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Articles from
November 2008
Thanksgiving at the Wayfarer Center
Thursday, November 27, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Many of you have sent me this article from the Daily Democrat today.
This is what I believe elected officials should do with their office. Dotty and Dave deserve most of the credit for this.
It really makes me laugh when I see people try to continually try to build political capital without spending it. I plan to leave office with nothing in the bank.
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Hey -- I got an award
Thursday, November 27, 2008 ::
0 Comments
I am not going to be at the CSAC Conference this next week but it turns out that I am going to be getting an award there.
When I got the letter I thought they gave out a ton of them.
Here is some information from the CSAC magazine.
I am not even sure who nominated me but I am thankful.
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In the basement
Monday, November 24, 2008 ::
2 Comments
I am not going to be blogging as much over the next couple weeks. It is time to focus on Jenn, Abbie, and Adam for a while.
If you need something just e-mail me -- matt@rexroad.com. It comes to my phone.
Thank you for reading.
Semper Fidelis.
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Sold -- for five turkeys
Monday, November 24, 2008 ::
0 Comments
McGowan's hot sauce is SOLD to our favorite Woodlander in the Land Down Under.
Five Turkeys. Not bad for some hot sauce half consumed by the fourth or fifth most popular elected official in West Sacramento.
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Safe Haven Law gone mad
Monday, November 24, 2008 ::
0 Comments
So one day last week I was speaking to a group in Stockton. The night before Jenn and I had had a tough night with Adam and Abbie.
When they introduced me they closed with the fact that I was a proud husband and father of two. I then opened by joking that my wife and I were having a fire sale on a 4 year old and 2 year old that come with a tremendous amount of gear. The room thought that was quite funny. So did I actually.
That was right up until I read about the Davis woman dropping off her child in Nebraska. Some of you know that I have a professional relationship with some people in Nebraska. I am sure I am going to hear about this one.
Good grieg....no more jokes from me about that.
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Book Review: When We Were Colored
Sunday, November 23, 2008 ::
11 Comments
 This book is just excellent. It is a quick read that I would strong recommend to any parent. Anyone that is a "Mama" or a "Papa".
The book was first published in 1964 as "The Trouble with Being a Mama". It will make you laugh. I don't know the Eva Rutland but this is a woman with a great sense of humor.
This book is a little about being the home leader of a black family that moves from the south to Sacramento but it is also about the demands of motherhood. It is just very well done.
My favorite part of the book is in the introduction on page ix ---
I'm not quite up on today's politically correct phrasing. We were colored in my day or Negro, definitely not African American, a term by the way I dislike. With the exception of Indians -- excuse me, Native Americans -- my black ancestors reached these shores long before most other people who call themselves just Americans arrived.
Awesome. Eva is someone that I want to have a beer with.
This passage gives you a glimpse into the writing of the rest of the book. Eva needs a blog.
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Food Stamp Challenge - Friday
Friday, November 21, 2008 ::
5 Comments
I will report more later but I basically had a starvation exercise today as I took an emergency trip to San Francisco today and forgot my food. The Food Stamp Challenge is now over for me.
Tonight at the gym I did ten pull ups (dead hang Charlie-san -- there is no other way).
Now bring on the chow!
Now I have another little emergency to take care of. I think I will be awake all night.
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A bid of five turkeys from the Land Down Under
Friday, November 21, 2008 ::
0 Comments
The Woodland Blog World's favorite woman in the Land Down Under (and graduate of the WHS class of 1986 with your least favorite Supervisor) has bid FIVE turkeys for the Wayfarer Center. This is the highest bid so far for McGowan's hot sauce.
Do I hear six?
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Yamada Food Stamp Challenge - Friday
Friday, November 21, 2008 ::
1 Comments
I understand that Supervisor Rexroad had an unexpected trip to San Francisico today. I am about ready to get on I-80 to head there now.
So, I’d say our final day of the Food Stamp Challenge has been equally challenging, and I still have speech to give tonight about 8:30 p.m., and then drive back.
This week, I became more aware of how much of our daily work life revolves around food. Meetings occur over breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee. I also observed how much of our media—print, radio, television, and electronic—is devoted to food advertising. When you are on the edge of hunger, you notice these advertisements more.
Actually, I have had some “practice” going without food entirely, because I have joined area Muslims in their observance of Ramadan for the past several years, and then participate in their “Community Iftar”—Iftar meaning, “break-the-fast”, when there is more great food provided than you could possibly eat.
But there is a difference between fasting all day and having an delicious feast to look forward to, than to eat sparingly all day—and at night.
There is also a difference from being hungry and feeling satisfied. I had enough food, but never felt like I had eaten what I would have wanted to eat.
The quality and variety of food available to me this week was quite limited. Fresh fruits and vegetables were not affordable in my budget. Supervisor Rexroad did a much better job at that with his tomatoes and broccoli. I had only my one bag of frozen vegetables. I had more protein with my chicken, soybeans, and tofu to his pinto beans.
I think we each could have shopped better (I have a whole frozen chicken left in the freezer) and could have purchased more creatively if we had pooled resources. Food for thought.
For the 20% of Yolo County residents who are “food insecure” during any given month—a euphemism for going hungry—this week was a good lesson for me. One in five Yolo County residents at one time in the month or another do not have a clue where there next meal is coming from. That’s 40,000 of us out of 200,000. That’s a sobering statistic no matter what—and yet, we know that times are going to get even worse.
I hope that each of you reading about our challenge this week might try your own Food Stamp Challenge, even for a day. Reading about hunger is a lot different that living it.
Wishing Supervisor Rexroad farewell, and a Happy Thanksgiving.
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Calfiornia Cities on the Brink
Friday, November 21, 2008 ::
0 Comments
This article in the Sacramento Bee about California Cities facing great financial difficulty is important. The reality is that you could probably insert the name of dozens of other cities and counties in there. It is really a question of time.
