Federal contract workers strike in DC for 5th time

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVv8Ey7Q4aDi4h1ZzFgQd1IY4Oez0vcCuMWiWlQ_0E39KexcV9JCJ7lTEQ1d044afW2_0TWZs7fnnMEDYYshheTjhRAT-mVF6fWBKR2tILyLJ3dEUEtJFqrBPWkpgOggn1EQSEOg0zX4Tk/s1600/march+good+jobs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVv8Ey7Q4aDi4h1ZzFgQd1IY4Oez0vcCuMWiWlQ_0E39KexcV9JCJ7lTEQ1d044afW2_0TWZs7fnnMEDYYshheTjhRAT-mVF6fWBKR2tILyLJ3dEUEtJFqrBPWkpgOggn1EQSEOg0zX4Tk/s400/march+good+jobs.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marching down Pennsylvania Ave. today.</td></tr></tbody></table>Cleaning and concession workers went on strike today in Washington, D.C., demanding an end to wage theft and retaliation for trying to form a union. Organizers said it was the biggest one-day strike yet.<br /><br />The striking workers serve food or clean Union Station, Smithsonian Museums and the Ronald Reagan Building and Old Post Office -- all owned by the federal government. This is the fifth one-day walkout since May by employees of federal government contractors.  Their actions already spurred a Department of Labor investigation into their allegations of wage theft, and outspoken support from 17 progressive members of Congress.<br /><br />Today they rallied at Freedom Plaza, then marched to the White House where six workers delivered petitions signed by 250,000 people. The <a href="http://www.aflcio.org/Blog/Political-Action-Legislation/Low-Wage-Federal-Contract-Workers-to-Strike-Today">petitions</a> asked for an executive order requiring federal contractors be given preference for providing decent pay and benefits.<br /><br />Paying workers more money wouldn't cost taxpayers a dime more, according to a <a href="http://www.demos.org/news/time-roll-back-760k-contractor-salary-cap" rel="nofollow">Demos</a> report released today. The think tank figures that capping contractor executive salaries at $230,700 a year -- Vice President Joe Biden's salary -- that would <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/09/25/2677071/federal-contracts-send-billions-of-dollars-to-ceos-but-pay-workers-a-poverty-wage/" rel="nofollow">save as much as $7.65 billion annually</a>.<br /><br />In the past month, <a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2013/08/LA-port-drivers-strike-electrifies-workers.html" rel="nofollow">port truck drivers</a> hoping to join the <a href="http://teamster.org/" rel="nofollow">Teamsters</a> walked off the job; so did<a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/08/29/fast-food-workers-strike-for-higher-pay-in-nearly-60-cities/2726815/" rel="nofollow"> fast-food workers in 60 cities</a>, and 68 people were arrested across the country in nonviolent protests of <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/05/walmart-protesters-arrested_n_3873791.html" rel="nofollow">Walmart's retaliation against workers</a>. Josh Eidelson at <a href="http://www.salon.com/2013/09/24/federal_workers_to_strike_march_on_white_house_wednesday/singleton/" rel="nofollow">Salon</a> reports on the growing support for one-day strikes.<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">Their effort exemplifies twin trends in the modern, embattled labor movement. First, <a href="http://www.salon.com/2013/08/29/largest_fast_food_strike_ever_today_50_cities_will_be_affected/">the rise</a> of one-day, non-union strikes by minorities of the workforce, designed to embarrass bosses and engage co-workers and the public. And second, new campaigns that sidestep workers’ legal employer — whether a fast food franchisee, a warehouse company hired by Wal-Mart, or a federal contractor — and instead attempt to squeeze the “<a href="http://www.salon.com/2013/07/22/guest_workers_may_foretell_grim_future_of_american_labor_partner/">real boss</a>”: the fast food corporation, the retail giant or the president of the United States...</blockquote>President Obama has signed an executive order that bans federal contractors from billing the government for union busters.<br /><br />Find out more at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GoodJobsNation?ref=br_tf" rel="nofollow">Good Jobs Nation Facebook page</a>. <br /><br />

federal contractor employees low-wage workers strike Federal contract workers strike in DC for 5th time

Marching down Pennsylvania Ave. today. Cleaning and concession workers went on strike today in Washington, D.C., demanding an end to wage th...

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This is what we union THUGGs do at Farm Aid

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEe3cjnTTuBdJ6bAwB43CpAt8RLWTYJuJAUSr2US1k6L8lq_PWGMBegtzsVEkfjIBjUcP7LiTm0GhI4Y6KUv61nBNbAcxzNmmV-KiT4kRbtuZrnFChoOa1VZIqGepk_ovymf9YusozJwg7/s1600/Local+294+group+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEe3cjnTTuBdJ6bAwB43CpAt8RLWTYJuJAUSr2US1k6L8lq_PWGMBegtzsVEkfjIBjUcP7LiTm0GhI4Y6KUv61nBNbAcxzNmmV-KiT4kRbtuZrnFChoOa1VZIqGepk_ovymf9YusozJwg7/s400/Local+294+group+shot.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Local 294 members enjoying the show while Jack Johnson was joined by Willie's Son Lukas Nelson.<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table>We volunteer to transport equipment and musicians to and from the concert.<br /><br />For the past two decades, Teamsters have volunteered at <a href="http://www.farmaid.org/site/c.qlI5IhNVJsE/b.2723605/k.C7B8/Concert.htm" rel="nofollow">Farm Aid concerts</a>, providing transportation for the artists and equipment, and for any other requests that come up. This year, members of <a href="http://www.teamsterslocal294.org/">Teamsters Local 294</a>, led by President John Bulgaro, in Albany did the honors for the 11-hour festival on Saturday.<br /><br />“Who knows the local area better than local drivers?” said John Hasley, a retired Teamster carhauler and member of <a href="http://teamstersonline.com/forums/illinois-teamsters-locals/29868-teamsters-local-710-a.html" rel="nofollow">Teamsters Local 710</a> in the Chicago area and Teamsters Local 299 in Detroit. Hasley has attended 16 Farm Aid concerts. He takes the photos of Teamsters volunteering at the event and, of course, the performers.<br /><br />“This year was excellent and the venue was extraordinary,” Hasley said of Saratoga Springs, New York. “The highlight was 94-year-old Pete Seeger’s performance.”<br /><br />The annual <a href="http://www.farmaid.org/site/c.qlI5IhNVJsE/b.2723595/k.EE67/Family_Farmers_Good_Food_A_Better_America.htm">Farm Aid</a> concert has raised $43 million to help family farmers. This year's concert in upstate New York  featured the three founders of Farm Aid -- Neil Young, Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp -- along with board member Dave Matthews. According to the <a href="http://www.farmaid.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=qlI5IhNVJsE&b=2792875&ct=13315251&notoc=1" rel="nofollow">Farm Aid press statement</a>, they:<br /><div><blockquote class="tr_bq">...emphasized the critical responsibility of businesses, policymakers — and everyone who eats — to help grow the Good Food Movement. More than 25,000 fans attended the sold-out event, hosted at Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) in Saratoga Springs, N. Y. </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">"Every time we eat, we determine the direction of our food system," said Nelson, president and founder of Farm Aid. "Farmers are doing their part. When we all stand with them and do our part, we can bring about change that's good for all of us."</blockquote><div><div><a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/neil-young-covers-tim-hardins-reason-to-believe-at-farm-aid-20130923" rel="nofollow">Rolling Stone</a> reported: </div><blockquote class="tr_bq">Farm Aid was founded in 1985 by Willie Nelson after he heard Bob Dylan's impromptu comment at Live Aid that some of the money raised should be used to help farmers pay their mortgages. The line incensed Live Aid co-founder Bob Geldof (who felt it was off-message and trivial when compared to the famine in Ethiopia), but Nelson felt differently; just a few months later, he held the first Farm Aid in Champaign, Illinois. </blockquote><div>Watch Neil Young's performance of "Reason To Believe" <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/neil-young-covers-tim-hardins-reason-to-believe-at-farm-aid-20130923">here</a>, Pete Seeger sing "This Land Is Your Land" <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/neil-young-dave-matthews-jack-johnson-triumph-at-soggy-farm-aid-20130922">here</a> and John Mellencamp sing "Jack and Diane" <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gllba3woY9k&list=SPNVdgfOEXnVpf5l47WdOvI48kCubWNXmx" rel="nofollow">here</a>. (Or watch Farm Aid's whole youtube channel <a href="http://www.youtube.com/farmaid" rel="nofollow">here</a>.)<br /><br />And remember, "THUGGs" stands for Those Helpful Union Guys and Gals.<br /><br /></div></div></div>

Farm Aid thuggs This is what we union THUGGs do at Farm Aid

Local 294 members enjoying the show while Jack Johnson was joined by Willie's Son Lukas Nelson.   We volunteer to transport equipment an...

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Angel, Irish And Wirecutter At The Beach, The Early Years

Shameless little tart, ain't she?<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgipcc06BUxc8mHvCCEvc-WK2hwYWvWGT1mKX8TA7A96WbEDzwwZeQVdo4dh4WsIuvXZzwn0qVVydnGE6UPIzVPpKnryJ-bSkowJu-zgaWTCnQ8fI0C6qvdJowtQyke1qyHNb94ZgCymM/s1600/101791104288FF9A.png" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgipcc06BUxc8mHvCCEvc-WK2hwYWvWGT1mKX8TA7A96WbEDzwwZeQVdo4dh4WsIuvXZzwn0qVVydnGE6UPIzVPpKnryJ-bSkowJu-zgaWTCnQ8fI0C6qvdJowtQyke1qyHNb94ZgCymM/s640/101791104288FF9A.png" /></a>

Angel, Irish And Wirecutter At The Beach, The Early Years

Shameless little tart, ain't she?

