Since I can’t post images in the comments…

by Mark E. Larson
www.cvillechurch.com



“For thus says the high and exalted One who lives forever, whose name is Holy, ‘I dwell on a high and holy place, and also with the contrite and lowly of spirit in order to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite” (Isa. 57:15, NASB). Do you have a lowly spirit? Are you humble before God? For a right relationship with God, every person must humble themselves before the Lord.

Do you wholeheartedly believe that “God is”? (Heb. 11:6). No one can truly humble themselves before God unless they believe that God is a real actual Person. Though God is invisible (1 Tim. 1:17), you must in faith imagine the existence of God, His presence, His character, and majesty. Full recognition of God’s greatness will humble you and cause you to see how “small” you really are in comparison to the Lord (e.g., Isa 6:5).

Will you allow God to teach you His will? Your attempt to draw near to God will be in vain unless you humble yourself and allow yourself to be taught by God and His word. “No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall all be taught of God.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me” (John 6:44-45).

Are you teachable? Most, if not all people would answer: “Well, of course I am!” But are you really? Too often, people allow pride, preconceived notions, prejudices, and personal opinions to get in the way of learning God’s will. To be taught by God we have to be teachable and this means we must be humble in our attitude toward Him. “He leads the humble in justice, and He teaches the humble His way.” (Ps. 25:9).

To put it another way, are you as teachable as a child? As degrading or demeaning as that may sound to you, the truth is God only wants people who are as humble as children in His kingdom. Jesus said: “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Mat. 18:3-4). This means that in order for God to teach you, you have to lay down your selfish ambitions and pride and take on the lowly and humble position of a child.

Children are, to a great extent, teachable and humble. It is no wonder then why Jesus chose a child as a fitting example of humility to make His point. To be great in God’s eyes, you must like a child, with simple faith and trust, follow the Father’s instructions. Instead of hard-headedness or stubbornness, allow God to teach you, mold you, and shape you into what He wants you to be as one of His own children. Then you can truly be great in God’s kingdom! “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time” (1 Pet. 5:6).

God has made His word understandable (Eph. 3:3-5). God desires “all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:4). Therefore, it is up to each person to open his heart to the Scriptures. Do you have a “good and honest heart”? (Luke 8:15). Stubbornness and pride keeps truth out, yet a humble heart holds fast to the truth and spiritual blessings come as a result. To be taught by God, honesty and humility is a must: “Therefore putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.” (James 1:21).

You cannot be taught by God if your heart is proud and you presume to know beforehand the will of God (Isa. 5:20-21; Prov 3:7; 12:15). Many people believe they are wise enough to know what is right and wrong on their own without the study of God’s word. As a result, they end up telling God what they think is good and evil. In so doing, many make the mistake in believing that God thinks the same way as we do! “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa. 55:8-9).

Yet, if you go to the word of God with a humble heart, it is likely that you will be “cut to the heart.” You will see your sins, shortcomings, and the things you need to change about your life. You will be cross-examined and judged which may produce unwanted feelings of guilt (Heb. 4:12). It is for this reason that many treat Bible study as a mere academic exercise instead of a time for self-examination, reflection, and a means to draw nearer to God. Don’t let that be you. Recognize that the Scriptures are designed in such a way that if we listen with a humble heart we will be challenged (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Let God challenge you with His teachings, humbly accept what He says, and then obey the Lord.

Unload the “Baggage” so You Can Really Listen to What God Says. Set aside your personal opinions or feelings and the philosophies, traditions, and popular opinions of men (Prov. 14:12; Col. 2:8; Mat. 15:9; 7:13). Family wishes or religious traditions must not be put above the Lord’s will (Mat. 10:37). Feelings of prejudice against the one who delivered the truth to you must be repented of (e.g., John 9:34; Gal 4:16).

Sometimes it requires Starting over and Rebuilding Your Faith. Saving faith in Christ is based upon the teaching of God’s word. “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:17). This is the only way to build your faith the way it is supposed to be built. Sometimes as a result of Bible study we discover we have believed and practiced that which is contrary to the Scriptures. As embarrassing or humiliating as it may be for you to make corrections in your life, don’t let your pride stand in the way of having a right relationship with God. For fellowship with the Lord depends on your willingness to humble yourself and be taught of God.

