Pocomoke; Census tour makes mark on Shore

As the U.S. Census Bureau prepares to tally every person in the country this fall, officials are making sure people are prepared to be counted.

But -- in the interest of counting -- the four jazz musicians, three city officials and dozens of Pocomoke City residents who visited the 2010 Census Road Tour as it stopped at the Chamber of Commerce on Market Street as part of a Lower Shore loop, will know exactly what to do when they get the questionnaire in the mail next month.


"I learned that they are going to be sending out a form of 10 easy questions and I will be sending it back," said Pocomoke City resident Sage Allen. And since she is the head of her household, she added, it's her job to fill out the questionnaire.


Pocomoke is one of 80 stops the Philadelphia regional campaign -- one of 13 across the country -- will make to generate awareness for the once-a-decade national tally of the population, said Jackie Lisjuan, a Eastern Shore representative of the Census Bureau.
"It's important to remember that everyone in the U.S. counts," Lisjuan said. "Whether they are undocumented, working, homeless or a child."


The census, last taken in 2000, helps in determining where the federal government needs to spend the roughly $400 million it distributes to communities every year for schools, hospitals, roads and other infrastructure.


That money is very important to local governments like the one in Pocomoke, said City Manager Russell Blake.
"I've been around long enough in government to know how important the census is," Blake said. "I use the numbers all the time."


Population numbers are often used locally when applying for grants and loans to enhance city services, he said.
The Census Road Tour also stopped in Crisfield and Salisbury on Wednesday, its only stops on the Lower Shore. And had Pocomoke not offered to host the bus, Denise Wagner, head of the Chamber of Commerce, said the tour might not have come to southern Delmarva at all.


"We were the first group that agreed on the Shore," Wagner said.
Hosting the tour -- and lining live entertainment from the Pocomoke High School girls' choir and local band, The Larks -- is part of a few things the Chamber is doing to raise awareness about the national count, Wagner said. Throughout April, the organization will have a representative from the census on hand to answer any questions residents have about the form. "People don't understand that's how our federal dollars come in to play," Wagner said. "I really want to draw attention to Pocomoke City. There are so many treasures here."

VIA: DelmarvaNow.com

School Board Cancels Prom Rather Than Allowing Same-Sex Couple

School board members in Fulton, Miss., decided to cancel the senior prom at Itawamba Agricultural High School rather than let a lesbian student take her girlfriend to the dance.

Now 18-year-old Constance McMillen says she fears retaliation from her classmates.

"The message they are sending is that if they have to let gay people go to prom that they are not going to have one," she tells the Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Miss.

"A bunch of kids at school are really going to hate me for this, so in a way it's really retaliation," she adds.

The American Civil Liberties Union in Mississippi has taken up McMillen's cause.

School officials in Fulton (a town of about 4,00 people in the northeast corner of the state) circulated a memo Feb. 5 telling students that same-sex couples would not be allowed at the prom.

In an ACLU press release, McMillen reports meeting with the assistant principal and later the district superintendent. She says she was told she could not attend the prom with her girlfriend or show up wearing a tuxedo.

And no matter what they did, McMillen says in the press release, she was told they would be thrown out if their presence made any other students "uncomfortable."

READ MORE HERE @ PARENTDISH

Funnies

A doctor examining a woman who had been rushed to the emergency room, took the husband aside, and said, 'I don't like the looks of your wife at all.'
'Me neither doc,' said the husband.
'But she's a great cook and really good with the kids.'

----------------------------------
An old man goes to the Wizard to ask him if he can remove a curse he has been living with for the last 40 years.
The Wizard says, 'Maybe, but you will have to tell me the exact words that were used to put the curse on you.'
The old man says without hesitation, 'I now pronounce you man and wife.'

-----------------------------------


While shopping for vacation clothes, my husband and I passed a display of bathing suits. It had been at least ten years and twenty pounds since I had even considered buying a bathing suit, so I sought my husband's advice.
'What do you think?' I asked. 'Should I get a bikini or an all-in-one?'
'Better get a bikini,' he replied 'You'd never get it all in one.'
He's still in intensive care.

-----------------------------------


The graveside service just barely finished, when there was a massive clap of thunder, followed by a tremendous bolt of lightning, accompanied by even more thunder rumbling in the distance.
The little old man looked at the preacher and calmly said, 'Well......she's there.'

Random Life Laws

1. Law of Mechanical Repair - After your hands become coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch and you'll have to pee.

