Student-Athletes: Win $20k

A student-athlete is not an anomaly, they exist in even great numbers today due to the fact that more kids are growing up playing organized sports.

Lady Foot Locker, in conjunction with Foot Locker Scholar Athletes, is looking for you to nominate student-athlete that is well rounded both on and off the field.  Shoot, you can even nominate yourself to enter to win 1 of 20 scholarships for $20k.

Applications can be submitted until January 9, 2012, and for more information about the program click here.

Got Dormer?

2011 AWARE: Year of the Dormer

AWARE: Public Disclosure on Property Values

AWARE Coalition (Accurate Worcester Assessments on Real Estate) has been busy attempting to get the word out about the fiscal year 2012 property value assessment that is taking place.


With the forthcoming mailings, we can expect notices to be published in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, along with a number of other places with the  City of Worcester's website being the key place.


Stay tuned!

2011 AWARE Public Disclosure Property Values Explanation

Drug Testing TANF

Earlier this year, Governor Rick Scott of Florida pushed for and signed into law the requirement for drug testing anyone that receives cash welfare assistance.  (Cash welfare assistance is different from food stamps and housing assistance.)

The law, which took effect on July 1, mandates that any adult that applies to the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Family program will be tested for drugs by the Florida Department of Children and Family Services.  The person receiving the aid would be responsible for covering the cost of the testing, estimated at $35 per test, and may be able to recoup that money in their assistance if they qualify.

So, the person that is looking to feed, clothe and house a needy child, which is the primary role for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Family (TANF) program, must be tested, to make sure that the funds the caregiver receives do actually go towards feeding, clothing and housing a child or children?  

Well, immediately after Governor Scott made his intentions known regarding making it a law, the ACLU quickly jumped in the fray, and called the law unconstitutional; a direct violation of the Fourth Amendment.  The amendment reads:

"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

While the ACLU has been involved in previous court hearings that were eventually struck down, Governor Scott's law is different from the previous rulings which involved employees who are mandated to undergo random drug testing due to their position.

I wonder if Governor Deval Patrick ever considered such a law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts?

Well, we know that a number of people would look at Governor Patrick side-eyed, and wonder why he's "picking" on the poor.

And, I know that Governor Patrick, who stated in a Boston Globe interview that he won't seek re-election in 2014, is dealing with bigger issues, such as the 300,000 unemployed Bay State residents.  

I just hope that the next governor, whoever she or he is, doesn't waste taxpayer dollars, similar to what's taking place in Florida.

The larger issues that are facing Floridians, and the millions of people in the United States of America are the disparities that exist for education and access to resources.

I mean, why only test the TANF recipients when Governor Scott or President Obama could decide to test every person because each one of us, that lives in the USA, receives some sort of "benefit".  

Think about it for a second.  

A retired schoolteacher, that receives Medicaid could be tested, along with folks, say, living in Monson, MA, who are still dealing with the devastation from the tornado that ripped through the region in June, could also be subjected to being tested because they received federal emergency relief money, or what about the kid that has worked multiple jobs in order to save and attend college, but has to apply for students loans and grants, she/he, too, could be tested for drugs.

I'm all for every human being doing what they can to contribute to society, you know, making the world a little better.  I have little patience for "sponge cakes".  The "sponge cakes" get no love from me, but, at the same time, I'm the type of person that gives spare change to panhandlers.  Hey, I'm not all bad.

Goldwin

With the economy looking weaker than single-ply Dollar Store toilet paper, the price of gold hit an all-time high yesterday.......$1,600 per ounce!  Yikes!

Why, you might ask?  

Well, with President Obama attempting to negotiate with Congress on raising the U.S. government debt limit before the August 2nd deadline, it appears that Wall Street is forecasting based upon the old adage of "all that glitters isn't gold"  isn't true.  The Street is betting "gold is king".

I'm sure you were raised similarly to me, in that you were encouraged to buy land and buy gold.  Hey, if not, that's on you.  

My family was ALL about owning land and gold.  Maybe my father knew something that I didn't?

When I was 8-years-old, I wanted a "dookey" rope chain!  You know, the fat gold chain similar to those worn by all the rappers in the '80s.

I wanted to look like Run DMC, LL Cool J, but I shied away from looking like Slick Rick (Mr.T took it to the extreme).

Now, that I'm sitting on a mound of gold, I just might buy an island!  Oh, wait, I already own one!

Money To Burn: Just NOT in Massachusetts

The casino debate in Massachusetts has been taking place for more than a decade and, quite honestly, I'm getting tired of it. 

When Mitt Romney was Governor, I knew there was no way that he'd vote to approve there being casinos in MA.  He'd rather see that money, which at the time, was near $200 million being spent by Massachusetts residents in CT.  

Well, fast forward to the Patrick & Murray team getting elected to the State House, and a ton of folks thinking, "OK, maybe now we can get some of this paper to stay in state, and not lose it to CT."  That would be wishful thinking because the bosses that run stuff in Beantown are all about making sure their paper isn't messed up, and, more importantly, that they get their cut when casinos are allowed in Massachusetts.  See, it's all about protecting your neck like the Wu Tang Clan.

I mean, if I were a member of the Mashantucket Pequots or any tribe that can lay claim to land and rights being taken away, I'd push for recognition and usage of land for a casino.  Shoot, if the tribe says to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that the state would be guaranteed $600 million per year just from the slot machines, who wouldn't take that deal?

I've even argued that a casino in Central Massachusetts, and, specifically in Worcester County, would work.  

We have the old manufacturing buildings that could be removed, and as long as the casino is near the Mass Pike, that would equate to additional revenue for the state.  Sounds good, doesn't it? 

Worcester County businesses, on all ends of spectrum, would benefit, and it would help the DCU Center for booking conferences, concerts and additional trade shows.  

It would be a Charlie Sheen-like win for all!

Fair Housing Project: Contract Jobs

Do you want to help end housing discrimination? Then the Fair Housing Project is interested in you!

Attend our next fair housing training and find out how YOU can help end housing discrimination.

When: Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Time: 10am - 2pm   

Where: Worcester, Massachusetts

Can I do it?

• No experience necessary - we will provide training
• You must be detail-oriented and good at following instructions
• There is a limited time commitment
• You cannot have a criminal record
• You MUST have your own transportation and be willing to travel throughout Worcester County.

How do I sign up?

Please contact: Liza at (508) 752-3722 x 334 (sorry, we cannot respond to e-mails).

This is an independent contractor position for a non-profit organization.Compensation: $50 for training, practice test and debriefing; $10/hr for assignments.

The work that provided the basis for this publication was supported by funding under a grant with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The substance and finding of the work are dedicated to the public. The author and publisher are solely responsible for the accuracy of the statements and interpretations contained in this publication. Such interpretations do not necessarily reflect the views of the Federal Government.

Social Media: Value vs. Hype

Today, May 19th, marks a day that a social media company's stock--LinkedIn-- began trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

What some Wall Street estimators said was nothing more than a "bubble" reminiscent to '99 and 2000.....the thinking is what goes up, must come down.

LinkedIn opened with a stock price of around $45 per share and quickly jumped up to $125 per share. While the stock has settled, it currently hovering around $92 per share.

Jeff Weiner, CEO of LinkedIn, put alot of trust in what CNBC said was going to be a historic day, and the company has superseded expectations.

Now, with LinkedIn going public, it's only a matter of time before Facebook looks to do the same.
But the question remains: Are social media companies a good buy or are they hype created by CEOs and board of directors looking to cash in on what we as human beings naturally do?

Fair Housing Project: Contract Work (Jobs)

Do you want to help end housing discrimination? Then the Fair Housing Project is interested in you!

Attend our next fair housing training and find out how YOU can help end housing discrimination.

When: Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Time: 10am - 2pm   

Where: Worcester, Massachusetts

Can I do it?

• No experience necessary - we will provide training
• You must be detail-oriented and good at following instructions
• There is a limited time commitment
• You cannot have a criminal record
• You MUST have your own transportation and be willing to travel throughout Worcester County.

How do I sign up?

Please contact: Liza at (508) 752-3722 x 334 (sorry, we cannot respond to e-mails).

This is an independent contractor position for a non-profit organization.Compensation: $50 for training, practice test and debriefing; $10/hr for assignments.

The work that provided the basis for this publication was supported by funding under a grant with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The substance and finding of the work are dedicated to the public. The author and publisher are solely responsible for the accuracy of the statements and interpretations contained in this publication. Such interpretations do not necessarily reflect the views of the Federal Government.

Fair Housing Project: Contract Work (Jobs)

Do you want to help end housing discrimination? Then the Fair Housing Project is interested in you!

Attend our next fair housing training and find out how YOU can help end housing discrimination.

When: Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Time: 10am - 2pm   

Where: Worcester, Massachusetts

Can I do it?

• No experience necessary - we will provide training
• You must be detail-oriented and good at following instructions
• There is a limited time commitment
• You cannot have a criminal record
• You MUST have your own transportation and be willing to travel throughout Worcester County.

How do I sign up?

Please contact: Liza at (508) 752-3722 x 334 (sorry, we cannot respond to e-mails).

This is an independent contractor position for a non-profit organization.
Compensation: $50 for training, practice test and debriefing; $10/hr for assignments.

The work that provided the basis for this publication was supported by funding under a grant with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The substance and finding of the work are dedicated to the public. The author and publisher are solely responsible for the accuracy of the statements and interpretations contained in this publication. Such interpretations do not necessarily reflect the views of the Federal Government.

Coalition of Worcester Retirees: Medicare Part B

Virginia Ryan and the Coalition of Worcester Retirees (COWR) are making sure that they're "getting in the door" at the first City Council meeting for 2011, taking place on Tuesday, Jan. 4th.

COALITION OF WORCESTER RETIREES

 We filed the petition below that is on the January 4, 2011 Worcester City Council that begins at 7 PM.  The council meets on the third floor of Worcester City Hall.  If you would like to speak to this issue, please let me know.

7f.    Virginia Ryan request the City of Worcester pay for the difference in cost of Part B Medicare for 2010 and 2011 for City retirees not receiving Social Security checks.

Worcester Medicare Cost 2000-2010

Spags: How I Miss Thee!

I miss SPAGS, and my relationship goes back to the late-90s when I lived in East Boston and then Somerville, but would trek to Central Massachusetts to shop at the Worcester Common Outlets and then hit SPAGS on the way home.
It was SPAGS where I would find awesome houseware, particularly bed sheets & towels. The good stuff, and not the poly-cotton crap found at Woolworth in Downtown Crossing.
SPAGS was that store that I raved about when I worked at Boston College and so many of my colleagues would say that Shrewsbury was, "too far and not worth the trip.....especially when I can shop at Bed Bath Beyond."
Alright, I'll be the first to say I love a sale like a fat kid loves cake, and whenever there is a bargain to be had, I can sniff it out. It's the Dane in me, what can I say.
On more than one occasion, I did my entire family Christmas shopping at SPAGS. I hooked everyone up with just what they wanted and I even had some left over cash to take my cousins to the movies when I visited them in NYC. I was ecstatic!
So, SPAGS I miss you and just wanted to let you know.
Peace!

Did you VOTE?

I exercised my civic duty and voted just before 9 AM this morning.

Voting is something that I take pride in because I always wondered, when I was younger, who were the 'brilliant' people that voted Ronald Reagan as the 40th President of the United States


You see, I heard alot of talk about 'Reaganomics' from my family and the number of visitors that ate at my family's Caribbean restaurant.

The complaints about the economy and the amount of money people had to spend on things such as the latest VCR, Sony Walkman, Chevrolet Sprint or purchasing a home with a mortgage rate that averaged 12%, were very loud and, at times, turned into heated debates.

It all made sense when I noticed the number of 'snow birds', folks that lived in the VI for 3-6 months of the year, steadily decrease.

When Hall of Fame NFL running back, Herschel Walker, ate at The Old Gallery Restaurant & Bar, I overhead him talking about the economy while he ate. Not even a millionaire athlete was immune.

So, today as you exercise your right to vote, do so with good conscience and know that WE play a role in making the world a little better for the next generation.

Worcester's New Parking Meters

Spotted this new parking meter on Franklin Street near the T&G building.
This just confirms what I know already: most people don't carry change or cash, but they do have their credit card and/or debit card handy.

Council Cuts

I read a few online posts this morning about proposed cuts that the City Council is discussing and actively pushing.
Knowing that Worcester's economic future continues to look bleak, this is a precarious tact to take: offer early-retirement packages with the hopes of saving money.
Whenever talks turn to saving money to pay for "general services", there is typically a group of people that are all for it.
The old adage of, "robbing Peter to pay Paul" always makes me laugh because inevitably, it's a scenario that causes more issues down the road that we aren't able to forecast or know what impact those decisions might have on other municipal services and the people that call Worcester their home.
Besides prayer and putting our trust in the Councilors, what else are we left to do? I can think of a few choice words, but I'm trying very hard not to curse.

Tax Free Weekend: What is it really worth?

This upcoming weekend is "tax free weekend" and I've heard a few people comment that they plan to buy those tires for their car or that new living-room furniture that they've been eyeing for sometime this weekend.  But, what is the "holiday" really worth?

We didn't have a "tax free weekend" last year (2009) and now that the state sales tax is at 6.25%, as opposed to the 5% it was in 2008, when we did have a "tax free weekend", could it have anything to do with this year being an election year?  I know, it's a rhetorical question.

Here's a BIG change to this year's "Sales Tax Holiday Weekend":

What's Different for 2010?

This year, Massachusetts residents may want to stock up on their favorite liquors and wines for the holidays, as the tax-free weekend will include alcohol sales. The 2010 Massachusetts sales tax holiday weekend includes "alcoholic beverages sold for off-premises consumption" which means you will still pay tax on the drinks you purchase with a meal in a restaurant or at your favorite local bar.


The tax exemption only applies to items purchased for personal use, not business use. Individual items must also cost $2,500 or less. 

Pressed Down

This is a sad day when a local business, that's been around for 104-years, closes their doors.

Saltus Press

Now when it come to making money, I'm a printing press and when it come to being trill.......I'm the litmus test. - Bun B. "Put It Down" from the album Trill O.G. 

Playgrounds: Some Truth Exist

I read Clive McFarlane's playground article and truly laughed out loud. 

The Roosevelt School playground, which I know about first-hand because my daughter attended the school when the conversation began about having a playground on school grounds, was built with alot of money from the school's parents and alot of  "sweat equity".

I wish Clive would have done a better job fact checking the figures because he would have learned that it was NOT $30,000 that was kicked in by the City from the City Sewer Fund as a way "to give something back" to the Vernon Hill and Quinsigamond Village residents, the real dollar amount is more like $300,000.

If you'd like the back story, you can read what I've written about the Providence Street Playground here.

BP to the Gulf Coast: You're worth $20 Billion to us

 

 

 

BP has agreed to put $20 Billion in an escrow account for the Gulf Coast and those affected by the oil spill. 

Some folks will applaud BP for "doing the right thing", but knowing that oil has been flowing for 53-plus-days, I hardly believe that $20 Billion will be adequate to pay the many people and businesses that have been affected.       

Dianne Wilkerson: Pleading Guilty

I wrote about Dianne Wilkerson in 2008 and in 2009 and said that she needed to just "man up" and say that she did it. 

Well, it looks like her conscience and some influential Black ministers in Boston  convinced her to do the right thing.

Read the full story on Boston.com.