three floors, with one floor for private parties and another primarily for weddings. The restaurant was reopened recently (which I read got great reviews when it was finally reopened) and is located next to Carnegie Hall.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Gratitude 12/20
1. God and all who help me get through a day, again, but still true
2. Taking Barbie shopping for Christmas
3. Picking Sac up on Dec. 20, can hardly wait
4. Planning possible trips
5. Time away from office
Mayor Coleman announced to council today that in light of the Bainbridge gas explosion yesterday, he does not support gas wells on any city property. The gas well committee meeting set for tomorrow has been cancelled, but the committee stays in place with plans to meet after the new year.
Susan Ketchum of the Sun said it is a good thing that all the trees were not cut down four weeks ago (and now the city would decide to halt the gas wells).
Also the HH council meets this evening to elect the Council President for next year. I hope that Cathy Murphy wins.
2. Taking Barbie shopping for Christmas
3. Picking Sac up on Dec. 20, can hardly wait
4. Planning possible trips
5. Time away from office
Mayor Coleman announced to council today that in light of the Bainbridge gas explosion yesterday, he does not support gas wells on any city property. The gas well committee meeting set for tomorrow has been cancelled, but the committee stays in place with plans to meet after the new year.
Susan Ketchum of the Sun said it is a good thing that all the trees were not cut down four weeks ago (and now the city would decide to halt the gas wells).
Also the HH council meets this evening to elect the Council President for next year. I hope that Cathy Murphy wins.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Gratitude 12/16
1. Can't say it enough - God and all who help me get through a day
2. June 21 CMA reopening event with tickets starting at $300 - wow!
3. Calling Mitt Romney on Meet the Press the nickname Fee Fee
4. RFK book from Aronson with details about J.Edgar Hoover oddities (he freaked out when someone would step on his shadow and did not allow anyone who worked for him to wear a red tie)
5. Sun Messenger articles and letters to editor
6. M.Stewart show with Big Martha on cabbage rolls and pierogies (Big Martha passed away right before Thanksgiving like my mother)
7. Dr. Janice Lyons 216 896 1755
Mayor Coleman announced to council today that in light of the Bainbridge gas explosion yesterday, he does not support gas wells on any city property. The gas well committee meeting set for tomorrow has been cancelled, but the committee stays in place with plans to meet after the new year.
Susan Ketchum of the Sun said it is a good thing that all the trees were not cut down four weeks ago (and now the city would decide to halt the gas wells).
Also the HH council meets this evening to elect the Council President for next year. We hope that Cathy Murphy wins.
2. June 21 CMA reopening event with tickets starting at $300 - wow!
3. Calling Mitt Romney on Meet the Press the nickname Fee Fee
4. RFK book from Aronson with details about J.Edgar Hoover oddities (he freaked out when someone would step on his shadow and did not allow anyone who worked for him to wear a red tie)
5. Sun Messenger articles and letters to editor
6. M.Stewart show with Big Martha on cabbage rolls and pierogies (Big Martha passed away right before Thanksgiving like my mother)
7. Dr. Janice Lyons 216 896 1755
Mayor Coleman announced to council today that in light of the Bainbridge gas explosion yesterday, he does not support gas wells on any city property. The gas well committee meeting set for tomorrow has been cancelled, but the committee stays in place with plans to meet after the new year.
Susan Ketchum of the Sun said it is a good thing that all the trees were not cut down four weeks ago (and now the city would decide to halt the gas wells).
Also the HH council meets this evening to elect the Council President for next year. We hope that Cathy Murphy wins.
Chicktionary LOGS
http://club.live.com/chicktionary.aspx?icid=chick_wlhmtextlink1_dec
http://www.cleveland.com/sunmessenger/opinion/
http://www.cleveland.com/sunmessenger/opinion/index.ssf?/base/opinion-0/1196883687267320.xml&coll=4
For the most part, at the 12/15 meeting we discussed items related to what the gas well committee and LOGS group can accomplish. We also looked at several maps. Present at 12/15 meeting were F. Skala, D. Lees, Scudellari, K. Rapoport, Fash, Evans.
http://www.cleveland.com/sunmessenger/opinion/
http://www.cleveland.com/sunmessenger/opinion/index.ssf?/base/opinion-0/1196883687267320.xml&coll=4
For the most part, at the 12/15 meeting we discussed items related to what the gas well committee and LOGS group can accomplish. We also looked at several maps. Present at 12/15 meeting were F. Skala, D. Lees, Scudellari, K. Rapoport, Fash, Evans.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Gratitude 12/15
1. God and all who help me get through a day
2. Time away from work
3. Holiday will be here soon, but not soon enough
4. Hope that we'll be together for holiday
5. Working from home
6. Our country and freedom to criticize
7. That we can vote out certain politicians
8. Bill Moyers interviewing K. Olbermann
9. Interesting email like from Sacha -
Sacha says that Drakensburg is wonderful. She writes -
"We are staying in a really nice backpackers lodge with all kinds of dogs, cats, chickens and horses. We are going horseback riding up the mountain in 1 hour. I am with people from Germany, Columbia and Canada. Tomorrow I will go to the Kingdom of Lesotho and to see cave paintings and go to a little village."
2. Time away from work
3. Holiday will be here soon, but not soon enough
4. Hope that we'll be together for holiday
5. Working from home
6. Our country and freedom to criticize
7. That we can vote out certain politicians
8. Bill Moyers interviewing K. Olbermann
9. Interesting email like from Sacha -
Sacha says that Drakensburg is wonderful. She writes -
"We are staying in a really nice backpackers lodge with all kinds of dogs, cats, chickens and horses. We are going horseback riding up the mountain in 1 hour. I am with people from Germany, Columbia and Canada. Tomorrow I will go to the Kingdom of Lesotho and to see cave paintings and go to a little village."
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Gratitude 12/12 LOGS
1. Again, God and all who help me get through the day
2. People who support LOGS
3. That Christmas will be here soon, it's taking forever!
Sat., December 15 LOGS meeting 2:00
Wed., December 19 at 7:30 in City Hall
Sacha says that Drakensburg is wonderful. She writes -
"We are staying in a really nice backpackers lodge with all kinds of
dogs, cats, chickens and horses. We are going horseback riding up the
mountain in 1 hour.
I am with people from Germany, Columbia and Canada. Tomorrow I will go
to the Kingdom of Lesotho and to see cave paintings and go to a little
village."
2. People who support LOGS
3. That Christmas will be here soon, it's taking forever!
Sat., December 15 LOGS meeting 2:00
Wed., December 19 at 7:30 in City Hall
Sacha says that Drakensburg is wonderful. She writes -
"We are staying in a really nice backpackers lodge with all kinds of
dogs, cats, chickens and horses. We are going horseback riding up the
mountain in 1 hour.
I am with people from Germany, Columbia and Canada. Tomorrow I will go
to the Kingdom of Lesotho and to see cave paintings and go to a little
village."
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
07 word, list
Don't know the URL for this. So I'm just going to copy. Planning a commentary (as in two cents soon).
Merriam-Webster's word of '07: 'w00t'
By STEPHANIE REITZ, Associated Press Writer
Tue Dec 11, 5:55 PM ET
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Expect cheers among hardcore online game enthusiasts when they learn Merriam-Webster's Word of the Year. Or, more accurately, expect them to "w00t."
"W00t," a hybrid of letters and numbers used by gamers as an exclamation of happiness or triumph, topped all other terms in the Springfield-based dictionary publisher's online poll for the word that best sums up 2007.
Merriam-Webster's president, John Morse, said "w00t" was an ideal choice because it blends whimsy and new technology.
"It shows a really interesting thing that's going on in language. It's a term that's arrived only because we're now communicating electronically with each other," Morse said.
Gamers commonly substitute numbers and symbols for the letters they resemble, Morse says, creating what they call "l33t speak" — that's "leet" when spoken, short for "elite" to the rest of the world.
For technophobes, the word also is familiar from the 1990 movie "Pretty Woman," in which Julia Roberts startles her date's upper-crust friends with a hearty "Woot, woot, woot!" at a polo match.
Purists of "l33t speak" often substitute a "7" for the final "t," expressing a "w007" of victory — an "in your face" of sorts — when they defeat an online gaming opponent.
"W00t" was among 20 nominees in a list of the most-searched words in Merriam-Webster's online dictionary and most frequently submitted terms from users of its "open dictionary."
The choice did not make Allan Metcalf, executive secretary of the American Dialect Society, say "w00t."
"It's amusing, but it's limited to a small community and unlikely to spread and unlikely to last," said Metcalf, an English professor at MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Ill.
The 2006 pick, "truthiness," also has its roots in pop culture. It was popularized by Comedy Central satirical political commentator Stephen Colbert.
Some also-rans in the 2007 list: the use of "facebook" as a verb to signify using the Web site by that name; nuanced terms such as "quixotic," "hypocrite" and "conundrum"; and "blamestorm," a meeting in which mistakes are aired, fingers are pointed and much discomfort is had by all.
xx
best
italian
french
irish
s african
...canada..
england too chubby
russia too hairy
greece smell bad
turkey too sweaty
scot too loud
wales too needy
usa too dominant
nether too rough
swedish too quick
german too selfish
worst
Merriam-Webster's word of '07: 'w00t'
By STEPHANIE REITZ, Associated Press Writer
Tue Dec 11, 5:55 PM ET
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Expect cheers among hardcore online game enthusiasts when they learn Merriam-Webster's Word of the Year. Or, more accurately, expect them to "w00t."
"W00t," a hybrid of letters and numbers used by gamers as an exclamation of happiness or triumph, topped all other terms in the Springfield-based dictionary publisher's online poll for the word that best sums up 2007.
Merriam-Webster's president, John Morse, said "w00t" was an ideal choice because it blends whimsy and new technology.
"It shows a really interesting thing that's going on in language. It's a term that's arrived only because we're now communicating electronically with each other," Morse said.
Gamers commonly substitute numbers and symbols for the letters they resemble, Morse says, creating what they call "l33t speak" — that's "leet" when spoken, short for "elite" to the rest of the world.
For technophobes, the word also is familiar from the 1990 movie "Pretty Woman," in which Julia Roberts startles her date's upper-crust friends with a hearty "Woot, woot, woot!" at a polo match.
Purists of "l33t speak" often substitute a "7" for the final "t," expressing a "w007" of victory — an "in your face" of sorts — when they defeat an online gaming opponent.
"W00t" was among 20 nominees in a list of the most-searched words in Merriam-Webster's online dictionary and most frequently submitted terms from users of its "open dictionary."
The choice did not make Allan Metcalf, executive secretary of the American Dialect Society, say "w00t."
"It's amusing, but it's limited to a small community and unlikely to spread and unlikely to last," said Metcalf, an English professor at MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Ill.
The 2006 pick, "truthiness," also has its roots in pop culture. It was popularized by Comedy Central satirical political commentator Stephen Colbert.
Some also-rans in the 2007 list: the use of "facebook" as a verb to signify using the Web site by that name; nuanced terms such as "quixotic," "hypocrite" and "conundrum"; and "blamestorm," a meeting in which mistakes are aired, fingers are pointed and much discomfort is had by all.
xx
best
italian
french
irish
s african
...canada..
england too chubby
russia too hairy
greece smell bad
turkey too sweaty
scot too loud
wales too needy
usa too dominant
nether too rough
swedish too quick
german too selfish
worst
Waterboarding US
Harry Shearer is up for an Emmy for this?
"Well it may not be legal but it sure as heck makes me safer / and it may not yield useful intel, at least that's what they say / But it's a pleasure so rare, seeing captives gulp air / Let's go waterboardin' USA."
"Well it may not be legal but it sure as heck makes me safer / and it may not yield useful intel, at least that's what they say / But it's a pleasure so rare, seeing captives gulp air / Let's go waterboardin' USA."