Many cities and counties agreed to increased labor costs and now they are paying for them. That combined with decreasing revenues from property and sales tax means big trouble.
Read story here and be prepared for more stories on the topic later.
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Yamada Report -- Thursday
Thursday, November 20, 2008 ::
2 Comments
Yamada report. She had sent it to the wrong e-mail address. See below.
When I went shopping this past Monday and came home with four pounds of bananas, I didn’t think I could eat them all in a week. As of this evening, I have three left.
Today, I joined a mid-morning tour of the Yolo Bypass and rode in a van with frequent stops over the course of two hours. I had eaten a banana and had some filtered water before getting on the van. By the time we reached the destination point for lunch, I felt a little queasy, and the aroma of Nugget Market sandwiches didn’t help. I drank more water and felt better. While the tour group ate lunch, I focused intently on the staff presentation. Since the room was darkened, no one really noticed that I had not gotten a plate.
Dinner tonight—again—was a package of ramen noodles, the last of chicken number one, with a sprinkling of the frozen mixed vegetables. I felt a little cold coming in from an evening meeting, so I microwaved my drinking water and drank it hot.
BTW, I do not use the entire seasoning packet that comes with the ramen noodles. Way too much sodium! I use about half. I will have a quarter of the mini pan dulce from Tuesday, and save the last quarter for tomorrow. The pieces have become a bit “chewy”.
We’ve made it (almost) to Friday. I am not going to cook chicken number two because my husband put it in the freezer, and there is only one more day to Supervisor Rexroad’s and my challenge. So, I will need to plan tomorrow’s meals with the following: ∏ cube of tofu, one last package of ramen noodles (I had mistakenly reported the 4-pack in Monday’s report; it was actually a 6-pack for $1.25), corn tortillas, three bananas and half-a-package of frozen vegetables.
I have a trip to the Bay Area tomorrow afternoon, so I will not be filing a “what-did-I-eat” report. Instead, I will send observations about what I learned, what I would have done differently, and whether this challenge achieved anything.
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Food Stamp Challenge - Thursday
Thursday, November 20, 2008 ::
1 Comments
I have not heard from Yamada. She may have starved to death. RIP. Actually, she is probably just getting home to spend all night on her keyboard e-mailing everyone on the planet.
Today was ok. I just was not hungry. I did not have any breakfast and was fine with that. My headache was gone. So I didn't crave Diet Coke at all.
For lunch I had Top Rammen and added some diced tomato. My last one. Very tasty. I had a glass of OJ and a couple spoon fulls of peanut butter for dinner. I am just not hungry.
If someone finds Yamada tell her I am looking for her report.
Also -- four turkeys to the Wayfarer Center from Cabaldon is the highest bid for McGowan's hot sauce. I would like to still go higher.
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This Congress thing is a Democrat game
Thursday, November 20, 2008 ::
1 Comments
So think about the following information regarding Congressional District #1. Republican registration is 26.46%. No Republican has won a seat with registration this low in California in the last twenty years.
Registered Democrats
Del Norte 4,782
Humboldt 34,098
Lake 15,292
Mendecino 24,114
Napa 34,073
Sonoma 19,299
Yolo 46,852
If Thompson actually gets appointed we need to find a Democrat from Yolo County to run. They need to hold the base and then be able get a bunch of candidates from up north to run to divide the vote. If the local Dems can agree on a candidate then we need to hope lots of people in other parts of the district run.
It would be great for Yolo County to have a resident be a Member of Congress. Chesbro would be tough to beat in this district. He represented it in the Senate for eight years. Wiggins would probably also consider it. Neither of these options is great for Woodland.
If this happens you local Democrats need to find a horse and go for it.
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So who will run for Congress?
Thursday, November 20, 2008 ::
2 Comments
According to this article in the Daily Democrat, Congressman Mike Thompson is being considered for a position as Secretary of the Interior.
If that were to happen we would have a special election for Congress here in Yolo County. Who would run?
The keys in a special election are a solid base and the ability to raise money in small chunks quickly or self-fund. Yolo County has more people in the 1st Congressional District then any other county.
I would think that Assemblyman Wes Chesbro would consider it. Also, we have some big dollar guys over in the Napa County area that would think about it too. This is a seat in Congress after all.
One person that could have a good shot is Senator-elect Lois Wolk. She must have increased name ID now.
What about Cabaldon? Yamada? McGowan? Thomson?
Thomson is interesting. I don't think she would do it but she would be formidable for sure.
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Bike Path -- needed soon
Thursday, November 20, 2008 ::
1 Comments
This accident today is exactly why I don't ride my bike on those roads. We need a dedicated bike path between Woodland and Davis that will encourage more people to ride and have them be safer when doing it.
Read article here.
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Four Turkeys for Hot Sauce
Thursday, November 20, 2008 ::
1 Comments
Calling it "Hot Sauce Extortion", West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon has bid four turkeys for the McGowan hot sauce.
His bid requires the hot sauce to go with the turkeys to the Wayfarer Center.
Do I hear five?
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Great Decision
Thursday, November 20, 2008 ::
0 Comments
When I got elected as a County Supervisor I had no idea who to appoint as a Planning Commissioner.
I got a suggestion from someone I trust about Mary Kimball. Not knowing her that well I asked around. People thought she was smart and hard working. A couple people said that she was too liberal for me. "Liberal" really did not matter much to me for this appointment.
When I met with Mary and determined quickly that she was well qualified to serve. I asked her to be well-prepared and polite. She has done that and more. I also told her that I would never call her to question any of her decisions. She just needed to go out and do the best job possible.
This past month I did not spend any time watching the General Plan meetings conducted by the Planning Commission but multiple people have told me she was a force. I love that. Absolutely love that.
She has been actively involved in every phase of land use in Yolo County for many years now and we share many values.
The Planning Commission is an important body in Yolo County and I feel Woodland and the agriculture interests of Yolo County are well represented with Mary. She was a great choice.
