Desert Local News May 30, 2009 Editon by Desert Local News

DESERT LOCAL NEWS • MAY 30, 2009

DHS MORE TAXES ‘A’ Victory, the smiling ‘ Million Dollar Team’ City Attorney Rubin Duran, Laura Green , Executive Secretary to the City Manager and wife of Managing Editor of the Desert Sun Rick Green and City Manager Rick Daniel’s. ~Photo by Bruce Montgomery at the Capri Italien Restaurant.

USS NEW YORK

‘Bubba’ Sorensen

Allman Brothers

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Here’s the artist: Ray ‘Bubba’ Sorensen. ~Photo Courtesy of Sorensen Family There is a huge rock near a gravel pit on Hwy.25 in rural Iowa . For generations, kids have painted slogans, names, and obscenities on this rock, changing its character many times. A few months back, the rock received its

latest paint job, and since then it has been left completely undisturbed. It’s quite an impressive sight. I thought the flag was draped over the rock, but it’s not. It’s actually painted on the rock too. Thank You Betty!

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, CALIFORNI • ADESERT LOCAL NEWS MAY 30, 2009

A Disappointing Turnout at the Polls will Cost Residents Dearly JUST THE FACTS DESERT HOT SPRINGS, CA- During the last election, only about 15 percent of registered voters came out to make a difference in Desert Hot Springs, on whether or not to extend the utility tax that would help save the police department. And with success, Measure A passed by a whopping 76%. But at what cost will this two percent increase have on residents? Especially those who did not vote? It’s true that Desert Hot Springs needs its police department like a baby needs a bottle, but raising the utility tax could hurt lower income families who are depending on every dollar to make it through the month. For example, a $300 electric bill would now cost $321, and throughout the summer

months, that could total an extra $63 of much needed money. And with Desert Hot Springs having a 17% unemployment rate, this is unacceptable. (Add 7% UUT on your cable, electric, gas, telephone, trash, and water bills.) $63 could buy a family food and clothing. And some families that are smart would know how well to stretch that amount. Plus, gasoline prices are expected to rise to above $3 a gallon during this summer season, therefore, families may not be able to afford going on vacation or to use their cars. Who are these 15% that voted to raise taxes? Obviously those who could afford them, and those who are U.S. Citizens. With a high immigrant population in Desert

Hot Springs, a number of them could not vote due to citizenship status. These people, regardless of whether they are citizens or not, contribute a lot to this city. But with higher bills, will they stay in this town or move to where taxes are lesser? That would be devastating. It would be highly suggested that those of you who are affected by higher bills to send copies of your utility bills to Mayor Yvonne Parks or City Manager Rick Daniels telling them how you feel. Then again, whose fault is it that taxes in Desert Hot Springs are going up? Is it those 15% of registered voters who went to the polls or is it the 85% who didn’t seem to care? ©

Democracy in Desert Hot Springs 15% of the Voters decided for 85% of the People. And get ready for even ‘newer Taxes’ coming in November. Then again, whose fault is it that taxes in Desert Hot Springs are going up? Is it those 15% of registered voters who went to the polls or is it the 85% who didn’t seem to care?

THE MATT WEYUKER COLUMN

STEREOPSIS BY MATT WEYUKER The famous circus impresario P.T. Barnum once mocked, “There’s a sucker born every minute, and two born to take it away from him.” He must have been referring to the 85% of we Desert Hot Springs residents who allowed the suckers, the 15% of the registered voters to saddle the rest of us with the unnecessary 29% Utility Users Tax (UUT) increase. The extremely low 20% of the city’s registered voters turnout is a depressing commentary about how topsyturvy is the community’s apparent lack of interest in important local matters, while almost 80% of us cast our ballots in the recent Presidential election. It really should be the other way around. For those who didn’t vote on May 19th, you have yourselves to blame for the 7% UUT on your cable, electric, gas, telephone, trash, and water bills. In fact, if you are delinquent in paying these “utility” bills, the city can, and will, slap liens on your property, if you are a homeowner or a landlord. These heavy-handed penalties in the face of overwhelming unemployment and a 10%

foreclosure rate in Desert Hot Springs are reprehensible, and we voters should remember this inconceivable action in November. Another tidbit of information for we “Spa City” residents to ponder is: if the city has applied for a $10 Million grant from President Obama’s “nearly $800 Billion stimulus money,” why did the proponents spend so much promoting this illtimed tax increase that will add

By the way, I read something on a website, where my challenging “Measure A” was questioned, “Didn’t former Mayor Former Mayor Matt Weyuker Weyuker have gang city’s inordinately high parolee problems when he was in office.” To answer the numbers, sex degenerates, and question, yes we did have 1 or gang thugs with only 30 police 2 gangs, who mostly painted officers. I previously mentioned some parts of “their turf” with graffiti, but not the 4 or 5 very the upcoming November 2009 violent gangs that we have now, election during which the city’s voters will cast ballots for mayor and 2 city council seats. For those who didn’t vote on May 19th, you have I plan on going into some detail yourselves to blame for the 7% UUT on your cable, about these important races in electric, gas, telephone, trash, and water bills. In fact, if September, but I thought that you are delinquent in paying these “utility” bills, the city I’d talk about this matter that can, and will, slap liens on your property should be of some concern to we the voting residents of an insignificant 4 more police with their criminal activities. And Desert Hot Springs – namely, officers, when there wasn’t former Public Safety Chairman that whoever we decide on to any organized opposition? Dr. Paul Steier did a wonderful be our elected representatives, How does adding 4 cops to an job lowering the parolee we will still have an “un-elected” admittedly under-staffed police numbers from a high of 275, to person who really runs our city’s department get rid of the nearly a more reasonable 150 – on my government – City Manager Rick Daniels. When we go to 500 ex-cons, 90+ sex offender/ watch! pedophiles, and many gang Now that a well-organized the ballot-box in November, we members, when it took 700 law minority of the city’s voters has should demand that whoever enforcement people in all-out spoken, what kind of workable we elect will do their “due concentrated city raid, to arrest public safety plan do the city’s diligence” in representing the 120 parole violators and gang leaders have in mind for Desert city’s residents, not perform like hoodlums, and net a minimum Hot Springs? Please tell us a bunch of trained puppets! amount of drugs? how you plan on ridding the

You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred. You cannot build character and courage by taking away people’s initiative and independence. You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves. .....Abraham Lincoln

U-REPORT ‘NEVER FORGET’ • DESERT LOCAL NEWS MAY 30, 2009

USS New York Here SHE is, the USS New York, made from The World Trade Center! USS New York It was built with 24 tons of scrap steel from the WorldTradeCenter. It is the fifth in a new class of warship - designed for missions that include special operations against terrorists. It will carry a crew of 360 sailors and 700 combat-ready Marines To be delivered ashore by helicopters and assault craft. Steel from the World Trade Center was melted down in a foundry in Amite,LA to cast the ship’s bow section. When it was poured into the molds on Sept 9, 2003, ‘those big rough steelworkers treated it with total reverence,’ Recalled Navy Capt. Kevin Wensing, who was there. ‘It Was a spiritual moment for everybody there.’ Junior Chavers, foundry operations manager, said that when the trade center steel first arrived, he touched it with his hand and the ‘hair on my neck stood up.’ ‘It had a big meaning to it for all of us,’ he said. ‘They knocked us down. They can’t keep us down. We’re going to be Back.’ The Ship’s’ motto?

‘Never Forget’ Please keep This going so everyone can see what we are made of in this country!

USS NEW YORK

DESERT LOCAL NEWS MAY 30, 2009

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DESERT LOCALLOCAL NEWS •NEWS FEBRUARY 2009 DESERT MAY4,30, 2009

PROPOSAL

5 7

To All Governments , Local, Regional and Federal When a company falls on difficult times, one of the things that seems to happen is they reduce their staff and workers. The remaining workers must find ways to continue to do a good job. Our government should do the same. Reduce the House of Representatives from the current 435 members to 218 members. Reduce Senate members from 100 to 50 (one per State), AND Reduce their staff by 25%. Some Yearly Monetary Gains Include: $44,108,400 for elimination of base pay for Congress. (267 members X $165,200 pay/member/yr.) $97,175,000 for elimination of their staff. (estimate $1.3 Million in staff per each member of the House, and $3 Million in staff per each member of the Senate every year) $240,294 for the reduction in remaining staff by 25%. $7,500,000,000 reduction in pork barrel earmarks each year. (those members whose jobs are gone.) Current estimates for total government pork earmarks are at $15 Billion/yr The remaining representatives would need to work smarter and improve efficiencies. It might even be in their best interests to work together for the good of our country! Smaller committees might lead to a more efficient resolution of issues as well. Congress has more tools available to do their jobs than it had back in 1911 when the current number of representatives was established. (telephone, computers, cell phones to name a few) Note: Congress did not hesitate to head home when it was a holiday, when the nation needed a real fix to the economic problems. Also, we had 3 senators that had not been doing their jobs for 18+ months (on the campaign trail), and still they have been accepting full pay. These facts alone support a reduction in senators and congress. Summary: $ 44,108,400 reduction of Congress members.. $ 282,100,000 for elimination of the reduced House member staff. $ 150,000,000 for elimination of reduced Senate member staff. $ 59,675,000 for 25% reduction of staff for remaining House members. $ 37,500,000 for 25% reduction of staff for remaining Senate members.. $7,500,000,000 reduction in pork added to bills by the reduction of Congress members. $8,073,383,400 per year, estimated total savings. (that’s 8-BILLION just to start!) Congresspersons should be required to serve 20, 25 or 30 years (like everyone else) in order to collect retirement benefits. Instead, they get full retirement after serving only ONE term! ©

DESERT LOCAL NEWS MAY 30, 2009

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WEST VALLEY ALUMNI COMMITTEE – JUNE 2009 Hi all!! Thanks to those of you who volunteered to see that our middle school leadership awards are given out. The past few weeks COD has had close to a dozen different graduation/transfer/ scholarship recognition ceremonies. The Alumni Association sponsored most of them. The alumni board also voted to award another small grant, to the PSUSD Teacher Recognition Program. The Alumni Street Fair closed another successful season and now goes into it’s reduced summer mode. Next year will be a challenge.

COD student enrollments are up dramatically and this past year we have opened several new buildings and many more are under construction or on the drawing board…. This is all possible because of our Bond Measure “B” that was passed a few years ago. There will be two sessions of summer school. Because of budget restrictions, low enrollment classes will have to be carefully looked at. Our East/West student bus pass program has grown more than we ever dreamed. The Colleges “Bridges to Success” program for valley youth continues and has been

expanded. We have recruited and filled two open top College positions and President Patton continues to meet with our Valley educators and leaders. Jerry indicates that there will not be much new to report on the Colleges Budget/ Financial status and West Valley progress until later summer or early Fall. State budget cuts will call for quick, substantial adjustment action to COD’s regular operating budget. (not necessarily West Valley projects.) Therefore… the COD Alumni West Valley committee will not meet again until September, date to be

announced. We will email you all should anything “new” come up. If you have a pressing matter or grant proposal etc. please call the Alumni office at 760-773-2567. Our West Valley committee continues to grow. Your time and input are valuable to us all and we will not call meetings just to have meetings. Please continue to keep a look our for new dedicated members and have a great summer! John Marman

DESERT LOCAL NEWS MAY 30, 2009

Looks Like Fireworks for DHS After All BY LESLIE ANDREWS DESERT HOT SPRINGS, CA- Safe and Sane fireworks will be permitted in Desert Hot Springs for this year’s Fourth of July celebration, as the city opted not to have a public fireworks display in the park as they have for many years before. During a special City Council meeting held on Tuesday, the vote was unanimous to allow four vendors throughout the city selling fireworks, similar to Indio, Cathedral City and Coachella. Council members spent nearly an hour and a half studying the pros and cons as whether or not to legalize fireworks.

