Showing posts with label Friday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Friday. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

First Lady Helps Virginians Stay Warm This Winter




~ 2014 Fuel Assistance Application Deadline Is Nov. 14 ~

RICHMOND, Va. – First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe is leading efforts this fall to make sure there is help available for low-income Virginians who have difficulty paying their heating bills.

The First Lady appears in a new Public Service Announcement encouraging individuals and families to apply for fuel assistance through the Energy Assistance Program, which is implemented by the Virginia Department of Social ServicesApplications are being accepted now through Friday, Nov. 14

“No Virginian should have to face the winter months without heat, so I’m encouraging them to submit an application, as soon as possible, to their local department of social services,” said Mrs. McAuliffe.

The program assists with various types of energy sources, including electricity, natural and liquid propane gas, oil, kerosene, coal and wood. Families and individuals must apply through their local department of social services office.

“Last year, Virginia experienced a pretty harsh winter, and we anticipate similar conditions this year. This program is designed to ensure eligible citizens have access to the heating assistance they need,” said Margaret Ross Schultze, Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Social Services. 

To qualify for Fuel Assistance, the maximum gross monthly income for a one-person household cannot exceed $1,265.  For a household of four, the maximum gross monthly income is $2,584. Nearly 126,000 households received assistance last year. 

The VDSS Energy Assistance Program is funded by the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) block grant. LIHEAP provides funds to states to assist low-income households in meeting their home energy needs.

“This program is essential to many Virginia families who struggle to pay their winter heating bills,” said Gov. Terry McAuliffe. “We appreciate this federal program, which helps Virginia meet the needs of thousands of Virginians.”

For more information on the EAP, visit http://www.dss.virginia.gov/benefit/ea/index.cgi, to screen for services, or to apply online, visit https://commonhelp.virginia.gov/access/.



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Thursday, June 12, 2014

Kalmar Nyckel, What Happened To Their Visit In Yorktown?


On Friday evening, June 6th, we posted a story about how the Kalmar Nyckel was supposed to be visiting Yorktown for the weekend.  Well, it turns out that due to circumstances beyond the control of Captain Morgan and the crew, the ship was in dry dock awaiting inspection after a good deal of work was completed on the ship, making sure the ship was once again ready for it's summer voyages.

  Thanks to the US Coast Guard who stepped up and made a late Friday evening visit to conduct that inspection, the Kalmar Nyckel was finally released back the the waters to sail down to Yorktown, Virginia.  The bad news is that they were already scheduled to be here by Friday evening for Saturday and Sunday open deck tours and evening sailing cruises.  We waited to go see the ship on Sunday and left Gloucester at about 12:00 PM in  order to make the free deck tour before shut down at 1:00.  We learned at about 12:30 from the folks who are part of the dock crew in Yorktown about his delay.  As we were being told about the delay and that no one knew when they would be coming in, we saw what we thought was the ship coming in.  Picking up our cameras we were able to confirm that is was in fact the Kalmar Nyckel on it's way.  It finally arrived at about 1:30 PM on Sunday.


We took this photo at about 1:00 PM that showed it was the ship in question.  The zoom in was at 500 power or 80x optical.  So yeah, that is an incredible distance.   The reason why the picture seems grey.  So no deck tours were available but they did manage to get out one evening cruise that departed at 4:00 PM as scheduled.  They had to leave soon afterward to go to their next destination.  The crew was not happy about not being able to stay and see everyone who came out, but they at least were able to come in for awhile.

  It's been several years since the Kalmar Nyckel has been in the area.  Let's hope for a full weekend next year.


One of the most notable differences this year is the updated paint job on the back end of the ship.  This is a very fresh look.


The back of the above picture is harder to see than the other one.  This picture was taken a few years ago or the last time the Kalmar Nyckel was in the area.  If you look at the fish, you can see that they are different colors and also Nemo's shroud is now painted where it wasn't before.

All pictures here shot and provided by C Thompson of TTC Media and are under copyright protection.

Friday, June 6, 2014

Kalmar Nyckel In Yorktown This Weekend, June 6th - 8th, 2014


(Photos copyright:  Chuck Thompson of TTC Media, All rights reserved.)


The incredible Kalmar Nyckel is in town this weekend over at the Yorktown Riverwalk dock.  A superb sailing museum depicting the colonial era of America.  The ship will be here from Friday evening through Sunday evening.  Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 AM until 1:00 PPM the ship will be available for free deck tours.  In other words, you are welcome to board the main deck of the ship and take a real steo back in time to view what life was like for settler's coming to the new world.

