Congrats To Sierra Vista High Girl's Soccer!

Congratulations to the City of Baldwin Park's Sierra Vista High School Girls Soccer for winning their 1st ever CIF Southern Section Division VII Championship. They defeated top-ranked California Academy of Math and Science 4-3 in penalty kicks this past Friday at Mission Viejo High. It is the 1st school championship ever since the school first opened in 1961. They also won this game with one of their best players not available due to injury.

The SGV Tribune has the WRITE UP on this amazing victory. Congrats Lady Dons!

Global Warming

Around The Garden

Still not truly Spring yet and not much going on in the garden. There is some stuff blooming around here though. I can't wait til everything goes nuts in the Spring. Time for backyard BBQs once more. Thank goodness for all the rain we've had, and yes, more to come!

(click pictures to enlarge)
An Apple blossom from my 2 year old 6-in-1 tree. Hopefully it will start putting out apples soon. I hear it takes about 3 years, but with our wacky weather you never know.

I love perennials, hate annuals and I've never cared for bulbs, but I figured I'll try. And boy am I glad I did! Check out this wonderful Dutch Iris bloom!

Quick View In DTLA

A friend took this picture from the US Bank building, 70th floor this morning. Ears popping anyone?

(click to enlarge)

Life

This picture says it all, well, a part of it. Just been busy as heck the last few days... but I just realized my blog is now officially 1 year old! Hooray! I started in Mid-February of 2009 and here I am, still unemployed. I did work 4 months last summer under contract though. Regardless, I'll be back to post this week soon. Hopefully I got some good pictures of Friday's Big Band/Burlesque show at the Fox Pomona. See ya soon.

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"

Claremont Insider Back From The Dead?

Apparently I wished for something and it came true the next day. I mentioned that I've missed the local blog, Claremont Insider for a while now (5 months+ to be exact). And what happens? They come back to life the next day. I love getting my 'up the street' news from these guys, they'r real and they're great. So hopefully this means they are back now. Even if not, it's good to know they've popped their heads back in!

Now, since my wishes are on a roll, I want:

1) A New Job
2) The Health Care Bubble to Burst
3) Insufficient Funds to go back to costing $12 (before Bush)
4) Interest Rates on Credit Cards to not exceed 10% for good holders.
5) Electric and Gas rates to be realistic like in the 80s-90s.
6) Doctor co-pays to go back to $5-10 and only costing $25 for a family of 3 from each paycheck like in the 1990s.

okay, I'll stop... but a new job is the main and most realistic thing I'd like. Tired of being home now.

Welcome back Claremont Insider.

Claremont's Dutch Elm Oops

The Dutch Elm Tree, a once popular east coast tree and now in decline due to the deadly DED (Dutch Elm Disease), is one of Claremont's rarest trees. There's a whole block of them on both sides of Indian Hill near Memorial Park, the city claims that they are the last of their species west of the Mississippi River. The city believes they are about 100 years old.

Let's track back.

Sometime in 2009, during the month of May I believe, a boy and his mother were hit by a car crossing Indian Hill and Tenth Street. Thankfully, they are okay from what I gather. This prompted the city to react and decide on installing a traffic light. Whether this is a good financial move for the city or not is not my business (I am not a Claremont resident, just 'adjacent' LOL). Regardless, the plan went through.

Thanks to the greatness of sub-contracting this work, a moronic employee or unprepared company decided to start digging away near these historic trees in December. Normally, this can be done with the right steps and precautions. Apparently non were taken and they chomped away about 20 percent of the trees roots according to West Coast Arborists. The tree was now considered unsafe and had to be removed. This stopped the installation of the light in December.

The cost is estimated to be almost $70,000 for removal and replacement. I do believe the company's insurance will pay for this. The good thing is they will be replacing the tree with another Elm. It's to be some sort of hybrid Elm which is resistant to DED. It also looks the the traffic signal will now get the green light (pun intended) and should be up in a couple of weeks.

Oh, and the tree was not 100 years old, it was determined to be around 60+ years by reading the rings. What's the point of this story? Hmm, I think it's just to note a loss of a rare historic tree in California. They are beautiful in late Spring, as many trees in Claremont are.

(by the way, WHERE ARE YOU Claremont Insider? Please come back, I miss you guys!)