I think her head is on backwards.

I've been unbelievably busy with the galley-proofs (or whatever they call today's functional equivalent of them) of my book. Five chapters down, and two to finish tomorrow... Meanwhile, I see...

By David Swanson

Hillary Is blaming the Iraqis. I flip on the debate and that’s the first thing I have to hear. Sheesh.

Then she says they’ll stop Bush’s abuses by… passing more legislation. Sheesh.

Every two years the General Assembly sets the budget for the next two years. This is one of those years. Rather than a 45 day session, it goes on for 60, with the understanding that it’ll take an extra couple of weeks to sort out the budget. (Often it has gone substantially longer, not because of extra work, but because House and Senate Republicans have found themselves at an impasse, and had to stare each other down and see who would blink first.)

The tricky thing about the budget is that it’s all in one fat bill. When a senator or a delegate wants $50,000 for a project in their district, she doesn’t file a bill, but a budget amendment. Those end up as amendments to the House budget and the Senate budget. You can’t track those on Richmond Sunlight. But you can keep up with budget amendments on the General Assembly’s website, which lists every budget amendment filed by every legislator. You can even check to see what your own legislators have requested from state coffers. It’s a great little system that they have set up. A whole lot of money gets spent in this process, so it’s well worth taking a peek at the figures.

Republicans introduced a measure that would create a unified system to track the final budget, keeping a ten year history, SB585 in the Senate and HB1360 in the House. But each bill was passed by for the year in their committees yesterday, effectively killing them.

You bright green friends out there may have noticed that there are some items in your household that seem next to impossible to find a greener, earth-friendlier alternative.

Personal care products fall into that category. They are often the ugliest offenders of consumption and environmental waste - disposable razors, plastic containers for lotions of all shapes and sizes, and the one that we find needs replacing at least every six months (with our kids at least)- our toothbrushes. And with a family of four that adds up to hundreds of toothbrushes by the time these kidos flee the nest.

A company that has done an amazing job of closing the loop (which is rare, my bright green friends) is Recycline. A Massachusettes-based company founded by earth-lover Eric Hudson, this company is doing their part and then some. Get this: they actually provide the postage-paid envelope at the store for sending back your used recycline product. How's that for easy?

Back in December I blogged about one of their most popular products - their razors.
Today I was thrilled to find their toothbrush at Whole Foods.

Their toothbrushes are made with recycled Stoneyfield yogurt cups; in fact, 2 million recycled cups have been reused so far. And, bless them, last year they finally turned a profit!

This is just a simple way to make a difference with our dollars: buy your personal care products from Recycline sold at Whole Foods and talk it up to your friends!

Best,
BWB

This photo-simulation depicts what a streetcar on Water Street might look like Source: Alliance for Community Choice in Transportation

In late 2007, Seattle became the newest American city to reinstall streetcars when it opened up a 1.3 mile stretch of tracks looping through eleven downtown stops, including one about eight blocks from the Seattle Space Needle.

Earlier this month, the newly-created Northern Virginia Transportation Authority approved $37 million in funds to conduct preliminary engineering for a 4.7 mile streetcar line in Arlington from Pentagon City along Columbia Pike.

Could Charlottesville be among the next communities to look back at the nation’s transportation past in order to reduce traffic congestion and spark redevelopment along a central corridor?

That question is in part being addressed by the City’s Streetcar Task Force, a group of citizens and officials who have been studying the logistics of building a new streetcar system. Their work to-date is expected to culminate with a report to City Council next month.

Podcast produced by Charlottesville Tomorrow * Player by Odeo

Listen using player above or download a podcast interview with Gary Okerlund and Todd Gordon, two members of the Streetcar Task Force: Download 20080131-Streetcar-Task-Force.mp3

ORIGINS OF THE TASK FORCE

When the Alliance for Community Choice in Transportation commissioned the firm DJM+Harris Planning to assess Charlottesville’s transportation network in 2004, Engineer Roger Millar reached a definitive conclusion: the city’s quality of life was being negatively affected by its traffic congestion. 