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Susan Murphy — MacArthur Foundation

<base href="data:"><div style="text-align: left; "><p style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); position: static; z-index: auto; ">Susan Murphy is a statistician developing new methodologies to evaluate courses of treatment for individuals coping with chronic or relapsing disorders such as depression or substance abuse. In contrast to the treatment of acute illness, where clinicians make a single decision about treatment, doctors treating chronic ailments make a sequence of decisions over time about the best therapeutic approach based on the current state of a patient, the stage of the disease, and the individual's response to prior treatments.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Murphy has developed a formal model of this decision-making process and an innovative design for clinical trials that allow researchers to test the efficacy of adaptive interventions. While the standard clinical trial paradigm simply tests and compares "one shot" treatments in a defined population, Murphy's Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial (SMART) is a means for learning how best to dynamically adapt treatment to each individual's response over time. Using SMART, clinicians assess and modify patients' treatments during the trial, an approach with potential applications in the treatment of a range of chronic diseases—such as ADHD, alcoholism, drug addiction, HIV/AIDS, and cardiovascular disease—that involve therapies that are regularly reconsidered and replaced as the disease progresses.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">As Murphy continues to refine adaptive interventions, she is working to increase opportunities for implementation in clinical settings through collaborations with medical researchers, clinicians, and computer scientists focused on sequential decision making. By translating statistical theory into powerful tools for evaluating and tailoring complex medical therapies, Murphy is poised to have a significant impact on the field of personalized medicine, an area of great activity in biomedical research today.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); position: static; z-index: auto; ">Susan Murphy received a B.S. (1980) from Louisiana State University and a Ph.D. (1989) from the University of North Carolina. She was affiliated with Pennsylvania State University (1989–1997) prior to her appointment to the faculty of the <a href="http://www.lsa.umich.edu/stats/people/faculty/ci.murphysusana_ci.detail" style="color: rgb(0, 155, 219); text-decoration: none; ">University of Michigan</a>, where she is currently the H. E. Robbins Professor of Statistics, a professor in the Department of Psychiatry, and a research professor in the Institute for Social Research. She is also a principal investigator at the <a href="http://methodology.psu.edu/people/smurphy" style="color: rgb(0, 155, 219); text-decoration: none; ">Methodology Center</a> of Pennsylvania State University.</p></div><a href="http://www.macfound.org/fellows/898/">http://www.macfound.org/fellows/898/</a><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; color: black; text-align: left; "><br class="webkit-block-placeholder"></div>

Susan Murphy — MacArthur Foundation

Susan Murphy is a statistician developing new methodologies to evaluate courses of treatment for individuals coping with chronic or relapsin...

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Julie Livingston — MacArthur Foundation

<base href="data:"><div style="text-align: left; "><p style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Julie Livingston is a medical historian who combines archival research with ethnography to explore the care and treatment of individuals suffering from chronic illnesses and debilitating ailments in Botswana, a middle-income country with a system of universal health care. Drawing on her interdisciplinary training in anthropology and public health, Livingston augments the history of medicine with a history of emotions, spotlighting the bodily vulnerability of populations facing the challenges of twenty-first-century political and economic development.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Her descriptions of the adaptive responses of caregivers and communities in <a href="http://www.iupress.indiana.edu/product_info.php?products_id=22226" style="color: rgb(0, 155, 219); text-decoration: none; "><em style="font-style: italic; ">Debility and the Moral Imagination in Botswana</em></a> (2005) illuminates how traditional healing and caregiving practices have been reshaped and reconfigured by regional political and economic dislocation and Western biomedical ideas and techniques. In <em style="font-style: italic; "><a href="https://www.dukeupress.edu/Improvising-Medicine/" style="color: rgb(0, 155, 219); text-decoration: none; ">Improvising Medicine: An African Oncology Ward in an Emerging Cancer Epidemic</a> </em>(2012), Livingston tracks Botswana's rapidly emerging cancer epidemic by documenting the daily medical ordeals of patients and caregivers in the country's public oncology ward. On this stage, European and African doctors and African nurses improvise with patients and their relatives to treat horrific wounds, manage acute pain, and mediate terminal illness in the face of language barriers, cultural differences, inadequate staffing, obsolete equipment and technologies, and limited supplies of critical resources.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">By unflinchingly detailing an over-extended medical infrastructure and the families and health care providers who navigate it, Livingston exposes the limits of biomedicine and the unlikelihood that technology alone will fix health issues in Africa or anywhere else. Such in-depth examination of physical impairment and terminal disability is challenging global health partners to address a very real but largely ignored crisis of care in Africa, and Livingston is poised to begin a new project about suicide in New York City that promises additional fresh and enduring insights into pressing public health concerns.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); position: static; z-index: auto; ">Julie Livingston received a B.A. (1989) from Tufts University, an M.A. (1992) and M.P.H. (1993) from Boston University, and a Ph.D. (2001) from Emory University. She was affiliated with the Federated History Department of the New Jersey Institute of Technology and Rutgers University, Newark (2002–2003), before joining the faculty of Rutgers University, New Brunswick, in 2003, where she is a professor in the Department of History. She is the co-editor of <em style="font-style: italic; ">Three Shots at Prevention: The HPV Vaccine and the Politics of Medicine's Simple Solutions</em> (2010), as well as numerous articles and book chapters.</p></div><a href="http://www.macfound.org/fellows/895/">http://www.macfound.org/fellows/895/</a><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; color: black; text-align: left; "><br class="webkit-block-placeholder"></div>

Julie Livingston — MacArthur Foundation

Julie Livingston is a medical historian who combines archival research with ethnography to explore the care and treatment of individuals suf...

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Jeffrey Brenner — MacArthur Foundation

<base href="data:"><div style="font-size: 14px; color: black; text-align: left; ">J<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; ">effrey Brenner is a primary care physician creating a health care delivery model to meet the medical and social service needs of the most vulnerable citizens in impoverished communities. Determined to improve the lives of the sickest residents of Camden, New Jersey—one of America's poorest cities—Brenner constructed a searchable database and geographic mapping of discharge data from all patients at Camden's hospitals and discovered that a very small number of patients consumed a large share of the overall costs of health care and social supports.</span></div><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">To address this issue, Brenner established the <a href="http://www.camdenhealth.org/" style="color: rgb(0, 155, 219); text-decoration: none; ">Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers</a>, bringing together doctors in community-based private practices, frontline hospital staff, and social workers across the city to participate in a strategy of comprehensive preventive and primary care. He designed a system that delivers daily information about hospitalizations to the Coalition and members of Care Management Teams. Each team is made up of a registered nurse, one or two licensed practical nurses, a health coach, and a social worker to support and help coordinate care for patients with complex medical, and often social, issues.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Brenner has demonstrated that using this model of cooperative care—identifying and visiting high-risk patients, earning their trust, offering access to clinical services, heading off medical complications before they occur, addressing social needs before they become medical problems—can reduce repeated emergency room visits and hospitalizations and lower health care costs. Currently working with ten communities across the country, including Allentown, Pennsylvania; Aurora, Colorado; Kansas City, Missouri; and San Diego, California, on developing sustainable and accountable care systems based on the Camden model, Brenner's collaborative approach to health care delivery is an important contribution to the national conversation on health care reform.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Jeffrey Brenner received a B.S. (1990) from Vassar College and an M.D. (1995) from Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, and he completed his residency in family medicine at the Swedish Health Center in Seattle, Washington (1995–1998). In addition to serving as executive director of the Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers since its founding in 2003, Brenner is the medical director of the <a href="http://blogs.cooperhealth.org/foundation/2013/04/urban-health-institute-receives-1m-nicholson-foundation-grant/" style="color: rgb(0, 155, 219); text-decoration: none; ">Urban Health Institute</a> at the Cooper University Healthcare and on the faculty of the Cooper Medical School at Rowan University.</p><a href="http://www.macfound.org/fellows/886/">http://www.macfound.org/fellows/886/</a><div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; color: black; text-align: left; "><br class="webkit-block-placeholder"></div></div>

Jeffrey Brenner — MacArthur Foundation

J effrey Brenner is a primary care physician creating a health care delivery model to meet the medical and social service needs of the most ...

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Blue Ridge Heritage: Polly -- growing up in the shadow of Shenandoah National Park