Cancer From Parking Lots & Driveways

Great, just keep adding to that list of cancer-causing stuff that surrounds us everywhere and with everything we touch. Pretty sick and scary to hear about this. Apparently, we are tracking this dust into our homes everyday.

"Chemicals in a cancer-causing substance used to seal pavement, parking lots and driveways across the U.S. are showing up at alarming levels in dust in homes, prompting concerns about the potential health effects of long-term exposure, a new study shows. Scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey say the sealant — one of two types commonly used in the U.S. — doesn’t stay put. It slowly wears off and is tracked into homes on the shoes of residents."

Full story at MSNBC.MSN.COM

White Rascal Wheat Ale

I call 2009, the year of those regular beer drinkers who jumped on the 'wheat' beer bandwagon. It was a great year for Coor$ indeed, with their Blue Moon wheat style beer. A decent brew, but nothing really special. Heck, this made Budweiser launch it's Bud Light Wheat Beer, which I now realize is pretty gross if you drink more than 3. And of course, the regular Hefenweizen's from Widmer and Pyramid that we see everywhere. Not a bad year at all for many of you wheaty-brews.

I've had a 'White Rascal' in the past several times, poured by my favorite beer guy, Tibbi (of the Blurry Memoirs blog). The problem was that my palate was jacked by the time I drank it, as I've always been drinking other Ales, Lagers etc. right before. It was still pretty good.

Let's see how this Belgian style wheat will do for me. I pour it into a glass, leaving just a bit in the bottle to pour after my first sip. Wow, what a clean, strong yet smooth taste. You can taste the orange and coriander, but this time it tastes RIGHT. Whoa... Impressive, let me pour the rest. Sip again, nice. Dare I say it? I think this is the best of the bunch when it comes to Wheat Ales.

This White Rascal is made by Avery of Colorado. American-made and it kicks serious behind. Strongly recommended! Let me pick an orange and throw a slice in (i know some of you do this). Oh yeah, nice, but you don't really need to. Score? I dunno, my scoring system is useless... but between all the wheat beer I've had before, I give this a 9 out of 10. No other wheat beer I've had can pass an 8.

No Credit For Under 21

I remember my first department store credit card at Age 19 (JCPenney). I also had a checking/savings account that allowed me to obtain my first MasterCard. I even remember going to Vegas at 18 and the ability to rent a hotel with ease. I managed to gamble a little in the casinos, even though I wasn't 21. Being over 6 feet tall helps.

But hey kids, or at least the 21 & under crowd, here's some bad news for ya:

The Fed is ready to finish up the new rules for all you under 21 from obtaining credit cards. Looks like it will become harder for y'all to get a hotel room like I did, and even rent cars... LOL.

Seriously though.

"This measure forbids banks from issuing a credit card to anyone under 21: unless the consumer has the ability to make the required payments or obtains the signature of a parent or other cosigner with the ability to do so."

Full story HERE: Yahoo.com

What Day Is It?

Doesn't matter because Friday is always here and it begins again. I've been inspiring to paint again, but with the heavy remodel work this week at home, not to mention my other home duties, it seems like I run out of time. My work search is also in the mix this year, it's crazy to say but I am a very busy unemployed man. Hopefully not for long, some stuff is in the pipes.

Anyways, looks like some drops of what do ya call it, oh yeah, WATER hit the ground today. Not enough, just some vapor on the ground, but I'll take it. The last 3 weeks have been unusually warm during the day, it hit above 80 a few times. The cooling wet feel is wonderful, last time it rained was 12/11/2009.

I was driving around today with the thought 'MORE PLANTS, LESS PEOPLE'. I am sick of the constant butchering of beautiful trees, who have been here longer than the people cutting them. Here, check out this massacre:



You wonder why it's so hot, you wonder why the air is so bad, you wonder why there are so many cancers in the air, you wonder why there isnt much avarian life in your neighborhood... But yet, you want to add cement for more space or you dont want to deal with leaves 'cause they are messy in winter. But it's so hot in the summer and you dont have A/C, or if you do, you can't use it because So.Cal Edison is robbing you blind with their inhuman rates.