  There will be evening sailing tours along the York river for those who wish to purchase a ticket.  Adult prices are $60.00 each and children under 17 is $40.00 per person.  Voyages last 3 hours and start at 4:00 PM.  Maximum number allowed per tour is 49 guests.  Reservations are required.  Please call; 302-429-7447 for more information about the Kalmar Nyckel.  Visit them at http://www.kalmarnyckel.org  
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Tuesday, March 18, 2014

US Gives Up Internet Control, What This Means For You

ICANN Logo
ICANN Logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)



On Friday the U.S. Commerce Department released its grasp on the internet. Oversight of ICANN, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, will be passed on to the "global internet community" next year. ICANN, under a Commerce Department contract, has issued domain names since 2000.

Our Notes:  Look like more of our tax dollars from here in the US that went to creating the Internet for the entire world are now being surrendered to world powers whom no one voted for.   This will do nothing to stop hacking in any way shape or form.  It will not save anyone any money but instead will just raise costs for everyone from the looks of it.  

  What this could mean is something similar to cable TV.  We are going to get more channels to watch but it comes with poor programming, more commercials and a great deal of control on what you get for information.  Alternative news will either be erased or buried so deep you won't be able to find it.

  Normally we are not fans of Alex Jones, but once in awhile he does get a few things right.  We can't help but see this move by our own government as bad for everyone.
 
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Monday, March 10, 2014

Gloucester, VA Animal Control On Patrol?


8:25 AM Monday, March 10th, 2014.  Animal Control vehicle number 72 driven by Laura Dickie, Senior Animal Control officer for Gloucester County, Virginia stopped at 7-Eleven for breakfast on the run.  Using a county vehicle for personal use while on the clock.   (She came from behind the shopping center main building where Animal Control has their Animal Shelter).



There she is coming out of 7-Eleven now.



She had some trash from other stops where she has done the same thing as she is throwing away a McDonald's bag and other trash that was in the truck.



Here is yet another shot of her getting rid of trash.  Truck must have been stuffed.



There she goes.  Time to head in to the office and check in.  Hope she got enough for everyone.

We started posting about Gloucester County employees using county vehicles for personal use back in April of 2013.  It all started with Animal Control.  Here we are one year later and we still see Animal Control continuing to break county employee rules.  This is an officer sworn to uphold both county and state laws.  Plus to add insult to injury, the Animal Control truck she is driving does not appear to have proper ventilation on the back bed for animals that need to be transported.

  Since Steve Baranek has taken office as the Chief Animal Control officer, we have now reported that each member of his staff has seemed to violate a number of county and state codes.  Again, these folks are sworn to uphold laws, not break them.  What gives?

  We are in budget time here in Gloucester County.  We would suggest that the Board look this department over as possibly being bloated with more employees than really needed.




Now the above is the latest monthly report coming out of Animal Control and it shows pretty much all of their number are down.  How are they justifying such a large department?  Here is something for the board to consider if they do not wish to cut this department.  To seriously reduce or eliminate overtime and weekend calls, create two shifts and a weekend shift.  With two shifts, there are no after hours calls in most cases.  Work the staff from whatever hours they presently have and stagger them until 10 or 11 o'clock at night.

  With a weekend shift, there are no overtime calls for weekend calls.  That can save a pretty substantial amount without changing anything else.  Right now, Animal Control has at least 4 full time staff on Monday through Friday from 7:30 until 4:00PM?  One part timer that comes in during those same hours for a total of 5 on during this short shift.  Not very cost effective.

  Or just eliminate all but one full time person and cut expenses way down and put that money to better use.  We do not need dog catchers that cost us $600.00 per doggie incarcerated when one can save a life for under $500.00.   Just something to consider and there are substantial savings when county employees are not using county vehicles for personal use, violating codes and laws and just making everyone look bad.
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Sunday, December 29, 2013

Wall Street Journal Friday Morning Edition, December 27th, 2013. Podcast

World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim partic...
World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim participates in the Wall Street Journal, The Big Interview - What Will It Take? Restoring Growth, Spreading Prosperity in Times of Crisis (Photo credit: World Bank Photo Collection)



We had no idea that the Wall Street Journal has a podcast.  We just found this so we will see about bringing everyone new from the Wall Street Journal on a regular basis.  Again, if you do not have the time to listen to the entire show now, you are free to download a copy of it.
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