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA26jEw1B1nJ6ThYfFtXYZK-aJ81v6NDVqrg8G2GgzyLL-YrKvU6iAY0s1MBzC9SDuWd_XKtglvqcCSdbTJl63CmZ_UYh2Gdj5UKW3Rv_24blAYXSjcsUZ7SpfycAC0aRqMrK84Gz72xRp/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA26jEw1B1nJ6ThYfFtXYZK-aJ81v6NDVqrg8G2GgzyLL-YrKvU6iAY0s1MBzC9SDuWd_XKtglvqcCSdbTJl63CmZ_UYh2Gdj5UKW3Rv_24blAYXSjcsUZ7SpfycAC0aRqMrK84Gz72xRp/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Polly looks from Big Meadows Lodge over the valley where she grew up</i>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJ9jL6yXvdJa8xx1s0otoLOLmqYNAK6t5a3xy6o_3yfoOdYquWvYVWzSX2Qh8GR2_JsWAVMKSnn_3GD4ZROW_AmXzLMFSnBMUX1psiT2E5l099p497oym6-KE_0JhaqaPoYz4vVLinCBb/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJ9jL6yXvdJa8xx1s0otoLOLmqYNAK6t5a3xy6o_3yfoOdYquWvYVWzSX2Qh8GR2_JsWAVMKSnn_3GD4ZROW_AmXzLMFSnBMUX1psiT2E5l099p497oym6-KE_0JhaqaPoYz4vVLinCBb/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>It was hazy on the warm September day that we visited Shenandoah National Park.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdtiZpKwrH6uMdiQQCHY2pJFm-LGWnEKRAuw9_0sasM0Bdmsef4pb1rcVE0Qsc65GD2PAFco1H5yrts-WMQSUWGQlRWs3XZX5qjTlsC3uwsVQhz_1FUt48kDL6mv-QJXXl8VhkHEGG9JKp/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdtiZpKwrH6uMdiQQCHY2pJFm-LGWnEKRAuw9_0sasM0Bdmsef4pb1rcVE0Qsc65GD2PAFco1H5yrts-WMQSUWGQlRWs3XZX5qjTlsC3uwsVQhz_1FUt48kDL6mv-QJXXl8VhkHEGG9JKp/s400/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The Great Room of Big Meadows Lodge.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGyaoFGMoMWienCVp6cJ7RnhPPeQOvvGaSFZqwD5u9ES83DyS7oG1mUFfibVjoksm-MYAIh06B_G-O6YBNX6Lvss2KBRuiKTBxHzv5eA5w1_Ev_fqX1Eo1VyZt9ShlTQsvT8rx4pP_oPKK/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGyaoFGMoMWienCVp6cJ7RnhPPeQOvvGaSFZqwD5u9ES83DyS7oG1mUFfibVjoksm-MYAIh06B_G-O6YBNX6Lvss2KBRuiKTBxHzv5eA5w1_Ev_fqX1Eo1VyZt9ShlTQsvT8rx4pP_oPKK/s400/4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT9Srbh8zuyuP56XvOTotlkcJUmBJJOOjbbUTvb7MeC0zatnWSWDKWyg3KhyPYGa_NevemgodPeSGKClk2NrSj1qVQ2b-X7YSmi13DAJqLM9rD6EuRArhQXw4mLiAY2ac_NAW0NwKLVi_o/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT9Srbh8zuyuP56XvOTotlkcJUmBJJOOjbbUTvb7MeC0zatnWSWDKWyg3KhyPYGa_NevemgodPeSGKClk2NrSj1qVQ2b-X7YSmi13DAJqLM9rD6EuRArhQXw4mLiAY2ac_NAW0NwKLVi_o/s400/5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The terrace overlooks the Page Valley and is a good place to sit and enjoy mountain breezes.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEionN6aFEsQ37FtdrNAmmO8M7dPuP1CDOSPm8K5v50n9iNprJcZlowK5_k7k3hQ4FmlFsX0eBPYT5n5-RDbCC0yY20cxTKeWz5QhGBMqrrmyZyT5jU4Xx1T12hnb7lBMhOB11MvF49I-vNc/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEionN6aFEsQ37FtdrNAmmO8M7dPuP1CDOSPm8K5v50n9iNprJcZlowK5_k7k3hQ4FmlFsX0eBPYT5n5-RDbCC0yY20cxTKeWz5QhGBMqrrmyZyT5jU4Xx1T12hnb7lBMhOB11MvF49I-vNc/s400/6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWj1DruNzI3iSsAMlow7JCbUdFYwSIhDjksZ0iAq53Uuzk3QlSpQLY9hCFWWQ8sX6zFlYx027y-0_CWcJPoq4yy3R7b-2MQ145ERrERO7Z9KpBxUmcII1XCBCU2fmmFhkNKs9PGvwxrYS/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWj1DruNzI3iSsAMlow7JCbUdFYwSIhDjksZ0iAq53Uuzk3QlSpQLY9hCFWWQ8sX6zFlYx027y-0_CWcJPoq4yy3R7b-2MQ145ERrERO7Z9KpBxUmcII1XCBCU2fmmFhkNKs9PGvwxrYS/s400/7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgRGtghpw8AvTtPMVng_oK_e9NWoVF00ner-byif_WB4JD2TFK2VoQ0Pbh6VFJU21vusw3yDiQlSH9vsARx5TODDE-9j_16-tbAmyPdy9_G_pxhVRMw8HxhJcFV8uixyvd0XpRYC1aJIHu/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgRGtghpw8AvTtPMVng_oK_e9NWoVF00ner-byif_WB4JD2TFK2VoQ0Pbh6VFJU21vusw3yDiQlSH9vsARx5TODDE-9j_16-tbAmyPdy9_G_pxhVRMw8HxhJcFV8uixyvd0XpRYC1aJIHu/s400/8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The dining room doors were open to let cooling mountain breezes in while we ate lunch.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSE8p3yPm7bHiOkABEOYDiPm6ES_dpSUU1hrBCOgBO4Ud2N-1-0pdjJDVYmN9-oi21NQaZb8OIictTrwG9wNQ6FFgIu1EkFHXO0Q01mRXAxFapwxRxZ7KSfW5KX8FzfxI3QiGkR4OmDpTQ/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSE8p3yPm7bHiOkABEOYDiPm6ES_dpSUU1hrBCOgBO4Ud2N-1-0pdjJDVYmN9-oi21NQaZb8OIictTrwG9wNQ6FFgIu1EkFHXO0Q01mRXAxFapwxRxZ7KSfW5KX8FzfxI3QiGkR4OmDpTQ/s400/9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The white oak basket making class was meeting as we ate lunch. The next class is Thursday, September 26, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., as local basket artisan Clyde Jenkins shares his talent of basket making with techniques handed down through the generations. Beginners to intermediate, price of $50 per person includes all materials to make one basket. Reservations suggested. 877.847-1919. Here's the listing of <a href="http://www.goshenandoah.com/Calendar.aspx">other activities</a> at Big Meadows and Skyland.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKAcBRSLm_ph_z2mBkXB7BtKccC3XzkhrRhgEjFrvjAFICx1tiHambljjiJ0Legv8hPKbMUhEN2GiUIEh6kVEQlgGoUagAShEtb8Rhcmf2pgPsEIDQiyUvkeGeezEJtFOQjpxq2QDxsXGr/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKAcBRSLm_ph_z2mBkXB7BtKccC3XzkhrRhgEjFrvjAFICx1tiHambljjiJ0Legv8hPKbMUhEN2GiUIEh6kVEQlgGoUagAShEtb8Rhcmf2pgPsEIDQiyUvkeGeezEJtFOQjpxq2QDxsXGr/s400/10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The heat from this fireplace feels good on cold days.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0D7dLx2GL7QjpcK1bEF-ejS29fAuEhJjHtnHgxJupcCxSftJn1PeqnsSZ1FPb4tpCk8gFupD4ZhWuypslH3lDBr9zD7CPgBrvOouKh8Im6lqaoyhlkOl_DclTERUrSCz2pJFoWHWo0WdO/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0D7dLx2GL7QjpcK1bEF-ejS29fAuEhJjHtnHgxJupcCxSftJn1PeqnsSZ1FPb4tpCk8gFupD4ZhWuypslH3lDBr9zD7CPgBrvOouKh8Im6lqaoyhlkOl_DclTERUrSCz2pJFoWHWo0WdO/s400/11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GcO5BtRehpUHlCNupF9imeuRVTN6sGbCPHYJpp2CEH44FiWUE6hQSPnoBDvN2bGGJHmB_Cma0ZYv-EU6u-k78xpZRG8ov5sgGJc3SyHfH9RoYOfOdmCVM6Nw_7KMywiMBYJUp58dg6UM/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GcO5BtRehpUHlCNupF9imeuRVTN6sGbCPHYJpp2CEH44FiWUE6hQSPnoBDvN2bGGJHmB_Cma0ZYv-EU6u-k78xpZRG8ov5sgGJc3SyHfH9RoYOfOdmCVM6Nw_7KMywiMBYJUp58dg6UM/s400/12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkU28cLNHPIhwV_2SBfwzHFisjd7dhk3Ve3cMz4RHATWWxyT-MPKX3DXCtst08yG3OHMwbkjyPmkkRoO9-I4MVAG1lWb5VPz_l-n1bY1hMZH-3eIMJlxdFfd3Sb3aOkrPUy4_8nlJeiIM/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkU28cLNHPIhwV_2SBfwzHFisjd7dhk3Ve3cMz4RHATWWxyT-MPKX3DXCtst08yG3OHMwbkjyPmkkRoO9-I4MVAG1lWb5VPz_l-n1bY1hMZH-3eIMJlxdFfd3Sb3aOkrPUy4_8nlJeiIM/s400/13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The gift shop sells local wines, post cards, SNP clothing, snacks, Christmas ornaments, and more.</i></div><br />I once said of <a href="http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2008/06/talking-over-iced-tea-with-living.html">Paul Galanti</a> that I was talking over iced tea with living history. Recently I broke bread <i>and</i> had iced tea with a walking, talking pint-sized history book.<br /><br />Polly Yager Campbell is a bundle of energy in a small package, and she's no pushover. Youthful for her age with a memory as sharp as a tack, she knows the land around Shenandoah National Park like the back of her hand. She should. She grew up at the foot of the mountain beneath Big Meadows Lodge in Page County. She is a Virginian from a long line of Virginians. The Yager family migrated to Virginia in 1717 and settled in "Germanna Colony," an area on the eastern side of the Blue Ridge Mountains. <br /><br />On an exceptionally warm day for September 12th, Polly and I met in Elkton, and drove up Rt. 33 to Skyline Drive. Our destination was lunch at <a href="http://www.goshenandoah.com/Big-Meadows-Lodge.aspx">Big Meadows Lodge</a>. <br /><br />At Milespost 51, we turned left at the field known as Big Meadows and slowly drove the one mile to the lodge's parking lot, scanning the woods and open areas for wildlife and commenting on the lush green of trees and grasses after an exceptionally wet summer. Perhaps it was the warm temperatures that day but we saw no wildlife in the usual places other than birds. <br /><br />There were a few mid-week visitors. We walked across the parking lot to the lodge that was build in 1939 from stones carved and transported from Massanutten Mountain, a lodge Polly's father helped build in the 1930s. In 1997, this mountain getaway was added to the National Register of Historic Places.<br /><br />Polly and I made our way through the lobby area to the Great Room, pausing to look out the large ceiling-to-floor windows overlooking the valley, and then stepped outside onto the flagstone terrace that extends along the entire length of the valley side of the building.<br /><br />A haze caused by the late summer heat partially hid the Page Valley below as Polly and I stood at the terrace railing and gazed over the tree tops, searching for landmarks. Polly smiled as a memory came to mind and shared that, as a child, she could look up the mountain at night and see the lights from the Lodge. Wow, I thought ... can you imagine growing up and being able to see Big Meadows Lodge?<br /><br />The cool mountain breeze rustled her hair as she stared into the valley thinking about her childhood on land in Page County that had been in the Yager family for five generations. As she shared more memories, I couldn't help but wish there was a way to record her thoughts. They are a part of her ... but they are also a part of the history of Virginia, the park, and the mountains. <br /><br />She spoke of her family -- father, grandfather, mother, grandmother, and siblings. She talked about tragic events and family members who had passed on. She remembered the seasons -- October is her favorite time of the year and the month of her birth -- and being caught in a big snowstorm once while at Skyland with her husband, eventually escaping before they became snowed in.<br /><br />She talked of traveling the back mountain roads, and told about a time when her uncle had driven to pick up her dad at Big Meadows. They met a truck approaching from the opposite direction in the middle of the narrow, steep road and, when they tried to pass, their car hit the soft, unstable shoulder, causing the vehicle to tumble over the side of the mountain. Polly was inside with her mother and siblings. With a quiet chuckle, she said two little saplings stopped the free-fall or they would have gone all the way to the bottom. She was calm in the retelling ... no, no one was seriously hurt, she said, although they were shaken and bruised when the backseat came loose, as the car rolled over, and all the tools fell on their heads.  She was holding her baby sister on her lap, and her arms were still wrapped tightly around her when the car came to a stop, and she was able to climb out. Her mother had a broken arm. So there were occasions when vehicles went over the mountainsides, I asked. Oh, yes, she replied, and it sounded like something that was more common than not.<br /><br />I could have stood at that railing all day and listened but, after a while, we went inside and walked around the Great Room of the Main Lodge with its rustic chestnut wall paneling and beams, huge stone fireplace, and the bank of paned ceiling-to-floor windows overlooking the Page Valley. Chestnut trees, valued by early settlers for their durability and used for all the wooden interiors of the main lodge, were plentiful in 1939 but, due to disease, are practically extinct these days.<br /><br />Polly's eyes took it all in, sweeping across the room, perhaps remembering her dad in that place looking at his handiwork of decorative chestnut touches or special add-ons. Perhaps she was remembering as a child climbing into one of the rockers that faced the windows overlooking the terrace. Perhaps she was just lost in thought. Only one patron was in the room with his laptop taking advantage of the WiFi, a nod toward the realization that, while visitors enjoy the mountain isolation, they still like their modern electronics.<br /><br />On to the Spotswood dining room, named for Governor Alexander Spottswood who led his Knights of the Golden Horseshoe to explore the area in 1716, a large space with walls of windows, chestnut wood paneling, a huge stone fireplace, and tables with ladder-back chairs that added to the rustic feel. A friendly young man seated us at a window table overlooking the terrace and Polly's valley. Perfect! The breeze coming through the screen door had the faint scent of the outdoors, green like the mountains.<br /><br />We sat across from one another and ordered our meal and then, over glasses of iced tea, the conversation turned to politics. Polly has crossed paths with too many politicians to count so there we were, two political junkies, veterans at the game, eagerly discussing the people, places, and activities of politics at all levels.<br /><br />There was a lot to talk about since we had both been Republican volunteers and members together on the State Central Committee. A long-time volunteer in statewide politics, Polly's blue eyes teared up at the memory of the changes in the party; and her service of 44 years as Secretary of the Republican Party. She also served as Young Republican representative for several years before her election as Secretary. It is evident from talking to her that she is profoundly proud of the commitment of her time and means to the building of the Republican Party and honored by the opportunity to have served and be touched by so many lives. <br /><br />And then her eyes flashed as she recalled more than 50 years of hard work that included countless Republican losses in the early years, remembering when the Democratic candidates would win yet another election and call out to the defeated Republicans, "When you going to give up?" Polly would respond, "There's another election next year." Then she and her colleagues would go back to the drawing board, help recruit more candidates, roll up their sleeves, and get back to work.<br /><br />She paused ... and then smiled at the thought of the jubilant victory in 1970 when <a href="http://www.encyclopediavirginia.org/Holton_A_Linwood_1923-#start_entry" target="_blank">Linwood Holton</a> -- whom she knows and calls Lin -- became the first Republican governor in Virginia in 100 years. That's a long, dry run, and the win whetted Republican appetites for more. It was the beginning of the Republican comeback in Virginia after years of dominance by the Democratic Byrd machine. Those not familiar with Governor Holton may be familiar with his son-in-law ... former Governor and now U.S. Senator Tim Kaine.<br /><br />Polly talked of attending the first ever Republican Advance, as well as subsequent ones, at Ingleside Resort in Augusta County, of seeing George H.W. Bush there when he was running for president, and seeing his sons, George and Jeb, while working of their father's campaign. She smiled at the thought ... they were called the Bushie Boys, she said. We discovered we're both Bush family admirers.<br /><br />I soaked in every word as she shared historical political facts, my brain absorbing it like a sponge. Back in the Byrd days, Republicans were scarce. Polly's family was Republican, and it sometimes affected jobs. Her father was a carpenter, self taught, and worked for the construction company that built Big Meadows and Skyland Lodge. He also helped build the Byrd Visitor Center at the entrance to Big Meadows, a job he was working on in 1965 when, at the age of 59, he died of a heart attack. <br /><br />I shared with Polly that my parents had honeymooned at Big Meadows so, in a sense, our parents' paths had crossed in that historic, rustic resort. Since she had grown up living there, I was all ears, listening, asking questions, and imagining what it must have been like to have Shenandoah National Park right outside your door.<br /><br />For employees of the park who live in the Page Valley, there is a gated gravel road that climbs up the mountain to Skyline Drive just south of Big Meadows. Nowadays, only those with a key can access that shortcut but when Polly was a little girl it was still a public road that ran beside her house. In 1936 when she was about five or six years old, she and her family walked the five miles up that mountain road to attend the dedication of Shenandoah National Park. The ceremony, attended by President Franklin Roosevelt as well as other dignitaries and many visitors and locals, took place in the big meadow. She didn't know it then but President Roosevelt was the first of many high-ranking politicians she would rub elbows with in her lifetime.<br /><br />Spending time with Polly was a reminder of how much things have changed during her 50 years in politics -- from not winning, to that first taste of sweet victory, to today. She was a Republican pioneer at a time when the GOP began to effectively chisel into the long time Democratically-controlled government.<br /><br />We finished our lunch, took one last stroll around the lodge, and finally headed to the car to begin the journey down the Drive and back to Elkton. I left richer for having heard history on several levels, and grateful to know Polly a little better through her window on the world. Her memories are rich and laced with historical facts. They need to be mined -- recorded and heard -- before that generation is gone. <br /><br />Polly and I have a date for lunch at Skyland in October. I can't wait....