Plant a tree if you can, place it where it can shade you, take care of your existing trees. Unless they are destroying your home's foundation and/or critical pipes, keep'em. We need them, they add value and lower crime. There's a peace to them. No I am not a tree hugging liberal or whatever side you want to paint me. I do enjoy plants and appreciate them. It's funny how all the bad parts of any town have LESS trees than the nicer ones. Interesting isn't it?

Pomona's ArtWalk TONIGHT!

Yes siree! It's here once again, the 2nd Saturday ArtWalk in Downtown Pomona. I was out last night as I usually do to have my pre-artwalk Friday drink at the DBA Winebar. Well, it felt like an Artwalk night due to the fact that the DBA had a concert series of bands, and the Fox had Sonic Youth playing a block away. So my usually mellow Friday was a party night once again.

Tonight, I will be taking the Mrs. to enjoy walking around the cool galleries taking in Art and of course, some wine & brews. A 3 mile cab is all I need!

Anyways, I'm pressed on time right now, but you can do a search here on my blog for maps & info related to ArtWalk, or go to the fantastic Metro Pomona Website and get more info there.

See ya tonight!

Neglected

The holidays are now gone. I've definitely partied way too much, and I've neglected my blog for the last 9 days. The good thing is no one cares so that's great!

Anyways, my kids will be returning to school next week, which is kinda sad. Yes, NEXT WEEK, they got 3 full weeks of vacation this winter break. I have a few beer reviews and perhaps some rants coming up if I have time. I really need to vent about the 10 freeway between DTLA and the 605. What a nightmare this strange construction has been for everyone last year. You know, the carpool lane that you cant get into from L.A. until you hit El Monte.

I hope 2010 brings more sunshine into everyone's life this year. And not the darn frickin' heat we've been getting the last week or so. It's pissing me off! I was in DTLA yesterday and it was 80 degrees in the afternoon! Yes, the night feels cold, BECAUSE it was 80 in the day! We have been officially warmer than CANCUN MEXICO this week, we are the hottest spot in the country!

Wow, I sound angry, but it's in a good way.

New Years Eve Tomorrow, What To Do?

So many things going on tomorrow, but what to do? L.A. is certainly filled with many events, but the drive + hotel plus all that is really not attractive right now. Staying home seems a bit better, but I've done that too much in recent years.

Well, ran into some friends in Downtown Pomona on Monday and I think I've decided on what to do. Looks like it will be an early night of Jazz at the Hip-Kitty in Claremont, to begin. It is right up the street from me (about a mile) and I can certainly have a beer while there. Following the Hip-Kitty, they are planning to attend a Rock-A-Billy/Swinging Music Night of some sort at the Fox Theatre in Downtown Pomona. In fact, here's the flyer:



I can pop in back at home after Hip-Kitty and catch a cab to Downtown Pomona. Yeah, it's only 3 miles but drinking and driving do not mix. Let's see if this plan holds up. If not, oh well, this is the best I can do. Sorry L.A., once again not this year.

Interesting Truth

California Toxic Waste Expansion

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, Kettleman City! Especially from the Kings County Board of Supervisors, which has approved the expansion of the largest toxic-waste dump in the West, despite concerns about an increase in birth defects.

The town boasts about 1,500 residents, but I guess they're the farming Spanish speaking sub-class, so I guess that makes it ok. Not! Pretty sad, not only for people in the area, but for our environment as well. Get this:

"About 400 truckloads of waste are hauled to the dump each day. In 2007, the last year for which complete statistics are available, that meant more than 3 million pounds of lead compounds, nearly 2 million pounds of asbestos and more than 118,000 pounds of arsenic, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. It's the state's only facility that accepts cancer-causing PCBs."

But then again, Chemical Waste is Kings County's biggest business, contributing as much as $3 million a year to the county's general fund. The sad part is the little town of Kettleman City doesn't even have sidewalks or stop signs! I'd at least do some road paving or something to keep the residents at bay.

I had to mention this because it sickens me what we're doing to our State and Environment.

Read the full report HERE.

Merry Christmas To All!

Merry Christmas to everyone and anyone out there. Hope you all got what you wanted this Christmas. Was out last minute shopping on Wednesday night and it wasn't as bad as I thought. Went to the Santa Anita Mall, which I must say, if you haven't been there in the past several years, you will be amazed at the size of this new and improved HUGE mall, with outdoor shopping as well! Amazingly was there for less than 2 hours in the afternoon and had time to grab a bite with the kids.