One of Millar’s suggestions was for Charlottesville to install a streetcar along West Main Street to support a dense zone of development between the City’s two thriving economic centers - the Corner district to the west, and the Downtown Mall to the east.  West Main currently functions as the main connector road between Charlottesville’s two social and financial hubs, but the DJM+Harris Planning study proposed that the city ought to make the corridor a destination in and of itself.

Later in 2004, the idea got a major boost  when a grant from the Blue Moon Fund paid for a group of City and County officials to travel to Portland, Oregon and Tacoma, Washington to experience two successful streetcar systems firsthand.  In all, 24 people took the trip.

Since their return, several individuals have focused more in depth on potential streetcar implementation in this area, including designer Gary Okerlund and former mayor Maurice Cox, two current members of the Streetcar Task Force.  Okerlund Design Associates in particular has looked most closely at the design aspect and what specific architecture is needed along a streetcar route.

Council officially commissioned a Charlottesville Streetcar Task Force just over a year ago.  Gary Okerlund was named as one of the members, along with Harrison Rue of the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Council, Rebecca White of UVa’s Parking and Transportation office, and Planning Commissioner Michael Osteen. In all, there are 16 members.

On February 17, 2008, the group will present City Council with a report detailing some of the land use decisions that will have to be made if the City decides to pursue a streetcar system. The work has also included “very preliminary” engineering work.

Careful evaluation of the West Main corridor has revealed that it would likely be able to host a single streetcar track in the middle of the street.  In the event of a streetcar stop, the track would split in two, with a stop creating a new median.  This enables a potential streetcar to run on a predictable schedule without interruption from normal street traffic, with the additional benefit that riders getting on and off would only have to cross one lane of vehicular traffic.

A proposed map of the Streetcar, which would eliminate bus traffic on West Main Street (Source: Alliance for Community Choice in Transportation)

The Downtown Transit Station is the proposed initial streetcar stop in Phase 1, while 1.2 miles away it will terminate at the intersection of West Main and Jefferson Park Avenue.  In between, streetcar planners hope to create a model of transit oriented development, with stops every few blocks intended to promote economic development within close walking distance along the length of the corridor.  A later expansion could go from the Corner to Barracks Road.

Gary Okerlund told Charlottesville Tomorrow that the City has already taken the initial steps toward such development on West Main, with a higher density rezoning several years ago that allowed for taller buildings without additional parking spaces. 

Okerlund said the streetcar will further encourage infill development along West Main Street by providing a reliable way to get around. According to Todd Gordon, his colleague and fellow task force member, a rail-based transit line generally has a "sphere of influence" where development can occur within a quarter mile of the tracks.

Currently, CTS provides its most visible public transportation along West Main Street via its free bus service, known as the trolley.  This special bus designed to look like an old-fashioned streetcar  travels along much of the same pathway as its proposed replacement. The route is currently the most direct connection to the Mall and Grounds, and thus attracts both area residents and employees as well as those riders affiliated with UVa.  During any given hour, there are three vehicles traveling in one direction along the loop. These buses share traffic with other wheeled vehicles, leading to potential delays for riders during rush hour. Annual expenses for the trolley come to a combined $1,026,000 in operating costs for CTS.

Although far and away more expensive, a streetcar has a significant advantage over the existing trolley: it can either separate itself from existing street traffic via a distinct lane, or can utilize a “signal priority” system that turns traffic lights green with its approach, thus staying on a regular schedule.  This consistency – at a pace that may be quicker than driving during rush hour – would be expected to attract those “choice” riders who currently avoid public transportation because of the unpredictability.   One member of the Task Force says a streetcar’s advantage over a bus line is permanence.

"The biggest part of this is to convince people that a streetcar can do a lot more than just take people somewhere,” Gordon. “The streetcar has an ability to attract the dense mixed-use development that I think Charlottesville shown a preference for, and a desire for. And that type of development doesn't spring up around a bus line.”

Gordon says that’s because bus routes can change, whereas rails in the ground  indicate a community’s seriousness about transit.