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Rexroad Christmas Picture
Thursday, November 20, 2008 ::
0 Comments
This is the Rexroad Christmas picture. We had another good family shot set up on Saturday except right as the clicking was to begin Adam reached over and hit Abbie. It was lovely.
This picture will work fine.
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First Bid on McGowan's Hot Sauce
Thursday, November 20, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Dave Brown, the General Manager of the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District is the first bid. He will give one turkey to the Wayfarer Center for the hot sauce.
Do I hear two turkeys?
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Where you put your garbage is important
Thursday, November 20, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Today's editorial in the Sacramento Bee on where Sacramento deposits their trash is important. Trash is big business. Really big business.
Trash is also a big part of environmental policy -- one that is often ignored because it is not as sexy as solar power, wind power, and recycling of aluminum cans. Sacramento hauls trash all the way to Nevada to dispose of it. Think about all the trips over the summit and back each day, the truck repair, fuel costs, and the hours spent on the road.
This is the result of failing to take into account all of true costs associated with this decision. I am sure part of it is also part of people not wanting a garbage dump near them. NIMBYism runs strong in our country.
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Hot Sauce for Sale
Thursday, November 20, 2008 ::
1 Comments
 So yesterday at the Board of Supervisors meeting Mike McGowan is eating his lunch and he knows that I am a little hungry. He is sitting across the table from my with a smug look on his face enjoying each and every bite of his soup .....in a way that only Mike McGowan can do. Then he goes to his office to get his hot sauce. Then he offers me some. He then proceeds to add hot sauce to his soup with delight.
Later, the pig even went so far as to go out of the meeting and get some more food and put hot sauce on that and eat it right in front of me. All this time I just really want a Diet Coke.
At the end of the meeting I stole that bottle of Hot Sauce. I have it here in my basement at 711 College Street. This can be stated here publicly because I don't think that if Sheriff Prieto or DA Reisig knew it was McGowan's hot sauce they would care. They have both met McGowan.
I am not holding this hot sauce for ransom. I am auctioning it off for the Wayfarer Center. If McGowan wants his sauce back he can buy it in the auction that will close on Sunday night at 6pm. The bidding starts at one turkey for the Wayfarer Center. Send the bids my way either in the comment section or via e-mail to matt@rexroad.com.
So let the bidding begin. This is not just any hot sauce. It is West Sacramento hot sauce. See picture to left. It is also about half gone thanks to the third or fourth most popular elected official from the newest city of Yolo County.
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Irrational Fears
Thursday, November 20, 2008 ::
1 Comments
So today after I finished buying two people breakfast so they could sit and eat in front of me I sat down to get on-line.
I checked out the Daily Democrat website to see what was happening. I read the update about a serious crash involving a fatality on East and Gibson. For some reason I was immediately worried about Jenn, Abbie, and Adam that go right through that intersection on the way to gymnastics on Wednesday mornings.
So I called Jenn on her cell. No answer. Called home. No answer.
This is one of those moments when I start behaving like my mom did when I was in college. Fearing the unreasonable. For some reason I just had to know that my family was safe....so I kept dialing. Finally, Jenn answered on our home phone. I was relieved.
I am not sure who died on East and Gibson earlier today. I am not sure what happened. I truly am sorry that some family somewhere lost a loved one. The thing is that I became very selfish in my thought process when I was worried that it was my wife and kids.
This is not the way I usually think. Normally I just kind of accept things as they come and if it my number -- so be it. That was not the case today. My mind was racing and I just prayed that it was not me or my family that had to bear the burden of the tragedy. I don't feel good about this....but that is what I was thinking.
Now I am going to go check on my family before I say a prayer of thanks and hit the rack.
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Story of the Day Podcast on Headshots
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Rarely do the podcasts I listen to cause me to rush home and look something up on my computer. Tonight after listening to the NPR story of the day at the gym I ran directly to my computer once I got home.
Two guys wrote a book on headshots. Very well done story.
For some reason I see Webmaster Bob making this list at some point in the future.
See article here.
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Double Standard
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 ::
6 Comments
Prop 8 and the aftermath have been quite interesting to me and has caused me to reflect on this for quite a while.
Part of it is actually because of Facebook. For some reasons the number of old friends from the Marine Corps and USC that have contacted me have spiked lately. Some of them I have not seen or even really thought of in almost 20 years. Much has changed in their lives and mine.
After looking at some of their comments about Prop 8 it appears that many of them many in fact be gay or certainly activists in favor of same sex marriage. These are people that I know or have known well. A couple of them really shocked me - but I have no idea what has happened in their lives since I last saw them. They are clearly hurt by the passage of Prop 8 and that bothers me.
I voted for Prop 8 and probably will have the opportunity to vote on a similar measure again.
Here is the part that I find interesting.
First, if Matt Rexroad was going around challenging people or businesses that gave money to oppose Prop 8 I would probably be charged wth a hate crime. Why would that be so wrong yet businesses and people that supported Prop 8 are now being targeted?
Second, if the opponents of Prop 8 truly believe that same sex marriage is a fundamental right then why did they bother to even fight Prop 8? If fundamental rights are being violated their remedy is in the courts...not the ballot box. Save the money on the campaign and go to court. Further, it seems that the opponents of Prop 8 have much more energy now than during the campaign.
Finallly, the actions taken by the opponents of Prop 8 since the election have further just driven people away from their cause.
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Food Stamp Challenge - Wednesday
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 ::
1 Comments
So today was not too bad actually -- except for being sick of bland food. Things were rolling right along until I read the Yamada e-mail posted below.
I simply could not eat any more bland food.
I skipped breakfast as I bought breakfast for two people in a business meeting and watched them eat in front of me. Joy.
Then I ate my broccoli stems on my way to Stockton. That was a joy. In Stockton I sat there and watched thirty women eat lunch in front of me while I was speaking about the November elections. Joy again. I drank water.
Around 3:30 I had a plate of rice and beans. It was ok but bland. Very bland.
Then I watched my kids eat in front of me.
