EuropaPress, viernes, 26 de diciembre de 2008 (12:34) EuropaPress, Friday, December 26, 2008 (12:34)
VALLADOLID, 26 (EUROPA PRESS) VALLADOLID, 26 (EUROPA PRESS)
El Corella Ballet Castilla y León acercará mañana y el domingo al Teatro Calderón de Valladolid un espectáculo que simboliza la evolución de la danza clásica desde su vertiente más tradicional hasta concepciones modernas a través de un programa compuesto por tres ballets de distinta temática. The Corella Ballet Castilla y Leon and Sunday morning near the Teatro Calderón de Valladolid a performance that symbolizes the evolution of classical dance from its most traditional to modern conceptions through a program consisting of three ballets of different issues.
Así lo explicó el director artístico de la compañía, el propio Angel Corella, en una rueda de prensa en la que presentó la función acompañado por la gerente del Calderón, Mercedes Guillamón; la directora general de Promociones e Instituciones Culturales de la Junta de Castilla y León, Luisa Herrero, y la concejal de Cultura, Comercio y Turismo del Ayuntamiento de Valladolid, Mercedes Cantalapiedra. That explained the artistic director of the company's own Angel Corella, at a press conference in which he presented the function accompanied by the manager of Calderon, Mercedes Guillamón, the general director of promotions and cultural institutions of the Castilla y leon, Luis Herrera, and the councilman of Culture, Tourism and Trade of the City Council of Valladolid, Cantalapiedra Mercedes.
En este marco, Corella afirmó que los dos espectáculos de Valladolid, unidos a uno más que tendrá lugar el próximo día 30 en Laguna de Duero, cerrarán la gira de este año en la que la compañía, compuesta por medio centenar de bailarines procedentes de 13 países distintos, ha cosechado un "gran éxito" tanto de público como de crítica. In this context, Corella said the two shows in Valladolid, coupled with an over to be held next 30 days in Laguna de Duero, closed the tour this year in which the company, comprised of nearly 13 dancers from different countries, has produced a "great success" for both public and critics. Además, según avanzó, para el próximo año tienen previsto acercar su danza a países como Estados Unidos, Dubai, Brasil o Japón, así como distintos puntos de la geografía española. Moreover, as advanced for next year are planning to bring their dance to countries like USA, Dubai, Brazil or Japan, and various points of the Spanish.
El espectáculo está compuesto por tres ballets distintos y comienza con 'Bruch Violin Concierto nº1', con coreografía de Clark Tippet y música de Max Bruch, con una duración de 24 minutos. The show consists of three different ballets and starts with 'Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1', with choreography and music from Clark Tippet Max Bruch, with a duration of 24 minutes. Corella explicó que este trabajo neoclásico creado para la American Ballet Theatre respeta las tradiciones clásicas del ballet y muestra la danza de ocho bailarines principales y 16 de cuerpo de baile. Corella neoclassicist explained that this work created for the American Ballet Theater respects the traditions of classical ballet and dance shows the eight main dancers and 16 corps de ballet.
La escenificación continúa con 'Clear', con coreografía de Stanton Welch, música de Johann Sebastian Bach y una duración de 20 minutos en los que se intenta reflejar "la desesperación y la furia" experimentados por los norteamericanos tras los ataques a las Torres Gemelas de Nueva York. The scene continues with 'Clear', with choreography by Stanton Welch, music by Johann Sebastian Bach and a duration of 20 minutes in which to reflect "the anger and desperation" experienced by the Americans after the attacks on the Twin Towers in New York.
La última parte del programa, bajo el título 'In the upper room' es un ballet de 40 minutos de duración con coreografía de Twyla Tharp y música producida por Kurt Munkacsi, "la más moderna de las tres partes del espectáculo, con mucha fuerza expresiva y que suele poner al público en pie", indicó Corella. The last part of the program, entitled 'In the Upper Room' is a ballet of 40 minutes duration with choreography by Twyla Tharp and music produced by Kurt Munkácsi, "the most modern of the three parts of the show, with great expressive force and that the public tends to put in place, "said Corella.
Al término de la exposición del director artístico de la compañía, Luisa Herrero destacó el carácter "poliédrico y amplio" del repertorio del espectáculo, que da inicio con a danza más clásica y concluye con toques modernos, así como la "impecable ejecución" de todos los bailarines que integran el Corella Ballet. After the exposure of the company's artistic director, Luis Herrera stressed the "multifaceted and comprehensive" in the repertoire of the show, which begins with a dance classic, and concludes with some modern touches, as well as "flawless execution of all the dancers who make up the Corella Ballet.
Del mismo modo destacó el acierto del Gobierno regional al unirse al proyecto de Corella para crear una compañía que aún es "un bebé" pero integrado por más de 50 bailarines y con proyección de dar cabida a 60 fijos en total. Likewise stressed the relevance of the regional government to join the project Corella to create a company that is still "a baby" but composed of more than 50 dancers and projected to accommodate a total of 60 fixed.
DANZA EN ESPAÑA DANCE IN SPAIN
Precisamente en este sentido, Corella también aprovechó la ocasión para incidir en la "enorme calidad" de sus bailarines, que fueron elegidos entre cerca de 1.400 aspirantes y que en su mayoría son españoles que antes trabajaban en compañías extranjeras y que lo dejaron todo por unirse a su iniciativa. It is in this sense, Corella also took the opportunity to influence the "enormous capacity" of its dancers, who were chosen from nearly 1,400 applicants, most of which are Spaniards who worked in foreign companies before and that he left everything to come together his initiative. "Para entrar en una compañía extranjera tienes que ser mucho mejor que los bailarines de ese país, por eso todos los que tenemos aquí son increíbles", argumentó. "To enter a foreign company have to be much better than the dancers in this country, so all we have here are unbelievable," he argued.
Asimismo, el bailarín se felicitó por el hecho de que la danza cada vez esté más vinculada con la sociedad y de la gran demanda de danza clásica que a su juicio existe en España, por lo que justificó la importancia de su compañía, la única en el país en esta modalidad. Likewise, the dancer welcomed the fact that dance is becoming more closely linked with society and the strong demand for classical dance in his opinion that exists in Spain, which justified the importance of his company, the unique this modality in the country.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Sen. Pam Roach Makes the Case For Jason Osgood
Sen. Pam Roach Makes the Case For Jason Osgood. Roach clearly and succinctly describes a problem for which there is one best solution; Jason Osgood!
