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Articles from
October 2008
Sad state of affairs
Thursday, October 30, 2008 ::
2 Comments
A few days ago I had someone rear end my car. The woman behind me got hit by the car behind her. She then got pushed into me.
I pulled over with the two women and exchanged information. I barely got tapped and could not identify anything on my car that was wrong. I gave my information and went on about my day.
Later that day the insurance company for the driver at fault called. They wanted to know about my claim. I said that I did not have one. She asked again. I told her again that I did not have one. She did not believe me.
It is a sad state of affairs when everyone wants to take advantage of a situation when they did not suffer any damages. She hit me. Nothing was wrong. I don't deserve anything. I have no damages. I blame this on trial lawyers.
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Trvia Honor Roll
Wednesday, October 29, 2008 ::
7 Comments
YoloCal Vet makes the honor roll for the first time.
Art Pimentel knows all the answers but can't seem to press the bubble next to Dr. Fairchilds as President of WCC. He keeps pressing the bubble next to his name while yelling "NO."
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Helvetia Park - Historical
Wednesday, October 29, 2008 ::
1 Comments
Mel over at Archives sent me some information on Helvetia Park.
It is located along the River Road -- I drove right by there this morning. I will try to find a good map to post that will show you where it it.
Here is some historical information that might force you to jump around a little but it is good stuff.
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More on community college race and race
Monday, October 27, 2008 ::
0 Comments
So in the past two hours I have had one call, a text, and an e-mail on my post below about the role of race in the election of our Community College Trustee.
1) I think Rick Kirkwood is great. I love the guy. He did a great job as City Manager. The reality is that the electorate doesn't know this. The people that read this blog may know it but the family that lives across the street from me doesn't know it. They don't know who Rick is and they don't know who the City Manager is.
2) See this link here for the election results from last November. Calmes won a precinct and almost won a couple more. That is crazy. See link here.
She got more than 41% of the vote. No campaign. No ballot statement. No community service.
3) Despite how hard Xavier, Cirenio, and Rick work they will still have very low name ID.
4) I think Rick is a great guy with a tremendous background but that is not why he is going to win.
I would love to be wrong but this is just the way I see it.
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Work at the Gibson House
Monday, October 27, 2008 ::
0 Comments
The Gibson House is getting some new lighting installed.
Here is a picture of some of the work being done.
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College Trustee Debate
Monday, October 27, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Dotty took this picture the other night at the debate.
I think Xavier is praying. Praying that people in the audience don't find out that he hangs out with the Realist.
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Community College Trustee
Monday, October 27, 2008 ::
1 Comments
I put a post on this site a year ago expressing my disappointment that Dr. Rodriguez would lose a single vote for the County Board of Education. It simply should not have been close at all. If you had the chance to meet both candidates like I did there is no reasonable person that could have voted for his opponent.
So now we have another election with Dr. Cirenio Rodriguez, Rick Kirkwood, and current Trustee Xavier Tafoya. I voted for and endorsed Cirenio but I think Rick Kirkwood is going to win.
The Daily Democrat said all three candidates are capable and qualified. Xavier has held office in Woodland before and lived here his entire life. Cirenio is a professional educator and has been in the Woodland School Board as well as the County Board of Education. Kirkwood is a retired professional City Manager.
In terms of a campaign Xavier and Cirenio are out walking and working hard. They have signs and are doing their thing. Kirkwood is getting a late start.
I will bet Kirkwood is going to get 40% or more of the vote and win. Why? He is the only non-Latino on the ballot. It is that easy. Lots of people will vote for Rick. I know many. The reality is that lots of people are going to vote for or against candidates based on their surnames.
It is wrong but I believe that the part of Woodland that voted against Cirenio last time will all vote for Kirkwood this time. If they vote against a "Cirenio" then they are not going to decide to vote for "Xavier" over "Richard".
I am not saying this it right. I am just saying that it is true.
It would be great to be wrong on this issue but I fear that I will be right again. We will find out this time next week.
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Kid stories -- one Adam and one Abbie
Monday, October 27, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Adam
Last week we had quite a moment in the Rexroad home. I was getting out of the shower when I heard Jenn scream -- and it was not because I was getting out of the shower.
She was screaming with terror at Adam.
Adam had been left to play alone for about 10 minutes. Uh-oh. At some point while I was in the shower Adam had managed to make his way into the bathroom and grab the brush for the toilet bowl. He then was running around the house waving it in the air and rubbing it on the walls, furniture, and floor. Jenn was beside herself.
If you saw a cloud of steam coming from my house this weekend it was the sanitation procedures being done by my wife. Adam may get acid dipped.
Abbie
Saturday night I'm about to watch USC v. Arizona at home. Adam is upstairs with Jenn getting a head start on bath time while I'm downstairs sitting with Abbie as we finish our dinner.
Abbie starts asking me about college. She is 4.5 years old. I tell her that she will go to Kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, and high school prior to going to college. Then I tell her that when she starts college she may move out of the house. Due to her wide eyes I told her that it was ok. She would come home for weekends, vacations, holidays..anytime she wanted.
Her response broke my heart -- "What if I would rather just be with my friends?"
Ugh. This little girl is killing me.
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Nov 15 - Green Day in Woodland
Monday, October 27, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Press Release: For Immediate Release
Contact: Debra Chase
530-350-2599
dchase@tuleyome.org
ALL ARE INVITED TO ATTEND REGIONAL GREEN SUMMIT
An Environmental Action Plan for the Future
(Woodland, October 24, 2008) Looking to connect with environmental organizations in Sacramento and Yolo Counties? You're in luck. Over 15 organizations are co-hosting a day-long GREEN SUMMIT in Woodland to discuss the state of our environment and how we can attain a healthy environment and sustainable lifestyle for the future.
Local environmental organizations including Tuleyome, Yolo Audubon Society, Sierra Club, California Native Plant Society, the Burrowing Owl Preservation Society, Environmental Council of Sacramento, Planning and Conservation League, Habitat 2020, Putah Creek Council, and Sacramento Tree Foundation are gathering on November 15 at the Woodland Community and Senior Center to enjoy a day packed great speakers, panels and workshops.