Furthermore, proponents of a streetcar line remind us that such a mode of transportation contributes less to both noise and air pollution, giving riders and residents added health and environmental benefits. 

“It’s on rails, electrically-powered so it’s quieter, smoother, and far more energy efficient,” Okerlund said.

Gary Okerlund views the streetcar as a way to further the City’s goals of providing its citizens with affordable housing, increased jobs and environmental protection.  Okerlund told Charlottesville Tomorrow that a streetcar would fall in line with each goal via “mixed income housing along the transit-oriented development; more business along that heavily transited corridor; and a lowered environmental impact of cars as more people begin riding the streetcar.”

Okerlund says a firm cost-per-mile figure cannot be established until preliminary engineering is performed. That will take a more detailed analysis, similar to the one now authorized in Arlington County. But he says a streetcar in Charlottesville would have a capital cost between $10 and 15 million per mile. That figure would include the trams that would be operated, but not the annual operating budget.

The last streetcar journey in Charlottesville was taken in 1935 (Source: Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society)

One of the objectives of the Streetcar Task Force has been to identify a variety of sources of funding, including local government, federal dollars and private investments.  A key challenge for the task force, and City Council, will be to demonstrate that, in a small town like Charlottesville, that the up front financial investment in a streetcar will pay dividends for the entire community down “the rails.” Gordon acknowledges that the system will be very expensive to build, but that it could be worth it.

“We’re talking about spending a good deal of money, but because the streetcar has a development attraction to it, there’s a return on investment. The type of  dense development that a streetcar can attract pays into the tax base, and can eventually pay for itself.” 

The streetcar would fit in with other capital transportation projects, such as a proposed bus rapid transit (BRT) line running along US 29 towards the airport.

"What's important is creating a network of efficient transit so you have the option of going places without getting into a car," Gordon said. If the streetcar were eventually extended to Barracks’ Road, and the streetcar line had a relatively short waiting period between trams, BRT passengers could potentially have a seamless commute  to both the University and downtown Charlottesville.  Okerlund said that the project would not work unless a passenger could catch a tram every ten minutes.

When the report of the Streetcar Task Force is presented to City Council in mid-February, Okerlund said it will give Council an assessment of where the route would be, the potential complications, and a rough cost estimate.  Gordon said the report provides an opportunity for residents to consider the City’s future.

“Unlike a proposal for a bus route, a proposal for street car is half about transit, and half about shaping the kind of development we see in the future,” he said.

Sean Tubbs & Kendall Singleton

Mark Fiore released a nifty measuring device called “Changeometer.” It is sort of like a see-through x-ray device that clarifies the changing visions of the candidates for president of the US. No candidate is safe from this exposure.

Where my listing on Dairy Road is the featured home in their weekly series "On The Block." It's an interesting read, and I even accept the cattiness of the author (who called my hard-working clients "flippers") because you need to maintain the readers' interest. But Rosalind and I agree the property is unique in the quality of construction and renovation. If a buyer who's looking in this price range and neighborhood walks into the house, they will be impressed. My goal is to bring people in, because as the article points out, the interior is to die for. I do hope more people see it, because they don't build houses like this anymore.

I heard about this today. The website is http://www.myearlysville.com. "Your interactive community network." There are forums and you can register as a member. Not much there yet, but I assume there will be info on events, businesses, EARL meetings and other local news.

Image: Isaac Watts (1674-1748).

In fairness to Target, who we picked on in a post earlier this week, I felt it was important to recognize that the company is reconsidering its stance in regards to its long-standing ban of nontraditional media, including both blogs and trade publications. PR Week reports that the retailer has upped its communications staffing and will review its blog policy.

In the article, Target’s senior manager of communications acknowledges, “We recognize that blogs are increasing in number, and that our core guests” are writing and reading blogs. She is later quoted as saying, “We will be reviewing that blog policy going forward. We just don’t want to make any decisions we can’t follow up on.”

The decision by Target to reconsider this policy is something we can all agree upon as being a good move. However, they should act quickly. I mean, what are they waiting for: all the newspaper ink to dry out?

Local author John Grisham answers God’s call after getting one from Jimmy Carter, then answers questions from Bill Moyers–and gets to promote his new book, too!