Voters should choose King County elections director
June 16, 2006Voters should
Dean Logan’s upcoming departure as King County elections director ends a period in which many voters lost faith in our elections system. But it presents an opportunity to regain the people’s trust in this civic institution and make this crucial government position more accountable to the public.
King County is the only county in our state that allows its top elections official to be appointed (by its county executive), not elected by the people.
Voters in Washington’s 38 other counties choose their elections director, who is usually the county auditor. That’s the way it should be. Voting is the foundation of our democratic process. If that foundation is cracked, it not only reduces voters’ confidence and trust in this process, it also undermines the support and trust many of us have in our elected officials.
Now that the smoke has cleared, we can bring King County in line with the rest of the state by allowing its voters, rather than the county executive, to choose their elections director.
In 2005, I introduced Senate Bill 5667, which would make the chief elections official an elective office in all counties in Washington, including King County. The bill was favorably received but not acted on by the Legislature.
We all still remember the costly mistakes made by the county’s elections department that tarnished the 2004 gubernatorial election and left a bitter taste in the mouths of many voters, not only in King County but throughout Washington. Mistakes included overlooked absentee ballots left out of the count, provisional ballots tallied without verification of voter eligibility beforehand, and wide discrepancies in the records of voters voting and ballots cast.
It’s ironic that the one county in Washington that allows its elections supervisor to be appointed rather than elected happens to be the symbol for election problems in our state. The people in King County deserve better. Instead of being accountable to only one person, the elections director of Washington’s most populous county needs to be accountable to the voters.
Early this year, members of the Citizens Election Oversight Committee said King County should choose its elections director by a public vote. The committee, which was created by the King County Council to review elections procedures in the county, said voting for the director would increase the public accountability of that office.
And if the elections director doesn’t perform up to expectations? Then voters could remove him or her and elect someone else. That’s why we so desperately need to bring real accountability to this office!
King County shouldn’t wait for the Legislature to take action on this issue. In fact, there are two ways it can make its elections director an elected position: 1) through a county charter amendment adopted by the county council and then approved by voters; or 2) through a citizens initiative to change the county charter.
The King County Council should act now to provide accountability in our elections department by putting a charter amendment vote to the people this November.
-end-
Sen. Pam Roach, R-Auburn, is ranking Republican on the Senate Government Operations and Elections Committee.
Voters should choose King County elections director
June 16, 2006Voters should
Dean Logan’s upcoming departure as King County elections director ends a period in which many voters lost faith in our elections system. But it presents an opportunity to regain the people’s trust in this civic institution and make this crucial government position more accountable to the public.
King County is the only county in our state that allows its top elections official to be appointed (by its county executive), not elected by the people.
Voters in Washington’s 38 other counties choose their elections director, who is usually the county auditor. That’s the way it should be. Voting is the foundation of our democratic process. If that foundation is cracked, it not only reduces voters’ confidence and trust in this process, it also undermines the support and trust many of us have in our elected officials.
Now that the smoke has cleared, we can bring King County in line with the rest of the state by allowing its voters, rather than the county executive, to choose their elections director.
In 2005, I introduced Senate Bill 5667, which would make the chief elections official an elective office in all counties in Washington, including King County. The bill was favorably received but not acted on by the Legislature.
We all still remember the costly mistakes made by the county’s elections department that tarnished the 2004 gubernatorial election and left a bitter taste in the mouths of many voters, not only in King County but throughout Washington. Mistakes included overlooked absentee ballots left out of the count, provisional ballots tallied without verification of voter eligibility beforehand, and wide discrepancies in the records of voters voting and ballots cast.
It’s ironic that the one county in Washington that allows its elections supervisor to be appointed rather than elected happens to be the symbol for election problems in our state. The people in King County deserve better. Instead of being accountable to only one person, the elections director of Washington’s most populous county needs to be accountable to the voters.
Early this year, members of the Citizens Election Oversight Committee said King County should choose its elections director by a public vote. The committee, which was created by the King County Council to review elections procedures in the county, said voting for the director would increase the public accountability of that office.
And if the elections director doesn’t perform up to expectations? Then voters could remove him or her and elect someone else. That’s why we so desperately need to bring real accountability to this office!
King County shouldn’t wait for the Legislature to take action on this issue. In fact, there are two ways it can make its elections director an elected position: 1) through a county charter amendment adopted by the county council and then approved by voters; or 2) through a citizens initiative to change the county charter.
The King County Council should act now to provide accountability in our elections department by putting a charter amendment vote to the people this November.
-end-
Sen. Pam Roach, R-Auburn, is ranking Republican on the Senate Government Operations and Elections Committee.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Jessie Bloom Quoted at Knoll Funeral Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Knoll lauded at funeral
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
By Dennis B. Roddy, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Amid a keen of bagpipe and a whirlwind of memories, Catherine Baker Knoll, a woman who sometimes fought for respect, was paid tribute today in a cathedral filled with political leaders and presided over by seven bishops.
The powerful came: Gov. Ed Rendell, Sens. Bob Casey and Arlen Specter, members of the General Assembly.
Elsie Hillman, grand dame of the state's Republicans, sat alongside Democratic Auditor General Jack Wagner and joined him in offering the prayers of intercession.
Too, came the ordinary citizens who had brushed shoulders, pressed hands and shared chicken dinners and neighborhood coffees with Mrs. Knoll, the state's lieutenant governor who died Nov. 12.
"Whenever we called her she came. Whenever we needed someone," said Jessie Bloom, Democratic chair in Lycoming County, a place dominated by the GOP, and a venue to which party leaders often struggled to find high profile speakers for events.
"We always have trouble getting some of the candidates, particularly the statewide candidates, to come to this area. She never refused us," said Mrs. Bloom, who drove in from Williamsport for today's services at St. Paul's Cathedral in Oakland.
"I'm just devastated over this happening to her."