“The Green Summit is a chance for us all to engage in a discussion about the environment and what to do about it locally--for people and wildlife,” states Alison Kent, Yolo Audubon Society President. “Loss of habitat -- whether by urban and rural development and population growth, climate change, water and energy use -- will have profound implications for the future of our region."
There are workshops on habitat loss and preservation, climate change and energy, environmental justice, how to communicate in the 21st century, land use planning and transportation, water quality and quantity, and youth and the outdoors. For our friends that don’t reside in the Yolo/Sacramento County: While this Green Summit is focused on the Sacramento Valley, there will be much information, and strategies and tools that can help you in your home community to improve our environment
Martha Guzman-Aceves, will be the key-note luncheon speaker. She is the Legislative Advocate for the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation, Sacramento, California.
Ms. Guzman-Aceves advocacy work has concentrated on occupational and environmental hazards. She is currently an active member of the Environmental Justice Coalition for Water, which concentrates on attaining safe and affordable drinking water for rural communities. She holds a M. S. in Agricultural and Resource Economics and a B. S. in International Economics.
Join us to identify the key goals and strategies that we need to achieve our objectives for the future on Saturday, November 15th from 9 am - 5 pm at the Woodland Community and Senior Center, 2001 East Street Woodland, CA The Green Summit will be offering scholarships for 18 and under and discounts for students and seniors. To register and get a copy of the full program go to www.tuleyome.org or call 530-350-2599.
Download Poster (144 KB - pdf)
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Bibliofile Alert
Monday, October 27, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Woodland does the library thing a little differently. However, this is a cool announcement from the Yolo Count Library for those of you in book clubs. Jenn is in two different book clubs....I just never got into the whole book club thing.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Beth Gabor, Public Information Officer
October 27, 2008
(530) 666-8042 [w] ▪ (530) 219-8464 [c]
Read Around Yolo (R.A.Y.) Unveiled
(Woodland, CA) – On November 1, Yolo County Library will unveil “Read Around Yolo” (R.A.Y.), a new program designed to support existing book clubs as well as to encourage the formation of new book clubs, throughout Yolo County.
Thanks to generous start-up funding from the Friends of the Davis Public Library, and donations from the West Sacramento Friends of the Library and the Winters Friends of the Library, the Yolo County Library will be loaning R.A.Y. book club bags to any Yolo County Library cardholder for use with his or her book club. Each R.A.Y. book club bag will consist of ten paperback book copies of one title, as well as discussion leader materials. R.A.Y. book club bags can be reserved up to one year in advance and will be available from any of the seven Yolo County branch library locations for an extended loan period of sixty days.
“Read Around Yolo is an example of a great collaboration between the Library and our Friends groups to share the joy of reading with many communities throughout the county,” said Yolo County Librarian Patty Wong.
Currently, titles include a broad selection of fiction and non-fiction adult materials. Additional information, including a title list and other book club support materials, along with branch locations can all be found on the Yolo County Library Web site at: www.yolocountylibrary.org <http://www.yolocountylibrary.org/> .
To find out more about the program or to reserve a R.A.Y. book club bag, visit your local branch location or contact the Davis Branch Library’s Reference Desk at (530) 757-5593 ext. 3.
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Board Meeting on Tuesday -- October 28th part 2
Sunday, October 26, 2008 ::
2 Comments
After reading the agenda are supporting material a little more closely we do have some other very important items.
The Esparto Downtown Mixed Use Zoning Ordinance is on the agenda in the afternoon. We will see how Duane wants to play this. Some of the sign restrictions and things seem to be inconsistent with what he advocates for on a regular basis. If he supports this ordinance in his district then it would be kind of difficult to argue against the enforcement of this stuff later on.
This is the rub that I have too. For someone that values private property rights to a high degree I often become troubled by the imposition of use limitations. However, clearly I would not support someone building a skyscaper on West El Dorado Drive. That would be unreasonable in my mind.
The question of what is reasonable is a tough one.
The other item of interest to me is the last one. Item 8.01. This is potentially good stuff. It is also potentially harmful stuff. The creation of habitat in Yolo County can come at a cost to farmers.
The ides of having mitigation banks for habitat is a good one. The funny thing is that this si the idea I proposed with the agricultural land mitigation and I could not even get a second. The ag part of it is even easier to understand. This could be a good and important discussion.
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Yolo County Property Tax
Sunday, October 26, 2008 ::
0 Comments
This week's edition of the Sacramento Business Journal has lists of the entities that pay the most property tax in El Dorado, Sacramento, Placer, and Yolo Counties.
PG&E has the biggest number with $2.3 million and that makes sense to me. I would have guessed that we had some landowners that would have totaled more than that is property tax. Just to make 15th on the list you would have had to pay $455k in property tax.
I think we have some large land owners with holdings under different names that did not make the list because they were not consolidated.
Check out the Business Journal this week.
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USC Today
Saturday, October 25, 2008 ::
0 Comments
USC plays Arizona tonight at 7:15 in the desert. USC is favored by 16. Take the points. USC will win but not by 16.
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Board Meeting on Tuesday -- October 28th
Saturday, October 25, 2008 ::
0 Comments
This meeting on Tuesday is not too complicated. I have not read my entire packet yet but the highlights are ---
Item 3.01 -- Anything with flooding is important
Item 4.03 -- Rent Control Task Force Report. I read every word of this. It appears that we have no justification for rent control. Chalk one up for property rights.
Item 4.05 -- Davis Communications Site. I was able to play a small role in this.
Should be pretty basic although Item 7.02 on the Sugar Mill could be fun.
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Election Challenge 2008 -- again
Saturday, October 25, 2008 ::
0 Comments
I have only two entries so far in the election challenge. Two. Here are the questions again ---
Sen. Obama --- more than 350 electoral votes? Y/N (2 points)
Does Lois Wolk break 56% of the vote? Y/N (1 point)
Does Mariko Yamada break 58% of the vote? Y/N (2 points)
Does Jim Nielsen break 59% of the vote? Y/N (1 point)
Kirkwood/Rodriguez/Tafoya -- who wins? Circle one (3 points)
Kirkwood/Rodriguez/Tafoya -- who gets second? Circle One (2 points)
Prop 1A (High Speed Rail) Pass/Fail (1 point)
Prop 4 (Parental Consent) Pass/Fail (1 point)
Prop 8 (Same Sex Marriage) Pass/Fail (1 point)
Prop 11 (Redistricting) Pass/Fail (1 point)
Tie Breaker -- Percentage of the vote McCain gets in California.