Monday, December 10, 2007
Gratitude -Dec.10
1. God's good graces and all people who help me get through a day
2. Meet the Press with last guest being Rudy
3. People in our neighborhood who care about making HH a good place to live
4. Hope of being at Messiah
5. Holiday season with lots of treats and hope for our (tiny) family to be together
2. Meet the Press with last guest being Rudy
3. People in our neighborhood who care about making HH a good place to live
4. Hope of being at Messiah
5. Holiday season with lots of treats and hope for our (tiny) family to be together
Friday, December 7, 2007
Gratitude - Dec. 7
1. Again, all people who help me get through a day
2. Gratitude journal and Peggy Cappy's encouragement
3. Did not get bug going around (at least so far)
4. Conference calls via web
5. Holidays and days out of office
Can you believe the Cleveland Orchestra is doing a Bugs Bunny concert?
Bugs is to take center stage at Severance Hall. Elmer Fudd, Daffy Duck, and Porky Pig are to assist. The show features cartoon programs projected on a screen and live music by Rossini, Tchaikovsky and others.
To add to this cwaziness, a professor from Case, "a renowned expert on the topic of classical music in cartoons" Daniel Goldmark is to give a lecture and sign his books at the bookstore at Severance Hall.
This is also a display to celebrate the 50th anniversary of What's Opera, Doc?
So, the performance lived up to the promos. Chuck Jones' daughter made a special appearance and gifted to the orchestra an very large original painting her father made of the scene in What's Opera, Doc of Elmer's love interest on a horse (love interest is Bugs dressed up in what the narrator/conductor called a Madonna-like outfit which actually was a good explanation).
The end of What's Opera, Doc, which I had not seen before was incredibly good. The Rabbit of Seville which I have heard many times before was very good on the big screen, which Jones said is how is was meant to be seen. Plus, the conductor said it was meant for adults.
The orchestra was its usual self but when they played the Blue Danube, a piece I never really liked before, I actually did like it. They have probably played it so many times and each time they make it transcend like they are known to do. I don't know how else to explain it. It sounded different than any other time I heard it.
New topic - Can you believe this is to be Sacha' last weekend in Africa. I am grateful that she is to return soon and ask God for a good trip back
Leaving Durban early we head west towards old country roads that will take us through many forgotten farming villages and rural Zulu Kraals with traditional homesteads nearby. We recommend guests to have breakfast as we do not do breakfast on the morning of departure but snacks are available on the vehicle. {Snacks provided are muffins, chips and fruit} The drive climbs almost a mile in altitude and as we head towards the Drakensberg peaks we will eventually come to a stop on a working farm in the Little Berg.
A horse ride is available to all and opens up great opportunities for photographs from the top of the mountain. Lunch is served during the ride when we take a break to breathe in the mountain air and marvel at the 3000 meter Drakensberg escarpment. If you don't fancy a horse ride the guide will be more than happy to arrange a walk to explore the surrounding areas. Having arranged our accommodation we will settle down late afternoon to enjoy the sunset over the western peaks of the Drakensberg. A campfire lights up the night as we enjoy the evening of stars and a hearty meal.
The accommodation is done in rondavels {round hut} boasting all the facilities necessary for catering and hot showers. Linen is supplied but we do suggest a sleeping bag for cold nights as the temperatures can drop below zero degrees. * Lunch and Dinner provided
DAY 2:
Breakfast as they say is the most important meal of the day and will definitely boost our energy for the days hiking ahead. The aim of the hike is to reach the escarpment where many sites of San Rock Panels can be found. Once on top of the mountain we will visit some of the best examples of the rock art that was done centuries ago. The San Panels are national monuments and guests are asked to please follow the instructions given to them by their guide. A daypack lunch is provided as we look in wonder at the 300 000 year old setting.
The walk will depend on the ability and motivation of the group. The walk is considered to require a certain degree of fitness but can be done at a reasonable pace for all walkers. Paths are clearly marked and allows for guests to rest or move back down the mountain to just sit by the river, soak in some sun and view the mighty Drakensberg escarpment.
No matter what you choose to do your senses will always be in overdrive as the Drakensberg is recognized not only as a world heritage sight but a botanical hotspot and is alive with colour in all seasons. Eagles are often spotted in the clear skies and the surrounding grasslands are home to Eland, Baboons, Common Reedbuck and more.
*Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided
DAY 3:
Heading out to Underberg we pick up our 4 by 4 and leave to start our journey up the spectacular Sani Pass into the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho. The road to Lesotho climbs up 1200 m in a space of 20 km and is only accessible by 4 by 4. PLEASE NOTE PASSPORTS ARE NEEDED FOR BORDER CONTROL PURPOSES AND TO COMPLETE THE DAYTRIP TO BASOTHO VILLAGES Photographic opportunities are endless as the views from every angle
are spectacular. Once at the top we visit a local community village giving us insight into the daily life of the Basotho people. If we are lucky we may even have a chance to sample the bread, which in my opinion compares with some of the top bakeries in the world.
Lunch is served at the highest pub in Africa before we start our descent of the Drakensberg Mountains and head for home arriving in Durban at approximately 7:30 pm.
*Breakfast and picnic lunch is provided Buffet lunch at the Sani Top Chalet is optional at own cost
2. Gratitude journal and Peggy Cappy's encouragement
3. Did not get bug going around (at least so far)
4. Conference calls via web
5. Holidays and days out of office
Can you believe the Cleveland Orchestra is doing a Bugs Bunny concert?
Bugs is to take center stage at Severance Hall. Elmer Fudd, Daffy Duck, and Porky Pig are to assist. The show features cartoon programs projected on a screen and live music by Rossini, Tchaikovsky and others.
To add to this cwaziness, a professor from Case, "a renowned expert on the topic of classical music in cartoons" Daniel Goldmark is to give a lecture and sign his books at the bookstore at Severance Hall.
This is also a display to celebrate the 50th anniversary of What's Opera, Doc?
So, the performance lived up to the promos. Chuck Jones' daughter made a special appearance and gifted to the orchestra an very large original painting her father made of the scene in What's Opera, Doc of Elmer's love interest on a horse (love interest is Bugs dressed up in what the narrator/conductor called a Madonna-like outfit which actually was a good explanation).
The end of What's Opera, Doc, which I had not seen before was incredibly good. The Rabbit of Seville which I have heard many times before was very good on the big screen, which Jones said is how is was meant to be seen. Plus, the conductor said it was meant for adults.
The orchestra was its usual self but when they played the Blue Danube, a piece I never really liked before, I actually did like it. They have probably played it so many times and each time they make it transcend like they are known to do. I don't know how else to explain it. It sounded different than any other time I heard it.
New topic - Can you believe this is to be Sacha' last weekend in Africa. I am grateful that she is to return soon and ask God for a good trip back
Leaving Durban early we head west towards old country roads that will take us through many forgotten farming villages and rural Zulu Kraals with traditional homesteads nearby. We recommend guests to have breakfast as we do not do breakfast on the morning of departure but snacks are available on the vehicle. {Snacks provided are muffins, chips and fruit} The drive climbs almost a mile in altitude and as we head towards the Drakensberg peaks we will eventually come to a stop on a working farm in the Little Berg.
A horse ride is available to all and opens up great opportunities for photographs from the top of the mountain. Lunch is served during the ride when we take a break to breathe in the mountain air and marvel at the 3000 meter Drakensberg escarpment. If you don't fancy a horse ride the guide will be more than happy to arrange a walk to explore the surrounding areas. Having arranged our accommodation we will settle down late afternoon to enjoy the sunset over the western peaks of the Drakensberg. A campfire lights up the night as we enjoy the evening of stars and a hearty meal.
The accommodation is done in rondavels {round hut} boasting all the facilities necessary for catering and hot showers. Linen is supplied but we do suggest a sleeping bag for cold nights as the temperatures can drop below zero degrees. * Lunch and Dinner provided
DAY 2:
Breakfast as they say is the most important meal of the day and will definitely boost our energy for the days hiking ahead. The aim of the hike is to reach the escarpment where many sites of San Rock Panels can be found. Once on top of the mountain we will visit some of the best examples of the rock art that was done centuries ago. The San Panels are national monuments and guests are asked to please follow the instructions given to them by their guide. A daypack lunch is provided as we look in wonder at the 300 000 year old setting.
The walk will depend on the ability and motivation of the group. The walk is considered to require a certain degree of fitness but can be done at a reasonable pace for all walkers. Paths are clearly marked and allows for guests to rest or move back down the mountain to just sit by the river, soak in some sun and view the mighty Drakensberg escarpment.
No matter what you choose to do your senses will always be in overdrive as the Drakensberg is recognized not only as a world heritage sight but a botanical hotspot and is alive with colour in all seasons. Eagles are often spotted in the clear skies and the surrounding grasslands are home to Eland, Baboons, Common Reedbuck and more.
*Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided
DAY 3:
Heading out to Underberg we pick up our 4 by 4 and leave to start our journey up the spectacular Sani Pass into the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho. The road to Lesotho climbs up 1200 m in a space of 20 km and is only accessible by 4 by 4. PLEASE NOTE PASSPORTS ARE NEEDED FOR BORDER CONTROL PURPOSES AND TO COMPLETE THE DAYTRIP TO BASOTHO VILLAGES Photographic opportunities are endless as the views from every angle
are spectacular. Once at the top we visit a local community village giving us insight into the daily life of the Basotho people. If we are lucky we may even have a chance to sample the bread, which in my opinion compares with some of the top bakeries in the world.
Lunch is served at the highest pub in Africa before we start our descent of the Drakensberg Mountains and head for home arriving in Durban at approximately 7:30 pm.
*Breakfast and picnic lunch is provided Buffet lunch at the Sani Top Chalet is optional at own cost
Monday, December 3, 2007
Friends OEC
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Dinner at 7:00 p.m.
Mayfield Village Community Center
Enter off SOM Center Road behind Mayfield Village Fire Department
(NW corner of Rte. 91 and Wilson Mills Road )
Celebrate the season by joining us for this
festive fundraising event!
Good company, good food and good music for a great cause.
$20.00 per person
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Dinner at 7:00 p.m.
Mayfield Village Community Center
Enter off SOM Center Road behind Mayfield Village Fire Department
(NW corner of Rte. 91 and Wilson Mills Road )
Celebrate the season by joining us for this
festive fundraising event!
Good company, good food and good music for a great cause.
$20.00 per person
Academic calendar
Barb:
First Saturday Class begins Jan 12
Martin Luther King Day Jan 21
First Weekday Class Jan 14
Last Day to Add (at 8:00 pm) Jan 18
Last Day to Drop (at 8:00 pm) Jan 25
President's Day Feb 18
Midterm Grades Mar 3-9
Spring Recess Mar 9-16
Classes Resume Mar 17
Last Day to Withdraw Mar 28
Last Day of Classes May 2
Final Exams May 3-9
Commencement May 10
Spring Incomplete Deadline Sept 19
Law school
Classes Begin 1/7
Martin Luther King Day 1/21
Last Day to Add 1/14
Last Day to Drop 2/3
President's Day 2/18
Spring Recess 3/9-3/16
Last Day of Classes 4/22
Reading Period 4/23-4/27
Final Exams 4/28-5/9
Commencement 5/17
First Saturday Class begins Jan 12
Martin Luther King Day Jan 21
First Weekday Class Jan 14
Last Day to Add (at 8:00 pm) Jan 18
Last Day to Drop (at 8:00 pm) Jan 25
President's Day Feb 18
Midterm Grades Mar 3-9
Spring Recess Mar 9-16
Classes Resume Mar 17
Last Day to Withdraw Mar 28
Last Day of Classes May 2
Final Exams May 3-9
Commencement May 10
Spring Incomplete Deadline Sept 19
Law school
Classes Begin 1/7
Martin Luther King Day 1/21
Last Day to Add 1/14
Last Day to Drop 2/3
President's Day 2/18
Spring Recess 3/9-3/16
Last Day of Classes 4/22
Reading Period 4/23-4/27
Final Exams 4/28-5/9
Commencement 5/17
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Gratitude - Dec. 1
1. Email about how nice Cape Town is
2. Thoughts about Barb having a break when her exams are over
3. Visit from Fran and Mary
4. Interesting DITA book
5. Heated seats in the Prius
6. Wool at this time of year plus hot tea and soup
7. Trader Joe (for Os) and coin show
8. Nice Russian people
9. Holiday party with Friends OEC and sharing tea bags
2. Thoughts about Barb having a break when her exams are over
3. Visit from Fran and Mary
4. Interesting DITA book
5. Heated seats in the Prius
6. Wool at this time of year plus hot tea and soup
7. Trader Joe (for Os) and coin show
8. Nice Russian people
9. Holiday party with Friends OEC and sharing tea bags
November = good
November
November high points included a wonderful Thanksgiving, keeping our woods (so far), leaf management, a Scorpio lunch, and messages from Africa, as was reading The Kite Runner, new YOU book from Oz, and couple of biographies.