“It’s a good chance for youth groups to earn some money and provide some safe entertainment for people who wish to stay at home and have a picnic,” said Councilman Russell Betts. These fireworks, which include sparklers, are California regulated and could only be lit within the city limits of Desert Hot Springs. Using safe and sane fireworks in Riverside County lands and in cities that don’t sell them are illegal and fines can be imposed. Already 62 cities in California allow safe and sane fireworks.

God in the 21st Century JUST THE FACTS Apparently Malraux was right when he prophetized that the 21st Century would either be religious or it would not be, faced with the modern godless future projected by Fukuyama. In his book “God is Back,” The Economist editor J. Micklethwait considers the return of God to societies and politics and the global surge of religion based on real data such as: the increase in pilgrimages and adult catholic confirmations on the old continent; religious controversies in

news media; or the bountiful creation of church-houses all over China alongside rising church attendance. It is true that God doesn’t turn away from man, but rather consistently leans towards him to benefit him and show him the path to heaven for which he was created. It depends on man to accept God’s invitation to become ever more divine by rejecting his baser instincts with the help of God’s grace.

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CALIFORNIA REAL ESTATE • DESERT LOCAL NEWS MAY 30, 2009 BY STAFF ARA - If you’re remodeling or redecorating this season, you’re probably also buying some goodies to spruce up your home -- like an antique dining set, original artwork or a high-end oriental rug. Insurance experts warn that your homeowners or renters policy often won’t replace higher value items if they’re damaged or destroyed. Similarly, your policy might not cover your most unique or sentimental possessions. Special items warrant special coverage For unique and hard-tovalue possessions, it’s best to go with an insurer that specializes in such items, says Jaclyn Krywar, who works for QBE Specialty Insurance. The insurer covers everything from

from Star Wars you bought on eBay, you’ll likely need a specialty insurer in order to find coverage. However, Krywar says most specialty policies protect more common valuables like a family’s wedding china or silverware, a few paintings and a small jewelry collection. “Large or small, and even if you can’t put a value on it, be sure to insure it,” she says. A floater could float you Another option is inland marine coverage (often called a “floater” or “scheduled personal property”) that’s added to your homeowners or renters policy. This will boost your limit and broaden your “cause of loss” for specific items. Why is that important? Take a wedding ring. The average cost of a diamond ring is almost

Special valuables require special insurance engagement rings to rare book collections, your grandmother’s brooch or the Lladro collection in your living room hutch -- even a million-dollar wine collection. “A company that specializes in underwriting valuable articles can provide the most competitive pricing, broadest policies, and in the event of a claim, accurate estimates for replacing or restoring an item,” she says. “Specialty insurers can also provide more flexible, tailored coverage than a standard homeowners’ insurer and with no deductible.” For example, if you have a decadent wine collection, QBE Specialty’s wine policy includes risks that aren’t often covered, like breakage, label restoration and spoilage due to mechanical breakdown of a cellar. And if you have historical memorabilia or a fine art collection, Krywar’s company would cover the risk of lending these to a museum as a loan or on exhibition. For off-beat and sentimental items, like your family heirloom Civil War rifle or that costume

$4,000. But if it’s stolen your standard homeowners policy would probably only cover about $1,000. And on a standard homeowners or renters policy, jewelry is covered for “named perils” like fire, theft or lightning. When scheduled separately, it’s covered on an “all-risk” basis, even if you drop your diamond into the running garbage disposal. “Jewelry is valuable, and it’s easy to lose and easy to steal,” says Jonathan Farris, assistant vice president at QBE Regional Insurance. “When it’s scheduled, you can rest assured that it will be covered no matter how it’s lost.” Farris adds that most consumers find the cost of scheduling to be very reasonable. For example, to cover a $3,000 ring costs about $30 a year on a policy from QBE Regional’s General Casualty or Unigard brands. When deciding which items to schedule, the experts say to consider anything valued over $1,000 or any group collectively

valued over $2,000 (think china set). “Schedule items you couldn’t afford to replace on your own,” Farris says. “And consult with your independent

insurance agent to make sure your most prized possessions are adequately protected.” Courtesy of ARAcontent

A MESSAGE FROM THE WHITE HOUSE

From the President of the United States of America Barack Obama I am proud to announce my nominee for the next Justice of the United States Supreme Court: Judge Sonia Sotomayor. This decision affects us all -- and so it must involve us all. I’ve recorded a special message to personally introduce Judge Sotomayor and explain why I’m so confident she will make an excellent Justice. Please watch the video, and then pass this note on to friends and family to include them in this historic moment. Judge Sotomayor has lived the America Dream. Born and raised in a South Bronx housing project, she distinguished herself in academia and

then as a hard-charging New York District Attorney. Judge Sotomayor has gone on to earn bipartisan acclaim as one of America’s finest legal minds. As a Supreme Court Justice, she would bring more federal judicial experience to the Supreme Court than any Justice in 100 years. Judge Sotomayor would show fidelity to our Constitution and draw on a common-sense understanding of how the law affects our day-to-day lives. A nomination for a lifetime appointment to the highest court in the land is one of the most important decisions a President can make. And the discussions that follow will be among

the most important we have as a nation. You can begin the conversation today by watching this special message and then passing it on: http://my.barackobama.com/ SupremeCourt Thank you, President Barack Obama