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NRA- Woodland Style
Saturday, October 25, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Two years ago I was out walking precincts by Tafoya Elementary. When a lady opened her door I introduced myself and told her I was running for Supervisor.
Her first question was "Where do you stand on guns?". My experience with this is when guys ask they are NRA types and when women ask they tend to be gun control types I answered the question like I do for anyone by letting them know that I am a life member of the National Rifle Association and then I firmly believe that people have the right to own weapons for personal safety, hunting, and even just because they want to.
I watched her body tense up with my answer. She then told me I was dead wrong and that on the Board of Supervisors I would be making decisions on guns that would risk the safety of her and her children. It did not make much policy sense but I listened to her. I had gotten this sort of thing before.
Then she said something that really stuck out. She said that we needed more leaders in out area like Congressman Mike Thompson. Ok. That was her opinion. I thanked her for her time and went to the next house.
So last night I got home from the gym and looked in the drawer Jenn allows me to keep my mail in. My November issue of American Rifleman was in there but I was not going to have time to read it. Then I saw it. The 2008 Pro-Gun Ballot. John McCain/Sarah Palin for President/Vice-President and MIKE THOMPSON for the US House.
Inside it gives Thompson a B+ for his performance in Congress. Good for him. He is on the honor roll and has talent. I think his grades can get better if he applies himself.
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10 Worst Political Ads of the Season
Saturday, October 25, 2008 ::
1 Comments
I am happy to report that none of the spots I produced this year made Politico's List of the ten worst ads.
This is a great story by Politico. I will bet they are getting more spots sent to them each day.
Story is here.
My (least) favorite is the first one with the lady and her dogs. My second (least) favorite is the one where the women talks about Arab Sheiks.
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9 days in a row
Friday, October 24, 2008 ::
0 Comments
45 minutes of exercise today.
One of you got me on some e-mail list for weight loss powder, stomach stapling, and a fat farm in Palm Springs....thank you for that.
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Abuse of Taxpayer Dollars
Friday, October 24, 2008 ::
0 Comments
The issue covered in this article in the LA Times is something that I am always going to draw attention to. The abuse of taxpayer dollars for political campaigns happens all the time - and is wrong each and every time.
Read article here.
When I was Mayor of Woodland I fought this fight on the City Council and could not even get a second to my motion. I feel Woodland crossed the line on this with the fire assessment district when I was gone in 2003.
We need a black out period that does not allow the government to "communicate with the voters" on a topic for the six months prior to an election on that same topic.
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Woodland Missionary
Friday, October 24, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Several months ago I posted something here about missionaries that Jenn and I support.
I asked for people to send me some ideas of people from Woodland that were doing missionary work. I didn't get any response.
As a result of a group on Facebook I got back in touch with Brad Crawford. Well, he is doing missionary work in Uganda. So cool.
He has a blog that he writes on his experiences there. Read it here.
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Daily Show -- Woodland Style
Thursday, October 23, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Yesterday I came up with the idea that I wanted to do a Daily Show -- Woodland style.
Certainly I could never be as funny as Jon Stewart but with Pimentel, Davies, recall elections, Monroe, Wolk, Dote, Xavier, Chamerlain, Cirenio, Yamada, Gary Sandy, the folks at the Daily Democrat, former Democrat reporters might be better yet, Frank Glover, Kirkwood, Warren Berg, Karl in a dress, Reisig, some nut case named McLovin, Woodland Journal, Doug Paul Davis, Tom Stallard, Marble, Peart, Flory, Bobby Harris, -- I could have a field day. Heck, I could do a whole show just on McGowan.
What is a floating foam?
I could do a whole freaking month on the Hubers. Good grief no....two months. I would have three months of material just with Duane Chamberlain.
Clearly, one person without a sense of humor would complain to high heaven but what do I care?
Interesting......this will have to wait until after the election but it has great potential.
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7 is better than 6
Wednesday, October 22, 2008 ::
0 Comments
I got an e-mail from someone telling me they were starting to work out again because of this blog. Good deal.
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Water in California
Wednesday, October 22, 2008 ::
0 Comments
I have not read it yet but the Legislative Analyst has just produced a 77 page report on California's Water. It is surely worth the time to read. Link is here.
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Board Meeting Today
Tuesday, October 21, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Nothing too exciting today at the Board of Supervisors today. I got to present an integrity award today to a very deserving county employee.
We dealt with the golf course issue today in a way that made sense. We basically have a marker down to consider options on December 16th.
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Reality Check
Tuesday, October 21, 2008 ::
1 Comments
So I went to the gym tonight to continue my quest to stop being a fat slob.
I stretched but really worked on nothing more than sit-ups and pull-ups. The Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test (PFT) perfect score is 20 dead hang pull ups, 100 crunches in 2 minutes, and a 3 mile run in 18 minutes. Each event is worth 100 points for a perfect score you need 300.
In my time in the Marines Corps I have several scores in the 350 range where I picked up an extra 5 points for each pull up above 20, 1 point for each crunch over 100, and 1 point for every 6 seconds under 18 minutes. You only get extra points on one event if you get more than 100 on each of the others.
For me the crunches will be the easy. That will take a couple weeks.
The pull-ups will take time but last year I was doing 15 without working hard. It can happen.
The run is totally different. I have not run that fast in a long time. I will need to take some weight off in addition to improving my endurance and speed -- especially when I am so pathetic now. I am actually not sure I can do this but we will see.
Six days in a row. Better than 5.
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Yolo Land and Cattle Jerky
Tuesday, October 21, 2008 ::
0 Comments
When I was in Iraq Casey Stone sent my unit some beef jerky. It was a huge hit. We had lots of it from all over the place but the jerky that Casey sent was the best stuff by far.