Finally, I read Yamada's e-mail and had enough. I was going to spend some money. So I went back to Food 4 Less and bought 3 things of Top Ramen for $0.20 each and a jar of peanut butter for $1.78. My wife is ticked. "Those are so bad for you. You are not a good shopper." She is right but I am happy. Tonight was about being happy with my food consumption. I wanted something tasty. The Top Ramen was great - Beef Flavor.
Let the beating commence.
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Yamada Food Stamp Challenge - Wednesday
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 ::
1 Comments
I am filing Wednesday’s report “early” because I am about to head out for a meeting and will not be back until late.
Today was extra-challenging because the schedule included meetings in Benicia, Woodland, Davis, Sacramento, and West Sacramento, and because three of these sessions were scheduled around—what else?—food. As I explained the reason for declining to eat, the reactions were fairly universal: “Really? Three dollars a day is all people get?” In at least one of the sessions—a lunch date that I had broken a couple of times already, so I didn’t want to do that again—my lunch buddy felt really bad about eating in front of me, but since I had a reason to go out to my car, I left him eating by himself for a while and then came back to finish our chat.
As I was driving to Benicia, I had a banana, and then driving back to Woodland, I had a second banana. For dinner, I made another pack of ramen noodles, but instead of adding leftover chicken (I still have about a quarter of it left), I added half a block of tofu and sprinkled green onions over the top. That will be dinner for tonight.
I have had a mild headache over the course of the day, but I seem to have “kicked” the coffee craving for now. I have been drinking more water now than I would probably ever drink (without coffee in it!)
When I get home, I will have a second quarter of the mini pan dulce I bought back yesterday. I think the major challenge right now is that I am getting tired of eating the same foods and there are only so many ways to put what I originally purchased together.
Two more days, Supervisor Rexroad.
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Prop 8 Opponent -- attacks Councilman Bill Marble in public comments
Tuesday, November 18, 2008 ::
5 Comments
I went to the City Council meeting tonight to listen to the presentation on the General Plan and the comments from the City Council.
Prior to my arrival -- I am told that a gentleman came in and challenged Councilman Bill Marble being a contributor to the Yes on Prop 8.
It is certainly within the rights of every citizen to take advantage of the public comment time. However, I don't think that Marble's involvement outside of his role on the City Council is fair territory. No matter what I think about Prop 8 Marble took his actions as an individual.
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Yamada Food Stamp Challenge - Tuesday
Tuesday, November 18, 2008 ::
1 Comments
Food Stamp Challenge, Day 2 Report
Today was our Board of Supervisors meeting, my last one. At ten a.m., there was a very nice reception on my behalf, with mini pan dulce and coffee. However, because Supervisor Rexroad and I agreed that we would not eat any “free food” during our five-day challenge, neither of us took part in the refreshments.
For lunch today, I brought a banana along with a serving of ramen noodles and mixed vegetables. One of the staff thought it was sad that I did not eat any of the pan dulce (which is a favorite food of mine), and she reminded me that I still had $.55 cents left to spend. She said that one pan dulce would be $.25, so I “bought back” a chocolate one and cut it into four pieces. I ate one piece and will have the other pieces later in the week.
We had a late closed session that went to about 7:00 p.m. I came home and made two chicken tacos with the leftover baked chicken, and sprinkled green onions on them. That was my dinner for tonight.
I do not miss my coffee as much this evening as I did last night. This is Tuesday’s report.
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Food Stamp Challenge -- Tuesday
Tuesday, November 18, 2008 ::
1 Comments
My biggest problem with the Food Stamp Challenge is the lack of Diet Coke. I woke up this morning with a splitting headache.
I had cooked my pinto beans all night last night in the crock pot so they were good to go when I got up. So I started the day with a big plate of rice and beans. Then I had my glass of OJ.
For lunch I had two of my six tomatoes and another plate of rice and beans. For dinner I had broccoli and some beans.
I still want a Diet Coke and a burger. The impacts that this thing is having on me have more to do with Diet Coke than food.
Tomorrow I have a breakfast meeting where I will watch other people eat in front of me. Then I will be speaking at a lunch in Stockton. Joy.
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Woodland City Council Meeting -- Tuesday night
Monday, November 17, 2008 ::
0 Comments
The Yolo County General Plan team has done a wonderful job traveling throughout the county informing people about the General Plan. The turnout has not been great at the meetings but the team certainly gets credit for trying.
Tomorrow night the team heads to the Woodland City Council meeting to make a presentation. I plan to attend to answer any questions that might need answering from me even though it is highly likely that Heidi and David will field all of them.
I have had discussions with the Mayor and Vice-Mayor on these issues numerous times so I can't imagine anything new coming up but we will see.
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Yamada Food Stamp Challenge - Monday
Monday, November 17, 2008 ::
1 Comments
I think Yamada did a better job shopping than I did. Here is her report.
Here is my report for Monday:
At noon Monday, I went to the SoDa (south Davis) Safeway and purchased the following:
1 – 4 pack of Maruchan Ramen - $1.25*
1 - 36 pack of Mission Corn Tortillas - $1.79
2 Whole frying chickens* (BOGO), $5.85 (second free lesser value, $5.54)
4 lbs of bananas* (ripe in a bag) @ $.36 per pound - $1.57
1 bunch green onions - $.49
1 –pk Nasoya tofu* - $1.50
1 – pk Safeway frozen vegetables (edamame-green soybeans, mushrooms, and green beans)
Total: $14.45 ($.55 in change for the rest of the week)
I wanted to purchase a large container of peach yogurt, but the cost (I think it was $1.79) put me over the $15.00 limit, so I had to put it back.
I do not eat breakfast. I ate a banana when I came home to put the groceries away and drank filtered tap water.
Then, I went to Woodland and worked until about 6 p.m., then went on a few errands (no night meeting tonight!), and came home to start cooking for the rest of this week.
I am right now roasting chicken number one, using the seasoning pack from one of the Maruchan Ramen noodles.
Since there was no cooked food available yet, I ate another banana and drank more filtered tap water. I do not feel hungry right now.
I do miss my coffee!
When the chicken is done, I will make soup noodles with the ramen, chicken, and a sprinkling of the frozen vegetables. That will be dinner for tonight.
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Wild Wings Golf Course -- County not buying
Monday, November 17, 2008 ::
0 Comments
So today I had two people that I respect call me. One of them is another fat bald guy that plays basketball. Both of these calls were concerned that the county is buying the Wild Wings golf course. They read the article in the Daily Democrat today and came to that conclusion. Here is the article.
The proposal is not to have the County of Yolo buy the golf course. As I understand it the CSA (basically a collection of the home owners in Wild Wings) are buying the golf course.
Yolo County does not need a golf course.
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I figured it out
Monday, November 17, 2008 ::
1 Comments
I kept hearing that when it came to basketball at the community center I was considered a really big fat bald guy.
Now that I look at the schedule it is that our first game is against Gold Line Credit and the Realist is a big fat bald guy that is on the team we are playing. I feel so much better.
See post this retaliates for here.
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Food Stamp Challenge -- Monday
Monday, November 17, 2008 ::
4 Comments
I can't say that I am loving this. My family all had a wonderful breakfast and dinner. I did not.
I also would like a Diet Coke.
Today I had a plate of rice, glass of OJ, and a tomato for breakfast. For lunch I had a big plate of rice. For dinner I had a plate of very plain pasta.
My pinto beans are soaking so I can cook them later tonight. We will see how that goes. I will probably have some broccoli before I go to bed. Jenn thinks I am crazy.
Note: The people at my business told me that I paid way too much for the OJ. Bummer. Off to the gym.
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I blame the Vice-Mayor
Monday, November 17, 2008 ::
0 Comments
So tonight I went to play in my first city league basketball game. For some reason the gym was closed so the games were canceled. It gave me a chance to check out the disco fountain in front of the Community Center.
Who is at fault for that?
It can't be Skip -- he was like 60 when Disco came out.
Marble -- not a chance. The Mormons would not allow it.
Monroe -- nope. Too many reasons.
Martie -- I doubt it.
That leaves my least favorite Vice-Mayor. Why did he have to go a disco up the Community Center with disco lights in the fountain?
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What do I do with this?
Monday, November 17, 2008 ::
0 Comments
So I am sitting at my desk on a conference call today when this picture comes in. Now, I was not at the Clark-Pacific Grand Opening on Saturday but now I want to know what was going on there. I really hate that silly top hat Flory wears -- this might be the only thing worse.
Someone come up with a good caption for this picture.
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Food Stamp Challenge - the buy
Sunday, November 16, 2008 ::
5 Comments
 So I headed down to Food 4 Less and got my chow for the week. The game plan changed a little when I got to the store and saw what the prices were for the week.
I got ---
6 tomatoes for $1.79
1.2 lbs of pinto beans for $1.78
1 can of frozen OJ for $2.23
1 lb of Linguine for $1.23
1 large bunch of broccoli for $1.48
2lb bag of rice for $2.85
The total spent was $11.36 so I still have $3.64 in hand. We will see if I need to adjust later in the week.
I decided to pass on the chicken because it just did not seem like the bargain it did last week. Instead I bought broccoli. That should give me a pretty good balance for the diet. My other choice was brussel sprouts. they may be what I adjuct for later in the week.
Let me state clearly that I am the world's worst shopper. So i am sure that some of you out these might be able to do better. I also don't like broccoli much. However, I want to try to get by for these next five days trying to be somewhat healthy too.
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Food Stamp Challenge -- get ready
Sunday, November 16, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Tonight I am headed to Food 4 Less with $15 to get my food for the week.
Despite making it easier if I added stuff from the garden, hunting, or fishing I am going to pass on those things. I could also hit the food closet but I will pass on that too.
A couple events this week are going to be tough. I am the speaker at a lunch on Wednesday, I have a cocktail party to attend on Thursday, and a BBQ on Friday.
I will also be kicking the Diet Coke thing -- that will be tough. I also plan to work out each day. I will drink water from the filter at work and home -- and lots of it.
When Jenn gets back from the store I will head out myself and report back on what I purchase.
Supervisor Yamada is in on this thing too -- but I am not sure she eats $15 a month worth of food.
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School Dictrict Trustees
Saturday, November 15, 2008 ::
1 Comments
Tonight Jenn and I went to a Chinese place unlike any I have ever been to. On the menu were:
Marinated Duck Tongue
Salt & Pepper Frog & Tofu
Braised Fish Chunks in broth
Sauteed Goose Intestine with mixed mushrooms
Sauteed Frog with salted egg
I could go on for a long time. Most of the time I spent eating menu items that were far more tame than those listed above I was thinking about how the way we elect our school district trustees needs to be reformed.
I have no idea what candidates it will help or hurt but I know that the current system in broken and competition is always a good thing.
For some reason I also believe the same cast of characters would oppose any change in the current status. That is ok.
Please send me an e-mail if you would like to join me in this effort. matt@rexroad.com The current system is not acceptable.
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Cedarblade Mail
Saturday, November 15, 2008 ::
0 Comments
On Thursday I was asked if I had seen the "mail about Brenda"? I had no idea what this person was talking about.
I am told that two or maybe three different pieces of mail are out there floating around in the community. I had someone share this one with me but to my knowledge none of them have come to my home or office.
Here is the pdf.
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Berg issue creates an opportunity
Saturday, November 15, 2008 ::
1 Comments
School Trustee Warren Berg is correct regarding the letter of the law. He is just not complying with the spirit of it. That is not the outrageous part for me.
This school district trustee residency issue brings into focus for me that the Woodland School District is set up to have four trustees that live in Woodland, and three that live in the unincorporated areas.