Big Meadows Lodge Blue Ridge Mountains Franklin Roosevelt Germanna Colony National Register of Historic Places Page County Polly Yager Campbell Shenandoah National Park Skyland Lodge Skyline Drive Blue Ridge Heritage: Polly -- growing up in the shadow of Shenandoah National Park

Polly looks from Big Meadows Lodge over the valley where she grew up . It was hazy on the warm September day that we visited Shenandoah Nati...

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Charlottesville: Trump Winery's Eric Trump nominated as rising star

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUHlpFC2tJxq4aoegFGXxCbqy63HQMHuoSlpStxvCr8gMQoJnNHNf72KxmwuYqVPKjx4aHv-ZjfxDo71_5-8oC9irM956hE43Q7BaAstABh9Mcyenvp2cO8iZfssRbD_UmOlcpRQpGHsw/s1600/Trump+wine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUHlpFC2tJxq4aoegFGXxCbqy63HQMHuoSlpStxvCr8gMQoJnNHNf72KxmwuYqVPKjx4aHv-ZjfxDo71_5-8oC9irM956hE43Q7BaAstABh9Mcyenvp2cO8iZfssRbD_UmOlcpRQpGHsw/s1600/Trump+wine.jpg" /></a></div><br />There's celebrating going on at the <a href="http://www.trumpwinery.com/">Trump Winery</a>, located in the shadow of Mr. Jefferson's mountain outside Charlottesville, Virginia. Eric Trump, 29-year-old son of famed real estate mogul Donald Trump, familiar face from NBC's "The Apprentice," and president of the winery, is in no danger of hearing the words, "You're fired!" anytime soon. He's up for a prestigious wine industry award.<br /><br />Since acquiring the 1,300-acre vineyards in along the historic Monticello Wine Trail two years ago through the bankruptcy of Patricia Kluge, Trump Winery under the leadership of Eric has defined and perfected the art of marketing a Virginia wine. Distribution now covers twenty states and Trump wines can be found in such unexpected places as the Loft Mountain gift shop in Shenandoah National Park. They also export to three countries.  Along the way they have picked up gold medals and top awards at international wine festivals and even received the highest rating ever of a Virginia wine in early 2013.<br /><br />All that detail has not been missed by those in the industry. He has been nominated by <a href="http://www.winemag.com/"><i>Wine Enthusiast</i> magazine</a> for the 2013 Rising Star award to be presented in January 2014 in New York City.<br /><br />Governor Bob McDonnell, who was at Trump Winery for its grand opening in October 2011, and has been a big supporter of Virginia's wine industry, noted Eric's nomination:<br /><blockquote>“Eric Trump is truly a rising star in the global wine industry and could not be more deserving of Wine Enthusiast's Rising Star Award nomination.  We are very pleased that he and his family decided to invest in Virginia's wine industry.  It was clearly the correct decision for both Eric and the Commonwealth.  In just two short years, Eric has significantly expanded the distribution of Trump wines both nationally and internationally, while elevating the overall integrity of the wines.  I'm confident that Eric and the team at Trump Winery will continue to raise the bar for Virginia wines in the coming years.  I wish him good luck at the award ceremony in January.”</blockquote>Eric's plans are to continue building and widening Trump Winery's reach, <a href="http://www.trumpwinery.com/public/w6507/Press%20Releases/Eric%20Trump%20nominated%20for%20Wine%20Enthusiast%20Wine%20Awards.pdf">commenting</a> on the website:<br /><blockquote>"We're going to continue to grow; we are going to continue to plant vines, we are going to continue to expand our distribution. People love the Trump brand and our wines. They love what we stand for, what we're doing, and most importantly, we're having a lot of fun doing it. There is a lot more to come from Trump Winery."</blockquote>I've said it before and I'll say it again. It's good to have the Trumps in Virginia's wine country.