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DESERT LOCAL NEWS MAY 30, 2009

From the Vice-President of the United States of America

Joe Biden

President Obama hit a home run with his nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court -- and not just because she’s the “woman who saved baseball” by ending the strike in 1995, nor simply because she would be the first Latina ever to serve on the high court. It was a home run because in her three-decade career as a prosecutor, judge, private litigator and law professor, she has time and again earned bipartisan praise as one of America’s finest legal minds. And it was the right choice because Judge Sotomayor -herself born and raised in a South Bronx housing project -- has summed up the American dream in her own incredible story and never once forgotten how the law affects our daily lives. Now her historic nomination goes to the Senate. I know that process well, and I can tell you that the debate of the coming weeks and months will be shaped by the public response in the next few hours and days. It’s critical that the Senate and the public clearly see where the American people stand. Will you add your name to the growing list of Americans who are pledging to “Stand with Sotomayor” today? Your name and comments will become part of a public display of support at this crucial time. I’ve followed Judge Sotomayor’s remarkable journey for years. I voted for her when President George H.W. Bush nominated her for the District Court in 1992, and I was proud to vote for her again when President Bill Clinton nominated her for the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in 1998. Born to a Puerto Rican family, Sotomayor grew up in a public housing project in the South Bronx. She was an avid reader from an early age, and was first inspired to pursue a legal career by the Nancy Drew mystery novels. Driven

by her mother’s belief in the power of education and her own relentless work ethic, she excelled in school. She won a scholarship to Princeton University, graduated summa cum laude, and then went on to attend Yale Law School where she served as an editor of the prestigious Yale Law Journal. Like President Obama, Sotomayor passed up many more lucrative opportunities after law school to put her degree to work for the public good. She served as an Assistant District Attorney in New York, tackling some of the hardest cases facing the city, including robberies, assaults, murders, police brutality, and child pornography. Her growing reputation for fearlessness

Judge Sonia Sotomayor and legal brilliance prompted her first nomination to the federal bench, and she’s only continued to soar. If confirmed, she would start with more federal judicial experience than

any Justice in a century, more overall judicial experience than any Justice in 70 years, and replace David Souter as the only Justice with firsthand experience as a trial judge. She has participated in over 3,000 panel decisions and authored roughly 400 opinions, expertly handling difficult issues of constitutional law, complicated procedural matters, and lawsuits involving complex business organizations. In her years on the bench, Judge Sotomayor has earned acclaim from legal scholars and experts from both sides of the aisle for her intellectual toughness, her probing oral questioning, and her ability to issue decisions that hold both factual details and legal doctrines in equal measure. And she’s never failed to apply a steady, commonsense analysis of how the law touches our daily lives. Her story is incredible. Her qualifications are undeniable. And her judgment will serve us all well on the highest court in the land. Please join me in becoming a part of this historic moment for the Court and our country. Add your name now to publicly show that you, too, “Stand with Sotomayor.” In these crucial early hours, let us leave no doubt about the people’s support for this extraordinary nominee. http://my.barackobama.com/ sotomayorstand Thank you, Vice President Joe Biden

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The Allman Brothers and Doobie Brothers Rock

Story by Melissa Schoos ~Photos by Cathy Jardine Oh, this story will be a piece of cake! It will be insightful and cute, and it will really get the readers’ attention. That was what I was hoping for when I signed up to attend the performance of the Allman Brothers along with the Doobie Brothers at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Saturday, May 23. My name is Melissa; Gregg Allman wrote a song in 1964 called “Sweet Melissa.” I had to be the one to write the story, right? It was a really cool concert. The Doobie Brothers performed first and they played songs for which they are famous, such as,

“Listen to the Music” and “China Road” as well as a new song about their times in the Santa Cruz Mountains as young, wild and free hippy dude band members (to be a fly on that wall, er, mountain, huh?). It was a bluesy, snappy little tune that was like a modern version of what was best about them at the peak of their stardom. For private chef Bill Schmuhl and his girlfriend Paige Michaelis, the performances were more than just a concert, they were a lifestyle. Luckily Schmuhl has a very flexible schedule that enables him to follow the Allman Brothers for weeks at a time,

camping and doing what I suppose groupies do. It is quite an intriguing lifestyle, and if I had a band that I was that crazy about, I could see how it could be fun. The music was very good. The members from both bands were enthusiastic and comfortable. The audience was dancing and having a good time. It was a nice evening. Like peace and love, these two bands blended naturally together. For more about this concert, go to www.desertcitiesentertainment.com

DESERT LOCAL NEWS AT FANTASY SPRINGS RESORT CASINO • MAY 30, 2009

Photos by Cathy Jardine

Purple reign at

STORY AND PHOTOS BY STEPHEN TORRES Friday night, May 22, the Rock Yard at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif., was taken hostage and painted purple with funk when the one (but not only), “Prince” graced the audience with a performance by the tribute band, Purple Reign. Billed as the “Rock Yard On Steroids,” the event drew such a mass of people to the outdoor party bar that they overflowed the grass area and into the surrounding restaurants and cafés, but with free admission to the show, this was no real surprise. A regular act at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Purple Reign was named by LA Weekly as one of “16 Things You Can’t Afford to Miss in Las Vegas.” The show Friday night proved that they are not only professional performers of the highest caliber, but they

