Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Md Troopers Assoc #20 & Westminster Md Fire Dept Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Patriotic, misty-eyed and corny about our Election Day By Kevin Dayhoff

Patriotic, misty-eyed and corny about our Election Day

By Kevin Dayhoff  Posted on www.explorecarroll.com 11/09/08  EAGLE ARCHIVE

Last Tuesday, after two years, 45 debates and $2.4 billion spent, American voters finally had their day. Is it just me, or does $2.5 billion seem an obscene amount of money for a country to spend on politics?

Nonetheless, I recently read an article in the London Sunday Times which stated: "This may seem a lot, but Americans annually spend $8 billion on hair care products, $64 billion on soft drinks ... so $2.4 billion isn't too much to pick the leader of the free world."

In Carroll County, it was good to see that we maintained our proper priorities with the idea of having an Election Day food drive to support Carroll County Food Sunday.

By late afternoon, when I checked with Marty Radinsky and Frank Baylor, Carroll Countians had generously donated five huge 150 cubic foot containers of food for the needy.

Radinsky said he hopes "to build (the food collection effort) into a Carroll County habit for elections in the future."

I've always been unrepentantly, patriotically, misty-eyed and corny about Election Day. It's a wonderful day to celebrate being an American… http://explorecarroll.com/opinion/1509/patriotic-misty-eyed-corny-about-our-election-day/

20081109 SCE Patriotic misty eyed and corny about our Election Day sceked

Explore Carroll: Patriotic, misty-eyed and corny about our Election Day By Kevin Dayhoff 


Election Day, Election Day Food Drive, Elections 2008, Dayhoff Media Explore Carroll, Dayhoff writing essays, Dayhoff writing essays politics, 
*****

Monday, November 10, 2008

Semper Fi Happy Birthday Marines

Semper Fi Happy Birthday Marines

November 10 2008

For Corps and Country
Semper Fi, and as always… check six

Click here for more posts on the Unites States Marine Corps



Above: Camp Upshur, Marine Base at Quantico in 1972… June 11, 1972 - July 21, 1972 (Is Camp Upshur still in use?)



In July 1972 after USMC Reserve boot camp…


20081110 Semper Fi Happy Birthday Marines

AP: Obama Bush complete private White House meeting

AP: Obama, Bush complete private White House meeting By BEN FELLER, Associated Press Writer Ben Feller, Associated Press Writer – November 10, 2008

Featured Topics: Barack Obama Presidential Transition

WASHINGTON – The Bushes welcomed the Obamas to the White House on Monday, visiting for nearly two hours and offering the nation a glimpse of a new first family at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. President-elect Obama and President Bush met in the Oval Office, their first substantive one-on-one session, while first lady Laura Bush and Obama's wife, Michelle, talked in the White House residence.

[…]

Mrs. Bush was to give Mrs. Obama a tour of the first family's living quarters, including the bedrooms used by children of past presidents. White House press secretary Dana Perino said the two women were expected to talk about living in one of the world's most famous buildings, from family life to the help provided by executive staff.

The Obamas have two daughters: Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7. Obama started his day in Chicago, dropping the two girls at school, each with a kiss, and then going to a gym for a workout.

Obama told reporters last week that he was headed to the White House meeting with "a spirit of bipartisanship."

He ran a campaign in which he relentlessly linked Republican opponent John McCain to Bush and presented his ideas as a fresh alternative to what he called Bush's failed policies. Yet the tone changed almost immediately after Obama's win last Tuesday.

Bush, who had endorsed McCain, lauded Obama's victory as a "triumph of the American story." He warmly invited the Obama family to the White House.
Obama, in turn, thanked Bush for being gracious. The president-elect has made clear in public that there is only one president and for now that's Bush. Obama takes the oath of office on Jan. 20.

Josh Bolten, Bush's chief of staff, said Bush and Obama probably each had a list of issues to discuss.

[…]


Read the entire article here: Obama, Bush complete private White House meeting

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081110/ap_on_el_pr/bush_obama

20081010 AP Obama Bush complete private White House meeting

Happy Birthday United States Marines


Happy Birthday United States Marines

For Corps and Country
Semper Fi, and as always… check six

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY MESSAGE - 10 NOVEMBER 2008

Date Signed: 10/10/2008
ALMAR Number: 042/08
R 082000z OCT 08
ALMAR 042/08

MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC CMC//

SUBJ/UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY MESSAGE - 10 NOVEMBER 2008//
POC/SSGT M. BELL/ADMIN CHIEF/UNIT:CMC STAFF GROUP/-
/TEL:(703) 614-2326//

GENTEXT/REMARKS/

1. DURING THE SUMMER OF 1982, IN THE WAKE OF A PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE, MARINES WENT ASHORE AT BEIRUT, LEBANON.

FIFTEEN MONTHS LATER, ON 23 OCTOBER 1983, EXTREMISTS STRUCK THE FIRST MAJOR BLOW AGAINST AMERICAN FORCES - STARTING THIS LONG WAR ON TERRORISM.

ON THAT SUNDAY MORNING, A SUICIDE BOMBER DROVE AN EXPLOSIVE-LADEN TRUCK INTO THE HEADQUARTERS OF BATTALION LANDING TEAM 1/8, DESTROYING THE BUILDING AND KILLING 241 MARINES AND CORPSMEN.

2. EXTREMISTS HAVE ATTACKED OUR NATION, AT HOME AND ABROAD, NUMEROUS TIMES SINCE THAT FATEFUL DAY IN BEIRUT.

THEIR AIM HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE SAME - TO KILL AS MANY INNOCENT AMERICANS AS POSSIBLE. THE ATTACKS OF 11 SEPTEMBER 2001 CHANGED OUR NATION FOREVER, AND OUR PRESIDENT HAS RESOLVED THAT THIS NATION WILL NOT STAND IDLE WHILE MURDEROUS TERRORISTS PLOT THEIR NEXT STRIKE.

MARINES WILL CONTINUE TO TAKE THE FIGHT TO THE ENEMY - HITTING THEM ON THEIR OWN TURF, CRUSHING THEM WHEN THEY SHOW THEMSELVES, AND FINDING THEM WHERE THEY HIDE.

3. ONLY A FEW AMERICANS CHOOSE THE DANGEROUS, BUT NECESSARY, WORK OF FIGHTING OUR NATION'S ENEMIES.

WHEN OUR CHAPTER OF HISTORY IS WRITTEN, IT WILL BE A SAGA OF A SELFLESS GENERATION OF MARINES WHO WERE WILLING TO STAND UP AND FIGHT FOR OUR NATION; TO DEFEND THOSE WHO COULD NOT DEFEND THEMSELVES; TO THRIVE ON THE HARDSHIP AND SACRIFICE EXPECTED OF AN ELITE WARRIOR CLASS; TO MARCH TO THE SOUNDOF THE GUNS; AND TO ABLY SHOULDER THE LEGACY OF THOSE MARINES WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE.

4. ON OUR 233RD BIRTHDAY, FIRST REMEMBER THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED AND THOSE "ANGELS" WHO HAVE FALLEN - OUR REPUTATION WAS BUILT ON THEIR SACRIFICES.