Blue Ridge Mountains Charlottesville Donald Trump Eric Trump Monticello Wine Trail Rising Star award Thomas Jefferson Trump Winery Virginia wine Wine Enthusiast magazine Charlottesville: Trump Winery's Eric Trump nominated as rising star

There's celebrating going on at the Trump Winery , located in the shadow of Mr. Jefferson's mountain outside Charlottesville, Virgin...

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This Teamster shop steward righted a wrong

<i>Clay Morrison brought justice for a worker who was punished by his employer after he suffered the loss of his child. He is a shop steward for Teamsters <a href="http://www.teamsterslocal1205.org/" rel="nofollow">Local 1205</a> at the Baumann Bus Co. on Long Island.  This is his story, which was published in the Fall 2013 issue of the<a href="http://driveupstandards.org/" rel="nofollow"> Drive Up Standards</a> newsletter. To see his story and others, check out the newsletter <a href="http://www.teamster.org/sites/teamster.org/files/091713SchoolBusNewsFall2013.pdf">here</a>.</i><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaeBPvoUX1fIAU5SkcdTfBHhPlxj2dhD28tlGOADTHzTzziM0zT5k0x_0VMAAWFI77UX9j68_go7brLIjcQJFWyRL4UA_iNQGBv7AQzOxpyfBuNJixVoPwRNTFA8knclnJ0gNq5CjCJieB/s1600/Clay+Morrison+pic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaeBPvoUX1fIAU5SkcdTfBHhPlxj2dhD28tlGOADTHzTzziM0zT5k0x_0VMAAWFI77UX9j68_go7brLIjcQJFWyRL4UA_iNQGBv7AQzOxpyfBuNJixVoPwRNTFA8knclnJ0gNq5CjCJieB/s200/Clay+Morrison+pic.JPG" width="200" /></a>What can a shop steward do outside of the normal grievance process? Can anything be done when an employee is unjustly penalized, even though the company is technically in compliance with the collective bargaining agreement?</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">I am a driver and shop steward at Baumann Bus’s Copiague, N.Y., yard. </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">A driver who had worked at Baumann Bus for 12 years lost his seniority last year. He is an excellent employee and had never been disciplined during his career. </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">He and his family were devastated to learn their son had a rare form of cancer. The son lived in Arizona and the driver wanted to be at his side during his treatment. The company agreed to a leave of absence, but he found he needed to stay in Arizona beyond the approved time frame. </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"> He had exhausted his FMLA. He returned to work as a rehire, with a total loss of seniority. He had hoped the treatment would succeed; however, his son passed away. </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">The employee asked for my help. We did not technically have a case and a grievance was not the route to go. I told him I would help him draft a letter to our union president, Timothy Lynch, describing the situation. </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">This action exceeded our expectations. Timothy felt this was a moral and ethical issue. The penalty to the driver for staying at his child’s bedside was draconian, to say the least. </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">Mr. Lynch, with passion and logic, doggedly pursued the issue with the company. He represented the feelings of hundreds of us, and he did not give up. Within a few months, Baumann restored the seniority. </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">It was a win-win for everyone—the driver, the workers, the union and Mr. Baumann, because he has retained a good employee. </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">I am glad I could help this gentleman by speaking up. You have to right wrongs. For the shop steward, sometimes you just have to take the extra step.</blockquote>

school bus drivers stewards This Teamster shop steward righted a wrong

Clay Morrison brought justice for a worker who was punished by his employer after he suffered the loss of his child. He is a shop steward fo...

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Results In Just A Few Days With Green Coffee Bean Max.

<div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawbyline'>By Marcella Gray</div><br /><br /> <div class='uawarticle'>It has been proven and tested to be a safe and very effective way to help you to lose weight.The green coffee beans themselves have several benefits. They are a natural antioxidant just like green tea and they also contain polyphenols. These help to remove unwanted toxins from the body to help your internal organs to function better. They also contain chlorogenic acid and these really help the liver to process fatty acids more efficiently. This helps to aid weight loss even further.<br /> <br /> Pure Green Coffee Bean Extract promotes Rapid Weight and Fat LossRecent studies on the green coffee bean were published in the Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity Journal followed a test group of 16 adults who used the supplement for 12 weeks. All of the subjects lost 17 pounds each. This happens without doing anything differently. The test group did not diet, or exercise, what they did do was lose pounds fast.<br /> <br /> Green Coffee Bean Max does not have any side effects whatsoever. It is simply filled with natural ingredients that have been proven to give lots of benefits to the body including allowing you to lose weight faster than if you weren't using the product. It will flush out unwanted toxins from the body, giving your internal organs and colon better functioning abilities.So Green Coffee Bean Max has so many benefits that it's almost impossible to ignore it. Why not try a bottle today and see just how much of a big difference it will make to your life.<br /> <br /> This ends up getting stored producing weight gain. But wait, there's more, the chlorogenic acid also boost the metabolism to the point of burning the fat in the liver. This powerhouse working together stops the absorption of fat and cause rapid weight and fat loss.<br /> <br /> You cannot get the same effects from your morning coffee, unfortunately. The Green Coffee Bean extract is not roasted. You do not want it roasted or it would be useless as I stated earlier the chlorogenic Acid would be gone and no weight or fat loss would occur. Here's what you can expect with the Green Coffee Bean Extract<br /> <br /> "Their calories were monitored," Vinson says. They were not put on diets. Calorie intakes stayed about the same during the study. They averaged about 2,400 calories a day -- by no means a weight reduction plan.They burned, on average, about 400 calories a day in physical activity, Vinson says. The study was done in India.The 17-pound loss was the average. Some lost only about 7 pounds; others about 26 pounds.Overall, body weight declined by an average of 10.5%. Body fat declined by 16%.<br /> <br /> The minerals that you may get inside that roasted beans is different then the additional one. And if you are bothering on the correct way you may possibly undertake it, then carry out not despair since you'll definitely not do almost anything except to go over the whole piece. You better know a lot more about green coffee bean extract. <br /> <br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawresource'><br /> <div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawabout'><br /> About the Author:<br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawlinks'>Now you can use<a href="http://youtu.be/w3jDg8WDC9Y"> green coffee bean max </a>with no worries.</div><br /> </div><br />

Results In Just A Few Days With Green Coffee Bean Max.

By Marcella Gray It has been proven and tested to be a safe and very effective way to help you to lose weight.The green coffee beans the...

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By Which Method To Generate Internet Traffic For All Weight Loss Websites

<div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawbyline'>By Clyde Johson</div><br /><br /> <div class='uawarticle'>Stress and obligations already fill your life. It can seem as if you are simply adding additional stressors to your life with the design of a diet tips and weight loss information website. You can find tune the focus, have a strategy for design and marketing efforts that will allow you to have a successful website with these guidelines. The process will not be as overwhelming.<br /> <br /> Always place the Search bar on the top right side of your diet tips and weight loss information website as the majority of the other websites do. If you have a small site with not much information then you can do away with the search bar.<br /> <br /> When you are running a successful diet tips and weight loss information website, you have to keep in mind that your color scheme is very important. Your color scheme should complement your logo and the images used on the website. Make sure that the colors used balanced appropriately against other elements on the site. You want it to look organized and professional for your visitors.<br /> <br /> The most popular way to pay for internet purchases is credit cards. Consumers have credit cards readily available so this option increases sales opportunities. Credit card information will not be given freely as a result of the amount of credit card fraud out there. Your diet tips and weight loss information website will appear more reliable, and offer safety, if Paypal or other methods highly secured to make payment are available.<br /> <br /> GIF animations are slow to load so get rid of them. If you want to use them, put them on dedicated pages with links that clearly designate what they are. When visitors click on those links, at least they will be expecting to wait a few seconds for the animation to load.<br /> <br /> Ensuring traffic will stay on your diet tips and weight loss information website can be done by having your pages load in an average of three seconds. Avoid heavy content that overloads your pages. Visitors will leave for similar sites in the same niche is the loading times are too slow.<br /> <br /> You have to make sure that before you make your site public, it is complete. If your diet tips and weight loss information website is incomplete by the time readers come on it, they will just leave. This will make them think that you are not committed to making a successful website and therefore, it is not worth their time.<br /> <br /> The text of a link should describe where the link is going, not just say 'click here'. Search engines note what the text of a link says, so this can help your search ranking. It will also improve the user experience because there will be no doubt as to where the link is pointing.<br /> <br /> The purpose of the diet tips and weight loss information website has moved away from being a mere source of information and is now more focussed on creating lasting relationships with the visitors. While developing the website, consider how you plan to create regular contact with your visitors through the use of mailing lists, events, podcasts, blogging, social media, RSS feeds and in-person events.<br /> <br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawresource'><br /> <div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawabout'><br /> About the Author:<br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawlinks'>Be sure to visit your best search engine and look for <a href='http://www.bestfatreduceblog.com'>phen375</a> if you wish to improve your knowledge regarding <a href='http://www.bestfatreduceblog.com/knowing-the-advantages-of-supplement-from-phen375-reviews'>appetite suppressants</a>.</div><br /> </div><br />

By Which Method To Generate Internet Traffic For All Weight Loss Websites

By Clyde Johson Stress and obligations already fill your life. It can seem as if you are simply adding additional stressors to your life...