Today the soon-to-be-retired John Warner (R) formally endorsed his longtime Senate colleague John McCain in his bid to become the next President of the United States. Warner will be McCain’s official campaign co-chair for Virginia. Citing a friendship dating to 1973, when Warner was Secretary of the Navy and McCain a Navy captain returning from nearly six years in a Vietnam prison camp, Warner said of the Arizonan in a press release, “John has a strong and unwavering commitment to the principles that he has so clearly put forward in this campaign. He is a proven leader.” Both the Virginia Democratic and Republican presidential primaries happen on February 12. Any registered voter can vote in either primary, just not in both. #

On this show, Harold Folley, Jr., of the Virginia Organizing Project joins me to discuss life in Westhaven, VOP's work on payday lending and the living wage, and other matters relating to the promotion of social justice in Charlottesville and beyond. I also take a few moments to talk about some of the initiatives I'll be championing in my term as Mayor. Click here to see the show:

http://charlottesville.granicus.com/ASX.php?publish_id=83&sn=charlottesville.granicus.com

Thanks again to David Dillehunt for an excellent production job.

Charlottesville’s #1 passenger rail promoter was hoping that Amtrak would take the idea of a daily train to Washington and roll with it. But Amtrak went further than Meredith Richards was expecting. The quasi-public passenger rail company released a report Tuesday signaling its desire to add a new daily train that would roll not just to Washington but all the way to New York. And back.

“I’m just thrilled,” says Richards, who heads the cvillerail.org advocacy group. “Amtrak said we’re the easiest corridor to add service to and at the lowest cost and in the shortest time, and they said, ‘Go for it.’”

The proposed train– whose southern terminus would be an hour south of Charlottesville in Lynchburg– would increase the number of passenger trains stopping in Charlottesville by about 70 percent. According to the suggested schedule, travelers could

The brightest new star in film will be part of a New York Times-sponsored panel discussion a week from tomorrow, on Friday, February 8, 2008 in New York City.

$25.

What, you thought she's gonna give it away?

Wake up and smell the durian.

Episode 1 back on October 22, 2006 featured the Johnny-Light.

Things have been hoppin' and poppin' since then out back in the lighted toilet skunk works.

Today Steve Berry brings news of a major breakthrough, called the Toi-Light (above and below).

He wrote, "I found this really cool toilet light. Unlike the Johnny-Light, this light can be used on more than just your toilet. It works great on your front door, bedside, baby's crib, RV, etc... Check it out!

You bet, Steve: the ink isn't even dry here (wait a minute, that's not right...) and my crack (Oy!) research team is already hard at it, looking into your submission.

Is it just me or do the Toi-Light graphics emanate from Second Life?

Very cool indeed.

But I digress.

From the Toi-Light website (dunno, might have to do some work on that name, what? But I digress yet again):
....................

Toi-Light

The Toi-Light is a toilet light that easily attaches to your toilet.

To use it, you simply step on a weight-sensitive pad and the light turns on!

Kit includes floor pad, cord and bulb (below).

Requires 2 AAA batteries (included).

Uses and benefits:

• Can also illuminate the front door, bedside, and cribside

• Assists the elderly and handicapped

• Makes a great gift for all occasions

• Aids in potty training young ones

In the bathroom [top]:

• Illuminates toilet bowl when you step on the pad (may be placed under bathroom mat)

• Energy efficient; most night lights waste electricity all night long

• Makes bathroom easy to use at night

• Great for potty training young ones

• Assists the elderly and handicapped

• Avoid embarrasing fall-ins

For the front door:

Illuminates the keyhole when you step on the pad (may be placed under the door mat)

• Find the lock at night and open the door

• Find the key you need to use with ease

By the bedside:

• Illuminates the bedside when you get up and stand on the pad (may be
placed under any rug)

• Find your way to the bathroom or other room in your house

• Safely get out of bed

For the baby crib:

• Find your baby's pacifier or favorite blankie without waking him/her

• Check on your baby without disturbing him/her with bright lights

• Illuminates when you step on the pad (under any rug)
....................

$19.99.

Daily Progress’ holding company, Media General issued a “cease and desist” letter to BookofJoe.com.