October
October included a visit with Barbara and Sacha, a Prius, the Indians beat the Yankees, Hard Rock cafe, Halloween chocolate and Natural History Museum party, Ken Burns, mockThanksgiving, temps in the 70s.
September
September was good with anniversary trip to visit Bad Godesberg and Komen race.
What a good year it has been so far. I hope I don't jinx it by saying this. As November and Thanksgiving approach, again, I have a lot to be thankful for. April, 2003 to October, 2007 makes it over 4 years. Oct. 22 was my follow up visit.
November also provided data that shows a downward spike in coverage for Republicans after they were no-shows at the minority debates.
The latest today from Sacha is that "Cape Town is beautiful. Really. Like nowhere else I've ever been. Huge mountains with clouds hanging over them, and all kinds of plants. Table mountain, where I went mountain biking today, has more different
species of flora than all of Europe combined!"
Can't wait to see the pictures!
November high points included a wonderful Thanksgiving, keeping our woods (so far), leaf management, a Scorpio lunch, and messages from Africa, as was reading The Kite Runner, new YOU book from Oz, and couple of biographies.
October
October included a visit with Barbara and Sacha, a Prius, the Indians beat the Yankees, Hard Rock cafe, Halloween chocolate and Natural History Museum party, Ken Burns, mockThanksgiving, temps in the 70s.
September
September was good with anniversary trip to visit Bad Godesberg and Komen race.
What a good year it has been so far. I hope I don't jinx it by saying this. As November and Thanksgiving approach, again, I have a lot to be thankful for. April, 2003 to October, 2007 makes it over 4 years. Oct. 22 was my follow up visit.
November also provided data that shows a downward spike in coverage for Republicans after they were no-shows at the minority debates.
The latest today from Sacha is that "Cape Town is beautiful. Really. Like nowhere else I've ever been. Huge mountains with clouds hanging over them, and all kinds of plants. Table mountain, where I went mountain biking today, has more different
species of flora than all of Europe combined!"
Can't wait to see the pictures!
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Gratitude Nov. 29
1. Photos from and of Barbara and Sacha
2. Chinese take out especially broccoli
3. Spinach dip and hummus
4. Whole wheat pita chips and organic blue tortilla chips
5. All good food (am repeating myself probably here)
6. Melatonin and seratonin and what they do (as described in YOU book)
7. Well drilling should be moved to a tree-free spot
8. A good night's sleep
9. Yoga and meditation
10. Tomatoes and tomato products, especially salsa
11. Visit to Avanti on Nov. 29
The latest from Sacha, for which I am grateful, is that she went to a conference for South African tourism. It was at a resort in South Africa and her boss was one of the speakers. She says sh is working non-stop and up till 2am working on one of her reports. "It feels like I'm in school with all this work. I keep saying that once I submit this, I will be less stressed, but after that there are mounds of other projects I have to finish." She promised herself not take work with her to Cape Town this weekend.
2. Chinese take out especially broccoli
3. Spinach dip and hummus
4. Whole wheat pita chips and organic blue tortilla chips
5. All good food (am repeating myself probably here)
6. Melatonin and seratonin and what they do (as described in YOU book)
7. Well drilling should be moved to a tree-free spot
8. A good night's sleep
9. Yoga and meditation
10. Tomatoes and tomato products, especially salsa
11. Visit to Avanti on Nov. 29
The latest from Sacha, for which I am grateful, is that she went to a conference for South African tourism. It was at a resort in South Africa and her boss was one of the speakers. She says sh is working non-stop and up till 2am working on one of her reports. "It feels like I'm in school with all this work. I keep saying that once I submit this, I will be less stressed, but after that there are mounds of other projects I have to finish." She promised herself not take work with her to Cape Town this weekend.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Iraq war cost
$20,000 for every family of four per year
3.5 trillion dollars a year
12 billion dollars a month out of us treasury
$390,000 for one soldier per year, per taxpayer
from Brookings Institute
3.5 trillion dollars a year
12 billion dollars a month out of us treasury
$390,000 for one soldier per year, per taxpayer
from Brookings Institute
Monday, November 26, 2007
Important dates
Monday Nov 26, 8:00 HH P&Z meeting at City Hall (Bass NOT there. No need to attend.)
Tuesday Nov 27. 7:30 to 8:00 HH Council of the whole meeting at City Hall (Council and Mayor WILL discuss gas wells. Public can listen but can't speak.
Tuesday Nov 27. 8:00 to 9:30 (right after Council of the whole) HH regular City Council meeting at City Hall - - public can speak at point when opened for public comment. PLEASE VOICE YOUR OPINION TO MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
Friday Nov 30, Not a meeting date but I just want to note this is last day according to Bass that they have lease on tree-clearing large equipment.
Tuesday December 4, 6:30 to 9:00 at Mayfield Village Hall - - A special holiday party and fundraiser for Friends of Euclid Creek. I want to personally ask your support of this event. The Friends of Euclid Creek have been a tremendous help to us behind the scenes on the gas well issues. And they are the organization that made it happen that the Mayfield BOE property abutting the baja path to the north has been bought with CleanOhio grant money and established as a long-term nature conservancy. I'll send more information in a next email.
Monday Dec 10, 8:00 HH P&Z meeting at City Hall (we have to keep following the gas well issues...)
Tuesday Dec 11. 7:30 to 8:00 HH Council of the whole meeting at City Hall
Tuesday Dec 11. 8:00 to 9:30 (right after Council of the whole) HH regular City Council meeting at City Hall.
Tuesday Nov 27. 7:30 to 8:00 HH Council of the whole meeting at City Hall (Council and Mayor WILL discuss gas wells. Public can listen but can't speak.
Tuesday Nov 27. 8:00 to 9:30 (right after Council of the whole) HH regular City Council meeting at City Hall - - public can speak at point when opened for public comment. PLEASE VOICE YOUR OPINION TO MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
Friday Nov 30, Not a meeting date but I just want to note this is last day according to Bass that they have lease on tree-clearing large equipment.
Tuesday December 4, 6:30 to 9:00 at Mayfield Village Hall - - A special holiday party and fundraiser for Friends of Euclid Creek. I want to personally ask your support of this event. The Friends of Euclid Creek have been a tremendous help to us behind the scenes on the gas well issues. And they are the organization that made it happen that the Mayfield BOE property abutting the baja path to the north has been bought with CleanOhio grant money and established as a long-term nature conservancy. I'll send more information in a next email.
Monday Dec 10, 8:00 HH P&Z meeting at City Hall (we have to keep following the gas well issues...)
Tuesday Dec 11. 7:30 to 8:00 HH Council of the whole meeting at City Hall
Tuesday Dec 11. 8:00 to 9:30 (right after Council of the whole) HH regular City Council meeting at City Hall.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Gratitude Nov. 26
1 Email and other correspondence included Christmas cards
2 Cards and wrapping paper including cat paper
3 Walgreens and their digital print service
4 Chocolate and the decaf mocha at work
5 Tea and decaf coffee
6 Cabbage soup both vegetarian and not
7 Movies (Borat, Helvetica, Electric Car come to mind)
8 TV (The Daily Show, Colbert, The Office, SNL)
9 Carpet in basement from Home Depot
10 Hope for a better world including 01.20.2009 birthday
11 Charities (Humane Society, Hunger Site, Komen, others)
12 Inspiration from people who keep trying to do good
13 Triumph over evil like Hitler and polio
14 Good health care
15 Nature
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Gratitude journal
The new YOU book recommends keeping a gratitude journal. So, here goes at least some of it. I am grateful for these things.
Nov 22
1. God helping me get through everything
2. All the people who help me get through a day
3. This blog
4. Today and the fact that I am still alive
5. Thanksgiving and all food in general
Nov. 23
6. Good books like the Oz book, The Kite Runner, and the bios I recently read
7. The Mayfield public library
8. Trees, including, especially, evergreen trees at this time of year
9. Cats and all other living things both animal and vegetable
10. Our Prius, Honda CRV, Accord, and Cirrus
Nov 24
11. My nice Canon digital camera
12. The Plain Dealer (the Marlboro Man story and how I did not go to Iraq)
13. My house and the heat and other stuff in it
14. The History Channel and report about the Kennedys
15. The Cleveland Orchestra and their playing of Russian composers
Nov. 25
1. Christmas trees including Barbie's two trees
2. Sacha's telephone and Skype calls, plus emails
3. Rick's chili both vegetarian and turkey
4. Russian icons as in Russian Orthodox
5. Wikipedia and dictionaries, including the Scrabble dictionary
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Pie and Safari
More unrelated items, well, loosely related since the all concern Sacha.
Sacha made a pumpkin pie for her coworkers in Pretoria. This I will consider Sacha's celebration, in part, of Thanksgiving, sharing with others. She says -
Pie is fluffy and delicious. Combined eggs, sugar, flower, salt,
vanilla, pumpkin puree, evaporated milk and [a secret ingredient!]. Put it in a pie crust and viola! I will send pictures tonight. I am making a second tonight as well!
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Ivy treated, gifts, books
This is another blog entry of unrelated items from the hodge-podge of my own mind hehe. Poison ivy treatment was yesterday.
From Sacha (P.S. Barb would like donations to Geauga Humane Society, zoo, history museum too) -
Why don't you donate to the Nelson Mandela Children's fund on my
behalf?
http://www.justgiving.com/mandelachildren
Or a microfinance charity:
https://www.kintera.org/site/c.erKPI2PCIoE/b.2639775/k.9172/Donate_Online/apps/ka/sd/donor.asp?c=erKPI2PCIoE&b=2639775&en=8fLLJROnEcIMLNMnGcLHIRPFKpLOLRNuGcIQJZPAJkITK4NME
I would also be happy if you donated to a Russian orphanage or to
Iraqi refugees on my behalf.
In no particular order
1 Geauga Humane Society
2 Zoo
3 Microfinance
4 Nelson Mandella
5 Russian orphans
6 Natural History Museum
The latest YOU book from Oz is the first I have read. The illustrations are especially good. There are side bar factoids. What is a factoid? That is something that I have asked myself before. American Heritage gives two definitions.
1. A piece of unverified or inaccurate information that is presented in the press as factual, often as part of a publicity effort, and that is then accepted as true because of frequent repetition: "What one misses finally is what might have emerged beyond both facts and factoids—a profound definition of the Marilyn Monroe phenomenon" (Christopher Lehmann-Haupt).
2. Usage Problem A brief, somewhat interesting fact.
The New Yorker did a good job reviewing in the June edition (I'm way behind in reading those) - Her Way and A Woman in Charge, which I found on the NEW! shelf at Mayfield about 6 months after they were released (better late than never). I agree with the review that the first is more sympathetic. I can't get over how two biographies can focus in on such different items. Bernstein points out that there was support for health care coverage when Hillary proposed it during her husband's first administration. If her proposal had been less comprehensive or had been scaled back, people today would have at least more health care coverage than they now do.
The Klein book mentions Marvin Kalb as one of three examples of great traditional journalism of the past. This is in contrast to the entertainment journalism of today. Klein (who I understand concentrated on the past in writing bios about the Kennedys) included many interesting stories about how decisions are made at the major networks and how various anchors and newspeople get along, especially at the Today show. You have to wonder who were the sources for the book. I don't want all sugar coating in a bio, but I don't want pure gossip either. Should I be reading bios like this? Does it bring harm? It certainly is interesting, especially when you see the twists and turns that come in a person's life and how in a lifetime there is both good and bad - trite but true.