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Meet Belviq Patient Mark Benjamin

Hi everyone, <br /><br />Wow, life (and work) got really busy.  So sorry for the lag in postings.  One of my wonderful twitter followers pointed it out!  LOVE my followers.  Follow me on twitter @ewenker  <br /><br />I want to introduce you to Mark Benjamin.  Mark is an actor/director who has an incredible Belviq story.  <br /><br />Here is what he had to say:<br /><br /><em>"I knew of Belviq before it came out and I wanted to try it because I am also a Type 1 diabetic since the age of 25 (31 years). I maxed out on my weight at 210 and was not happy. My insulin usage was 120 units per day. So I was interested in both glycemic control as well as losing weight. I started about the same time as you (June) and began losing weight immediately. After 7 weeks I had lost the 30 pounds down to 180. Get this...<strong><span style="color: red;"><u>my insulin usage dropped to 52 units from the 120 units.</u></span></strong> I have never had better blood sugar control. In the last couple weeks I am down to 175 pounds which is my target. So I actually lost 35 pounds total. As I want to keep my blood sugar under control.   I will continue to use Belviq and eat a little more to keep my weight at 175."</em><br /><em></em><br />HOW INSPIRING!!!!  Mark is a wonderful person I consider a friend.  I would LOVE for you to go to his facebook page and like his page and learn more about Mark.  In the "About" section, Mark talks about another health issue he overcame.  When you read his story, you will really be amazed!!!  So please, go visit his page (AND BE SURE TO LIKE) and tell him Ellie sent you! :)<br /><br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mark-Benjamin/223451047724185">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mark-Benjamin/223451047724185</a><br /><br /><br />I've hit a little plateau but I am keeping on.  PLUS the weather is starting to cool a bit here in Houston so now I have more energy to be more active (Heat really really takes a toll on me personally from a borderline heatstroke I had 23 years ago).<br /><br />More tomorrow!  Love you all!!

Meet Belviq Patient Mark Benjamin

Hi everyone, Wow, life (and work) got really busy.  So sorry for the lag in postings.  One of my wonderful twitter followers pointed it out!...

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True stories from Walmart hell

<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2012/03/walmart-sales-energy-use-statistics" rel="nofollow">Walmart</a> abuses its employees, let there be no doubt. The world's largest retailer keeps wages at poverty level by fighting hard against union organizing. As a result, many <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2013/06/04/news/companies/walmart-medicaid/index.html">Walmart employees rely on public assistance to survive</a>. Call it corporate welfare.<br /><br />Meanwhile, the <a href="http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2012/07/walmart-heirs-waltons-wealth-income-inequality" rel="nofollow">six Walmart heirs</a> -- Sam Walton's widow, Christy, Jim Walton, Alice Walton, S. Robson Walton, Ann Walton Kroenke, Nancy Walton Laurie -- <a href="http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2012/jul/31/bernie-s/sanders-says-walmart-heirs-own-more-wealth-bottom-/" rel="nofollow">own more wealth than 42 percent of the American people</a>.<br /><br />If all that doesn't make you sick to your stomach, Hamilton Nolan's true stories from Walmart hell will. He posts them periodically to the online publication <a href="http://gawker.com/" rel="nofollow">Gawker</a>. Here are a few samples: <br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">Wal-Mart no longer pays a dollar above minimum wage; they start cart pushers and people greeters at minimum wage and everyone else based on what job they have. As a cashier, I am "level 3," so I started at $7.65 when minimum wage was $7.25. </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">The worst part is the benefits. We have to work all holidays except Christmas, and we don't get paid any extra. ... They refuse to make anyone full-time, but I never work less than 32 hours, and frequently work 39. I don't complain because I need the money.</blockquote>Or this:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">...overtime was never and will never be approved, ever. If you should work any hours over 40 in one week, even if called in or requested or threatened by management that you must work, you will not get overtime pay. They will just cut your hours or say "take a 4 hour break today." which, for a 5 hour shift, was stupid and a waste of my own time at that point.</blockquote>Treatment of injured workers is about what you'd expect:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">I was loading boxes into a cupboard under a cash register at the front of the store one day when I caught my hand on an exposed nail or screw or something. I yanked out my hand in surprise and suddenly there was a huge pool of blood on the floor. The floor manager rushed over and immediately ushered me into a nearby washroom. "Get him away from the customers!" was the unspoken but obvious goal. We haphazardly swaddled my profusely-bleeding hand in paper towels and then the HR manager drove me to the hospital in her car, but not before they made me sign...something. Presumably promising that I wouldn't sue them. </blockquote>Sam's Club is just as bad:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">Cashiers at Sam's club have it worse than cashiers at Wal-Mart as they are forced to make people upgrade their memberships. Sam's cashiers go through meetings called One on One's where the supervisor tells you how shitty you are doing. Those who fail to reach appropriate number of upgrades, renewals, etc. are usually yelled at. The worse part — you don't get any commission for convincing Wendy Whorebag to upgrade her membership. Sometimes management favors you with a reward — a McDouble from McDonald's, something that you can afford yourself....oh, that's right you can't afford a McDouble from McDonalds because you work at Sam's Club.</blockquote>It's comforting to know there are journalists like Nolan standing up for workers. Here's something he wrote last year, titled "<a href="http://gawker.com/5916267/why-we-need-unions" rel="nofollow">Why We Need Unions</a>."<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">Companies know that unions represent a sort of power for their workers that their workers will otherwise never have. That power translates to better working conditions and higher wages. That, in turn, eats into a company's profits, as all expenses do. A union does not throw off the balance of power in the workplace—lack of a union does. The most basic sense of decency and respect for human rights dictates that there must be some mechanism by which the workers—the humans—can assert their interests. Otherwise, they will be crushed by the machine. It's all very plain to see. To despise unions is to despise workers. To despise workers is to despise people.</blockquote>If only all journalists believed that ...

low-wage workers unions walmart True stories from Walmart hell

Walmart  abuses its employees, let there be no doubt. The world's largest retailer keeps wages at poverty level by fighting hard against...

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U.S. House schedule for Wednesday, September 25, 2013

<a href="http://majorityleader.gov/">From Majority Leader Eric Cantor....</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><u><b>WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25TH </b></u><br /> <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_978907781" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">On Wednesday</span></span>, the House will meet at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_978907782" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">12:00 p.m.</span></span> for morning hour and <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_978907783" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">2:00 p.m.</span></span> for legislative business. Votes will be postponed until <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_978907784" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">6:30 p.m.</span></span></div><b>One Minute Speeches</b><br /><br /> <b>Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules:</b><br /> <blockquote> <b>1) <a href="http://republicanleaderforms.house.gov/Components/Redirect/r.aspx?ID=366428-6846703" target="_blank">H.Res. __ </a></b>- Providing for the concurrence by the House in the Senate amendment to H.R. 527, Responsible Helium Administration and Stewardship Act, with an amendment<i> (Sponsored by Rep. Doc Hastings / Natural Resources Committee)</i><br /> <br /> <b>2) <a href="http://republicanleaderforms.house.gov/Components/Redirect/r.aspx?ID=366429-6846703" target="_blank">H.R. 1961</a></b> - To amend title 46, United States Code, to extend the exemption from the fire-retardant materials construction requirement for vessels operating within the Boundary Line<i> (Sponsored by Rep. Steve Chabot / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)</i><br /> <br /> <b>3) <a href="http://republicanleaderforms.house.gov/Components/Redirect/r.aspx?ID=366430-6846703" target="_blank">H.R. 3095</a> </b>- To ensure that any new or revised requirement providing for the screening, testing, or treatment of individuals operating commercial motor vehicles for sleep disorders is adopted pursuant to a rulemaking proceeding, and for other purposes<i> (Sponsored by Rep. Larry Bucshon / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)</i><br /> <br /> <b>4) <a href="http://republicanleaderforms.house.gov/Components/Redirect/r.aspx?ID=366431-6846703" target="_blank">H.R. 2600</a> </b>- To amend the Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act to clarify how the Act applies to condominiums<i> (Sponsored by Rep. Carolyn Maloney / Financial Services Committee) </i><br /> </blockquote><b>Special Order Speeches</b><br /><br /> <a href="http://republicanleaderforms.house.gov/Components/Redirect/r.aspx?ID=366432-6846703" target="_blank">Printable PDF</a>

Eric Cantor U.S. House of Representatives U.S. House schedule for Wednesday, September 25, 2013

From Majority Leader Eric Cantor.... WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25TH On Wednesday , the House will meet at 12:00 p...

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Busy morning....

<span style="font-size: large;">I have an event on in work this evening so I needed to wear something nice.  I put on a dress that I had laid out last night but then I couldn't find the necklace I wanted to wear with it.  I tried on a few necklaces but none were quite right.  I then had to drive over to work early to buy a necklace before I started work.  I found this metal feather piece that will do the job.</span><br /><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">When I get to work I need to get the room and sound system set up and check on the catering for the event.  Oh and I have to write my speech.  Forget about busy morning it's going to be a busy day!!</span></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HNjNt3wRtN6t3tflQ5GP5gghyphenhyphensRk9Z1KnroPG5H2q392B2uUVnV9QbXxMCgGPevFd4tX9QVV7OLasJJpvo8nd7y6_JJo_hQDlV17_tFM98_g0n7jUl3FRlpufIfcnKFINcrtBqYk-QFO/s640/blogger-image-978658334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HNjNt3wRtN6t3tflQ5GP5gghyphenhyphensRk9Z1KnroPG5H2q392B2uUVnV9QbXxMCgGPevFd4tX9QVV7OLasJJpvo8nd7y6_JJo_hQDlV17_tFM98_g0n7jUl3FRlpufIfcnKFINcrtBqYk-QFO/s640/blogger-image-978658334.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div>

Busy morning....

I have an event on in work this evening so I needed to wear something nice.  I put on a dress that I had laid out last night but then I coul...