are also professional musicians. The band came out and attacked hits and booty shakers like “Raspberry Beret,” “Little Red Corvette” and “Delirious,” capturing the frenetic funk of The Revolution. Purple Reign didn’t only jam the songs, they acted them out through their stage presence and sexiness, just as Prince would have done. But the show wasn’t just about the hits of Prince and The Revolution, it was about the world of Prince, and this is where Purple Reign differs from most other tribute bands. After “Prince” would do a handful of songs, Morris Day would step out with his entourage and perform some Morris Day & The Time tunes like “The Bird” and “Jungle Love,” playing up on his arrogant and conceited character from the movie “Purple Rain” by cutting the music in mid-song to

have his dancer hold up a mirror for him to fix his hair. “Prince” finished the show with a whopping four costume-changes, which tended to get more revealing with each. After Purple Reign played their final song, the crowd wouldn’t go away and they began chanting for more. A couple of minutes later, the emcee of the evening, the valley’s own Brad Mercer from Eagle 106.9FM, took the stage and offered us a choice, “When Doves Cry” or “Purple Rain.” The decision was unanimous and so the band broke into an epic, soaring version of “Purple Rain.” For more about Purple Reign’s show, go to www.desertcitiesguides.com.

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EDETORIAL BY NANCY MORGAN • DESERT LOCAL NEWS MAY 30, 2009

Our Public Servants At Work BY NANCY MORGAN The elected representatives of ‘we the people’ were hard at work last week on our behalf. The new Obama administration churned out proposals and legislation on a variety of fronts including the environment, the economy, and the (former) war on terror. In response to the Federal Reserve’s report of an increasingly gloomy economic forecast, with an expectation for higher unemployment and a steeper drop in economic activity, our public servants in Congress introduced the Paid Vacation Act, requiring companies with more than 100 employees to offer a week of paid vacation for both full-time and part-time employees after they’ve put in a year on the job. In a boon to deadbeats, President Obama on Friday signed new credit card legislation and warned the American people to be fiscally responsible, saying “Some get in over their heads by not using their heads,” he said. “I want to be clear: We do not excuse or condone folks who’ve acted irresponsibly.” This stern warning came a full four days after it was reported that the US had set yet another record, entering into deficit spending in April, for the first time in 26 years. Oh, and the deficit will quadruple next year, and it now appears that America’s triple-A credit rating is at risk. Exhibiting a firm grasp of the obvious, President Obama on Saturday boldly told Americans what 50% of Americans already know: “We’re running out of money”. This lack of money didn’t keep Obama from proposing last week that the US contribute $100 billion, of the money we don’t have, to help the IMF with global bailouts. And on Friday evening of a holiday weekend, it

was leaked that the government had ‘loaned’ an additional $4 billion of our tax dollars (making a grand total of $19.4 billion) to the soon to be bankrupt General Motors. Also ignoring this lack of money, our public servants were hard at work trying to figure out how to bail out minority owned media. They’re also crafting a hugely expensive overhaul of health care system. The Senate proposed raising the federal excise tax on beer by 145% to pay for it. Uncle Sam also would snatch an additional $7 on a case of wine -- a staggering increase of 233%. And that’s just the start. In case ‘we the people’ object, Obama’s latest budget proposal includes plans to double the budget of the IRS, to make sure all Americans invest their fair share. As America moves ever closer to economic suicide, the House last week advanced ‘cap and trade’ legislation, imposing the first nationwide limits on the pollution blamed for the, as yet unproven, theory of global warming. Thankfully for Democrats, only 24% of Americans understand what cap and trade is. Probably even fewer understand that this legislation, called the largest tax increase in history, will cost the average family app. $3,100 more per year in energy costs, according to the Heritage Foundation. Cap and Trade is being rushed through Congress, despite a new report showing that levels of numerous gases linked with air pollution, like carbon monoxide, have fallen off since 2001 and air quality in the U.S. has improved significantly over the last decade. Translation: The greenhouse gases Congress is in such a rush to regulate are at their lowest level in 19 years.

In a rare bit of under reported good news that could help ease our dependence on foreign oil, Louisiana struck gold with a massive natural-gas discovery - estimated at some 200 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. That’s the equivalent of 33 billion barrels of oil, or 18 years’ worth of current U.S. oil production. House Democrats yawned, and continued crafting a bill described as a “sweeping” reform of federal drilling rules, effectively reducing incentives for oil companies to take advantage of our own ample energy resources. The House also voted down amendments designed to encourage nuclear power. As Democrats in the House continued to focus on reducing America’s supply of any energy that isn’t ‘green’, President Obama approved plans for the U.S. to help the United Arab Emirates become the first Arab nation with a nuclear power industry. I kid you not. Speaking of our number one public servant, last week President Obama reassured an anxious nation that upholding our values will shield us from terror. Whew. Unfortunately, a couple days after this statement, an IED exploded outside a Starbucks in downtown Manhattan. This, just after the FBI apprehended a group of four Muslim bad boys who were allegedly planning on blowing up other portions of New York. These ex-convicts apparently adopted their fanatical Islamic leanings while incarcerated in U.S. jails. The very jails President Obama seems determined to call home to the really hardened bad boy terrorists currently residing in Camp Gitmo. But hey, Obama is fulfilling his pledge of transparency. Once these Gitmo guys set foot on US soil, they get

lots of rights, and should they go to trial, terrorists the world over will reap the transparent benefits of any discovery. Our Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, was also hard at work on America’s behalf last week, proudly announcing the intention to give gay American diplomats the same benefits their heterosexual counterparts enjoy. Meanwhile, Iran has just moved 6 warships into international waters and North Korea has put the world on alert by performing another nuclear test. In other assorted work product last week, our Democrat elected officials shot down a GOP inquiry into Speaker Pelosi’s very public ‘mis-statement’ about the CIA. With fellow Dems covering her backside, Speaker Pelosi, on Sunday high tailed it to Shanghai, on the taxpayer’s dime. Far away from all those pesky reporters who just aren’t supposed to ask her questions she can’t answer. Oh, and House Democrats on Tuesday stopped a Republican plan to force a campaign finance inquiry that likely would have investigated several influential Democrats. It was the eighth time since late February that the Republican move was halted. This is what our public servants accomplished on our behalf last week. The only remaining question is: What are ‘we the people’ going to do about it? This article was originally published in American Thinker, May 26, 2009 Nancy Morgan is a columnist and news editor for RightBias. com ©

PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA • DESERT LOCAL NEWS MAY 30, 2009

Proposition 8 Upheld- Many Gays Baffled By Decision BY LESLIE ANDREWS PALM SPRINGS, CAJohn Bush and his partner of Palm Springs were both baffled and upset over the news that they heard Tuesday morning from Sacramento. Proposition 8, which limits marriage to only one man and one woman, was upheld despite the fact that the judges voted 4 to 3 last May to legalize gay marriage in California, striking down Proposition 22. “The supreme court has now turned around and said that the 18,000 marriages that were performed are valid, but future marriages are not,” he said. “This was all politically motivated.” The decision to keep Proposition 8 legal came at around 11:00 Tuesday morning. Regardless of the results, hundreds of local gays decided to rally in front of the Palm Springs Courthouse that same evening, listening to many people speak. Amongst those who spoke, none of them wished to concede nor give up the fight.

Councilwoman Ginny Foat spoke of how New York’s governor and senate are aiming in the direction of legalizing gay marriage but how California regressed several steps backward. “This is not the city’s responsibility, this is the county’s,” she said, describing how Riverside County voted 64% to approve Proposition 8. We lost because we decided that somebody else should run a campaign for us. So now, we’re going to do something else.” Sheila, a straight woman who supports her gay friends, also came to this rally. “It’s a sad day,” she said. However, Phyllis Burgess, a supporter of Proposition 8, came to the rally and stood across the street with four other people who led a protest of their own. “Marriage is load bearing and void filling. There needs to be an emphasis on what straight marriage is all about and it’s not the same thing,” she said. Also Brian Skelley, a church leader of Oasis

Fire Ministries, sang and played his guitar outside. “I’m here to speak God’s word, that marriage is only between one man and one woman.” Lars Hansen of Palm Springs described Tuesday’s ruling as a “blow to equality”. He spoke, “There are benefits to bring a similar measure to the voters in 2010.” This bill would recognize domestic partnerships as “marriages” regardless of sex status. As for the 18,000 same sex marriages performed in California between June and November, they will remain valid by the Supreme Court’s ruling, which was six to one in favor. In San Francisco, there were 175 people arrested during an angry protest as the decision was being made by the judges. No arrests were made in Palm Springs’ rally.

PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA

Stimulus helps homeowners save money

BY STAFF ARA “What’s in it for me?” Homeowners will love the answer to that question as they learn more about the new federal economic stimulus bill. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, generally known as the stimulus package, offers special tax credit incentives to homeowners to encourage energy efficiency -- the best part is it’s easy. Homeowners can get up to $1,500 maximum tax credit for energy efficient home improvement product expenditures. The tax credit is 30 percent of the cost of eligible products up to $5,000 total through 2010. The tax credit applies to products that make improvements to the building envelope, like adding insulation to attics, basements, crawl spaces, exterior walls and properly insulated HVAC systems, since those changes significantly impact energy efficiency. While the tax incentive within the stimulus package may seem complex and daunting, one company, Owens Corning, has made it simple and painless to claim the insulation tax credit. Homeowners can check out InsulationTaxCredit.com to: * Find insulation products that are eligible. *

Download

the

Manufacturer’s

Certificate needed to claim the credit. * Learn how much insulation should be added to areas of a home, see videos on how to install and get an estimate on how much can be saved in heating and cooling energy-related bills. * Find local stores to find eligible products and a local professional to do the installation. * Additional products that are eligible include windows and roofs that meet ENERGY STAR requirements. There are approximately 80 million under-insulated homes in the United States and despite major strides in increasing energy efficiency; homes continue to be one of the largest users of energy, consuming more energy than industry or transportation. It is estimated that properly insulating homes can help owners save up to 20 percent on heating and cooling related energy bills. Tax credits aside, insulation pays for itself over time in energy not used. “The expansion of federal income tax credits for homeowners will enable more consumers to afford energy efficiency upgrades that will lower their home energy

bills -- which we project to reach about $2,200 per U.S. household this year -while increasing the comfort and lowering the carbon footprint of their homes,” says Kateri Callahan, president of the Alliance to Save Energy. According to a report from the researches at the McKinsey Global Institute, almost a quarter of possible greenhouse gas reductions would result from measures such as better insulation in buildings that carry no net life cycle cost -- in effect, they pay for themselves. That means homeowners can lower their energy costs and qualify for federal tax credits while helping the environment, thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. “Homeowners can save twice with insulation -- with up to 20 percent savings on their heating and cooling energy bills and a 30 percent tax credit,” says Gale Tedhams, director of sustainability, Owens Corning. “Thanks to the stimulus bill, homeowners have never had a better opportunity to make an immediate difference in the comfort and affordability of their home and help save the planet -- and it is easy!” Courtesy of ARAcontent

