mina2 comment-24124 2010-04-02T01:43:34Z 2010-04-02T01:43:34Z RHYs02 i have two kids and a mortage to pay. I have a full time job , and I had a part time job that paid me over $25.00 an hour. I have to work two jobs in order to support my kids. When my mom who doesn't speak english got sick, I had to leave my part time job to take care of her on evenings and on weekends. I love to take care of my mom for free, but I also have a family of my own to support. I left my part time job that paid me $25.00 an hour to working for her which I earn $11.00 an hour. I have been working hard all my life and lived a honest life. mina2 2010-04-02T01:43:34Z Dustin L. Littrell comment-19460 2009-12-17T20:37:09Z 2009-12-17T20:37:09Z This is real progress! Dustin L. Littrell 2009-12-17T20:37:09Z jakefavour comment-19457 2009-12-17T19:04:47Z 2009-12-17T19:04:47Z Thank you Anthony for the coverage. This was a great start for this event, and we should be showcasing many more wonderful ideas at next months State of Downtown Breakfast. jakefavour 2009-12-17T19:04:47Z Anthony Bento comment-19437 2009-12-17T05:48:43Z 2009-12-17T05:48:43Z CORRECTION: Jeff Walker and Requel Apodaca are not licensed architects, they are designers. Anthony Bento 2009-12-17T05:48:43Z Elf comment-19222 2009-12-13T04:22:40Z 2009-12-13T04:22:40Z You can thank PM for throwing a grinch, or a pig, into the parade route closures. It was planned, and agreed that the route would be closed during the parade. Apparently valet parking was more important than SAFETY, or a fun, family - COMMUNITY event. For a guy who prides himself on the joy of Christmas and the movie "It's a Wonderful Life", I think he's now on the naughty list! Elf 2009-12-13T04:22:40Z MorrisLum comment-19115 2009-12-10T23:52:45Z 2009-12-10T23:52:45Z great job . . . . its very hard to put on a parade let alone on short notice and in the evening as a night parade and in downown/midtown as a shriner , I've been in parades for over 30 years there was great attendance and was a wonderful achievement next year will be bigger and better I'm sure MorrisLum 2009-12-10T23:52:45Z Matthew Ceccato comment-18972 2009-12-08T23:52:44Z 2009-12-08T23:52:44Z Nice pictures. Watching people parade down the street covered in lights puts me in the holiday spirit. This parade was what midtown needed, something to bring us all together. Matthew Ceccato 2009-12-08T23:52:44Z dannie comment-18952 2009-12-08T20:31:09Z 2009-12-08T20:31:09Z Yes Lesley, you are being a downer . You have no idea how much work goes into putting on an even. Tassina worked for at least four months to get this started and she owns/works 7 days a week in her shop...so it took alot of effort to get this going! I just get so tired of the general malise and negativity of people. It seems to become a habit to look for something to criticise and then quickly get it out there for all to see. Dannie-Marie dannie 2009-12-08T20:31:09Z Parisnites comment-18890 2009-12-08T00:29:22Z 2009-12-08T00:29:22Z Great fun! Great turnout! Great people! Great job Tassina! The lady with the cigarette.... Parisnites 2009-12-08T00:29:22Z DasV comment-18881 2009-12-07T22:39:19Z 2009-12-07T22:39:19Z I looked for the parade but the only info I had was "The Handle." Nobody I asked had ever heard of it. I watched the ice skating and then went to the play at Lambda. But I would have liked to see the parade. DasV 2009-12-07T22:39:19Z SKK58 comment-18880 2009-12-07T22:27:40Z 2009-12-07T22:27:40Z We'll close 19th & L Streets next year; it was just the 1st; you have to start from somewhere. Great job Tassina! SKK58 2009-12-07T22:27:40Z Lesley Miller comment-18827 2009-12-07T18:23:24Z 2009-12-07T18:23:24Z We tried to watch the parade from inside the L Wine Lounge. The out of town guests I brought were just as annoyed as I was that L Street was still open to cars. Talk about a lawsuit waiting to happen! I hate to be a downer, but these pictures make the parade look much more impressive than it actually was. Lesley Miller 2009-12-07T18:23:24Z jsf8278 comment-18810 2009-12-07T05:49:48Z 2009-12-07T05:49:48Z A good thought and hopefully it will be better executed next year. The fact that L and 19th streets were open to one lane of traffic was lame. Seriously, they couldn't have closed those couple blocks for one hour? jsf8278 2009-12-07T05:49:48Z cam8008 comment-18809 2009-12-07T05:41:15Z 2009-12-07T05:41:15Z ....zone opposite the lane reserved for the parade route. I wanted to report the black SUV that was parked in front of where I was standing. . cam8008 2009-12-07T05:41:15Z cam8008 comment-18808 2009-12-07T05:38:58Z 2009-12-07T05:38:58Z This was a nice event, but the poor execution of the L street closure was a real killjoy. A black SUV parked right in front of a no-parking sign and obstructed the view from outside Ginger Elizabeth's for like 20 minutes. And the through traffic didn't help either. If the someone is going to go through the trouble of a parade, close the street properly, please. There wasn't even any cops around to enforce the no parking. cam8008 2009-12-07T05:38:58Z cogmeyer comment-18803 2009-12-07T04:34:14Z 2009-12-07T04:34:14Z It was a great neighborhood event. The little ones loved it! Java City sure underestimated the turnout... folks lined up out the door and only 2 employees? Their loss I guess! cogmeyer 2009-12-07T04:34:14Z Anthony Bento comment-18349 2009-11-26T06:00:15Z 2009-11-26T06:00:15Z thanks everyone! it's a great event for families. Anthony Bento 2009-11-26T06:00:15Z Tina Armour comment-18348 2009-11-26T05:50:55Z 2009-11-26T05:50:55Z great pictures Anthony! Tina Armour 2009-11-26T05:50:55Z pumpkinpie comment-18345 2009-11-26T05:39:29Z 2009-11-26T05:39:29Z beautiful photography! pumpkinpie 2009-11-26T05:39:29Z Kassandra Perlongo comment-18344 2009-11-26T05:21:50Z 2009-11-26T05:21:50Z love, love, love these pictures Anthony! Kassandra Perlongo 2009-11-26T05:21:50Z Marion Millin comment-18175 2009-11-24T05:45:03Z 