Pass This Info On!!!

If you are thinking of changing your water hearter tank or furnace or has recently change within the last  188 days to a high effeciency tank water heater,  you qualify for a rebate!  This is a massive effort to go Green under the Obama’s stimulus plan.  All homeowners and small business qualify for the rebate.  Here’s a link in the state of Virginia and don’t forget to ask your contractor or your hardware store if they are aware of the ‘energy effcient program’.  http://www.virginianaturalgas.com/Repository/Files/eS_Installation_Verification.pdf.  http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index#s1

Me vs The Homeless Man

    The rain lightly drizzles as I pulled up on the parking lot.  An older gentleman stands outside.    I am not sure how long he must have been on the front entrance of China harbor but long enough to get soaked.  I slowly walked up and he immediately approaches me for some change and with a very small promise, I said I ‘might’ after I get my order.     

     I felt so blessed.  I thought how unfortunate for him to beg for dinner while I complain on how I did not want to cook dinner.   A man his age, nor any individual for this matter, should not worry where his or her next meal will be nor asks random passersby for money. 

     After a few minutes of waiting, my order was finally ready for pick up.  I thanked the lady behind the counter and I got back with some small change.  I put the small paper bills in my pocket  and thought twice of the half dollars I had on my palm.  I stepped, out to what just a few minutes ago a drizzle, to now heavier pelts of rain drops.   I stand underneath the awning with the homeless man, and I slowly proceed to hand him the change I half-heartedly promised.  Slowly I reached out to his hand when all of a sudden he reached into his jacket and held up his pointing finger at me signaling me to hold.  He had the audacity to put it me on hold while he answers his cell phone.    I thought WTF.  Did he just pull out a ‘side slide cell phone’!? 

Me:  Sir you need to put your dealer in the phone on hold.

 Homeless Man:  Hold up what?

Me:  I want my fitty back!

Homeless Man:  (laughs at me like I’m crazy)  Why you want it back?

Me:  Because you have a cell phone and I want my money back.

Homeless Man:  Well you ain’t getting it back.  This ain’t no refund deal.

Me:  Well yes it is if you’re going to  use it to buy crack or use my money to buy minutes for your cell phone!

Homeless Man:  (nothing)

     I walk away.  But I turned around I hold my two fingers up on  a peace sign but points to my eyes and back to him.  Oh yeah that’s right I’m watching you!

Recession?!?

I don’t see no recession here!  I swear this line wrapped around half of the mall strip and the wait was 2 and half hours on a weeknight.  And to think for a second I felt bad for the recession in California their  furlows Fridays and the IOUs but at least they have kick-ass barbecue.  Stop by at Phil’s BBQ

Now and Then

I remember one of the biggest fad in the mid-80s was wearing multiple Swatch Watch. I had on maximum of two and four was just insanely ‘cool’. My fondest memory of Swatch Watch were the vivid colors and its artistic design.   I remember my friend had a scented Swatch. Well today, the “jelly bracelet” pales in comparison on what a middle schooler can have on his or her arm. (read this link: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/13/us/13bracelets.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss 

A  tween may argue that it’s a fashion statement..really? You be the judge on which looks more fashionableorLast time I checked how much a Swatch Watch from the 80s is valued at $475.00 dollars plus good memories.  Hmm the Jelly Bracelet and its sexuall conotation of message perhaps would be valued at a lifetime of canker sores or unwanted pregnancy. 

Enjoy this old school song ” you can deal with this or you can deal with that…”The Choice is Yours by Black Sheep

Ladies Be thankful for your man because…

HE AIN’T THIS GUY!

“SAT Scores Fall as Gap Widens: Asians Gain”

I came across this article on WSJ (The Wall Street Journal) and at first I was on the verge of doing a victory dance but decided to finish reading the article.  “Asian-American students showed the most dramatic gains. In math they scored an average of 587 — 72 points better than the general population. Since 2008, their average math score has climbed six points.”  

BUT then the article goes further… “”You can’t look at these results and say that NCLB has been an enormous success,” says Jack Jennings, president of the Center on Education Policy, a nonpartisan research organization in Washington. “The bottom line is the country is changing dramatically. Unless minority kids are educated better, we are going to be in trouble because pretty soon they are going to be the majority.” 

In other words, I can’t justify celebrating because the way I see it we haven’t succeeded at all.

“Noting the gap in achievement between lower-performing minority students and the general population, College Board officials said those who lagged tended to go to school in poorer districts with fewer resources. “As a country, we must do better providing students of every background access to the best education,” Mr. Caperton said.” 

As grade inflation becomes more and more prevalent we must ensure that everyone succeeds or the mantra of No Child Left Behind becomes nothing more than just a vague longing.

Cloud 9

We had one-and-a-half hour to board our charter plane. Accompanied by my own entourage: my husband, my two sons and an arsenal of surfboards and we were ’stoked’! We were in Philippines and we’re heading to Cloud 9. One of the world’s best surf spot. Only one caveat – supposedly it’s not safe for ‘foreigners’ I looked at my American husband and two light-haired son then me ,the only one who fits in, and suddenly I’m not so stoked.