From Sacha (P.S. Barb would like donations to Geauga Humane Society, zoo, history museum too) -
Why don't you donate to the Nelson Mandela Children's fund on my
behalf?
http://www.justgiving.com/mandelachildren
Or a microfinance charity:
https://www.kintera.org/site/c.erKPI2PCIoE/b.2639775/k.9172/Donate_Online/apps/ka/sd/donor.asp?c=erKPI2PCIoE&b=2639775&en=8fLLJROnEcIMLNMnGcLHIRPFKpLOLRNuGcIQJZPAJkITK4NME
I would also be happy if you donated to a Russian orphanage or to
Iraqi refugees on my behalf.
In no particular order
1 Geauga Humane Society
2 Zoo
3 Microfinance
4 Nelson Mandella
5 Russian orphans
6 Natural History Museum
The latest YOU book from Oz is the first I have read. The illustrations are especially good. There are side bar factoids. What is a factoid? That is something that I have asked myself before. American Heritage gives two definitions.
1. A piece of unverified or inaccurate information that is presented in the press as factual, often as part of a publicity effort, and that is then accepted as true because of frequent repetition: "What one misses finally is what might have emerged beyond both facts and factoids—a profound definition of the Marilyn Monroe phenomenon" (Christopher Lehmann-Haupt).
2. Usage Problem A brief, somewhat interesting fact.
The New Yorker did a good job reviewing in the June edition (I'm way behind in reading those) - Her Way and A Woman in Charge, which I found on the NEW! shelf at Mayfield about 6 months after they were released (better late than never). I agree with the review that the first is more sympathetic. I can't get over how two biographies can focus in on such different items. Bernstein points out that there was support for health care coverage when Hillary proposed it during her husband's first administration. If her proposal had been less comprehensive or had been scaled back, people today would have at least more health care coverage than they now do.
The Klein book mentions Marvin Kalb as one of three examples of great traditional journalism of the past. This is in contrast to the entertainment journalism of today. Klein (who I understand concentrated on the past in writing bios about the Kennedys) included many interesting stories about how decisions are made at the major networks and how various anchors and newspeople get along, especially at the Today show. You have to wonder who were the sources for the book. I don't want all sugar coating in a bio, but I don't want pure gossip either. Should I be reading bios like this? Does it bring harm? It certainly is interesting, especially when you see the twists and turns that come in a person's life and how in a lifetime there is both good and bad - trite but true.
Barbie Thanksgiving
I don't care if it sounds trite. I have a lot to be thankful for. Included are Barbie's mashed potatoes, green beans, cauliflower, stuffing, and pumpkin roll as well as turkey with gravy and cranberry sauce, with Simpson's Clue, Scrabble, and poker, including Texas Hold 'Em. Was it Bart in the power plant with the saxophone? Ziti, fez, java, and joe were some of the highlights. The web version of the Scrabble dictionary was so nice to have.
Kennedy, Sina, kites
So much to blog about... so little time... more unrelated stuff..
Nov. 22 is anniversary of passing of Sina and Kennedy.
Kite Runner reminds me of how incredibly good fiction can be and how it can take over.
И вот вновь, я думаю o бaбyшke.
Well, well, well
Latest update is that mayor Coleman is unable to meet with us after invited to do so by Frank Skala. Frank says Coleman explained how the City proceeded from the beginning and how the sites were selected.
Coleman said the first site discussed was by the upper ballfields and he said definitely not to that site. He said the next site was off the new parking lot and another site could be near the communications tower. He said he was surprised to see the drawing showing the site by Hawthorne. He said the Hawthorne site is definitely out, and he doesn’t want the park to lose a lot of trees. He said in his opinion it will probably come down to only one well site in the park, and the site will probably be somewhere between the sites along the edge of the open area and the woods.
Coleman apologized that he couldn’t meet personally this week and asked if Tim Paluf could meet with us. He said Tim would be representing him completely. So far, there is no date when Tim can meet with us. But, Tim planned to keep us posted.
From Frank -
Monday Nov 26, 8:00 HH P&Z meeting at City Hall (Bass there, and public can speak)
Tuesday Nov 27. 7:30 to 8:00 HH Council of the whole meeting at City Hall (Council and Mayor discuss gas wells. Public can listen but can't speak)
Tuesday Nov 27. 8:00 to 9:30 (right after Council of the whole) HH regular City Council meeting at City Hall - - public can speak at point when opened for public comment.
Friday Nov 30, Not a meeting date but I just want to note this is last day according to Bass that they have lease on tree-clearing large equipment.
Tuesday December 4, 6:30 to 9:00 at Mayfield Village Hall - - A special holiday party and fundraiser for Friends of Euclid Creek. I want to personally ask your support of this event. The Friends of Euclid Creek have been a tremendous help to us behind the scenes on the gas well issues. And they are the organization that made it happen that the Mayfield BOE property abutting the baja path to the north has been bought with CleanOhio grant money and established as a long-term nature conservancy. I'll send more information in a next email.
Monday Dec 10, 8:00 HH P&Z meeting at City Hall (we have to keep following the gas well issues...)
Tuesday Dec 11. 7:30 to 8:00 HH Council of the whole meeting at City Hall
Tuesday Nov 11. 8:00 to 9:30 (right after Council of the whole) HH regular City Council meeting at City Hall.
Coleman said the first site discussed was by the upper ballfields and he said definitely not to that site. He said the next site was off the new parking lot and another site could be near the communications tower. He said he was surprised to see the drawing showing the site by Hawthorne. He said the Hawthorne site is definitely out, and he doesn’t want the park to lose a lot of trees. He said in his opinion it will probably come down to only one well site in the park, and the site will probably be somewhere between the sites along the edge of the open area and the woods.
Coleman apologized that he couldn’t meet personally this week and asked if Tim Paluf could meet with us. He said Tim would be representing him completely. So far, there is no date when Tim can meet with us. But, Tim planned to keep us posted.
From Frank -
Monday Nov 26, 8:00 HH P&Z meeting at City Hall (Bass there, and public can speak)
Tuesday Nov 27. 7:30 to 8:00 HH Council of the whole meeting at City Hall (Council and Mayor discuss gas wells. Public can listen but can't speak)
Tuesday Nov 27. 8:00 to 9:30 (right after Council of the whole) HH regular City Council meeting at City Hall - - public can speak at point when opened for public comment.
Friday Nov 30, Not a meeting date but I just want to note this is last day according to Bass that they have lease on tree-clearing large equipment.
Tuesday December 4, 6:30 to 9:00 at Mayfield Village Hall - - A special holiday party and fundraiser for Friends of Euclid Creek. I want to personally ask your support of this event. The Friends of Euclid Creek have been a tremendous help to us behind the scenes on the gas well issues. And they are the organization that made it happen that the Mayfield BOE property abutting the baja path to the north has been bought with CleanOhio grant money and established as a long-term nature conservancy. I'll send more information in a next email.
Monday Dec 10, 8:00 HH P&Z meeting at City Hall (we have to keep following the gas well issues...)
Tuesday Dec 11. 7:30 to 8:00 HH Council of the whole meeting at City Hall
Tuesday Nov 11. 8:00 to 9:30 (right after Council of the whole) HH regular City Council meeting at City Hall.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Saturday, November 17, 2007
St. Theo and letter
3PM Christmas Concert Sun., Nov. 22
http://www.sttheodosius.org/
Christmas letter -
I hope this card finds you making the best of the
holiday season or at least surviving it ok. We are
doing ok. Healthwise, we cannot complain.
Rick and I are still working at Rockwell. Barb is
still down the street living in my mom's house,
employed at Avanti, and going to Cleveland State,
working toward her bachelor's in biology. Sacha
completed her year at Harvard Shorenstein and is now
with Media Tenor, having trained in Bonn, completing
field research in Pretoria, and planning to relocate
to NYC in January.
Cats Ivy and Chester are ok at our house as are cats
Chloe and Mischa at Barb's house. Chloe and Mischa run
the house for Barb like Ivy and Chester run our house.
Some high points for us this year were a visit to
Europe to see Sacha, a Prius hybrid, and involvement
in the Komen Race for the Cure in Cleveland. I organized
the Komen activities for Rockwell. It was my second race.
Over 90 people were on the Rockwell team. I would like to
do this again.
Wishing you good health, love, and peace. What did I
miss?
Jeanette
(Rick, Barbara, Sacha, Chester, Ivy, Chloe, and
Mischa)
P.S. I am looking forward to something that happens on my birthday on Jan. 20, 2009.
http://www.sttheodosius.org/
Christmas letter -
I hope this card finds you making the best of the
holiday season or at least surviving it ok. We are
doing ok. Healthwise, we cannot complain.
Rick and I are still working at Rockwell. Barb is
still down the street living in my mom's house,
employed at Avanti, and going to Cleveland State,
working toward her bachelor's in biology. Sacha
completed her year at Harvard Shorenstein and is now
with Media Tenor, having trained in Bonn, completing
field research in Pretoria, and planning to relocate
to NYC in January.
Cats Ivy and Chester are ok at our house as are cats
Chloe and Mischa at Barb's house. Chloe and Mischa run
the house for Barb like Ivy and Chester run our house.
Some high points for us this year were a visit to
Europe to see Sacha, a Prius hybrid, and involvement
in the Komen Race for the Cure in Cleveland. I organized
the Komen activities for Rockwell. It was my second race.
Over 90 people were on the Rockwell team. I would like to
do this again.
Wishing you good health, love, and peace. What did I
miss?
Jeanette
(Rick, Barbara, Sacha, Chester, Ivy, Chloe, and
Mischa)
P.S. I am looking forward to something that happens on my birthday on Jan. 20, 2009.
More from Sac
Last night I went to go see a musical called "Africa
umoja." It traces the social history of black
Africans though music. It was really
great. There was a lot of traditional tribal dancing
from the Zulu tribe. I finally felt like I was
in Africa.
I will try to go on a mini safari next weekend.
Today I am going to drive to downtown Pretoria
(I got an upgrade in my VW rental car!)
I am also going to try to find a pool to swim!
Friday, November 16, 2007
Sun Mess
The gas well issue was the front page story for the Sun Messenger. Must have been a slow news week.
One of the letters submitted to the editor -
I was more than a little shocked and outraged to hear a representative from Bass Energy state at last Monday’s Planning and Zoning Commission meeting that Bass intended to begin clear-cutting several undeveloped, forested areas of Highland Heights park on Friday, November 16th.
Highland Heights residents were never told that the city had authorized Bass to put gas wells in the city park.
City council agreed on Tuesday night to hold a public hearing on the matter. I just hope it’s not too little, too late. Here are a couple of issues that they need to consider.
First, fiscal responsibility. Mayfield Heights is in discussions with several different energy companies. If Highland Heights wants to put gas wells on city property, it should use a competitive bidding process, not engage in secret negotiations with one company. It also needs to conduct a realistic cost/benefit analysis. Gas wells are a short term proposition. The Bass representative stated that wells produce most during their first year and are usually capped within eight. Restoring the park will take a lot longer than that.
Second, there is a tradition and commitment in Highland Heights to preserving undeveloped green space in the park. Twenty six acres of parkland were bought in 1994 for that very purpose. The city’s decision to allow gas drilling and clear-cutting of wooded areas flies in the face of long-standing community values.
Finally, the city is the landowner here. It gets to decide whether--and where--to allow gas wells on city property, and it has to obey its own laws in doing so. Highland Heights Ordinance 733.20(d) specifically states that no person, firm or corporation shall drill a gas or oil well within 500 feet of a residential property line, a public park, or a playground. I don't think the law could be any clearer than that.
xx
Here is another.
The proposed plan to construct gas wells in Highland Heights Park is proceeding too quickly and requires further study. It is reasonable to request that Highland Heights City Council and Mayor Coleman support the idea that no decision be made about gas well drilling in the Highland Heights park for the time that it takes to look at options and inform residents.
I have seen petitions with many signatures of Highland Heights residents who support the idea of delaying this decision on gas well drilling to allow for further study.
Thank goodness I did not wake up one morning, at least of this writing, to find over 100 trees down in the park area behind my back yard and not know why the trees were coming down. While I personally do not oppose gas well drilling in all cases, I at least want to know why we need to drill in our park and take down so many trees. Could we drill in another location? Could the city buy other treed property to replace the green space lost? What is the most environmentally friendly way to approach drilling? These are some of the questions we need to debate before the work begins.
xx
Rumor has it that Bass will drill unless there is a court order to stop. They want to drill before the lease is up on their expensive equipment. Permits shmermits! We don't need no stinkin' variances!
We will have to see if the city will get extra money if Bass pays fines due to illegal drilling.
The opinion was expressed that ORC 1509 does not supersede city ordinance 733.00 et. seq. when the City itself is the lessor. 733 applies because the City is the landowner.
Going forward may violate several sections of the lease contract. Section 8 of the lease requires the company to obtain written approval of the location of the well...prior to commencing operations. It states this requirement twice. Needless to say written approval has not been given. Further Section 17 of the lease gives the city the right to remove company workers for good cause--not having approved well sites would be "good cause."
(And, speaking of Ord. 733, since it applies has anybody considered the other requirements contained there?
First there are the procedural requirements--public notice and hearings, P & Z approval, council approval etc.--then there are setback requirements; and finally there are construction requirements for roads, and well sites etc. None of these have been complied with. Clearly the city has recourse.)
All is not well with this deep subject. he he.
Someone on our street said they called the mayor's office and spoke with his secretary. She said that the mayor is still out of town. She said that she faxed a notice to Bass Energy to not proceed and also talked with the president of Bass who said he would not proceed.
One of the letters submitted to the editor -
I was more than a little shocked and outraged to hear a representative from Bass Energy state at last Monday’s Planning and Zoning Commission meeting that Bass intended to begin clear-cutting several undeveloped, forested areas of Highland Heights park on Friday, November 16th.
Highland Heights residents were never told that the city had authorized Bass to put gas wells in the city park.
City council agreed on Tuesday night to hold a public hearing on the matter. I just hope it’s not too little, too late. Here are a couple of issues that they need to consider.
First, fiscal responsibility. Mayfield Heights is in discussions with several different energy companies. If Highland Heights wants to put gas wells on city property, it should use a competitive bidding process, not engage in secret negotiations with one company. It also needs to conduct a realistic cost/benefit analysis. Gas wells are a short term proposition. The Bass representative stated that wells produce most during their first year and are usually capped within eight. Restoring the park will take a lot longer than that.
Second, there is a tradition and commitment in Highland Heights to preserving undeveloped green space in the park. Twenty six acres of parkland were bought in 1994 for that very purpose. The city’s decision to allow gas drilling and clear-cutting of wooded areas flies in the face of long-standing community values.
Finally, the city is the landowner here. It gets to decide whether--and where--to allow gas wells on city property, and it has to obey its own laws in doing so. Highland Heights Ordinance 733.20(d) specifically states that no person, firm or corporation shall drill a gas or oil well within 500 feet of a residential property line, a public park, or a playground. I don't think the law could be any clearer than that.
xx
Here is another.
The proposed plan to construct gas wells in Highland Heights Park is proceeding too quickly and requires further study. It is reasonable to request that Highland Heights City Council and Mayor Coleman support the idea that no decision be made about gas well drilling in the Highland Heights park for the time that it takes to look at options and inform residents.
I have seen petitions with many signatures of Highland Heights residents who support the idea of delaying this decision on gas well drilling to allow for further study.
Thank goodness I did not wake up one morning, at least of this writing, to find over 100 trees down in the park area behind my back yard and not know why the trees were coming down. While I personally do not oppose gas well drilling in all cases, I at least want to know why we need to drill in our park and take down so many trees. Could we drill in another location? Could the city buy other treed property to replace the green space lost? What is the most environmentally friendly way to approach drilling? These are some of the questions we need to debate before the work begins.
xx
Rumor has it that Bass will drill unless there is a court order to stop. They want to drill before the lease is up on their expensive equipment. Permits shmermits! We don't need no stinkin' variances!
We will have to see if the city will get extra money if Bass pays fines due to illegal drilling.
The opinion was expressed that ORC 1509 does not supersede city ordinance 733.00 et. seq. when the City itself is the lessor. 733 applies because the City is the landowner.
Going forward may violate several sections of the lease contract. Section 8 of the lease requires the company to obtain written approval of the location of the well...prior to commencing operations. It states this requirement twice. Needless to say written approval has not been given. Further Section 17 of the lease gives the city the right to remove company workers for good cause--not having approved well sites would be "good cause."
(And, speaking of Ord. 733, since it applies has anybody considered the other requirements contained there?
First there are the procedural requirements--public notice and hearings, P & Z approval, council approval etc.--then there are setback requirements; and finally there are construction requirements for roads, and well sites etc. None of these have been complied with. Clearly the city has recourse.)
All is not well with this deep subject. he he.
Someone on our street said they called the mayor's office and spoke with his secretary. She said that the mayor is still out of town. She said that she faxed a notice to Bass Energy to not proceed and also talked with the president of Bass who said he would not proceed.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
More from Africa
Sacha writes this, with her sense of humor :-) -
In other news, I got a South African car rental and am not proficient in driving on the wrong side of the street. I can't wait to try it back in the States.
In other news, I got a South African car rental and am not proficient in driving on the wrong side of the street. I can't wait to try it back in the States.
Well update
About a dozen people from our street met with council reps Ed Hargate, Cathy Murphy, and Scott Mills on Saturday at the home of Marybeth and Frank Skala. Many people on our street, while not against gas wells in general, were concerned that Bass Energy was moving too fast on drilling. Some even suggested that this was being done on purpose so that residents could not voice opposition and stop the drilling. There were more questions than answers from this meeting.
The planning and zoning commission meeting on Monday was very interesting. In addition to the Bass Energy part of the meeting we heard about the new Crostados restaurant at the end of our street. Someone said they were very happy to see this investment in Highland Heights.
At the meeting, the Bass Energy representative said Bass Energy was preparing to drill at the end of the week. Mr. Mastrangelo spoke for the planning and zoning committee and said that Bass Energy did not have approval to drill. The Bass Energy rep said they were not aware that they needed this approval.
The Bass Energy rep said that some drillers were good and some were bad. Some just go in to get a quick buck. Hmmmm, which one is Bass Energy? Did they really not know they needed approval? Will they really start drilling this week? Was it the mayor who told Bass Energy they have the ok to drill, not mentioning Highland Heights has a law stating City Council approval is needed before drilling can begin?
The Bass Energy rep said his company has leased very expensive equipment and needs to start the drilling before the lease runs out.
We drafted a petition asking that council get details before giving approval to drill. Over 100 people signed this petition. This is what the petition said.
We believe that the decision to proceed with gas well drilling in the woods in Highland Heights Park is proceeding too quickly and needs further study.
We request that Highland Heights City Council make no decision concerning gas well drilling in the Highland Heights park for one year.
If I wake up this week with a hundred trees down in my back yard, at least, I will know why. More later. Lots more.
The planning and zoning commission meeting on Monday was very interesting. In addition to the Bass Energy part of the meeting we heard about the new Crostados restaurant at the end of our street. Someone said they were very happy to see this investment in Highland Heights.
At the meeting, the Bass Energy representative said Bass Energy was preparing to drill at the end of the week. Mr. Mastrangelo spoke for the planning and zoning committee and said that Bass Energy did not have approval to drill. The Bass Energy rep said they were not aware that they needed this approval.
The Bass Energy rep said that some drillers were good and some were bad. Some just go in to get a quick buck. Hmmmm, which one is Bass Energy? Did they really not know they needed approval? Will they really start drilling this week? Was it the mayor who told Bass Energy they have the ok to drill, not mentioning Highland Heights has a law stating City Council approval is needed before drilling can begin?
The Bass Energy rep said his company has leased very expensive equipment and needs to start the drilling before the lease runs out.
We drafted a petition asking that council get details before giving approval to drill. Over 100 people signed this petition. This is what the petition said.
We believe that the decision to proceed with gas well drilling in the woods in Highland Heights Park is proceeding too quickly and needs further study.
We request that Highland Heights City Council make no decision concerning gas well drilling in the Highland Heights park for one year.
If I wake up this week with a hundred trees down in my back yard, at least, I will know why. More later. Lots more.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Sun Mess One
I went to the library and saw and article on the front page of the Sun Messenger about plans to halt drill. I copied it and read it later. Then, I realised the article was not for Highland Heights. It was for Mayfield Heights. Looks like more than one city around here is haveing this problem.
Here is the actual HH article.
HH boards block drilling plan
City tells Bass Energy, 'Follow approval process first'
Thursday, November 15, 2007
By Susan Ketchum
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS
Bass Energy's plan to begin preparing drilling sites in City Park by Friday ran into opposition Monday night from the Planning and Zoning Commission and members of City Council.
Ed Repasy, of Bass Energy, came to the meeting with plans to drill two wells in the wooded area of the park, 5905 Wilson Mills Road. The proposed sites are at opposite corners of the wooded area, one near the end of Hawthorne Drive on the north west corner, the other on the southeast corner by Kennelwood Drive.
"We don't need any permits or variances. We have a signed lease from the mayor and city council, and a permit from the state," Repasy said, "House Bill 278 supersedes this board." Council did vote unanimously in March to allow Mayor Scott Coleman to sign a lease agreement. However, the resolution "is contingent upon the approval of the three sites by the City of Highland Heights."
P&Z Chair Robert Mastrangelo told Repasy approval of the sites was to follow the normal progression through P&Z. The board had just received the projected site plan Monday.
"House Bill 278 does not say anything about the approval process. It doesn't tie our hands, because Highland Heights owns the land," Mastrangelo said. "Friday would be a stretch."
Repasy said Bass originally wanted to drill the wells closer to the baseball field, but council did not want that and suggested moving them into the woods.
"There are a lot of trees. Those trees will have to come down, and the stumps taken out and plastics put down," Repasy said.
Bass would also need an access road to drill in the woods, and a pit 150 feet by 150 feet to collect water. The trees would be replanted and the site restored after the drilling.
Several council members protested they had never seen or discussed the proposed sites.
"I take issue that approval was ever obtained. You never came back to council," Murphy said.
"You said council said you should go into the woods. That's simply not true. We did not say that."
About 25 residents also showed up to protest the wells. Some are totally opposed to wells at the city park. Rose DeFranco lives on Blakley Drive, behind the park.
"They shouldn't be putting gas wells in a community park. It is a recreational area. I don't care where they put them, I'm against gas wells," DeFranco said.
Frank Skala is concerned the projected wells will destroy more of the woods, and are on or near some wetland areas of the park.
"I appreciate that city council is helping to keep us out of the red financially and put us in the black, but we also need to be in the green. We're in a period of global warming, and we have to keep our trees," he said. "Lets keep all the trees we can and find some other place to locate the gas wells."
At one point Repasy said he would return with the company attorney. At another point, he apologized.
"I didn't know what the rules were. We'll do whatever you people want us to do," he said.
Bass Energy will be invited to a future council meeting to discuss the proposal.
Contact Susan Ketchum at sbketchum@yahoo.com or (216) 986-5861.
Here is the actual HH article.
HH boards block drilling plan
City tells Bass Energy, 'Follow approval process first'
Thursday, November 15, 2007
By Susan Ketchum
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS
Bass Energy's plan to begin preparing drilling sites in City Park by Friday ran into opposition Monday night from the Planning and Zoning Commission and members of City Council.
Ed Repasy, of Bass Energy, came to the meeting with plans to drill two wells in the wooded area of the park, 5905 Wilson Mills Road. The proposed sites are at opposite corners of the wooded area, one near the end of Hawthorne Drive on the north west corner, the other on the southeast corner by Kennelwood Drive.
"We don't need any permits or variances. We have a signed lease from the mayor and city council, and a permit from the state," Repasy said, "House Bill 278 supersedes this board." Council did vote unanimously in March to allow Mayor Scott Coleman to sign a lease agreement. However, the resolution "is contingent upon the approval of the three sites by the City of Highland Heights."
P&Z Chair Robert Mastrangelo told Repasy approval of the sites was to follow the normal progression through P&Z. The board had just received the projected site plan Monday.
"House Bill 278 does not say anything about the approval process. It doesn't tie our hands, because Highland Heights owns the land," Mastrangelo said. "Friday would be a stretch."
Repasy said Bass originally wanted to drill the wells closer to the baseball field, but council did not want that and suggested moving them into the woods.