2009-11-24T05:45:03Z Thanks Midtown Neighborhood Association and Winn Park neighbors for the seasonal cheer! SacPress, I would have gone with the first photo in this coverage, to feature on the Front Page, where we see the actual wreath AND the decorative Shawn Eldredge. lol (or any of the last three). Marion Millin 2009-11-24T05:45:03Z Dale Kooyman comment-18160 2009-11-23T21:40:21Z 2009-11-23T21:40:21Z Wow! What early birds. I'm glad to see Midtown NA carrying on the tradition. Boulevard Park initiated the decorating in the very first years of neighborhoods were working together to improve the central city. However, it appears that the current board does not plan to follow through--or at least I see none out there this year so far. I don't believe decorations were there last year either. Dale Kooyman 2009-11-23T21:40:21Z Shawn Eldredge comment-18142 2009-11-23T03:01:25Z 2009-11-23T03:01:25Z there was a time when all midtown poles got decorated ,, maybe sometime soon this can happen again. thanks to the work of many winn park neighborhood association members throughout the past 6 or 7 years these poles have been decorated ..its a very nice tradition to see continued... it was a nice time with my neighbors.. Shawn Eldredge 2009-11-23T03:01:25Z Devin Lavelle comment-18141 2009-11-23T02:53:02Z 2009-11-23T02:53:02Z Great work Shawn and everyone else. It looks great! Devin Lavelle 2009-11-23T02:53:02Z savemidtown comment-18119 2009-11-23T02:46:23Z 2009-11-23T02:46:23Z This is fantastic and a great way to get people engaged in their neighborhoods. savemidtown 2009-11-23T02:46:23Z Kati Garner comment-18118 2009-11-23T02:42:31Z 2009-11-23T02:42:31Z WAY TO GO!!!!!! Kati Garner 2009-11-23T02:42:31Z Laura Good comment-18016 2009-11-20T05:00:43Z 2009-11-20T05:00:43Z I think I saw that same episode :) Laura Good 2009-11-20T05:00:43Z Laura Good comment-18015 2009-11-20T05:00:24Z 2009-11-20T05:00:24Z I like the way the photos tell the story too. Great information as well--thanks for reporting this. Laura Good 2009-11-20T05:00:24Z Anthony Bento comment-18002 2009-11-19T21:08:19Z 2009-11-19T21:08:19Z Thank you Ali! I took them with my iphone. :) Anthony Bento 2009-11-19T21:08:19Z Ali Tabatabai comment-17993 2009-11-19T18:51:56Z 2009-11-19T18:51:56Z Great, telling photos Anthony. Ali Tabatabai 2009-11-19T18:51:56Z The Parrhesiac comment-17988 2009-11-19T18:02:21Z 2009-11-19T18:02:21Z I saw this on an episode of V The Parrhesiac 2009-11-19T18:02:21Z Susie Shields comment-17759 2009-11-14T16:24:09Z 2009-11-14T16:24:09Z This is a great example of neighborhood advocacy! I wonder, if we had a strong mayor, would this have been a priority? Susie Shields 2009-11-14T16:24:09Z Anthony Bento comment-17598 2009-11-10T21:38:48Z 2009-11-10T21:38:48Z Thanks Greg! It's a great venue, I recommend it. Anthony Bento 2009-11-10T21:38:48Z Greg Majewski comment-17526 2009-11-10T00:41:17Z 2009-11-10T00:41:17Z Great photos, quotes and story. Professional as always. Sounds like a cool place and I'm glad they were able to get in a better facility. Greg Majewski 2009-11-10T00:41:17Z Ali Tabatabai comment-17514 2009-11-09T18:26:06Z 2009-11-09T18:26:06Z Love it. I took a walk around the site early last week as they were setting up for the grand opening. What an excellent venue in a great part of town. Looking foward to many nites of laughs. Ali Tabatabai 2009-11-09T18:26:06Z bbbbmer comment-17503 2009-11-09T04:13:55Z 2009-11-09T04:13:55Z This looks FABULOUS!!! Finally, a comedy club in Midtown!!! bbbbmer 2009-11-09T04:13:55Z The Parrhesiac comment-17106 2009-11-03T05:21:54Z 2009-11-03T05:21:54Z Collective bargaining with public employee unions should be outlawed. Public employee unions will be the downfall of this state. The Parrhesiac 2009-11-03T05:21:54Z green55forty comment-16356 2009-10-26T17:17:20Z 2009-10-26T17:17:20Z There is a hearing tonight at the Sacramento City Council to Stop or delay the Nestles water bottling plant. Also, to put new conditions on Coca Cola, Pepsi,and Campbell Soup. We are already facing a $50,000,000 shortfall in tax revenue next year. This shortfall will cut 387 full time jobs from the City next year. Significant delines in commercial realestate are already looming in our future. To quote Jimmie Yee, County Board of Supervisors, "We have not seen the bottom yet" The County expects to receive $21,000,000 less in property tax next year and lay offs as well as cuts in vital programs are expected. Why would we make it more difficult for a company to do business in Sacramento? . green55forty 2009-10-26T17:17:20Z Terre Johnson comment-15824 2009-10-19T02:31:05Z 2009-10-19T02:31:05Z Patris's efforts should be applauded! She and her team have work tirelessly to bring a world-class event to Sacramento! And the showing awesome! Be certain to see it - buy it, inf act! Terre Johnson 2009-10-19T02:31:05Z bbbbmer comment-15721 2009-10-17T11:56:48Z 2009-10-17T11:56:48Z Legal analysis should be done by lawyers - not incompetent political hacks sucking up to fraudulent wannabe politicians who failed at virtually everything they've ever done in life, save playing a ball game on a wooden floor... supported largely by underworld money and antitrust protections bought through collusive arrangements with lobbyists and the politicos they back... bbbbmer 2009-10-17T11:56:48Z Anthony Bento comment-15586 2009-10-15T03:45:15Z 2009-10-15T03:45:15Z CFF website: http://www.cafirefoundation.org/go/cff/about-ca-fire-foundation/california-firefighters-memorial/the-2009-memorial/ Anthony Bento 2009-10-15T03:45:15Z life0731 comment-15495 2009-10-14T01:32:03Z 2009-10-14T01:32:03Z I take care of my 84 year old incontinent mother and I took care of my father before he passed from lung cancer. My mother has to have round the clock care and cannot stay home alone. She pays high rent and a share of cost for her care and then there is nothing left. I did not come here to take care of her for the MONEY but for her so she could