Our plane touched down and I caught a glimpse of my husband’s wonderment of the land. Endless rows of coconut trees, from a distance a man was walking on a rice patty path while his machete swings on his waist. My children laughed at at the sight of the water buffalo chewing on his cud. This was their airport. No concrete runway instead it was green grass, no security just a table, two attendants equipped with rubber stamps, an old fashion baggage scale and roosters running wild. I felt uncertain in a country where I was born. A tricycle driver yells, “Welcome Surfista!” and for a second I anticipated for him to blindfold everyone from the plane and ask for ransom money instead he smiled his toothless smile and says “Over der es where Abu-Walang-Bayag is hiding…” Lucky for me I understood his pun of joke and I laughed along with him but still I couldn’t help but looked at the forest of coconut trees. His joke was a way to reassure us that he’s on my team and not the one who was in hiding.

The next few days, I mastered the art of doing nothing. My husband happily surfed and hung out with ex-pat Aussies and my kids endlessly played on the beach under the hot-hot tropical sun. They found ‘Nemo’ amongst other sea life and they were particularly fond of chasing coconut crabs huge ones especially at night for which they came in drones. My children wore their headlamps and watched them ate and clicked-clacked their claws. We toured the island on a motorcycle with no helmets with my oldest sitting right on the gas tank. Was I worried that we did not meet U.S transportation standard? Perhaps a little thankfully we got back to our cottage safe and sound. The irony of the trip was as travelers we have all kinds of assumptions of people and places out of our comfort zone. We tend to feel worried and think of the negative and even judge. During my stay, I learned the true meaning of a Spanish saying “Via con Dios!” and I left all my worries behind and learned to live in the moment.

FYI on Student Loans

On July 1, 2009 IBR (Income Based Repayment) officially became available. “In addition to lowering monthly student loan payments, Income-Based Repayment forgives any remaining debt — including interest — after 25 years of payments. Most borrowers will pay off their debt before then, but under current law, if there’s anything left after 25 years, the amount forgiven would be taxed as income to the borrower. ” Here’s the link: www.ombudsman.ed.gov.

But My Parental Brain Rebels…

    Seriously at age 16 should you be holding a pole in front of millions of audience whose youngest age is in kindergarten?

Check out Little Miss Sunshine here.  I totally see where the next marketing level is heading  Nintendo Wii will partner with Nickelodeon and bring you “Wii Pole – unleash your inner Stripper”.

It’s August, do you know where your stimulus budget is going?

     This morning I woke up to a huge gaping hole on my street.  Normally I like a good cup of coffee to kick off my day but this morning I wanted Nyquill. 

  The City of Virginia Beach is in full force replacing the sewage system on my street.  It’s part of the stimulus budget and the project is called “Sewer Defect Find and Fix” under the department  of Public Utilities and the budget is $3,000,000.  I think it’s money well spent.   However there many more repairs and upgrades that got the green light because of the government stimulus plan that seem like a waste.

     Oh by the way if want to know what a “Bridge to nowhere looks like” see the current Pacific Avenue Trail Extension Project, a boardwalk-style trail parallel to Pacific Avenue wrapping around the edge of Lake Holly.  I won’t mention how much but we could have had a couple of brand new or renovated school equipped with solar energy efficient or health care for indigenous families.  But hey, I’m not on the City Council so I’ll lock it up.

 Here’s a list of stimulus projects that got the green light:

Program	Project Description	Funding Required	Jobs
CDBG	Williams Farm Community Recreation Center	$30,000,000	640
CDBG	West Neck Creek Natural Area	$528,000	12
CDBG	Urban Tree Canopy Protection	$3,750,000	76
CDBG	Trail Repairs and Replacements	$3,960,000	80
CDBG	Thalia Creek Greenway	$7,000,000	142
CDBG	Tennis Court Replacements	$1,800,000	38
CDBG	Stumpy Lake Natural Area Phase I	$2,500,000	51
CDBG	Sportsplex Deferred Maintenance	$2,300,000	47
CDBG	Sidewalk Improvements	$3,000,000	62
CDBG	Seatack Community Center Expansion	$2,200,000	48
CDBG	Sandbridge Beach Hurricane Protection	$18,000,000	65
CDBG	Rosemont Forest Pump Station	$8,000,000	83
CDBG	Resort Beach Hurricane Protection	$18,000,000	65
CDBG	Replacement of Park Buildings	$4,922,000	100
CDBG	Recreation Center Security Lighting	$300,000	17
CDBG	Recreation Center Reception Area	$350,000	29
CDBG	Parking Lot Repairs and Replacements (11 sites)	$4,450,000	92
CDBG	Park Water Quality Improvements	$2,000,000	41
CDBG	Park Shelter Replacements	$854,000	19
CDBG	Park Bank Stabilization (11 parks)	$1,650,000	35
CDBG	Open Space Acquisition	$17,677,600	355
CDBG	North Virginia Beach 61st Street Pump Station	$20,000,000	83
CDBG	New Asphalt Trail Development	$2,640,000	55
CDBG	Neighborhood Park Renovations	$720,000	16
CDBG	Marshview Park Development	$1,376,000	29
CDBG	Lynnhaven Inlet Navigation Dredging	$2,000,000	55
CDBG	Lake Smith Natural Area Phase I	$2,000,000	42
CDBG	Kid’s Cove Playground Replacement	$1,600,000	34
CDBG	Kempsville Recreation Center Pool Area Repairs	$400,000	24
CDBG	Bow Creek Recreation Center Locker Room Renovations	$250,000	23
CDBG	5K Loop Trail Facility	$9,600,000	194
Energy	Shore Drive/Pacific Avenue Solar Powered Flashing Lights	$110,000	22
Energy	Central Plant Pumps Modernization	$225,000	13
Energy	Central Plant Cooling Tower and Chiller Renovation	$1,000,000	13
Public Safety	K-9 Building	$553,000	34
Public Safety	Fire Station #9 Repairs	$800,000	44
Public Safety	Fire and Rescue Station – Thalia	$6,365,000	102
Public Safety	Creeds Training Simulation City	$500,000	46
Public Safety	Correction Center Roof	$700,000	24
Public Safety	Animal Control Facility	$4,000,000	56
Schools	Pupil Transportation Services	$19,850,001	200
Schools	Kellam High School	$102,000,000	500
Schools	Great Neck Middle School	$62,549,253	500
Schools	College Park Elementary	$22,392,750	200
Streets/Roads	Witchduck Road Phase I	$27,487,000	24
Streets/Roads	West Neck Road Interim – Phase I	$1,400,000	14
Streets/Roads	Virginia Beach Boulevard/ Constitution Drive	$42,000	7
Streets/Roads	Virginia Aquarium Elevated Pedestrian Crosswalk	$4,900,000	84
Streets/Roads	Traffic Signal Rehabilitation	$11,000,000	104
Streets/Roads	Traffic Signal Interconnect Installation	$35,000	11
Streets/Roads	Street Reconstruction	$5,000,000	104
Streets/Roads	Storm Water Infrastructure Rehabilitation / Princess Anne Plaza	$6,000,000	104
Streets/Roads	Shore Drive Corridor Improvements Phase IV	$11,700,000	48
Streets/Roads	Shore Drive Corridor Improvements Phase III	$9,360,000	48
Streets/Roads	Shore Drive Corridor Improvements Phase II	$11,100,000	48
Streets/Roads	Seaboard Road	$7,299,000	48
Streets/Roads	Princess Anne Road Phase VII	$17,800,000	60
Streets/Roads	Princess Anne Road Phase IV	$43,900,000	48
Streets/Roads	Primary System Infrastructure Improvements	$3,500,000	54
Streets/Roads	Pavement Maintenance Program Phase II	$45,000,000	304
Streets/Roads	Nimmo Parkway Phase V	$61,700,000	520
Streets/Roads	Major Bridge Rehabilitation	$1,100,000	54
Streets/Roads	Lynnhaven Parkway Phase XI	$31,500,000	210
Streets/Roads	Lynnhaven International	$7,800,000	48
Streets/Roads	Lesner Bridge Replacement	$90,000,000	520
Streets/Roads	Laskin Road Phase I	$76,000,000	365
Streets/Roads	Independence Boulevard/ Ewell Road	$10,000	12
Streets/Roads	Holland Road Phase VI	$45,000,000	304
Streets/Roads	Godspeed Road	$585,000	14
Streets/Roads	First Colonial Road/ Old Donation Parkway	$75,000	7
Streets/Roads	Elbow Road/Indian River Road	$850,000	14
Streets/Roads	Constitution Drive Extended	$9,176,912	48
Streets/Roads	Citywide Streetlight Upgrade	$500,000	54
Streets/Roads	Buckner Boulevard Extended	$2,421,000	26
Streets/Roads	Bonney Road/Kentucky Avenue	$1,500,000	14
Streets/Roads	Baker Road	$3,225,000	26
Streets/Roads	Avalon Avenue	$1,650,000	14
Water	Stumpy Lake Dam and Spillway Repairs	$1,930,000	24
Water	Silina Corvette Pump Station #511	$500,000	15
Water	SA #403 Arrowhead Susquehanna Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Phase 1	$2,800,000	37
Water	Regency Apartments Pump Station #260	$1,000,000	18
Water	Public Utilities Public Access Renovations – Building 2	$300,000	15
Water	Landstown Yard Improvements	$55,000,000	71
Water	Lake Edward West Pump Station #343	$1,000,000	19
Water	Green Run/Crimson Holly Pump Station #549	$1,000,000	20
Water	Green Run Garden Pump Station #547	$1,500,000	20
Water	College Park Providence Road Pump Station #425 Abandonment and SS Realignment	$2,800,000	30