DESERT LOCAL NEWS GREEN PAGES© • MAY 30, 2009 Hot dogs, hamburgers and pork ribs aren’t the healthiest eats in the bunch, especially if getting fit for the summertime is a priority. You won’t have to compromise these good ol’ grilling favorites at your next barbecue if lighter substitutions are made elsewhere. “Incorporating healthy, flavorful side dishes is key when you’re serving copious amounts of barbecued meat,” says Chef Steven M. Simpson, Culinary Director at The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Michigan. “What I like to do is take an old favorite like coleslaw that’s typically drenched in a mayonnaise dressing and modify it to create a light, refreshing alternative.” For example, Simpson makes an Asian-inspired coleslaw with several kinds of Chinese cabbages, oranges, carrots and red onion with a light dressing of orange juice, ginger and a dash of canola oil. He also advises keeping different types of oils and vinegars on tap to make vinaigrettes, which serve as a good substitute for the heavier cream and mayonnaise dressings typically found in pasta and potato salads. Another tip is to experiment with salad greens. “You can liven up a humdrum salad by switching out your standard iceberg or romaine lettuce with chicory, dandelion greens, Belgian endive, Bibb lettuce, watercress or arugula,” Simpson says. “Not only are these darker greens more flavorful, but they also tend to be much higher in vitamins and minerals.” An advocate for homegrown foods and spices, Simpson utilizes herbs and various vegetables like lettuce, zucchini, tomatoes, cucumbers, beans and chili peppers from his own backyard. “When planting a garden, choose foods that you eat frequently and enjoy because if all goes well, you’ll have an abundance of them.” If gardening isn’t your cup of tea, then Simpson suggests buying produce and meats from your local farmers market, as it’s the next best thing. Grilling fresh meats and produce isn’t just for special occasions. According to the Propane Education & Research Council, 63 percent of parents say that barbecuing or grilling outdoors is the most fun way for a family to eat dinner together during the summer months. And facilitating family bonding isn’t the only benefit. Cooking on a grill can help food retain nutritional value if cooked properly. Simpson cooks almost everything on the grill -- potatoes, summer squash, zucchini, sweet potatoes, greens, salmon and eggplant, just to name a few. “Aside

Temperatures Rising? Take Dinner Outdoors from oil, salt and pepper, I don’t do too much to the foods I grill. It’s a flavorful and simple way to preserve the integrity of the organic products, whether bought or homegrown,” he says. “The beauty of eating in the summertime is that there is so much variety to choose from. My best advice is to keep it simple, refreshing and light, and enjoy the natural flavors of the food just as they are,” he adds. To see what else is “cooking” at The Art Institutes system of schools check out www.artinstitutes.edu/nz.

Asian Coleslaw Recipe courtesy of chef Steven M. Simpson, culinary director at the International Culinary School at the Art Institute of Michigan Yields 6 cups Serving Size 3/4 cup 8 Servings Ingredients: 2 cups Napa cabbage,shredded 2 cups bok choy, baby bok choy, Savoy or other cabbage, shredded 1/2 cup red cabbage, shredded 1 carrot, julienned 1 red bell pepper, julienned 1/4 cup red onion, julienned 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger Rice vinegar (unseasoned) to taste

oil

1/4 cup canola, sunflower or soybean 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil Salt and pepper to taste

2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds 12-15 orange, grapefruit or tangerine segments (can substitute canned mandarin oranges)

Preparation:

1. Combine cabbages, carrot, red pepper and red onion into a large mixing bowl and toss together. 2. In a separate bowl whisk orange juice, canola and sesame oils together. This is a broken vinaigrette so it will need to be whisked immediately prior to dressing the coleslaw. 3. Add salt and pepper to dressing and taste. If you would like a more tart dressing you can add rice vinegar to adjust the acidity. 4. Combine 2/3 of the dressing with the slaw mixture. You just want to coat the cabbage; it will release some moisture as it sits. If needed, add the remaining dressing. 5. Check the seasoning again and transfer the coleslaw to the serving dish. 6. Garnish with the citrus segments and toasted sesame seeds. Courtesy of ARAcontent

It’s a great time to be a ‘window shopper’

Many doors are closing due to the economy, but certain windows are becoming easier to open. The 2009/2010 tax credit for energy efficient replacement windows, one of 10 provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, is helping homeowners to remodel America one house at a time. “There are many advantages to remodeling your home,” says Chris Pickering, vice president of marketing at Ply Gem Windows. “The new tax credit allows homeowners to reach beyond their normal means to complete renovations that can translate into both immediate and future savings.” Ply Gem, a leader in the building products industry, offers some helpful tips to simplify the remodeling process. Learn about the remodeling federal income tax credit The replacement window tax credit was signed into law on Feb. 17, 2009. The bill provides a $1,500 maximum tax credit for installing energy efficient windows that qualify, calculated as 30 percent of the qualified windows’ purchase price. Previous tax credits were given in 2006 and 2007, but were for a much lower amount and were based on different energy efficiency criteria. For additional information on the 2009/2010 tax credit, click the energy tax credit icon on the home page of www.plygemwindows.com or visit www.recovery.gov. Qualifying for the tax credit To qualify for the tax credit, windows must adhere to strict guidelines established by the federal government. Replacement windows must have a glass package with a U-Factor rating (the rate at which a window conducts non-solar heat flow) of .30 or lower. Qualifying windows must also possess a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient rating of .30 or lower. The SHGC is a fraction of solar energy admitted through a window that is released as heat inside a home. These ratings are far stricter than current ENERGY STAR standards, so consumers and industry professionals should check window ratings before purchasing. Whatever your renovation plans entail, solutions are available to

help you create a better environment for your family. “With 51 qualifying Ply Gem products to choose from, options are sure to fit all budgets and project sizes,” says Pickering. How the credit can help homeowners Homeowners and remodelers can reap multiple benefits from the newly approved credit. Energy efficient windows that meet the new tax qualifications can help to lower your federal tax bill as well as your energy bills. According to the Alliance to Save Energy, to start saving energy, the first steps to take when assessing your home’s energy efficiency are to seal and insulate your house, which can reduce your heating and cooling bill by approximately 20 percent. Each home differs in the products that will work best to maximize its energy efficiency. An energy audit may be available through your local utility or state energy office to help gauge the amount of energy that you are currently using. Speak with representatives from your local energy office to set up an audit appointment for your house. The benefits of remodeling are not purely economic -- they also can enhance the aesthetic quality of the home and make a more comfortable living space. New window designs have both classic traditional as well as sleek contemporary looks, which can vary a home’s appearance