REMEMBER OUR FAMILIES; THEY ARE THE UNSUNG HEROES WHOSE SUPPORT AND DEDICATION ALLOW US TO ANSWER OUR NATION'S CALL.

FINALLY, TO ALL MARINES AND SAILORS, KNOW THAT I AM PROUD OF YOU AND WHAT YOU DO.

YOUR SUCCESSES ON THE BATTLEFIELD HAVE ONLY ADDED TO OUR ILLUSTRIOUS HISTORY.

GENERAL VICTOR H. "BRUTE" KRULAK SAID IT BEST WHEN HE WROTE, "... THE UNITED STATES DOES NOT NEED A MARINE CORPS ... THE UNITED STATES WANTS A MARINE CORPS." YOUR ACTIONS, IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN, AND ACROSS THE GLOBE, ARE AT THE CORE OF WHY AMERICA LOVES HER MARINES.

5. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARINES AND SEMPER FIDELIS! JAMES T. CONWAY, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS, COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS//


http://www.marines.mil/news/messages/Pages/UNITEDSTATESMARINECORPSBIRTHDAYMESSAGE.aspx

20081010 Happy Birthday United States Marines

Washington Magazine: Bob Novak On Valerie Plame Affair: "The Hell With You"

Washington Magazine: Bob Novak On Valerie Plame Affair: "The Hell With You"

Hat Tip: Huffington Post:

Here’s how the Huffington Post introduced the story:

Washingtonian Magazine November 10, 2008 01:02 PM

Bob Novak has been covering politics--and making people mad--for half a century. Now battling a brain tumor, he talks about his illness, the best and worst presidents, and what he'd do differently.

Whether you like him or hate him, Robert Novak's combination of insider dope, political pronouncements, and glowering TV presence have made him a Washington institution. So the announcement in July that he was suspending his newspaper column because of a brain tumor came as a jolt. What other journalist has been tearing up the town with so much relish for the past 51 years?

I spent some time with Novak five years ago for The Washingtonian, chronicling his journey from secular Jew to devout Catholic. Somewhat to my surprise, the scowling, sardonic columnist turned out to be a peach of a subject. He gave me plenty of time in spite of his killer schedule and seemed utterly candid. No subject was off limits.


Read the whole story here.

Read the Huffington Post lead here: Huffington Post

20081110 Washington Magazine Bob Novak on Plame Affair

Media Bistro Daily Media News Feed for November 10 2008

Media Bistro Daily Media News Feed for November 10 2008

Daily Media News Feed
mediabistro.com
Monday, November 10, 2008

'Wired' Obama Presidency Could Sidestep Media in Getting Message Out (WaPo)
President-Elect Barack Obama's aides and allies are preparing a major expansion of the White House communications operation, enabling them to reach out directly to the supporters they have collected over 21 months without having to go through the mainstream media. Obama is poised to transform the art of political communication, said Joe Trippi, a Democratic strategist.

BusinessWeek: Obama weighs choices for FCC chairman.

WaPo Ombud: Our Campaign Coverage Favored Obama (WaPo)
Deborah Howell: The Post provided a lot of good campaign coverage, but readers have been consistently critical of the lack of probing issues coverage and what they saw as a tilt toward Democrat Barack Obama. My surveys, which ended on Election Day, show that they are right on both counts.

E&P: WaPo doubles its number of White House reporters with four.

MGM to Post Full Films on YouTube (NYT)
With critical plaudits and advertising dollars flowing to Hulu, the popular online hub for television shows and feature films, YouTube finds itself in the unanticipated position of playing catch-up. Today, the Google-owned company will move forward a little, announcing an agreement to show some full-length television shows and films from MGM, the financially troubled 84-year-old film studio.

Hearst Consolidating O at Home Into O: The Oprah Magazine (FishbowlNY)
In a release announcing that Sarah Gray Miller will be the new editor-in-chief of Hearst Corporation's Country Living comes the news that the struggling company (not that this adjective sets is apart from other media conglomerates) will fold its O: The Oprah Magazine spinoff, O at Home, back into the original title.

NYT: Much of the magazine's staff will move to Country Living.

Axes Are in Vogue (NYP)
In the lavish world of Conde Nast, every year brings a winter of discontent -- and the one coming up might be particularly cruel. That's because following a shocking round of job cuts last month involving 5 percent of Conde's staff, people inside the publishing empire fret the company could be in for even more drama.

Time Inc. Names Matters New Money M.E. (Portfolio)
Money, which laid off its managing editor, Eric Schurenberg, Thursday, has named a successor. The job is going to Craig Matters, a Money veteran who's been serving as executive editor of sister title Fortune since May. Part of the reason for releasing Schurenberg was a feeling on the part of the business side that he had allowed the magazine to become "too downscale."

Right-Wing Media Feeds Its Post-Election Anger (LAT)
A healthy skepticism is not only the media's right but its obligation. Indeed, commentators at many mainstream outlets have already argued that Obama's best bet to succeed will be if he hews to a centrist path. But many on the losing end of last week's election want to hold on to their anger. And there are those in the media only too ready to feed that animus, along with their own ratings.

Marketwatch: Assessing Fox News in an Obama world.

Malcolm Gladwell: Geek Pop Star (New York Mag)
Malcolm Gladwell's writing largely consists of taking the work of academics and translating it in a way that makes it understandable to a lay audience. His job, as he describes it, "is to be this intermediary between the academic world and the public." But the big criticism of Gladwell is not that he's unoriginal but that he's unserious -- that he takes substantive academic work and applies it to frivolous things.

Networks Hope for a Post-Election Ratings Rebound (LAT)
Conventional wisdom has it that the fall TV season was undermined by the huge and unprecedented interest in the historic presidential campaign between President-elect Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain. "The election did, on most nights, take away from the urgency to view prime-time television," NBC Executive Vice President Mitch Metcalf said.

AdAge: In a sign of how the balance of power has shifted in TV news, Fox News Channel drew more viewers on election night (9 million) than CBS (7.8 million).

Stakes Are High for Ted Turner Book (WSJ)
Colorful and candid, sometimes eccentric, sometimes visionary, Ted Turner was a true business celebrity in his day. Now, a bit more than two years after he resigned from the board of Time Warner Inc., his publisher is about to learn whether Mr. Turner's presence -- and more important, his new autobiography, Call Me Ted -- is still capable of drawing crowds.

NYT: When Bill Burke was still in his 30s, he set aside his career in the media business and decamped to Maine to raise his family and perhaps indulge vague ideas he had about teaching and writing. Then Ted Turner came calling.

Fretful Booksellers Count on Name Authors for Holiday Sales (USAT)
Booksellers and publishers are hoping a post-election flood of titles by brand-name authors can rescue their holiday season, which arrives amid the worst economy in 50 years. Several big releases were timed to avoid the campaign and are out this week, including Wally Lamb's The Hour I First Believed, Stephen King's Just After Sunset and Toni Morrison's A Mercy.

CBS News Boss McManus Plots Resurgence (TV Week)
If journalism awards and nominations announced this year were viewers, CBS News' two weekday newscasts would not still be deep in third place. But Sean McManus, president of CBS News and CBS Sports, is not about to give up hope that improvements in the content of The Early Show and The CBS Evening News With Katie Couric will eventually bring in more viewers and revenue.