When the four from Woodland stand for election we actually have competition. When the people run for the rural seats we have nothing. If you live in the right area and are capable of filling out the paperwork you take your seat managing a huge budget that serves thousands of families in our area. We have not had a contested election for the Sharp/Beermann seat in probably two decades. That is not a good thing.
Let's change the law to drop the residency provision of how we elect our school board members. We need seven good people elected to the school board regardless of where they live.
My understanding is that the County Board of Education could make this change but has not or will not. It may be time to take this to a vote of the people in the area.
With this change Berg could live where ever he wanted in the school district and the pool of quality candidates would expand tremendously. The current system is out of date and limits the number of good candidates.
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Supervisor Yamada
Friday, November 14, 2008 ::
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I will be the first to admit that when I got elected to the Board of Supervisors I did not exactly get a warm welcome from Supervisor Yamada. She tried to take a LAFCO appointment from me in a manner that I did not appreciate. It was not a good way to start my term.
She also would work into every meeting we had that she was a social worker. It used to act like an electric shock to me. I am sure she still does that but I mentally block it out. LA LA LA LA LA.
So I have worked with her for just short of two years and I have to tell you that it has been much better than I would have thought. I actually like her.
We talked almost weekly as a member of the Legislative Sub-Committee of the Board. It was a new sub-committee and we made it work well.
The list of policy items that she is wrong about is to long to stick on this blog.
Here are the things that she is right about --
1) Yamada helped me get public access Wi-fi in the Board chambers.
2) Mariko works like a dog. She is always going 24/7 and I respect her dedication to her job.
3) She legitimately does care about people in our society that she feels are not represented.
4) She is someone that stands for an open transparent government. She has great instincts here that I hope she will follow in the Legislature.
5) She supported Clark Pacific, Gibson House, flood control process money for Woodland/Yolo County, and Backpacks for Kids.
6) She really does not focus on getting credit. She focuses on winning and getting things done. That is rare in this world.
The thing I respect most about her is that she has a high ethical standard.
Tuesday is her last meeting as a member of the Board of Supervisors. She really is a hard worker and people should recognize her dedication to the job. We still have a picture of her doing the hool-a-hoop at the first Backpacks for kids that will be used for blackmail from time to time as needed.
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Board Meeting for Tuesday Nov 18th
Friday, November 14, 2008 ::
2 Comments
I am on fire today. I got to the county office at around 0730 to knock some things out. The board packets for Tuesday are ready so I should be able to read over the whole thing tonight.
We have several key topics for Tuesday.
1) It is Supervisor Yamada's last meeting.
2) Lobbyist contracts are up for renewal.
3) We will discuss a potential furlough of county employees to save money.
4) Public Arts policy is up. I need to read this closely.
5) We are going to set a hearing to consider not maintaining some county roads.
6) We will consider a resolution regarding the Cortina landfill.
Should be a good morning meeting with lots of lively discussion.
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Rogelio resigns?
Thursday, November 13, 2008 ::
0 Comments
I was shocked to read in the Democrat that Rogelio Villagrana plans to resign from the school board. That is a shame.
I know exactly how he feels and thank him for his service.
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Veterans Day in Yolo County -- after action
Wednesday, November 12, 2008 ::
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It was good to see so many people at the Veterans Day event at the Courthouse yesterday.
A few things stand out to me from the event.
Sgt Gee is like 80 years old. He got up out of his wheel chair to stand for the colors, pledge, and recognition. The next time I see someone sitting during the National Anthem at an event that is capable of standing I am going to be thinking of Sgt. Gee as I tear into them.
Ted Puntillo gave a great speech.
Finally, Col Crump was one of the Tuskegee Airmen honored. What a dignified gentlemen. He was about 6'5" and looked great in his blues.
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Great day
Wednesday, November 12, 2008 ::
4 Comments
I had a great county day today. Last night I was at the Farm Bureau meeting talking with them about the Woodland-Davis bike path.
Started today in Davis with a breakfast on policy issues.
Then attended the Yolo-Solano Air District meeting.
Had a lunch meeting to learn about what was going on with the Yolo County Arts Council.
Had a meeting with a legislators district staff and then spent a couple hours on the general plan. Finished the day at the gym with Yamada's spy.
I have several hours of the General Plan reading in front of me. For some reason that just does not make the top of my reading list. I am reading "When We Were Colored: A mother's story" by Eva Rutland. Supervisor Yamada mentioned the book at a Board meeting quite a while ago. I actually ordered it in the meeting. Then when it got to my house I started the book only to have it stolen by my wife. She then gave it back to me but I had moved on to other things. Now I am back it at. Really good book so far.
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Elections Challenge Results
Wednesday, November 12, 2008 ::
0 Comments
The winner of the Elections Challenge was Justin Kudo. He wins a $50 gift certificate to Ludy's.
Not one person predicted Prop 1A would pass. It did.
The results this time in terms of predictions were pretty bleak. My own predictions would have tied Justin but I can't win.
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Davis Flight Support and Woodland Aviation
Tuesday, November 11, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Today I went out and checked out Davis Flight Support out at the Yolo County airport. I was very impressed with the operation.
You can check out the website here.
What I really liked about it is that these folks are really thinking about their business. It gave me some new ways of thinking about mine.
Davis Flight Support and Woodland Aviation are big business that few people are aware of right here in Yolo County.
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I am still a big fat slob
Tuesday, November 11, 2008 ::
1 Comments
I have exercised every day for more than 3 weeks. My goal is still the 300 PFT.
The 100 crunches in two minutes are in range. I can do 70 in one minute. So I am not working this as hard.
Today I did seven pull ups. That is certainly not 20 but I feel than I am not that far from busting out 15. Then it will be a crawl to 20.
The running is not going so well. I ran for 15 minutes solid today and had no problems. I probably did not cover much more than a mile. This is pathetic when you consider I have done 3 miles in just over 16 minutes before.
20-100 by the end of the year is my goal. We will see about the running. I will keep working but I weigh a ton. CHP would pull me over if they saw me running on the road.