Mrs. Knoll, 78, of McKees Rocks, died of neuroendocrine cancer.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
By Dennis B. Roddy, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Amid a keen of bagpipe and a whirlwind of memories, Catherine Baker Knoll, a woman who sometimes fought for respect, was paid tribute today in a cathedral filled with political leaders and presided over by seven bishops.
The powerful came: Gov. Ed Rendell, Sens. Bob Casey and Arlen Specter, members of the General Assembly.
Elsie Hillman, grand dame of the state's Republicans, sat alongside Democratic Auditor General Jack Wagner and joined him in offering the prayers of intercession.
Too, came the ordinary citizens who had brushed shoulders, pressed hands and shared chicken dinners and neighborhood coffees with Mrs. Knoll, the state's lieutenant governor who died Nov. 12.
"Whenever we called her she came. Whenever we needed someone," said Jessie Bloom, Democratic chair in Lycoming County, a place dominated by the GOP, and a venue to which party leaders often struggled to find high profile speakers for events.
"We always have trouble getting some of the candidates, particularly the statewide candidates, to come to this area. She never refused us," said Mrs. Bloom, who drove in from Williamsport for today's services at St. Paul's Cathedral in Oakland.
"I'm just devastated over this happening to her."
Mrs. Knoll, 78, of McKees Rocks, died of neuroendocrine cancer.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Broccoli / Raisin Salad by Kay Ertel
Broccoli / Raisin Salad
Recipe #267452
SERVES 8
Ingredients
- 2 heads broccoli
- 1/2 cup onion
- 1 cup raisins
- 8 slices bacon
- 1 cup Miracle Whip
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons vinegar
- 1/4 lb cheddar cheese
Directions
- Mix dressing ingredients, except cheese.
- Pour over broccoli.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Toss.
- Sprinkle with grated cheddar chesse.Post Options
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Kay Ertel Salutes Diane Glenwright's Work at the YWCA
According to former director Kay Ertel, one award not given during the ceremony was one honoring Diane Glenwright, the organization's executive director.
"One of the best things to happen to us is being able to have Diane Glenwright as our executive director," Ertel said. "She's so shy, but she's turned that place around."
Ertel discussed landmark programs that have occurred at the YWCA since it was founded locally in 1893. In 1912, the first area's first Girl Scouts unit was started by the organization. In 1913, it started a nursery for mothers, opened a cafeteria and began a visiting nurse program. In 1926, it opened an employment bureau for women.
According to Ertel, the organization has remained vital because it has been able to adapt to the changing needs of the community.
When Wise Options for Women - now known simply as Wise Options - was started in 1977, "the early years were quite a struggle," Ertel said. "Today, it is a strong, respected asset to our community."
"One of the best things to happen to us is being able to have Diane Glenwright as our executive director," Ertel said. "She's so shy, but she's turned that place around."
Ertel discussed landmark programs that have occurred at the YWCA since it was founded locally in 1893. In 1912, the first area's first Girl Scouts unit was started by the organization. In 1913, it started a nursery for mothers, opened a cafeteria and began a visiting nurse program. In 1926, it opened an employment bureau for women.
According to Ertel, the organization has remained vital because it has been able to adapt to the changing needs of the community.
When Wise Options for Women - now known simply as Wise Options - was started in 1977, "the early years were quite a struggle," Ertel said. "Today, it is a strong, respected asset to our community."
Friday, September 5, 2008
Joe Smith at the Democratic Convention
Democrats bring back convention memories By MIKE REUTHER - mreuther@sungazette.com
Attending last week's Democratic National Convention gave two Lycoming County residents a chance to help support presidential nominee Barack Obama as well as to embrace their party's issues.
Joe Smith, owner of Gleghorn Insurance Co. in Watsontown, said it was exciting to be part of the whole experience.
"It's almost a once in a lifetime thing. Just to be there on the floor experiencing it," he said.
Mary Lou Baldys of Williamsport, who was at the convention with her husband Warren, had similar feelings.
"Everybody was very upbeat," she said. "We were pretty proud of the candidates and positive they can make progress on issues."
It was hardly a relaxing vacation for Smith and Baldys.
Each was in Denver to help ensure that convention attendees had the proper credentials.
"Essentially, we were working the suburban hotels. The credentials were there in the morning. We would have their credentials. Each day they had to pick them up," Smith said. "We would get up at 5 o'clock. We were probably done by 3 o'clock, which allowed us to go to the convention."
Both agreed it was a busy week.
"It was quite a process to get everyone where they needed to be," Baldys said. "When you are part of this, you see there are a lot of details."
Baldys said despite her duties she was able to attend many of the events during the week and see closeup some of the major players, including Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., the Clintons and Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Biden.
"I got to meet Jimmy Carter in an elevator," she added.
She said she was heartened by the diversity of people attending the convention - young people, Hispanics, blacks.
She said the issues people seemed most interested in were the economy and health care.
Smith said it was a great experience for anyone at all interested in politics and a good chance to network with Democrats from all over the nation.
"It was inspiring to have that many people of the same belief."
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Roan Confer Gets Client Off Lightly in Serious Case
DuBoistown woman jailed for stealing from trust fund
By MARK MARONEY mmaroney@sungazette.com POSTED: August 30, 2008
A DuBoistown woman who was sentenced to one year in Lycoming County Prison Friday for depleting nearly $200,000 from a woman's trust fund said she was not aware she was doing wrong.
Judy A. Lach, 52, of 136 Valley St., said she was sorry for what happened as administrator of the fund of the late Mary Jane Evenden but she believed she was entitled to the woman's estate.
Lach pleaded guilty in May to a charge of theft for stealing $196,000 from the fund.
She told Judge Nancy L. Butts she made payments to the woman's son and daughter-in-law, Tom and Debra Evenden, the beneficiaries, and thought that she was doing what she was supposed to do.
Lach was Mary Jane Evenden's cleaning lady and the two developed a friendship until it became so close that Evenden entrusted her to administer her trust fund.
When Evenden died, Lach received some money for her services, about $20,000 decreed in the will, but Lach wanted more. She paid the woman's son and daughter-in-law $700 a month, but wrote much larger checks to herself, according to Tom Waffenschmidt, the Evendens' attorney.