Conde Nast Expands Video With New Partnership (Folio:)
In a broad expansion of its online video offerings, Condé Nast announced today a partnership with video platform Brightcove to manage its video initiatives company-wide. The first sites to utilize the platform are Glamour.com, Wired.com, Portfolio.com, Parade.com and Self.com.

Adapt Web Aggregation to Print? (AdAge)
Rance Crain: The answer is for newspapers to become aggregators of information by outsourcing their news holes to others already producing the material. Already, firms such as CNN and Bloomberg are gearing up to offer such services, and niche magazines could supply features for lifestyle pages, including fashion and home furnishings.

Revolving Door Newsletter: Obama Win Prompts D.C. Bureau Changes, Sells Out Newspapers (mediabistro.com)
ABC News announced its new Washington D.C. team: Jake Tapper will head the White House beat, while Martha Raddatz steps in as senior foreign affairs correspondent, and Jonathan Karl covers Congress as senior congressional correspondent. The New York Times is also assembling a White House team, which will include Jeff Zeleny, Helene Cooper, Peter Baker, and Sheryl Gay Stolberg.

from mediabistro.com's blogs:
AgencySpy: Did Campbell Ewald Drop 30 People?
FishbowlNY: Report: Conde Nast To Fold Elegant Bride
FishbowlDC: Cissy Baker Named Tribune Bureau Chief
FishbowlLA: KTLA Captures Arrest of Two Buzznet Employees At Prop 8 Rally
TVNewser: FNC's Jay Wallace: "People Tuned In To Us For The First Time And Liked What They Saw"
PRNewser: Recruiter: "I Think It's Going To Be Worse Before It's Better"
GalleyCat: Major Distributor Raises Concerns Over Borders
UnBeige: New Yorker Hosts Passport to the Arts
MobileContentToday: MySpace Could Develop MP3 Player
MobileMarketingToday: Sears Drives Shoppers to Mobile
MobileDevicesToday: Apple Now No. 2 In Smartphone Space
MobileAppsToday: iPhone Note Taking Apps Ready For Prime Time?

Click here to receive mediabistro.com's Daily Newsfeed via email.

FINANCIAL WRITING
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Write stories about the ailing economy and make money during these tough times. Learn the difference between writing about business, finance, and the economy, where to get financial information for sources, and how to pitch your stories successfully. With Smart Money editor Beverly Goodman. Click to learn more.

SITCOM WRITING with ELLEN SANDLER (Everybody Loves Raymond, Coach)Nov. 22-23 in New York
Write a superior sitcom! Learn how sitcoms are created and experience this authentic writer's room led by Emmy-nominated producer Ellen Sandler (Everybody Loves Raymond, Coach). Click to learn more.

PR, Perfected: How to Interview Around A Handler
If you can't get unrestricted access to your source, learn to work with, not against, a handler to score the interview you really want.

Boot Camp for Journalists - starts November 11 in New YorkWrite and sell magazine and newspaper articles in our signature class. learn more

20081110 Media Bistro Daily Media News Feed for November 10 2008

CyberAlert for Monday November 10, 2008

CyberAlert for Monday November 10, 2008

The 2,768th CyberAlert. Tracking Liberal Media Bias Since 1996
8:50am EST, Monday November 10, 2008 (Vol. Thirteen; No. 213)

1. Reuters Laugher: 'Media Bias Largely Unseen in Presidential Race' File under: Don't believe your lying eyes and ears. Barely two weeks after a Pew Research Center for the People and the Press survey determined that "by a margin of 70%-9%, Americans say most journalists want to see Obama, not John McCain, win on Nov. 4," as even 62 percent of Democrats recognized how journalists hoped Obama would be victorious, Reuters set out to prove any and all favorable Obama coverage had nothing to do with liberal bias. In a November 6 dispatch, "Media bias largely unseen in U.S. presidential race," Steve Gorman of the Los Angeles bureau focused his story on undermining the "perception that mainstream news organizations routinely gave Obama preferential treatment en route to his election as the first black U.S. president." Gorman contended: "But media scholars, including a former top aide to McCain, disagree. They said campaign coverage often did lean in Obama's favor, though not -- as many conservatives have suggested -- because of a hidden liberal agenda on the part of the media. Instead, academic experts said, Obama benefited largely from the dynamics of the campaign itself and the media's tendency to focus on the 'horse race'..."

2. Colby King on GOP's Make Up: Nationalist Party of South Africa Washington Post columnist Colby King charged Friday night that a look those who attended McCain-Palin rallies -- presumably meaning all-white -- versus those who went to Obama events, plus a "look at the census projections and what do you see? The Nationalist Party of South Africa."

3. ABC Allows Jeremiah Wright to Spin Himself as Victim of Media Good Morning America co-host Diane Sawyer on Friday uncritically highlighted an address given by the Reverend Jeremiah Wright on Thursday and parroted his talking points about being a scapegoat. In a tease for the segment, she recited: "Reverend Jeremiah Wright is now speaking out again. He says he was turned into a weapon of mass destruction." Regarding his speech, given in a church in Milford, Connecticut, Sawyer blandly added that Senator Barack Obama "distanced himself from Reverend Wright during the campaign and labeled some of his sermons divisive." She then proceeded to play a 47 second long clip of Wright complaining that the media intended to use his sermons to destroy Obama. An ABC graphic almost apologetically read, "First Comments From Rev Wright: Media's 'Weapon on Mass Destruction'"

4. CNN's Campbell Brown: 'Right-Wing Rage' at Obama Victory CNN anchor Campbell Brown introduced a segment on Thursday's Election Center program by contrasting the "[p]eople all over the world dancing in the streets" over the election of Barack Obama to the "really, really angry" reaction of conservatives, which she then labeled "right-wing rage." A graphic with the same label flashed on-screen, accompanied by a picture of Obama smiling. During the segment, which aired just after the bottom-half of the 8 pm Eastern hour of the CNN program, CNN correspondent Joe Johns played an audio clip of conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh as an example of such "rage." Limbaugh, who reacting to the appointment of liberal Illinois Representative Rahm Emanuel as Obama's White House Chief of Staff, called Emanuel a "good old-fashioned Chicago thug, just like Obama is a good old-fashioned Chicago thug," and gave an anecdote about how Emanuel used a steak knife to demonstrate his own anger towards Bill Clinton's enemies after the 1992 election. Johns' reply after the clip: "So if you were thinking the country is now unified, think again. There are still deep divisions."

5. ABC's Claire Shipman Bizarrely Spins Rahm Emanuel as 'Centrist' Good Morning America reporter Claire Shipman continued a time honored media bias tradition on Friday when she mislabeled Congressman Rahm Emanuel, Barack Obama's newly selected chief of staff, as "centrist." Emanuel, who was elected to Congress in 2002, has a lifetime American Conservative Union score of 13. In 2006, his rank was only four. In contrast, the House member's average from the liberal group Americans for Democratic Action is a very high 96. And yet, Shipman erroneously asserted: "More than anything, the 48-year-old Illinois representative is a pragmatic, centrist politician who likes to get things done. Clearly, Obama wants the same thing." So, can Americans expect Obama to be the same type of "centrist" that Emanuel has been?

6. On Friday Night, ABC & NBC Fail to Correct Obama's 'Seance' Gaffe Friday night stories on ABC's World News and the NBC Nightly News ran a clip of President-elect Barack Obama's gaffe at his press conference in which he related he had talked to all of the "living" former Presidents, as "I didn't want to get into a Nancy Reagan thing about, you know, doing any seances." But both newscasts failed to note it was Hillary Clinton, not Nancy Reagan, who reportedly had seances in the White House. ABC's Jake Tapper called Obama's comment "a lighter moment" while NBC's Lee Cowan described it as "the only awkward moment of his first meeting with the press." FNC's Jim Angle, however, managed to point out in his 6 PM EST story: "It was actually Hillary Clinton who was reported to have engaged in seance-like sessions in which she communed with the spirit of Eleanor Roosevelt."

7. CBS's Smith: 'Will Obamas Return to Camelot in the White House?' Continuing the narrative of Barack Obama as John F. Kennedy, on Friday's CBS Early Show, co-host Harry Smith described how: "As the nation prepares for President-Elect Barack Obama to move into the White House, many Americans can't help but draw similarities between him and the late President John F. Kennedy." Co-host Julie Chen earlier teased the segment: "The new first family has been compared to JFK and Jackie and their young children. Can the Obamas bring that 'one brief shining moment,' that was known as Camelot, back to the White House?" Smith narrated the segment, which juxtaposed images JFK with Obama: "It was a presidency filled with idealism, glamour, and excitement...A young Senator had been elected to lead his country. Now 47 years later, America has chosen another young Senator." Smith went on: "And the similarities are striking...."

8. CNN's Rick Sanchez Urges Obama to Bring Back FDR's WPA & CCC President-elect Obama's economic plans aren't left-wing and government-centered enough for CNN anchor Rick Sanchez, who about 20 minutes after Obama's Friday afternoon press conference shared his personal suggestion for another WPA (Works Progress Administration) and/or CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps), two government make-work programs from the 1930s. To a guest who lived through the Depression as a child, Sanchez proposed: "I'm thinking WPA, I'm thinking it may be time for Americans to do something like that once again because there's so many people unemployed and there's so much that needs to be done in this country." With another guest in the same 3:30 PM EST segment, Sanchez cited energy requirements and wondered: "Isn't this the kind of need that could be met by American workers if the government created a WPA or CCC plan?"

A usually-daily report, edited by Brent H. Baker, CyberAlert is distributed by the Media Research Center, the leader since 1987 in documenting, exposing and neutralizing liberal media bias.

MRC Home CyberAlerts Media Reality Check Notable Quotables Bozell Columns

20081110 CyberAlert for Monday November 10, 2008

Recent Westminster Eagle and Sunday Carroll Eagle columns by Kevin Dayhoff


Published November 9, 2008 by Sunday Carroll Eagle
EAGLE ARCHIVE Last Tuesday, after two years, 45 debates and $2.4 billion spent, American voters finally had their day. Is it just me, or does...


Junction and Lenny Moore explain what teens are thinking



Published November 5, 2008 by Westminster Eagle


On Thursday, Nov. 6, Junction Inc. will host a substance abuse and awareness program sponsored by the Board of County commissioners at 6 p.m....



20081109 Recent Westminster Eagle and Sunday Carroll Eagle columns by Kevin Dayhoff

Doug Ross: Did media bias just save America?

Doug Ross: Did media bias just save America?

Doug Ross nailed it…

Sunday, November 09, 2008 A love story for the ages: the press and Barack Obama

Even foreign journalists were stunned by
the love affair between the press and Obama:

[…]

Only a day or two late, the Washington Post helpfully admitted it was in the tank for Barack all along. Today Post Ombudsman Deborah Howell
issued a half-hearted apology.

[…]

At least the Post 'fessed up. Blithering idiot Will Bunch of the
Philadelphia Daily Birdcage-liner says that media bias just saved America.

[…]


Mr. Ross’ entire post is a must read. And the cartoon is right on. Please find it here: A love story for the ages: the press and Barack Obama

Cartoon: Chuck Asay. Hat tips: YWL and Larwyn. Linked by: Gateway Pundit. Thanks!

Mr. Ross’ labels: Democrats, MSM, Obama

20081109 Doug Ross: Did media bias just save America?

First Bush-Obama Meeting: Hard Feelings and Hand Sanitizer


As President Bush and President-elect Barack Obama prepare for their post-election meeting at the White House on Monday, memories of their first encounter linger.

Bill Sammon FOXNews.com Sunday, November 09, 2008

President Bush and President-elect Barack Obama are probably hoping their meeting Monday goes better than their first get-together, which left a bad taste in the mouths of both men.

Four years ago, Obama and other newly elected members of the Senate were invited to the White House for a breakfast meeting with Bush, who pulled the young Chicagoan aside.

"Obama!" Bush exclaimed, according to Obama's account of the meeting in his second memoir, "The Audacity of Hope." "Come here and meet Laura. Laura, you remember Obama. We saw him on TV during election night. Beautiful family. And that wife of yours -- that's one impressive lady."

The two men shook hands and then, according to Obama, Bush turned to an aide, "who squirted a big dollop of hand sanitizer in the president's hand."

Bush then offered some to Obama, who recalled: "Not wanting to seem unhygienic, I took a squirt."

The president then led Obama off to one side of the room, where Bush said: "I hope you don't mind me giving you a piece of advice."

"Not at all, Mr. President," Obama told the commander-in-chief.

"You've got a bright future," Bush said presciently. "Very bright. But I've been in this town awhile and, let me tell you, it can be tough. When you get a lot of attention like you've been getting, people start gunnin' for ya. And it won't necessarily just be coming from my side, you understand. From yours, too. Everybody'll be waiting for you to slip, know what I mean? So watch yourself."

[…]

I thought I was actually showing some kindness," Bush said indignantly. "And out of that he came with this belief?"

The president added with a bit of a scowl: "He doesn't know me very well."
(Ed: My emphasis)

[…]


Remove all heavy and sharp objects from the room and read the entire article… First Bush-Obama Meeting: Hard Feelings and Hand Sanitizer. It should remind you of the Ann Coulter admonishment – sometimes, you can never be nice to a liberal. Wow, did I ever learn that lesson the hard way…

Bill Sammon is Washington Deputy Managing Editor for FOX News.

http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/11/09/bush-obama-meeting-hard-feelings-hand-sanitier/#

20081109 First Bush Obama Meeting Hard Feelings and Hand Sanitizer

International Herald Tribune: Obama plans quick use of executive power

International Herald Tribune: Obama plans quick use of executive power

The Associated Press

Monday, November 10, 2008

WASHINGTON: Barack Obama will assume the U.S. presidency with "a real mandate for change," and likely will use his executive powers to make quick changes, perhaps reversing Bush administration policies on stem cell research and oil exploration.

John Podesta, who's handling Obama's preparations to take over in the White House on Jan. 20, said on Sunday that Obama was reviewing President George W. Bush's executive orders on those and other issues as he prepares to put his own stamp on policy after eight years of Republican rule.

[…]

"I think across the board, on stem cell research, on a number of areas, you see the Bush administration even today moving aggressively to do things that I think are probably not in the interest of the country," Podesta said.

Obama has supported stem cell research in an effort to find cures for diseases such as Alzheimer's.

Also, the federal Bureau of Land Management is opening about 360,000 acres (145,000 hectares) of public land in Utah to oil and gas drilling, leading to protests from environmentalists.

[…]

Speaking on Fox television, Podesta said Obama was working to build a diverse Cabinet likely to include Republicans and independents part of the broad coalition that supported Obama during the race against Republican John McCain.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates has been mentioned as a possible holdover.

[…]

Obama, who will be the nation's 44th president, was to hold its first postelection meeting with Bush this week.

Bush and first lady Laura, will host Obama, his wife Michelle, and their two daughters — 10-year-old Malia and 7-year-old Sasha for a Monday tour of the executive mansion. Obama and Bush were expected to hold substantive meetings then as well.

[…]


Read the entire article here: International Herald Tribune: Obama plans quick use of executive power

___
On the Net:
Transition office:
http://change.gov/

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/11/10/america/NA-US-Obama.php

20081110 International Herald Tribune Obama plans quick use of exe power

Transition Team Co-Chair Valerie Jarrett Discusses Priorities on ‘Meet the Press’

Sunday, November 9, 2008 05:51pm EST /

Transition Team Co-Chair Valerie Jarrett Discusses Priorities on ‘Meet the Press’

President-elect Barack Obama's transition team is "hitting the ground running" on its top priorities - the economy and foreign policy, Transition Co-Chair Valerie Jarrett said on 'Meet the Press' today.

She expects Obama to make more announcements on key positions in the days and weeks ahead.

"I think that, in a sense, putting together the Cabinet is like a jigsaw puzzle, and he wants to make sure that it represents the diversity of our country, diversity in perspectives, diversity in race, diversity in geography. And so all of those pieces are going to come together. And he will pick the best person for each position," Jarrett said.

Jarrett also said Michelle Obama plans to focus on the work-life balance when she becomes First Lady.

"She knows how hard it is to manage being a mom, a spouse, have a professional job. And she has a lot of support. She's the first to say, 'Look, I did it with all this support. What about the women out there who are doing it in such a challenging way?'" Jarrett said.

Watch the video of Jarrett's interview on "Meet the Press" below.

20081109 Obama Transition team on Meet the Press

President-elect Obama Calls for Swift Action on the Economy in Weekly Democratic Radio Address

President-elect Obama Calls for Swift Action on the Economy in Weekly Democratic Radio Address

Sunday, November 9, 2008 12:15pm EST /

You can listen to the full address
here.

Barack Obama delivered this week's Democratic Radio Address Saturday morning, his first as President-elect.

In the address, President-elect Obama spoke about the need to put partisanship aside to solve the greatest economic challenge of our lifetime.

"Tens of millions of families are struggling to figure out how to pay the bills and stay in their homes," Obama said. "Their stories are an urgent reminder that we are facing the greatest economic challenge of our lifetime, and we must act swiftly to resolve them."

20081109 Obama discusses the economy in Weekly Democratic Radio Address

http://change.gov/newsroom/entry/president_elect_obama_calls_for_swift_action_on_the_economy_in_weekly_democ/

President-Elect Obama Meets with Economic Advisers, Calls for “Swift Action” on the Economy

President-Elect Obama Meets with Economic Advisers, Calls for “Swift Action” on the Economy

Friday, November 7, 2008 06:20pm EST /

Barack Obama today held his first press conference as President-Elect to call for "swift action" to fix the nation's economy.

"Immediately after I become president I will confront this economic crisis head-on by taking all necessary steps to ease the credit crisis, help hardworking families, and restore growth and prosperity," President-Elect Obama said.

The press conference followed a private meeting of Obama's Transition Economic Advisory Board, a group of 17 leaders on economic issues that includes former U.S. Treasury Secretaries Robert E. Rubin and Lawrence E. Summers, Google CEO Eric Schmidt and Warren Buffett.

Watch the full video of President-Elect Obama's remarks at the press conference below.





20081107 President-Elect Obama Meets with Economic Advisers, Calls for “Swift Action” on the Economy

Emanuel to be Obama’s White House Chief of Staff

Emanuel to be Obama’s White House Chief of Staff

http://change.gov/

Friday, November 7, 2008 04:19pm EST /

President-Elect Barack Obama announced yesterday that Congressman Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.) has accepted his offer to join the White House as Chief of Staff.

"I announce this appointment first because the Chief of Staff is central to the ability of a President and Administration to accomplish an agenda. And no one I know is better at getting things done than Rahm Emanuel,” President-Elect Obama said in a statement.

"During his seven years in the Clinton White House, Rahm was the point man on some of the most difficult issues, from the passage of landmark anti-crime legislation to the expansion of health care coverage for children. In just six years in Congress, he has risen to leadership, helping to craft myriad important pieces of legislation and guide them to passage.”

Emanuel, 48, served as a senior adviser to President Bill Clinton, and has represented the fifth congressional district of Illinois since 2002.

"I'm leaving a job I love to join your White House for one simple reason -- like the record amount of voters who cast their ballot over the last month, I want to do everything I can to help deliver the change America needs,” Emanuel said in a statement. “We have work to do, and Tuesday Americans sent Washington a clear message -- get the job done.

"Today, once again, our country is piled high with difficulty, and Americans have put their trust in President-elect Barack Obama and Vice-President-elect Joe Biden to think and act anew. And Mr. President-elect, I promise that your White House will do everything in our power to rise to the occasion," he said.
Read the full statements below.

Statement from President-elect Barack Obama

"I am pleased to announce that my good friend, Congressman Rahm Emanuel, has agreed to serve as my White House chief of staff. I announce this appointment first because the Chief of Staff is central to the ability of a President and Administration to accomplish an agenda. And no one I know is better at getting things done than Rahm Emanuel.

"During his seven years in the Clinton White House, Rahm was the point man on some of the most difficult issues, from the passage of landmark anti-crime legislation to the expansion of health care coverage for children. In just six years in Congress, he has risen to leadership, helping to craft myriad important pieces of legislation and guide them to passage. In between, Rahm spent several years in the private sector, where he worked on large and complicated financial transactions. That experience, combined with his service on the committees on Ways and Means and Banking, have given Rahm deep insights into the challenging economic issues that will be front and center for our Administration. Though Rahm understands how to get things done in Washington, he still looks at the world from the perspective of his neighbors and constituents on the Northwest Side of Chicago, who work long and hard, and ask only that their government stand on their side and honor their values. The son of an Israeli immigrant, Rahm shares a passionate love for this country, and has devoted much of his life to its cause.

"His decision to accept this position is a wonderful reflection of that commitment, for it is not easy to give up the significant position he holds today as chair of the House Democratic conference. The post he has accepted also will require more time away from Amy, and their children, Zach, Ilana and Leah, which I know is painful and difficult.

"I appreciate his friendship. And I, and all Americans, should be grateful that Rahm is once again answering his country's call," said President-elect Barack Obama.

Statement from Congressman Rahm Emanuel

"I know what a privilege it is to serve in the White House, and am humbled by the responsibility we owe the American people. I'm leaving a job I love to join your White House for one simple reason - like the record amount of voters who cast their ballot over the last month, I want to do everything I can to help deliver the change America needs. We have work to do, and Tuesday Americans sent Washington a clear message – get the job done.

"I have loved the time I spent in the House, both the successes and the setbacks, and I am grateful to the people of the Fifth Congressional district who sent me to work on their behalf. I was proud to serve on a leadership team with Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and Majority Whip Jim Clyburn. They have taught me invaluable lessons—even a few lessons in humility, believe it or not.

"I want to say a special word about my Republican colleagues, who serve with dignity, decency and a deep sense of patriotism. We often disagree, but I respect their motives. Now is a time for unity, and Mr. President-elect, I will do everything in my power to help you stitch together the frayed fabric of our politics, and help summon Americans of both parties to unite in common purpose.

"It has been almost 150 years since Americans turned to a proud son of Illinois as their President. Early in his first term, Abraham Lincoln said, "The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew."

"Today, once again, our country is piled high with difficulty, and Americans have put their trust in President-elect Barack Obama and Vice-President-elect Joe Biden to think and act anew. And Mr. President-elect, I promise that your White House will do everything in our power to rise to the occasion," said Congressman Rahm Emanuel.


http://change.gov/newsroom/entry/emanuel_to_be_obamas_white_house_chief_of_staff/

20081107
Emanuel to be Obama White House Chief of Staff

Bush Gets Emotional Over White House Transition

Bush Gets Emotional Over White House Transition

November 06, 2008 1:01 PM

Related: 20081106 Pres Bush discusses the transition with White House employees

ABC News' Jennifer Duck Reports: President Bush became visibly emotional after speaking about the transition of his presidential powers to President-elect Barack Obama and his team.

After a private meeting with his cabinet, President Bush spoke publicly to around 1,000 White House staffers on the South Lawn.

The administration has been touting their transition efforts which have been underway for over a year.

[…]

The president and First Lady have invited the Obama family to the White House and announced Thursday he will personally speak with the president-elect next week on issues ranging from financial markets to the war in Iraq.

[…]

The president
took a moment to address the personal issue of White House staffers leaving their posts on Inauguration Day.

[…]

The president became emotional when wrapping up his speech. Visibly moved, Bush bit his lip and the First Lady gave him a hug.


Read the entire article here: Bush Gets Emotional Over White House Transition

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/11/bush-gets-emoti.html

20081106 Bush Gets Emotional Over White House Transition

President Bush discusses the transition with White House employees

President Bush discusses the transition with White House employees

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 6, 2008 11:12 A.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all for coming. Mr. Vice President and Lynne, thank you for being here with us. Laura and I welcome you to the South Lawn -- better known as Barney's playground. (Laughter.)

I want to thank members of my Cabinet who've joined us. We've just finished a Cabinet meeting, and it gave me a chance to tell them how much I appreciate the good work they're doing during this critical time for our nation.

I also appreciate the men and women who make up the Executive Office of the President for joining us today. (Applause.) Some of you have been at the White House for just a few months. Others arrived the same day that we did nearly eight years ago. You're the ones who can tell that my hair has gotten a little grayer. (Laughter.) Others are career employees who have been here for 30, or 40, sometimes 50 years. I can tell that your hair has gotten grayer. (Laughter.)

The people on this lawn represent diverse backgrounds, talents, and experiences. Yet we all share a steadfast devotion to the United States. We believe that service to our fellow citizens is a noble calling -- and the privilege of a lifetime.

This is an exciting time for our country. Earlier this week, more than 120 million people voted for a new President and Congress -- one of the largest turnouts in the history of the country. No matter how we cast our ballots, this election gives us all reason to be proud of our democracy and our country. And I hope you will join Laura and me in congratulating President-Elect Obama, and wishing him the very best for his family and our country. (Applause.)




Just before our inauguration in 2001, Laura and I went back to Midland, Texas -- she was born there and I was raised there. I said that Laura and I would "never quite settle in Washington." I told them: "While the honor is great, the work is temporary." This is true for many of us here today. This peaceful transfer of power is one of the hallmarks of a true democracy. And ensuring that this transition is as smooth as possible is a priority for the rest of my presidency. We face economic challenges that will not pause to let a new President settle in. This will also be America's first wartime presidential transition in four decades. We're in a struggle against violent extremists determined to attack us -- and they would like nothing more than to exploit this period of change to harm the American people.

So over the next 75 days, all of us must ensure that the next President and his team can hit the ground running. For more than a year now, departments and agencies throughout the federal government have been preparing for a smooth transition. We've provided intelligence briefings to the President-Elect, and the Department of Justice has approved security clearances for members of his transition staff. In the coming weeks, we will ask administration officials to brief the Obama team on ongoing policy issues, ranging from the financial markets to the war in Iraq. I look forward to discussing those issues with the President-Elect early next week.

Offices within the White House are at work preparing extensive transition materials. We're preparing career employees throughout the administration to take on added responsibilities to help prevent any disruption to the essential functions of the federal government.

Taken together, these measures represent an unprecedented effort to ensure that the executive branch is prepared to fulfill its responsibilities at all times. As we carry out this transition I know that you will continue to conduct yourselves with the decency and professionalism you have shown throughout my time in office.

A successful transition is just one of many important tasks remaining in our last 75 days. To help address the global financial crisis, the Secretary of Treasury is working endless hours, and I will host an international summit here in Washington on November the 15th. This will be a historic meeting -- and I'm confident that you will work hard to help make it a success.

We'll also keep urging Congress to approve America's free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea. And we will continue to protect this homeland by defeating the terrorists and extremists abroad, so we do not have to face them here at home. (Applause.)

As January 20th draws near, some of you may be anxious about finding a new job, or a new place to live. I know how you feel. (Laughter.) But between now and then, we must keep our attention on the task at hand -- because the American people expect no less. Earlier this year, I promised that I would sprint to the finish. I am keeping that promise, and I know I have given some of you a good workout along the way. As we head into this final stretch, I ask you to remain focused on the goals ahead. I will be honored to stand with you at the finish line. May God bless you.

END 11:19 A.M. EST


Return to this article at:http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/11/20081106-1.html

20081106 Pres Bush discusses the transition with White House employees

Alcalde de Westminster y del Consejo para la Agenda 10 de noviembre 2008

Domingo, 09 de noviembre, 2008

Westminster Mayor and Council Agenda for November 10 2008 Alcalde de Westminster y del Consejo para la Agenda 10 de noviembre 2008

Westminster Mayor and Council Agenda for November 10 2008 Alcalde de Westminster y del Consejo para la Agenda 10 de noviembre 2008

City Council Ayuntamiento

City Council Members Minutes of City Council Meetings Los miembros del Consejo de la Ciudad de las actas de las reuniones del Consejo de la Ciudad

CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND City of Westminster, Maryland

Mayor and Common Council Meeting of November 10, 2008 Alcalde y común de la reunión del Consejo de 10 de noviembre, 2008

AGENDA PROGRAMA

1. CALL TO ORDER – 7:00 PM LLAMADA AL ORDEN - 7:00 PM

Mayoral Proclamation – National Home Care and Hospice Month Mayoral proclamación - National cuidados en el hogar y hospicio mes

Drought Status – Code Yellow Maintained Sequía estado - el código amarillo Mantenido

2. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF OCTOBER 27, 2008 ACTA DE LA REUNIÓN DE OCTUBRE 27, 2008

3. CONSENT CALENDAR CALENDARIO DE CONSENTIMIENTO

Maryland Department of the Environment Consent Order Amendment No. 1 Maryland Departamento de Medio Ambiente de la Orden de Consentimiento Enmienda N º 1

4. REPORTS FROM THE MAYOR INFORMES DE LA MAYOR

5. REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES Los informes de las comisiones permanentes

6. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS: Ordenanzas y resoluciones:

Introduction of Ordinance No. 791 – General Revisions to City Code Introducción de la Ordenanza N º 791 - General Revisiones de Código de ciudad

Introduction of Ordinance No. 792 – Revisions to Chapter 164 Entitled “Zoning and Subdivision of Land’ Introducción de la Ordenanza N º 792 - Revisión del capítulo 164, titulado "Zonificación y la subdivisión de la tierra '

Introduction of Ordinance No. 793 – Revisions to Chapter 124 entitled “Sewers and Sewage” And Chapter 160 entitled “Water” Introducción de la Ordenanza N º 793 - Revisión del capítulo 124 titulado "Sistemas de saneamiento y aguas residuales" y el capítulo 160 titulado "Agua"

Introduction of Ordinance No. 794 – General Fee Ordinance Introducción de la Ordenanza N º 794 - Tasa Ordenanza General

Introduction of Ordinance No. 795 – Utility Fee Ordinance Introducción de la Ordenanza N º 795 - Utilidad de la Ordenanza de tasas

7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Asuntos pendientes:

a. None as of November 6, 2008 Ninguno de 6 de noviembre de 2008

8. NEW BUSINESS: NUEVOS NEGOCIOS:

a. None as of November 6, 2008 Ninguno de 6 de noviembre de 2008

9. DEPARTMENT REPORTS DEPARTAMENTO DE INFORMES

10. CITIZEN COMMENTS COMENTARIOS CIUDADANO

11. ADJOURN Aplazamiento

20081110 Westminster Mayor and Council Agenda for November 10 2008 20081110 Westminster Mayor y del Consejo para la Agenda 10 de noviembre 2008


Sunday, November 09, 2008

Services at Grace Lutheran Church Westminster MD November 9 2008


Services at Grace Lutheran Church Westminster MD November 9 2008

Dayhoff Daily Photoblog

November 9, 2008

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
21 Carroll Street
Westminster, MD 21158
(410) 848-7020

The Reverend Kevin Clementson, Senior Pastor

The Reverend Martha Clementson, Senior Pastor

http://www.gracelc.org/

20081209 Services at GLC Westminster MD Nov 9 2008

Daily Patio Pic for November 9, 2008


Daily Patio Pic for November 9, 2008

November 9, 2008 Kevin Dayhoff

Daily UTR Patio photo

20081109 Daily Patio Pic (3)

Westminster Mayor and Council Agenda for November 10 2008

Westminster Mayor and Council Agenda for November 10 2008

City Council

City Council Members Minutes of City Council Meetings

CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND

Mayor and Common Council Meeting of November 10, 2008

AGENDA

1. CALL TO ORDER – 7:00 P.M.

Mayoral Proclamation – National Home Care and Hospice Month

Drought Status – Code Yellow Maintained

2. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF OCTOBER 27, 2008

3. CONSENT CALENDAR

Maryland Department of the Environment Consent Order Amendment No. 1

4. REPORTS FROM THE MAYOR

5. REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES

6. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:

Introduction of Ordinance No. 791 – General Revisions to City Code

Introduction of Ordinance No. 792 – Revisions to Chapter 164 Entitled “Zoning and Subdivision of Land’

Introduction of Ordinance No. 793 – Revisions to Chapter 124 entitled “Sewers and Sewage” And Chapter 160 entitled “Water”

Introduction of Ordinance No. 794 – General Fee Ordinance

Introduction of Ordinance No. 795 – Utility Fee Ordinance

7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

a. None as of November 6, 2008

8. NEW BUSINESS:

a. None as of November 6, 2008

9. DEPARTMENT REPORTS

10. CITIZEN COMMENTS

11. ADJOURN

20081110 Westminster Mayor and Council Agenda for November 10 2008

Sykesville Council Agenda for November 10 2008


Sykesville Council Agenda for November 10 2008

MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL OF SYKESVILLE
AGENDA FOR
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2008, 7:00 P.M.

QUORUM: Mayor
MINUTES: Town Clerk
TREASURER’S REPORT: Town Treasurer

PUBLIC CONCERNS

BUSINESS
Public Safety Report – Chief Williams
Solid Waste and Recycling Initiatives – Alternatives - Update
CIP Committee – Citizen at Large Appointment
Town Projects – Street Paving, River Place, Lexington Run Park, Warfield Park Path, and future projects.
OTHER:
CLOSED SESSION:
1. Legal Consultation –
2. Property Acquisition –
3. Personnel –

Job Opening for
MAINTENANCE WORKER
Town of Sykesville
Maintenance Worker. Duties: landscaping, minor maintenance repairs, refuse collection, other maintenance related duties.
at least 18 years old, valid driver’s license, good driving record. Starting $11.31 per hour. Health, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement, long and short term disability, leave benefits.
Call 410-795-8959, visit the Town Office at 7547 Main Street for an application and job description. Open until filled. EOE

The Town of Sykesville’s Department of Public Works will keep to its regular trash collection schedule for the week of November 10, 2008.
PLEASE PLACE YOUR TRASH AT CURBSIDE
ON YOUR USUAL COLLECTION DAY.
If you have any questions, please call Ron Esworthy, Public Works Director at 410-795-8959.

20081110 Sykesville Council Agenda for November 10 2008

Alaska real estate News

Alaska real estate News

November 9, 2008

Anchorage AK Homes for Sale

Bill Babylon: http://www.getrealalaska.com/

Can't Sell Your Home? Why Not Rent it?
It may not always make sense to sell your home. If that's the case, renting it could be a good option. But understanding the rental process and using expert help will alleviate extra stress. FULL STORY ->

Weaker Job Market Leads to Lower Mortgage Rates
Freddie Mac today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) in which the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.20 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending November 6, 2008, down from last week when it averaged 6.46 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.24 percent. FULL STORY ->

Investor Report: Home Investors Booming
The economy may be flat, but it's boom time for investors who know how to buy houses at fire-sale prices, fix them up and sell or rent them out. FULL STORY ->

All Marketing, All the Time: What's New in Smart Design
Ralph Waldo Emerson, an American essayist, philosopher, poet, and leader of the transcendentalist movement in the early 19th Century once said, "build a better mouse trap and the world will beat a path to your door." How can a property owner differentiate visually from the competition through creative marketing strategies enhanced by smart design? FULL STORY ->