"There are a lot of trees. Those trees will have to come down, and the stumps taken out and plastics put down," Repasy said.
Bass would also need an access road to drill in the woods, and a pit 150 feet by 150 feet to collect water. The trees would be replanted and the site restored after the drilling.
Several council members protested they had never seen or discussed the proposed sites.
"I take issue that approval was ever obtained. You never came back to council," Murphy said.
"You said council said you should go into the woods. That's simply not true. We did not say that."
About 25 residents also showed up to protest the wells. Some are totally opposed to wells at the city park. Rose DeFranco lives on Blakley Drive, behind the park.
"They shouldn't be putting gas wells in a community park. It is a recreational area. I don't care where they put them, I'm against gas wells," DeFranco said.
Frank Skala is concerned the projected wells will destroy more of the woods, and are on or near some wetland areas of the park.
"I appreciate that city council is helping to keep us out of the red financially and put us in the black, but we also need to be in the green. We're in a period of global warming, and we have to keep our trees," he said. "Lets keep all the trees we can and find some other place to locate the gas wells."
At one point Repasy said he would return with the company attorney. At another point, he apologized.
"I didn't know what the rules were. We'll do whatever you people want us to do," he said.
Bass Energy will be invited to a future council meeting to discuss the proposal.
Contact Susan Ketchum at sbketchum@yahoo.com or (216) 986-5861.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Hospital talk
I have always wanted to keep favorite jokes around where I could get at them. This one is so cute.
Did the Respirologists blow a lot of "hot air" about the matter?
* _NEW HOSPITAL WING_*
When a panel of doctors was asked to vote on adding a new wing to
their hospital, the Allergists voted to scratch it, and the
Dermatologists advised not to make any rash moves.
The Gastroenterologists had sort of a gut feeling about it, but
the Neurologists thought the administration had a lot of nerve, and
the Obstetricians felt they were all laboring under a misconception
The Ophthalmologists considered the idea shortsighted; the
Pathologists yelled, 'Over my dead body', while the
Pediatricians said, 'Oh, grow up!'
The Psychiatrists thought the whole idea was madness, the
Radiologists could see right through it, and the Surgeons decided to
wash their hands of the whole thing.
The Internists thought it was a bitter pill to swallow, and the
Plastic Surgeons said, 'This puts a whole new face on the
matter.' The Podiatrists thought it was a step forward, but the
Urologists felt the scheme wouldn't hold water.
The Anesthesiologists thought the whole idea was a gas, and the
Cardiologists didn't have the heart to say no.
In the end, the Proctologists left the decision up to some
a....... in administration.
Did the Respirologists blow a lot of "hot air" about the matter?
* _NEW HOSPITAL WING_*
When a panel of doctors was asked to vote on adding a new wing to
their hospital, the Allergists voted to scratch it, and the
Dermatologists advised not to make any rash moves.
The Gastroenterologists had sort of a gut feeling about it, but
the Neurologists thought the administration had a lot of nerve, and
the Obstetricians felt they were all laboring under a misconception
The Ophthalmologists considered the idea shortsighted; the
Pathologists yelled, 'Over my dead body', while the
Pediatricians said, 'Oh, grow up!'
The Psychiatrists thought the whole idea was madness, the
Radiologists could see right through it, and the Surgeons decided to
wash their hands of the whole thing.
The Internists thought it was a bitter pill to swallow, and the
Plastic Surgeons said, 'This puts a whole new face on the
matter.' The Podiatrists thought it was a step forward, but the
Urologists felt the scheme wouldn't hold water.
The Anesthesiologists thought the whole idea was a gas, and the
Cardiologists didn't have the heart to say no.
In the end, the Proctologists left the decision up to some
a....... in administration.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Friends, E. Creek
http://friendsofeuclidcreek.nhlink.net/
I recently went to the web site of this group as someone at our block party mentioned the group was looking at working to preserve some of the vegetation in our neighborhood.
The site is hosted courtesy of a community service affiliated with CSU. I learned from the site that the Cleveland Metroparks Euclid Creek Reservation includes rare rock chestnut that supports a renewed wildlife population. Making a comeback are the bald eagle, wild turkey, coyote, beaver, and red fox.
The upcoming fundraiser is to include a silent raffle.
I recently went to the web site of this group as someone at our block party mentioned the group was looking at working to preserve some of the vegetation in our neighborhood.
The site is hosted courtesy of a community service affiliated with CSU. I learned from the site that the Cleveland Metroparks Euclid Creek Reservation includes rare rock chestnut that supports a renewed wildlife population. Making a comeback are the bald eagle, wild turkey, coyote, beaver, and red fox.
The upcoming fundraiser is to include a silent raffle.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Gas wells, etc.
Monday, Nov. 12 the HH planning and zoning committee is to meet. On the agenda is a public hearing on the gas well proposal for the park. The subdivision plan for Bishop Rd is NOT on the agenda.
Our council person says that notices will be sent to adjacent property owners. Details on this are to come.
Bass Energy is the company to drill the two gas wells.
Out of Africa
Sacha's first email from Africa has arrived. She writes -
I arrived in Johnnesburg at about 10:30 local time. I slept like a rock on the plane...all 9 1/2 hours solid. I did not even wake up when dinner and breakfast were being served.
It sounds like she was exhausted after leaving Berlin. What an adventure. She says that South Africa is very interesting and explains -
The head of the office Wadim (who is half Russian) picked me up from the airport. We then picked up his 4-year-old son from school (who is unbelievably adorable and fluently speaks 3 languages - German, English and Afrikaans!) and the three of us went to lunch.
She describes the area in Pretoria where she is staying as kind of posh and says -
We stopped at a shopping mall to get me a cell phone, and it felt like we could have been in America. I am staying at the most adorable guest house in a really nice neighborhood. Right now I am in the piano room. It has taxodermied animals all over the walls, and there are cats everywhere! It is a very homey place. I can't wait to send you pictures. There is a lot more I could say, but I will stop here.
She says that she is staying in a gated community with jacaranda trees, gardens, and Victorian style homes and decor. She is not allowed to leave on foot outside the hours of 11am and 4pm.
I arrived in Johnnesburg at about 10:30 local time. I slept like a rock on the plane...all 9 1/2 hours solid. I did not even wake up when dinner and breakfast were being served.
It sounds like she was exhausted after leaving Berlin. What an adventure. She says that South Africa is very interesting and explains -
The head of the office Wadim (who is half Russian) picked me up from the airport. We then picked up his 4-year-old son from school (who is unbelievably adorable and fluently speaks 3 languages - German, English and Afrikaans!) and the three of us went to lunch.
She describes the area in Pretoria where she is staying as kind of posh and says -
We stopped at a shopping mall to get me a cell phone, and it felt like we could have been in America. I am staying at the most adorable guest house in a really nice neighborhood. Right now I am in the piano room. It has taxodermied animals all over the walls, and there are cats everywhere! It is a very homey place. I can't wait to send you pictures. There is a lot more I could say, but I will stop here.
She says that she is staying in a gated community with jacaranda trees, gardens, and Victorian style homes and decor. She is not allowed to leave on foot outside the hours of 11am and 4pm.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Voting
Voting at Highland Heights Community Center was on a Diebold machine that lets you view a paper printout. I did not see any problems when I voted.
I read that a recount might be needed in City Council race, in ward 2 . (In unofficial results for Ward 2, Leo Lombardo, 67, of Coldstream Drive, got 185 votes to 178 for incumbent Rocco Dolciano, 48, of Diana Court. )
For the at-large seats, the incumbents won. The unofficial tally found Scott Mills of Wilson Mills Road (WHO CARES A LOT ABOUT HAWTHORNE) getting the most votes, with 1,242, while the other two seats went to Ed Hargate, with 1,218, and Frank Legan, with 1,209 votes. Current Ward 4 councilman James Austin gathered 572, while newcomer Sol Chalhoub earned 181. Cathy Murphy ran unopposed. She cares a lot about Hawthorne also.
I read that a recount might be needed in City Council race, in ward 2 . (In unofficial results for Ward 2, Leo Lombardo, 67, of Coldstream Drive, got 185 votes to 178 for incumbent Rocco Dolciano, 48, of Diana Court. )
For the at-large seats, the incumbents won. The unofficial tally found Scott Mills of Wilson Mills Road (WHO CARES A LOT ABOUT HAWTHORNE) getting the most votes, with 1,242, while the other two seats went to Ed Hargate, with 1,218, and Frank Legan, with 1,209 votes. Current Ward 4 councilman James Austin gathered 572, while newcomer Sol Chalhoub earned 181. Cathy Murphy ran unopposed. She cares a lot about Hawthorne also.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Einstein, faith, wells
In reading Her Way (off the NEW! shelves, again, at the Mayfield public library), I came across these two things I love.
Politics is harder than physics. This is a quote from Albert Einstein.
Faith means that when you fall off a cliff you either land safety on your feet on firm ground or learn to fly. This is something that the authors claim Hillary heard in her church in Park Ridge (which by the way is where I lived when I was in grade school - though not at all in the same neighborhood as Hillary).
Now, on to another unrelated item, the gas drilling going on in our neighborhood. This involves reopening the old well and proposed new wells in the park area near Hawthorne.
What impact will this have? Will areas in the park be cleared? What is the down side involved with drilling operation of wells in this neighborhood? Will be interesting to see if Cathy Murphy or anyone else in city counsel brings this up for discussion at counsel meetings.
Politics is harder than physics. This is a quote from Albert Einstein.
Faith means that when you fall off a cliff you either land safety on your feet on firm ground or learn to fly. This is something that the authors claim Hillary heard in her church in Park Ridge (which by the way is where I lived when I was in grade school - though not at all in the same neighborhood as Hillary).
Now, on to another unrelated item, the gas drilling going on in our neighborhood. This involves reopening the old well and proposed new wells in the park area near Hawthorne.
What impact will this have? Will areas in the park be cleared? What is the down side involved with drilling operation of wells in this neighborhood? Will be interesting to see if Cathy Murphy or anyone else in city counsel brings this up for discussion at counsel meetings.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Poison ivy
http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/796_ivy.html
Getting Rid of the Plants
Poison ivy, oak and sumac are most dangerous in the spring and summer, when there is plenty of sap, the urushiol content is high, and the plants are easily bruised. However, the danger doesn't disappear over the winter. Dormant plants can still cause reactions, and cases have been reported in people who used the twigs of the plant for firewood or the vines for Christmas wreaths. Even dead plants can cause a reaction, because urushiol remains active for several years after the plant dies.
If poison ivy invades your yard, "there's really no good news for you," says David Yost, a horticulturist (specialist in fruits, vegetables, flowers, and general gardening) with the state of Virginia.
The two herbicides most commonly used for poison ivy--Roundup and Ortho Poison Ivy Killer--will kill other plants as well. Spraying Roundup (active ingredient glyphosate) on the foliage of young plants will kill the poison ivy, but if the poison ivy vine is growing up your prize rhododendron or azalea, for example, the Roundup will kill them too, he says.
Ortho Poison Ivy Killer (active ingredient triclopyr), if used sparingly, will kill poison ivy but not trees it grows around, says Joseph Neal, Ph.D., associate professor of weed science, Cornell University. "But don't use it around shrubs, broadleaf ground cover, or herbaceous garden plants," he says. Neal explains it is possible to spray the poison ivy without killing other plants if you pull the poison ivy vines away from the desirable plants and wipe the ivy foliage with the herbicide, or use a shield on the sprayer to direct the chemical.
If you don't want to use chemicals, "manual removal will get rid of the ivy if you're diligent," says Neal. You must get every bit of the plant--leaves, vines, and roots--or it will sprout again.
The plants should be thrown away according to your municipality's regulations, says Neal. Although urushiol will break down with composting, Neal doesn't recommend that because the plants must be chopped into small pieces first, which just adds to the time you're exposed to the plant and risk of a rash. "It's a health issue," he says.
Never burn the plants. The urushiol can spread in the smoke and cause serious lung irritation.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that whenever you're going to be around poison ivy--trying to clear it from your yard or hiking in the woods--you wear long pants and long sleeves and, if possible, gloves and boots.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Ash tree, candy
Forest City tree service treated ash tree.