Supervisor Yamada even has someone spying on me at the gym. She is trying to get my secrets.
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It is Veterans Day not Memorial Day
Tuesday, November 11, 2008 ::
0 Comments
This happens every year at this time. Someone states that today is about honoring the people that lost their lives in military service. It is not.
Take this opening line from the Daily Democrat editorial today ...
Veterans Day gives all of us the opportunity to do something we should do every day -- honor those who have died in our nation's service.
Here is the whole thing. The overall point is a good one.
They are talking about Memorial Day.
Today is about honoring every person that served in the military. Every file clerk, every pilot, every infantryman, every cook. They all were part of the military service of this country.
Woodland has a long history of sending people off for military service. Some have lost their lives. Today we are honoring every single person that has served.
See you at the Courthouse at 11am.
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Tuskegee Airmen
Monday, November 10, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Tomorrow as part of the Veterans' Day Program at the Yolo County Courthouse I have the honor of introducing some of the Tuskegee Airmen from the area.
For those of you that are not aware of the Tuskegee Airmen please read this.
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Happy Birthday Marines
Monday, November 10, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Today is the 233rd Birthday of the United States Marine Corps. Semper Fidelis.
From the Halls of Montezuma
To the Shores of Tripoli;
We fight our country's battles
In the air, on land and sea;
First to fight for right and freedom
And to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to claim the title
of United States Marine.
Our flag's unfurled to every breeze
From dawn to setting sun;
We have fought in ev'ry clime and place
Where we could take a gun;
In the snow of far-off Northern lands
And in sunny tropic scenes;
You will find us always on the job--
The United States Marines.
Here's health to you and to our Corps
Which we are proud to serve
In many a strife we've fought for life
And never lost our nerve;
If the Army and the Navy
Ever look on Heaven's scenes;
They will find the streets are guarded
By United States Marines.
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Book Review: The War Within
Saturday, November 08, 2008 ::
0 Comments
I read everything Bob Woodward writes. He is one of the most accomplished journalists in the country over the past 30 years. He has credibility and access give him the opportunity to tell stories in a way that few others can.
This book is excellent. If you watched the 60 Minutes stories from about three weeks ago on the status of Iraq with General Petraeus and General Odierno it really adds something to the story.
I strongly recommend this book to anyone that is interested in military and foreign policy.
The Washington Post has a website set up for the book and coverage of it. Here it is.
I read this book about 5 pages at a time over about two months. Woodward is just good.
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Book Review: Problogger
Saturday, November 08, 2008 ::
0 Comments
 Now that the election is over I am back to reading.... and very happy about it. My shelf of books to read is starting to get full so I need to get on it.
The latest book I finished took about 48 hours to read. Problogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income.
The two guys that wrote this book have an interesting story with something that seems like a marginal business plan for someone that likes to write. I had not seen their blogging before and look at only about 10-15 regularly myself.
I bought this book because I am working through a new business plan for an idea I had about two months ago. The more I get into it the more I think it will work very well.
This books gets three stars out of five. If one of you wants it please let me know. I am happy to share.
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From the backseat
Saturday, November 08, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Today I took Adam and Abbie to the Sacramento Zoo.
On the way back we were singing songs when Abbie says, almost with out a pause, "Daddy do you know what I wish to be? I wish I were a mommy lion so I could go out and kill things."
I was stunned but thinking she had a career in the Marine Corps.
Then she added .... "So then I could come back and feed my beautiful baby lions." Then I knew again while the Marine Corps was not going to work.
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Food Stamp Challenge - research
Friday, November 07, 2008 ::
7 Comments
I am the first to admit that I don't shop. I just don't. I hate it.
Tonight after I waddled out of the gym I headed to Food 4 Less to do some research. Supervisor Yamada and I are going to be taking the Food Stamp Challenge from November 17-21.
After a walk through at Food 4 Less I am confident I can do it. Some of the bargains I saw were potatoes (5lb bag), chicken breasts, tomatoes, frozen OJ, rice, beans, and bread. So on Sunday the 16th I will head down there with my $15 and make it happen.
$3 per day is doable. We will see.
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Prop 8 - Same Sex Marriage after action
Friday, November 07, 2008 ::
7 Comments
The Daily Democrat has an article today about Proposition 8. The focus is on Yolo County as a whole. While that may be interesting the reality is that Davis skewed the results.
Here are some results that are interesting -- in terms of pass and fail.
Proposition 8 passed in Woodland -- in all but three precincts. Proposition 8 passed in West Sacramento. Proposition 8 passed in the unincorporated areas. Proposition 8 even passed in Winters.
People talk about pass and fail. The reality is that Prop 8 passed in Solano County by 13 points.
The measure was only close because the people of Davis, San Mateo, and San Francisco voted no to such a large degree.
Prop 8 passed in Los Angeles County.
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Turkeys -- part 3
Friday, November 07, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Sue Hjerpe just e-mailed me. She is in for 12 turkeys. Awesome. That takes us to 352.
The Wayfarer Center still needs help right now. Would love to continue to fill their needs.
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Turkeys -- part 2
Friday, November 07, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Since last night the Conway Preservation Group has added 100 turkeys to the pile and Cirenio Rodriguez added 10.
That takes us to 340 which is just short of our goal of 350. I know we have five more turkeys out there.
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Turkeys
Thursday, November 06, 2008 ::
0 Comments
I have had more than thirty turkeys donated so far since my last post. Please consider helping us get to the 350 total.
Rumsey Tribe is in for 100, I am in for 100, Al Eby/USA Tires 25, Blue Goose is in for 2, and I have three other e-mails that I can't remember right now. That is a total of 230.
We need to get to 350. Please join us in helping those in need of a Thanksgiving meal.
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Observations from the elections
Wednesday, November 05, 2008 ::
1 Comments
I was glad to be wrong about the Community College Trustee. Congratulations to Xavier Tafoya. He won. Good for him. Clearly I did not have a good feel for that one.