By 2006, Lach told the Evendens she would pay them $700 every quarter.
Waffenschmidt said he wrote to Lach, asking her for a full accounting and to open the books.
"She never responded, avoided all inquiries," Waffenschmidt said.
Litigation ensued and state police began to investigate, he said.
"I can't believe you did not know what you were doing," Butts said.
Butts sentenced Lach to seven years intermediate punishment, one year in prison, made her eligible to be on prison Pre-Release in six months and ordered 100 hours' community service.
Butts ordered Lach to either sell property or find a way to get the full restitution to the Evendens.
"She is sorry," Lach's attorney, Roan Confer said after the hearing. "She met with police and she didn't know."
Confer said Butts' prison sentence was fair, but he contended his client never had so much as a speeding ticket.
"Unfortunately, under trust law, you can't take money unless you are a beneficiary. She did not know that and she thought she was entitled," Confer said.
Life Lessons and Career Insights by Anil Menon
Seen on Andrew da Silva
Life Lessons and Career Insights by Anil Menon
Anil Manon is Vice President, IBM Marketing Strategy and Worldwide Marketing Management — what a mouthful! He is responsible for IBM’s Brand Strategy which includes Industrial Design, Content and Corporate Identity. Responsible for IBM’s Worldwide Market Intelligence, he conducts and coordinates all forecasting, customer and market research within IBM.
Still quite active in academia, he is involved in the Yale Center and sits on the board of the Zyman Institute. (source)
In 2006, Anil Menon was a distinguished speaker at Duke University where he presented life lessons and career insights from his academia experience and his current career at IBM.
Anil has everything of a great speaker; he is funny, a good storyteller and charismatic. I was going to exhaustingly list his lessons and insights, but I won’t. The presentation is an hour long, you should be able to spare that time.
On a side note, it is really a shame that Anil Menon isn’t more present and known on the Internet. Aside from a couple of marketing blogs reviewing his presentations, newspapers haven’t interviewed him and his speeches aren’t offered online, except for Duke’s.
It’s incredible how Duke’s Distinguished Speakers Series has an awesome selection of executives. I’ll try to present more of them in the upcoming weeks.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Catherine DeWald says: Lots Carney didn't do
Recently a gentleman stated in a letter to the editor, that in his opinion, U.S. Rep. Chris Carney didn't do anything in his first term. I would like to add to his list of things Carney didn't do. He didn't need on-the-job training, he hit the ground running and didn't look back.
His many years of public service working at the Pentagon, his years as a college professor and his nearly two decades of service to his country have prepared him for his job. He didn't hesitate when asked to speak in response to the G.W. Bush radio address; an honor almost unheard of for a freshman congressman. He didn't forget his promise to always be accessible.
He didn't accept a pay raise, instead choosing to give it to charity. Congressman Carney didn't forget his priorities -- his lovely wife, Jennifer, their five great kids, his church, his country, his constituents or his old pickup truck. One of Congressman Carney's first challenges was to jump-start the Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway, a project that PennDOT has since deemed in hibernation. Rest assured our congressman didn't go into hibernation and his work will continue. On behalf of our servicemen and women, his work is unprecedented as is his proposal for a veterans outpatient clinic in our district. His personal trip to Iraq to support our troops and his honesty and integrity have earned him the respect and admiration of a large number of "Republicans for Carney."
Congressman Carney didn't hire undocumented workers. And he didn't change his residence to enhance his campaign. He said that he would make us proud, and we are as proud as we can be. His recent promotion to commander in the Navy Reserves makes us beyond proud. We now have a representative who truly does represent his constituents. One thing I can promise you is this, the first name of our next congressman will be Chris, but I also know, and this is not blarney, his full name will be Christopher P. Carney.
Catherine DeWald,
Turbotville
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Tom Waffenschmidt, a parent at West Branch School
West Branch School Fair and Music Festival schedule announced
Fact Box
IF YOU GOWHO: West Branch School.
WHAT: Fair and music festival.
WHERE: West Branch School, 755 Moore Ave.
WHEN: Check page 15 for a schedule of events.
*************
Outside Stage
Noon to 12:30 p.m. Mallory Scoppa.
12:40 to 1:10 p.m. The Back Pages.
1:20 to 1:50 p.m. Lux Bridge.
2 to 2:30 p.m. Emily Hulslander.
2:40 to 3:10 p.m. Cletus Mergitroid.
3:20 to 3:50 p.m.Bruce W. Derr.
4 to 4:30 p.m. Infinite Bliss.
4:40 to 5:40 p.m. Backwoods Experiment.
5:50 to 6:50 p.m. Earl Pickens and The Band Named Thunder.
Inside Stage
Noon to 12:50 p.m. Uptown Music Collective.
1 to 3 p.m. Fiona Soibhan Powell, Folklorist and Storyteller.
3 to 3:50 p.m. Katie Brosky-WBS Violin Students.
4 to 4:50 p.m. Ron Boslun (mandolin).
5 to 7 p.m. Uptown Music Collective.
These two bands, and a host of others, will perform from noon to 7 p.m. May 10 at West Branch School, 755 Moore Ave. The fair features live music throughout the day, incredible food, arts and crafts and games for children.
“A tradition since the early years of the school, the fair is a wonderful event that brings together the school, alumni and the community to enjoy food, music, games and arts and crafts,” said Steve Hulslander, long-time teacher.
“This year the fair and music fest promises to have a special flair with a “Carnival of Animals” theme for children’s games and some fantastic music. There will be a variety of games and activities for children of all ages. Delicious shad dinners, gourmet salads, strawberries and cream, fresh-squeezed lemonade and a scrumptious dessert bistro are offered, along with more traditional fair food. In addition, we have WVYA’s very own Fiona Powell weaving her tales for children,” fair coordinator Anita Casper said.
Powell, a professional storyteller, has made a career out of her interest in Celtic folklore and speechways.
The daughter of a Welsh-American lawyer and a British actress, she has lived in Japan, France and Great Britain.
For a time, she worked as a shepherd in Somerset, Wales, and Scotland. In addition to appearing at schools, festivals and other events as a storyteller and performer, she is an announcer for WVIA, northeastern Pennsylvania’s public radio affiliate. She returns to the British Isles every year, spending most of her time in her beloved Wales, where she studies the folkways of her ancestors.