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Another Story You Will Never See On An American News Station

They are too busy reporting the weather and fluff stories<br /><br /> <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Peace/2013/09/24/Hero-With-A-Handgun-Saved-100-People-From-Islamists-In-Mall-Attack"> <b> Hero with a Handgun Saved 100 People from Islamists in Mall Attack</b></a><br /><br /><br /> <blockquote>An Ex-Royal Marine with a handgun saved 100 people as Islamists attacked the Kenyan Westgate Mall. According to the Daily Mail, the former Marine was having coffee with friends in Westgate Mall when the attack began. Armed only with his handgun, he immediately began gathering people and getting them out of the building. <br /><br />One of his friends said, "He went back inside twelve times and saved 100 people. Imagine going back in when you knew what was going on inside."<br /><br />The hero with a handgun is a former Royal Marine who now lives in Kenya, but he cannot be identified for security reasons. <br /><br />Suffice it to say, "British military regularly [trains] and [operates] out of Kenya, and have been involved in tracking UK citizen involved with hardline Islamists in Somalia and Yemen."</blockquote><br />That is just incredible.<br /><br />It's a crying shame not one news station manager in this entire country has enough balls to headline this story.<br /><br />Fucking weasels.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />H/t <a href="http://www.fark.com/">Fark</a> for the link.

Another Story You Will Never See On An American News Station

They are too busy reporting the weather and fluff stories Hero with a Handgun Saved 100 People from Islamis...

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Watch America's Cup Final Race Live Online FREE

After almost 3 weeks of nailbiting and sometimes dreary itenerary and races - the America's Cup final race is here.<br /><br />In a few hours from now - <b>ORACLE TEAM USA will take on EMIRATES TEAM NEW ZEALAND </b>in a winners take all match. What is probably ironic is that Team New Zealand has been on the lead since last Wednesday and has watched an amazing comeback by the defending champion from USA.<br /><br /><b>Watch the final match of America's Cup Live Online Free</b><br /><br /><b>Oracle Team USA vs Emirates Team New Zealand Live Online  </b><br /><br />Get Live feeds, race highlights, current and past match replays at the official youtube America's Cup website<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/AmericasCup">http://www.youtube.com/user/AmericasCup</a><br /><br />The America's Cup Final will be broadcast Live on NBC Sports Network<br /><br />Find out the Broadcast Details of the America's Cup here. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.americascup.com/about/broadcast">http://www.americascup.com/about/broadcast</a>

america's cup final live online free america's cup final youtube america's cup finals america's cup live coverage Watch America's Cup Final Race Live Online FREE

After almost 3 weeks of nailbiting and sometimes dreary itenerary and races - the America's Cup final race is here. In a few hours from ...

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Teachers - Ideas of what to do during the September break

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; padding: 0px 0px 10px;"><i>This is a guest post from <a href="http://digitalclassroom.co.za/digitalclassroom/latestnews/416-what-to-do-on-your-holidays" target="_blank">Digital Classroom</a>,  which is the Vodacom portal for teachers around the country, telling teachers about the wonderful holiday opportunities that exist for this September break.  We read their excellent article on the Vodacom site and asked if we could use it for a guest post.  Thank you to Digital  Classroom</i></div><div style="border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; padding: 0px 0px 10px;">18 September 2013 – The short but welcome spring school holidays are upon us, a time to recharge the batteries and prepare for the challenges of the last term and final exams of the year.</div><div style="border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; padding: 0px 0px 10px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpAmVLPgg388Lx5IrWtHsZVH9SsLs5VPmI9xyztayml-g4aF1SwQoj-YJJf1pUX5pQ5hIdiphDoi9T-F9mOfEYoEg1ZTGnX9YoQNTkl6OeKr-Dl7QXU7zEKIgjZkJ-FnAGVAO6ootRuIo/s1600/Google+summit.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpAmVLPgg388Lx5IrWtHsZVH9SsLs5VPmI9xyztayml-g4aF1SwQoj-YJJf1pUX5pQ5hIdiphDoi9T-F9mOfEYoEg1ZTGnX9YoQNTkl6OeKr-Dl7QXU7zEKIgjZkJ-FnAGVAO6ootRuIo/s1600/Google+summit.jpeg" /></a>There are a number of activities and holiday schools and programmes geared towards keeping the younger grades occupied and interested in the sciences, as well as helping the matrics prepare for the last hurdle of their school careers.</div><div style="border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; padding: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>International Science Fair Regional Expo</b></span></div><div style="border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; padding: 0px 0px 10px;">For starters, the <span style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.exposcience.co.za/index.php/about-us.html" style="border: 0px none; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">International Science Fair Regional Expo</a></span> takes place from 25 to 28 September at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng.</div><div style="border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; padding: 0px 0px 10px;"><br /></div><div style="border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; padding: 0px 0px 10px;">It is the final step in the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists, the only science fair for schoolchildren in South Africa, where they can exhibit their own scientific investigations. The fair is the result of regional expos held in each province through the year, the winners of which participate. Eskom Expo includes students, teachers, professional organisations and educational bodies and governments from all over Southern Africa.</div><div style="border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; padding: 0px 0px 10px;">In taking part, schoolchildren increase their awareness of the wonders of science and add to their knowledge and entrepreneurial possibilities, while broadening their scientific horizons, say the organisers.</div><div style="border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; padding: 0px 0px 10px;">Students can enter their own individual projects, or work with one other student on a two-person group project. There is a range of categories – 25 in all – from agricultural sciences through engineering: chemical, metallurgical and mining, microbiology and biochemistry, to social and psychological sciences, some of which are grade specific. But selection for the South African International Science Fair is restricted to grades six to 12.</div><div style="border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; padding: 0px 0px 10px;">Participants are judged and awarded gold, silver and bronze medals, and there are plenty of awards made by special interest groups. The Eskom Awards, for example, are made in:</div><ul style="border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1em 1em; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.2em;"><li style="border: 0px none; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Best development project;</li><li style="border: 0px none; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Best energy project;</li><li style="border: 0px none; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Best female project;</li><li style="border: 0px none; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">International trip to a science fair or science forum;</li><li style="border: 0px none; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">A science lab for a rural primary and secondary school; and,</li><li style="border: 0px none; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Best energy efficiency project (energy and cost saving covered in all categories).</li></ul><div style="border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; padding: 0px 0px 10px;">And some finalists are selected to participate in international science fairs in other countries; however, participation in international science fairs is strictly for selected individual participants and invited Eskom Expo officials.</div><h3 style="border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wonderful water</span></h3><span style="border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.sci-bono.co.za/index.php" style="border: 0px none; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Sci-Bono Discovery Centre</a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;"> in Newtown, in downtown Joburg, is holding a Wondrous Water week, from 21 to 29 September. "We celebrate the blue gold that is one of the most precious and scarce resources on the planet," says the centre. "Although less than 1 percent of all water on the planet is fresh, it is an absolute necessity to sustain all life. Join us as we take you on a journey to discover more about our liquid planet."</span><br /><div style="border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; padding: 0px 0px 10px;">The programme will include interactive science experiments, starting at 10am every day. Participants will build their own steam boat and learn how steam can be used as a source of energy; build their own water rockets and see who shoots their rocket the highest. They will learn that hydrogen used in fuel cells can be used as a major source of clean energy in future, what fuel cell technology is, how it works, and how it may develop in the future – and then produce hydrogen from water to run a small hydrogen fuel cell car.</div><div style="border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; padding: 0px 0px 10px;">At 1pm each day, there will be an Aqua Spectacle Science Show in which the science of water will be explored further. Participants will learn more about bubbles, what holds them together and why insects can walk on water. Some of the workshops have a minimal entrance fee while others are free and are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis.</div><h3 style="border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 5px;"><br style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="font-size: large;">Google in Education</span></h3><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;">Down in Cape Town, the first Google in Education South Africa Summit takes place at Parklands College on 26 and 27 September, hosted by </span><span style="border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.schoolnet.org.za/news/836/" style="border: 0px none; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">SchoolNet SA</a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;"> and Google EDU Summit Team in South Africa. Targeting teachers and school administrators, it's a high-intensity event that focuses on deploying, integrating, and using Google Apps for Education and other Google Tools to promote student learning in school and higher education. The programme features Google certified teachers, Google Apps for Education certified trainers, practising administrators, solution providers, Google engineers, and representatives from the Google education teams.</span><br /><div style="border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; padding: 0px 0px 10px;">William Florance from Google is the keynote speaker, and each session will have anywhere from six to 13 breakout workshops from which to choose. They will range from "Getting Started" to "Getting Geeky", and each session will have workshops geared towards technical deployment and administrators using Google Apps for Education.</div><div style="border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; padding: 0px 0px 10px;">Still in Cape Town, the famed Two Oceans Aquarium in the V&A Waterfront runs a <span style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.aquarium.co.za/education/programmes_at_the_aquarium/young_junior_biologists/" style="border: 0px none; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">young biologist course</a></span> for Grade 10s who are passionate about the marine environment and are committed to making a change. It takes place from 23 to 29 September. The children will spend four days at the aquarium, and then three days at a camp. Once they have finished the programme, they must commit to at least 30 volunteer hours at the aquarium.</div><h3 style="border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Coastal clean-up</span></h3><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;">In the midst of the course, on 21 September, the aquarium will host a clean-up of Strandfontein Beach from 10am to noon, as part of International Coastal Clean-up Day, which was established in 1986 and has since grown into a global initiative. Everyone is invited to volunteer.</span><br /><div style="border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; padding: 0px 0px 10px;">The clean-up is the world's largest volunteer effort to clean up waterways and the ocean. Volunteers get data cards and each item collected is recorded on these cards. Last year, 561 633 volunteers from across the globe collected 4 603 956 kilos of rubbish. The top 10 items found included paper bags at number 10, plastic drinking straws at number seven, plastic shopping bags at number four, and cigarettes and cigarette filters at number one.</div><div style="border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; padding: 0px 0px 10px;">The <span style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.mtnsciencentre.org.za/visit-holiday-programs.html" style="border: 0px none; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Cape Town Science Centre</a></span> also has activities during the holiday. From 21 to 30 September, there will be daily hands-on workshops, among them Edutraden design and make, Robotics, 3D animation and Scratch workshops, alongside the daily science shows, camera obscura tours and general fun.</div><div style="border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; padding: 0px 0px 10px;">In the Living Maths 3D Animation workshop, children will learn to use Blender, an open source 3D animation software programme. They will learn how computer generated graphics are linked to maths. And in the Scratch Programming workshop, participants will learn the basics of programming with Scratch, an award-winning animated programming platform. Scratch, a project from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Media Lab, lets users programme their own interactive stories, games and animations, and share their creations online.</div><div style="border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; padding: 0px 0px 10px;">The centre also runs Lego WeDo Robotics clubs, where teens are taught to build and programme Lego Mindstorms robots and prepare for competitions.</div><h3 style="border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Exam revision</span></h3><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;">And finally, there is </span><span style="border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.mindset.co.za/content/spring-school-exam-revision" style="border: 0px none; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Spring School Exam Revision</a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;"> for matrics with Mindset. The school is well-placed between trial and final exams, giving pupils the help they need.</span><br /><div style="border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; padding: 0px 0px 10px;">Spring School runs from 23 to 27 September on DSTV channel 319 and features live and pre-recorded exam revision lessons. Participants are able to work through past exam papers with Mindset's expert teachers or interact with them at learnxtra on Facebook and Twitter. As always, free revision notes can also be downloaded for each topic.</div><div style="border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; padding: 0px 0px 10px;">The classes run from 9am to 6pm, and feature videos and notes. They cover everything from maths, maths literacy and accountancy, to the sciences, the humanities, business studies and economics. A detailed programme of what is on when, is<span style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.mindset.co.za/learn/xtra/revision/" style="border: 0px none; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">available</a></span>.</div><div style="border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; padding: 0px 0px 10px;">Previous <span style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.education.gov.za/Examinations/PastExamPapers/tabid/351/Default.aspx" style="border: 0px none; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">exam papers</a></span> are also available from the Department of Basic Education for extra revision.</div></div>