Media General explains that BookofJoe must immediately remove all licensed content from its website. The letter explains that BookofJoe “cut and pastes” articles directly into its blog and that is a violation of copyright and terms of service.

What do you think? Will we (or another local blogger) be next? Are these rules even well defined? I’m sure BookofJoe referenced DailyProgress.

My thoughts on this are simple. Would Daily Progress prefer local bloggers to summarize articles and not link back to their site or do they want to be open with their content? Will the editors at Daily Progress use this as a story (haha, no)? How much traffic do you think BookofJoe is sending to Daily Progress? I know the DP writers read this site; but they probably can’t comment on anything which sucks.

(remember we keep all identities a secret!)

Click through to read the letter.

(more…)

My eleven year old daughter Miss G created a facebook for me. I protested half-heartedly, but she was insistent that facebook is a vital social tool for the information age and that life as I know it could not go on until I had my own facebook page. Then, in my name, she contacted various people that I know—mainly nieces and nephews—and invited them to be friends with me. So now I have approximately 45,000 facebook friends, because I'm so popular and everybody wants to be friends with me. No, that was a joke. I did acquire a large number of friends in 24 hours, though. Some of them wrote sweet little notes on my “wall” and it all seems friendly and harmless, although I worry about Miss G recklessly sending out invitations from me, since the nieces and nephews are now probably wondering what has gotten into their crazy aunt who sees them once a year and even then, doesn't have a whole lot to say.

Then there was the issue of my profile. I noticed Miss G set it to say that I am interested in men. Why, I asked, did she put that? That makes it look like I'm trying to meet men.

Miss G: What did you want me to put, chickens?

Me: Is that an option?

Miss G: No! You have to pick men or women. Those are the only choices.

Then I discovered the networks. You can, for example, join a network of everyone who graduated from your college. I went to Canisius College, a small Jesuit college in Buffalo, and after just ten seconds of browsing I knew I had to join. Too bad I'm required to have a canisius.edu email address. What the hell? I graduated years ago, live in another state, but have to have an email address from the college in order to join a facebook network? That requirement pretty much excludes 98% of alumni from joining. I tried entering my virginia.edu address, thinking that the “.edu” might fool it, but no, I was told that this email was no good and why didn't I join the UVA network, since clearly I has slipped and typed Canisius College when what I meant was University of Virginia? Now I was mad and if I couldn't join the Canisius network I had to join a different one. Charlottesville! Buffalo! My old high school! Things were getting interesting, but alas, we have just one computer and Miss G wanted to visit her facebook. Soon we were engaged in the sort of family fight you see on sit coms and she was trying to wrest the mouse out of my hand, yelling, “You can't have facebook anymore!”

The Clubhouse is hosting a Super Bowl Party this Sunday.  The big game starts a little after 6:00.

They'll have food and appetizers including Hot Wings, New York Style Pizza, New England Clam Chowder, Nachos, and more. 

The entire neighborhood is invited...please call 823-8101 or email seth@oldtrailgolf.com to RSVP.

The Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia has released their annual population estimates for Virginia.  I had prepared an analysis for my show yesterday with Coy Barefoot on WINA but we didn't have time to discuss the report.

As I have been following this data for the past several years, I thought the public might benefit from some trend information.  Surprising to me, the City of Charlottesville grew at a faster rate in the prior year than the County of Albemarle, at least on a percentage basis (1.14% vs. 0.98%). [See chart #1]

Of course in raw numbers, the County still added almost twice as many people as Charlottesville (908 vs. 467). [See chart #2]

The Weldon Cooper data is from April 1, 2000 (the census) to July 1, 2007.  That is a period of 7.25 years. During that period, Albemarle has grown by 9,415 people and Charlottesville has grown by 1,175 people. Charlottesville has had a negative net migration (-266 people).  Thus Charlottesville's growth has come more from natural increases (births exceeding deaths).  Albemarle, on the other hand, has had growth predominantly from net migration of people moving into the County (6,472 people).  This amounts to 69% of the increase in the County population since 2000, the remainder coming from natural increases.