2. Law of Gravity - Any tool, nut, bolt, screw, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner.

3. Law of Probability -The probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of your act

4. Law of Random Numbers - If you dial a wrong number, you never get a busy signal and someone always answers.

5. Law of the Alibi - If you tell the boss you were late for work because you had a flat tire, the very next morning you will have a flat tire.

6. Variation Law - If you change lines (or traffic lanes), the one you were in will always move faster than the one you are in now (works every time).

7. Law of the Bath - When the body is fully immersed in water, the telephone rings.

8. Law of Close Encounters -The probability of meeting someone you know increases dramatically when you are with someone you don't want to be seen with.

9. Law of the Result - When you try to prove to someone that a machine won't work, it will.

10. Law of Biomechanics - The severity of the itch is inversely proportional to the reach.

11.. Law of the Theater and Hockey Arena - At any event, the people whose seats are furthest from the aisle, always arrive last. They are the ones who will leave their seats several times to go for food, beer, or the toilet and who leave early before the end of the performance or the game is over. The folks in the aisle seats come early, never move once, have long gangly legs or big bellies, and stay to the bitter end of the performance. The aisle people also are very surly folk.

12. The Coffee Law - As soon as you sit down to a cup of hot coffee, your boss will ask you to do something which will last until the coffee is cold.

13. Murphy's Law of Lockers - If there are only two people in a locker room, they will have adjacent lockers.

14. Law of Physical Surfaces - The chances of an open-faced jelly sandwich landing face down on a floor, are directly correlated to the newness and cost of the carpet or rug.

15. Law of Logical Argument - Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about. ( A democrat politician come to mind?)

16. Brown's Law of Physical Appearance - If the clothes fit, they're ugly.

17. Oliver's Law of Public Speaking - A closed mouth gathers no feet. ( A democrat VP come to mind?)

18. Wilson's Law of Commercial Marketing Strategy - As soon as you find a product that you really like, they will stop making it.

19. Doctors' Law - If you don't feel well, make an appointment to go to the doctor, by the time you get there you'll feel better. But don't make an appointment, and you'll stay sick.

Wednesday- Virginia General Assembly

Virginia Becomes First State in Union to Ban Federally Mandated Health Insurance

Virginia's General Assembly became the first in the nation Wednesday to approve legislation that bucks any attempt by President Barack Obama and Congress to implement a national health care overhaul in individual states.


The Republican-ruled House of Delegates, with wide Democratic support, voted 80-17 without debate for the largely symbolic step aimed at the Democratic-backed reforms pushed by Obama and stalled in Congress. The vote sends the measure to Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell who intends to sign it.


Thirty-four other state legislatures have either filed or proposed similar measures statutes or constitutional amendments rejecting health insurance mandates, according to the American Legislative Exchange Council.


Obama carried Virginia in his historic ride to the presidency in 2008, the first Democrat to do so in a presidential race in 44 years. But since then, the tide has turned. Virginia's Republicans routed Democrats in last year's gubernatorial and legislative elections, partly because of public distrust of Democrats' proposed health care reforms.


GOP lawmakers expedited the bill and three others like it as a legislative statement reflecting broad voter discontent over the proposed reforms. Virginia's legislative session is, on average, the nation's briefest, and the bill passed four days ahead of Saturday's scheduled adjournment.


The legality of bills like Virginia's is questionable because courts generally rule that federal laws supersede those of the states.


The bill's sponsor, Del. Robert G. Marshall, R-Prince William, and other supporters advocated the measure as a defiant statement to an overreaching federal government. They say it falls under the Constitution's 10th Amendment that deals with state sovereignty. Marshall said he expects the law to be challenged and ultimately decided by the U.S. Supreme Court.


"There are limited powers the federal government has. Simply because of the supremacy clause, it doesn't mean anything that the Congress does, in fact, must be enforced at all levels of government in the United States," Marshall said in an interview after his bill won passage.


"It gives the state of Virginia the right to intervene on behalf of individuals should they decide not to pay for insurance and they refuse to pay the fine or they refuse to pay the fee or the tax or whatever you call it," he said.


Separate bills passed by the U.S. House and Senate would impose a penalty on people who don't have health insurance except in cases of financial hardship. The intent of the mandate is to expand the pool of people who are insured and paying premiums and thus offset the increased costs of insuring those with preexisting conditions or other risks.