Last week I sent out a couple gift packs of Yolo Land and Cattle beef jerky to friends and business partners....and I got yelled at. I got yelled at because I sent it to a couple people but it did not go to others. The ones that didn't get it were hacked off. So today I had to order more jerky.
If you are looking for some really good stuff -- check out the General Store.
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5 Days
Monday, October 20, 2008 ::
0 Comments
I did not get home until 11:15 pm but I still went out walking. 5 days in a row. That is better than 4.
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Even the refs are after him
Monday, October 20, 2008 ::
0 Comments
So you are a young man playing QB for Steve Spurrier at the University of South Carolina (the other USC). Heck, your coach even won the Heisman Trophy.
You are playing LSU in the middle of great SEC match up on Saturday night. As you run toward the line of scrimmage even the refs are throwing shots at you.
Stephen Garcia has to play against 11 crazy guys in yellow and one wild man wearing stripes.
Check this out.
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Prop 2 -- great Skelton article
Monday, October 20, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Los Angeles Time columnist George Skelton has an excellent column on the Proposition 2 here.
The reality is that is will probably pass because the urban areas will support it and the rural areas will oppose it -- and we count votes in California by people not acres.
Thanks to Andre for pointing this out today.
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Sidewalks Cracking
Sunday, October 19, 2008 ::
6 Comments
The City of Woodland is probably going to send me a bill for cracking every sidewalk between my house and the Douglass track. I went walking/jogging tonight. What a pathetic performance.
That burning sensation you get in your lungs after running wind sprints ten or twelve times on the field....I got that after 1/4 mile waddle around the track. I am a big fat slob.
4 days in a row. That is better than 3.
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Wild Wings CSA
Sunday, October 19, 2008 ::
0 Comments
I belive this is the first time since I have been on the Board of Supervisors we have convened as the Wild Wings County Service Area Governing Board. It is certainly the first time with a real issue of substance.
You can check out the staff report for the meeting on Tuesday here.
I will be interested to see what the people out at Wild Wings along with Supervisor Chamberlain have come up with.
This is the kind of issue that I actually enjoy about the Board of Supervisors. It is a new area of the law and public policy for me to think about. This is the part of the job I like.
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Update
Saturday, October 18, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Cal blew it tonight against Arizona. Shoot.
USC did something to Washington State that just was not right. Ugh. USC beat them 69-0 and it could have been 100-0 if they would have pressed it. I think Lee Middle School would be favored against them.
I went to the gym for the third day in the row. I am still a fat slob but working on it. Three is better than none.
Now I get to watch Governor Palin on SNL. Someone go find McLovin'. It is not right that it is missing all the opportunities to gloat. What would we actually look for if we needed to find it?
Go Sarah! Go Sarah!
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Football Stats
Saturday, October 18, 2008 ::
0 Comments
In baseball we keep different stats for wild pitch and passed ball. A wild pitch is a pitcher problem and a passed ball is a catcher problem. At times it is hard to decide but generally their is a distinction.
So how come in football all we have is interceptions. When you have a ball hit a receiver in the helmet and bounce into the air for an interception it makes the QB look bad. What more can you ask the QB to do. Ball was on the money .....
I propose that football make a distinction between an interception caused by the QB and those caused by the receiver. To make it easy it could even be considered a fumble on the receiver.
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Web Traffic
Saturday, October 18, 2008 ::
0 Comments
A couple months ago my web traffic was way up. We were getting over 10,000 hits per day. It stayed that way for a few weeks. One time I remember signing on to find that over 250 people were on the site at one time.
Now it is settling down to about 5,000 hits per day. That is where I would expect it to be.
Thank you for reading.
Have a great Saturday.
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Willows: Community in shock
Saturday, October 18, 2008 ::
1 Comments
Yesterday morning when I checked out ESPN.com they had this story on the home page.
Willows, just a ways up I-5 from Woodland, has been rocked by tragedy. This is an excellent story about a small community and how the impacts on one person or family spread.
This is what defines a small community to me. Great story.
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Meeting for Next Week
Friday, October 17, 2008 ::
0 Comments
The Board of Supervisors meets on Tuesday for the first time in what seems like ages. Got my agenda tonight.
We don't have anything too exciting in the morning. Here is the link to the agenda.
The Board will consider taking position on state ballot measures. I will excuse myself from the whole thing.
In the afternoon we are going to consider a Prop 218 issue for Wild Wings. This should be interesting. It is Duane's district and his deal. If he wraps it up I will follow his lead. If it is a big soup sandwich then I am going to do my own thing.
I don't know where to link to the Wild Wings CSA Agenda for you to see the agenda material. When I find out where that is I will post it.
Note: I really want to go completely paperless but just can't seem to get there for the Board of Supervisors. I have for the Air District and LAFCO but not the Board.
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Two is a streak
Friday, October 17, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Went to the gym for the second night in a row. It is open 24 hours a day so I really have no excuse.
That is two days in a row.
The pull up bar started to bend when I went to a free hang....not a good sign.
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The picture I was looking for.......
Friday, October 17, 2008 ::
2 Comments
So some of you asked what picture I was looking for. It was this one. This is one of the best Marines I have ever met. He is a Lt. Col now.....believe it or not.
For those of you that know what the plywood structures are in back...you know what Batman is doing.
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Gym Tonight
Thursday, October 16, 2008 ::
5 Comments
I went to the gym tonight. I did not know anyone there....one day in a row.
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Al Smith Dinner
Thursday, October 16, 2008 ::
0 Comments
I just watched Senator McCain and Senator Obama at the Al Smith Memorial Dinner.
That was excellent. I think people need to be able to laugh at themselves. Both men did that tonight. I think it says more about both of them that they can poke fun at themselves than anything I have seen in the last few months.
I wish we had a couple more people in Woodland like that.
Note: Some day I want to roast Art Pimentel unless he marries some over-bearing woman that can't take a joke.
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Sammie's Marathon Needs Your Help
Wednesday, October 15, 2008 ::
0 Comments
I have known Duffy Napper (now Minges) since I was probably six years old. Her daughter Sammie has T-cell leukemia. They are holding "Sammie's Marathon for Life" this Saturday at Dutch Bros. in Woodland.