Tom Waffenschmidt, a parent at West Branch School said, “I came to the fair long before our daughter attended school here; that’s how I found out about the school. I come for the incredible food and great music!”
Children can play in the “bouncy house” join the dinosaur dig and duck-fishing pond, and visit the kitty corral, provided by Lycoming Animal Protection Society.
Mask-making, face painting, a school store, and a frog-flinger are other highlights. The human strength machine, scream-0-meter, an elephant trunk toss and a balloon man appeal to kids of all ages. A live llama will be wandering available for petting, too. For the wee ones, there will be a toddler area for the young ones, including a tunnel, and a toddler-sized “bouncy house.”
As part of the children’s games area, there will be a stuffed-animal contest. Children are invited to bring a stuffed animal and draw a picture or write a story about it. Awards will be given to all children. In addition, children are encouraged to bring used stuffed animals to donate to the Women’s Center, an organization that serves families of Montour and Columbia counties.
A line-up of folk, rock, blues and jazz music will be played at outdoor and indoor stages throughout the day. Artisans will be selling jewelry and other items.
A raffle drawing will be held at 7 p.m. for an 18k yellow gold diamond and sapphire earrings by James Meyer valued at $1,272, a family membership at the YMCA, Tennis Club Membership, box seats to the Orioles’ game, an overnight at the Peter Herdic Inn, show tickets, and more.
Tickets are $2 each or three tickets for $5. Tickets may be bought from current parents, the West Branch School or at the fair.
The fair has been a fundraiser for most of the school’s 36 years.
“When we lived in Newberry, we walked down the street and took our oldest children to the Fair,” Gail Landers said.
The Landers family has also become somewhat a tradition at the school, sending each of their five children to West Branch for more than 20 years.
Music has always been a big part of the West Branch School fair.
Members of the Uptown Music Collective perform indoors during the event, and the local nonprofit music collective also donates sound equipment for the day.
Local bands Infinite Bliss (rock), Lux Bridge (Celtic), The Back Pages (classic rock and folk) and Cletus Mergitroid (eclectic), round out the band lineup. Solo performers Bruce W. Derr, Mallory Scoppa, and Emily Hulslander also will perform outdoors.
Earl Pickens has enjoyed success as an “up and coming” performer in the region, and is certainly a name to watch out for. “Can I Turn On The Radio” is a minor hit local, and has been featured on radio stations in the region. The video, featuring Earl’s New York to Lewisburg unicycle ride, has been viewed more than 15,000 times on Youtube.com.
His remake of his own cover of “I’ve Been Everywhere (in Pennsylvania),” titled, “Obama Everywhere” garnered 23,000 hits on Youtube.com in one week.
Don’t expect a political message at the fair, however. Just flat out fun rock and roll that will have you swingin’.
For more information visit www.westbranchschool.org or 323-5498.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Ellen Tinsman on John McCain
Who's being laughed at?
POSTED: August 17, 2008
By many accounts, John McCain's "Celebrity" attack ads against Obama are a success, so much so that he's loading the airwaves with a series of them.
However, it makes me wonder if McCain supporters should be celebrating this kind of success, or if they should be offended.
What these ads say to voters is: Since you're too lazy to be interested in the issues, we'll just entertain you with some personality-bashing. You'll buy right into the fact that a brilliant, well-educated man with a distinguished career and a loving family is just like Britney Spears and Paris Hilton.
These ads say to you: You, the voter, are not smart enough to care about the issues that directly affect your lives, like health care, the Iraqi war, the energy crisis, the economy. So instead of talking about how McCain or Obama intend to deal with these very real problems, we'll create a diversion that you'll buy into.
John McCain must think you're awfully shallow.
Of course, a man who comes from one of the richest families in Arizona, who can't remember the last time he pumped gas into his own car, who has 11 houses and is married to an heiress worth over $100 million, and who admitted he doesn't even know how to turn on a computer, probably doesn't know much about the issues affecting everyday Americans.
It doesn't look like McCain's making fun of Obama. Seems to me he's laughing at you, the voter.
Ellen Tinsman
Trout Run
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Chris Carney, and T. Boone Pickens target foreign oi
Published August 09, 2008 05:08 am - It’s like the setup for some politically witty punch line: So a Democratic Congressman and a Texas billionaire oil tycoon walk into a bar...
Carney, tycoon target foreign oil
By Damian Gessel
The Daily Item
Carney, tycoon target foreign oil
By Damian Gessel
The Daily Item
MIFFLINBURG — It’s like the setup for some politically witty punch line: So a Democratic Congressman and a Texas billionaire oil tycoon walk into a bar...
Actually, it wasn’t a bar. U.S. Rep. Chris Carney, D-10 of Dimock, talked recently with T. Boone Pickens — BP businessman, philanthropist and supporter of alternative energy — over a cup of coffee. Blowing curls of steam away from their cups, they chatted over heady matters.
Namely, what to do about the fact America is wildly dependent on foreign oil.
Pickens, at 80, is as staunch a Republican as there is. He’s a private sector man through and through. Carney hasn’t yet cracked 50, is a professor and military man turned politician. And a Democrat.
But on the matter of oil independence, they think surprisingly alike, Carney said Friday. Both favor a conservatively balanced approach (start drilling on U.S. shores for oil to tide America over until the big switch and make use of clean coal technology), but both believe that with a little roll-up-your-sleeves American ingenuity, the country can ween itself off foreign crude.
“I don’t see any reason why we can’t someday be the Saudi Arabia of energy,” Carney told a roomful of residents at a town hall talk in Mifflinburg Friday. “We just need the political will to do it.”
Carney wants the United States to turn to every available alternate energy source, from nuclear to solar.
“Everything,” he said, “is on the table.”
Pickens just ponied up $10 billion of his own money to build a wind mill farm in west Texas. His plan is to generate enough wind energy to reduce America’s estimated $700 billion annual dependence on foreign oil, thereby freeing up natural gas for transportation.