Made a late evening stop at the Montclair plaza, and was in and out even quicker and painlessly. Despite somewhat larger crowds, this is nothing compared to the good old days of the 1990's. The recession shows very clearly, at least to me, a shopaholic.

Hope the new year brings and end to the horrible mess Bush and Co. put us into since the early 2000's. Obama may not be the answer, but I say the lesser of two evils at least buys us time. Perhaps until 2012... LOL. Anyways, this wasn't meant to be a rant, just wishes from me to whoever is out there.

Here's a great video of 'Do You Hear What I Hear', sung with a sound I can deal with. Cheers!

Top 10 Reasons to Kill Senate Health Care Bill

Top 10 Reasons to Kill Senate Health Care Bill

1. Forces you to pay up to 8% of your income to private insurance corporations — whether you want to or not.

2. If you refuse to buy the insurance, you’ll have to pay penalties of up to 2% of your annual income to the IRS.

3. Many will be forced to buy poor-quality insurance they can’t afford to use, with $11,900 in annual out-of-pocket expenses over and above their annual premiums.

4. Massive restriction on a woman’s right to choose, designed to trigger a challenge to Roe v. Wade in the Supreme Court.

5. Paid for by taxes on the middle class insurance plan you have right now through your employer, causing them to cut back benefits and increase co-pays.

6. Many of the taxes to pay for the bill start now, but most Americans won’t see any benefits — like an end to discrimination against those with preexisting conditions — until 2014 when the program begins.

7. Allows insurance companies to charge people who are older 300% more than others.

8. Grants monopolies to drug companies that will keep generic versions of expensive biotech drugs from ever coming to market.

9. No re-importation of prescription drugs, which would save consumers $100 billion over 10 years.

10. The cost of medical care will continue to rise, and insurance premiums for a family of four will rise an average of $1,000 a year — meaning in 10 years, your family’s insurance premium will be $10,000 more annually than it is right now.

Ream More: Pam's House Blend

Weekend Joke / Checkpoints

By the way, this weekend will be a HIGH CHECKPOINT weekend all over the San Gabriel Valley. Several cities such as Alhambra, Pasadena, Pomona, and Baldwin Park are scheduled. Also inland in Ontario. Watch your drink and be careful!

No Health, No Care, No Reform.

The American Insurance Cartel IS the death panel. Looks like HB 3590 aka Health Care Reform, will not contain the single payer system, public option and medicare buy-in. It has now been raped, cut-up and left for dead, all for what appears to be another HUGE gift to the private insurance industry. We're now at the hands of the health care industry. Oh and thanks Mr. Obama, for sitting back and doing nothing about this. You gave in to these selfish greedy Republicans and corporate sellouts, not to mention the stupid people the media is paid to show on TV constantly against this. Those same stupid people will now be worse off than ever, especially our seniors. The Health Care Industry thanks all stupid, gullible, easily-led Americans. They cannot wait to profit off each and everyone of you while you lose your jobs, home and health.

Enough, listen to Keith Olbermann here, this is what YOU NEED TO HEAR!

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Wine Message

To paraphrase W.C. Fields:

"I don't drink water, because fish screw in it."

To my friends who enjoy a glass of wine... and those who don't.

As Ben Franklin said:

"In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is freedom, in water there is bacteria."

In a number of carefully controlled trials, scientists have demonstrated that if we drink 1 liter of water each day, at the end of the year we would have absorbed more than 1 kilo of Escherichia coli, (E. coli) - bacteria found in feces.In other words, we are consuming 1 kilo of poop.

However, we do NOT run that risk when drinking wine & beer (or tequila, rum, whiskey or other liquor) because alcohol has to go through a purification process of boiling, filtering and/or fermenting.

Remember:
Water = Poop, Wine = Health

Therefore, it's better to drink wine and talk stupid, than to drink water and be full of shit.

There is no need to thank me for this valuable information: I'm doing it as a public service!

Enjoying The Wonderful Rain All Week!

Haven't blogged much but it's just so beautiful with the rain outside! You can go out into the streets and it's just gorgeous. The garden is swollen with water and it's great! I'm sitting here with my laptop and a cup of the ol'Joe staring at my yard. The wife is busy crocheting scarves for Christmas. My daughter is hopping around the house with her Nintendo DS. What a beautiful day!