Prop 8 shocked me. It passed in Solano County. It will be interesting to see how it matches up with race.
You learn more about people that are winners than about people when they lose.
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Rexroad Predictions
Tuesday, November 04, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Obama gets 353 electoral votes.
Prop 1A fail
Prop 2 pass
Prop 3 fail
Prop 4 pass
Prop 5 pass
Prop 6 fail
Prop 7 fail
Prop 8 fail
Prop 9 fail
Prop 10 pass
Prop 11 pass
Prop 12 pass
Community College Trustee: Kirkwood with more than 40% of the vote
Assembly: Yamada with 59%
Senate: Wolk with 58%
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0418?
Tuesday, November 04, 2008 ::
0 Comments
See these two lovely kids in the picture below? They were not so lovely when they got up at 0418 this morning, turned on the lights in their room, and started playing dog. They were bouncing off the walls at freaking 0418 -- probably before. That is what time it was when I saw the light on and heard Adam barking.
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Needed: 150 Turkeys
Tuesday, November 04, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Dave, Dotty, and I need to come up with 250 turkeys for Thanksgiving at the Wayfarer Center. I donating 100 of them -- so 150 to go.
Donations can be made to the Yolo Wayfarer Center 207 Fourth Street Woodland, CA 95695. Phone 530-661-1218.
Contact: Dotty Huber or David Flory 530-666-8237. Let me know if you are good for a turkey or two. They are $10-$12 per bird.
In addition to these 250 turkeys, the Rumsey Rancheria is donating 100 birds for a total of 350 turkeys. Gobble gobble.
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Vote tomorrow
Monday, November 03, 2008 ::
0 Comments
I love Senator John McCain and believe he is the best choice to lead our country for the next four years. He is the best man for President. He is true American hero. That is lost in all of this.
Greg Aghazarian is a friend that I hope wins a seat in the State Senate tomorrow despite long odds.
Dr. Cirenio Rodriguez is my choice for the Community College Board. I voted for him and encourage you to do the same.
Finally, don't vote for that Pimentel guy. He is crazy.
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It is lucky shirt time
Monday, November 03, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Every election day I wear my lucky shirt. I have worn it for every final since my sophomore year of college, the bar exam, and every election day.
I attribute this shirt to being the only thing that saved Art Pimentel in June, elected Skip Davies in 2006, and might just save Cabaldon tomorrow.
See post by Tom Ross here.
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Roberts Elementary School
Monday, November 03, 2008 ::
1 Comments
I joined a large group of elected officials from Woodland and Yolo County as well as many veteran groups in nominating Petty Officer First Class Neil Roberts as the honoree for the name of the new elementary school in Woodland.
You can read the letter here.
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I don't know why I think this is so funny
Monday, November 03, 2008 ::
0 Comments
This was sent to me with "Abbie Rexroad in the future..." in the subject line. At first I was getting mad. Then it ended on a high note...with the exception of the poor handling technique.
Download 6.73 MB wmv (Rick Click link, then Save As..)
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Wrong Wrong --- College Football
Sunday, November 02, 2008 ::
0 Comments
College football this year has been awesome.
The rankings for the week just came out. USC really didn't move. That is the way it should be.
Couple observations. Florida is much better than people think. They destroyed Georgia and are probably the best one loss team in the country.
Boise State (8-0), Utah (9-0), and Texas Christian (9-1) are ranked 9-11 in the AP. The next four teams are Ohio State (7-2), Missouri (7-2), Georgia (7-2), LSU (6-2). You can't convince me that if any of those two loss team were on the road against any of the three higher ranked teams that they would not be favored.
LSU would go into Boise, Utah, or TCU favored by a touchdown. It is silly to have them ranked below those teams.
Silly. Silly. Silly.
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Father Daughter Dinner Dance
Sunday, November 02, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Last night was the Father Daughter Dinner Dance. Abbie looks forward to it all year.
Adam and Abbie go to sleep at 7:30 each night and get up around 5:30 am. So at about 7 pm she has just about had it.
She was really tired but still did a really good job all night. She was polite and well mannered the entire time.
Parks and Rec does a great job with this event.
When they were doing the raffle she was struggling to keep her eyes open so after I won my folding chairs -- we headed for the car. She was sound asleep at home 15 minutes later.
Wow -- look at that picture. I look like I have a huge dent in my head. Actually, I think my head is bigger than the pumpkin on our front porch.
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Halloween 2008
Sunday, November 02, 2008 ::
0 Comments
The Rexroad family has transitioned from a Princess dominated household to a 101 Dalmatians dominated household. I used to be a King or a Prince --now I don't really have a role except that dogs lick my face and climb on me.
So when Halloween came around Abbie wanted to be a dalmatian. Adam of course wanted to be whatever Abbie was.
So this is what they dressed up as....by choice.
When Adam went to the Lambert's house on Halloween he gave her his whole bag of candy and just walked away. He still does not quite get it.
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Board Meeting for Tuesday
Saturday, November 01, 2008 ::
1 Comments
After leaving the gym tonight (something like 16 days in a row) I swung by the County Admin Building and picked up my packet for Tuesday. Seems pretty basic.
I am going to present a resolution for National Child Adoption Month.
The real action will come with the talk about the budget reductions, the lobbying contract, and the issue regarding the Cortina Landfill.
I still want someone to tell me why this Cortina Landfill is something Yolo County should worry about. It is going to be hard to convince me.
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What the ?
Saturday, November 01, 2008 ::
0 Comments
The call I just finished was interesting.....
The accusation was that I don't do anything. "In your time on the City Council and on the Board of Sups, what have you really done? You don't really have an impact."
See, now this is where I disagree. People may not like me for the things I do or say. I get that. Fair enough. I can accept that.
But to say I don't do anything or have an impact? That is where I just can't agree. I am tired right now and not thinking 100% straight but I certainly think I am having an impact on Woodland.
Interesting that a person would say that. I will have to think about that after Tuesday night -- now I have stuff to do.
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