Here’s a snippet from Carney and Pickens’ coffee session:
Pickens, to Carney: “You’re sitting on top of 2 trillion gallons of natural gas.”
Carney: “Is that a lot?”
Pickens: “Hell yes, that’s a lot!”
Turns out, Pennsylvania is riding on the second-largest store of natural gas in the country, Carney said.
Carney and Pickens may be different in every other way, but they both say they see the writing on the wall — and it isn’t written in oil, the congressman said.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Jacobs-Baldys Engagement
JACOBS-BALDYS | |
| Lynn and Mark Jacobs of Valley Cottage, N.Y., announce the engagement of their daughter, Lauren Michelle, to Matthew Baldys, son of Mary Lou and Rick Baldys of Williamsport, Pa. Lauren graduated from Nyack HS and from Ithaca College with a BA in sociology. She will graduate with a teaching certificate in elementary education from East Stroudsburg State University in December. Matt graduated from Williamsport Area HS and from Ithaca College with a BA in philosophy. He will graduate with a teaching certificate in secondary education from East Stroudsburg in May. A June 2005 wedding is planned. | |
Monday, July 28, 2008
Carney Fights for Seniors Dignity
Quality home care for elderly pushed
My Life, My Choice touted as mentally healthy for seniors, cheaper than nursing homes.
SHERRY LONG slong@timesleader.com
Pearl Novak used her wagon to haul materials for her parents as they were constructing their home on Bear Creek Boulevard when she was 6 years old.
Pearl Novak, 75, who lives alone in the home she grew up in, says the elderly should be allowed to stay in their homes to get care.
FRED ADAMS/THE TIMES LEADER
Now at 75, she moves around a little bit slower these days than when she was younger, but still lives in the home her parents built by hand and doesn’t want to be forced out by the government.
She’s just one of a growing number of seniors in the grass-roots campaign of My Life, My Choice PA Seniors for Homecare across the state advocating for the creation of a state commission to oversee quality home care.
“It’s my life. I should have a choice. Not everybody has to go to a nursing home,” Novak said.
“I live alone and I know they say people who live alone are depressed,” she said. “I am happy the way I am. I don’t need anybody. This is my rock. I spent my whole life working on this place.”
The commission would oversee a work-force registry to help the elderly find quality trained home care personnel, said Hannah Sassaman, spokesperson for My Life, My Choice.
If a caregiver called in sick for work, the senior could call the commission to request another home care worker be sent out.
Home care workers, who spend a few hours a day with the patients, don’t provide medical care, but help seniors with everyday needs – such as preparing meals, getting the mail and taking out the trash.
Commission supporters said the program would not only help seniors stay in their home, but it would also benefit the government because it is cheaper for a senior to stay in their home receiving home care rather than moving into a nursing home.
It costs, on average, $47,769 to care for a person in a nursing home facility, but that same person could receive home care for $15,405 a year, according to data My Life, My Choice received from the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Data and the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid. In many cases, costs for long-term home care expenses would be covered by Medicaid or private insurance, Sassaman said.
“Even though 92 percent of Pennsylvanians want to stay in their homes to receive care, more than 80 percent of Pennsylvania’s senior care dollars are spent in nursing homes,” Sassaman said.
Pittston native Marie Manganiello gets angry when she learns that the elderly are forced into nursing homes when they would rather continue to live in their homes.
When a person is forced out of their home, it can have an adverse impact on their mental status.
“Just because you need nursing care doesn’t mean you’re senile and can’t make decisions,” Manganiello said. “When you remove choices from seniors, their quality of life is reduced. It takes away their ability to control their life and the manner in which the decisions are made relative to their life.”
Democrat U.S. Rep. Chris Carney, of Dimock Township, introduced the Caregiver Tax Relief Act of 2008 earlier this month.
If passed, the bill would allow caregivers who take care of people with long-term care needs to receive a $2,500 tax credit.
“It is designed for families taking care of loved ones. Congressman Carney believes the way we take care of our seniors says a lot about us as a community,” said Carney’s Communications Director Rebecca Gale.
Town hall meetings held across the state earlier this year will help the Department of Aging develop a “state plan on aging,” which it is required to do every four years by state and federal law.
The plan is expected to be unveiled by the department’s Web site at the end of August.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Kay Ertle Speaks at YWCA Ceremony
YWCA opens, refills 80-year-old cornerstone
By ANNA TELATOVICH - atelatovich@sungazette.comArticle Photos
"It's not dust."
So were the first words YWCA Executive Director Diane Glenwright said Tuesday upon opening the building's 1928 cornerstone. The lid was removed from the copper box 80 years to the day after the cornerstone was laid at 815 W. Fourth St.
Among the contents were an American flag with 48 stars, a photograph of the 1928 directors, metal plate negatives, an annual report, YWCA brochures bearing the campaign slogan "Do for our girls what we've done for our boys," two local newspapers from July 22, 1928, and a family Bible donated by Martha E. Clark, who gave the last $50,000 toward the building's construction.
"I was so scared it was just ashes," Glenwright later said of the box's contents.
Historic photographs lined the walls and rooms of the majestic building: men in suits and women in furs, women performing a synchronized swimming routine, girls performing plays and playing outdoors.
Bearing witness to Tuesday's events were descendants of the original board of directors and the 1927-1928 building committee.
"By opening the cornerstone today, we will gain some insight into the challenges faced by the organization at that time," said Kay Ertel, trustee and director emeritus. "The ladies who championed the cause and the gentlemen assisting them are respected and admired for the strong foundation for our building, our programs and our 115-year-old organization."
The YWCA here formed in 1893 before building its own facility "to help women entering the work force have a place to go to relax and recreate."
Ertel, the event's main speaker, used the anniversary event to talk about YWCA's rich history of providing for women.
In 1912, the Girl Scouts formally organized, sponsored by the YWCA. In 1913, the association opened a nursery for working mothers, Williamsport's first cafeteria and coordinated home visiting nurse efforts.
The Industrial Girls and Business & Professional Women clubs were initiated by the YWCA and, in 1926, it opened the first employment bureau for women here.
Clubs and classes such as stenography and sewing are a rich part of the YWCA past. "And I can't forget to mention the popular Friday night dances," Ertel said.