Unrelated item - order for this year (several tied for first, several tied for second) for Halloween candy favorites -
1. Hershey's mildly sweet dark
1. Hershey's mildly sweet dark nugget
1. Peeps chocolate cat/ghost
1. Jelly Bellies
2. Whoppers
2. Rollos
2. Candy corn
2. Hershey's milk chocolate
Unrelated item - order for this year (several tied for first, several tied for second) for Halloween candy favorites -
1. Hershey's mildly sweet dark
1. Hershey's mildly sweet dark nugget
1. Peeps chocolate cat/ghost
1. Jelly Bellies
2. Whoppers
2. Rollos
2. Candy corn
2. Hershey's milk chocolate
Beary Merry
http://www.craftlister.com/e1070215/Beary+Merry+Christmas+Show
This benefits the Komen NEO Affiliates, November 28-29 at newly remodeled party center.
Normandy Party Center 30310 Palisades Parkway, off Euclid Avenue Wickliffe, OH 44092
This benefits the Komen NEO Affiliates, November 28-29 at newly remodeled party center.
Normandy Party Center 30310 Palisades Parkway, off Euclid Avenue Wickliffe, OH 44092
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
October is good
October October included a visit with Barbara and Sacha, a Prius, the Indians beat the Yankees, Hard Rock cafe, Halloween chocolate and Natural History Museum party, Ken Burns, mockThanksgiving, temps in the 70s.
September
September was good also with anniversary trip to visit Bad Godesberg and Komen race.
What a good year it has been so far. I hope I don't jinx it by saying this. As November and Thanksgiving approach, again, I have a lot to be thankful for. April, 2003 to October, 2007 makes it over 4 years. Oct. 22 was my follow up visit.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Friday, October 26, 2007
Prius here
Rick wonders what the plural is of Prius.
I like the post on http://priusonline.com/ that Toyota indicates that Prius is both singular and plural, like deer or sheep. " We asked the Toyota executive in charge of the initial Prius rollout how his people refer to more than one Prius. His response was "Prius". They use the same word for both. And since they named the vehicle, they are the ones that get the official say... I prefer "Prius" for plural. It has a stealth-like quality."
I also ask myself what does Prius mean? My search shows me that "Toyota reminds us that Prius means “ahead of its time” in Latin."
I like two Prius cars but don't mind Prius as both singular and plural.
I like the post on http://priusonline.com/ that Toyota indicates that Prius is both singular and plural, like deer or sheep. " We asked the Toyota executive in charge of the initial Prius rollout how his people refer to more than one Prius. His response was "Prius". They use the same word for both. And since they named the vehicle, they are the ones that get the official say... I prefer "Prius" for plural. It has a stealth-like quality."
I also ask myself what does Prius mean? My search shows me that "Toyota reminds us that Prius means “ahead of its time” in Latin."
I like two Prius cars but don't mind Prius as both singular and plural.
PriusOnline.com :: View topic - What's the plural of Prius
| Depending on who you ask, the Latin plural is either "prius" and you change the noun which is being modified to a plural, or the Latin plural is "priores". ... priusonline.com/viewtopic.php?t=1891& |
The plurals of 'Prius' - The Boston Globe
| This morning John heard a WBUR reporter jokingly refer to the plural of the Toyota Prius as "Prii," and he wondered: Could that Latin plural be right, ... www.boston.com/news/globe/ideas/ |
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Russian Rumours
Rumour has it that Sac is now in St. Petersburg with Wei Wei and finding it very INTERESNO!
" Today I went tothe Peter Paul fortress and on a river boat ride along the Neva River. .. The Russians are all VERY RUSSIAN!"
There may be a video of Sacha presenting an open letter to a statue of Papa Joe (as in Stalin). I can hardly wait!
" Today I went tothe Peter Paul fortress and on a river boat ride along the Neva River. .. The Russians are all VERY RUSSIAN!"
There may be a video of Sacha presenting an open letter to a statue of Papa Joe (as in Stalin). I can hardly wait!
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
HH News Crostadas
Our council person Cathy Murphy provided this update.
I am urging a yes vote on issue 61- rezoning gas station near Alpha drive to Business.
Osborne is buying Alpha Plaza and plans to develop the abandoned Sunoco Station into the project.
New retail businesses---R.E.I. ? maybe a bank too--- say goodbye to "Halloween World' Now occupying the old Syms space.
They may put in another driveway along Wilson Mills. - I think it makes sense to rezone- it is compatible use in the area and will jumpstart the Plaza.
Also- since newsletter came out-- Arrabica property has been sold and it will be "Crostadas Pizzeria" beer and wine brick oven pizza- the owner comes from several other restaurants incl Giovanis.
His name is Quagliana? I think. Well known to many. They are turning the old building into an italian style villa.
Looking to start project very soon.
BTW no new discussions with city building dept on the "subdivision" - So far they are off the radar screen.Thanks
Monday, October 22, 2007
War, peace, oil
I heard on All Things Considered about the war over War and Peace.
There are two new translations. One is 400 pages shorter than the other.Which to read?
http://www.observer.com/2007/war-over-war-and-peace
STEVE LEVINE on Lanigan and Malone mentioned this book, which sounds interesting - "The Oil and the Glory: The Pursuit of Empire and Fortune on the Caspian Sea." He mentioned the stans. There are many of them - Kazakstan, Pakistan, Turmenistan, etc. They are in the Caspian Sea area. (Borat, of course, from the one of these.)
There are two new translations. One is 400 pages shorter than the other.Which to read?
http://www.observer.com/2007/war-over-war-and-peace
STEVE LEVINE on Lanigan and Malone mentioned this book, which sounds interesting - "The Oil and the Glory: The Pursuit of Empire and Fortune on the Caspian Sea." He mentioned the stans. There are many of them - Kazakstan, Pakistan, Turmenistan, etc. They are in the Caspian Sea area. (Borat, of course, from the one of these.)
11/6 election, itinerary
More unrelated stuff
1A - Hawthorne
1B - Bishop
H.H. Community Center
Congressional District 14
State Senate District 18
House District 98
630 to 730 election
itinerary
Mi 19 Dezember 07, 2 Stopp(s)Leave18:15 Mi Terminal A, Johannesburg International" (JNB),Johannesburg, SüdafrikaArrive 06:00 Do
Washington, USADurationFlugdauer: 22:34 United Airlines (UA 4591) Flugzeugtyp - 346Ausgeführt von South African Airways Economy (Sondertarife) 06:00, Do - 08:30, Do -Dauer des Zwischenstopps: 2h30Leave 08:30Do
Washington, USAArrive 09:49 Do Cleveland, USA Flugdauer: 22:34 United Airlines (UA 7159) Flugzeugtyp - CRJ Economy(Sondertarife)
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Oct. 21, Musicophilia
Westbrook and Matsusaka at 8pm on Sunday.
When watching the game on Saturday, Barbara and Sacha call the Red Sox (with Ortiz, Ramiriz, and Youklis) a team of mutants.
Read this story passed on by NC. Wow! I'm really happy that NPR did the transcript. NPR : Excerpt: > Musicophilia> http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15382899&sc=emaf>
Colbert on Meet the Press was escpecially good as Tim Russert brought out the Bert doll and asked Colbert about how to pronounce the doll's name, as well as Russert's last name.
Cavs Wed 31 Oct 8PM, Fri 02 Nov 7:30, Sunday Nov 04 8PM
Rossini, Tschikovsky - That "cwazy wabbitt" takes center stage at Severance Hall accompanied by his Looney Tunes friends Elmer Fudd, Daffy Duck and Porky Pig. The show features Warner Bros. cartoon programs projected on the big screen and live music by Rossini, Tchaikovsky and others, synchronized with The Cleveland Orchestra.
When watching the game on Saturday, Barbara and Sacha call the Red Sox (with Ortiz, Ramiriz, and Youklis) a team of mutants.
Read this story passed on by NC. Wow! I'm really happy that NPR did the transcript. NPR : Excerpt: > Musicophilia> http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15382899&sc=emaf>
Colbert on Meet the Press was escpecially good as Tim Russert brought out the Bert doll and asked Colbert about how to pronounce the doll's name, as well as Russert's last name.
Cavs Wed 31 Oct 8PM, Fri 02 Nov 7:30, Sunday Nov 04 8PM
Rossini, Tschikovsky - That "cwazy wabbitt" takes center stage at Severance Hall accompanied by his Looney Tunes friends Elmer Fudd, Daffy Duck and Porky Pig. The show features Warner Bros. cartoon programs projected on the big screen and live music by Rossini, Tchaikovsky and others, synchronized with The Cleveland Orchestra.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Rockies, misc.
Saturday at 8:20 maybe we can win it then.
Falling asleep while the Indians were behind, not ahead, must have lost the last game for us. I promise to improve with the next game. :-) I liked it when Manny hit the ball right near the line making the umps get together to decide that it was not a home run.
(Note to self - if falling asleep before the game is over, do it while the Indians are ahead only - not behind.)
I really liked winning the previous game despite all the bad calls by the umps, not in our favor. It was good to see that right after one of the bad calls on a pitch, the Boston batter hit the ball which then hit Ortiz as he was running from second to third, getting him out.
Unrelated stuff -
Couldn't believe (but really enjoyed it) that ABC nightly news with Charlie Gibson had a report about Colbert entering the democratic and republican presidential primaries in South Carolina, his home state. John McCain said in an interview that he thought this should liven things up.
Finally saw Dennis on Colbert's show. As challenged, Dennis, who looked very relaxed and amused during the whole thing, emptied his pockets. The contents included his pocket constitution as well as a pocket sized magna carta and some Indians memorabilia. I didn't see it coming when Colbert gave Dennis a gift. It was a pocket sized version of Colbert's new book.
Falling asleep while the Indians were behind, not ahead, must have lost the last game for us. I promise to improve with the next game. :-) I liked it when Manny hit the ball right near the line making the umps get together to decide that it was not a home run.
(Note to self - if falling asleep before the game is over, do it while the Indians are ahead only - not behind.)
I really liked winning the previous game despite all the bad calls by the umps, not in our favor. It was good to see that right after one of the bad calls on a pitch, the Boston batter hit the ball which then hit Ortiz as he was running from second to third, getting him out.
Unrelated stuff -
Couldn't believe (but really enjoyed it) that ABC nightly news with Charlie Gibson had a report about Colbert entering the democratic and republican presidential primaries in South Carolina, his home state. John McCain said in an interview that he thought this should liven things up.
Finally saw Dennis on Colbert's show. As challenged, Dennis, who looked very relaxed and amused during the whole thing, emptied his pockets. The contents included his pocket constitution as well as a pocket sized magna carta and some Indians memorabilia. I didn't see it coming when Colbert gave Dennis a gift. It was a pocket sized version of Colbert's new book.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
2-1, 4-2
Indians win it again. Sacha may be the only one reading who may not have heard the latest. Kenny Lofton's home run helped.
Tuesday is next game. After that it's two more in Cleveland. Paul Byrd is the pitcher I saw when I was last at Jacob's field. Let's hope he can help to win it tonight.
Tuesday is next game. After that it's two more in Cleveland. Paul Byrd is the pitcher I saw when I was last at Jacob's field. Let's hope he can help to win it tonight.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Prius
includes cruise control, heated outside mirrors, AM/FM CD with six speakers, auxiliary audio jack and MP3/WMA playback capability, Smart Key System , backup camera and Vehicle Stability Control
http://www.automotive.com/2007/101/toyota/prius/touring-hatchback/1610/packages/index.htm
On Oct. 18, PD, the Consumer Reports' Reliability Rating article had this (between our Prius and Barb's Accord I am hoping the odds are in our favor) -
http://www.automotive.com/2007/101/toyota/prius/touring-hatchback/1610/packages/index.htm
On Oct. 18, PD, the Consumer Reports' Reliability Rating article had this (between our Prius and Barb's Accord I am hoping the odds are in our favor) -
Family car
Best: Toyota Prius, Honda Accord
Worst: Chevrolet Impala, Volkswagen Passat
Upscale/luxury car
Best: Lexus GS450h (hybrid), Acura TSX
Worst: Cadillac STS, Mercedes-Benz CLSmall car
Best: Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit
Worst: Dodge Caliber, Volkswagen Jetta
Small SUV
Best: Honda Element, Mitsubishi Outlander
Worst: Dodge Nitro, Jeep Wrangler (four-door)
Midsize SUV
Best: Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot
Worst: Land Rover Range Rover, Land Rover Range Rover Sport
Large SUV
Best: Toyota Land Cruiser (no second pick)
Worst: Chevrolet Suburban 2500, GMC Yukon XL 2500
Pickup truck
Best: Toyota Tundra (V8, two-wheel drive), Toyota Tacoma (four-cylinder)
Worst: Cadillac Escalade EXT, Toyota Tundra (V8, four-wheel drive)
Should have probably linked to the site instead of copying it. I apologize for use of excess pixels, Web space, etc.