The medical expenses for this family are astronomical.
One of the things they had sponsored for this event was a climbing wall. That sponsor just backed out and they are looking for $500 to get it back in the program.
If you can help a little please take a look on the attached flyer on how to donate. You can call Denise Warner at (530) 979-6053 to help.
Flyer (576KB  ) Brochure (1.68MB  )
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Final Picture -- Sorry
Wednesday, October 15, 2008 ::
0 Comments
This is the final picture. You can see swimming pools behind us. This is at the palace right by the Baghdad International Airport.
If those pools had been full of water this picture would have been of eight naked Marines diving in. We had not showered in many many days/weeks.
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Destruction
Wednesday, October 15, 2008 ::
0 Comments
This was just south of Baghdad. This is what the Air Force did to the area. BDA was pretty easy.
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Traffic Safety
Wednesday, October 15, 2008 ::
0 Comments
We saw stuff like this all the time.
The yellow SUV on the left was called the "Yellow Sub". It was part of a book.
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Mural on Wall
Wednesday, October 15, 2008 ::
0 Comments
This is a mural that was on the wall in an Iraqi military compound by BIA.
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Pics
Wednesday, October 15, 2008 ::
2 Comments
I was looking for a picture today and saw a bunch of them that I have not seen in a long time. This was a place I lived in Babylon.
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Your recs
Wednesday, October 15, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Yeah -- I have my recommendations for ballot measures on this page but I would be happy to post others if you have them. Later this week I will post recs from the state political parties, California Chamber of Commerce, and others.
Send me your recs with a little but of rationale and I will put them up here.
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Speeding Ticket Trivia
Wednesday, October 15, 2008 ::
3 Comments
What County Supervisor's office had an employee get a speeding ticket from Woodland Police Officer Dave Krause? Krause is the guy on the motorcycle each morning.
a) Chamberlain
b) Yamada
c) McGowan
d) Thomson
e) Rexroad
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Thanks to Dave Edwards
Tuesday, October 14, 2008 ::
1 Comments
I get calls from all kinds of people. Many of them have a complaint about something.
Today Dotty took a call from a lady that just wanted to let us know the Dave Edwards in the District Attorney's Office did a good job for her.
This made my day.
Good job Dave.
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Classic Woodland Facebook Group
Monday, October 13, 2008 ::
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Jon Newsom is someone I have known for probably about 30 years.
Recently on Facebook I got an invite from him to join a new group. "My first dunk ever came on the 8 foot rims at Zamora." Of course I immediately joined because other than a nerf hoop it is probably true.
The site even has a picture of Newsom doing his impression of Dawkins.
Here is the link.
I don't expect anyone that is not ages 30-50 that grew up in Woodland to understand this. Someone is playing a Bruce Springsteen song right now.......
I had a friend was a big baseball player
back in high school
He could throw that speedball by you
Make you look like a fool boy
Saw him the other night at this roadside bar
I was walking in, he was walking out
We went back inside sat down had a few drinks
but all he kept talking about was
Chorus:
Glory days well they'll pass you by
Glory days in the wink of a young girl's eye
Glory days, glory days
Well there's a girl that lives up the block
back in school she could turn all the boy's heads
Sometimes on a Friday I'll stop by
and have a few drinks after she put her kids to bed
Her and her husband Bobby well they split up
I guess it's two years gone by now
We just sit around talking about the old times,
she says when she feels like crying
she starts laughing thinking about
Chorus
My old man worked 20 years on the line
and they let him go
Now everywhere he goes out looking for work
they just tell him that he's too old
I was 9 nine years old and he was working at the
Metuchen Ford plant assembly line
Now he just sits on a stool down at the Legion hall
but I can tell what's on his mind
Glory days yeah goin back
Glory days aw he ain't never had
Glory days, glory days
Now I think I'm going down to the well tonight
and I'm going to drink till I get my fill
And I hope when I get old I don't sit around thinking about it
but I probably will
Yeah, just sitting back trying to recapture
a little of the glory of, well time slips away
and leaves you with nothing mister but
boring stories of glory days
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Columbus Day -- What?
Monday, October 13, 2008 ::
1 Comments
This Columbus Day thing is silly.
We should skip "holidays" like this and let people take floating days to celebrate whatever they want.
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Adam Driving the Hubermobile
Monday, October 13, 2008 ::
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Adam thinks he is the bomb driving Webmaster Bob's truck.
This kid could sit behind the steering wheel of a car or truck for five hours a day.
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ichat
Sunday, October 12, 2008 ::
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Many of you e-mail me but I also use ichat.
I am at rexroad@mac.com
Hook up if you like.
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Ballot Recs from YCTA
Sunday, October 12, 2008 ::
0 Comments
I got a YCTA Bulletin today in the mail.
They make the following recs on ballot measures --
Prop 1 - No
Prop 3 - No
Prop 5 - No
Prop 6 - No (we disagree)
Prop 7 - No
Prop 10 - No
Prop 11 - Yes
Prop 12 - Yes (we disagree)
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Dr. Cirenio -- at my door v.2
Sunday, October 12, 2008 ::
1 Comments
The people walking for Cirenio don't seem to know who lives in the houses they are walking to.
Tonight I got a copy of the same flyer a second time.
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Dr. Cirenio -- at my door
Sunday, October 12, 2008 ::
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Last night I looked out the door before I was headed up to bed and saw this flyer under my door mat.
Cirenio has been walking.
This is a 5.5 X 8.5 piece of nearly card stock paper.
What you can't see is the on the back he has endorsements from a broad coalition of people including
Dr. Ayala
Duane Chamberlain
Skip Davies
Bill Marble
Frank Glover
Dave Flory
Carol Souza Cole
Elaine Lytle
Martie Dote
Matt Rexroad
Jesse Ortiz
Jeff Reisig
Mariko Yamada
Rogelio Villagrana
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WOM -- Bill and De Bathe
Sunday, October 12, 2008 ::
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The Woodlander of the Month Lunch was held last week. We went to Morrison's.
As we were finishing up Assemlywoman Lois Wolk walked in. She joined us for our picture.