A wise and "strong leadership" terminated programs when they were no longer needed or useful, Ertel added, allowing the YWCA to evolve with the times.
Wise Options, the county's domestic violence center, opened in 1977. While it struggled for acceptance in the community in the early years, "today it is a strong, respected asset to our area and a godsend to all the men, women and children who suffer from abuse and violence," Ertel said.
The warm water therapeutic pool began providing classes for the disabled in the 1980s. Court Appointed Special Advocates and Liberty House, a homeless shelter for women and children, "have been embraced by the community with faith and support" in the new millennium.
In 115 years, some things have changed for the YWCA and others have remained the same, Glenwright said.
"We're still meeting the community needs and living up to our mission," she said.
The YWCA mission has always been the elimination of racism and the empowerment of women.
"We have kept pace with the changing needs," Glenwright said.
In it's early years, the four-story center was used by visitors from across America and from other countries during their stay in the area. Now, Glenwright said, the association is "dealing with a lot of social issues."
The YWCA is filling another cornerstone for future generations to discover. In it will be an American Flag, a Lycoming County United Way flag, 2008 stamps and coins, a Heavenly Handbag made by Liberty House, the rotunda poem, the 2009 Capital Campaign Case Study, a list of the 2008 Board of Directors and the committee members, YWCA video, a corner stone bookmark, a newsletter, Tuesday's newspaper, this month's Mountain Home edition and annual reports.
Glenwright said those interested in touring the facility may contact Janel Gordner at 322-4637, Ext. 159.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Verna Caruso in the Times of London
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/gerard_baker/article2788907.ece?pgnum=5
It's amusing that about half the bloggers and columnists have been saying "Shame on those Mean Men for Bullying Hillary" and the other half are saying "She's in Politics and All's Fair". I must say I agree with the latter.
It would be foolish of Senator Clinton's opponents to keep mollycoddling her. If they have a bone to pick, go for it! They won't make any points by opening all the doors for her. Conversely, the only way she's going to win this election (if she does) and, more importantly, the one to come is to start fielding some of the hardballs. She needs to exercise her ability to hit back so she doesn't lose it.
If she can't defend herself among her own, she certainly won't be able to do it against the Swift Boating, Karl Rove types who are just waiting to start pounding her.
We need all the candidates to defend their positions and to call out the others who aren't being straight with us so that we can make an informed choice. Hillary can take care of herself.
Verna Caruso, Williamsport, PA
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
DailyItem.com: Carney may be best hope for tolling solution
Published July 16, 2008 12:00 am - The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission's warning Tuesday was veiled but hard to miss, all the same. Most commuters will pay if tolls are added to Interstate 80.
Carney may be best hope for tolling solution
Carney may be best hope for tolling solution
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission's warning Tuesday was veiled but hard to miss, all the same. Most commuters will pay if tolls are added to Interstate 80.
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The turnpike commission cheerily notes that one-third of commuters could use the interstate without paying a toll because motorists will only be billed after they have traveled through more than one toll booth. The turnpike commission does not plan to tell taxpayers where those booths will be until next month. Pardon the math, but the turnpike commission's one-third empty glass means two-thirds of commuters will be impacted. This comes after months of reassurances that the charm of tolling the interstate is that it will collect revenue from out-of-state travelers.
Central Susquehanna Valley residents ought to recognize that tolls on the interstate remains a distinct possibility -- one that will impact the region's economy and the pocketbooks of individual motorists.
The tolling plan remains one of two competing proposals to finance improvements to the state's transportation infrastructure. Tolling the interstate is preferred by lawmakers in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh because it avoids the need to reform the patronage-laden turnpike commission and will not require significant toll hikes in those regions.
In a Harrisburg power struggle between those representing the metropolitan regions and those from rural Pennsylvania, the prospects for a successful outcome might be bleak. Earlier this month, the state House transportation committee declined to even bring the turnpike lease up for vote. "There is no realistic scenario under which (the lease) deal will happen," said state Rep. Joseph Markosek, an Allegheny County representative who chairs the transportation committee.
Central Susquehanna Valley residents may be best-served seeking the intervention of the federal government. The region's representative, Congressman Chris Carney, is a freshman lawmaker but he sits on the House transportation committee and is a member of the majority party. If the Democrats want Carney to retain his seat in the conservative 10th District, shooting down the toll plan might be the type of muscle-flexing that makes the difference.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Ellen Tinsman Takes Hate Mongers to Task
Ellen Tinsman Takes Hate Mongers to Task in the Sun Gazette
http://culogin.sungazette.com/page/content.detail/id/507898.html
Fulminations in the press and by various letters writers to this newspaper against the Rev. Jeremiah Wright somehow neglect to mention the equally inflammatory and hate-filled remarks from white conservative preachers, the ones who have endorsed John McCain.
McCain sought out the endorsement of televangelist John Hagee, and appears on stage with him. Pastor Hagee has characterized the Catholic Church as “The Great Whore” and has stated that Catholics worship the anti-Christ. And, despite his professed love for Israel, he has repeatedly promoted nuclear war between Iran and America/Israel, with an eye to the destruction of Israel in an Armageddon, paving the way for the Christian Rapture, which would leave Jews behind to be destroyed.
Pastor Hagee wrote in 2006 that Jews brought anti-semitism and the Holocaust upon themselves. He also stated that Hurricane Katrina was God’s way of punishing sinful New Orleans.
The Rev. Rod Parsley, who endorses McCain, preaches that the United States was founded to destroy Islam—not Islamic terrorists, but the entire religion. And both McCain endorsers Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell stated that 9/11 was God’s punishment for a sinful United States just two days after that terrible event.
McCain has distanced himself from the more hateful words these white evangelical preachers have uttered, just as Senator Obama has distanced himself from those of Rev. Wright. Unlike Obama, McCain has kept these people on his campaign as “spiritual advisors.”
There seems to be a double standard here – that it is perfectly fine for conservative white preachers to say hateful things, but not when black preachers utter similar inflammatory statements.
My hope is that sensible people everywhere will judge candidates by their own words, and not those of the various religious people who are associated with them.