have a little dignity left after losing all of the other things that meant so much to her. I do get paid for 93 hours every two weeks but I am her full time nurse, daughter and friend.. yes I need money to survive and pay our bills that she cant possibly pay. She has nothing but a little self respect left and I ensure she keeps that by taking care of her.IHSS was a God send to us when we needed it most, allowing me to be here working for her instead of being somewhere else not taking care of my mother . Allowing her to stay in a place where she feels safe and is loved. I wont get rich on IHSS but instead can afford to pay what needs to be payed and take care of my mother. I get about 4 hours sleep a night and am barely making it on \what I earn. If you never were in my position then you have no idea what its like, what stress we care givers deal with every day and what we GIVE to our loved ones and elderly by being here for them when they need us most. I do get a good feeling taking care of her and that should be enough but she has no money and I have to work because I don't have the money we need if I don't work. It's a catch 22......You do what you need to do to make sure your loved ones have dignity the last years of their life, every breath they take is important to you and every little smile you get when things are looking bad is worth all the heartache and hard work. Even if they take the help away I will still be here to walk her through what little time she has left and hold her hand and make it easier for her when that time comes. God Bless all the care providers that give so much to our elderly when others want to put them away in a strange place and forget about what they were and who they are. life0731 2009-10-14T01:32:03Z Colleen Belcher comment-15470 2009-10-13T18:52:53Z 2009-10-13T18:52:53Z Per Scott McDonald, Communications Director of Californians Against Higher Taxes, there was no planned press conference this morning at the Capitol. Colleen Belcher 2009-10-13T18:52:53Z Steven Maviglio comment-15464 2009-10-13T17:43:53Z 2009-10-13T17:43:53Z Actually, you are basing your example on the City Attorney's review. The City Attorney cherry-picked cities instead of providing an unbiased review. You are simply wrong that the City Council won't be able to override the Mayor's "will." Read the initiative. It's no different than most cities. You can read more about other strong mayor initiatives at the unbiased, nonprofit: http://strongmayorcouncil.org/ Steven Maviglio 2009-10-13T17:43:53Z William Burg comment-15462 2009-10-13T17:37:32Z 2009-10-13T17:37:32Z Actually, it's not, it goes above and beyond "strong mayor" systems in other cities, with fewer checks and balances, more power for the mayor, and a structural defect that almost guarantees the city council will never override the mayor's will. William Burg 2009-10-13T17:37:32Z Steven Maviglio comment-15448 2009-10-13T07:44:49Z 2009-10-13T07:44:49Z Anthony, with all due respect, this budgeting system is quite common in municipal governments. And it gives the Council a powerful incentive to produce a budget on time and balanced. And so it is with this initiative: the council can produce and pass a budget that differs from the Mayors. What typically happens at the federal level if there is a disagreement on a budget is that the Congress passes a "continuing resolution" -- putting the previous year's budget forward until an impasse is reached. It's quite rare that governments "shut down." In my lifetime, I can remember it happening only once. Steven Maviglio 2009-10-13T07:44:49Z Steven Maviglio comment-15447 2009-10-13T07:41:08Z 2009-10-13T07:41:08Z Local 39 put out a statement crowing about their influence on the selection of the commission. Mr. Edgar, a former city manager, was a financial contributor to the Fargo campaign. He also was appointed by Mayor Fargo to the Citizens Compensation Commission, which recommended raises for the mayor and city council. Do you really think a former city manager would favor changing the city's government to a strong mayor/council system given his background? I'm sure he's an honest guy, but there's an inherent bias there. You are welcome to review the contributions to the Mayor's campaign. it's a public record. What I was saying was that the Commission members had an initial bias from the get-go. Steven Maviglio 2009-10-13T07:41:08Z Steven Maviglio comment-15446 2009-10-13T07:37:47Z 2009-10-13T07:37:47Z Actually, this is the way most American cities of Sacramento's size are run. Nothing revolutionary, just evolutionary. Steven Maviglio 2009-10-13T07:37:47Z Rhonda Erwin comment-15423 2009-10-13T04:33:53Z 2009-10-13T04:33:53Z Tom, where was it written that "people find America a scary place to live?" I think you took my comment of "WOW THAT'S SCARY"- out of context- .. You looked on the surface- I'm a simple person but I'm not that simple minded and very rarely will you find me on the surface. Pain causes me to go far below.................... Rhonda Erwin 2009-10-13T04:33:53Z Rhonda Erwin comment-15421 2009-10-13T04:27:33Z 2009-10-13T04:27:33Z I don't think you're commenting to me but I "really" did expect to get a result other than opposition to the initiative put on the ballot by CITIZENS other than "we hate it" ? You appear to be making this personal-- when it was business. I really do believe their were people on the board who want change but when they "unraveled" (because it was not transparent) the change proposed they chose the lesser of two evils- and let things remain the same. The chairman is one vote. And I would not dare insult his intelligence or insult his ability to handle this with ethics. I don't know him nor will I attack him. Having gone down to city hall repeatedly over the last 4 yrs I really don't think many of the councilmembers were pressured by local unions. Again, I don't plan on attacking their ability to look at this objectively but I am wondering