Health Care Systems - 4 Basic Models

The United States is the only industrialized nation without cradle-to-the-grave, universal health care. In no other developed country would a child with cancer have to go without care because an insurance company decided it was not profitable enough to cover him.

I recently read this little interesting excerpt over at PBS.org's FRONTLINE:

There are about 200 countries on our planet, and each country devises its own set of arrangements for meeting the three basic goals of a health care system: keeping people healthy, treating the sick, and protecting families against financial ruin from medical bills.

But we don't have to study 200 different systems to get a picture of how other countries manage health care. For all the local variations, health care systems tend to follow general patterns.

Click here for the four basic systems

and also:

Five Capitalist Democracies & How They Do It.

How Pugs Are Made

Fox Follies Next Friday!

Oh yeah baby, Click your heels and go back in time at the Fox!

On Friday February 26th, the Fox Theater will be hosting an awesome show that ya gotta check out. They will be featuring Big band orchestra & beautiful burlesque stars! Come dance, drink, mingle, and marvel.



Music by The Eddie Reed Big Band and Eddie Nichols.

Burlesque dancing beauties are:

Eliza Bane
Charlotte Araignee
Le Meaux
Ava Garter
Flame Cynders
Lux LaCroix
Ruby Champagne
Jolee Blon

All happening at the
Fox Theatre Pomona
301 S Garey Ave
Pomona, CA 91766-1723

Friday February 26, 2010
Show Starts: 9:00 PM
Doors open: 8:00 PM
Genre: Big Band Music
Room: Grand Hall
Ages: 18 & Over
Admission: $20 (General) $30 VIP Floor Seating

Tickets for Fox Follies are available now at:

Glasshouse Record Store
248 W 2nd St., Pomona, CA 91766
Hours:
Monday - Friday 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Saturday 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm
(909)865-3802

Online Tickets available by CLICKING HERE.

Printable Parking & Directions available by CLICKING HERE.

Goodbye Foothill Cities Blog

It is with deep regret that I must mention the Foothill Cities Blog, which I have been reading for a few years, has decided to call it quits. They had great blogging coverage of the San Gabriel Valley for a long time. The reason I believe is a combination of financial, technical and real life craziness, which I can totally understand. Perhaps someone would like to purchase it and host it themselves?

Click here and read their final farewell.

Valentine Hiatus

A very long 4 day weekend just passed me and no time for blogging. I am the blogger's anti-blogger, truly. I had a conversation recently with a fellow blogger at the kick ass Pomona ArtWalk on Saturday and I had mentioned that I am not the typical blogger stereotype. I am social and always out and about with friends, doing things and partying. I've always considered most bloggers the nerdy hermit stay-in-my-room type. This used to be somewhat true many years back, but not necessarily nowadays. Regular Joes do blog, and regular Janes as well. Not to mention tons of unemployed intellects and those who are frustrated by the lack of jobs. The blogosphere is too huge to give it that stereotype now. I think I lost my point to the post, but probably something along the lines of 'I do lots of other things that make me too lazy to turn the computer on and rant/post' on my blog.

Anyways, all 2 of you, thanks for checking in... you didn't have to. Really. There are more important things to do, like making sure the toilet paper isn't down to cardboard in the bathroom.

Happy Friday, Burp!

This cartoon says it all...



on another note, don't forget the ARTWALK is this Saturday (Feb.13th) in Downtown Pomona, go to MetroPomona.com for more info!

Looong Weekend Just Past

Celebrating the SuperBowl and Birthday combined in the City of Montebello... what a great party! I think I've finally recovered today.

I'm still here, just not on the internet as much this week. It looks like rain again once more, so I am very happy! Not much to say as I'm heading out the door, but here's a funny picture I found on the net:

All Ages Dance Factory @ Glass House

Have that kid who isn't even 18 yet but wants to get out and hit a dance club with friends? Heck, parents can go as well, in fact, there's a bar for you to hang at 2 doors down.

This Saturday is the Dance Factory for all ages at the Glass House in Pomona. I will be taking 2 teens there to check it out! This is the 1st event of what is to be perhaps a regular thing... anyways, won't hurt to check it out. Here's the flyer:

New Stores For N.E. Pomonans & So. Claremonters?

I just heard news from my neighbors at Claremont Insider about some new stores coming our way (at least sources told them).