Ellen Tinsman
Trout Run
http://culogin.sungazette.com/page/content.detail/id/507898.html
Double standard II?
POSTED: March 30, 2008
Fulminations in the press and by various letters writers to this newspaper against the Rev. Jeremiah Wright somehow neglect to mention the equally inflammatory and hate-filled remarks from white conservative preachers, the ones who have endorsed John McCain.
McCain sought out the endorsement of televangelist John Hagee, and appears on stage with him. Pastor Hagee has characterized the Catholic Church as “The Great Whore” and has stated that Catholics worship the anti-Christ. And, despite his professed love for Israel, he has repeatedly promoted nuclear war between Iran and America/Israel, with an eye to the destruction of Israel in an Armageddon, paving the way for the Christian Rapture, which would leave Jews behind to be destroyed.
Pastor Hagee wrote in 2006 that Jews brought anti-semitism and the Holocaust upon themselves. He also stated that Hurricane Katrina was God’s way of punishing sinful New Orleans.
The Rev. Rod Parsley, who endorses McCain, preaches that the United States was founded to destroy Islam—not Islamic terrorists, but the entire religion. And both McCain endorsers Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell stated that 9/11 was God’s punishment for a sinful United States just two days after that terrible event.
McCain has distanced himself from the more hateful words these white evangelical preachers have uttered, just as Senator Obama has distanced himself from those of Rev. Wright. Unlike Obama, McCain has kept these people on his campaign as “spiritual advisors.”
There seems to be a double standard here – that it is perfectly fine for conservative white preachers to say hateful things, but not when black preachers utter similar inflammatory statements.
My hope is that sensible people everywhere will judge candidates by their own words, and not those of the various religious people who are associated with them.
Ellen Tinsman
Trout Run
Friday, July 11, 2008
Chris Carney seek tax breaks for caregivers
Pa. reps seek tax break for caregiver
Congressmen’s bill would create $2,500 annual credit for relatives’ long-term care.
ANDREW M. SEDER aseder@timesleader.com
Two Pennsylvania congressmen have teamed up to introduce legislation aimed at creating a $2,500 annual tax credit for those giving long-term care to relatives or paying someone else to.
With the country’s residents living longer and health care costs climbing, the burden of caring for many seniors falls on their children, who often work and raise a family of their own.
U.S. Reps. Chris Carney, D-Dimock Township, and Todd Platts, R-York, co-sponsored the Caregiver Tax Relief Act of 2008 and introduced it Wednesday night in Washington. The bill has been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee while additional co-sponsors and support are sought.
Though the bill would help those taking care of people of all ages that meet certain medical qualifications, the elderly population is the one Carney touched on the most Thursday.
“The way we take care of our seniors tells a lot about us as a community. Today, a lot of families are taking on the responsibility of caring for an aging parent. We should be helping these families in need, and helping seniors stay close to their loved ones. The Caregiver Tax Relief Act provides assistance to seniors and their families, and makes it easier for these families to stay together. This means helping a working mother who also cares for her elderly father, or making it easier for families to all chip in to pay for long-term care. I see families doing this every day, but caregivers also need to take care of themselves. This tax break makes care giving a little bit easier. I will fight to make sure this legislation becomes a reality,” said Carney.
Among those praising the idea is Margaret Yascur of Shavertown.
The 77-year-old said she could have used the financial aid when she took care of her ailing mother Anna Polisky. Her mother died in 1988, but Yascur said others currently in that position will find the tax credit useful.
“My mother lived with me and my family for about two years. It was definitely hard on us financially, but of course we would do everything we could for our mother,” the retired certified nurse’s aide said. “If we had had a tax credit, it could have helped out with all the extra expenses we had, and maybe we could have kept our family together longer. I’ve worked with Alzheimer’s patients living with their families, and it can be really difficult. I can see how this tax credit could be a huge help with all the good work they’re doing.”
Platts agreed.
“Individuals who take the responsibility to care for their loved ones are the unsung heroes of our health care system and save taxpayers millions of dollars every year,” Platts said. “This legislation will help keep families together and provides a small measure of relief to individuals and families making enormous personal sacrifices each and every day.”
Carney said the tax credit wouldn’t be a fix-all but would certainly alleviate the financial hardship many caregivers face on top of “the physical and emotional burdens.” He said he believes a person is best suited to be cared for by family members “rather than putting them in the hands of strangers.”
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Carney Fights to Lower Gas Prices
Chris Carney is a leader in the fight to lower gas prices. While the lesser candidate offers only a misunderstanding of the root issues backed by empty rhetoric Congressman Chris Carney provides meaningful solutions.
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Thursday, July 3, 2008
Republicans Rally to Support Chris Carney
Republicans Rally to Support Chris Carney
"A prominent Republican Washington, D.C. lobbyist and former chief of staff for Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Philadelphia will host a $1,000-a-plate breakfast fundraiser for Carney on July 16 in the nation’s capital."
"Carney’s supporters say David Urban’s support shows the bi-partisan centrist nature of Carney. Urban, a partner at the lobbying firm American Continental, is hosting the fundraising breakfast with two of his colleagues. Urban, a registered Republican who grew up outside Pittsburgh and attended law school at Temple University, has a long history of donating to Republicans. Urban said his support of Carney does not reflect the views of his former boss Specter, but his own perspective.
“Over his term I’ve gotten to know Carney … he’s a pretty admirable guy and I think he’s doing great things for Pennsylvania,” he said."
"A prominent Republican Washington, D.C. lobbyist and former chief of staff for Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Philadelphia will host a $1,000-a-plate breakfast fundraiser for Carney on July 16 in the nation’s capital."
"Carney’s supporters say David Urban’s support shows the bi-partisan centrist nature of Carney. Urban, a partner at the lobbying firm American Continental, is hosting the fundraising breakfast with two of his colleagues. Urban, a registered Republican who grew up outside Pittsburgh and attended law school at Temple University, has a long history of donating to Republicans. Urban said his support of Carney does not reflect the views of his former boss Specter, but his own perspective.
“Over his term I’ve gotten to know Carney … he’s a pretty admirable guy and I think he’s doing great things for Pennsylvania,” he said."
Roan J. Confer, Jr.
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Admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar: 1997
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