More distressing for Virginia Democrats was that 21 of their 39 delegates in the 100-member House sided with the GOP in defying the initiative that is their party's national priority.

www.shoredailynews.com

This Weekend at the Mar-Va Theater

Directed by Guy Ritchie

Plot summary (from IMDb.com):

After finally catching serial killer and occult "sorcerer" Lord Blackwood, legendary sleuth Sherlock Holmes and his assistant Dr. Watson can close yet another successful case. But when Blackwood mysteriously returns from the grave and resumes his killing spree, Holmes must take up the hunt once again. Contending with his partner's new fiancée and the dimwitted head of Scotland Yard, the dauntless detective must unravel the clues that will lead him into a twisted web of murder, deceit, and black magic - and the deadly embrace of temptress Irene Adler.

Featuring:
Robert Downey Jr.
Jude Law
Rachel McAdams
Mark Strong

Favorite Book

.

Eastern Shore Tourism Budget Cut Could Hurt Shore

With the tax revenue shortfalls currently taking place everywhere around us, many programs and services will be cut by local governments. The Eastern Shore Tourism Commission is currently looking at a proposed $20,000 cut to their budget from the Accomack County Board of Directors. Donna Bozza and Steve Potts of the Eastern Shore Tourism Commission say that is not a good idea.

"We need to feed our economic drivers. Tourism is an economic driver," said Bozza. "People come to our Welcome Center and our surveys show that they leave and go to towns up and down the Eastern Shore. So here we have tourists, coming into our towns and spending money in our stores."

If the Accomack County Board of Supervisors approves the cuts, it could lead to closings of the recently opened Welcome Center by the Bay Bridge Tunnel. Governor McDonnell has proposed increasing state tourism funding by approximately $7 million.

"These cuts would force us to close the newly opened Welcome Center several months out of the year," explains Bozza, then continued "there was an article in the Virginia Pilot recently about Virginia Beach opening up a new Welcome Center on the Seagull Pier that will be open and staffed 7 days a week. If our doors are closed, we will be sending the tourists over to Virginia Beach."

Bozza and Potts say the Eastern Shore Tourism Commission has been responsible for getting the Eastern Shore into many travel publications including the New York Times, Budget Travel Magazine, National Geographic, the New York Daily News and the Today Show. With the budget of the Tourism Commission cut, it will hinder the ability of the Commission to travel to meet with such publications and provide this form of advertising for Eastern Shore Tourism.

The next budget meeting will be Monday night at 5:00, which both Bozza and Potts plan on attending.

More Information Virginia Pilot Article About VA Beach Welcome Center

http://www.shoredailynews.com/

Irony

.

Picture For Today

.

Funny Animal

'Uh, cat? What cat?'

Random Thought for the Day:

I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

Blink of (BOC) Finds Missing Mother Christine Sheddy and her Murderer

Well at least she says she did.

It's truly amazing, or is it astonishment? that Blink (Shannon Stoy/Moser/Poser) has accepted complete and total credit for the finding of the missing mother of three Christine Sheddy that vanished from a Byrd Rd farm just outside Pocomoke City over two years ago .

While we have recently had our differences the Pocomoke Tattler has from the very beginning worked with the missing Christine's mother and family and consistently published articles and updates about Christine . Now here comes this "B" Blink and is taking 100% credit for solving this case when in fact Blink and team did nothing but hamper the case from her very inception.

We saw this right away, sadly others are not as backwoods swavy as us "inbreeds" and they accused us of this very occurrence.

This Blink on Crime article speaks for itself folks, check it out and be sure to read the comments if you can make it through all the back patting. This Post is "B's" most recent Also notice that the great "B" had to steal pictures from the DelmarvaNow.com website.

That site nor it's so called "team of experts" had anything to do with finding Christine. It was those that stayed up all night making phone calls, posting on the internet, it was relentless family and LE officers that would not give up, the same people that has been slammed by BOC.

I hope this is a wake-up call to those who have so blindly worshiped that "B"

I hate to say I told ya so... but...................

Favorite Book

.

NEWS RELEASE / Sheddy Case

On February 20, 2010, following the discovery of the remains of Christine Sheddy in Snow Hill, charges were issued against Justin Michael Hadel, age 19, of College Station Texas for 1^{st Degree Murder, 2nd Degree Murder, 1st Degree Assault, and 2nd Degree Assault. The Application for Statement of Charges in that case, requested by a detective from the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office assigned to the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation, states as follows:}

On or about November 13, 2007 at 2911 Byrd Road, Pocomoke, Worcester County, Maryland Hadel did kill Christine Marie Sheddy.

Sheddy was reported as a Missing Person [sic] to the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office on November 14th 2007. The investigation revealed Sheddy had been staying as a guest at the 2911 Byrd Road, Pocomoke, Maryland address. Justin Michael Hadel-(Hispanic, Male, 11-11-1990) was also a guest at this residence during this time frame. Information developed during the investigation revealed Sheddy was murdered. Witnesses stated Justin Hadel was responsible for the murder of Sheddy and provided investigators with a potential location of her remains.