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School District Trivia
Saturday, October 11, 2008 ::
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This week we have school district trivia. Webmaster Bob will put it up soon.
I think there are some tough ones in there.
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College Football
Saturday, October 11, 2008 ::
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Today I don't have much time to watch football but there are some really good games.
The Red River Shootout is today with Texas and OU. I will take Texas. Game starts at 0900. People in that part of the country get all fired up about this.
USC plays Arizona State at 12:30. USC should win but ASU is good. Their starting QB is hurt.
LSU v. Florida at 5pm is a great game. I went with LSU. Game time is 5pm.
Missouri v. Oklahoma State. Chase Daniel is the leading contender for the Heisman. Another 5pm start time. Both teams are ranked.
If we have upsets today USC could be looking to climb up from #9 to possibly #7. They just have to keep winning and they will make it back as the teams above beat each other up.
UC Davis opens Great Western Conference play today at 6pm. They play the Thunderbirds of Southern Utah at home.
I love this time of year -- in odd numbered years.
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News in this election
Friday, October 10, 2008 ::
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I pressed unpublish by mistake when I tried to fix something on the post about Fox News. Let me finish my broader observation.
I really don't like Fox News. That is my view. I don't think it is fair or balanced. I think other people give better coverage to the stories. My ipod has lots of NPR on there. Do I agree with all of the stuff? No -- but I think it has better information. Between the newspapers, blogs, books, and tv coverage that I get my news from I try to sift out that stuff that comes along.
Here is my broader point -- This is the last election where network news is going to matter. People are getting their news more and more from their computers. I only watch SNL on television about half the time. The rest of the time it comes right here on my computer.
As blogs and the internet continue to make their way into the world of providing news we will see newspapers and network news head to the sidelines. Take a look at what is happening to newspapers and the ratings of news broadcasts. Compare that with what Jon Stewart is doing.
The news networks are not going to be able to compete. I think newspapers are less and less able to compete.
By the time we face the next Presidential Election the entire method by which we get information will have changed.
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Nancy Lea -- what a gem
Friday, October 10, 2008 ::
1 Comments
From: Nancy Lea <nlea@woodland.net>
Subject: Reagan's Rule: Never speak ill of a fellow Republican!
To:
Date: Thursday, October 9, 2008, 10:39 AM
Hi -- I do not know if you still have connections in the
Republican party but I wanted you to be aware that Matt Rexroad has
come out on his blog advocating that voters not vote for Manny Cosme,
the Republican candidate for Assembly against Mariko Yamada, because
Cosme ran an ad in the Flatlander, for which Rexroad has a personal
vendetta. He also advocated boycotting all the small businesses -
mostly Davis based - who advertise in that paper.
I am aware that the Flatlander is an alternative, generally left
newspaper and typically supports left leaning causes. However, it
has a wide readership in Davis.
I have found that the Flatlander is a valuable source to disseminate
information which is not well regarded by the local political
establishment. Over the years, I have authored - and signed - 3
pieces in the Flatlander -- one opposed to the flood wall, one
opposed to Rexroad's initiative to increase the Woodland urban limit
line, and one in support of the Woodland Charro riding group, Los
Corporales, which is headed up by our ranch foreman. Rexroad will
have nothing to do with me since I authored those articles.
It is my understanding that Rexroad is a Republican lobbyist and
campaign strategist -- I do not think his attitude serves his party -
or conservatives generally - well, and I would like to make sure that
information about his advocated boycott gets to the party hierarchy.
Nancy
Note: I personally took this e-mail from Nancy Lea and forwarded it to Ron Nehring who is the Chairman of the California Republican Party. I courtesy copied Nancy on it so she would know the message got directly to him. Of course he is outraged.
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Fox News -- you have got to be kidding.
Thursday, October 09, 2008 ::
5 Comments
I love to watch the news. I would have a television on 24/7 if possible. Seriously. When I am on the road without my family I have the television on the entire time. I work with the tv on and sleep with it on. I prefer ESPN, Comedy Central, MSNBC, or CNN.
The one channel I can't watch is Fox News. The idea that it is "Fair and Balanced" as their tag line goes in absurd.
When I was in Kuwait in early 2003 I sat in a tent for about six weeks prior to the invasion. We had a tv on almost non-stop. We all got so sick of Fox News that we watched the BBC. Fox had less information than anyone and seemed to have a bias that gave us little or no information.
I just saw a report on Fox News that made me just laugh at the bias. How do they get away with that?
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The Rexroad Mailbox - Xavier and Woodland Health Foundation
Thursday, October 09, 2008 ::
1 Comments
I had to dig into the Matt drawer tonight to pull out the mail form the past few weeks. Two items stood out.
1) Xavier Tafoya sent me a b/w tri-fold. The inside was upside down.
2) The Woodland Health Foundation had a very very nice newsletter. It was very well done.
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Election Challenge
Thursday, October 09, 2008 ::
1 Comments
Ok -- so here we go again. We have past winners Mark McComas and Dr. Cirenio Rodriguez eating well. Note: I still own Cirenio. This is for a dinner at Ludy's.
So here is the test for the November election.
Sen. Obama --- more than 350 electoral votes? Y/N (2 points)
Does Lois Wolk break 56% of the vote? Y/N (1 point)
Does Mariko Yamada break 58% of the vote? Y/N (2 points)
Does Jim Nielsen break 59% of the vote? Y/N (1 point)
Kirkwood/Rodriguez/Tafoya -- who wins? Circle one (3 points)
Kirkwood/Rodriguez/Tafoya -- who gets second? Circle One (2 points)
Prop 1A (High Speed Rail) Pass/Fail (1 point)
Prop 4 (Parental Consent) Pass/Fail (1 point)
Prop 8 (Same Sex Marriage) Pass/Fail (1 point)
Prop 11 (Redistricting) Pass/Fail (1 point)
Tie Breaker -- Percentage of the vote McCain gets in California.
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McLovin on Flatlander
Thursday, October 09, 2008 ::
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I really have no idea who McLovin is but it makes me laugh regularly.
McLoving seems like someone you would want to drink beer with. When I find out who it is -- that may not be true ..but it seems like it for now.