news Teachers - Ideas of what to do during the September break

This is a guest post from Digital Classroom ,  which is the Vodacom portal for teachers around the country, telling teachers about the wonde...

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Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 09/25/2013

<ul class="diigo-linkroll"> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="https://www.edtrips.com">edtrips | Beyond the classroom</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">I'm going to test this website. It manages class trips, permission forms, and communicates activities with the class. The idea of it sounds great. Yes, it is free. Of course, we'll have to dig down and see how the emails are used and the privacy settings but this is definitely something very needed!</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/field">field</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/trip">trip</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/tumblr">tumblr</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/app">app</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/eduapp">eduapp</a></p> </li> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://www.outlinesoutloud.com/the-app/">The App | Outlines Outloud</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">This app converts study notes to speech. This might be an app that some of you are interested in trying out for your special needs students. "OutlinesOutloud takes the sting out of studying by converting your study outlines to spoken audio. Super-flexible playback controls let you vary speech rate; jump forward and backward with ease, skip rows or whole sections, loop—and more!"</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/spedchat">spedchat</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/apps">apps</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/eduapp">eduapp</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/tumblr">tumblr</a></p> </li> </ul><p class="diigo-ps">Posted from <a href='https://www.diigo.com'>Diigo</a>. The rest of my favorite links are <a href='https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher'>here</a>.</p>

Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 09/25/2013

edtrips | Beyond the classroom I'm going to test this website. It manages class trips, permissio...

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Today's Teamster News 09.25.13

<a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20130923-907319.html" rel="nofollow">Teamsters, Horizon Air Reach Tentative Agreement</a>  Wall Street Journal   ...Horizon Air and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters today jointly announced a tentative agreement on a proposed five-year contract extension covering the airline's 280 aircraft technicians, fleet service agents and other fleet support positions...<br /><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/23/cnrailway-union-idUSL2N0HJ11020130923" rel="nofollow">CN Rail contract talks with Teamsters snagged on health, safety</a>  Reuters   ...Contract negotiations between <a href="http://www.reuters.com/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=CNI&lc=int_mb_1001" rel="nofollow">Canadian National Railway</a> and the Teamsters Union appear to have stalled as CN demands changes that union officials say could jeopardize the health and safety of workers...<br /><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/19/us-income-inequality-ancient-rome-levels_n_1158926.html" rel="nofollow">U.S. Income Inequality Higher Than Roman Empire's Levels: Study</a>  Huffington Post   ...the top one percent of earners in Ancient Rome controlled 16 percent of the society's wealth. By comparison, the top one percent of <a href="http://www.vanityfair.com/society/features/2011/05/top-one-percent-201105">American earners control 40 percent of the country's wealth</a>...<br /><a href="http://www.salon.com/2013/09/24/banks_find_appalling_new_way_to_cheat_homeowners_partner/" rel="nofollow">Banks find appalling new way to cheat homeowners</a>  Salon   ...servicers like Nationstar often failed to inform homeowners about the change in servicing rights when they are transferred, meaning that the homeowner kept paying the wrong servicer. This is a clever way to facilitate late fees; just don’t tell the customer where to send their money...<br /><a href="https://www.commondreams.org/headline/2013/09/23-3" rel="nofollow">Workers Set Factories Ablaze in Call for Decent Wage for Producing Globe's 'Cheap' Clothing</a>  Common Dreams   ...Bangladesh swept by a third day of protests that leaves nearly 150 injured...<br /><a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-09-23/two-hundred-bangladesh-factories-shut-on-labor-unrest.html" rel="nofollow">Bangladesh Garment Protests Enter Fourth Day</a>  Bloomberg   ...Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan met last night with factory owners and labor leaders in an effort to end demonstrations that forced about 400 of the country’s 5,000 garment factories to close yesterday...<br /><a href="http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/09/24/greece-strike-idINL5N0HJ3LV20130924" rel="nofollow">Greeks public sector workers strike as lenders check reform progress</a>  Reuters   ...Greek public sector workers went on strike for the second time in a week on Tuesday, shutting schools and leaving hospitals with skeleton staff, as inspectors from Greece's foreign lenders checked if the country was meeting its bailout targets...<br /><a href="http://business.time.com/2013/09/24/u-s-trade-body-urges-india-to-play-fair/" rel="nofollow">U.S. Trade Body Urges India to Play Fair</a>   Time   ...An American manufacturing representative body is protesting against perceived discriminatory trade practices initiated by New Delhi ahead of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to the U.S on Friday...<br /><a href="http://blackburnnews.com/windsor/windsor-news/2013/09/23/unifor-talking-right-to-work/" rel="nofollow">Unifor Talking Right To Work</a>  Blackburn News   ...The president of Unifor Local 444 in Ontario, Canada says his union is ready to fight Right To Work legislation. Dino Chiodo calls it “work for less” legislation, because that’s what he believes it will leave his members doing if it’s ever imposed on a provincial or federal level...<br /><a href="http://www.alternet.org/walmart-cut-employee-hours-so-drastically-they-cant-keep-shelves-stocked-losing-customers" rel="nofollow">Walmart Cut Employee Hours So Drastically They Can't Keep Shelves Stocked, Losing Customers</a> Think Progress   ...Amid plunging sales and massive strikes, even Walmart has conceded it can’t run a business on a skeleton crew...<br /><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/23/government-shutdown-deadline_n_3974982.html?ref=topbar" rel="nofollow">Government Shutdown Deadline In One Week</a>  Associated Press   ...With a week left to hammer out a deal to avoid a government shutdown, some lawmakers seem resigned – if not rushing – to that end...<br /><a href="http://www.alternet.org/economy/robert-reich-we-can-save-economy-if-we-get-serious-about-taxing-rich" rel="nofollow">Robert Reich: We Can Save the Economy If We Get Serious About Taxing the Rich</a>  AlterNet   ...New documentary "Inequality for All," starring Reich explains how to fix America's income inequality...<br /><a href="http://www.alternet.org/civil-liberties/nowhere-hide-governments-massive-intrusion-our-lives" rel="nofollow">Nowhere to Hide: The Government's Massive Intrusion Into Our Lives</a>  Tom Dispatch   ...The NSA isn’t the only government agency exploiting technology to make privacy obsolete...<br /><a href="http://www.boston.com/business/news/2013/09/24/smithfield-shareholders-approve-shuanghui-deal/2WvrHGodrVA8380kXsBcNP/story.html" rel="nofollow">Smithfield shareholders approve Shuanghui deal</a>  Associated Press   ...Shareholders of Smithfield Foods Inc. on Tuesday approved a plan to sell the world’s largest pork producer and processor to a Chinese company...<br /><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/23/bank-of-america-racial-discrimination_n_3977581.html" rel="nofollow">Bank Of America To Pay $2.18 Million In Racial Discrimination Case</a>  Reuters   ...Bank of America Corp was ordered to pay $2.18 million to 1,147 black job applicants over racial discrimination in hiring that kept qualified candidates from getting jobs, said the U.S. Department of Labor...<br /><a href="http://www.alternet.org/economy/401k-revolution-and-inequality" rel="nofollow">How America’s 401(k) Revolution Rewarded the Rich and Turned the Rest of Us Into Big Losers</a> AlterNet   ...It was a bad idea from the get-go, but new research shows that America’s 401(k) revolution has left us even worse off than we thought. Here’s a look at how we got into this mess, and where it will take us if we don’t wise up...<br /><a href="http://www.nj.com/business/index.ssf/2013/09/saddle_river_valley_bank_to_pa.html#incart_river" rel="nofollow">N.J. bank fined $8.2 million over federal money-laundering violations</a>  Star-Ledger   ...Saddle River Valley Bank, a former community bank in Bergen County that once was controlled by private equity magnate J. Christopher Flowers, has agreed to pay $8.2 million to settle federal claims that it broke U.S. anti-money laundering laws... <br /><a href="http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/09/23/chrysler-files-for-an-i-p-o/?_r=0" rel="nofollow">Union Push for I.P.O. Forces Filing at Chrysler</a>  New York Times   ...Chrysler filed for a public stock offering on Monday, acting only under pressure from its second-largest shareholder, a trust set up to provide medical coverage for 115,000 retired autoworkers and their relatives...

Today's Teamster News 09.25.13

Teamsters, Horizon Air Reach Tentative Agreement   Wall Street Journal   ...Horizon Air and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters today...

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