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| Almonds (Photo credit: Shelby PDX) |
Make something extraordinary tonight.
Defending The Republic, Not some Democracy, and enjoying some of life's rewards along the way.
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
ROASTED CHICKEN WITH ALMOND SAUCE - Recipe of the day
Make something extraordinary tonight.
Steve Baranek To Become New Chief Animal Control In Gloucester, VA
Steve Baranek is slated to take over the chief animal control position in Gloucester, Virginia replacing Carl,(Chuck), Shipley who is retiring on September 1st, 2013. This is the guy who is surrounded by a lot of controversy and is well despised by many local Gloucester County animal owners for various reasons.
Gloucester officials already have planned to put out a press release with these announcements soon, with the exceptions of Steve being so well despised. Expect a positive spin from the county government on this.
Here is part of the reason why this guy is not at all liked by so many people. This recording came off of evidence supplied by Steve Baranek and used in a Gloucester County Court of law. It's obviously fake and a prank in our opinion, but still submitted in a court, however, not used in the court case. (Wonder why).
Here is more audio used by Steve Baranek in a court case. There are so many things wrong with this recording it's not even funny. In the beginning of this audio, did anyone hear an engine when this guy was pretending to be driving? We ran tests and even a very quite Toyota engine makes noise. (He was in a Ford truck). There is no road noise in this audio. That is one of many serious issues with the above recording.
Gloucester County officials are aware of this guy's questionable background. It's only a matter of time before this guy gets busted for something stupid. But Gloucester County officials see nothing wrong with promoting him anyway. But these are the same people that bring you Dillon Rule violations and out of control employees who keep getting caught at Hardee's using government vehicles for personal use despite county policies that state they are not allowed to do such. (A management issue if ever there was one).
This is just more county government out of control and not capable of sound management. You can read more about the controversy surrounding Steve
here, https://sites.google.com/site/gloucestervanews/ This site is very extensive with a lot of documentation. We still have more that we have yet to present and are just waiting for the proper time to bring it forth.
A congratulations video for Steve.
George Washington, The Man WHo Wouldn't Be King - Special Edition
Liberty's Kids, episode number 38. The Man Who Wouldn't Be King. Of course this refers to General George Washington. The fist man in known history to refuse the position of King after winning over an entire country. An idea that shocked the world and changed it as well.
In honor of George Washington, we are posting one of our most extensive American History books on the Revolution.
American Revolution" target="_blank">The American Revolution from Chuck Thompson
As always, free downloads are available on this e-book from our SlideShare site. You have to sign in with either a Facebook account or a LinkedIn account or you can create a free account. To view the e-book more easily, just click on the icon at the bottom right hand side of the document container and it will open to full screen view.
The Life of George Washington from Chuck Thompson
This e-book, The Life of George Washington, is complete with some beautiful artwork. It covers George Washington's life from boyhood to adulthood. Free downloads are also available on this e-book.
The picture to the left here is one of the art plates found in the above book. There are a number of plates like this one in the book and are all very well done.
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| English: "General George Washington at Trenton," oil on canvas, by the American artist John Trumbull. 92 1/2 in. x 63 in. Courtesy of the Yale University Art Gallery, Yale University, New Haven, Conn. Gift of the Society of Cincinnati in Connecticut. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Governor McDonnell Announces Board Appointments
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| English: Governor of Virginia at CPAC in . (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell today announced an additional appointment to his administration on the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification & Community Revitalization Commission. McDonnell also announced appointments to ten other Virginia boards and commissions. Further announcements regarding additional appointments in the McDonnell administration will continue to be made in the months ahead.
Virginia Tobacco Indemnification & Community Revitalization Commission
Tim Pfohl, Interim Executive Director
Tim Pfohl currently serves as the Grants Program Administration Director for the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification & Community Revitalization Commission. He previously served as Senior Community Development Administrator for the Virginia Main Street Program at the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Michigan and his Master of Urban and Regional Planning from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Board Appointments
Board of Trustees of the Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia
· Dr. John K. Ijem of Pawleys Island, South Carolina, Cardiologist for Inlet Cardiopulmonary and Associates
· William F. Sibert* of Staunton
· Norman “Butch” C. Smiley III of Staunton
Citizen’s Advisory Committee to the Chesapeake Bay Executive Council
· Gregory Evans of Springfield, Voluntary Mitigation Program Manager for DOF
· Robert Wayland of White Stone, retired
Commonwealth Transportation Board
· Alison DeTuncq of Charlottesville, President and CEO of the University of Virginia Community Credit Union
Forensic Science Board
· Claiborne H. Stokes, Jr. of Manakin-Sabot, Commonwealth Attorney for Goochland County
Indigent Defense Commission
· Thomas R. Chaffe of Richmond, Attorney at Chaffe and Chaffe PC
· Kristi A. Wooten* of Chesapeake, Managing Partner at Wooten and Shaddock
Scientific Advisory Committee
· Les Edinboro, MS, Ph.D., DABFT of Glen Allen, Science Director, Toxicology for the Nichols Institute at Quest Diagnostics
· Jo Ann Given* of Virginia Beach, Member Emeritus of the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors
Virginia Biotechnology Research Park Authority
· Douglas E. Harvey of Richmond, Chief Financial Officer for the United Network for Organ Sharing
· Tonya Mallory of Richmond, President and CEO, Co-Founder of Health Diagnostic Laboratory
Virginia Board for People with Disabilities
· Marisa Laios of Chantilly, volunteer
Virginia Water Resources Research Center Statewide Advisory Board
· Whitney Katchmark of Chesapeake, Principal Water Resources Engineer with Hampton Roads Planning District Commission
Wireless E-911 Services Board
· Diane S. Harding of Richmond, Public Sector Account Manager at Sprint Government Solutions
· Jim Junkins of Broadway, Director of Emergency Communications for Harrisonburg-Rockingham Emergency Communications Center
· Lt. Colonel Robert G. Kemmler* of Mechanicsville, Lt. Colonel, Virginia State Police
· Robert E. Layman III* of Chesterfield, Senior Project Manager at AT&T
· Anthony McDowell of Henrico, Fire Chief for the County of Henrico
· David W. Ogburn, Jr. of Richmond, Director of Public Policy at Verizon
· Athena M. Plummer, ENP of Virginia Beach, Director of Emergency Communications and Citizen Services for the City of Virginia Beach
· Kathleen T. Seay of Mechanicsville, Director of Finance and Management Services for Hanover County
Monday, August 12, 2013
Dragnet - The Big False Make - Classic TV
Classic TV here on GVLN. Dragnet with The Big False Make. Always fun to look at the fashions and automobiles of a different era.
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| Photo of Jack Webb and Harry Morgan from the television program Dragnet. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Governor McDonnell Appoints Steven Frucci to Circuit Court
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| English: Governor of Virginia at CPAC in . (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell today announced the appointment of Judge Steven Frucci to the Second Judicial Circuit to fill a vacant circuit court positions that was not filled during the 2013 General Assembly session. According to Article VI, Section 7 of the Constitution of Virginia, Judge Frucci will “serve until thirty days after the commencement of the next session of the General Assembly.” Continued service on the Circuit Court will require election by the General Assembly.
Speaking about the appointment, Governor McDonnell said, “Judge Frucci has served honorably on the Virginia Beach General District Court for several years. He has developed a reputation as a fair and respected jurist, and I am pleased he will take this tradition of service to the circuit court. I appreciate the many highly qualified candidates who expressed an interest in this vacancy for their willingness to serve the Commonwealth.”
Judge for the 2nd Judicial Circuit- Steven C. Frucci
Steven C. Frucci, was elected to the Virginia Beach General District Court by the General Assembly in 2009. Prior to taking the bench, he worked in private practice for eighteen years throughout Hampton Roads in federal and state court, handling both trial and appellate matters. He resides in Virginia Beach with his wife and two children.
Governor McDonnell Awards $4.5 Million in Strategic Teacher Compensation Grants
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| English: The state seal of Virginia. Српски / Srpski: Застава америчке савезне државе Вирџиније. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
***As Many As 1,400 Qualifying Teachers in 13 School Divisions Could Receive Incentive Payments of Up to $5,000 Each***
SALEM – Governor Bob McDonnell today announced Strategic Compensation Grants totaling $4.5 million to provide performance and incentive payments of up to $5,000 for teachers in 13 school divisions who meet goals related to student achievement, professional growth and leadership. McDonnell announced the awards at Andrew Lewis Middle School as he began his statewide “This Commonwealth of Opportunity” tour with a stop highlighting implementation of a key piece of his All Students K-12 education reform agenda.
The Strategic Compensation Grant program is part of McDonnell’s “ALL STUDENTS” education reform agenda and was approved by the 2013 General Assembly. The strategic compensation legislation was sponsored by House Majority Leader Kirk Cox (R-Colonial Heights) and Senator Jill Vogel (R-Fauquier). McDonnell proposed the grant program as a means to encourage school divisions to collaborate with teachers to create compensation models – such as the pioneering teacher-designed incentive program adopted by Salem Public Schools in 2011 – that reward classroom educators whose efforts enable schools and divisions to meet strategic goals.
In announcing the awards today, Governor McDonnell said, “Since the beginning of this administration, we have worked to implement reforms to ensure that all children, regardless of their zip code, have access to a quality education. These grants move us closer to achieving this goal by rewarding excellence and leadership while providing incentives for good teachers who take on challenges in the schools where they are needed the most. Teachers who stay late, mentor new colleagues, accept assignments in hard-to-staff schools and whose students consistently do well deserve more than our thanks; they deserve to be rewarded. I congratulate these 13 school divisions for their openness to reform and innovation and their willingness to collaborate with teachers on how best to achieve strategic goals for improving student outcomes.”
Effective July 1st, the Budget approved by the General Assembly gave school divisions until July 15th to submit applications to the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) for funding. School divisions were encouraged to design plans that would reward teachers for increasing student achievement, improving the quality of instruction and strengthening school leadership — especially in hard-to-staff schools and in critical shortage subjects.
Nineteen school divisions indicated interest in applying to the grant program. To help school divisions with the process, the Secretary of Education partnered with the Virginia Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development to host a one day Symposium for all interested divisions. Thirteen divisions applied for Strategic Compensation Grants and a VDOE review panel determined this week that all of the applications met the approval criteria — including the involvement of teachers in the development of the model — to be funded. The review panel included representation from the Virginia Association of School Superintendents, Virginia Education Association, Virginia Association of Elementary School Principals and Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals.
More than 1,400 teachers in the 13 divisions could receive performance and incentive payments by meeting the goals identified in the applications and earning positive performance evaluations. Teachers must be licensed and teaching in their endorsement area to participate.
“The beginning of the new school year will be especially exciting in these divisions as teachers collaborate to meet school- and division-level objectives for improving instruction and student outcomes,” Secretary of Education Laura Fornash said. “I commend the superintendents, school board members, principals and teachers in these divisions for their willingness to embrace innovation and reform.”
“I congratulate the superintendents and school boards of the divisions that applied for these grants for their willingness to think outside of the box and create new opportunities for their teachers,” Wright said. “The applications address the governor’s goals as well as the unique leadership and instructional needs of each division.”
2013 Strategic Compensation Grant Recipients
· Amelia County — $536,904 to provide incentive payments of up to $5,000 for 95 teachers who achieve goals related to professional growth, increased parental involvement, increased student achievement and coaching and mentoring other teachers
· Chesapeake — $39,637 to provide incentive payments of $2,500 for 14 teacher coaches selected for their success in raising achievement of low-performing student subgroups
· Cumberland County — $107,650 to provide incentive payments of up to $5,000 for 20 teachers who demonstrate that they have met goals for increasing student learning and achievement
· Dinwiddie County — $471,783 to provide incentive payments of up to $5,000 for 344 teachers who meet goals related to increased student achievement, professional growth and leadership
· Fluvanna County — $212,920 to provide incentive payments of up to $5,000 for 65 teachers at Fluvanna Middle School who meet goals related to increased student achievement and school-wide accountability
· Gloucester County — $331,874 to provide incentive payments of $5,000 for seven lead teachers and payments of $4,000 to 66 middle and high school teachers and intervention specialists who meet goals related to increased student achievement, professional development and improved teaching
· Goochland County — $450,000 to provide incentive payments of up to $5,000 for 135 “exemplary-rated” teachers who meet individual and school-wide goals related to increased student achievement, professional development, improved teaching, community engagement and accepting challenging assignments
· Harrisonburg — $432,011 to provide incentive payments of up to $5,000 for 159 teachers who meet goals related to achieving dual-language endorsements and proficiency in Spanish, including bonuses to attract or retain already qualified teachers
· Lynchburg — $26,250 to provide $5,000 incentive payments to five experienced and successful mathematics teachers selected to serve as coaches for mathematics teachers in the city’s middle and high schools
· Portsmouth — $72,340 to provide incentive payments for 24 middle and high school teachers who meet goals related to increased student achievement in mathematics as follows: $5,000 for eight master mathematics teachers, $2,000 for eight partner mathematics teachers and $1,000 for eight partner special education teachers
· Roanoke — $706,307 to provide incentive payments of $5,000 for 125 teachers at Garden City Elementary, Morningside Elementary and Westside Elementary who meet performance goals related to increased student achievement
· Salem — $850,000 to provide incentives of up to $5,000 for 302 teachers who meet individual, school and division goals for increased student achievement and use of technology
· Suffolk — $259,975 to provide incentives of up to $5,000 for 46 high school mathematics and special education teachers who meet individual, school and division goals for increased student achievement in mathematics
During 2011-2012, 25 schools took part in the governor’s Performance Pay Pilot Initiative. Of the 782 participating teachers, 225, or 29 percent, earned exemplary ratings and were awarded performance bonuses of $600 to $5,000. Teachers in the participating schools were evaluated using the Board of Education’s 2011 Guidelines for Uniform Performance Standards and Evaluation Criteria. Under the model system, 40 percent of a teacher’s performance evaluation is based on student academic progress.
Governor Bob McDonnell Announces Extension of Amtrak Service to Roanoke
Due to 2013 Transportation Bill, Train Service Will Return to Star City for First Time in 34 Years
ROANOKE- Standing on the Railside Amphitheater, Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that the Commonwealth of Virginia, Norfolk Southern, Amtrak and the City of Roanoke have joined together to start work to extend Amtrak Virginia regional intercity passenger rail service from Lynchburg to Roanoke. It has been 34 years since intercity passenger rail has served the City of Roanoke. The return of passenger rail to Roanoke is a result of the passage this past session of the General Assembly of Virginia’s first major transportation funding plan in nearly three decades. The governor was joined at today’s announcement by local elected officials including Roanoke Mayor David Bowers, state leaders including Thelma Drake, Director of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, and rail officials including Charles W. Moorman, CEO of Norfolk Southern and Joe McHugh from Amtrak.
“For many years, the citizens of Roanoke and the Valley have asked when intercity passenger rail will return,” said Governor McDonnell. “I am pleased to announce today that the Department of Rail and Public Transportation, through its partnership with Norfolk Southern, Amtrak and the City of Roanoke, will begin work on bringing service back to this historic railroad city. This achievement is a direct result of the bipartisan effort this past winter to pass Virginia’s first major transportation funding plan in over a generation. We had gone far too long without investing the necessary resources in our roads and railways. This infrastructure is crucial to future job creation and economic growth in our state. With the passage of that bill, we’re cutting a lot of ribbons. We’re building new roads and railways all around the Commonwealth. All of this will lead to new jobs for our citizens, and a more prosperous Virginia. And right here in Roanoke, it means the return of intercity passenger rail service to the Star City. ”
“The signing into law of the Governor’s transportation bill provided a dedicated funding source for intercity passenger rail, which can be used for capital and the expansion of service,” said Transportation Secretary Sean T. Connaughton. “The administration placed a high priority on extending Amtrak Virginia to Roanoke as a viable transportation option for travel to cities along the Northeast Corridor.”
Work to bring Amtrak Virginia service to the city, as an extension of the highly-successful Lynchburg line, is anticipated to take between three and four years.
Thelma Drake, director of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT), said, “Conceptual design work and rail capacity analysis is already underway. Work will be done by Norfolk Southern, Amtrak and the City of Roanoke.”
“Norfolk Southern is happy to play a role in a new chapter of the Star City’s rail history as we support the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation’s efforts to extend passenger service to Roanoke,” said Norfolk Southern CEO Wick Moorman. “While freight is at the core of Norfolk Southern’s business, we understand the importance of passenger service to the Roanoke Valley.”
“This new service to Roanoke connects passengers to other areas of the Commonwealth as well as cities along the Northeast Corridor,” said Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman. “We offer travelers a safe, efficient and reliable alternative that mitigates the effect of high gas prices and pervasive highway and airline congestion.”
“The entire Roanoke region is excited about having passenger rail service back in the Star City for the first time since 1979. Roanoke, the home of the Norfolk & Western for many decades, is once again a ‘railroad town.’ Bringing passenger rail service to Roanoke has been Roanoke's most important economic development priority,” said Roanoke Mayor David. A. Bowers. “I thank Governor McDonnell and his Administration, particularly DRPT Director Thelma Drake and her team, for their leadership and successful efforts to bring passenger rail service back to Roanoke. I also want to thank AMTRAK and Norfolk Southern for partnering with us. This is a tremendous accomplishment for the Commonwealth, the Roanoke Valley region and our City and, again, I sincerely thank the Governor for his leadership."
Known as the “Amtrak Virginia” partnership, Roanoke is the latest step for the Commonwealth to lead the way as one of the few states in the country to successfully negotiate the addition of new intercity passenger rail service in major rail corridors, balancing freight and economic development needs with additional intercity passenger rail options.
On The Road by Just In Space - Free MP3 Song of the day
On The Road by Just In Space from their album, Galaxy. This band is from France. The tune is a Sci Fi adventure theme song. The type of tune one might expect to hear in the background of a Sci Fi thriller movie or TV show. Check it out. Free downloads are available right here on this tune so help yourself.
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| English: Western Gorilla Gorilla gorilla (Savage, 1847) - Male (left) and Femalle (right) :: Locality : Gabon Haut-Ogooué Province Chakès ::Size : 26 × 23 and 25 × 18 ;cm Français : Gorille de l'ouest Gorilla gorilla (Savage, 1847) - Mâle - (Vue de profil) ::Localité : Gabon Haut-Ogooué Région de Chakès ::Taille : 26 × 23 and 25 × 18 ;cm MHNT OST AC. Achat Duburg janvier 1919 (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
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