Yes, those of us here in Northeast Pomona along with the folks in Claremont south of Arrow, know what it's like to go shopping. We have to take a drive down Foothill somewhere or perhaps go to Montclair or Upland to get what we need. Sure, there are some cute specialty shops in the area, but for the major things we all need, we have nothing nearby like others.

Well, the little corner of Indian Hill & Arrow, where it is famously known for it's Veteran anti-war protests on Friday afternoon, is gonna get some new name brand stores. The Peppertree Center currently does have CVS, but it is also lacks appeal for anything. The little market there has been closed forever. The other shops, I could care less for, unless you like hookahs (LOL).

I am extremely excited that Fresh & Easy will be making it's way there! Woohoo! You got a customer for life here, I love that place. And also, a Walgreens, which to me isn't that big a deal, there's already a CVS. Did Walgreen's buy CVS? Or maybe CVS sold, whatever, doesn't matter, it's still good news.

They also mention another possibility for something called 'Cheese Cave'. I have no clue what this is. Perhaps a Wine/Cheese place? Or maybe an Italian restaurant? The location for this 'Cheese Cave' is not known, perhaps the Village as Claremont Insider suggests.

Corporations Are People Too

Not...

(click to enlarge image)

Fire Rock Pale Ale

Straight from the land of volcanoes and waves, comes the Kona Brewing Company. Another great American Brewery to support! Every time I taste and enjoy a well-crafted brew, I feel nothing but pride to know that my purchase is helping our country and people. Although this brew is mainly made in Hawaii, it is also produced on the mainland in Oregon and New Hampshire (under strict guidelines of course).

When I poured this into a glass, the colors were beautiful. Not too light and not too dark, but a nice golden light reddish brown. The taste is smooth and this one seems to balance quite well. It doesn't overdo the hoppiness, sweetness or nuttiness, but you can taste them all. This is a very drinkable Pale Ale, in fact, I am very impressed. I would definitely have these for a whole night at a party, no prob! Sip, sit back and think of a nice breezy hawaiian evening as the sun sets.

This baby gets a 4.2 out of 5 stars and now sits as one of my top 5 American Pale Ales!

Happy Friday

Random Retro Pics & Thoughts

This is just a post about random retro pictures. I have no story for these, I do not know who these people are or who took them. There's some nostalgia to these photos that I find strange and wonderful.

Well, it reminds me of my very early childhood, meaning these were the 'big people' as a little kid in the 70s. Hollywood, Los Angeles, Castaic, Downey, Culver City, Placerita Canyon, Van Nuys, San Diego and traveling around California, just places/people that I would see everywhere with dreams. There's something about them that almost speaks to me.

I think I'm just really tired tonight from a long day. My body is achy from my new exercise routine. I also woke up very early today and I got no power naps. And No, it's not drugs, I don't do them. And it's not beer either, gotta wait til Friday for a few.

Anyways, weird, it's just one of those strange nights for me tonight...

Nervous juvenile
(WON'T SMILE!)
What became of you?
Did that swift eclipse
Torture you?

A star at eighteen
And then - suddenly gone
Down to a few lines
In the back page
Of a faded annual
Oh, but I remembered you
I remembered you.

Did You Know 3.0?

What a great presentation with interesting information. Time to expand your mind... or ignore and keep it on American Idol & Fox News. LOL

Spider Catching Gone Wrong

Basically, how not to catch a giant spider. Brought to you from the land of Australia, the 'Huntsman' spider. Common in that country, and not necessarily as dangerous as they appear. They can bite, but you really gotta piss this little guy off.

The best thing about this video, is the daughter's comment towards the end.

This video is not recommended if ya hate spiders,

A. S. Ashley's -Billy Mumy-

It's not often (or never so far) that i speak about artists or a particular one, except for Pomona's monthly ArtWalk in general. This time, I just had to mention something that is in the works for one of Pomona's most famous artist, Mr. A. S. Ashley. I met Ashley about a year ago at the ArtWalk, on behalf of his sweet and awesome wife (who is the reason I got to know the Arts Colony). Ashley is one of the friendliest, funniest, and easiest guy to chat with around town.

But this isn't a write up about Ashley's personality or life (Sorry Ash, I'm sure you were lovin' it so far), it is about a very cool painting he's working on.