U.K. Building Company Looks to Lime for Sustainable Building Materials
The Linford Group, a Birmingham, United Kingdom-based building company, is looking back at natural products and techniques that have actually been around for hundreds, if not thousands, of years, as its vision for the next generation of 'better-than-zero carbon' sustainable building materials. The company is working with Abingdon-based specialists Lime Technology to explore ways of cutting the industry's carbon footprint by using hemp and lime in place of concrete and cement. FULL STORY ->

20081108 Alaska real estate News

Maybe it is time we all moved to Alaska




Bill Babylon
Direct: 907-273-7531
e-mail address: Billybabs AT gmail DOT com

Prudential Jack White/ Vista Real Estate
3801 Centerpoint Drive 200
Anchorage, AK 99503
Fax: 907-562-5485
Cell: 907-351-4762


Welcome to your one-stop source for real estate services covering the South Anchorage area. Real estate is one of the most exciting investments one can make, and it should be a fun and rewarding experience. Here you'll find everything you'll need to buy or sell a home, as well as learn about the market value of homes you may own in the area. It is my goal to provide you with superior service at all times, so please tell me more about you! Learn About Me.

Hello and thank you for visiting! It is my goal as your full service real estate company specializing in the South Anchorage area, to provide you with superior service at all times.


Here are some things you might like to know about my brother-in-law Bill Babylon:

An experienced leader and manager

Retired from active service with the US Army after 29 years. Managed a $50 Million business with 1200 employees during my last 7 years of service.

Experienced a dozen relocations during this career.

Reviewed construction progress on new homes for the last 3 years as a subcontractor to Northrim Bank’s Construction Loan Department, familiarizing me with the new home market in the Anchorage area.

An active member of the community

Currently serving as Treasurer of Amazing Grace Lutheran Church.

Served as Treasurer for Boy Scout Troop 209 in Anchorage, for 2 years. Still active on the Troop Committee. Conduct Scout training for the Personal Management Merit Badge.

An ethical real estate professional

Member of the Anchorage Board of Realtors®.

Acquired over 35 hours of continuing real estate education in the past 6 months.
As a holder of the Prudential Real Estate eCertified® designation, I apply the latest technology solutions to meet my clients' real estate needs.

I do what’s right for my clients—not what sells!

I am ready to help you find your next home!

Buying a home? I look forward to helping you select the home of your dreams by taking time to listen to your needs and desires.

Selling a home? My real estate expertise and many effective marketing programs will give you the exposure and edge you need to sell your home quickly for top dollar.

20081108 Maybe it is time we all moved to Alaska

A Look at Maryland Economic Issues by Barbara Paulsen




A Look at Maryland Economic Issues by Barbara Paulsen

November 3, 2008



Webmaster’s note: Maryland continues to lose jobs in the private sector because of the state’s well-deserved reputation for being anti-business and tax-hell. Moreover, folks are leaving the state in a tax-flight that shows no abatement in the foreseeable future.

However the article skirts this economic dynamic ever so euphemistically.

It says: “The manufacturing sector, however, continues to disappoint and accounts for increasingly fewer jobs as it continues to shrink. While the loss of these jobs has slowed in the past three years, it remains the biggest economic drag on the state's economy. Maryland is trying to shift from labor-based manufacturing jobs to more science and knowledge-based jobs. But attempts to lure large international corporations have been hurt by the high cost of doing business in the state.

“… For several consecutive years more people have moved out of Maryland than moved in, largely because of people searching for cheaper housing.”

Kevin Dayhoff





Unlike many states, Maryland has historically had a relatively robust and diversified economy that allows it to maintain healthy growth. But the future of Maryland's economy, like that of the nation, is uncertain.

Underpinning its economic diversity is a highly educated workforce — one of the nation's highest ratios of Ph.D. holders — and virtually full employment. There are a large number of well-paying jobs in government, health care and education. The unemployment rate was just 3.6 percent last year, among the nation's lowest. And Maryland ranks fifth in personal income in the nation.

The federal government acts as a stabilizing force in Maryland's economy. "Maryland is blessed by its geography," said Daraius Irani, director of the Regional Economic Studies Institute at Towson University outside Baltimore.

[…]

The manufacturing sector, however, continues to disappoint and accounts for increasingly fewer jobs as it continues to shrink. While the loss of these jobs has slowed in the past three years, it remains the biggest economic drag on the state's economy. Maryland is trying to shift from labor-based manufacturing jobs to more science and knowledge-based jobs. But attempts to lure large international corporations have been hurt by the high cost of doing business in the state.

Housing prices in Maryland are expected to drop more than 10 percent in the next year, slightly less that the national average. For several consecutive years more people have moved out of Maryland than moved in, largely because of people searching for cheaper housing.


Read the entire article here: A Look at Maryland Economic Issues by Barbara Paulsen

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/Economy/story?id=4804449

20081103 A Look at Maryland Economic Issues by Barbara Paulsen

Recession Nation: 49 States at Risk By Scott Mayerowitz


Recession Nation: 49 States at Risk By Scott Mayerowitz

ABC NEWS Business Unit Nov. 3, 2008—


Hat Tip: B5 who lives in Alaska. He suggested that I “Check out this article and then tell me why you aren't considering moving to this great (Republican) State.”

In March, Five States Were in Recession; Now There Are 30, With 19 More at Risk

No state is immune from falling into a recession, except for one: oil-rich Alaska.

What started out as a housing problem in a few states has now exploded into a full-fledged recession, with a majority of states now in or dangerously close to recession.

At the end of September, 30 states were in recession, according to
Moody's Economy.com. Back in March, only five states were in recession: Arizona, California, Florida, Michigan and Nevada.

[…]

The just leaves one part of the country -- Alaska -- with a still-expanding economy. (The District of Columbia, with its government and government-related jobs, also still has an expanding economy.)

"There's no way around the map. It says the nation is in recession. The recession is coast to coast," Mark Zandi, chief economist and co-founder of Moody's Economy.com told ABC News recently. "One of the unique features of this downturn is how broad-based it is, regionally."

What happened between March and today?

"The job market has eroded measurably and industrial production has weakened sharply in the last couple of months. Those are the two key things. The other thing is that retail sales have also sharply weakened," Zandi said.

The one bright side is part of the middle of the country. Agriculture and energy are still strong and providing jobs.

[…]

"The exception is the part of the country between the Mississippi River and the Rockies, which is still doing pretty well," he said. "High farm prices are good if you are in Iowa. High oil prices are good if you are in Houston."

Peter Morici, an economics professor at the University of Maryland, said a decline in manufacturing is really hurting the Rust Belt. That said, the economy still is very regional and industry-specific.

[…]

"The state governments are an exercise in irresponsibility. Through the property boom, they enjoyed the increase in people's assessments," Morici said. "They are just not structured to handle the cynical movements in their revenue the way they should be.

"Just like companies, municipalities can behave irresponsibly in good times, not shore up any money for bad times and then go crying to the federal government when they need cash," he added.

Read the entire article here: Recession Nation: 49 States at Risk

ABC News Internet Ventures

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/Economy/story?id=6158877&page=1

20081103
Recession Nation: 49 States at Risk By Scott Mayerowitz