Brian Wheeler

I've been working hard on the stem cell article these last couple of days, and I think I have a working draft now. Unfortunately, the previous article that I wrote on stem cell therapy was deemed "too controversial" and has to be rewritten. Wow. Apparently, the validity of some of the research claims in the field is under current debate among researchers. This brings up an interesting point about

Governor Kaine Announces Participation in Chesapeake Crescent Partnership
– States, District of Columbia, and federal government form collaborative to increase the region's global competitiveness –

WASHINGTON, DC – The Chesapeake Crescent Initiative was formally introduced today at the U.S. Capitol as heads of government from Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia, along with senior members of Congress, announced their commitment to work together to raise the prosperity of the region and increase its global competitiveness. The goal of the Initiative is to focus on four areas: Regional Collaboration; Environment/Energy; Innovation/Economy; and, Secure and Sustainable Development.

Participating in its public debut were Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, U.S. Congressman Tom Davis of Virginia, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley and D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty.

“In the 21st Century economy, we know that regions, not artificial political boundaries, compete for talent and capital,” Governor Kaine said. “The Crescent is an important effort to leverage our world-class research strengths, knowledgeable workforce, and robust business climate to deliver high-paying jobs for generations to follow.”

“The Greater Washington Region is home to a tremendous number of resources --first-rate institutions of higher learning, prominent businesses, an incredibly well educated populace, a diverse economy, and the federal government and its multitude of world-class science and research facilities,” said Congressman Hoyer. “To maximize these assets, capitalize on obvious synergies, and effectively compete in the global economy, the region’s public and private sector leaders must work together across jurisdictional boundaries. That is the goal of the Chesapeake Crescent. I am a strong supporter of this exciting collaboration, and I look forward to working together as we look to tackle the tough issues that lie ahead.”

Governor O’Malley said, “The Chesapeake Crescent Initiative is an innovative approach that will help us work more closely with our neighbors to identify regional solutions to some of our shared challenges. By pooling our resources, we hope to be able to find long-term solutions to some of the pressing environmental, transportation and economic challenges that we all face separately every day.”

“This is the kind of outside-the-box collaboration that can have a long-lasting impact on our entire region,” said Congressman Davis. “To remain competitive in the global economy, we need to discard obsolete divisions between government and the private sector and join forces to position our region where it belongs: at the forefront of innovation, competitiveness, and wise environmental stewardship.”

Mayor Fenty said, “To build a truly globally competitive region, we have to think across jurisdictional lines when it comes to building a more green and sustainable economy, driving innovation and investment and making our transportation network more efficient and effective.”

Plans for the Chesapeake Crescent Initiative, a first in the region and the nation, have been years in the making. For its co-founders and vice chairmen Herb Miller and George Vradenburg, the Chesapeake Crescent Initiative is the instrument that will integrate the valuable resources of the region, addressing the challenges of the 21st Century for clean energy, environmental planning, harnessing intellectual and entrepreneurial assets, producing efficient transportation and workforce housing. This requires collaboration by the leaders of government supported by the private-sector entrepreneurial talent of the region. The long-term goal is to create a sustainable framework of regulatory and investment actions to ensure the areas promise and apply solutions to its challenges.

# # #

If any of you ever wants to do something nice for your children or some other loved ones...

... and you decide to make rice krispy treats...

... and you get the notion to use colored marshmallows...

... such as one of those bags of rainbow colored marshmallows that all grocery stores carry...

... you should know that the marshmallows do not keep their pretty colors...

... in fact, the colors run together and create a color that can only be described as "puke"...

... but luckily, the puke look can be more or less concealed with M&Ms...

... lots of them.

Just so you know.

You're welcome.

• Feb Club Eve 1894
• Three Easy Nieces
• Haitian Paradise
• Super Jewsday
• Anything But Those (in which you can wear what you want, but everyone will criticize it)
• Revenge of the Turds
• Snowpants or Low pants.
• Kegs and Dregs

Actual 2008 Feb Club themes are available from TJ.

Counselor, guess what?

You're now famous!

You have 15 minutes... but I digress.

You could look it up.

But if you're too busy preparing your next salvo of legal documents, just take a look up top.