Aetna Forcing 600,000+ To Lose Coverage For Profits

Boy, am I in a political mood today. And here's more crap from the corporations who continue to push for continued economic depression, while raking in profits.

Are you still one of those morons who are helping the health/insurance corporation by fighting health care for those who can't afford it? Wake up and smell reality (if you haven't already). Stop believing all the paid-for talking points and B/S they're feeding you.

It's simple, PROFIT before PEOPLE. That's what they're doing with your health and money.

"Health insurance giant Aetna is planning to force up to 650,000 clients to drop their coverage next year as it seeks to raise additional revenue to meet profit expectations."

"The pricing we put in place for 2009 turned out to not really be what we needed to achieve the results and margins that we had historically been delivering," said chairman and CEO Ron Williams.

Oh, and Aetna actually made a profit in 2009 but not at levels that it anticipated.

Read the HuffPost article here.

oh, and here's a video from MSNBC on the subject:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

And while we're at it, here's another little bonus. Do you know what an MLR is? Never heard of it? Wall Street sure knows what it is, and I think you should too: Click here for a quick article on MLR

Someone Who Gives A Damn About The Middle Class?

Thank you Senator Bernard Sanders of Vermont! Looks like he will try and block the Senate from confirming Ben S. Bernanke to a second term as chairman of the Federal Reserve.

"The move is unlikely to derail Mr. Bernanke’s reappointment, but it could slow the confirmation process and give the Fed’s critics additional opportunity to press their case. As a practical matter, it means Senate Democratic leaders will have to line up 60 votes in favor of Mr. Bernanke rather than a simple majority at a time when the Federal Reserve is under increasing populist attacks from lawmakers on both the right and the left."

Mr. Sanders also said in an interview:

"In this country, there is profound disgust at what happened on Wall Street. People want a new direction and people are asking, where was the Fed? How did the Fed allow this to happen, when one of their mandates is to oversee the safety and soundness of the banking system?"

You can read more at: NYtimes.com

Rain Around Town

Had to get out this morning and run some errands. Took my handy little camera with me. Got some snaps of the surrounding rain around town for you to enjoy.


The New Montclair Police Department HQ:


The Claremont Post Office:


A Random Pomona Tree-Lined Street:

Monday WalMart Funny

I'm not a big WalMart supporter, so if there is something funny about it, I enjoy seeing/reading about it. This might also apply to many retailers nowadays.

Flagstone Brew Walk

Just wanted to show off a 'green' idea that I've created, uh, let's say a while back. To be honest, I thought of it this summer while pondering to purchase some moss or something for the in between of the flagstone walkway. This is just a small walkway to the side of the house, but as you can see, it needs no irrigation, talk about drought tolerant! I just love the colors of the blooms, or caps I should say.

(click to enlarge image)

After a while though, some caps might become rusty. That's okay, these little caps can always be found in my home. Guests at my home love this, not only can they drink a nice beer, but they can also partake in helping the earth and my garden look cool!

Happy Holidays From The Woods Family

The media circus frenzy begins. Poor Tiger Woods, this one is going to hurt for a bit. When will he begin to lose endorsements? Not to worry, once our attention span on this b/s dies, they'll re-endorse him.

I hate this 'celebrity private life' fascination that America has. But that's just me. Go on, drool and get into the tabloids. At least we don't have bigger problems in this country, right?

Recycle Trash Bandits Update

I have previously blogged about the recycling trash can bandits here in Pomona, and it sure applies to other cities as well. One of the problems was that the recycling truck would always be the last to pick up, and very late.

I'm posting this message to compliment the City of Pomona Utility Services for doing something about it. The last 4 weeks I've noticed that the recycle truck has been the 1st to pick up! Yes, they are doing it at an average time of 7:30am. What a difference it makes from picking up after 11am. In fact, I heard it this morning about 7:30am, I looked out and actually saw 2 recycle thieves at the same time! One was right behind it and the other was on the next street that 'T's. The recycle truck was moving fast picking up, much faster than usual. It seemed he was trying to beat the bandits.

Although this doesn't solve the problem fully, it definitely makes a difference!

Niagara Falls

Has it ever froze since then?