Here is the latest post regarding the Flatlander. Good points made. DPD is also making more comments over on his site under the original post.
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Wayfarer Center Needs Your Help
Thursday, October 09, 2008 ::
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Not a day goes by that Dotty, Dave, or I don't do something for the Wayfarer Center. It is a priority in my office.
They are really struggling right now.
At the top of this page you will see an announcement regarding the Empty Bowls event. Please consider sponsoring. They really need some help this year.
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Woodland Planning Commission Appointment
Thursday, October 09, 2008 ::
0 Comments
On Tuesday night at the City Council meeting one of the items to be discussed was the appointment of a planning commissioner to take the seat vacated when Martie Dote was elected to the City Council.
Davies and Pimentel interviewed the applicants and decided to recommend the appointment of a Ms. Tapia.
Monroe made the motion to appoint former City Council candidate Fred Lopez. Marble and Dote joined him and the appointment was given to Lopez.
Interesting way things broke here.
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Flatlander -- wrap up
Thursday, October 09, 2008 ::
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One of the things that I am very comfortable with is that some things are worth fighting about. When you are going to fight -- go big or don't go at all.
Today I got a nice friendly little e-mail from something that identified itself as the Publisher of the Flatlander. Wow. That is something to be proud of. Kind of like being OJ Simpson's attorney. Let's just say that the communication was a nice little love note.
When you are being ambushed -- turn and charge through it. What this publication has done time and again to the people and businesses in Woodland is wrong. The Flatlander is harmful to Woodland.
For those of you that live in Davis -- it is not the same when it comes north to Woodland.
For those of you speaking to your employers that advertise in the Flatlander -- thank you. For those that share my view to not frequent the businesses that advertise there or support the causes that do -- that is fine with me. It is your choice. I have made mine.
In the end, what are they going to do to me? This blog and the contents are not county property and no public resources are involved here. I am an individual that has freedom of expression rights. I intend to use them.
I told people what I was going to do and I did it. The easy thing is that I am willing to pay the price for it. Recall me. Vote against me. Dedicate every issue to destroying me. Whatever. I will sleep fine.
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Outcome of Investigation
Wednesday, October 08, 2008 ::
1 Comments
I was happy to read this press report in the Daily Democrat about the Abrahams case.
Read story here.
The loss of Mr. Abrahams is unfortunate. Now hopefully the officers involved feel a little better about the tough situation.
The conspiracy theories can now begin.
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Who went to war with whom?
Wednesday, October 08, 2008 ::
2 Comments
Please make sure you read Doug Paul Davis today regarding my post below about the Flatlander. Link is here.
Couple points:
First are foremost -- the Flatlander is a complete piece of crap.
Second, the time I spent on my post below was 1/40 of the time DPD spent on his.
Third, I told people months ago what I was going to do. Not a word came from anyone but McLovin' - who thought it was a good idea. Now I have followed through and people are screaming. Oh well.
Fourth, War was declared by the Flatlander against several people in Woodland. Several. Martie Dote, Tom Stallard, Neal Peart, Clark Pacific, and a whole host of people. They can do what they want on me -- I really don't care. The Flatlander declared war on Woodland.
Fifth, Over the past six years I have personally filed two Fair Political Practices complaints against the Flatlander and have joined about twenty other local leaders on a third.
Finally, I am boycotting those businesses and candidates. If you want to -- great. That is up to you.
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Senator McCain
Tuesday, October 07, 2008 ::
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As many of you know I have admired Senator John McCain for twenty years. When I went to SERE school in 1998 I learned stuff about his role in the military that made me a fan for life.
I had the chance to meet him for the first time personally in 1999 when I was offered a job working with him. It turned out to be a good decision on my part to do other things.
In the past ten years I have had the chance to interact with him in several different forums. We have discussed the economy, taxes, and world affairs.
When Senator McCain was considering running for President in 2008 several years ago I thought he was far and away the best candidate. I still do.
In addition to being a true American hero, I believe that Senator McCain has a vision for America that is much closer to mine than Senator Obama.
Jenn and I will be voting for Senator McCain with great pride.
Campaign are usually not the best measure of a person. In fact, they are almost never a true reflection of the person.
I respect Senator McCain and want him to be our next President.
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Coats Needed
Tuesday, October 07, 2008 ::
0 Comments
This was passed on to me by Duane Chamberlain. If you have some coats around that you are not using --- there are people that could really put them to good use.
Attention Pastors, Church Member and Interested Persons,
Linda Alvarado a member of New Testament Church has for the past few years gathered Coats for Families in need of winter clothing. Once again she is gathering from churches, businesses, individuals and other agencies to distribute to Woodland families and guests of the Yolo Wayfarer Center.
Coats must be in good condition, clean or new. All sizes are accepted. If you would like to donate please bring them to the New Testament Church, 108 W. Woodland Ave., Woodland, 530-662-3956. Also if you have families that need coats please call and give us names, sizes and contact information.
DLZeck, Pastor, New Testament Church
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What is the problem here?
Monday, October 06, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Please read this article...about a teacher from Rio.
1) He is a guy
2) It appears that he did not have sex with the students
3) He is not going to be able to teach again
4) He will probably go to prison
He is a freak and probably deserves it. I am good with that.
What happened here in Woodland?
The lesson is .....If you are a female teacher you can do whatever you want to a young male student and you will be good to go.
Further proof of the double standard.
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These are some real fans
Monday, October 06, 2008 ::
1 Comments
The Realist thinks this is the arm of McLovin.....
Marilyn over at Happy Pitbulls was writing about her tats. recently....maybe this is her arm?
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Boycott the following businesses
Monday, October 06, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Just got my edition on the Flatlander. I am happy to take my understanding of the first amendment and my ability to practice law in this state over theirs.
As a result I am boycotting the following businesses ---
Talbott Corp
The Alexander Technique
Redwood Barn Nursery
Pilates with Dana
Alphabet Moon
Richard Holdstock
The Wardrobe
Davis Athletic Club
Samira's
Art & Artifacts
Davis Electric Cars
Davis Food Co-op
Mishika's Cafe
Icekrimski Cafe
Moonlite Transistions
Village Bakery
Armadillo Music
Giustino & Sons Window Cleaning
Pachamama Cofee a the Co-Op
Drom's Comics and Cards
Davis Shoe Shop
Geraldine Jane Haie - Tax Bookkeeping Payroll
Sam's Restaurant
Corky Brown Photography
Davis Film Festival
Further --
Vote No on Measure N
Don't reward Manuel Cosme with your vote for Assembly
If I forgot anyone -- then I am boycotting them too. Everyone that paid to help put out the Flatlander.
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But I am Yes on 8
Monday, October 06, 2008 ::
0 Comments
McLovin is great on local politics. He/she/it makes me laugh all the time.
Here is a post that includes a great picture of me -- except that I am YES on 8.
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Cabaldon Challenge in West Sacramento
Monday, October 06, 2008 ::
2 Comments
City Councilman Mark Johannesen is challenging West Sacramento Mayor Cabaldon in his re-election effort. Mark is a Democrat that is the son of the former Republican State Senator from this area.
How can this race be close? Cabaldon should win by a wide margin if you measure contribution made to the communty.
The amazing thing to me is that some business groups are actually considering supporting Johannsen. Considering his record I find this rather amazing.
In late summer 2005, Obie Brandon of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, collaborating with Bill Camp, filed an appeal of the site plan for the WalMart superstore proposed for the site adjacent to IKEA (which was just going into construction). Site plan review is a ministerial administrative function, and the store met its checklist requirements. The West Sacramento Council rejected the appeal in October 2005, and Brandon and Camp then filed a CEQA challenge on the EIR for the entire power center. There was no actual objection raised to any substantive portion of the EIR (and reversing it would have halted IKEA as well). The Council rejected the CEQA challenge in December 2005. Both Council actions were unanimous.
These challenges were merely political theater; labor didn't even pretend that they would seek judicial relief because their case was so obviously hollow.
Johannessen came to the City Council to speak on behalf of the labor challenge during the workshop on the issue. It was memorable because he was chair of the West Sacramento Chamber of Commerce Governmental Affairs Committee at the time.
In early 2006, a group of anti-growth gadflies formed "Save Our City" to force a moratorium on growth beyond a 10-year-old specific plan for the Southport portion of West Sacramento. The City Council had begun review of five major development projects as well as a multiyear review of the General Plan, and declined to impose an artificial permanent cap of 16,109 units.
So Save Our City announced that they would pursue a ballot initiative to permanently enshrine a growth limitation cap. As the only attorney in the group, Mark Johannessen offered to draft the initiative. He did so, and the group launched a signature drive in May 2006.
The City Council reached a negotiated deal with Save Our City in late June, and the group, which was far short of the necessary signatures, dropped its initiative.
Mayor Cabaldon has done an excellent job of getting things done in West Sacramento. This is exactly what Frank Sieferman did to the Woodland City Council when he led the charge to sue the City of Woodland over Costco.
Christopher Cabaldon is one of the best public officials in the state. The people of West Sacramento would be making a huge mistake not to re-elect him.
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Prop 10 - No
Saturday, October 04, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Proposition 10 also includes a topic that I want to vote for but just can't. "Big Wind" is just not going to do it.
I also want to vote for this because I understand PG&E is against it but can't. It just is flawed.
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Prop 7 - No
Saturday, October 04, 2008 ::
0 Comments
After looking into Prop 7 in a little more detail I am opposed.
I want to like it just because PG&E hates it but it still is a poor measure.
So count me in with the following that oppose Prop 7 --
California League of Conservation Voters
Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies
Environmental Defense Fund
Natural Resources Defense Council
Sierra Club California
Union of Concerned Scientists
California Democratic Party
California Republican Party
Libertarian Party of California
California Labor Federation
I would like to have something to support that would encourage more solar power development in California but this is not it.
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Trivia for the week - everything
Saturday, October 04, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Webmaster Bob will soon have the trivia and poll questions up.
The trivia this week are a little bit of everything...population, geography, politics, and celebrity smut.
Good luck.
Note: Patricia has the best chance of getting a perfect score this week.
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Prop 8 - Same Sex Marriage
Friday, October 03, 2008 ::
2 Comments
I truly believe that marriage is a commitment between one man and one woman. Relationships that involve a commitment from two people other than that are not marriage.
That is why I will be voting for Proposition 8 in November. I have placed my views on this issue out there for everyone to see. As a result I have gotten some pretty negative comments about being a homophobe, disciminatory, right win nut job....whatever. Most of those comments are from people that are actively out there supporting the Obama/Biden ticket.
So last night when I was eating dinner I watched the Vice Presidential debate between Senator Biden and Governor Palin when Biden told me that neither he nor Obama believed in same sex marriage. He then went on to passionately argue about how his civil rights record was so amazing.
I understand the civil rights argument on same sex marriage. I don't agree but I understand it. So tell me how all of you that think I am a right wing nut job for my beliefs on same sex marriage when they are exactly the same as the Presidential and Vice-Presidential nominees of both the Republican and the Democratis parties.
Further, if you do argue that marrying the person you desire is a FUNDAMENTAL right either provided or not restricted by the Constitution then how can Senator Biden have as acceptable record on civil rights?
I don't belive in same sex marriage at all. But guess what? That is the same position that is held by Senator Obama. Maybe he will endorse me for Davis City Council.
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Identity Theft
Friday, October 03, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Some of these banks are just silly.
I have an employee at my business that had her identity stolen. We acted responsibly and shut everything down. Credit was blocked and a "super secret password" was issued.
Then charges started appearing again. So the bank was called.
When the bank was asked why they removed the block without the "super secret password" they said it was because the person that called answered all the questions right. Good grief. It takes some courage to steal an identity and then call to get the block lifted when you haven't stolen enough stuff.
Here is the crazy part. The bank would not tell us what was purchased or where it was delivered for "privacy reasons". Why? Because we had told them it wasn't us that purchased the stuff.
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Forehead
Thursday, October 02, 2008 ::
1 Comments
I am probably the wrong person to criticize someone's forehead since mine starts on the back of my neck. However, I could not stop staring at Senator Biden's forehead tonight during the debate.
What happened there?
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