The famous Billy Mumy, a native of San Gabriel, California, who is known for his roles as a child star in many movies and shows. This time it's an image from his Twilight Zone years (1959-1964). It is from his most famous episode, titled "It's A Good Life", about a boy with Psychic abilities who terrorizes his town. You can read more about this episode over at Wikipedia.

Ashley was kind enough to let me show off his work-in-progress, along with himself being a clown (as usual) next to his painting. So here it is:

(Click Image To Enlarge)

If you like this painting, you need to come out to next month's ArtWalk and check out his place to see more of his works. He has plenty of amazing stuff available for your eyes and home if you'd like.

While we're here, check out another painting that I also found amazing (this painting has been sold for a while now):

(Click Image To Enlarge)


In closing this little write-up, I'd like to thank the A. S. Ashley Studios for allowing me to show his work. Ashley is available for contact and you can click his card below for all the information you need. Even if you don't, you can ask for him in the Arts Colony at any venue (especially Acerogami) and they will direct you to him.

Miss Pomona Coronation Today!

(info directly from Metro Pomona Blog)

The 2010 Miss Pomona Scholarship Pageant Coronation will be held this Saturday January 23rd. at 5pm at the Masonic Lodge, 395 S. Thomas St. in Downtown Pomona.

A big thank you to all the sponsors for their support in making this possible.

Platinum Sponsors: D.P.O.A, The City of Pomona City Council Members.

Gold Sponsor: Manjit Singh, 7-Eleven Stores

Silver Sponsors: Valley Vista Services, Inland Empire Credit Union, Neil Franklin and Family.

Bronze Sponsor: UPS Store, Carolyn Hemming, Little Red 222

Other Sponsors and Contributors: Pomona Moose Chapter # 542, Western University of Health Sciences, Cherie Savoie - Savoie Hair Salon, Sheila Pilon - Hair and Make-Up, Historical Society of Pomona, Jim & Mickey Gallivan, Debra Martin, Precious Times Photography, Pomona Chamber of Commerce, City of Pomona Redevelopment Agency, I Do! Bridal, Pomona Masonic Lodge, Friends of the Fox, Pomona Frame House, Ferguson Flower Gallery, Pomona Flowers, Frantz Cleaners, Pomona Baking Company, Tacos & Carniceria Jicamex, Fairplex, and Flower Lane.

(Click image to enlarge)

Hangar 24 - Pale Ale

I've boasted many times about my favorite type of beer style, the PALE ALE. When given the chance to taste one, I will get to it no matter what. And even better, when it is American made, I will try it with pride. And to add one more point, it is made locally here in Southern California.

Introducing Hangar 24 Pale Ale. Made in Redlands and bought in Upland. Refrigerated for the day and ready at night. We had a small gathering at my home one night and I decided to break it out. I was surrounded by wine drinkers, so no one else was really interested. Oh well, more for me. I poured it into a nice 18oz glass and looked at the lighter than a typical Pale Ale color, a darkish yellow.

Hmm, yes, it is a Pale Ale indeed. Let me taste it some more and finish it. Okay, one more for the final tasting. Okay, I get the hoppiness it is trying to produce. It is similar to the bite of the Stone IPA, which is an India Pale Ale. In fact, it reminds me alot of it. Somewhat Tasty with a little citrus flavor in it. The way I picture this seems to be a mix of a Drifter Pale Ale and a Stone IPA. I'm still sipping it a bit and getting a nice bite out of the flavor. I can't help it but for some reason I feel there is a little something missing to make the full connection.

Definitely has flavor, perhaps a little heavier than needed on that hoppiness at the end. Still, quite decent to drink. Hmm, tough to score, but I'm going to go with a 3.75 out of 5 overall.

Accurate Health Plan/Bill Picture

Original La Verne Orange Grove Open To Public

The city of La Verne has a small original orange grove with trees dating back to the 19th Century. The La Verne Heritage Foundation is opening it up this month for anyone who wants to pick oranges. It's $5 for a 5 pound bag.

The SGV Tribune has a great little write up on this event and it's history HERE.

The following info is directly from the LV Heritage Foundation:

"Enjoy a “Slice of La Verne ’s Past” while picking some of the best tasting oranges around. The Heritage Foundation offers you one of the last working orange groves in the area as a place to enjoy with your family. We supply the bags and pickers and are open Saturdays beginning January 9 th and continuing through approximately mid March. For more information call (909) 593-2862.

Days & Times: Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM"