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Welcome to EO Radio Show - Your Nonprofit Legal Resource. I'm Cynthia Rowland, and EO Radio Show episode 110 is the 18th in a series of quick tip episodes focusing on the details of state registration of nonprofit corporations. With the help of Joe Hilliard today, we will look at basic state filing requirements for nonprofit corporations operating in Wisconsin and Minnesota. In our first state filings episode, we talked about filing in Delaware and California, which are the most frequently used by our clients, most of whom have a connection with California. Other episodes have focused on the state filings in Nevada and Arizona, Washington State and Oregon, Alaska and Hawaii, New York and New Jersey, Massachusetts and Connecticut, Maine and Vermont, Rhode Island and New Hampshire, Florida and Louisiana, North Carolina and South Carolina, Kentucky and Tennessee, Oklahoma and Texas, New Mexico and Utah, Colorado and Wyoming, Washington, D.C., Michigan and Ohio, and last month Illinois and Indiana. You can find all the prior episodes on our website or the Farella YouTube channel, where there is a playlist just for state filing requirements. We'll work our way through the rest of the states in future episodes. Show Notes:  Farella YouTube podcast channel Resources for Wisconsin: Wisconsin Department of Financial Services Home Page: https://dfi.wi.gov/Pages/Home.aspx Wisconsin Current Entity Search: https://apps.dfi.wi.gov/apps/corpSearch/Search.aspx Wisconsin Business Entity FAQ: https://dfi.wi.gov/Pages/BusinessServices/BusinessEntities/FAQ.aspx Wisconsin Forms Index: https://dfi.wi.gov/Pages/BusinessServices/BusinessEntities/Forms.aspx Wisconsin Fees: https://dfi.wi.gov/Pages/BusinessServices/BusinessEntities/Fees.aspx Wisconsin Nonstock Articles of Incorporation Form and Instructions: hhttps://dfi.wi.gov/Documents/BusinessServices/BusinessEntities/Forms/CORP102.pdf Wisconsin Nonstick Articles FAQ: https://dfi.wi.gov/Documents/BusinessServices/BusinessEntities/Forms/CORP102I.pdf Wisconsin Application for Certificate of Authority Foreign Nonstock Corporation Form and Instructions: https://dfi.wi.gov/Documents/BusinessServices/BusinessEntities/Forms/CORP121.pdf Wisconsin Nonstock Annual Report Form and Instructions: https://dfi.wi.gov/Documents/BusinessServices/BusinessEntities/Forms/CORP5.pdf Wisconsin Nonstock Annual Report FAQ: https://dfi.wi.gov/Documents/BusinessServices/BusinessEntities/Forms/CORP5i.pdf Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions Charitable Organization FAQ: https://dfi.wi.gov/Pages/BusinessServices/CharitableProfessionalOrganizations/CharitableOrganizationsFAQ.aspx Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions Charitable & Professional Organization Forms: https://dfi.wi.gov/Pages/BusinessServices/CharitableProfessionalOrganizations/Forms.aspx Wisconsin Department of Revenue Nonprofit Certificate of Exemption FAQ: https://www.revenue.wi.gov/Pages/FAQS/pcs-n-profit.aspx Marquette University How to Form Wisconsin Nonprofit: https://libguides.marquette.edu/c.php?g=36702&p=233188 Resources for Minnesota: Minnesota Secretary of State Business Home Page: https://www.sos.state.mn.us/business-liens Minnesota Secretary of State current entity database: https://mblsportal.sos.state.mn.us/Business/Search Minnesota Secretary of State Fee Schedule: https://www.sos.state.mn.us/business-liens/start-a-business/business-filing-certification-fee-schedule/ Minnesota Secretary of State Domestic Non-Profit Forms Page: https://www.sos.state.mn.us/business-liens/business-forms-fees/minnesota-non-profit-corporation-forms/ Minnesota Foreign Corporation Forms Page: https://www.sos.state.mn.us/business-liens/business-forms-fees/foreign-corporation-nonprofit-or-cooperative-forms/ Minnesota Nonprofit Articles of Incorporation: https://www.sos.state.mn.us/media/1829/nonprofitarticlesofincorporation.pdf Minnesota Council of Nonprofits template Articles of Incorporation: https://minnesotanonprofits.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/sample-articles-of-incorporation.pdf Minnesota Nonprofit Annual Report Form: https://www.sos.state.mn.us/media/1534/nonprofitrenewal.pdf Minnesota Foreign Certificate of Authority Form: https://www.sos.state.mn.us/media/1559/foreigncorpregistration.pdf Minnesota Foreign Annual Report: https://www.sos.state.mn.us/media/1560/foreigncorprenewal.pdf Minnesota Attorney General Charities Home Page: https://www.ag.state.mn.us/charity/ Minnesota Attorney General Charitable Organization Initial Registration Form: https://www.ag.state.mn.us/charity/Forms/C1_InitialRegistration.pdf Minnesota Department of Revenue Nonprofit Sales Tax Exemption Form: https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/2023-06/st16.pdf Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Forms Fees & Publications FAQ: https://minnesotanonprofits.org/resources-tools/starting-a-nonprofit/forms-fees-publications   If you have suggestions for topics you would like us to discuss, please email us at eoradioshow@fbm.com. Additional episodes can be found at EORadioShowByFarella.com. DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to be, nor should it be interpreted as, legal advice or opinion.  

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Send us a Text Message.Dr. David Boucher, Ph.D. is Director, Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response, Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ( https://aspr.hhs.gov/Pages/Home.aspx ).The HHS Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) leads the nation's medical and public health preparedness for, response to, and recovery from disasters and other public health emergencies.ASPR collaborates with hospitals, healthcare coalitions, biotech firms, community members, state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, and other partners across the country to improve readiness and response capabilities.Dr. Boucher previously held several other critical roles in the organization, including as Chief of the Antivirals & Antitoxins branch at BARDA's Anthrax, Botulinum, Ebola and Smallpox therapeutics program office, Acting Director for the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response's Office of Industrial Base Management and Supply Chain (IBM/SC) and serving as HHS's lead negotiator for product development/procurement agreements for COVID-19 medical countermeasures.Dr. Boucher has a Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Genetics, and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from University of California, Davis.Support the Show.

A week ago, on April 5, 61-year-old Brett Estes took his own life by moving his wheelchair in front of a BART train.  He was a quadriplegic and a member of a Quad-Squad which was active in the disability movement.  Despite the kind, long-term help of a man named John, Brett had recently struggled with finding enough attendants. We don't know all the reasons behind this tragedy but this death raises the issue of our current, very-inadequate attendant-care system.  Another member of our community, Brian Larsen, also took his life a few years ago when he was unable to secure adequate attendant support.  California's IHSS, (In Home Supportive Services) system is failing severely disabled people. Our guest, Connie Arnold sees the problems in her own life and she's been attending state meetings, reading legal and policy regulations and generally working to improve IHSS for 35+ years. She graduated from UC Berkeley in 1984 with a degree in Social Welfare, and in 2009 from Sonoma State University (SSU) with a Master's degree in Health Services & Public Administration Policy. With her wide range of academic and professional expertise, Ms Arnold gives specific advice on how we can each play a part in saving lives and advocate for change.  You can reach her by emailing: IHSS underscore advocate at yahoo.com.k Connie Arnold MORE DETAILS:  Many people with disabilities living in the community are suffering because they cannot find competent, reliable, trustworthy, and stable non-relative IHSS care provider-attendants.  Attendants who can perform paramedical services are few and far between. The State of California makes every IHSS recipient the “employer” responsible for finding their own care providers, but the recipients do not set the terms of employment for wages, health benefits, and job incentives.  Currently, IHSS wages vary from county to county and is not a living wage. Under the IHSS program alone family members care for 72.1% of people with disabilities and they are often willing to work long hours for near minimum wages.  But when family and friends are ill, move away or age out, who takes their place?  This situation is especially obvious in the case of developmentally disabled people who live with elderly parents, but it affects people with all kinds of severe disabilities, including dementia, Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS), children with severe disabilities, and many others. If you have a severe disability you may quality for extra help through a Medi-Cal or HCBA waiver.  Here's how to apply: California Department of Health Care (DHCS) Medi-Cal Waivers: https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/Pages/Medi-CalWaivers.aspx DHCS Home and Community-Based Alternative (HCBA) Waiver and scroll down to see which local agency serves your zip code: https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/ltc/Pages/Home-and-Community-Based-%28HCB%29-Alternatives-Waiver.aspx   Connie Arnold Currently, individuals requiring multiple daily attendants are struggling to live independently in the community. People who rely primarily on non-relative providers are most at-risk of being forced into institutions. This, despite the U.S. Supreme Court Olmstead decision which gave people with disabilities the right to live in the least restricted environment with supportive services.  Knowing what they know about the institutions, many severely disabled individuals consider alternative actions like suicide. Plus:  “Who's in Charge Here?” Commentary by Shelley Berman. Produced and hosted by Shelley Berman and Adrienne Lauby. With thanks to the Berkeley-Disabled E-group who sparked the attendant-shortage discussion.  To subscribe to the Berkeley Disabled e-group, send an email to:  berkeley-disabled+subscribe@googlegroups.com ——————————Want to Learn More?—————————— In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) – California State Association of Counties.  This group put a ceiling on IHSS wages so that they can be no higher than $1.25 an hour greater than minimum wage. More details about how wages and benefits are set. https://www.counties.org/sites/main/files/file-attachments/ihss_wages_and_bargaining_brief_september_2023.pdf. New rules related to attendant care, in the State Legislature but not passed yet:   AB1672 Haney. IHSS Employer-Employee Relations Act (2023-2024) “1.300.000 people lived in nursing home in 2020 at the onset of the Covid pandemic.  Nearly half of all nursing home residents were living with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's or other related dementia.  Related Legislation:  https://mcusercontent.com/e1181a52449c57d4180be5c2d/files/485d2355-f6cb-ed96-b7c5-6b395f82a7ca/EC_Bill_April_2024.pdf       “SEC. 2. FINDINGS.1 Congress finds the following: (1) According to the National Center for Health Statistics of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 1,300,000 individuals resided in nursing homes in 2020 at the onset of the COVID–19 pandemic and nearly half of all        nursing home residents were living with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's or other related dementia.” ———————————————————————————————————————————————————– California Department of Social Services In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)* History of Major Program Changes 1973 IHSS Program The IHSS Program was created to enable elderly, blind and disabled individuals to live independently in the community. 1978-1981 Equity Assessment Project This was a three-year project conducted by UC Berkeley, in three counties (Alameda, Contra Costa and Marin). Historical needs assessment data was used to predict recipients' level of need for IHSS services. The project also permitted similar awards to individuals with similar needs, thus promoting equity (beginning of IHSS Assessment Uniformity). 1981 Domestic Services Standard – W&IC section 12310 The first state time-per-task standard, known as the Domestic Services Standard, was introduced. 1992 Non-Profit Consortiums and Public Authority – W&IC section 12301.6 Statute was added to allow a County Board of Supervisors to contract with a non-profit consortium, or to establish by ordinance, a public authority for the delivery of IHSS. Federal Funding Approved for the IHSS PCSP On November 2, 1992, a State Plan Ammendment was approved by the CMS allowing most IHSS services to be considered a Medi-Cal benefit under the new IHSS PCSP. 1993 PCSP The PCSP was implemented April 1, 1993. 1998 Expansion of PCSP Eligibility – W&IC section 18937 Statute was amended, expanding PCSP eligibility to include medically-needy aged, blind and disabled persons (previously, only categorically-eligible persons were eligible). Waivers for Personal Care Services – W&IC section 14132.97 The Waivers for Personal Care Services, as defined under the Medi-Cal Program, were required to be provided to persons meeting specified requirements. *Please refer to the first tab titled “Acronyms” for a full description of acronyms. 45 California Department of Social Services In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)* History of Major Program Changes 1999 State Plan Amendment Local Assistance 2015 May Revision On April 1, 1999, a State Plan Amendment was approved by CMS expanding PCSP eligibility to include income-ineligible recipients (i.e., recipients with a share of cost). Employer of Record – W&IC sections 12301.6, 12303.4, 12301.3, 12301.4, 12301.8 and 12302.25 Counties were required to act as or to establish an employer of record for IHSS providers for purposes of collective bargaining. Counties that had not established a public authority for the provision of IHSS services were required to establish an advisory committee to provide recommendations on modes and delivery of IHSS services. The IHSS Registry sales tax sub-account was also eliminated from the LRF and remaining funds were transferred to the GF. 2000 IHSS Non-federal Sharing Ratios and State Participation in Wages and Benefits – W&IC sections 12306.2 and 12306.3 This bill established the non-federal share to be paid by the state and counties for any increases in provider wages and benefits and associated taxes. Limits were also defined for state participation in increases to wages and benefits. Non-Public Authority Counties Effective January 1, 2001, participation in the non-federal portion of any county-implemented increase in IHSS provider wages, benefits and associated taxes was set at 65 percent state and 35 percent county. Wage increases were at county discretion and limited to no more than three percent above the statewide minimum wage. Public Authority Counties Participation in the nonfederal portion of any increases in wages, benefits and associated taxes that are negotiated by a public authority or a non-profit consortium was set at 65 percent state and 35 percent county participation. Increases in wages and benefits were subject to the following limits: The state would participate in wages up to $7.50 per hour and in individual health benefits up to $0.60 per hour for all public authority and non-profit consortium providers. The state would participate in total wages and health benefits up to $9.10 per hour if wages reached at least $7.50 per hour. Gradual increases to wage and benefits were allowed for these specified providers over the four years following FY 2000-01, up to total combined wages and health benefits of $12.10 per hour in the fourth year. State participation in subsequent year increases would only occur if wages had already reached $7.50 per hour and GF revenue had exceeded the previous FY's GF revenue by at least five percent. State participation in wage and benefit increases in any FY would be limited to a maximum increase of $1.00 per hour.Contract CountiesFunding was provided in FY 2000-01 for the increased state share of cost for existing contract counties that elected to increase their maximum allowable contract rates. (Wages and benefits for contract providers are negotiated between the contractor and their local unions).IHSS Advisory Committee – W&IC sections 12301.3 and 12301.4Each county that had not established a public authority was required to establish an advisory committee. The advisory committee in each county was also required to provide recommendations on certain modes of service to be utilized in the county for IHSS. The advisory committee membership would have to include one IHSS provider for a county that has an IHSS caseload of less than 500 and two IHSS providers for a county that has an IHSS caseload of more than 500. Reimbursement of the advisory committee's administrative costs was also allowed. 2004 Improve Quality of IHSS – W&IC sections 12301.21, 12305.7, 12305.71, 12305.72, 12305.8, 12305.81, 12305.82, 12305.83, 12317, 12317.1 and 12317.2 The CDSS, counties and DHCS were required to perform a number of activities that would focus on improving the quality of IHSS. The key provisions included: Ongoing statewide social worker training. State oversight and monitoring of county QA activities. Hourly task guidelines, with exception criteria to promote accurate and consistent assessments, to provide social workers a tool for conducting assessments and service authorizations. Fraud prevention and detection activities that include collaboration among agencies to prevent/detect fraud and to maximize recovery of overpayments. Annual error-rate studies and data-match activities.IPWThe IPW State Plan Amendment was approved, allowing most residual recipients to be served in this waiver program (i.e., services provided by a spouse and/or parent of a minor child, or to those receiving Restaurant Meal Allowance or Advance Pay). The IPW was approved for five years, from August 1, 2004, through July 31, 2009, and extended until September 30, 2009.2009 Key Provisions of Fraud – W&IC sections 12301.15, 12301.22, 12301.25, 12301.6, 12305.7, 12305.71, 12305.73, 12305.82, 12305.85 and 12305.86The CDSS, counties and DHCS were required to improve detection, referral, investigation and prosecution of fraud in the IHSS program, communication and to develop collaboration between state and county agencies. The key provisions included: Provider Orientation. Provider enrollment including fingerprinting and background checks, enrollment form andsigned agreement. Provider appeals. Fraud prevention protocols clarifying state/county roles and responsibilities including targeted mailings, unannounced home visits and county anti-fraud training. Policy guiding the use of Post Office boxes. Creation of the NOA to inform providers of recipient's authorized hours/services.*Please refer to the first tab titled “Acronyms” for a full description of acronyms. 48 California Department of Social Services In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)* History of Major Program Changes In FY 2009-10, CDSS approved county fraud plan funding for 45 counties to enable the development of the infrastructure necessary to support future fraud prevention operations. The IHSS Plus Option The IHSS Plus Option State Plan Amendment was approved on September 29, 2009, and the IHSS Plus Option became effective on October 1, 2009. The Social Security Act section 1915(i), Self-Directed Personal Assistance Services State Plan Option, was identified as the best replacement for the expiring IPW program. Statutory Reductions and Court Injunctions A minimum Functional Index Score threshold was created for IHSS Program services and this became the Oster I Lawsuit. The state financial participation rate for IHSS provider wages was capped at $10.10 effective July 1, 2010. This became the Dominguez v. Schwarzenegger lawsuit. The “Share of Cost Buyout” program was eliminated. 2011 Statutory Reductions and Court Injunctions A 3.6 percent reduction in hours was implemented in February 2011 and a 20 percent reduction in hours was triggered by the Budget Act in December 2011. This became the Oster II Lawsuit and part of 2013 litigation settlement. Health Care Certificate Requirement The IHSS recipients were required to provide a Health Care Certificate from a licensed health care professional beginning August 2011. Changes to Provider Enrollment Background Checks Tier 1 – Specified Child Abuse, Elder Abuse and Fraud against government health care or supportive services. Tier 2 – Other items identified in a background check could be waived by the IHSS recipient.   2011, 2013 CFCO The ACA of 2010 (enacted March 23, 2010) established a new State Plan Option entitled CFCO. The CFCO provides home and community based attendant services and supports and also provides increased federal funding in the form of a six percent increase in the FMAP for CFCO eligible recipients. CDSS and DHCS submitted a State Plan Amendment to CMS on December 1, 2011. The State Plan Amendment was approved August 31, 2012, with implementation retroactive to December 1, 2011. On August 31, 2012, the federal CMS approved State Plan Amendment 11-034 for CFCO, allowing the state to obtain increased federal funding for eligible PCSP and IHSS Plus Option program recipients. The CMS approved State Plan Amendment 13-007 effective July 1, 2013, and updated eligibility language for compliance with the federal Social Security Act, section 1915(k)(1) and 42 CFR section 441.510. 2012-2013 CMIPS II Launched The CMIPS II launched in pilot counties Merced and Yolo in July 2012. In September 2012 San Diego joined the pilot. Extensive work and training has been conducted with counties/public authorities, labor organizations health benefit administrators and IHSS recipient/providers. In March 2013 group one launched eight additional counties followed by 20 additional counties in group two in May 2013. Group three (Los Angeles County) launched in August 2013 followed by the remaining 24 counties in group four in November 2013. 2013 Oster I, Oster II and Dominguez Lawsuits Settlement Process The IHSS Settlement Agreement, filed March 28, 2013, received preliminary approval on April 4, 2013. Court and legislative action was required by May 24, 2013. This lawsuit resulted in an eight percent reduction to IHSS Recipients hours effective July 1, 2013, through June 30, 2014. The reduction decreased to seven percent effective July 2014 and will be ongoing, unless action is taken to offset the reduction. CCI – SB 1008 (Chapter 33, Statutes of 2012) and SB 1036 (Chapter 45, Statutes of 2012) changed the following sections of California law related to the IHSS program: Government Code 6531.5; Government Code Title 23; W&IC sections 10101.1, 12306, 12306.1,12306.15, 12330, 14182, 14186, 14186.35 and 14186.36 The CCI, a Medi-Cal managed care plan, changed state statute related to the IHSS program. The CCI began phasing in the eight pilot counties April 2014. The implementation process, including stakeholder meetings, is ongoing. As the IHSS program moves eligible recipients into CCI, it will remain very similar to the current program. The CCI legislation requires the Cal Medi-Connect plan to administer IHSS in accordance with current IHSS program standards and requirements. The plan will ensure access to, provision of and payment for recipients who meet the eligibility criteria for IHSS. Key Provisions: The IHSS recipients will retain the responsibilities as the employer of the IHSS provider for the purposes of hiring, firing and supervising their provider, appealing any action relating to his or her application for or receipt of services and the ability to request a reassessment. IHSS providers will continue to adhere to the IHSS provider enrollment requirements set forth in existing statute. Care coordination teams will be established, as needed and subject to the consumer's consent, for individual care plan development. The teams will include county IHSS social workers, consumers and their representatives, managed care health plans and may include IHSS providers and others as applicable. CDSS will retain program administrative functions, in coordination with DHCS, including policy development, provider appeals and general exceptions, quality assurance and program integrity for the IHSS. The CCI shifts the responsibility of collective bargaining functions (wages, benefits and other terms and conditions of employment) from county Public Authority to a Statewide Authority. This shift will occur for each county when enrollment of dual eligibles into Cal Medi-Connect is complete. This establishes a new Advisory Committee for the Statewide Authority. Each county will be responsible for paying a MOE instead of paying a percentage of program costs. Each county's MOE is based on program expenditures for FY 2011-12, which was adjusted to reflect savings based on the additional six percent FMAP for CFCO eligible cases, county negotiated wage increases and an annual 3.5 percent inflation factor starting July 1, 2014. This MOE requirement applies to all 58 counties effective July 1, 2012, regardless of when the county will begin participating in the CCI. 2013 CCI (CONTINUED) Local Assistance 2015 May Revision The CDSS, in consultation with DHCS, shall certify any agency that is contracting with Cal Medi-Connect for the provision of IHSS. The CDSS shall also develop a written appeal process for any agency dissatisfied with the decision from CDSS regarding certification. As required by CCI, CDSS has, in consultation with stakeholders, developed voluntary provider training available January 2014. Three stakeholder workgroup meetings were held between May 29, 2013, and December 3, 2013. The workgroup meetings included at least one participant from each of the following groups: public authorities, providers, recipients, county representatives, recognized employee representatives and DHCS. On March 27, 2013, the Dual Demonstration MOU was approved to integrate dual eligible beneficiaries as a component of CCI. In an effort to ensure that data-sharing needs are identified and addressed prior to the implementation of the CCI in 2014, CDSS is holding data sharing stakeholder workgroups, the first of which took place November 30, 2012. A stakeholder workgroup has been established to develop the universal assessment process, including a universal assessment tool for home and community-based services. The first stakeholder workgroup meeting was held September 20, 2013. The W&IC sections 12300.7, 12306, 12306.1 and 12306.15 were amended and delinked CCI components to allow the mandatory enrollment of Medi-Cal and Medicare beneficiaries (dual eligibles) into Medi-Cal managed care, the integration of long-term supports and services into managed care plans and the commencement of the IHSS Statewide Public Authority to proceed separately from Cal MediConnect. FLSA Final Rules Concerning Domestic Workers – W&IC section 12300.41, 12301.1 and 12301.24 In September 2013, the United States Department of Labor issued its Final Rule concerning domestic workers under the FLSA. The regulations were scheduled to implement January 2015 containing several significant changes impacting the IHSS program, including more clearly defining the tasks that comprise “companionship services” and limiting exemptions for companionship services and live-in domestic service employees to the individual, family, or household using the services and not third-party employers. Under the final rule, CDSS is required to pay IHSS providers overtime wages and compensate providers for wait time during medical accompaniment and commute time between multiple recipients. CDSS is evaluating implementation options for compliance with FLSA regulations. Policy changes to IHSS provider workweek limitations and provider orientation were made. Statutes were amended and added to provide a limitation of the hours an IHSS provider can work in a week contingent upon implementation of the FLSA ruling. Providers cannot work more than 66 hours each week, less the seven percent reduction while it is in effect (61 Hours). The 66/61 hour limit is based on the statutory maximum hours (283) an IHSS recipient can receive, divided by 4.33 weeks per month. It allows payment to IHSS providers for travel time, limited to seven hours per week, when traveling directly between different recipients on the same day. The CDSS or a county may terminate a provider from the IHSS program if he/she continues to violate the overtime/travel time limitations. The legislation also established a three month grace period for IHSS provider overtime changes, in which providers will be compensated for overtime. Statute was amended to require onsite orientation, completion of the IHSS provider application prior to attendance, oral presentations and written material translated into the IHSS threshold languages in the county. Statute also permits presentations by representatives of recognized employee organizations in the county. 2014-15 FLSA Federal District Court Ruling In late December 2014, a federal district court ruled that a portion of the regulations exceeded the federal Department of Labor's authority and delayed implementation of the regulations. Under state law, the state's implementation of overtime, commute time, and wait time were also delayed pending further action by the federal court. On January 14, 2015, Judge Leon issued a ruling, vacating the Department of Labor's revised companionship services definition that was scheduled to go into effect on January 15, 2015. ———————————————————————————————– Thanks to Connie Arnold for these additional resources!   The post Attendant Crisis- Pushing Limits – April 12, 2024 appeared first on KPFA.

Wisconsin's state-wide energy efficiency program, Focus on Energy, helps electric customers achieve cost-savings through energy conservation measures. Our guests on this episode discuss more about the program, why it was created, what's in it for customers, costs and benefits, the program's four-year planning process, and more. We are joined by Lisa Stefanik, Managing Director, Focus on Energy, and Jolene Sheil, Portfolio Manager for Focus on Energy, Public Service Commission of Wisconsin. Matthew Spencer, Director of Government Relations, Madison Gas and Electric, and Board Member for the Statewide Energy Efficiency and Renewable Administration (SEERA), co-hosts. Key Moments 4:43 – What is the Focus on Energy program? 5:50 – When, how, and why was Focus on Energy created? 7:15 – More on the roles of the program's administrator, APTIM; the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin; and, the Statewide Energy Efficiency and Renewable Administration 9:55 – How is Focus on Energy funded and what is the relationship between the state's electric utilities and Focus on Energy? 14:35 – What does Focus on Energy do for Wisconsin's electric customers? 17:30 – How does the program reach out to customers about available offerings? 18:48 – How are decisions made about what energy efficiency programs to offer? 22:50 – What are the costs and benefits of the program? 23:40 – More on the benefits of the program (bill savings, grid improvements, environmental, and economic benefits) 29:10 – What are the top performing programs? (Industrial projects; discussion of LED lightbulbs) 39:00 – Related federal funding from the Inflation Reduction Act 43:50 – The Quadrennial Planning Process 48:30 – Renewable energy funding 50:29 – Issues that arose during COVID-19 pandemic Links from Episode Focus on Energyhttps://focusonenergy.com/ Focus on Energy Success Stories https://focusonenergy.com/success-stories-1 Online Home Assessment Tool Walkthroughhttps://focusonenergy.com/home-assessment Focus on Energy Annual Reportshttps://focusonenergy.com/evaluation-reports/categories/annual-reports Public Service Commission of Wisconsin https://psc.wi.gov/Pages/Home.aspx APTIM (Focus on Energy Program Administrator) https://www.aptim.com/

Cindy Smith has served as the Chief Legal Counsel at the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin for over a decade and across three administrations. She joins the Electric Wire to discuss her role at the PSCW, ways the public can participate in the PSCW's deliberative process, and how the energy landscape has changed over the past decade. Cindy will answer the following questions and more over the course of the episode: ·      What should the public know about the process for participating in cases before the PSC? (12:19) ·      What are some of the cases of interest to the public that are currently before the Commission or coming up? (27:20) ·      How has the energy landscape changed since Cindy started at the Commission and how do those changes impact the work of the PSCW? (30:00) ·      What are the most memorable cases that have come through the PSCW during Cindy's time there? (36:32) Links from Episode Public Service Commission of Wisconsin Homepage: https://psc.wi.gov/Pages/Home.aspx Public Service Commission of Wisconsin Highlighted Cases: https://psc.wi.gov/Pages/CommissionActions/HighlightedCases.aspx

We continue our Equity Snapshot series in which our Equity Training Specialists discuss different concepts and topics in equity work. We are working through Oppressive Thematic Ideologies, which the ETSs will be conducting trainings on throughout the year. Oppressive Thematic Ideologies highlight different forms of oppression and inequities that people of various identities experience. The aim is to educate and increase awareness of the challenges and the assets that different communities have in order for everyone to grow more aware of our society and explore a better way forward towards equity.  In this episode we will be talking about the intersection of disability and race, and I am joined again by Dylan Van Duyne In addition to raising awareness of mental health concerns, we are seeing a rise of disability-based bullying in the district. The School District of Philadelphia does not tolerate any form of disability-based bullying or harassment of students, and if a student or their parent/guardian feels they have been bullied on the basis of their disability, they may use any of the following reporting methods:  Completing the online Bullying, Harassment/Discrimination Reporting form available here: https://pareporting.hibster.com/Pages/Home.aspx?id=241; Calling the Bullying/Harassment hotline at 215-400-SAFE; Submitting a complaint via Safe2Say available here: safe2saypa.org; Emailing the Compliance Officer/Title IX Coordinator directly at antiharassment@philasd.org; or Reporting the incident to the building principal or designee, or to any other member of the school staff, including teachers, guidance counselors, family engagement liaisons, bilingual counseling assistants (BCAs), coaches, and administrators. Resources from the Episode Disability Influencers 8 Disability Podcasts Worth Listening To Disability Justice Books This podcast is about cultivating prosperity and liberation for students and staff. We do this by showcasing and debriefing the great equity work that is being done throughout The School District of Philadelphia community. With each episode, we hope to cover topics that will create pathways for marginalized populations in our District, by removing barriers, increasing access and inclusion, building trust, and creating a shared culture of social responsibility and organizational accountability. Our music is by students from Rock to the Future, an organization offering free music programs to students in Philadelphia.  To learn more about what our office does visit our website.

On this episode of Behind the Pages, Katelin Swing Wilton and Ayat Al Aqra discuss how International Rescue Committee drew from local caregivers' feedback and priorities, leveraged technology like WhatsApp, and coordinated ECD service delivery with child protection and community health messaging to innovate on the Jamaican Home Visiting Program for the Middle East context. In their field note, “Home Visiting in the Middle East: Reflections on the Implementation of Reach Up and Learn,” Swing Wilton, Al Aqra, and their co-authors Aimée Vachon, Katie Maeve Murphy, Abdullah Ensour, Iman Ibrahim, Anas Tahhan, Kayla Hoyer, and Christine Powell outline the successes and challenges IRC's experience adapting a play-based home-visitation ECD intervention for refugees and internally displaced persons in Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. Behind the Pages is the podcast of the Journal on Education in Emergencies (JEiE). This season of Behind the Pages features timely and dynamic conversations with authors from the JEiE Special Issue on Early Childhood Development in Emergencies. For more information about JEiE, and to read all JEiE issues free of charge, visit inee.org/journal.

We're focused in this conversation on a collective approach being taken in Halton to support young people as they transition from the care of CAS, at age 18-24. Halton Region identified this as a priority area, creating a Community Safety and Wellbeing table, and it truly is a community effort. With the Oakville Community Foundation holding the backbone or coordinator role, leveraging support from the Halton Granters Table, many local youth serving organizations have come together to support youth transitioning from care to support their goals in education, employment and training. We hear from Steve Levac, Manager of Youth Services, and Jennifer McKnight, Transitional Youth Worker with Halton Children's Aid Society, about the history and journey of this collective, the results, and their hope that this is a model for systems change to be further leveraged in Halton and many other communities.    Resources  Halton CAS:  http://haltoncas.ca/   Oakville Community Foundation: https://www.theocf.org/   Halton Youth Collective Program Report : https://www.theocf.org/initiative/halton-cas-youth-initiative/   Halton Community Safety & Wellbeing Plan: https://www.halton.ca/The-Region/Projects-and-Initiatives/Community-Safety-and-Well-Being-in-Halton   Some of the participating youth-serving organizations  ADAPT: https://haltonadapt.org/   Centre for Skills Development: https://www.centreforskills.ca/   CMHA Halton: https://halton.cmha.ca/   Halton Region Housing: https://www.halton.ca/For-Residents/Housing-Supports-and-Services   HCDSB: https://www.hcdsb.org/   HDSB: https://www.hdsb.ca/Pages/Home.aspx   HIEC (Halton Industry Education Council): https://www.hiec.on.ca/   ROCK (Reach Out Centre for Kids): https://rockonline.ca/   Sheridan College: https://www.sheridancollege.ca/   STRIDE: https://stride.on.ca/   Town of Oakville: https://www.oakville.ca/   YMCA Oakville: https://ymcaofoakville.org/   Laidlaw's YouthCI: https://laidlawfdn.org/yci-projects.html       Thank you for listening to Impact Conversations with Lynn Fergusson & Sally Fazal . Find out more about our work at Social Impact Advisors: https://socialimpactadvisors.ca

In this episode, we talk with Dr. John Watson, data scientist at the San Diego County Office of Education, about the ways in which data scientists provide value for education organizations. We touch on the evolution of standards in education and the need to be aware of multiple intelligences (both within students and within educators looking at data); the (ideally) iterative process of data solutions and output within education agencies; the “emergency data collection” that occurred at the beginning of the pandemic; the development and limits of standards in the health and education sectors; and trying to balance rapid technological advances with the need for stability and investment in training. Episode resources: San Diego County Office of Education: https://www.sdcoe.net/Pages/Home.aspx Baker, R. S., Berning, A. W., Gowda, S. M., Zhang, S., & Hawn, A. (2020). Predicting K-12 dropout. Journal of Education for Students Placed at Risk (JESPAR), 25(1), 28-54. (early access version: https://www.upenn.edu/learninganalytics/ryanbaker/PredictingK12Dropout.pdf) Music: Exploring The World by Vlad Gluschenko is licensed under a Creative Commons License. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... https://soundcloud.com/vgl9Support by RFM - NCM:

A keen focus on equitable growth, ensuring upward mobility, and implementing the 2040 plan is baked into Charlotte's economic development strategies. The Queen City has claimed monumental economic development wins in the face of the pandemic, while still ensuring that all Charlotteans benefit from the business expansion and corporate relocations happening in the region. In an interview with Invest:Insights, Charlotte Assistant City Manager and Economic Development Director Tracy Dodson spoke about the growth of the City of Charlotte and efforts to help both businesses and residents navigate through the COVID-led challenges For more information about our interviewee, visit: https://charlottenc.gov/Pages/Home.aspx Register to read all Capital Analytics reports for free: https://www.capitalanalyticsassociate...

About Episode: Brian Sallee shares his amazing upbringing in Haiti and journey to becoming the successful entrepreneur he is today. Learn how he grew a company to be #4 on NASDAQ by building skills off of the lawn-mowing business and answering computer questions at a young age.We Meet: Brian Sallee, ModernScale.coEpisode References: Batch Files - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batch_fileWindows NT 95 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_NTMS DOS - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MS-DOSWindows Millennium - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Meconventional RAM - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conventional_memoryLinux - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LinuxAsterisk - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asterisk_(PBX)Charlotte, NC - https://charlottenc.gov/Pages/Home.aspxMerrill Lynch - https://www.ml.com/Azure - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_AzureConnect:Connect with Rick: https://linktr.ee/mrrickjordanConnect with Brian: https://www.modernscale.co/Universal Rate and Review: https://lovethepodcast.com/allinwithrickjordanSubscribe and Review to ALL IN with Rick Jordan on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RickJordanALLINAbout Brian Sallee: Grew up in Haiti with no electricity, but fast forward 15 years later-ish, I went into serial entrepreneur / tech mode. Scaled a business from zero to #4 on nasdaq, currently I help other entrepreneurs/leaders grow their businesses.

In California there are a significant number of justice engaged students who are English Language Learners, or ELL, immigrant youth or noncitizen youth. They face even more barriers that make it difficult to re-enter their communities once released from custody. Often the success of these students is dependent on strong support systems at home. These students are relied upon to translate for their parents, and play other crucial roles in translating for the family. There is sense uncertainty and uneasiness experienced by these families. And entanglement in the criminal justice system exasperates these levels of anxiety. We have a conversation with Nisreen Baroudi, the Supervising Attorney for the Juvenile Division Public Defenders Office, Santa Clara County, CA. to get her personal opinion on these topics and much more, on this episode of Advice from the Inside Out. Special thanks to our graphic artist, Tess Buckley. www.kidsincommon.orgwww.siliconvalleycf.orgwww.ylc.orgwww.kff.orghttps://socialchangenyu.com/review/starting-over-the-immigration-consequences-of-juvenile-delinquency-andrehabilitation/https://www.sccgov.org/sites/pdo/Pages/Home.aspxhttps://www.rand.org/blog/rand-review/2016/01/course-correction-the-case-for-correctional-education.htmlhttps://harvardpolitics.com/recidivism-american-progress/https://ciyja.org/Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/adviceinsideout)

If you're thinking of https://collegedudeshelpmove.com/ (relocating a senior), don't compromise on your https://collegedudeshelpmove.com/ (senior movers). College Dudes Help U Move (704-396-5686) has compassionate https://www.ncala.org/ (senior) https://www.ncmovers.org/ (moving) services for customers in Charlotte and https://charlottenc.gov/Pages/Home.aspx (Mecklenburg County), https://collegedudeshelpmove.com/senior-moving/ (North Carolina). Go to https://collegedudeshelpmove.com/senior-moving (https://collegedudeshelpmove.com/senior-moving) for more details.

This is a special educators episode of Rewind From Today.In this episode, host Anthony Perrotta shares his current studies as a graduate student in the Professional Masters of Education program at Queen's University.  Exploring the Connected Classroom and the educational overhaul required to provide today's learner with  a truly enriched and meaningful experience,  Anthony explores the value of community partnership through Campus Calgary and MusicLinks. Both Campus Calgary and MusicLinks promote connected learning opportunities through Networked Learning and Interdisciplinary Learning theories. This episode is definitely for anyone interested in providing students with authentic opportunities to learn, unlearn and relearn with the goal to nurture life-long community oriented learning. Let's reimagine learning and the classroom.Program Notes:In this episode, Anthony makes notes to a number of research papers and media texts. Click here for access: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1hU8GsaKq5rC1rn7u5eEsd4Kz6zo1nluK?usp=sharingSpecial Thanks:Anthony extends special thanks to his "Upward Mobility of Black Creatives Part 2" guest, Freddy Brobbey for his support with this episode. Freddy is the Creative Director of MusicLinks and provided a number of insights highlighted in this episode. _______ Campus Calgary at:  https://cbe.ab.ca/ccom/Pages/Home.aspxMusicLinks: https://www.canculturemag.com/music-1/2021/4/1/musiclinks-by-justovermusic-torontos-emerging-creatives-are-going-above-and-beyond-music

From the late 1940s, into and through the '50s, there developed a complex interaction between the federal government, state and local government, real-estate interests, commercial interests, and court decisions, which had the effect of undermining the mass transit system across the country.Noam Chomskyon Todays Show Chandler Montley comes on to explain a little bit about The Transit System In America https://humantransit.org/bookhttps://www.amazon.com/Human-Transit-Clearer-Thinking-Communities/dp/1597269727https://americawalks.org/you-gave-me-your-word-how-good-city-planning-became-walkability/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw24qHBhCnARIsAPbdtlL377vRTIFcWg2T_OVv_lsEDU-0qjisEUdZBVV5EUs1H3TD7acKqT8aAoaCEALw_wcBhttps://www.amazon.com/Walkable-City-Rules-Making-Better/dp/1610918983https://www.strongtowns.org/podcast?gclid=Cj0KCQjw24qHBhCnARIsAPbdtlJGdF8tbHYMdcL03DTm-yEIioPPwj5yUuK5C_ZM9cY6xFYglITVH5saArVYEALw_wcBhttps://streetsblog.libsyn.com/https://www.brampton.ca/en/residents/transit/Pages/Home.aspxSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/TheDarrellmcclainshow)

Albert Einstein reportedly said that “there is only one thing that you absolutely have to know”, and that's the location of the library. Today Tim is chatting with Liz Jack, Executive Director of Libraries Tasmania, about why that recommendation absolutely stands up, the role of libraries in our communities, and what it means that we can now access the library wherever we are, any time of day, and for a whole lot more than books. Libraries Tasmania: https://www.libraries.tas.gov.au/Pages/Home.aspx

Today Tim is talking to Leesa Pettit from Jordan River Learning Federation (JRLF) Senior School in Hobart's northern suburbs. They talk about: Packages of learning, wellbeing and having a growth mindset. The importance of moving out of your comfort zone and having tools to move from comfort through fear into learning and growth (and how JRLF is supporting students to do this). The importance of values within a school (and broader organisation) and what JRLF has done to embed the Department of Education values within their school. Links Jordan River Learning Federation website: https://jrlf.education.tas.edu.au/Pages/Home.aspx

Hamsini Hariharan speaks to Shikha Bhasin of the CEEW about India’s climate policy. For questions or comments, reach out to the host on twitter @HamsiniH (https://twitter.com/HamsiniH ) or on Instagram @statesofanarchy ( https://instagram.com/statesofanarchy )States of Anarchy is supported by The Takshashila Institution and the Independent Public-Spirited Media Foundation (IPSMF).Read More:Submissions by India at the UNFCC (https://www4.unfccc.int/sites/submissionsstaging/Pages/Home.aspx)India in a warming world – Navroze K Dubash (https://www.cprindia.org/research/books/india-warming-world-integrating-climate-change-and-development)You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android: https://ivm.today/android or iOS: https://ivm.today/ios, or any other podcast app.

Ameneh Sharifi is a 2 ½-month-old baby with enormous dark eyes. In a video her father sent to The World, she wears a tiny white jacket and smiles as her aunt tickles her chin. Ameneh’s legs are also wrapped in bandages, a reminder of the horrific ordeal she went through in May when gunmen stormed the maternity ward of the hospital where she was born. Related: Afghans in shock after attacks on a maternity hospital and a funeralThe Dasht-e-Barchi Hospital was run by aid group Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) and located in western Kabul. Three gunmen wearing police uniforms opened fire in the maternity ward, killing at least two dozen people, including newborns. Just a few hours old, Ameneh’s parents hadn’t even named her yet.Rafiullah Sharifi, Ameneh’s father, told The World he was right outside the hospital when the attack happened. He tried calling his wife, 27-year-old Nazia, on her cell phone. But there was no answer. Two-month-old Ameneh Sharifi, her legs in bandages, smiles in a family video as she recovers following an attack May 12, 2020, at Dasht-e-Barchi Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan. Credit: Courtesy of Rafiullah Sharifi Afghan security forces entered the hospital grounds and a gun battle ensued that lasted four hours. The gunmen were all killed.In the aftermath, Sharifi searched frantically for his wife and their newborn. But he discovered that Nazia had died while holding their daughter in her arms.Ameneh was rushed to two different hospitals in Kabul, Sharifi said. She had bullet wounds, and doctors said one of her legs would have to be amputated. But Sharifi wanted to get a second opinion, hoping it could be saved.Related: 'Peace is the highest desire,' says Afghan ambassador to USAmeneh was admitted to The French Medical Institute for Mothers and Children, a nonprofit hospital run jointly by the governments of France and Afghanistan, The Aga Khan Development Network, and the French nongovernmental organization La Chaîne de L’Espoir, or Chain of Hope.“I got a call from the emergency room that the orthopedist surgeon was asking [for an] opinion,” recalled Najibullah Bina, head of the cardiovascular ward at the hospital.He rushed to the emergency room and found Ameneh.“I faced lots of horrible things in my career. ... I know lots of bad things but unfortunately I was shocked. Come on! An 11-hour-old baby! It’s terrible.”Najibullah Bina, orthopedist surgeon“I faced lots of horrible things in my career,” he said, “I know lots of bad things but unfortunately I was shocked. Come on! An 11-hour-old baby! It’s terrible.”Ameneh was in bad shape, Bina said. She had lost a lot of blood and the bullet had done serious damage to her leg.Bina decided to try and save her leg. The first operation took four hours. It was one of the most stressful surgeries Bina and his team had performed, he said.“There is not enough experience in such surgeries,” he said. “Nothing in the medical lecture. You find nothing. Nothing, nothing, nothing.”Ameneh underwent several more surgeries. Doctors had to fix her bones, nerves and blood vessels. Finally, on Sunday, July 26, she was discharged from the hospital.“I am 90% sure she will walk,” Bina said, “but it will take time.”Long road to recovery — and justice Bina doesn’t expect Ameneh to need any further major surgeries, but he said she will require regular check-ups and physiotherapy.Now, her grandmother and aunt are taking care of her at home. She has two other siblings: a 3-year-old sister and a 5-year-old brother. Sharifi said they are slowly adjusting to this new life without Nazia, their mother.So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack on the Dasht-e-Barchi hospital. Soon after the attack, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani visited survivors and promised a full investigation. But more than two months later, there are many unanswered questions about what happened and why."...With the war going on, other things happen and these things sort of fade from view or we never find out what has happened in terms of any investigation. That means that for a lot of the victims, they feel they don’t get any acknowledgment or any follow-up or any sense of justice.”Patricia Gossman, associate Asia director, Human Rights Watch“What happens often is that there will initially be some rhetoric about, ‘Oh yes, we will get to the bottom of this and the perpetrators will be punished’,” said Patricia Gossman, associate Asia director for Human Rights Watch. “And then, of course, with the war going on, other things happen and these things sort of fade from view or we never find out what has happened in terms of any investigation. That means that for a lot of the victims, they feel they don’t get any acknowledgment or any follow-up or any sense of justice.” An Afghan policeman keeps watch outside of Dasht-e-Barchi Hospital which came under attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, May 13, 2020.  Credit: Omar Sobhani/Reuters  The attack has all the hallmarks of an operation carried out by ISIS of Iraq and the Levant—Khorasan Province (ISKP), according to Gossman, who has spent more than three decades working on Afghanistan and South Asia. But she said it is usually very difficult to hold members of the group accountable in Afghanistan's courts.The spokesperson for Afghanistan’s National Security Council, Javid Faisal, told The World the Afghan government’s investigation is ongoing.“The intel, evidence and initial findings suggest that Taliban and their aligned terrorist groups were behind it,” he wrote in a WhatsApp message. Asked when the results of the investigation will be made public, Faisal didn’t offer a timeline.The Taliban has denied involvement in the attack. The spokesperson for the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission did not respond to a request for comment.Related: What's next in Afghanistan? The Taliban answer.Meanwhile, earlier this month, the Dasht-e-Barchi hospital, where the attack happened, re-opened. It is no longer run by Médecins Sans Frontières, which decided to end its operations there.“We were aware that our presence in Dasht-e-Barchi carried risks ... but we just couldn't believe that someone would take advantage of the absolute vulnerability of women about to give birth to exterminate them and their babies.”Thierry Allafort-Duverger, general director, Médecins Sans Frontières or Doctors Without Borders“We were aware that our presence in Dasht-e-Barchi carried risks,” said Thierry Allafort-Duverger, MSF’s general director. “But we just couldn't believe that someone would take advantage of the absolute vulnerability of women about to give birth to exterminate them and their babies.”MSF’s head of programs for Afghanistan, Brian Moller, said that his organization is still waiting to hear the results of the Afghan government’s investigation.“At the moment we have no further information regarding the motives or the perpetrators,” he wrote in a WhatsApp message to The World. Moller said the government has promised to share its findings with the aid group once they are available.As for Rafiullah Sharifi, the father of the injured baby, he says he is spending time with his daughter at home. Playtime is their favorite, he said.“My wife was innocent,” Sharifi added. “She would have been proud of how Ameneh is recovering.”

One of our best tools for stopping the spread of COVID-19 continues to be physical distancing. Back in March 2020, DHS shifted most of its staff to telework to reduce the number of people in our buildings so we could maintain physical distancing when serving the public in person. What we’re learning from the experience is that teleworking can be a standard part of how DHS conducts its business beyond the pandemic. DHS recently conducted a survey to learn what staff need to successfully telework in the short-term and to gather feedback to operationalize telework for the long-term through designing effective policies, procedures and staff supports. Nearly 4,900 staff responded to the survey and 95% reported they are satisfied with their current teleworking situation. In today’s podcast, DHS Director Fariborz Pakseresht gives an update on the current state of COVID-19 in Oregon and the importance of maintaining telework during the pandemic. Chief Administrative Officer Don Erickson, sponsor of the telework survey, joins Director Pakseresht to share how the survey results will be used to make teleworking a standard operating procedure for the Department. “Our goal is to utilize telework as a standard way people in DHS do their jobs. We want to do it in a way where there’s no loss of productivity, no loss in managerial ability and the ability to support staff, and we want to make sure that people are properly equipped in home work stations to do the whole scope of their job,” Erickson said. Find more information for staff about COVID-19 on the OWL. Find more information for clients and the public about COVID-19 on the DHS website. Follow DHS on Twitter @OregonDHS. Download full script by clicking here.  

When it comes to COVID-19, DHS has two main and urgent purposes: Protecting the health and safety of Oregonians and connecting people with the benefits and program supports they need to sustain themselves through this unprecedented health, social and economic crisis. With medical experts estimating COVID-19 could be among us for the next 24 months - and knowing we will remain at the forefront of the state’s response for the duration - DHS partnered with the Oregon Health Authority to create a new Shared Services unit to lead our efforts. The COVID-19 Response and Recovery Unit (CRRU) is based in Salem and is led by Jana Mclellan. In this episode, Director Fariborz Pakseresht and Jana sit down to discuss how the CRRU is taking shape. Find more information for staff about COVID-19 on the OWL. Find more information for clients and the public about COVID-19 on the DHS website. Follow DHS on Twitter @OregonDHS. Download full script by clicking here.

Child Welfare works to ensure every child in Oregon grows up in a safe, permanent, and nurturing family home. The COVID-19 pandemic created many challenges for families that can impact child safety, causing Child Welfare to make swift shifts in its practices to continue responding to reports of abuse and neglect 24/7, and maintain support to families and community partners. Most of the 3,000-person Child Welfare workforce transitioned to teleworking, including most of the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline team. Workers sought creative ways to safely provide in-person visitation for children in foster care and their families, and expanded virtual options for keeping families in touch. After seeing a sharp drop in calls to the hotline when the stay home orders put many mandatory reports out of touch with children, Child Welfare began a public awareness effort and developed tools to help the public and mandatory reporters check-in on children. Hotline calls are now rising. Lacey Andresen, Child Welfare deputy director of practice and program, sat down with DHS Director Fariborz Pakseresht to discuss how Child Welfare staff, providers and the children and families they serve are handling the pandemic. Find more information for staff about COVID-19 on the OWL. Find more information for clients and the public about COVID-19 on the DHS website. Follow DHS on Twitter @OregonDHS. Download full script by clicking here.  

  The Office of Developmental Disabilities Services (ODDS) is dedicated to supporting the safety and health of Oregonians with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). People with I/DD are at higher-risk of being negatively impacted by COVID-19 either due to their primary disability or a secondary condition. Since the first cases were identified in Oregon, ODDS has been constantly flowing prevention resources and updates to staff and stakeholders, and making policy and practice changes to protect the health and wellbeing of people with I/DD. More guidance and resources are available on the ODDS COVID-19 Information webpage. While most ODDS services are delivered through contracted providers in communities, ODDS provides direct services to children and adults with I/DD who are experiencing a crisis that can’t be resolved with typical community supports. The Stabilization and Crisis Unit (SACU) operates 21 group homes with 750 staff who work with children and adults to deescalate each crisis and transition them back into their communities. Sierra Rawson, SACU interim director, joins DHS Director Fariborz Pakseresht for a 10-minute podcast to describe how the SACU team is managing through the pandemic. Find more information for staff about COVID-19 on the OWL. Find more information for clients and the public about COVID-19 on the DHS website. Follow DHS on Twitter @OregonDHS. Download full script by clicking here.  

Circumstances are still changing quickly when it comes to Oregon’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the past week alone, most counties entered the first of three phases for re-opening their economies. And on May 20, 2020, the state released the first quarterly economic and revenue forecast since the pandemic reached Oregon. Both are important milestones in the path forward for rebuilding a safe and strong Oregon. These events don’t change the Department’s current operations, but they do add another level of urgency to the preparations we’re making. Chief Administrative Officer Don Erickson joined Director Fariborz Pakseresht to discuss how the Department is planning for the time when it is safe to bring staff back from teleworking and resume services put on hold when the public health crisis emerged. The podcast covers the playbooks in development to guide us through the different phases of reopening; new guidance around visitor tracking in offices and face coverings and plans to expand teleworking options beyond the pandemic. Director Pakseresht also gives a brief update on the economic forecast and its impact on the Department budget. Find more information for staff about COVID-19 on the OWL. Find more information for clients and the public about COVID-19 on the DHS website. Follow DHS on Twitter @OregonDHS. Download full script by clicking here.

When Aging and People with Disabilities (APD) staff saw what was happening with COVID-19 in long-term care facilities in neighbouring Washington, it went into planning mode to protect the Oregonians it serves who are at high risk for the coronavirus. APD was the first DHS program to launch a pandemic response, focusing on long-term care facilities. Today, 96 percent of those facilities do not have COVID-19 cases. APD Interim Director Mike McCormick and DHS Director Fariborz Pakseresht discuss the program’s response. The two also discuss the program’s concerns about a 23% drop in reports of abuse and neglect; temporary policy changes, and a spike in calls to the Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) hotline from people looking for help, especially for nutrition, meal delivery and medical resources.   “All of us are experiencing some level of anxiety about what it’s going to look like as Oregon reopens its economy. We’re having those discussions. There’s going be a lot of uncertainties and I would hope our staff remain vigilant and continue to practice the Centers for Disease Control recommendations and give each other grace as we go through this learning process together,” McCormick said.  Find more information for staff about COVID-19 on the OWL. Find more information for clients and the public about COVID-19 on the DHS website. Follow DHS on Twitter @OregonDHS. Download full script by clicking here.    

  A framework based in science and data is guiding the re-start of public life and business in Oregon. The framework ensures that we proceed carefully through a three-phase plan to protect public health while re-opening the economy incrementally. Resuming non-urgent medical procedures and opening state recreation areas with limitations are the first steps Governor Brown has taken. It has many of us wondering, what’s next for DHS? Director Fariborz Pakseresht and Deputy Director Liesl Wendt responded to the top four questions from staff in this podcast: The framework for reopening Oregon has three phases. When can teleworkers return to the office? Personal Protective Equipment, or PPE, plays a role in the framework for re-opening Oregon. What is the status of getting more PPE for staff? What are we doing to support providers so they are available when the people we serve need them? The economy has taken a hard hit and so has the state budget. What does that mean for the DHS budget? “The rebound of the economy is directly related to what we keep doing to stop the spread of the virus. We need to remain vigilant,” Director Pakseresht said. “Helen Keller said, ‘Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.’ I am hopeful and confident we will manage through this.  We have always found a way and we still have a responsibility to serve the many people who are suffering during this pandemic.” Find more information for staff about COVID-19 on the OWL. Find more information for clients and the public about COVID-19 on the DHS website. Follow DHS on Twitter @OregonDHS. Download full script by clicking here.    

Our Department has five program divisions supporting our vision for safety, health and independence for all Oregonians. Each program has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic differently to meet the unique needs of the people each program serves. This episode puts the spotlight on Self-Sufficiency Programs (SSP). SSP provides a safety net, family stability and a connection to careers that guide Oregonians out of poverty. With many losing work during the pandemic, there has been a swift and sharp increase in the demand for SSP services. The program has taken many steps to temporarily ease eligibility requirements for its services so more people can participate, to increase benefits and to expand options for applying for benefits.  DHS Director Fariborz Pakseresht talks with SSP Director Dan Haun about how SSP staff, customers and providers are coping. “Self-Sufficiency Programs have a significant role in Oregon’s response to this pandemic. The safety net services it providers are a critical bridge for helping people through the pandemic,” Director Pakseresht said. Find more information for staff about COVID-19 on the OWL. Find more information for clients and the public about COVID-19 on the DHS website. Follow DHS on Twitter @OregonDHS. Download full script by clicking here.

We have five program divisions that support Oregonians and when the Governor put physical distancing requirements in place, all quickly reacted. Each program found its own way to balance our responsibility to maintain services for the public and staff safety. Each week we’ll be spotlighting a different program’s response to COVID-19. First up is Vocational Rehabilitation (VR). VR helps people with disabilities find and keep jobs that match their skills, interests and abilities. The program turns 100 this year and VR Director Keith Ozols said innovation is one reason behind the program’s longevity. It’s also why VR was able to swiftly adapt to the coronavirus public health crisis and transition its work into the virtual environment. These days, VR is focused on preparing its clients for the economy to reopen and has become a “voice of hope” to Oregonians with disabilities.   Ozols and DHS Director Fariborz Pakseresht discuss the successes and challenges VR is discovering in the COVID-19 environment.  Find more information for staff about COVID-19 on the OWL. Find more information for clients and the public about COVID-19 on the DHS website. Follow DHS on Twitter @OregonDHS. Download full script by clicking here.

When you make the leap to be an entrepreneur or full-time professional in the bright lights you want to put your best foot forward. Your brand becomes your everything and the natural tendency is to look at what someone else is doing instead of developing it from the best place. Do you know where to start? Do you feel clear on the deeper parts of yourself and the business?In this episode, visionary Julia Brunton will offer a brief framework of how you can reach back and define your position in life to help develop a brand from the inside out. Julia believes in systematic approaches and has helped many professional sports stars, Hollywood celebrities, chefs, and others step back to forwards and get clear on values and ethics to build the right brand.Understand that power comes from having knowledge.If we didn't have all the knowledge, we had to go and seek the knowledge, and one of the days we have so much difficulty. However, there's too much knowledge and therefore you also have to be very mindful of where you're taking your knowledge from. When you're nurturing and growing yourself, you know, wellness and success strategies, if they come in from a positive place, you pretty much can't go wrong a lot of the time. We just have more knowledge and more fancy computers and ways to share it right now Also, we need to get back to grassroots a bit and get back to some of the basics.Use your emotions wisely and control them.Our emotions can lead up lives, so we need to learn how to receive them, process them, and let them go so that we can stay centered and not react. Worrying doesn't take away tomorrow's problem. It just takes away today's piece. And, this is where it's so important and where now more than ever, this is where we need to tap into all the, what we call lifestyle skills, which are important to learn in life.Serving clients the best way that could possibly be.When we give the best to our clients, it requires the inner work just as much as the outer work. There was an actor, he's now passed now called Bob Hoskins, and was British telecommunication, one of the main telecommunications providers in England. The slogan was, “it's good to talk”Outline of This Episode[04:29] Julia’s background[07:29] What inspired her on this career journey[10:20] What to do when get stuck or fall off and that's okay. [11:40] Why some people are blessed from a very early age to have a lot more clarity[12:39] How to step back to take a step forward again[14:34] How we have our own unique DNA, and we're not supposed to be the same[17:27] Knowledge is power[19:38] How we should put the audience first[21:48] Having the mindset of “let's go out and fight”[23:49] The correct marketing and positioning [27:19] The process of discovery or download[29:48] Tips to have good mannerism in business[34:28] Cultivating a habit of gratefulnessResources Mentioned:Joel Osteen - https://www.joelosteen.com/Pages/Home.aspxLearn more about Julia Brunton here:https://www.juliabrunton.com/https://instagram.com/juliabruntonofficialEmail: team@juliabrunton.comToday's Sponsor!HiDar Tools - https://instagram.com/hidartoolsFollow:Twitter - https://twitter.com/TransformULiveFacebook - https://facebook.com/TransformULiveInstagram - https://instagram.com/transformunetworkNetwork Blog - https://transformubroadcast.com/blogStation Blog - https://transformu.us/blog

When you make the leap to be an entrepreneur or full-time professional in the bright lights you want to put your best foot forward. Your brand becomes your everything and the natural tendency is to look at what someone else is doing instead of developing it from the best place. Do you know where to start? Do you feel clear on the deeper parts of yourself and the business?In this episode, visionary Julia Brunton will offer a brief framework of how you can reach back and define your position in life to help develop a brand from the inside out. Julia believes in systematic approaches and has helped many professional sports stars, Hollywood celebrities, chefs, and others step back to forwards and get clear on values and ethics to build the right brand.Understand that power comes from having knowledge.If we didn't have all the knowledge, we had to go and seek the knowledge, and one of the days we have so much difficulty. However, there's too much knowledge and therefore you also have to be very mindful of where you're taking your knowledge from. When you're nurturing and growing yourself, you know, wellness and success strategies, if they come in from a positive place, you pretty much can't go wrong a lot of the time. We just have more knowledge and more fancy computers and ways to share it right now Also, we need to get back to grassroots a bit and get back to some of the basics.Use your emotions wisely and control them.Our emotions can lead up lives, so we need to learn how to receive them, process them, and let them go so that we can stay centered and not react. Worrying doesn't take away tomorrow's problem. It just takes away today's piece. And, this is where it's so important and where now more than ever, this is where we need to tap into all the, what we call lifestyle skills, which are important to learn in life.Serving clients the best way that could possibly be.When we give the best to our clients, it requires the inner work just as much as the outer work. There was an actor, he's now passed now called Bob Hoskins, and was British telecommunication, one of the main telecommunications providers in England. The slogan was, “it's good to talk”Outline of This Episode[04:29] Julia’s background[07:29] What inspired her on this career journey[10:20] What to do when get stuck or fall off and that's okay. [11:40] Why some people are blessed from a very early age to have a lot more clarity[12:39] How to step back to take a step forward again[14:34] How we have our own unique DNA, and we're not supposed to be the same[17:27] Knowledge is power[19:38] How we should put the audience first[21:48] Having the mindset of “let's go out and fight”[23:49] The correct marketing and positioning [27:19] The process of discovery or download[29:48] Tips to have good mannerism in business[34:28] Cultivating a habit of gratefulnessResources Mentioned:Joel Osteen - https://www.joelosteen.com/Pages/Home.aspxLearn more about Julia Brunton here:https://www.juliabrunton.com/https://instagram.com/juliabruntonofficialEmail: team@juliabrunton.comToday's Sponsor!HiDar Tools - https://instagram.com/hidartoolsFollow:Twitter - https://twitter.com/TransformULiveFacebook - https://facebook.com/TransformULiveInstagram - https://instagram.com/transformunetworkNetwork Blog - https://transformubroadcast.com/blogStation Blog - https://transformu.us/blog

There is only one way for us to get through the COVID-19 pandemic and that is together. A growing number of Oregonians are turning to us for help and our determined workforce has found creative ways to meet the demand. We must take care of each other so we can continue serving Oregonians. Our labor unions are critical partners in helping our leadership team understand what employees need to do their best work with Oregonians in these unusual circumstances. SEIU 200 Secretary and Steward Sara Ashmore joined Director Fariborz Pakseresht for a discussion on how DHS leadership and SEIU have strengthened their collaboration to support employees, rapidly solve problems and identify opportunities for positive change during this public health crisis. Find more information for staff about COVID-19 on the OWL. Find more information for clients and the public about COVID-19 on the DHS website. Follow DHS on Twitter @OregonDHS. Download full script by clicking here.

  This week the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) launched a new initiative called Trauma Aware. DHS is the first state agency in Oregon to adopt a trauma-informed organizational policy and launch a Department-wide effort to promote healing and resiliency among its workforce and the people it serves. Director Fariborz Pakseresht and Chief Administrative Officer Don Erickson, the sponsor of the initiative, said rolling out the Trauma Aware program now is a way to bring more supports and resources to staff coping with the COVID-19 pandemic. They discuss what it means to be a trauma-informed organization and how we will become one. “Regardless of what part of this organization you work with, you see a lot of trauma. We have a responsibility as an organization to help those people with the trauma they experience but as an employee, when you deal with these things, you take some of that on and begin to experience trauma yourself. Our ultimate goal with this effort to be a trauma-informed organization is to create an environment where we can minimize the trauma for staff and deal with it in a way that we can create an environment of wellbeing for anyone who works for DHS or receives services from DHS,” said Director Pakseresht. Learn more about our Trauma Aware initiative on the OWL. Find more information for staff about COVID-19 on the OWL. Find more information for clients and the public about COVID-19 on the DHS website. Follow DHS on Twitter @OregonDHS. Download full script by clicking here.  

The Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) is operating very differently than it was just a few weeks ago. Some programs are operating virtually. Others are encouraging client communication by phone or online, and limiting in-person appointments so they can practice good physical distancing. Much of our workforce quickly converted to telework. We’re doing things we’ve never done before and we’re all learning how to navigate our way through this health crisis together. Director Fariborz Pakseresht and Deputy Director Liesl Wendt share stories from staff who are teleworking, many for the first time. “We want everyone to express their frustrations and their gratitude because we need to know all that so that we can take the right steps to meet their needs. We're all trying the best that we can. We're all in this together and we'll work through this together.  We'll get it done,” Director Pakseresht said. Find more information for staff on the OWL. Find more information for clients and the public on the DHS website. Follow DHS on Twitter @OregonDHS. Download full script by clicking here.

On March 23, 2020, Gov. Kate Brown issued an executive order called Stay Home, Save Lives to strengthen physical distancing requirements to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The order does not apply to much of our workforce because our Department is one that must stay open to provide the critical services Oregonians depend on during crisis. Director Fariborz Pakseresht and Deputy Director Liesl Wendt share what the order means for our Department and its staff. “If we had an earthquake or a major flood instead of a pandemic, the services we would offer would be the same. Not only because we are required to do them, but because people need those things to stay safe and cover the basic necessities of life while we get past the challenge,” Director Pakseresht said. Find more information for staff on the OWL. Find more information for clients and the public on the DHS website. Follow DHS on Twitter @OregonDHS. Download full script by clicking here.

"Truck Driver Appreciation Week: Featuring Roadrunner Freight & TeamOne Logistics" Supply Chain Now Radio, Episode 158 Hosted by Vector Global Logistics Learn more: www.vectorgl.com Episode 158 of Supply Chain Now Radio features Frank Hurst and Page Siplon. Frank Hurst has served as President of Roadrunner Freight since June 2017, and prior to this position was SVP-Sales and Marketing from January 2017 to June 2017. Previously, Mr. Hurst spent 3 years as VP/GM for North American Corporation, a distributor of packaging products, equipment and service based in Glenview, IL. From August 2012 to December 2013, he was Executive Vice President for Vitran Express, where he was responsible for the turnaround, sale, and transition of the US LTL operation. Mr. Hurst spent 16 years at FedEx Freight, where he was VP- Divisional Operations from July of 2007 to August of 2012. A graduate of the University of Arkansas with a degree in Transportation/Logistics, he holds a Certification in Transportation and Logistics (CTL) from the American Society of Transportation and Logistics. Page Siplon serves as CEO at TeamOne Logistics. He is a seasoned and active industry participant, recognized by DC Velocity Magazine as a “2012 Logistics Rainmaker” which annually identifies the top-ten logistics professionals in the Nation; and named a “Pro to Know” by Supply & Demand Executive Magazine in 2014. Page was selected by Georgia Trend Magazine as one of the “Top 100 Most Influential Georgians” for 2013, 2014 and 2015. He also serves various industry leadership roles at both the State and Federal level. Currently, Page serves on the board of directors for the Transportation Club of Atlanta, CSCMP’s Atlanta Round-table, and co-chairs the Metro Atlanta Chamber’s Supply Chain Leadership Council. Page honorably served a combined 12 years in the United States Marine Corps and United States Air Force. Originally from New York, Page received both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering with a focus on digital signal processing from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He also earned an associate’s degree in advanced electronic systems from the Air Force College, and completed multiple military leadership academies. Learn more about TeamOne Logistics: www.teamonelogistics.com Upcoming Events & Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Help with Hurricane Dorian Relief: https://www.alanaid.org/ Connect with Frank on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-hurst-5685712/ Learn more about Roadrunner Freight: https://freight.rrts.com/Pages/Home.aspx Connect with Page on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pagesiplon/ Learn more about TeamOne Logistics: http://www.teamonelogistics.com/ Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gswhite/ Connect with Scott on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottwindonluton/ 2019 AIAG/SCAC Supply Chain & Quality Conference: https://myscma.com/scac-events/2019-supply-chain-quality/ Georgia Manufacturing Summit on October 9th: https://www.georgiamanufacturingalliance.com/annual-summit eft Logistics CIO Forum in Austin, TX: https://tinyurl.com/y5po7tvw Reverse Logistics Association Conference & Expo: https://rla.org/calendar/1 SCNR to Broadcast Live at MODEX 2020: https://www.modexshow.com/ SCNR on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/scnr-youtube Check Out News From Our Sponsors: The Effective Syndicate: https://www.theeffectivesyndicate.com/blog APICS Atlanta: https://apicsatlanta.org TalentStream: https://talentstreamstaffing.com/ Verusen: https://www.verusen.com/ Georgia Manufacturing Alliance: https://www.georgiamanufacturingalliance.com/ ProPurchaser.com: https://tinyurl.com/y6l2kh7g Supply Chain Real Estate: https://supplychainrealestate.com/ Vector Global Logistics: http://vectorgl.com/ This episode was hosted by Greg White and Scott Luton. For more information, please visit our dedicated show page at: www.supplychainnowradio.com/episode-158.

Howard Brown was first diagnosed with cancer - Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma - at the age of 24. When he turned 50, a routine colonoscopy revealed stage 3 colon cancer. During our conversation we discussed: The numerous treatments, including HIPEC, and clinical trials he's been through. His experience as an an attendee of the 2019 American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) conference. How his twin sister saved his life from stage 4 Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. The possible link between childhood and young adult cancers to adult cancers. His experience being treated with Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) What his cancer experience has taught him about himself. How exercise has helped him physically and emotionally. His thoughts, and mine, on healthy eating. Links Mentioned In the Show Stacy Hurt - https://stacyhurt.net/ AACR - https://www.aacr.org/Pages/Home.aspx Gentle Yoga With Jean DiCarlo Wagner - https://Wehavecancershow.com/019 Colontown - https://colontown.org/colontown-intake-form/ Belong.Life App - https://belong.life/ WE Have Cancer Links Subscribe to the show - https://pod.link/wehavecancer Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media Like our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/wehavecancershow/ Join our private Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/wehavecancershow/ Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/wehavecancerpod Follow us on Instagram - https://instagram.com/wehavecancerpod Follow us on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/wehavecancer Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story? Nominate a guest to appear on the podcast - https://wehavecancershow.com/guest Email Lee Lee@wehavecancershow.com

It's a 50/50 shot if this episode will help the leadership in Matthews take a look at how they're preserving town history or if it will cause the few businesses we're working with in that area to back out of their contracts with us due to offense...here's hoping for the former. This week we visit Matthews' beer-muda triangle while trying to determine the likelihood of a town-wide secret society. We'll learn what it means to be a 'bee city', brewery culture doesn't equate to blaring AC/DC into the late night hours, and what's in store of our local soccer team. What we will NOT learn this week is how many seats exist in the Sportsplex, the mechanics behind throwing shade, and how something can be considered a bank robbery if nothing was ever taken. Oh, and if you're a loyal listener, the time has come to make yourself known! Check us out on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy_Edd8RDVyEIIwpwJBE9bQ/ Seaboard Brewing https://www.seaboardbrewing.com/ Temple Mojo https://www.templemojo.com Matthews, NC https://www.matthewsnc.gov Matthews Historical Foundation http://www.matthewshistoricalfoundation.org Matthews Heritage Museum http://www.matthewsheritagemuseum.org Matthews Sportsplex https://www.mecknc.gov/ParkandRec/Facilities/sportsplex/Pages/Home.aspx Charlotte Independence https://www.charlotteindependence.com VanGo Creative https://vangocreative.com/ Don't forget to subscribe!!

The US Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron, better known as the Blue Angels ( https://www.blueangels.navy.mil/ ) , has amazed audiences with incredible aerial performances since their debut in 1946 flying the propeller-driven F6F Hellcat. In the 73 years since, the team transitioned to the Bearcat and then jets including the Panther, Cougar, Tiger, Phantom II and Skyhawk. For the last 33 years the team has operated the Hornet. With each new aircraft comes several changes—seen and unseen—not just to their routine but how contingencies are handled. On this episode, U.S. Navy ( https://www.navy.mil/ ) Captain Ryan “Little Guido” Bernacchi joins us to discuss the ongoing efforts to transition the team to their future aircraft: the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet ( http://www.boeing.com/defense/fa-18-super-hornet/? ). As the Blue Angels commanding officer during the 2016 and 2017 show seasons, Little Guido is uniquely suited to lead the effort that involves numerous Naval Aviation Enterprise ( https://www.public.navy.mil/airfor/nae/Pages/Home.aspx ) stakeholders and hundreds of simulator hours to prepare the maneuvers and in-flight contingency plans. With an appreciation of the immense behind-the-scenes efforts required, you may never again watch a Blue Angels performance in quite the same way. Due to the longer interview, no listener questions were addressed on this episode. Bonus segments of cohost Sunshine’s interview with Little Guido are available on our Patreon page ( https://www.patreon.com/ftrpltpdcst ). Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell ( https://www.clintbellproductions.com/ ). Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Mladen Vukmir and Julia Talke are the leaders of the INTA Brands & Innovation Committee. Mladen, who leads the IP law firm Vukmir & Associates in Croatia, and Julia, global counsel for trademarks and branding at Lumileds in Germany, tell us more about their own vision of innovation as IP experts, and about this INTA Committee, one of the pillars of the Association Strategic Plan, while detailing its main objectives and actions.Every two weeks, on Tuesday, Brand & New gives the floor to inspiring individuals, with a 360-degree vision, to help brand owners, intellectual property lawyers, and marketing and finance professionals (and beyond!) stay curious and agile in an ever-evolving business environment.Brand & New is a production of the International Trademark AssociationHosted by Audrey DauvetContribution of M. Halle & S. Lagedamond - Music by JD BeatsFOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT https://www.inta.org/Pages/Home.aspx To go further: About Mladen Vukmir and Julia Talkewww.linkedin.com/in/mladenvukmir/https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-talke/ Also of Interest http://www.inta.org/Committees/Pages/BrandsandInnovation.aspxhttps://learning.inta.org/products/2018-brands-and-innovation-conference-full-meetinghttps://www.inta.org/Programs/Pages/2019Paris_Overview.aspxhttps://www.inta.org/Programs/Pages/2019NewYork_Overview.aspx

Maximiliano Santa Cruz, an IP and technology consultant based in Santiago, Chile who until recently was the General Director of the National Institute of Industrial Property of Chile, discusses with us the challenges and opportunities raised by innovation from the perspective of an IP office. He also shares his vision of the potential evolution of the mission of IP offices in relation to trademark protection in the future. Every two weeks, on Tuesday, Brand & New gives the floor to inspiring individuals, with a 360-degree vision, to help brand owners, intellectual property lawyers, and marketing and finance professionals (and beyond!) stay curious and agile in an ever-evolving business environment.Brand & New is a production of the International Trademark AssociationHosted by Audrey DauvetContribution of M. Halle & S. Lagedamond - Music by JD BeatsFOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT https://www.inta.org/Pages/Home.aspx To go further:About Maximiliano Santa Cruzhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/maximiliano-santa-cruz-pi/?locale=en_USAlso of interesthttps://www.inapi.clhttps://www.wipo.int/wipo_magazine/en/2017/05/article_0001.htmlhttps://www.wipo.int/edocs/mdocs/globalinfra/en/wipo_ip_itai_ge_18/wipo_ip_itai_ge_18_5.pdf

PROJECT RECLAMATION Episode 46: Rudy In this episode we discuss the topic of Rudy, aka Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger.  We dive into the story and the motivation surrounding the movie and the real story of Rudy and what we can take from it. Friends https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends Red Bull https://www.redbull.com/us-en/ Monster https://www.monsterenergy.com/ Goonies https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Goonies Shawn Astin https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sean_Astin LOTR https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lord_of_the_Rings 50 First Dates https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/50_First_Dates Daniel Eugene Ruettiger https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudy_Ruettiger Charles S. Dutton https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_S._Dutton Joe Rogan https://www.joerogan.com/ David Goggins https://davidgoggins.com/ Da Bears https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBnnon_iZOM Joe Montana https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Montana John Favreau https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Favreau Vince Vaughn https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vince_Vaughn Ned Beatty https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ned_Beatty Swingers https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swingers_(1996_film) Illuminati https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illuminati Tommy Boy Sales Training https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_vQFFCscds Chris Farley https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Farley Joel Osteen https://www.joelosteen.com/Pages/Home.aspx Holy Cross Junior College https://www.hcc-nd.edu/ Project Reclamation Links Website: http://projectxreclamation.com Email: projectxreclamation@gmail.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Project-Reclamation-395831667534101/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCihrXohOFuDTZh1BM_HwiJw Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/projectxreclamation/?hl=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/ProjectReclama2 Jax the dog:  https://www.facebook.com/jax.frickmovicz.9 Page the dog:  https://www.facebook.com/page.frickmovicz.3 Tim's Links YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHCxAUPtoaoagQKW7lOdZSg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tim.frick.92 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/t_k_ultra/?hl=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheTimFrick  

Loraine Ballard Morrill speaks with American Association for Cancer Research Executive Director Mitch Stoller and Philadelphia Marathon Executive Director Leo Dignam about the upcoming AACR Philadelphia Marathon and a NBC 10 AACR/Philadelphia Marathon Telethon on November 8th.https://philadelphiamarathon.com/https://www.aacr.org/Pages/Home.aspx Did you know Alzheimer's Disease kills more Americans than Breast cancer and prostate cancer combined? Loraine speaks with Kelly Boyle director of the Walk to End Alzheimer's.http://act.alz.org/site/TR?fr_id=11688&pg=entry But first we catch up with former Mayor Michael Nutter who is a spokesperson for Clover Health who is raising awareness about Medicare Advantage options.https://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans/types-of-medicare-health-plans/medicare-advantage-planshttps://www.cloverhealth.com/en/

Loraine Ballard Morrill speaks with American Association for Cancer Research Executive Director Mitch Stoller and Philadelphia Marathon Executive Director Leo Dignam about the upcoming AACR Philadelphia Marathon and a NBC 10 AACR/Philadelphia Marathon Telethon on November 8th.https://philadelphiamarathon.com/https://www.aacr.org/Pages/Home.aspx

In which I swear up a storm, discuss decontamination technology, and Logan Marshall-Green. Footnotes List of swears in Prometheus: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1446714/parentalguide?ref_=tt_ql_stry_5#advisory-profanity List of R rated films in Australia: https://www.imdb.com/search/title?certificates=AU:R Australian Classification Board: http://www.classification.gov.au/Pages/Home.aspx

Our guest: Chancery Court Judge Haydn Roberts explains child custody factors - Albright Factors.https://www.rankincounty.org/department/index.php?structureid=39More information: The Better Chancery Practive Blog: Judge Larry Primeaux's Blog about Practive in Mississippi's Chancery Courts https://betterchancery.com/2010/07/19/trial-by-checklist-child-custody-factors/A caller also asked about the Mississippi Commission for Judicial Performance http://www.judicialperformance.ms.gov/Pages/Home.aspx See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This episode is devoted to the power that meditation can hold in helping us to better understand ourselves. My guest, Dr. Mani Sarathy, the Associate Director of the Clean Combustion Research Center at King Abdullah University of Science of Technology, shares his meditative journey with us and how it has helped to transform his life over the past 15 years. We dive into the nuts and bolts of what mediation means and specific strategies that we can all apply in our lives if we devote ourselves to this cause. Mani shares his backstory and the experiences that guided his formative years while growing up, in particular his self identity which was shaped by both Canadian and Indian cultural values. Mani has great insight and wisdom when it comes to meditation. Whether you are a total beginner or seasoned veteran at meditation, you are sure to glean some insight that can apply to both your personal and professional self. Mani’s Bio Mani Sarathy is an Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology of Science and Technology (KAUST) in the Clean Combustion Research Center (CCRC). Mani was previously a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Combustion Chemistry group at the US Department of Energy Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. During that time he held a prestigious fellowship from NSERC of Canada. Mani received his PhD and MASc degrees in Environmental and Chemical Engineering at the University of Toronto and his BASc in Environmental Engineering Chemical Specialization from the University of Waterloo. In 2015, Mani Sarathy was named a Thomson Reuters Highly Cited Researcher. Mani’s research interest is in developing sustainable energy technologies with decreased net environmental impact. A major thrust of research is simulating the combustion chemistry of transportation fuels. The goal of Mani’s research is study conventional and alternative fuels (e.g., biofuels, synthetic fuels, etc.), so the environmental impact of combustion systems can be reduced. Connect With Mani Website: https://ccrc.kaust.edu.sa/Pages/Home.aspx Themes Discussed: Vipassana Meditation, Presence, Self-Awareness, Reflection, Observation, Breath Control, Silent Retreats, Personal Excellence, Regret

Chris Connaker, of ComputerAudiophile.com, joins us to talk about the most interesting audio hardware he saw – and heard – at this year’s Munich High End Audio Show. This week’s guest: Chris Connaker, of the Computer Audiophile website Show notes: High End Munich Focal Grand Utopia EM speakers Focal Utopia headphones McIntosh Constellation Audio Leo Devialet Phantom speaker Marten Coltrane 3 Elac Adante speakers DCS Vivaldi DAC Innuos music servers Audeze LCDi4 in-ear earphone Our next tracks: Kirk: Penguin Café: The Imperfect Sea Doug: Jimmy Smith: Root Down If you like the show, please subscribe in iTunes or your favorite podcast app, and please rate the podcast. Special Guest: Chris Connaker.

Should you buy a miter saw or circular saw?   If you’re on a budget you might only have money for one saw.   Here’s my suggestion, if you’re making miter cuts for crown molding opt of a miter saw.   Straight cuts can be done by circular saws, so if you’re doing mostly straight cuts for framing or furniture you should think about getting a circular saw.   Keep in mind that you can also cut down large sheet goods using a Kreg Rip-Cut tool attached to your circular saw. We have a tutorial on this over on Home Repair Tutor    http://www.homerepairtutor.com/cutting-plywood-and-breaking-down-sheet-goods/   Check out the Skil Warm Drive saw, this is the circular many people swear by   https://www.skiltools.com/Pages/Home.aspx   What kind of miter saw should you think about buying?   I personally like DeWalt   http://www.dewalt.com/tools.aspx         Don’t forget…you can join our free Home Repair Tutor Facebook Group if you’re a do-it-yourselfer   https://www.facebook.com/groups/hrtcommunity/         HELP US SPREAD THE WORD!   If you liked today’s show please subscribe in iTunes and write us a review! This is what helps us stand out from all the fluff out there.   Ways to Subscribe to Home Repair Tutor   Click here to subscribe via iTunes You can also subscribe via Stitcher      STAY IN TOUCH   Sign up to the Home Repair Tutor newsletter by texting Homerepair to 33444.    You’ll get advice, tips, and learn about all our tool giveaways via the newsletter.  Don’t miss out.     HELP WITH YOUR BATHROOM   Are you a new homeowner?   Does your bathroom make you feel embarrassed, disgusted, or frustrated?   Check out Bathroom Repair Tutor   Our memberships are limited to 100 people on a monthly basis. You get access to the video tutorial library and our great private Facebook group where you can post questions and get answers.     Videos are beginner friendly and come with a printable supply list so you don’t miss anything at the store. 

In GBA 176 we get better acquainted with Eithne. She talks about movement between cultures, both her own global travel experiences and the experiences and issues facing groups of migrants within London . She also talks about working on equality and diversity within museums, telling her own stories in memoir and on stage and introduces me to the concept of Intangible Heritage. Content note: Some complex or upsetting issues are touched on briefly at times during this conversation: e.g FGM, abortion, bereavement, racism Eithne plugs: Her website: http://www.ethnienightingale.com Her Spark London story The Milkman's Round: http://www.mixcloud.com/sparklondon/the-milkmans-round-eithne-nightingale/ If any agents are interested in representing her memoir get in touch! We mention: Spark London: http://wwwsparklondon.com/ V and A: http://www.vam.ac.uk/ Museum of Childhood: http://www.museumofchildhood.org.uk/ Heritage Lottery Fund: http://www.hlf.org.uk/Pages/Home.aspx Nyerere: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julius_Nyerere Hutons: http://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/beijing/hutong/ Al Jazeera http://www.aljazeera.com/ Equality and Social Justice: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Museums-Equality-Social-Justice-Meanings/dp/0415504694 Dad Episodes: https://soundcloud.com/gettingbetteracquainted/sets/the-dad-episodes Unesco Convention on Intangible Heritage: http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/en/convention Simone de Beauvoir: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simone_de_Beauvoir http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Paul_Sartre You can hear Getting Better Acquainted on Stitcher SmartRadio, Stitcher allows you to listen to your favourite shows directly from your iPhone, Android Phone, Kindle Fire and beyond. On-demand and on the go! Don’t have Stitcher? Download it for free today at www.stitcher.com or in the app stores. Help more people get better acquainted. If you like what you hear why not write an iTunes review? Follow @GBApodcast on Twitter. Like Getting Better Acquainted on facebook. Tell your friends. Spread the word!

We are what we eat, so let’s make sure our kids are eating well. Airing this Sunday, “Connecting Kids with Food” features Dr. Michael Dedekian of the The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center and Dr. Kevin Strong, CEO and founder of Dunk The Junk. We hope you’ll join us at 7am + noon. https://www.themainemag.com/radio/2013/03/connecting-kids-with-food-77/

The Newsletter for the City of Ann Arbor, Mich. • September 2012  • Volume 6 • Number 9A2 Open City Hall debutsAnn Arbor residents have a new way to share feedback with city staff and Council members with the debut of A2 Open City Hall. This new online forum will feature questions about specific projects and initiatives on a regular basis, inviting the public to give input from the convenience of their keyboards. The first topic on A2 Open City Hall is already underway and focuses on changes residents would like to see along the South State Street Corridor. Additional topics will be launched this fall.Fire restructure proposal meetings In March, Fire Chief Chuck Hubbard presented a fire department restructuring proposal to City Council, which would position the department to operate out of three fire stations. One station would be located on the north side of the city (Station 5), one on the south side of the city (Station 2) and one in downtown Ann Arbor (Station 1). However, before this proposal is considered further, community meetings have been scheduled in each of the city's five wards to give citizens the opportunity to hear more about the fire restructure proposal and ask specific questions pertaining to fire suppression coverage. Please consider attending one of these forums.Tuesday, Sept. 18, 6–8 p.m., Cobblestone Farm, 2781 Packard Road.Wednesday, Sept. 19, 6–8 p.m., Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave.   Thursday, Sept. 20, 6–8 p.m., Ann Arbor District Library Downtown Branch, 343 S. Fifth Ave., conference room A.    Tuesday, Sept. 25, 6–8 p.m. Ann Arbor District Library Traverwood Branch, 3333 Traverwood Drive, program room.Wednesday, Sept. 26, 6–8 p.m., Community Television Network, 2805 S. Industrial, Suite 200. This meeting will be taped and later replayed on CTN Channel 19 and available online to view on demand. More information about the fire restructure proposal is available on the city website. Be street savvyThe streets of Ann Arbor are again bustling with vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians as schools are back in session, and summer vacations have come to a close. Check out the rules-of-the-road reminders and resources on the city's “walk bike drive” Web page to help ensure safe travels for all, including: For those on foot, cross at marked crosswalks, and make sure to give motorists enough time to see you and stop.For bicyclists, ride on the road when possible — and obey the traffic signals. Use bike lanes when available.For motorists, be extra alert at crosswalks, and stop when pedestrians are present to cross. Drivers should also safely give bicyclists room on the road, ideally 3–4 feet of space.Fall/Winter registration now openRegistration for Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation fall/winter classes is now open. Find the new, 56-page, color guide at Larcom City Hall, local library branches, Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation Customer Service Center (at Cobblestone Farm, 2781 Packard Road) and all parks and recreation facilities. It's also posted on the parks website as a PDF that you can view or download. Classes include indoor swim lessons at Mack Pool, instructional skating, beginning hockey skills, yoga, cultural arts programs at the senior center and much more. The guide also features events at the canoe liveries and Leslie Science & Nature Center. Sign up is easy and convenient. Register in person, or use the online registration system.Solid waste plan updateThe City of Ann Arbor five-year Solid Waste Management Plan updating process is underway.  An advisory committee representing Ann Arbor residents, businesses, agencies and the University of Michigan has been working with staff, City Council, and city environmental commissioners over the last year to update the plan. Opportunities for residents to participate are now being offered as well.Take the solid waste planning survey online or use the printed version in the WasteWatcher newsletter (with a prepaid return mailer) that is delivered to all city residential addresses in September. All residential survey participants have the option to include their address to be eligible for three random drawings for a $50 gift certificate to a local restaurant or grocery store of your choice, or a $50 certificate for an Argo Livery canoe rental or from iTunes. Just respond by Friday, Oct. 5, 2012, to be included in the survey summary and prize drawings.After the survey is closed and tabulated, Solid Waste Management Plan updating process public forums and hearings will be held. The meetings will provide opportunities for small-group discussion about city solid waste program and policy areas, such as easier disposal options for specific materials, expanded recycling, waste-reduction strategies, composting expansion and Drop-off Station operations. Thursday, Oct. 18, 6:30–8:30 p.m. Ann Arbor District Library Traverwood Branch, 3333 Traverwood Drive.Tuesday, Oct. 30, 6:30–8:30 p.m. Community Television Network studio, 2805 S. Industrial. (The draft  Solid Waste Management Plan presentation and discussion group summaries will be taped for replay.)Public hearings will be held at Environmental Commission and City Council meetings, tentatively in December. Please visit the Solid Waste Management Plan Five-year Update Web page for project updates.CTN hours changeBeginning Sept. 1, Community Television Network will have new facility hours for the public and education channels. The new hours are:Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 11 a.m.–9 p.m.Wednesday: 4–9 p.m.CTN is located at 2805 S. Industrial Highway, suite 200, in Ann Arbor. Go online for more information. CERT Program registrationThe Ann Arbor Police Department Office of Emergency Management in conjunction with the Washtenaw County Emergency Management Division is accepting applications for the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training program. The application can be found online, or call Crime Prevention Specialist Adele El-Ayoubi, ICPS, with the Ann Arbor Police Department at 734.794.6933. A background investigation will be conducted on all applicants. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14. The training will be held every Tuesday from Sept. 25 to Nov. 6, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Coursework is a combination of classroom sessions and hands-on training in scene assessment, fire safety, emergency medical response, team organization, disaster medical operations and light search and rescue. Attendance at all classes is required for certificate completion.The CERT program educates residents about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact Washtenaw County and trains participants in basic disaster response skills. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist neighbors or fellow employees following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.A2 passes 2,000 mark with latest LED streetlightsAnn Arbor was one of the first cities in the world to convert conventional streetlights to light emitting diodes (LEDs) in an effort to contain costs, save energy and support Mayor Hieftje's Energy Challengeto reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the community. Since it began in 2007/2008, cities from across the country and the world are now moving to LEDs. Ann Arbor's latest batch of LEDs, funded through the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program, will go up at the Broadway Bridge, nearly completing the conversion of the over 2,000 city-owned streetlights. The Lumecon brand “Ring of Fire” LED series replicates the decorative acorn style of the lights now seen along Broadway Bridge. Detroit Edison owns and operates another 5,000-plus streetlights in Ann Arbor, and is beginning to pilot more LEDs, especially as they look to replace mercury-vapor streetlights that will no longer be manufactured.LED streetlights in the downtown, arterial streets and in neighborhoods use on average about half of the electricity of conventional lights and are reducing around 700,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year — or the equivalent annual electricity usage of 60 households. Two-thirds or more of the cost savings in converting city-owned lights to LEDs is in the deferred cost of not having to maintain the fixture (work hours to replace the light and components like ballasts and igniters). LEDs manufactured today are expected to last 10 times longer, if not more, than their metal halide, sodium and mercury-based predecessors. The long life of LEDs frees up city labor hours or the need to hire outside support to operate, maintain and replace fixtures. LEDs also contain zero mercury. Each LED fixture saves around $90 per year in energy and avoided maintenance, and, with over 2,000 lights, that is over $180,000 per year in potential costs. Previous grant support from the Downtown Development Authority for the nearly 1,000 downtown decorative globe lights, and federal grants for much of the remaining LED streetlights, have made this innovative energy solution a reality.Ann Arbor assists USDOT in vehicle crash-avoidance pilotAccording to the U.S. Department of Transportation, nearly 3,000 cars, trucks and buses equipped with “connected” Wi-Fi technology will enable vehicles and infrastructure throughout Ann Arbor to “talk” to each other, in real time. This initiative kicked off last month as part of a year-long safety pilot project by the USDOT. This innovative technology is designed to help avoid crashes and improve traffic flow.U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood recently joined elected officials and industry and community leaders on the University of Michigan campus to launch the second phase of the safety pilot, the largest road test to date of connected vehicle crash-avoidance technology. This study was also made possible with the assistance of City of Ann Arbor information technology and signs and signals staff who assisted USDOT and U-M's Transportation Research Institute with this first-of-its-kind test of connected vehicle technology in the real world. The test cars, trucks and buses, most of which have been supplied by volunteer participants, are equipped with vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication devices that will gather extensive data about system operability and its effectiveness at reducing crashes. Read more about the project on the USDOT website. WATS public meetingThe Washtenaw Area Transportation Study (WATS) is hosting public meetings to discuss the 2040 Long-range Plan for Washtenaw County. On Wednesday, Sept. 12, 4–6 p.m., WATS will discuss the community values survey results and present draft goals and objectives for the plan. The meeting will take place at Larcom City Hall, 301 E. Huron St., in the Council chambers on the second floor. Visit the WATS website for more information on this initiative. Connecting William StreetJoin the Connecting William Street conversation. The Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority is seeking input to shape the future of five city-owned sites downtown: the Library Lane lot, the Fifth and William lot, the ground floor of the Fourth and William Parking Structure, the Main and William lot, and the Ashley and William lot. Community survey feedback and a market analysis have been used to begin crafting strategies for transforming these five parking areas into uses that will better serve the community. Now, your help is needed to shape a more specific plan. Please join the community conversation, and provide input to help frame development strategies for these sites.To participate via an online venue, please pre register for a webinar taking place Wednesday, Sept. 5, 7–8 p.m.  Space is limited, but more dates will be added as the meeting fills. To participate in person, a public meeting is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 10, noon–1:30 p.m. at the Ann Arbor District Library Downtown Branch multipurpose room, 343 S. Fifth Ave.  Please pre register for this meeting.  At these events, the DDA will present an overview of the project and possible development scenarios. Please select the time and venue that works best for you. The same information will be provided at both the webinar and public meeting.Better Buildings for Michigan ProgramWith winter just a few months away (believe it or not), now is the ideal time to make sure your home has all the proper energy-efficient enhancements. This otherwise daunting task has just gotten a little easier, thanks to the Southeast Michigan Regional Energy Office (SEMREO).  The SEMREO Better Buildings for Michigan Program offers incentives and rebates for home energy improvements, including double the current rebates offered by DTE (up to $3,000). And the program has recently expanded, making residents of Ann Arbor and all of Washtenaw County eligible. Better Buildings for Michigan uses a community approach to deliver energy efficiency improvements for homes and businesses by providing access to incentives and affordable loans. The program is supported by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and developed by the Michigan Energy Office; Michigan Saves; the City of Grand Rapids; the Economic Development Corporation of the City of Detroit; and the Southeast Michigan Regional Energy Office.The Better Buildings for Michigan Program is available for a limited time. Go online for more information.  High-rise lighting reminderAnn Arbor again joins other cities in helping migrating birds have a “Safe Passage” during seasonal migrations. From the middle of August through the end of October, migrating birds are flying over Ann Arbor on their way south from their northern breeding grounds. These birds are at risk of dying when they become confused at night by lighted windows of tall buildings. On clear nights, birds navigate by the stars, but on cloudy and foggy nights, they attempt to navigate using the lights of tall buildings. Birds either crash into lit windows or endlessly circle buildings until they are exhausted. Please ask occupants on floors five and above of your building to join the “Safe Passage” effort by pulling the drapes or closing the shades on windows in lit rooms between 11 p.m. and dawn. (These actions may help save energy, too.) For details, please see “safe passage" online.  In this issue: A2 Open City Hall * Fire restructure proposal meetings * Street safety * Fall/winter registration * Solid waste plan update * CTN hours change *  CERT program registration * LED streetlights * USDOT vehicle crash-avoidance pilot * WATS public meetings * Connecting William Street * Better Buildings for Michigan Program * High-rise lighting reminder * Dog Swim * West Nile Virus * Greenbelt Bus Tour * Game day traffic and parking * Urban and Community Forest Management Plan * Fall golf events *Golf for a good cause  * SEMCOG Regional Transportation Plan * Dates to rememberDog SwimAfter Buhr Park Outdoor Poolcloses for the season, it's your four-footed friend's turn to go for a swim. Register today for the annual dog swim, taking place Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 5 and 6, from 3 to 8 p.m. Pre registration is required, and spaces go quickly. For one dog, the fee is $7.50/$6 for residents; for a second dog, the fee is an additional $3.75/$3 for residents. Call today:734.794.6234. Buhr Park Pool is located at 2751 Packard Road.  Prevent West Nile VirusWest Nile Virus cases are on the rise both nationally and in Michigan. And as Labor Day weekend is about to begin, Michigan residents are urged to take precautions against mosquitoes while spending time outdoors. A few simple steps can help prevent mosquito bites and potentially contracting West Nile Virus (WNV).Apply insect repellents that contain the active ingredient DEET, or other EPA approved repellent to exposed skin or clothing, especially during peak mosquito activity periods such as dusk and dawn. Maintain window and door screening to help keep mosquitoes outside. Empty water from mosquito-breeding sites such as buckets, unused kiddy pools or similar sites where mosquitoes lay eggs. Wear light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors. The unusually hot and dry summer has favored the mosquitoes that transmit WNV. These same conditions have led to a reduction in the number of "nuisance" mosquitoes, which are more abundant during wet summers. WNV-carrying mosquitoes breed in small collections of stagnant water, are common around people's homes and often bite people indoors. While few mosquitoes may be noticed outdoors, those that are present and biting are likely to be the type that potentially carry WNV.Most people bitten by a WNV-infected mosquito show no symptoms of illness. However, some become sick three to 15 days after exposure. WNV can cause serious neurological illnesses, such as meningitis and encephalitis and can have long-term health consequences. People 50 and older as well as people with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to severe WNV disease symptoms.When you're running out the door, remember to grab not only your sunscreen, but your insect repellent too. Go online  for more information and surveillance activity updates about WNV.All aboard the Greenbelt Bus Tour!Tour protected farm and open space properties, and learn about the Greenbelt Program, local agriculture and talk with local farmers during the 2012 Greenbelt Bus Tour on Saturday, Sept. 22. The tour's air-conditioned, luxury motor coach will depart at 10 a.m. from the 3700 Plymouth Road Park and Ride, and will return at 1 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.Pre registration is going on now, and closes on Friday, Sept. 14. The cost is $10 per person. To register, contact  Ginny T

The Newsletter for the City of Ann Arbor, Michigan                           August 2012, Volume 6, Number 8This is a reprinted version of the original, which was e-mailed to A2 City News subscribers on Aug. 1, 2012. Further information on featured topics and current news can be found at www.a2gov.org. IN THIS ISSUE  New police chief * Park millage update * A2NonMoto blog * FRA high-speed rail grant * Police golf outing * CTN podcasts * Vote Aug. 7 * Farmers Market turns 93 * Street resurfacing * Tree-care tips * A2 social media * “Around Ann Arbor” * Dates to rememberNew police chief appointedAnn Arbor City Council has appointed John Seto safety services administrator and police chief. Since April 1, 2012, Seto has served in this role on an interim basis. He was originally hired with the city as a patrol officer in 1990 and was appointed deputy chief of police, operations division, in 2008.  “The internal promotion of a candidate who meets the position's requirements of leadership, management experience, community involvement, judgment, and trustworthiness is healthy for the police department,” said Ann Arbor City Administrator Steve Powers. “I'm confident John has the experience necessary to serve our community well in this role.”Go online to read more. Park millage updateAt their June 19, 2012, meeting, the Ann Arbor Parks Advisory Commission unanimously passed a resolution to recommend placement of a renewal of the Park Maintenance and Capital Improvements Millage on the November 2012 election ballot. The resolution also recommends City Council reaffirm the administrative millage policies to inform voters of the manner in which it intends to oversee the administration of the millage if the proposed renewal is approved. This item has been placed on the (Thursday) Aug. 9, 2012, City Council agenda for review and approval. (The Council meeting is scheduled on a Thursday, instead of the usual Monday, due to Election Day.)The Aug. 9 City Council meeting will take place at 7 p.m. in the second floor Council chambers in Larcom City Hall (301 E. Huron St.). As with all other regular Council meetings, this meeting will be telecast live on CTN Channel 16 (Comcast Cable), or watch the meeting live online.  Parks improvements and maintenance activities status tables are available online, by fiscal year, and list park projects funded through your support of the 2008–2013 Park Maintenance and Capital Improvements Millage. Find your pathThe City of the Ann Arbor has launched a blog that celebrates the culture of nonmotorized transportation within the community: walking, cycling, etc. The “A2nonmoto”blog contains posts with a wide variety of features, such as bike helmet-cam videos, photos from bicycling commuters, pedestrian photos and news from the local and wider nonmotorized worlds. The blog serves as a platform for encouragement and education about the culture of nonmotorized transportation. For more information on the blog, or how to submit your own bicycling or pedestrian photos, please email the city's transportation office. City receives FRA high-speed rail grantAnn Arbor City Council recently voted to accept a planning grant from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to support planning of a proposed new rail passenger station in Ann Arbor. The city, in cooperation with Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), applied to the FRA for funding under the FRA's High Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail program. The city was awarded a grant of $3.5 million to complete a comprehensive planning analysis, draft environmental documents and undertake preliminary engineering for the Ann Arbor station.   Originally identified as an element of the 2006 Ann Arbor Model for Mobility and included in the 2009 City Transportation Plan Update, this grant allows the city to continue planning for this essential component of our community's transportation system.City staff is coordinating closely with MDOT and Amtrak to assure thinking about this facility reflects the community's needs, state's investment in higher-speed intercity passenger rail along the Wolverine Line as well as the efforts to reintroduce commuter rail service from Ann Arbor to Detroit.  With MDOT investing to acquire and improve this corridor, increased rail service and demand for access to the rail system is expected. It is generally recognized that the current station needs to be improved. Long-term parking is inaccessible to many, as it requires a lengthy walk without provision for those with mobility limitations. The facility is located along Depot Street, a road heavily impacted by peak-hour traffic. Transit connections, limited today, are anticipated to be needed as the rail use and need for access to the rail service increases. Bus routing to the current station is impacted by the high volumes of traffic at the station site. With improved rail service, the shortcomings of the existing station will be exacerbated.The grant funds support preparation of a conceptual plan, environmental review and preliminary engineering. The conceptual planning process includes review of the current facility, identification of alternative sites and considerations of how to best proceed.  To date, the city has evaluated 15 sites, including the existing station site for accommodating the proposed future station. The concept planning process will occur simultaneously with the environmental review. Under this grant, the city will prepare a complete environmental assessment report seeking the FRA's approval of a project concept. Staff anticipates the project receiving a “Finding of No Significant Impact” (FONSI), a determination made by the FRA. Once the environmental review is completed, and FONSI is secured, the city will move forward and initiate preliminary engineering on the locally preferred alternative.Public participation is a fundamental part of this planning process. Recognizing there have been many public meetings as part of the Fuller Road Station project, this newly initiated work will provide additional opportunity for the project team to more fully evaluate and document the issues taken into consideration in this project. These materials will be subject to public review at project-related public meetings, as well as other city boards and commission meetings including the City Council, Planning Commission, Park Advisory Commission, among others. At this time, the next public meetings are anticipated to occur later this fall. For more information, please contact City Transportation Program Manager Eli Cooper. Police charity golf outingGet ready to golf for a good cause. Registration is going on now for the 21st annual Ann Arbor Police Charity Golf Outing Friday, Sept. 21 at Leslie Park Golf Course. This year's event is held in honor of two of the department's fallen officers, Jason Zogaib and Vada Murray, raising money for The Jason Zogaib Memorial Fund and The Vada Murray Fund for Cancer Research. The four-person scramble includes 18 holes of golf (and cart); a shotgun start at 9 a.m.; lunch; dinner; raffle, prizes and games; and more. Space is limited. Click here for details and the registration form(PDF). CTN helps you stay in the know, even on the goNew “On Air with CTN” podcasts provide an audio overview of everything happening on air and at the studios of Ann Arbor Community Television Network. Listen in and find out the line ups for CTN's four channels (16, 17, 18 and 19 on Comcast Cable), interviews with special guests, highlights of events new programs and a rundown of upcoming workshops for city residents and not-for-profit agencies.Follow us!Learn about upcoming meetings, facts, tips and more via the City of Ann Arbor's Facebook and Twitter pages. The city posts useful information — usually on a daily basis. In fact, a local realtor recently named the City of Ann Arbor's Twitter page as the No. 1 area “tweep” to follow. You can also subscribe to receive topic-specific bulletinsdirectly to your email. Find convenient links to each of these ways to stay connected on the homepage of the city website.Vote Aug. 7Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. for the City Primary Election on Tuesday, Aug. 7. On Saturday, Aug. 4, the Ann Arbor City Clerk's office will be open 8 a.m.–2 p.m. for in-person absentee ballot requests.Go to the city election website, www.a2gov.org/elections, for ballot details and more information, or call 734.794.6140.Farmers Market turns 93Join the fun as the Ann Arbor Farmers Market turns 93 years old! On Saturday, Aug. 4 from 7 a.m.–3 p.m., the market, located at 315 Detroit St. in Kerrytown, will celebrate its birthday and its customers. At noon, free ice cream and toppings donated from market vendors will be served (while supplies last). Call for details, 734.794.6255, or go online. Paving the way to better streetsThe city's 2012 street resurfacing initiativebegan in the spring, and as of early August, 20 major and residential streets have been completed. Not only are streets' surfaces getting a makeover during this process, resurfacing also typically consists of removing/replacing sections of damaged or settled curb; repairing/replacing drainage inlets and utility structures (manholes); replacing corner ramps (to meet current Americans with Disability Act standards); and repaving the roadway. Among the roads undergoing work this month are:Geddes Avenue between Highland Road and Apple Way. Intermittent closures of Geddes to through traffic are in effect during construction, with detour routes posted. Local traffic will be maintained. Completion is expected in mid August.   Seventh Street between Pauline and Madison. Northbound traffic is being detoured. Completion is expected in the beginning of September.  When the initiative comes to a close this fall, 34 streets will have received upgrades. The 2012 street resurfacing project is funded by the Street Resurfacing Millage approved by voters in 2006.Visit the 2012 street resurfacing project Web page, and click on the red envelope to subscribe to receive regular street resurfacing project e-updates. You may also subscribe for e-updates to know which city streets have posted detours, on the city's road and lane closures Web page. http://www.a2gov.org/government/city_administration/City_Clerk/Elections/Pages/Elections.aspx Tree-care tipsThis spring and summer have been unusually dry, and — coupled with the recent very-high temperatures — both newly planted and established trees are showing signs of stress from lack of water. Wilting or curling leaves, leaf/needle drop and leaf scorch (caused by lack of water and high temperatures) are signs that your tree needs to be watered immediately.    In normal precipitation years, Mother Nature provides the water an established tree needs, and supplemental watering is typically not necessary. This season, however, calls for human intervention. A slow, deep watering is better than short, frequent watering, for both newly planted and established trees. For newly planted trees and small trees with a trunk diameter of up to 4 inches, a good watering is 10 gallons per inch of tree diameter applied in the mulched area around the tree, once per week. For established, medium trees (5–12 inches), a general guideline for watering during prolonged dry periods is 10 gallons of water for every 1-inch diameter, three times per month. Finally, for large trees, with a trunk diameter greater than 13 inches, 15 gallons of water is needed for every inch of diameter, twice monthly during prolonged dry periods. For established, trees do not water within 3 feet of the trunk, as this can lead to root rot.And how long should watering take place? In general, use this formula as a guideline: tree diameter inches x 5 minutes = total watering time.Find more information on tree watering, mulching, benefits and more on the city's forestry Web pages at www.a2gov.org/trees.Go "Around Ann Arbor" with CTNCommunity Television Network recently debuted “Around Ann Arbor,” a 10-minute weekly program featuring upcoming events in the city and surrounding communities. Following a news-style format, the show promotes events for the week ahead, making it convenient for viewers to plan their own calendars.“Around Ann Arbor” airs on A2TV Channel 17 on Comcast Cable on the following schedule.Sundays, noon and 9:05 p.m.Mondays, 10 a.m.Tuesdays, 3:50 p.m.Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m.Thursdays, 7:20 p.m.Fridays, 1 p.m.Saturdays, 1:35 p.m.And anytime on CTN Video On Demand.  “We've taken the electronic bulletin board and brought it to life, another great reason to tune into your community channels for local information,” said Melissa Cohn, assistant manager of the public and educational channels.To submit an event for consideration, free of charge, please email CTN.Dates to rememberAmong the many public meetings/events taking place in August, here are some of the highlights. Please go online for details and a complete list. Wednesday, Aug. 1, join the North Main Street-Huron River Corridor Task Force for a site tour. The Ann Arbor Farmers Market celebrates its 93rd birthday on Saturday, Aug. 4.  Also on Saturday, Aug. 4, the Ann Arbor City Clerk's office will be open 8 a.m.-2 p.m. to accept absentee ballot requests for the Aug. 7 State Primary Election, which takes place Tuesday, Aug. 7. A special Park Advisory Commission meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 8.Because of the Tuesday, Aug. 7 State Primary Election, the City Council meeting will take place on Thursday, Aug. 9 rather than the usual Monday schedule.The first step to taking free production workshops at CTN is to attend the CTN Preview workshop, scheduled on Wednesday, Aug. 29. 

The Newsletter for the City of Ann Arbor, Mich. • July 2012  • Volume 6 • Number 7 Public comment sought for fire restructure planAt the City Council budget work session on March 12, a fire department restructuring proposal was presented by Fire Chief Chuck Hubbard which would position the department to operate from three fire stations: stations 1, 2 (reopened) and 5. This plan would enable four firefighters to be on duty at each of the three stations. Before this proposal is considered further, the City Administrator and Council would like to give community members the opportunity to hear more about the proposal and ask specific questions. There are a variety of options available to citizens to learn about the Fire Restructure Proposal including:View Fire Restructure Proposal presentation.Watch Chief Hubbard's March 12 Work Session presentation to City Council via CTN's video on Demand (use the pull-down menu at the top left of the screen to select "City Council," then scroll through the pages to find the March 12 meeting link). Watch an interview of Chief Hubbard on CTN's “Conversations” program which airs on Channel 19 via Video on Demand (use the pull-down menu at the top left of the screen to select "Conversations," then scroll through the pages to find the Chief Hubbard interview link). Email your feedback, questions and comments about the proposal, with the subject line: Fire Proposal  Request a Fire Restructure Proposal presentation to be given to your neighborhood, community, or Business association by contacting Lisa Wondrash, 734.794.6152.  Website surveyPlease take a few minutes to complete an online survey about the City of Ann Arbor website. Feedback will be instrumental in helping the city to identify ways to improve user experiences. Thesurvey deadline is July 23. Concerts in the parkThe Ann Arbor Civic Band summer 2012 concert series is underway. Bring the family, bring a friend and enjoy music in the open air at the West Park band shell. Concerts are Wednesdays at 8 p.m.:July 4: Tribute to the USAJuly 11: Children's ConcertJuly 18 (season finale): Big BandsAdmission is free. Visit the Ann Arbor Civic Band online for more information. MDOT to host meeting for I-94 Business Loop improvementsThe Michigan Department of Transportation will host an open house-style meeting on Tuesday, July 10 to discuss improvements to I-94 Business Loop (BL) in Ann Arbor, between I-94 and Main Street. The meeting will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. at Abbot Elementary, 2670 Sequoia Parkway.MDOT officials will be available to answer questions about plans to convert a section of I-94 BL, between Dexter Avenue and Burwood Avenue, from four lanes to three. There will be no formal presentation given at the meeting; however, maps and project information will be on display. Construction is currently scheduled for 2014. Go online(PDF) for more information.  2011 water quality reportWonder what's in your drinking water? Check the annual City of Ann Arbor Water Quality Report to find out! Grand opening of Library Lane Parking StructureOn Thursday, July 12, a grand opening party will take place 5–8 p.m. for the Library Lane Parking Structure, 319 S. Fifth Ave. Hosted by the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority, there will be cake, music and a fabulous collection of vintage cars on display, a preview of the Rolling Sculpture Car Show.Bring along something for the parking structure time capsule (which has a 12-inch diameter). Visit the DDA online for details. Transportation surveyThe Washtenaw Area Transportation Study is beginning development of the 2040 long-range transportation plan for Washtenaw County. To help inform this process, WATS is inviting feedback via the Community Values Survey. The Community Values Survey is available now through the end of July. West Park constructionIn 2010, various improvements were made to West Park, including band shell seating; new access stairs from the Huron Street entrance; new pathways from Seventh Street; relocation of the basketball court; regrading the open-field play area for better drainage; a boardwalk; and installation of stormwater-management features, such as swirl concentrators and bioswales.During the construction in 2010, problems were encountered with the new underground stormwater treatment systems. Therefore, repairs and alterations will be made this summer and fall to the treatment units and reconnect them to the stormwater system, along the west edge of the park. During construction, the north and south access paths to West Park off of North Seventh Street will be closed. The central access path will remain open. This work is expected to be complete in early fall 2012.If you have any questions, please contact the project's manager, Nick Hutchinson, via email or call 734.794.6000, extension 43633. Information is also available on the project's Web page. If you would like to receive email updates for this project, send an email to Hutchinsonwith “West Park email list” in the subject line. Ann Arbor Bridges Facebook giveawaysThe Ann Arbor Bridges Reconstruction Project (AAB) is continuing to progress. Project update meetings are being held every third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Burns Park Shelter, 1200 Baldwin Ave., with the next meeting taking place Thursday, July 17. Updates are also available on the AAB website orFacebook page.When you like AAB on Facebook, you will be entered for a chance to win project logo buttons or a project golf wind shirt. This contest will run until the project's next public meeting, Thursday, July 19, 2012. Ann Arbor to host sustainability conferenceThe City of Ann Arbor is set to host the Michigan Green Communities (MGC) Leadership Academy later this month. Senior officials and key stakeholders from up to 20 Michigan communities, counties and regions will attend workshops about local government sustainability, economic development and planning staff to help further sustainability initiatives around Michigan. These peer-learning workshops will showcase national and local examples of effective action at the intersection of sustainability and local economies. Go online for more about the City of Ann Arbor's sustainability efforts. New electric vehicle-charging stationsThe Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority and Clean Energy Coalitionheld an event last month at the Forest Avenue Parking Structure, 650 S. Forest, to celebrate the installation of 18 electric vehicle-charging stations. The charging stations can now be accessed by the public free of charge; electric vehicle owners need only pay the usual parking fees.This project was substantially funded by a U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities Recovery Act grant awarded through Ann Arbor-based Clean Energy Coalition.In this issue: Comment on fire restructure plan * Website survey * Concerts in the park * I-94 BL improvements meeting * 2011 water quality report * Library Lane Parking Structure * Transportation survey * West Park construction * Ann Arbor Bridges Facebook giveaways * Ann Arbor to host sustainability conference  *New electric vehicle-charging stations * Huron River Day is July 15 * Summer taxes due * Art Fair * Vote Aug. 7 * Local rainfall cycles on display * SEMCOG FY 2011–2014 Transportation Improvement Program * Dates to remember Huron River Day is July 15Celebrate one of this community's greatest resources, the Huron River. The 32nd annual Huron River Day is Sunday, July 15 at Gallup Park and Parker Mill Park. Activities include TRI the Huron Triathlon (beginning at 7 a.m.); $5 canoe/kayak rentals; children's activities; live animal programs; river exhibits; live music; food; fishing; and more. Arrive by bike, and receive a coupon for a free boat rental! Sponsored by DTE Energy Foundation.Go to the Huron River Day website,www.a2gov.org/hrd, for details or call 734.662.9319. Summer taxes dueSummer property taxes are due this month. Taxes may be paid online, by mail, at the City of Ann Arbor Customer Service Center (located on the first floor of Larcom City Hall at 301 E. Huron St.) or at several local banks. TCF Bank, Bank of Ann Arbor, Michigan Commerce Bank, Huntington Bank, Citizens Bank and Ann Arbor State Bank will accept full tax payments in July only.Online payments can also be made. Go to the city's treasury Web page for more information, including how property taxes are calculated. Art Fair comes to townThe annual Ann Arbor Art Fair will draw hundreds of thousands of visitors to the city when it returns this year Wednesday through Saturday, July 18 through 21. Drawing an equally impressive crowd during the Art Fair is the Ann Arbor Community Television Networkvideo greeting booth.The CTN video booth will be located on North University between Thayer and Fletcher. Be sure to stop by to record a fun video greeting, which will be aired on CTN Channel 19 (Comcast Cable) and online. This year, CTN will be recording interviews with not only fair goers, but fair artists, directors and special guests. Visit CTN's website for details.The CTN video greeting booth is also sure to be a draw at the traditional kick off to the Art Fair, the Townie Street Party, Monday, July 16, taking place on East Washington Street, between Fletcher and Thayer streets. While the Art Fair greetings come from visitors throughout the region, country and even the world, Townie greetings are typically for Ann Arbor, by Ann Arbor. Be sure to stop in, say hello, and share why living in A2 is special to you.With the Townie Party and the Art Fair taking place on streets around the downtown and university areas, several detours will be in place. See the street closures maps on the city website — where you can also subscribe to receive e-notifications, year round, whenever detours are scheduled. Vote Aug. 7The City Primary Election is Tuesday, Aug. 7, when polls will be open 7 a.m.–8 p.m. Visit the elections Web page for the list of candidates and information about polling places, times, etc. Residents who need to register to vote must do so by Monday, July 9 at the City Clerk's office, second floor of Larcom City Hall; the Washtenaw County Clerk's office; at any Secretary of State branch office; or by mailing in a voter registration application (postmarked by July 9) to: Ann Arbor City Clerk, PO Box 8647, Ann Arbor, MI 48107. The City Clerk's office will be open Saturday, Aug. 4 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. for in-person absentee ballot requests.Please note, the office, and all city government offices, are closed Wednesday, July 4 for the Independence Day holiday. Additional details can be found on the elections website, via email or by calling 734.794.6140. Local rainfall cycles on displayThe bronze, water-feature sculpture on the City of Ann Arbor Municipal Center Plaza,301 E. Huron St.,  uses only the rainwater that is captured on site and stored in tanks under the structure. As designed by international award-winning artist Herbert Dreiseitl, the water component of the installation is a demonstration of the cycles of local rainfall.When the storage tanks are low, the pumps stop circulating water over the surface of the sculpture until the next rainfall. However, the energy-efficient lights continue their cascading display. In order to conserve water from evaporation, the pumps generally operate during the daylight hours. Go online for information on the plaza's rain gardens and adjacent green roof, too. Comment on the SEMCOG FY 2011-2014 Transportation Improvement ProgramSoutheast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) is seeking comment on the amendment of projects to the Fiscal Year 2011–2014 Transportation Improvement Program(TIP). The TIP is a list of projects fromDirection2035 (the region's long-range transportation plan) selected for funding by cities, villages, county road agencies, transit providers and the Michigan Department of Transportation.A total of 137 projects are proposed to be added to the TIP, while another nine are proposed to be deleted. Several of the projects are in Ann Arbor or Washtenaw County. Additional details can be found on the amendment Web page. Dates to rememberAmong the many public meetings/events taking place in July, here are some of the highlights. Please go online for details and a complete list,www.a2gov.org/calendar. City government offices – including the Customer Service Center – will be closed on Wednesday, July 4 for the holiday. Trash/recycling/compost collection will be delayed by one day following the holiday, resuming Thursday through Saturday.The Ann Arbor Farmers Markethours on Wednesday, July 4, are 7 a.m.–noon, and 4:30–8:30 p.m.Monday, July 9 is the last day to register to vote in the Aug. 7 election. MDOT is holding a public meeting Tuesday, July 10 to discuss planned improvements for the I-94 business loop in Ann Arbor (PDF).Huron River Day is Sunday, July 15 A2 City News Web Page *City Council *Contact Us *Meeting Agendas  *News & Announcements *Road/Lane Closures A2 City News is emailed to newsletter subscribers by the City of Ann Arbor. Please share comments via email or call 734.794.6110, extension 41105.QUESTIONS FOR THE CITY OF ANN ARBOR?Contact usSTAY CONNECTED WITH THE CITY OF ANN ARBOR:

The Newsletter for the City of Ann Arbor, Mich. • June 2012 • Volume 6 • Number 6 Fiscal year 2012 budget approvedOn May 21, 2012, Ann Arbor City Council adopted the fiscal year 2013 budget after many hours of deliberation and discussion. The City of Ann Arbor fiscal year 2013 runs July 1, 2012, until June 30, 2013. Although the adopted budget was very similar to the city administrator's recommended budget, it did include amendments that made minor adjustments to the human services, housing commission and District Court budgets.In addition, direction was given to increase fire staff if additional revenue from the state is obtained via fire protection grants. A more extensive description of the key highlights included in the budget can be found on page one of the draft budget book. To view the May 21 meeting in its entirety, visit CTN's Video on Demand. AAPD welcomes new officersAnn Arbor police services held a swearing-in ceremony on May 11 to welcome five new police officers (pictured above).City Council's recently adopted fiscal year 2013 budget, which begins on July 1, 2012, will include one additional full-time police officer position and the hiring of five part-time officers for a new recruit program. Historic District Commission AwardsThe City of Ann Arbor Planning and Development Services Unit together with the Ann Arbor Historic District Commission will present the 2012 Historic District Commission Awards on Monday, June 4 during the introduction portion of the City Council meeting. Certificates will be awarded for preservation, rehabilitation, lifetime achievement, special merit and two centennial awards — all in honor of National Preservation Month in June. Go online for a complete list of this year's honorees. Visitor parkingAre you planning to visit Ann Arbor Larcom City Hall or the Ann Arbor Justice Center? There are now three additional short-term, metered parking spaces on the southeast (Huron Street) side of the municipal center site, which is located at 301 E. Huron St. These new spaces are especially convenient for after-hours visitors to the site. Just cross the bridge through the municipal center plaza to reach either buildings' entrance. The science of road constructionAfter nearly six weeks of construction, Huron Parkway, between Hubbard and Fuller, is now complete, and the road is reopened. Still, with plenty of other road projects underway, here is some insight into road construction planning in the City of Ann Arbor.PrioritizationWhen choosing which roads will be reconstructed, the city first calculates the best return on investment, to make sure street millage money is invested in the most economical way. This includes taking into account the condition of the city's utilities. For example, it is prudent to repair water and sewer lines ahead of street resurfacing projects, so the streets do not have to be opened again shortly after the reconstruction. If a water main is identified to need replacement, the city adjusts road project priorities to minimize the overall expenditure.DetoursWhen it comes to rerouting traffic due to construction activities, the detour options are admittedly limited. A street map of Ann Arbor will clearly show the general "wheel and spoke" shape of the city's road system, with some areas in a grid pattern. As a result of this configuration, there are few substitute routes capable of providing convenient detours.Perhaps the best route to take when construction project “season” approaches is to know the facts. Be sure to subscribe to receive road and lane closure email updates. In addition, some of the larger-scale projects may have their own, specific subscription topics. See a complete topic list on the city website at www.a2gov.org/subscribe. Updates may also be posted to the City of Ann Arbor Facebook and Twitterpages.     Go online for more information on the city's annual street resurfacing program. CTN open houseAnn Arbor Community Television Network is hosting the annual Alliance For Community Media – Central States Regional Conference June 14–16. To kick off the event, CTN is holding a free public open house with a tour of its studio Thursday, June 14 at 6 p.m. VisitCTN online for more information. Stay safe in the heatThe City of Ann Arbor Office of Emergency Management is sharing a heat awareness fact sheet recently issued by the National Weather Service.Click here to learn the difference between heat watches, advisories and warnings, how to prevent a heat-related emergency, symptoms and treatment of heat illnesses and much more. Veteran hiring fairThe Department of Veterans Affairs is hosting the VA for Vets Hiring Fairshowcasing careers for veterans in the public and private sectors. This event is June 26–28 at Cobo Center in Detroit and includes on-site job coaching, career and resume-building classes as well as interviews with both federal agencies and private companies. The free hiring fair has over 5,000 jobs committed to veterans.The hiring fair is part of the overall, first-ever National Veterans and Small Business Conference, June 26–29, which also will feature two additional distinct events: A free Veteran Open House will welcome veterans and their family members to visit over 150 booths. This event will provide everything from on-site benefits enrollment to dental and physical exams, educational opportunities and support services.A Small Business Conference, where small businesses can meet with federal procurement officials and industry leaders to promote their products and services, and gain insight into the government contracting process.VA invites all interested persons and businesses to attend. More information about the small business conference is available atwww.nationalveteransconference.com. Information and registration for the hiring fair is available atwww.VAforVets.VA.Gov/Detroit. Are you bilingual?The City of Ann Arbor is dedicated to making its services, programs and activities available to everyone, regardless of language barriers. Through this commitment, the city is taking steps to implement a Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Plan, designed to provide language assistance to individuals who do not speak, write, read or understand English well.The city is seeking out residents who may be interested in volunteering for translation services, especially for Ann Arbor's Hispanic- and Chinese-speaking populations. Competent translators are being sought who demonstrate one or more of the following: evidence of training that includes skills and ethics of translation; proficiency in English and the other language; ability to convey information in both languages, accurately and completely; and a fundamental knowledge in both languages of any specialized terms or concepts.If you are interested and believe you qualify to volunteer, please call or email Amy Seavitt, HR assistant, at 734.794.6122. KudosThe Certificate for Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting has been awarded to the City of Ann Arbor by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR). The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. The city's CAFR is recognized for demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR. In addition, the city also received the Award of Financial Reporting Achievement.In this issue: FY 2013 Budget approved *AAPD new officers * Historic District Commission Awards * Visitor parking * Road construction * CTN Open House * Stay safe in the heat * Veteran hiring fair* Are you bilingual? * Kudos * Green Fair * Farmers Market for all * DEQ brownfield grant * Ann Arbor is Pure Michigan * Recycling electronics *Recyclebank update * Dates to remember 12th annual Green Fair is Friday, June 8!Main Street will be closed to vehicles, but open for pedestrians, during the 12th annual Mayor's Green Fair 6 to 9 p.m. on Ann Arbor's Main Street. The event includes free entertainment and over 100 exhibits with environmental information, hands-on youth activities, Clean Energy Expo, green commuting options and more. Go to the Green Fair website for more information,www.a2gov.org/greenfair. Farmers Market makes healthy food available for allThe Ann Arbor Farmers Market, 315 Detroit St.,  is one of the oldest, largest producer-only markets in Michigan, turning 93 years old this year. As part of its mission, the market began a collaboration in 2009 to help ensure locally grown, nutritious offerings are available to the entire community by accepting state-aided purchases through the Michigan Department of Human Services Bridge Card.The process is simple … Holders of a state-issued Bridge Card can visit the market office to get tokens to use for market purchases; request a dollar amount to use at the market; swipe the Bridge Card; the requested amount is deducted; and market tokens are issued to use at participating market vendor stalls.The Bridge Card can be used to buy fresh food including fruits, vegetables, meat, cheese, bread, eggs, and plants to grow vegetables and herbs in your own gardens (please note that hot food items are not eligible for Bridge Card purchases). Look for a "Bridge Card Tokens Accepted Here" sign in vendors' stalls, which will identify those who accept Bridge Card tokens.More good news for Bridge Card holders: The Double Up Food Bucks program will begin Saturday, June 2 at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market, allowing you to double your Bridge Card dollars. For added convenience to all shoppers, the token system is also available for any market guest who wishes to have a credit card swiped in exchange for market tokens.The Ann Arbor Farmers Market is open year round on Saturdays, and May through December on Saturdays and Wednesdays. A dynamic evening market takes place Wednesday evenings in the spring and summer. Go online for more information. DEQ brownfield grantThe Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has awarded a $1 million brownfield redevelopment grant to help clean up and return the former Georgetown Mall site to commercial use. Past development efforts of the 6.7-acre site on Packard Street on Ann Arbor's south side have been hindered by contamination of soils under the building from a dry cleaning business that previously operated in the mall, thus the reason for the brownfield classification.The grant will be administered by the Washtenaw County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority to facilitate the site's reuse, including removal of contaminated soils, demolition of the existing buildings and the development of mixed-use space. The new development will be pedestrian friendly, with a bus stop, secure bicycle parking, a pocket park and will have on-site stormwater management.For more information on this project, visitthe city's website (PDF). Details about the DEQ Brownfield Redevelopment Program is available on the DEQ website. Ann Arbor is Pure MichiganThe Ann Arbor Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is partnering with Travel Michigan for a fifth consecutive year to nationally promote the Ann Arbor area through the state's renowned Pure Michigan campaign. The partnership includes the Ypsilanti Area CVB, Ann Arbor SPARK and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.Michigan.org, the official Pure Michigan campaign site, was the most visited state tourism website in the U.S. from 2007 to 2011.This “sense of place” partnership is the first of its kind in the state and aims to highlight Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County as a destination for both tourism and economic development. Tourism supported 6,386 jobs countywide in 2011, up from 5,600 jobs in 2010.So get ready to see more “Ann Arbor is Pure Michigan” messages around our community and (far) beyond. Recycling electronicsDid you know electronics, such as televisions, computers/monitors, etc., are prohibited from Ann Arbor's trash and recycling carts and dumpster collection program? That's because toxic chemicals can be released during the refuse-collection (crushing and compacting) process. Instead, please take note of other, safe ways to dispose of these items.Michigan has an e-waste take back law which requires manufacturers to offer free and convenient take back programs to ensure that all televisions, computers, and printers are fully recycled. (Before you recycle your computer, just be sure to erase the unit's hard drive to eliminate personal data. Best Buy's website, under “recycling,” offers a brief video showing how to erase data from a hard drive.) Visit the city website to learn about electronics disposal programs available in the Ann Arbor area. There are also several mail-back options for computers and televisions offered by the different manufacturers posted atwww.michigan.gov/deqewaste. And periodic computer and television collection-day events are held in the area. Go to the city's website to find more information on recycling in Ann Arbor. Recyclebank program updateIn May, Ann Arbor City Council voted to end the Recyclebank recycling rewards program, effective Aug. 31, 2012. After this date, you will no longer be eligible to receive points for recycling at home. Recyclebank recently distributed this information in a letter to its Ann Arbor members.The good news is you can continue to spend your Recyclebank points as well as explore many other ways to earn points for living a more sustainable lifestyle at www.Recyclebank.com. Please note, Recyclebank Points expire after 12 months of no account activity (i.e., earning outside of recycling rewards and/or redeeming points for rewards). Further, local reward partners in Ann Arbor have been notified of this Council decision and are encouraged to stay part of the Recyclebank program beyond August. For more information,visit Recyclebank online. Dates to rememberAmong the many public meetings/events taking place in June, here are some of the highlights. Please go online for details and a complete list.The 12th annual Mayor's Green Fair is Friday, June 8 (www.a2gov.org/greenfair).The Community Television Network Open House is Thursday, June 14 (www.a2gov.org/ctn).Father's Day golf specials are offered at Leslie Park and Huron Hills golf courses on June 17 (www.a2golf.org).An Ann Arbor Bridges Reconstruction Project update meeting is Thursday, June 21 (www.annarborbridges.org). 

The Newsletter for the City of Ann Arbor, Mich. • May 2012  • Volume 6 • Number 5 City administrator presents proposed FY 2013 budget to City CouncilOn April 16, City Administrator Steve Powers presented his recommended Fiscal Year 2013 budget. City Council will consider the proposal during the next few weeks and vote on May 21.Budget overviewThe FY 2013 budget is the second year of a two-year budget plan. While the city administrator's proposed budget is similar to the spending plan approved by City Council last year, adjustments were made to respond to current City Council priorities and community needs.Among the highlights:Planned reductions in police and fire staffing are eliminated.A police recruit program will supplement sworn officers and assist with public safety concerns in downtown. Park mowing will move from the current 19-day cycle to a 14-day cycle. Seasonal park monitors will be added.Street repair and resurfacing work will be at an all-time high.These investments in services and infrastructure do not compromise the city's financial policies. During the past several years, City Council provided the policy discipline to manage through a very difficult economic environment. The city administrator's proposed FY 2013 budget recommends the same fiscal discipline in the coming fiscal year. Recurring expenditures are funded by recurring revenues. The proposed budget maintains reserves as a cushion for future economic and state legislative changes, such as the elimination of the personal property tax.For more informationThe following resources are available to learn more about the FY 2013 proposed budget:View the city administrator's PowerPoint presentation to Council (PDF). Watch the April 16 budget presentation to City Councilonline.     Download a complete copy ofthe FY 2013 Budget Message to Council and the Draft Budget Book (PDF). Watch City Administrator Steve Powers live on CTN's “Conversations” program on May 7 at 4:30 p.m. Citizens are encouraged to call in live during the program with FY 2013 budget-related questions: Call the studio at 734.794.6155 or email questions in advance.Next stepsCity Council Regular Meeting: FY 2013 budget and fee public hearing scheduled for May 7 at Larcom City Hall, Council chambers, second floor, 301 E. Huron St., at 7 p.m. Council Work Session: FY 2013 Budget Discussion scheduled on May 14 at Larcom City Hall, Council chambers, second floor, 301 E. Huron St. at 7 p.m.City Council Regular Meeting: City Council consideration of city administrator's recommended FY 2013 budget on May 21 at Larcom City Hall, Council chambers, second floor, 301 E. Huron St. at 7 p.m.City administration thanks you for your time and interest in the operation of your city. Public comment sought for fire services restructure planAt the City Council budget work session on March 12, a fire department restructuring proposal was presented by Fire Chief Chuck Hubbard, which would position the department to operate from three fire stations: stations 1, 2 (reopened) and 5. This plan would enable four firefighters to be on duty at each of the three stations. Before this proposal is considered further, the city administrator and Council would like to give members from the community the opportunity to hear more about the proposal and ask specific questions. There are a variety of options available to citizens to learn about the Fire Restructure Proposal including:View Fire Restructure Proposal PowerPoint presentation (PDF).Watch Chief Hubbard's March 12 work session presentation to City Council via CTN's Video on Demand. Watch an interview of Chief Hubbard on CTN's “Conversations” program, which airs on Comcast Channel 19 or isavailable via Video on Demand.Send your feedback, questions and comments about the proposal with the subject line: Fire Proposal. Request a Fire Restructure Proposal presentation be given to your neighborhood, community or business association byemailing Lisa Wondrash or calling 734.794.6152. Congratulate your grad on CTNDo you have a special someone graduating high school this year? LetAnn Arbor Community Television Network help you congratulate him or her ... on TV!CTN will showcase soon-to-be grads on the Channel 18 electronic bulletin board (Comcast Cable), which reaches more than 72,000 households in Ann Arbor and surrounding communities. Photos will start airing Monday, May 7 and will run through mid summer.If you have a graduate from one of the Ann Arbor Public Schools, you can participate! Just submit a digital photograph (senior photo, homecoming, prom) of the graduate with their full name, high school and who is congratulating them. The photograph must be digital (800x600 pixels) and may be resized or cropped at CTN's discretion. Email the image to CTN Assistant Manager Melissa Cohn; no hard copies will be accepted.If you have questions, contact Cohn at 734.794.6150, extension 41504. For more information about CTN, go online. A2 Downtown Blooms and Adopt-a-Park eventsTwo annual events take place Saturday, May 19 to engage the Ann Arbor community in beautifying the city.Hundreds of volunteers will meet downtown at 9 a.m. in Liberty Plaza (Division and Liberty streets) to kick offA2 Downtown Blooms Day. Volunteers will help plant and mulch flower planters throughout the downtown, and each volunteer will receive a free t-shirt and pizza lunch. To preregister, call 734.794.6000, extension 43112. Go online for more details.  Also beginning at 9 a.m. until noon, neighbors can get to know their parks, and one another, during the Adopt-a-Park Kick Off. Training, tools and support will be provided by the city. Parks participating in the kick-off event include: Belize, Bromley, Burr Oak, Glacier Highlands, Huron Highlands, Maryfield-Wildwood, Redwood, Rose White, Sculpture Plaza, Veteran's Memorial, Waterworks, and Winewood Thaler. Any updates to this list can be found online. All ages can participate. Free e-waste recycling eventSafely dispose of your unwanted electronics at the upcoming FREE e-waste recycling events this month, sponsored by the University of Michigan and Ann Arbor Public Schools. The public e-waste event is Saturday, May 5, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. at Pioneer High School, 601 W. Stadium Boulevard (enter via Main Street driveway). The institutional e-waste event (for small businesses and non-profits with large quantities of equipment) is Thursday, May 3, and Friday, May 4, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. at Washtenaw Intermediate School District Office, 1819 S. Wagner Road. Registration is recommended. Acceptable items for drop off include (go online for a complete list and exclusions): Computer systems.Telephones/cell phones.Televisions.Speakers.Printers.Wires/cables.Modems.And much more.All e-waste will be destroyed and 100 percent recycled in the United States in an environmentally sound manner by a fully permitted recycling facility. Security precautions ensure all data is destroyed. Just drive through, drop off, and drive away knowing you did right by the environment.In this issue: Proposed FY 2013 budget * Grads on CTN * A2 Downtown Blooms & Adopt-A-Park events * Free e-waste recycling * Farmers markets return Wednesdays * Election Day May 8 * Parks millage facts online * City outdoor pools open Memorial Day weekend * Argo Cascades grand opening * Lane closures/detours * 2012 Mayor's Green Fair * Recognitions * Dates to remember Farmers markets return on WednesdaysIn addition to Saturdays, the Ann Arbor Farmers Market is again open on Wednesdays for the season. The market resumes its seasonal extended hours from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 2, and the evening market returns on Wednesdays through September, from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.Join us for new and returning vendors, food carts, lively music and much more. For updates, visit the Ann Arbor Farmers Market online or become a parks and recreation fan on Facebook.   Election Day is Tuesday, May 8The Ann Arbor Public Schools Technology Millage Election will take place Tuesday, May 8. Polls will be open 7 a.m.–8 p.m. at all city polling places. For more information on this election, go online to www.a2gov.org/elections or call 734.794.6140. Parks Millage facts onlineThe City of Ann Arbor has launched a new website section devoted to the upcoming expiration and renewal of the Parks Maintenance and Capital Improvements Millage. This site provides background information about the 2007–2012 millage; millage-funded activity logs; as well as a variety of resources, such as fact sheets and related City Council meeting footage links.Renewal of the Parks Maintenance and Capital Improvements Millage is anticipated to appear on the November 2012 election ballot. City outdoor pools open Memorial Day weekendMemorial Day weekend signifies the start of summer and coincides with the opening of the Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation Services three outdoor pools:Fuller, Buhr and Veterans Memorial park pools. Summer season passes, on sale now, are valid from May 26 to Sept. 3, 2012. Season passes can be used at Buhr, Fuller and Veterans Memorial pools for all public swim times and tot splashes. Passes may be purchased at all of the pools, the Parks and Recreation Customer Service Center (Cobblestone Farm, 2781 Packard Road), or they can be renewed online at www.a2gov.org/parks.Preseason Rate Resident Discount (purchase a pass before May 29) — Youth/Senior: $95 / Adult: $125 / Family*: $240Preseason Rate Non Resident (purchase a pass before May 29) — Youth/Senior: $120 / Adult: $160 / Family*: $300Regular Rate Resident Discount (purchase a pass May 29 and after) — Youth/Senior: $110 / Adult: $140 / Family*: $265Regular Rate Non Resident (purchase a pass May 29 and after ) — Youth/Senior: $135 / Adult: $175 / Family*: $325*Family rate is for two adults and up to three children residing in the same household. Argo Cascades grand openingJoin the grand opening celebration of Argo Cascades at Argo Canoe Livery (1055 Longshore Drive) Saturday, June 2 from noon to 3 p.m. Enjoy boats, fun drops and pools, a rock band on the rocks, food cards, a ribbon-cutting ceremony and the beautiful Huron River. Enjoy paddling boats from Argo to Gallup without a portage. Paddle the Cascades, and check out our new watercrafts including tubes, stand-up paddles, rafts and sit-on-top kayaks. There will be fun for all ages. To learn more, visit Argo (and Gallup) Canoe Livery online. Stay ahead of the curveSpring and summer in Ann Arbor will again bring many special events downtown and around the city. In addition, road construction “season” is just ramping up. And with these activities often comes temporary road and lane closures.There's no need to be caught off guard. Keep up to date with road projects and event-related closures and detours by visiting — and subscribing to updates from — the city's road and lane closures Web page. Save the date: 2012 Mayor's Green FairMain Street will be closed to vehicles, but open for pedestrians, during the 12th annual Mayor's Green Fair Friday, June 8, 6 to 9 p.m. on Ann Arbor's Main Street. The event includes free entertainment and over 120 exhibits with environmental information, hands-on youth activities, Clean Energy Expo, green commuting options, Bike Fest, WasteKnot business partners, walking tours and more. Go to the Green Fair website for more information.  RecognitionsAnn Arbor has recently been recognized in the following ways.The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Arbor Day Foundation have announced that Ann Arbor is one of 121 Michigan communities to receive the “Tree City USA” designation for the promotion of community forestry during 2011. Ann Arbor's South Main Street has been named one of “America's Greatest Main Streets” by Travel + Leisure Magazine.The City of Ann Arbor has been selected as a 2012 Green Cities Award finalist by Waste & Recycling News. Ann Arbor's residential recycling program was especially noted for its recycling plant tours and for the WasteWatcher comic series.  Dates to rememberThere are several public meetings/events taking place in May, including the following highlights (please see the related articles in this newsletter or visitthe city's online calendar for details and a complete list). Wednesday hours return to the Ann Arbor Farmers Market, beginning May 2. The Wednesday evening markets return as well, from 4:30-8:30 p.m. The Ann Arbor Public Schools Technology Millage Election is Tuesday, May 8.  A2 Downtown Blooms and Adopt-A-Park Kick Off annual volunteer events occur on Saturday, May 19.City government offices are closed in observance of Memorial Day on Monday, May 28. Trash, compost and recycling collection will be delayed by one day, Tuesday through Saturday. A2 City News Web Page *City Council *Contact Us *Meeting Agendas  *News/Announcements *Road/Lane Closures Please share comments via email or call 734.794.6110, extension 41105.QUESTIONS FOR THE CITY OF ANN ARBOR?Contact usSTAY CONNECTED WITH THE CITY OF ANN ARBOR:

The Newsletter for the City of Ann Arbor, Mich. • April 2012  • Volume 6 • Number 4Fiscal year 2021 budget process underwayCitizens can keep up to date on the fiscal year 2013 budget planning process by visiting the online Ann Arbor Citizen Guide to Finance and Budget. A City Council Work Session was held on Feb. 13 and March 12. Presentation handouts are available online. In accordance with City Charter, the City Administrator's Recommended FY 2013 Budget is submitted to City Council on or before April 15, 2012. City Council, with at least seven affirmative votes, must adopt the budget no later than its second meeting in May.Interim safety services administrator/police chief namedEffective March 31, 2012, current Deputy Chief John Seto assumes the role of interim chief of police and safety services area administrator. Seto has served in the Ann Arbor Police Department for more than 20 years, and has extensive patrol, detective and management experience.Ann Arbor City Administrator Steve Powers will be providing a recommendation to City Council at a later date regarding a permanent replacement for Safety Services Area Administrator and Chief of Police Barnett Jones. On Feb. 28, Jones announced his retirement from the City of Ann Arbor effective March 30, 2012.“Barnett has tirelessly served the public in law enforcement for 38 years,” said Powers. “While his retirement will be a loss to Ann Arbor, we wish him well in the future and are thankful for the valuable contributions he has made to the Ann Arbor community.”Fire services newsAfter approximately two years in labor negotiations between the International Association of Firefighters Local 693 and the City of Ann Arbor, a new labor contract for fire employees, which ends June 30, 2014, has successfully been negotiated and ratified by union membership. City Council passed a resolution March 19, 2012, accepting the terms of this contract.The contract includes benefit concessions that are similar to the contract terms ratified by seven other union groups in city, such as: adoption of the city healthcare plan, elimination of the 457 plan match, new hire pension changes including 10-year vesting, and adoption of defined contribution retirement healthcare program. More information about the new contract isavailable online.At the City Council budget work session on March 12, a fire department restructuring proposal was presented, which would position the department to operate from three fire stations: stations 1, 2 (reopened) and 5. This plan would enable four firefighters to be on duty at each of the three stations. Council is considering this proposal as a part of the fiscal year 2013 budget planning process. The proposal slides are posted online, and the  Council work session presentation is available to view via Community Television Network Video On Demand. Also showing on CTN, Channel 19, is"Conversations" with Ann Arbor Fire Chief Chuck Hubbard. Catch replays of this episode of "Conversations," airing until April 13, Mondays through Fridays at 10:30 a.m., 6:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays at 6:30 p.m.; or available soon to watch online via Video On Demand.     U-M spring football game parkingResidents and visitors interested in information about the University of Michigan Mott Spring Football Scrimmage event scheduled for April 14, 2012, at noon can visitwww.mgoblue.com. Parking, vendor operations and traffic control will be similar to a football Saturday game day in Ann Arbor, with special event no-parking restrictions in effect that day. In addition, signage will be displayed in the U-M Stadium area to promote the events parking hotline number for residents and visitors who may have questions: 734.794.6444.2012 Street Resurfacing ProgramBeginning this spring/summer, the city will resurface a number of streets, both major and local. Resurfacing typically consists of removing/replacing sections of damaged or settled curb, repairing/replacing drainage inlets and utility structures (manholes), replacing corner ramps (to meet current Americans with Disability Act standards) and repaving the roadway. Residents who live on one of the streets slated for resurfacing will receive notice of the construction prior to the work beginning. Please go online to see the list of streets (www.a2gov.org/roadconstruction). Construction on smaller/local streets will typically span between 20 to 40 days, while construction on longer/major streets may last between 40 and 60 days. Local access will be maintained during construction, however, there may be occasions when individual residents will be contacted about closing driveways for a few days to allow new concrete installation. Access will be maintained to allow for garbage pickup and mail delivery.If residents along the streets planned for resurfacing have sprinklers, invisible fence systems or other buried features installed near the street at their homes, please contact the city project team so they are aware ahead of time.Funding for this resurfacing project is provided by the Street and Bridge Resurfacing and Reconstruction, and Sidewalk Repair Millage. If you have any questions, please contact Senior Project Manager Elizabeth Rolla, P.E., at 734.794.6410, extension 43636.Earth Day FestivalThe Ann Arbor area 42nd annual Earth Day Festival takes place Sunday, April 22, noon–4 p.m. at Leslie Science & Nature Center, 1831 Traver Road. This free, family-friendly event features displays from local environmental, non-profit, and governmental organizations; live animal exhibits; hands-on activities; live entertainment; and green building features. This event is focused on community education and youth activities. All ages are welcome.Do you want to join the celebration in another, meaningful way? Register as a volunteer! Volunteers are needed to serve in a variety of roles. Go online for more details or to register as a volunteer,www.a2earthday.org.Get ready for fun in the Ann Arbor parks!Ann Arbor parks and recreation is gearing up for great spring and summer seasons. Are you ready? Registration is already underway with a full menu of recreation programs, including the ever-so-popular summer day camps. Go online to register or to view the entire program guide. Guides are also available at Larcom City Hall or any of the recreation facilities.Sustainable Ann Arbor seriesIn January, the City of Ann Arbor kicked off a “Sustainable Ann Arbor” discussion series with the Ann Arbor District Library. This series brings the public together with University of Michigan faculty, representatives from community organizations and city commissioners and staff to discuss local sustainability concepts and efforts — past, present and future.The next — and final — forum of this series is Thursday, April 12, 7 p.m. at the Ann Arbor District Library downtown branch (343 S. Fifth Ave.). This final forum will focus on the topic of community, including housing, public safety, public art, recreation, outreach, civic engagement and stewardship of community resources.More information on the sustainability framework and the Sustainable Ann Arbor Forums is available on the city's sustainability website and on the State of Our Environment Report Web page.   Help prevent stormwater system pollutionStormwater is runoff from rain or snowmelt that flows off streets, rooftops and lawns into storm drains, which lead directly into streams, lakes and rivers. Stormwater receives no treatment before being discharged to surface waters. If polluted, stormwater can negatively impact the local water resources used for drinking water, recreation and wildlife habitat.The City of Ann Arbor's “A Resident's Guide to Clean Water” features 10 easy tips to use at home and on the job. From using phosphorus-free lawn fertilizer to painting tips (washing latex paint brushes in the sink, not outside), these actions add up to significant reductions in pollutants entering the stormwater system and help protect the water quality in the Huron River, the source of 85 percent of Ann Arbor's drinking water. Find these tips online, and an index to related stormwater issues is available at www.a2gov.org/storm.   Compost sales and curbside collectionThe weekly curbside collection of residential compostables has resumed early, as of March 26. Debris may be disposed of in paper yard waste bags, bundled brush or an optional compost cart. Residents seeking the convenience of using a compost cart can purchase one — 96-, 64-, or 32-gallon size — for $50 each at the city's Customer Service Center in Larcom City Hall. Phone 99-GREEN or check www.a2gov.org/cartsfor more information.In addition, Ann Arbor residents have a free yard waste drop-off option of up to one cubic yard (six paper yard waste bags) of  acceptable compostable materials at the Drop-off Station, 2950 E. Ellsworth, 734.971.7400, with proof of residency. Details are posted atwww.recycleannarbor.org. Bulk municipal compost, mulch and topsoil are available for sale year-round from the Ann Arbor Compost Center at 4150 Platt Road, 734.794.6380, open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon during April, May and June. Go online for more information atwww.a2gov.org/compost.Visit the critters!The Leslie Science & Nature Center is expanding public hours to the fun and educational Critter House. From rabbits to rats, iguanas to turtles, the Critter House is now open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Come ask questions, and take part in hands-on activities that will be different every weekend. There is a $1 suggested donation. Also, every Saturday, the raptors will be fed for the public to watch from 4 to 6 p.m. Visit LSNC's website for additional information.In this issue: Fiscal Year 2013 budget process * Interim safety services administrator/police chief named * Fire services news * U-M spring football game parking * 2012 Street Resurfacing Program * Earth Day Festival * Ann Arbor parks registration * Sustainable Ann Arbor series * Help prevent stormwater system pollution * Compost sales and curbside collection * Visit the critters! * Parks millage renewal meetings* Spring hydrant flushing resumes *Planning and development mobile website * Seasonal siren testing * Gallup Canoe Livery opens * SNAG Golf Program for kids * Recognitions * Dates to rememberMeetings planned to discuss parks millage renewalThe City of Ann Arbor Park Advisory Commission (PAC) and Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation staff invite members of the community to attend a public meeting to discuss the upcoming expiration and renewal of the 2007–2012 Parks Maintenance and Capital Improvements Millage. Meetings will take place:Monday, April 9, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Avenue.Wednesday, April 11, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Cobblestone Farm Center, 2781 Packard Road.Monday, April 23, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Leslie Science & Nature Center Nature House, 1831 Traver Road.Thursday, April 26, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Ann Arbor Public Library Traverwood Branch, 3333 Traverwood Drive.The meeting agenda will include a brief background on the parks millage and how it is used by the park system; an explanation of how the park system is funded; and information regarding the proposed millage renewal process.The Park Maintenance and Capital Improvements Millage is a six-year millage for 1.10 mills that was approved by residents of the City of Ann Arbor on Nov. 7, 2006. The millage expires in 2012. Each year, the millage generates approximately $5 million in revenue.Between 60 and 80 percent of the annual millage funds support city park maintenance activities, such as forestry and horticulture; natural area preservation; park operations; park equipment repairs; park security; and recreation facility maintenance. Between 20 and 40 percent of the annual millage funds is designated for city park capital improvements in the following areas: active parks; forestry and horticulture; historic preservation; neighborhood parks and urban plazas; pathways, trails, boardwalks, greenways and the Huron River watershed; recreation facilities; and park equipment acquisitions. If you are not able to attend a public meeting, you can share your comments or questions via email. A website dedicated to the parks millage will go live to the public during the week of April 2, 2012, atwww.a2gov.org/parksmillage.Spring hydrant flushing resumesThe City of Ann Arbor water utilities division conducts annual fire hydrant inspection and system maintenance. The seasonal hydrant work begins April 2, weather permitting. Hydrant-flushing schedules will be posted on the city's “news” Web page; and more information is available on the city's hydrant-flushing website. Why is it helpful to know when hydrant flushing is happening in your neighborhood? On occasion during the hydrant-flushing process, the water in area homes may have an orange or rusty appearance. The discolored water does not pose a health or safety risk, but the water can cause stains to laundry. If water appears discolored, please run the cold water for several minutes to clear your lines. You should also flush your toilets once or twice. The water should run clear within a few minutes. The iron sediment in the water main being disturbed by the hydrant flushing causes the discoloration.If you have any questions or concerns regarding the hydrant-flushing process, please visit the website, or contact the City of Ann Arbor field services unit at 734.794.6350.Planning and development services debuts mobile websiteA new mobile website is now available for the city's construction and building customers. This new site enables people to use their Smartphones or tablets to access building records and general planning and development information, as well as to schedule and obtain inspection results and plan review status. This service is a complement to the eTRAKiT system, which currently allows users to access this same information from a website and through its interactive voice response system for phones.Save this URL as a favorite on your phone:  http://etrakit.a2gov.org/mobile. This feature will allow customers greater access to construction and building information to a user base that does a great deal of their work in the field and on location.Seasonal siren testingThe City of Ann Arbor's 22 outdoor warning system sirens are tested every second Tuesday of the month at 1 p.m., with one minute of steady wailing. Testing of the sirens is performed March through November. Please remember that the sirens are an outdoor warning system only and are not intended to be heard indoors. The city's outdoor warning system sirens are activated for the following situations: tornado warning, hazardous materials spill or terrorist attack. In the event that the sirens are activated, they will sound for three minutes, and citizens should seek cover immediately.During a local disaster emergency, residents can tune into Community Television Network channels 16, 17, 18 or 19 for local emergency information and updates. In the event of a power outage, residents should tune their battery-operated radios to WAAM 1600 AM, WEMU 89.1 FM, or KOOL 107.1 FM.Start paddling!The Gallup Canoe Livery and the coffee shop will open early this season, on Sunday, April 1 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Boat rentals will be available for paddling the 2.5 miles of Gallup Pond. The cafe is open, featuring coffee, Zingerman's pastries and Wi-Fi. Gallup is located at 3000 Fuller Road, 734.794.6240.Sign up for the SNAG Golf Program, just for kidsA unique golf program for children as young as 5 is now available at Ann Arbor's Huron Hills Golf Course, 3465 E. Huron River Drive. The SNAG (Starting New at Golf) Program debuted in Ann Arbor in 2011, thanks to a grant from the National Recreation and Park Association. SNAG is an easy-to-learn golf system geared to the development of new players, ages 5 to 10 years old. Similar to T-ball for baseball, the SNAG system integrates modified equipment and instruction that makes learning the game of golf fun, active and rewarding.AGES 8 TO 10 | $89 | 6 weeks, 12 classes, twice a week, Wednesdays and FridaysMay 2–June 8: 4 to 5 p.m. –or– 5:15 to 6:15 p.m.June 20–Aug. 3: 4 to 5 p.m. –or– 5:15 to 6:15 p.m.AGES 5 TO 7 | $49 | 6 weeks, 6 classes, Saturdays May 5–June 9: 11 a.m. to noonJune 23–Aug. 4: 10 to 11 a.m. (no classes July 1-7)Call today to sign up: 734.794.6246. For information about Huron Hills and Leslie Park golf courses or to make an online tee time, visit www.a2golf.org.RecognitionThe Michigan Municipal League recently honored Ann Arbor City Attorney Stephen Postema with the Outstanding Service Award during the League's annual Capital Conference. This honor recognizes those who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in supporting the League's legislative efforts in Lansing on behalf of Michigan communities.        Dates to rememberAmong the many public meetings and events taking place in April, a few of the highlights follow. Please go online to the city's meetings and events calendar for details and a complete list,www.a2gov.org/calendar. Also note, routine Council and boards and commissions meeting schedules may also be found online.  The Gallup Canoe Livery will open (earlier than originally scheduled) on Sunday, April 1 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. City government offices will close for the day at noon on Good Friday, April 6. Trash/recycling/ compost collection will not be interrupted. Saturday hours resume for the season at the Compost Center, 8 a.m.-noon, April-June. Several Parks Maintenance & Capital Improvements Millage public meetings are scheduled in April: 9th, 11th, 23rd and 26th.A2 City News Web Page *City Council *Contact Us *Meeting Agendas *News/Announcements *Road/Lane ClosuresA2 City News is emailed to newsletter subscribers by the City of Ann Arbor  Please share comments via email or call 734.794.6110, extension 41105.