about your ability to do so. While we are urged to check the contributions/endorsements of each of the commission members to get a more accurate picture of the fairness of their viewpoints SHOULD we also check the contributions/endorsements/ agenda's of those who put together the Strong Mayor Proposal? Where their is smoke their is fire. Come on now Mayor Johnson is not without skeltons in his closet. What about his loan which remarkable at the last minute became a gift?...Oh, what a tangled web we weave when we practice to deceive. The slightest deception causes people to stop and think and see that Fools rush in where wise men fear to trade. If a person cannot be trusted surely that person cannot be trusted with more power. That's SCARY Rhonda Erwin 2009-10-13T04:27:33Z TomRunge comment-15420 2009-10-13T04:00:47Z 2009-10-13T04:00:47Z I surprised that people find America a scary place to live. TomRunge 2009-10-13T04:00:47Z Rhonda Erwin comment-15413 2009-10-13T02:06:20Z 2009-10-13T02:06:20Z "If they DON'T agree, then the Mayor's budget moves forward. Pretty much the way most of America works." WOW, THAT'S SCARY! Rhonda Erwin 2009-10-13T02:06:20Z Anthony Bento comment-15410 2009-10-13T00:44:11Z 2009-10-13T00:44:11Z If the legislature fails to reach a budget at the state or federal level, government can shut down. The executive is free to veto the legislature's budget (and in the case of the governor, selectively veto aspects of the budget), but neither system contains a provision to implement the executive's proposed budget if there is a failure to pass a budget. At both the federal and state level, the executive's proposed budget is more of initial blueprint; a blueprint that is often significantly modified or discarded entirely by the legislature. This is in keeping with a legislature's central power- the power of the purse. Anthony Bento 2009-10-13T00:44:11Z Steven Maviglio comment-15401 2009-10-12T23:19:15Z 2009-10-12T23:19:15Z Political appointees = hand-selected by a City Council opposed to the initiative. Did you really expect to get a result other than opposition to the initiative put on the ballot by CITIZENS other than "we hate it" when the chairman was a contributor to Mayor Fargo's campaign and was appointed to the commission that gave her pay raises by her? When local labor unions tried to pressure each council member to appoint their favorites? I would urge you to check the contributions/endorsements of each of the commission members and you'll get a more accurate picture of the fairness of their viewpoints. I admire them putting in the time, but let's call that kettle black on the political connections. As for initiatives, you might want to re-think what you wrote. The overwhelming number of initiatives proposed never make the ballot. And you're wrong about the city manager being able to be "fired at any time." It takes five or six votes (depending whether you go with existing law or the proposed charter commission law) to do that. Have you ever tried working for 9 different bosses? That's what the city manager has to do now under the current system. And that's why there's no bold vision for our city. Ray Kerridge does the best he can under the current system of governance, which, by the way, has been chucked by most cities our size (an inconvenient truth for you, I know). Steven Maviglio 2009-10-12T23:19:15Z tdramer comment-15400 2009-10-12T23:15:46Z 2009-10-12T23:15:46Z It seems the Emp-Mayor's initiative has no clothes- so to speak. tdramer 2009-10-12T23:15:46Z Steven Maviglio comment-15399 2009-10-12T23:12:01Z 2009-10-12T23:12:01Z No, that's not how it works. I would suggest you read the initiative. The way it works is just like when the President or Governor introduce a budget and the legislative branch (Congress/Legislature) work amend it. If they DON'T agree, then the Mayor's budget moves forward. Pretty much the way most of America works. Steven Maviglio 2009-10-12T23:12:01Z Rhonda Erwin comment-15386 2009-10-12T20:36:29Z 2009-10-12T20:36:29Z Or perhaps it turned into a bash-a-thon because when some people are attacked they fight back. Well if that's not the pot calling the kettle black. Aren't you making it a bash-a-thon? Aren't you bashing the competence and labor efforts of the charter members? Didn't the mayor appoint a member? Exactly how qualified was he? He surely wan't hog-tied --he had a voice. Or perhaps when some people oppose something they looked at comprehensively and they tend to voice their concerns and call it like they see it and someone bias - a campaign manager- will hang them out to dry so they speak out. and become more vocal. Or perhaps the individual the mayor appointed to the charter committee should have spoken of your concerns and brought attention to any misgivings prior to the charter decision being made. Or perhaps the assistant sitting in the audience at the charter hearings should have went to the microphone and stated the concerns since it was open to the public. I didn't see anyone stopping people from speaking (I admit I only attended one meeting but I was welcomed to go to the microphone and speak.) Seems someone is crying over spilled milk-- perhaps the campaign manager let the ball drop. If you didn't like the way things were going or didn't like the fact the charter commission looked at it without prejudice (and I know you'll argue that point) but someone- you an assistant, a volunteer even a community member pro Strong Mayor Proposal could have spoken up before now. I didn't see a gag order Rhonda Erwin 2009-10-12T20:36:29Z Rhonda Erwin comment-15381 2009-10-12T20:14:12Z 2009-10-12T20:14:12Z StevieGee- I could not have said it any better than you have. And your post allowed me to further understand the need to oppose the Strong Mayor Proposal. What a great job you did in breaking it down to give a clearer understanding. Rhonda Erwin 2009-10-12T20:14:12Z StevieGee comment-15380 2009-10-12T20:12:43Z 2009-10-12T20:12:43Z