dramatically. The intrinsic value of a home cannot be measured in simple dollars and cents. The feeling gained from being truly proud to call a house your home is irreplaceable. Other ways to make your home more energy efficient The current remodeling credit also offers a variety of other options to help homeowners improve their home and quality of life. Central air conditioners, heat pumps, furnaces, boilers and more are also ways to increase your home’s energy retention capabilities. “Other options are available beyond the current tax credit to increase energy efficiency in your home,” says Pickering. Homeowners can use insulated siding, reduce the amount of water consumption and unplug appliances when not in use. For other ideas on how to increase the energy efficiency of your home, visit www. energysavers.gov. Talk to your local dealer about products that qualify Be sure to ask your local dealer about the windows products that meet the current tax credit requirements. To learn more about the 2009/2010 energy tax credit and products that qualify, visit www. plygemwindows.com. Courtesy of ARAcontent

DESERT LOCAL NEWS GREEN PAGES© MAY 30, 2009 Summertime brings fun in the sun and longer daylight hours with one caveat: Hotter temperatures means running the air conditioner and increased energy bills. The American Lighting Association shares three easy solutions that budgetconscious households can use to immediately save money. 1. Read your labels Before you purchase another light bulb, lighting fixture or ceiling fan, look for the Energy Star label. Those products have undergone rigorous testing and meet the government’s strictest new guidelines for energy efficiency. All of the Energy Star products have easy-to-read consumer guides right on the box. At a home center or large retailer, you’ll have to read the packages carefully when comparison shopping. However, a trip to your local lighting showroom will provide all of the information you need to make an informed decision. 2. Ceiling fans are your BFF “In summer, it’s possible to turn your thermostat to 78 degrees and, if you’re using a ceiling fan, the comfort level would be the same as if the thermostat were at 72,” says Joe Rey-Barreau, education consultant for the ALA and an associate professor at the University of Kentucky’s School of Interior Design. “Obviously, you could turn off the AC and only use the fan. Just remember to turn off fans in rooms that aren’t occupied to avoid wasting energy.” “Ceiling fans are a great way to make any space more comfortable, add a decorator touch, and save energy at the same time,” adds Cliff Crimmings, vice president of marketing for Craftmade International of Coppell, Texas. “It circulates the air around, taking away heat in the process. The small expense of running a ceiling fan compared to running an AC compressor results in saving hundreds of dollars per

year in energy bills.” “Before purchasing a fan, do your homework,” Crimmings advises. How large is the room? How high is the ceiling? Do you want the fan to blend in with the ceiling or become a major component in the decor? Would you like it to have a light that will take the place of a lighting

of engineering and technology and the owner of Lighting Ideas in Cleveland. “The key is to consider the hours of use -- the savings are greater and bulb life is longer when fluorescent lighting remains on for longer periods of time.” You may have received a compact fluorescent lamp

fixture? Would you prefer to operate it via a remote control or with a wall switch? “These are all important things to think about, because your fan will last for years. All ceiling fans, because of their design and low energy consumption, will start to save you money from day one; the new Energy Star-qualified models will increase those savings even more,” Crimmings says. 3. Choose the right light source “Since lighting accounts for approximately 20 percent of a home’s energy cost, changing the most frequently used lights to more efficient fluorescent versions can make a tremendous difference,” says Terry McGowan, ALA’s director

in the mail from your electric company or purchased them on sale at a home center or mass retailer and been disappointed in the quality. According to ReyBarreau, finding the right CFL for your needs requires a little know-how. “All incandescent bulbs have approximately the same color quality. Therefore, when you buy an exact replacement for your 60-watt incandescent, the color quality will always look the same,” he says. “With CFLs, the process is more complicated. A CFL produces about four times the light for the same amount of energy as an incandescent. To find the CFL that will produce the same amount of light as your existing incandescent, divide the wattage by four.” For example, to replace a 100-watt

3 easy ways to cut energy costs this summer

incandescent, you need a 25watt CFL. Then there’s the matter of color. “CFLs are available in three colors, and are often described as warm, neutral, and cool. The warm color will usually be the closest to incandescent,” Rey-Barreau says. “By far the easiest way to find the right CFL for your home is to go to a lighting showroom,” Rey-Barreau explains. “Many have light boxes that allow you to try out different models and compare them directly to incandescent bulbs and to each other.” Using CFLs in a room that is also lit with incandescents can offer the best visual balance while saving money. “Light layering is an excellent technique,” McGowan says. “There are situations where CFLs and standard incandescent lamps can be mixed so that lighting quality is enhanced. A lighting showroom can help you see this for yourself.” When replacing incandescents with CFLs, it’s important to consider the application. “CFLs are not ideal for all locations,” cautions Craig Wright, product manager for Progress Lighting of Greenville, S.C. “For example, decorative fixtures with shades pointing downward (or in chandeliers) will reveal the bulb to the living space, which could possibly increase glare and detract from the ambience.” In those cases, using controls such as dimmers and occupancy sensors for incandescent bulbs will help minimize energy use. For more information about energy efficient lighting options, or to find an ALA lighting specialist near you, log on to the American Lighting Association’s Web site at www. AmericanLightingAssoc.com or call (800) BRIGHT-IDEAS (800274-4484). Courtesy of ARAcontent

DESERT LOCAL NEWS MAY 30, 2009

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