1-1, etc.
I fell asleep during the last half of the second Cleveland-Boston game, but then, woke up toward the end of the game, during extra innings that went past midnight, and finished in a good way, for sure. Will be interesting to see if they can win it all in Cleveland. I don't mind winning in Fenway Park, but Cleveland would be nice also.
Monday should be Westerbrook pitching (7pm start) and Wednesday Byrd pitching. Tuesday I have to remember to watch Dennis on Colbert and Thursday The Office. In the last episode, Dunder Mifflin launched (not lunched) its new Web site, making buying paper fun. Didn't get the Jerry Seinfeld parts. Maybe they will grow on me? The Web launch episode was good and as usual provided some surprises. I'm finding it hard to predict what will happen in that show. The Office needs episodes on take your child to work and PLE training.
Monday should be Westerbrook pitching (7pm start) and Wednesday Byrd pitching. Tuesday I have to remember to watch Dennis on Colbert and Thursday The Office. In the last episode, Dunder Mifflin launched (not lunched) its new Web site, making buying paper fun. Didn't get the Jerry Seinfeld parts. Maybe they will grow on me? The Web launch episode was good and as usual provided some surprises. I'm finding it hard to predict what will happen in that show. The Office needs episodes on take your child to work and PLE training.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Tosca, Mast, etc.
Tosca (Puccini) - Oct. 27 (Saturday) - operacleveland.org
I've never heard or seen Tosca before. Brenda Harris is singing. Rosenberg suggests "she thrives best when portraying strong, conflicted women."
Here's the Forest City Singers link -
http://rjsprafka.com/fcs/calendar.html#REP2007
Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at 7:30 PM
Breckenridge, 36855 Ridge Road, Willoughby, Ohio
"Canticum Bonum"
What: The Annual Sunbeam Boutique to benefit Vocational Guidance
(Fundraisers, Holiday, Volunteer activities)
Where: The Country Club
(2825 Lander Road, Pepper Pike, OH 44124, 216-831-9200, Map)
When/$: Tuesday, Oct 23, 2007, 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm, $10
Over 30 spectacular vendors from across the country are coming to The Sunbeam Holiday Boutique at The Country Club in Pepper Pike being held Tuesday, October 23 through Friday, October 26, 2007. Come do your holiday shopping and benefit an important local nonprofit - Vocational Guidance Services.
I've never heard or seen Tosca before. Brenda Harris is singing. Rosenberg suggests "she thrives best when portraying strong, conflicted women."
Here's the Forest City Singers link -
http://rjsprafka.com/fcs/calendar.html#REP2007
Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at 7:30 PM
Breckenridge, 36855 Ridge Road, Willoughby, Ohio
"Canticum Bonum"
What: The Annual Sunbeam Boutique to benefit Vocational Guidance
(Fundraisers, Holiday, Volunteer activities)
Where: The Country Club
(2825 Lander Road, Pepper Pike, OH 44124, 216-831-9200, Map)
When/$: Tuesday, Oct 23, 2007, 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm, $10
Over 30 spectacular vendors from across the country are coming to The Sunbeam Holiday Boutique at The Country Club in Pepper Pike being held Tuesday, October 23 through Friday, October 26, 2007. Come do your holiday shopping and benefit an important local nonprofit - Vocational Guidance Services.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Mario's
Mario's International
Spa Sanctuary
Aurora, OH 44202
330-995-5397
M - Sat 9 - 6, Th 9 - 9, Closed Sun/ We
http://www.marios-spa.com/spa_sanctuary.html
Mario's International Spa Sanctuary offers original spa signature therapies incorporating ancient healing, wellness modalities and is the only spa in Ohio that offers Thai Ytsara holistic spa treatments. Our Spa Sanctuary offers a feng shui inspired environment for your personal rejuvenation. Sample a yoga class, tai chi, or attend one of our many educational seminars and retreats to encounter the mind, body and spirit connection. Our sanctuary offers private spa facilities for couples and small groups as well as a meditation loft for enlightenment.
Dennis/Colbert 10/16
I got this notice in my email. Can you imagine what a meeting of the minds this will be? I wonder if it will be as riveting (not to mention entertaining) as John Stewart's recent interviews with former President Fox or Bolivia's president.
Dennis will be appearing on Comedy Central's 'The Colbert Report' this Tuesday, October 16th at 8:30pm ET. Throughout this presidential campaign, Dennis has talked about serious issues affecting this country, such as the war in Iraq, the eradication of our civil liberties, the healthcare crisis and other important problems. This Tuesday, we will have the opportunity to see the comical side of Dennis, as he accepts Stephen Colbert's challenge to Empty his Pockets!
http://blog.cleveland.com/openers/2007/10/kucinich_to_appear_on_colbert.html
Dennis will be appearing on Comedy Central's 'The Colbert Report' this Tuesday, October 16th at 8:30pm ET. Throughout this presidential campaign, Dennis has talked about serious issues affecting this country, such as the war in Iraq, the eradication of our civil liberties, the healthcare crisis and other important problems. This Tuesday, we will have the opportunity to see the comical side of Dennis, as he accepts Stephen Colbert's challenge to Empty his Pockets!
http://blog.cleveland.com/openers/2007/10/kucinich_to_appear_on_colbert.html
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Hard Rock, etc.
Dinner at the Hard Rock was about what I expected. (This dinner was after the reception at the Hilton Garden.) Our $25 at the Hard Rock let us choose from several entrees (including chicken, ribs, and a veggie burger) and chocolate cake or cheesecake and a soft drink or coffee/tea. The veggie burger was acceptable and served with a side salad. The chocolate cake came with vanilla ice cream which was a great complement to an ample serving of rich cake that was just delicious. (The restaurant itself is clean and in line with what I saw at the Hard Rock Cafes in NY and Miami. )
At the conference I'm planning on going to one session from Thea Teich and another on DITA (Darwin Information Type Architecture). Alan Houser is to do the DITA session (on what he calls one of the hottest topics in our field). He is president of a Pittsburgh-based company that provides content management services. He is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon and voting member of the OASIS DITA Technical Committee.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Halloween
The Nature League to Host "Bones, Bugs and Dead Animals"
at The Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Cleveland … Come celebrate Halloween with The Nature League of The Cleveland Museum of Natural History. The 11th annual party "Bones, Bugs and Dead Animals" will take place at the Museum Saturday, Oct. 27 from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Featuring a costume contest with prizes, the party will also include live music by funk rock band Abby Normal, plus DJ Ay and tango dancers K.B. and Carmen.
"This is one of the best costume parties in Cleveland," said Mary Hromyko, director of Membership and Visitor Services at the Museum. "People go all out. It’s a cool atmosphere and a unique venue. And, because it’s such a great deal, it’s one of the best ways for us to grow our Nature League membership."
The costume contest will include four categories: Best of Show, Best Ensemble, Scariest and People’s Choice Award. Prizes include an original skull cast from the Museum’s Hamann-Todd Osteological Collection, Museum membership and other natural history related items.
Food and dessert buffets and two drink tickets are included in the ticket price. Costs are: $25 for Nature League members; $30 for nonmembers; and $35 at the door. The party is open to those ages 21 and over.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Byrd&Co win
Indians now go on to the ALCS (I thought I read this is the first time since 1998). It was Wang then Musenta for the Yankees. Now it is on to the Red Sox. I should make a habit of falling asleep while the Indians are ahead. It has worked a couple of times now.
Friday, Saturday - Fenway Park
Monday - Jacob's Field
I wonder if the Indians could, after winning the first two, could come back to Jacob's field and win the third at home. One can always hope. It should be CC, then Cabrera, then Westerbook or Byrd.
Sac says hi from Europe, obviously unrelated. How American are y
ou? Probably not enough, says TV host Stephen Colbert.
Barbie tried to get tickets for a game and understand she is guaranteed a ticket if there is a World Series game in Cleveland.
Here was what I wrote before the winning game today. I have my fingers and toes crossed, hoping for an Indians win. I don't require that the Indians come back to Jacob's Field to win. I don't mind a win in Cleveland, but would be just as happy with a win tonight in NY. Indians and Yankees are now Indians 2 games and Yankees 1 game, due to the loss on Sunday.
Some of the signs in the seats were - Don't bug me. Cleveland, buzz off.
To this I say - Don't bug ME and YOU buzz off! :-)
Friday, Saturday - Fenway ParkMonday - Jacob's Field
I wonder if the Indians could, after winning the first two, could come back to Jacob's field and win the third at home. One can always hope. It should be CC, then Cabrera, then Westerbook or Byrd.
Sac says hi from Europe, obviously unrelated. How American are y
ou? Probably not enough, says TV host Stephen Colbert.Barbie tried to get tickets for a game and understand she is guaranteed a ticket if there is a World Series game in Cleveland.
Here was what I wrote before the winning game today. I have my fingers and toes crossed, hoping for an Indians win. I don't require that the Indians come back to Jacob's Field to win. I don't mind a win in Cleveland, but would be just as happy with a win tonight in NY. Indians and Yankees are now Indians 2 games and Yankees 1 game, due to the loss on Sunday.
Some of the signs in the seats were - Don't bug me. Cleveland, buzz off.To this I say - Don't bug ME and YOU buzz off! :-)
Sunday, October 7, 2007
6:30 game, conf. etc.
More unrelated stuff.
TBS and TN at, of course, Yankee Stadium. Westerbrook and Clemens.
My high expectations for Helvetica are what caused me, I think, to be slightly disappointed. One designer said that Helvetica (representing the establishment) was related to the wars in Vietnam and Iraq. Another designer said Helvetica represents socialism. Another said it represents the corporate world. So, it means different things to different people, radically different things. I like the order and beautify of the type. But, in contract, there is a place in the world for a less orderly type what one designer called grunge type. We need both kinds of type or should I saw all kinds of type.
Mi Puebla versus El Grand Rodeo. Oy! They are both so good. Chille rellenos at both are excellent. The chips and salsa at Mi Puebla are slightly better and there is a green salsa as well as a red salsa. The first batch of red salsa we got was hotter than the second batch, which I found interesting. The atmosphere at the two places is quite different, to say the least.
Whole Foods seems to have an endless variety of salads, all excellent. The mediterranean one with feta, artichokes, and olives
was especially good.
"Sacha on a Mac with her immediate family in the corner" looks better than the last time I tried.
Maybe Sacha should try for a white background (but no light fixture) next time.
TBS and TN at, of course, Yankee Stadium. Westerbrook and Clemens.
My high expectations for Helvetica are what caused me, I think, to be slightly disappointed. One designer said that Helvetica (representing the establishment) was related to the wars in Vietnam and Iraq. Another designer said Helvetica represents socialism. Another said it represents the corporate world. So, it means different things to different people, radically different things. I like the order and beautify of the type. But, in contract, there is a place in the world for a less orderly type what one designer called grunge type. We need both kinds of type or should I saw all kinds of type.
Mi Puebla versus El Grand Rodeo. Oy! They are both so good. Chille rellenos at both are excellent. The chips and salsa at Mi Puebla are slightly better and there is a green salsa as well as a red salsa. The first batch of red salsa we got was hotter than the second batch, which I found interesting. The atmosphere at the two places is quite different, to say the least.Whole Foods seems to have an endless variety of salads, all excellent. The mediterranean one with feta, artichokes, and olives
was especially good."Sacha on a Mac with her immediate family in the corner" looks better than the last time I tried.
Maybe Sacha should try for a white background (but no light fixture) next time.
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