So... let's see if I've got this right. The mayor proposes a budget. In this budget he proposes a few million for say, The KJ foundation. He gets to vote in the counsel so he only needs 4 votes to pass it. The opposition now needs 5 votes to kill it. Let's say they get the 5 votes and kill it. Except that it's not dead yet. The mayor can veto it. The counsel now needs 7 votes to kill it and the mayor gets one vote already so he only needs 2 votes. The current city counsel could pass a budget giving the KJ foundation a few million while voting 6 to 2 against it. Now there's democracy in action. The concept of a strong mayor in Sacramento may be worth a look in the future but not this proposal and not this mayor. StevieGee 2009-10-12T20:12:43Z William Burg comment-15348 2009-10-12T18:47:39Z 2009-10-12T18:47:39Z I'm not sure how a commission appointed by the City Council could avoid being "comprised of political appointee." In fact, "political appointees" are pretty much defined as "people appointed to a position by a politician." So I'm not sure why you mentioned this at all, other than saying "political appointee" sounds bad--but not quite as bad as the "secret cabal of developers" who crafted the "strong mayor initiative" entirely out of the public eye. The Charter Commission is a temporary city body, appointed for a specific purpose--what would be the point of term limits? Although I would encourage you to look into that--most city boards and commissions do have term limits. "Voters can end a mayor's term at any election if they so choose" is pretty disingenuous, it is basically the argument used against term limits at the state level too--by the status quo that wanted to avoid having to deal with things like term limits. As the backers of the Strong Mayor Initiative have made clear, it's pretty easy to buy signatures (or votes) which puts the power to elect a mayor entirely in the hands of the people with the most dollars. Heck, for $150,000 I could probably find 33,000 people willing to sign a petition insisting that Steve Maviglio should be forced to wear a chicken suit whenever he leaves the house. Slight kudos, by the way, for downgrading your previous assertion of 50,000 voters to the probably more correct 33,000. The Sacramento city council isn't there to do what the city manager tells them to do, he is there to carry out their will. If he fails to do so, he can be fired at any time. The city councils in strong-mayor cities aren't there to approve what the city manager tells them to do--they are there to approve what the strong mayor tells them to do. Although, in those cities, the strong mayor wouldn't have a vote on the city council (including the right to vote against efforts to overturn his own decisions), something that no other strong-mayor system has. And because of the structural problems of the "ninth district," and the lack of any requirement as to when that ninth district will be created, there is no time limit on how long that "temporary" vote could last. William Burg 2009-10-12T18:47:39Z Steven Maviglio comment-15330 2009-10-12T15:21:06Z 2009-10-12T15:21:06Z It's pretty amazing that what was supposed to be an explanation of the Charter Commission's work has turned into a bash-a-thon of the strong mayor initiative. Perhaps that's because the Commission's recommended changes were business-as-usual and nothing more than that. The article is wrong in suggesting that the Commission was formed to develop an alternative to the strong mayor/council initiative. Actually, it was created (with the support of Mayor Johnson) to look at a comprehensive review of the city charter, including governance. Unfortunately, the Charter Commission -- composed of political appointees and many members who had donated to Mayor Fargo's campaign -- has decided instead to assail the proposal put forward with the support of more than 33,000 Sacramento voters. A couple of points: Ms. Hastings notes that the initiative doesn't have term limits. She fails to point out that neither does the Charter Commissions. Voters can end a mayor's term at any election if they so choose. Mr. Newland wrongly suggests that City Councils don't have power under a strong mayor system. He ought to check in with New York, Los Angeles, and other major cities, where city councils and city council presidents (which Sacramento would have under the initiative) actually are empowered and do things other than approving what the city manager tells them to -- which is the case in Sacramento. Steven Maviglio 2009-10-12T15:21:06Z Julie Boone comment-15284 2009-10-11T17:51:56Z 2009-10-11T17:51:56Z The new location is great. I'm eager to see the building become a showcase for the products. We're so glad you're holding strong Josh! Julie Boone 2009-10-11T17:51:56Z greenearl comment-15252 2009-10-10T16:37:15Z 2009-10-10T16:37:15Z I think a chain of company owned stores could be built on this concept. I call it Total Zero Energy Conversions_Green Earl, Founder American Energy Conservation Group Redding, CA Producing Negawatts..........Since 1981 http://yeswecansolveit.blogspot.com greenearl 2009-10-10T16:37:15Z Melissa Warren comment-15244 2009-10-10T06:23:47Z 2009-10-10T06:23:47Z I will be at the ADA's walk tomorrow morning. I'm looking forward to supporting a great cause! Melissa Warren 2009-10-10T06:23:47Z Marion Millin comment-15218 2009-10-10T02:53:11Z 2009-10-10T02:53:11Z This is great news and great coverage. Thanks, Anthony. Well done. Best wishes to Green Sacramento and Piner Works Architecture and Building Group at this location and in a greening economy. Marion Millin 2009-10-10T02:53:11Z Anthony Bento comment-15215 2009-10-10T01:30:28Z 2009-10-10T01:30:28Z photo credit: anthonybento.com Anthony Bento 2009-10-10T01:30:28Z thsas comment-14657 2009-09-29T22:43:03Z 2009-09-29T22:43:03Z thanks, The church was a big help to my father after my mother passed. The church helped him to regain a purpose in life, after his reason for living had ceased. They kept him eating when he lost the will to exist and they got him out of the house. There are positive influences that church had on my fathers and mothers life that we, their children could not do for them. The community was a hugh support also, by stepping in and helping to maintain the property and maintaining contact with my ailing parents. Between us, the church, and the neighbors, we were able to develop a near 24 hour contact with my folks as they were dying. thsas 2009-09-29T22:43:03Z Steven Moore comment-14670 2009-09-29T21:44:35Z 2009-09-29T21:44:35Z California like to advertise it is a liberal haven who cares about the needy and illegal alien. There are costs to do so. About 5-10 billion can be traced to the deficit to educating illegal aliens. nobody wants to attact that. The disabled didn't come here illegally, they were either born this way or some event put them in need. They would not have had to make the cuts if the one set of liberals would have allowed more drilling for oil on the existing platforms. Can't have that. So cut to the disabled instead, a group they think will not fight back. A civilized society takes care of there disabled, unless you wish to be like Nazi Germany that routinely executed their disabled. What kind of nation do you wish to be? Steven Moore 2009-09-29T21:44:35Z Steven Moore comment-14667 2009-09-29T21:35:58Z 2009-09-29T21:35:58Z If all these people drop off the system and either die or find themselves in the street, you will have to step over the bodies. If they go to nursing homes instead, it will cost 10 times as much. Many are required to provide 24 hour care and paid for 8 hours. If you took, every penney they are given, it would still be a tiny fraction of any help with the deficit. Steven Moore 2009-09-29T21:35:58Z Pinelli comment-14647 2009-09-29T15:10:07Z 2009-09-29T15:10:07Z Next up: They're Gonna' Eat Your Babies: The Impersonators of James Carville. Pinelli 2009-09-29T15:10:07Z Pinelli comment-14645 2009-09-29T15:03:12Z 2009-09-29T15:03:12Z I apologize--I misconstrued your statement. I was merely stating that not all older people have the luxury of family, nor do all families have the resources required for extended elder-care. In that case, I would much rather have my government step in than deny older people basic human dignity. And I laud you for your service to your family, as I did the same and can understand the sacrifices, and congratulate the fact that life has treated you fortunately enough to be able to be generous. Of course we utilized all assets from the estate for years before the necessity for IHHS. My family member managed to out-live her assets and our retirement fund (which was liquidized to pay for her care) and our savings. So you see the imperative that required state/federal assistance. "The opiate of the masses" is how Marx characterized religion--and while I wholeheartedly support people's right to religious affiliation, I also support and affirm the right to be free from religion. Pinelli 2009-09-29T15:03:12Z thsas comment-14597 2009-09-29T01:56:42Z 2009-09-29T01:56:42Z Pinelli, I have taken care of my parents for many years. Its my capitalistic nature. Working hard and taking opportunity is not taking advantage. Drivers do pay for driving, there are required gas taxs and license fees. If you do not buy gas or license plates, or sales tax on a vehicle purchase, you are not paying as much as drivers who own cars do. "Not everyone believes in the opiate of the masses either. Would you prefer to see a bunch of older people withering and dying in vacant lots?" I do not know what this means, but no I do not, and I did not say anythinglike that. Wise up. Do you not see any other choice? Experienced the need is the only way to qualify to speak to a topic? Huh. During the last 8 years of my mothers life, my sisters went to my parents home to care for her daily. I lived out of state so the best thing I could do is pay my parents bills, so I did that. My father sold off all his unnessasary assets to pay the medical bills as he could. My parents would never accept welfare, and tought us the same. He didnt need to, and I won't need to either. During the last 5 months of my fathers life, I paid all his bills while my sister moved in to take care of him. (he was diagnosed with stage 4 small cell lung cancer and died 5 months later) I prefer people to have family, church, and local communty for support. If all else fails, the government. NEVER govenment first. thsas 2009-09-29T01:56:42Z Pinelli comment-14592 2009-09-28T21:27:32Z 2009-09-28T21:27:32Z Well, who have you taken care of thsas, day in, day out? What if no one is available in the family to meet the need? Until you have experienced the need I suggest you refrain from judgement that is inherent in your statement. I sincerely hope you aren't left pooping your diapers at age 80 in a state-run nursing home, and that your capitalistic acumen has allowed you to take advantage of the system to your own benefit to the degree that you will never need help. Since I don't drive at all, should I decline to pay any road taxes and let all the actual drivers pool their resources to pay for roads? What a mess this state would be then! The "strategy" you recommend is a slippery slope you know...If you will notice, family DOES come first in many cases but the resources they are/were able to marshall are highly variable and finite. Not everyone believes in the opiate of the masses either. Would you prefer to see a bunch of older people withering and dying in vacant lots? Pinelli 2009-09-28T21:27:32Z thsas comment-14583 2009-09-28T20:36:55Z 2009-09-28T20:36:55Z family first, then church, then community. Tax strangers last. thsas 2009-09-28T20:36:55Z GraceMGrady comment-14575 2009-09-28T19:15:37Z 2009-09-28T19:15:37Z I am an IHSS worker and I work far more hours than I am paid for, I am not a family member. Many of these people will be forced into nursing homes at a cost double the cost of the IHSS program but that cost will come from the federal budget and not the state budget. Don't be fooled, this is really a net cost increase to the tax payer, not a savings. GraceMGrady 2009-09-28T19:15:37Z thsas comment-14565 2009-09-28T16:06:19Z 2009-09-28T16:06:19Z I applaud people for doing the right thing: take care of your family. I had a great friend who was is law school who dropped out to move in with the grandmother to care for her. The family had a meeting and determined how much every family member needed to pay monthly to support her and her grandmother, and she stepped up and moved across the state to live with and care for the grandmother for her final 3 years. Every family member paid what they could, and there was never a though of asking for public assistance. Family first, then church, then community. thsas 2009-09-28T16:06:19Z Pinelli comment-14562 2009-09-28T15:05:04Z 2009-09-28T15:05:04Z As a former IHSS caregiver, I quit working a "real" job that had potential for development to care for an elderly relative 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, who was incontinent, bed-bound and had dementia. This "job" wasn't going to get me "up a career ladder." Yes, I wish I could have afforded the expenses myself, but I take pride in the fact that I was able to save the state thousands of dollars a month by avoiding moving this relative to a Medi-care paid nursing home. I was nowhere near compensated enough for the work I did, as I was only paid for 40 hours a week, and had almost NO institutional nor medical support. The portrayal of these workers as cheats is highly offensive--they work harder than most state government workers do. Pinelli 2009-09-28T15:05:04Z emperor comment-14539 2009-09-28T05:50:08Z 2009-09-28T05:50:08Z Most of the family members I know who receive money from IHSS, work many more hours than they get paid for. And yes, there is evidence, as well as plain old common sense, that relatives can't be at home caring for an aging parent or disabled child and work at the same time. If you do really know of these fraudulent cases you describe, why haven't you reported them to the authorities? emperor 2009-09-28T05:50:08Z sonofsacto comment-14528 2009-09-26T23:11:15Z 2009-09-26T23:11:15Z I was more than a little disappointed in the statement that the Sacramento County Grand Jury "substantiated" Gov. Schwarzenegger's wild claims of "massive" fraud in the IHSS program. It did no such thing. The Grand Jury report, like the governor's statements, was heavy on heated remarks but lacked actual statistical proof to back up the claim of widespread fraud. It's also relevant that district attorneys help guide the "findings" of Grand Juries. Since Sacramento County DA Jan Scully is a vocal supporter of the governor's so-called "anti-fraud" campaign, it isn't surprising that her Grand Jury came out with such a report. Every piece of documented statistical evidence we've seen shows the actual rate of IHSS fraud to be no more than one to two percent. Now any instance of such fraud is wrong and should be investigated and punished. But that doesn't make it riight for the governor and Ms. Scully, among others, to brand hundreds of thousands of our most vulnerable citizens and the people who serve them as fraud criminals. sonofsacto 2009-09-26T23:11:15Z chal70 comment-14527 2009-09-26T20:09:23Z 2009-09-26T20:09:23Z Even with marginal wage improvements in some counties over the last decade, this is still a profession which attracts too few to meet the need. This is why family members often are the only help available, especially in the vast rural portions of our state. They also know the needs better, and ease issues based around intimate aspects like bathing and bowel/bladder requirements. One of the original purposes when formed under Gov. Reagan was to provide some compensation for family members who gave up gainful employment to care for loved ones. Too much of the caustic rhethoric is driven by a governor who dislikes unions, perpetuated by ambitious DAs and a press corp that often wants to sensationalize the worst aspects of a topic, with the result being self-righteous indignation of people who couldn't fathom having to depend on this service to survive. As an IHSS consumer who serves as advocate for 450,000 fellow recipients statewide, I can only say we deserve better than being abandoned or perceived in terms of the lowest common demoninator. chal70 2009-09-26T20:09:23Z Rhys02 comment-14522 2009-09-26T16:16:24Z 2009-09-26T16:16:24Z The real issue is not abuse (although there probably is some) but rather why are taxpayers paying family members what family members are supposed to do already and that is take care of each other. There is little evidence that the IHSS worker is leaving a full time job to take care of an elderly relative. It most cases the family seems to be watching the clock and as soon a grandma hits the magic age... they get themselves hired. It smacks of welfare. Meanwhile, genuinely needy elderly are left to vend for themselves or drift with inadequate support. Rhys02 2009-09-26T16:16:24Z kingofthepaupers comment-14212 2009-09-23T07:32:07Z 2009-09-23T07:32:07Z "Usury, the levying of punitively high interest..." EZEKIEL Ezekiel 3:18 adds responsibility, God states his laws for life with his expected certainty: "And when I tell the wicked man that "You will surely die," You will be held accountable if you don't warn the guy. But if you tell him and he doesn't change his wicked way, You will have saved yourself and he will be the one to pay." In 18:5: "Suppose a man takes not much interest, He takes no usury. He'll live! His actions I have blessed. Suppose he has a son who takes excessive interest, And lends at usury. He'll die! His actions I detest. But if this son too has a son who doesn't do the same, He does not take the pledge for loans, his greed he overcame. He takes no usury nor interest that is too high, He will not die for his father's sin, the soul that sins will die. But if a wicked man turns from the sins he did commit, He gives back what he took in pledge. His sins I will acquit. Forgotten will be his offences when I come to judge, Because of good things he does now, I will not hold a grudge. But if a righteous man turns from my law to evil way, None of his righteous deeds will count. He'll die! I do inveigh. So cleanse yourselves of all your sins and cease to be such fools, I take no pleasure in the death of men who break my rules." Ezekiel declared that usury and interest, Could have a different effect, there was a simple test. If interest demanded is of something that can breed, Such interest is payable and not sin I concede. So if you lend a hundred head and ask to get two more, That might not be excessive lending that He would abhor. But if you gain all of the calves and he still owes you some, That would be judged excessive, that is more than maximum. And if the interest is on some silver or some gold, It's usury because there are no babies to behold! It's interest if principal can breed to multiply, It's usury if principal cannot so classify. From http://johnturmel.com/poembibl.htm kingofthepaupers 2009-09-23T07:32:07Z Robert McKeown comment-14174 2009-09-22T04:09:48Z 2009-09-22T04:09:48Z Thanks for the cool write-up! Overdrawn was shown as part of the Movies on a Big Screen series, and the website is at http://www.moviesonabigscreen.com One of the spots we screen at is The Guild. And yeah - I'm affiliated with MOBS... Robert McKeown 2009-09-22T04:09:48Z Sherry comment-14168 2009-09-22T01:06:57Z 2009-09-22T01:06:57Z At 2:22 pm on Aug 21, 09 the thermometer in this solar cooker read. 340 F . http://cgi.ebay.com/Solar-Cooker-Light-21oz-Camp-Home-Survival-Cooking-Kit_W0QQitemZ350234911256QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item518ba0a218&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14 Sherry 2009-09-22T01:06:57Z scootdiva comment-14160 2009-09-21T18:28:30Z 2009-09-21T18:28:30Z The event was GREAT! If you missed this years, you should make it a point to come out next year, when it will undoubtedly be bigger and better!! WHAT A BLAST!! scootdiva 2009-09-21T18:28:30Z Anthony Bento comment-13628 2009-09-11T19:06:55Z 2009-09-11T19:06:55Z Thanks! Mr. Dumbar was a really intresting person to interview. Anthony Bento 2009-09-11T19:06:55Z Kati Garner comment-13579 2009-09-11T05:00:23Z 2009-09-11T05:00:23Z Good subject of interest!!! Kati Garner 2009-09-11T05:00:23Z patricia4solarcookers comment-13537 2009-09-10T19:25:35Z 2009-09-10T19:25:35Z This idea has been around longer than the 1970s. In fact, Augustine Mouchot, a frenchman, made a portable solar cooker for Napoleon's troops in the French Foreign Legion in 1877. There is an even earlier use of the concept recorded, when in 1767, Horace de Saussure, (another Frenchman!), heated soup in an insulated box covered by layers of glass. patricia4solarcookers 2009-09-10T19:25:35Z Anthony Bento comment-13426 2009-09-07T23:21:10Z 2009-09-07T23:21:10Z thanks! check out www.anthonybento.com, my website. i've posted photos from the event there Anthony Bento 2009-09-07T23:21:10Z visualwest comment-13424 2009-09-07T20:35:17Z 2009-09-07T20:35:17Z Great photos. Wish they were bigger. visualwest 2009-09-07T20:35:17Z Sonia Lucyga comment-13185 2009-09-03T07:52:01Z 2009-09-03T07:52:01Z GREAT photos, as usual. Sonia Lucyga 2009-09-03T07:52:01Z Sonia Lucyga comment-13184 2009-09-03T07:51:14Z 2009-09-03T07:51:14Z 10,000!!? That's awesome. Nice background, weird to think of it at Jesuit when it sounds/looks like a big deal affair. Sonia Lucyga 2009-09-03T07:51:14Z lwood comment-12935 2009-08-31T18:03:30Z 2009-08-31T18:03:30Z are you kidding?!?! maybe if you stop eating the cardboard box you're living in, you'd know good pizza. get a life. FYI - i knew Joe Serna well and Phil is carrying on his vision. lwood 2009-08-31T18:03:30Z Anthony Bento comment-12807 2009-08-28T22:42:00Z 2009-08-28T22:42:00Z Even though the devices have been around for decades, there's a lack of knowledge out there when it comes to solar cooking. I admit I was skeptical at first, but the solar cookers do really work! I'm not sure about the scalability of the production of solar cookers, but I'd imagine the solar cooker would be like most other items; the more we produce, the cheaper each unit gets. Anthony Bento 2009-08-28T22:42:00Z Kassandra Perlongo comment-12805 2009-08-28T22:28:30Z 2009-08-28T22:28:30Z I am flashing back to my childhood and remembering summer days being 110 and seeing if it was hot enough to cook cookies in a car parked in the sun! Great article, and beautiful pictures by the way. What a great and effective device to be used in third world nations. If this has been around since the 1970s why hasn't this idea really caught on? Is the technology expensive to mass produce? Kassandra Perlongo 2009-08-28T22:28:30Z pumpkinpie comment-12800 2009-08-28T21:41:25Z 2009-08-28T21:41:25Z great article! informative and inspirational. thank you! pumpkinpie 2009-08-28T21:41:25Z Kathleen Haley comment-12793 2009-08-28T16:14:34Z 2009-08-28T16:14:34Z I want to eat those cookies! Kathleen Haley 2009-08-28T16:14:34Z The Parrhesiac comment-12591 2009-08-26T07:14:05Z 2009-08-26T07:14:05Z I would definitely lose this contest, I wouldn't eat one piece, even if it was free...Luigi's pizza is the nastiest pizza I've ever had, cardboard tastes better. My kids LOVE pizza....they spit it out and refused to eat it. The Parrhesiac 2009-08-26T07:14:05Z The Parrhesiac comment-12648 2009-08-26T07:10:08Z 2009-08-26T07:10:08Z Yes, but that is not why he is an empty suit. The Parrhesiac 2009-08-26T07:10:08Z William Burg comment-12629 2009-08-25T22:30:21Z 2009-08-25T22:30:21Z that's right...isn't Phil Serna on the list of "strong mayor" initiative supporters, too? William Burg 2009-08-25T22:30:21Z