On Friday, February 19th 2010, investigators searched the location described by witnesses. During the search a clandestine grave was excavated which produced deceased human remains. Clothing found on the deceased human remains were consistent with the clothing Sheddy was reportedly wearing on the day of her disappearance –(11-13-2007).

On Friday, February 19th 2010, the Worcester County Forensic Investigator for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office-(OCME) responded to the scene and examined the deceased human remains. The Forensic Investigator [sic] advised the deceased human remains would be transported to the OCME’S office [sic] for autopsy.

Based upon these charges, a fugitive warrant was issued which was served upon Hadel on Thursday, February 25 in Texas. Hadel has now waived extradition. On March 9, 2010, Hadel was transported from Texas to the Worcester County Jail.

On March 1, 2010, the OCME confirmed that Christine Sheddy’s death was a homicide.

This case remains under active investigation by members of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office and the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation, assisted by the Maryland State Police Homicide Team and Cold Case Unit.

'Is that Nookie Green?'

An Irish man went to confession in St. Patrick's Catholic Church.

'Father', he confessed, 'it has been one month since my last confession. I had sex with Nookie Green twice last month.'

The priest told the sinner, 'You are forgiven. Go out and say three Hail Marys.'

Soon thereafter, another Irish man entered the confessional. 'Father, it has been two months since my last confession. I've had sex with Nookie Green twice a week for the past two months.'

This time, the priest questioned, 'Who is this Nookie Green?'

'A new woman in the neighborhood,' the sinner replied.

'Very well,' sighed the priest. Go and say ten Hail Marys.;

At mass the next morning, as the priest prepared to deliver the sermon, a tall,voluptuous, drop-dead gorgeous redheaded woman entered the sanctuary. The eyes of every man in the church fell upon her as she slowly sashayed up the aisle and sat down right in front of the priest. Her dress was green and very short, and she wore matching, shiny emerald-green shoes.

The priest and the altar boy gasped as the woman in the green dress and matching green shoes sat with her legs spread slightly apart... just enough to reveal that she wasn't wearing any underwear.

The priest turned to the altar boy and whispered, 'Is that Nookie Green?'

The bug-eyed altar boy couldn't believe his ears but managed to calmly reply, 'No Father, I think it's just a reflection from her shoes'.

Normal Visitation Policies for Nassawadox Hospital

Effective immediately, area hospitals will return
to normal visiting policies. At Riverside Shore
Memorial Hospital in Nassawadox, the normal visiting
policy restricts children 11 years of age and younger
from patient care areas. Children 12-15 years old who
are accompanied by an adult may visit patients, as may
visitors aged 16 and older.

According to the latest update from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most states in the nation are no longer reporting any flu activity, and Virginia is reporting normal flu levels. In a shared interest of public safety, 18 area hospitals collectively restricted minors from visiting hospital patients in October 2009, to limit the spread of 2009 H1N1 flu. Medical evidence suggested children under 18 to be likely carriers of the illness. The restriction was put into place when 2009 H1N1 flu activity was widespread in the U.S. "I commend the hospitals and health systems in Hampton Roads for the extraordinary collaboration during this unique flu season to protect the community," says State Health Commissioner Karen Remley, MD, MBA.

Experts caution the community about relaxing personal preventative measures that limit the spread of flu and other communicable diseases.

The goal of area health care providers is to use every available and appropriate resource to protect patients from exposure to outside infections and illness. Area hospitals and public health officials will continue monitoring flu levels in the region and around the world for indications of increasing levels. In the event that flu levels rise again, area hospitals are prepared to implement the visitation restrictions in the best interest of public safety. Individuals experiencing flu-like illness are still asked not to visit area hospitals. The collaboration involved 18 area hospitals who stand ready to collaborate on any future public health concerns.


www.shoredailynews.com

Classifieds; a smile for your day...

 

1. FREE YORKSHIRE TERRIER. 

8-years old. Hateful little bastard. Bites! 

2. FREE PUPPIES: 

1/2 Cocker Spaniel, 1/2 sneaky neighbor's dog. 

3. FREE PUPPIES.. 

Mother, AKC German Shepherd. 

Father, Super Dog. Able to leap tall fences in a single bound. 

4. FOUND DIRTY WHITE DOG. 

Looks like a rat. Been out a while. 

Better be a big reward. 

5. COWS, CALVES: NEVER BRED. 

Also 1 gay bull for sale. 

6. NORDIC TRACK 

$300 Hardly used, call Chubby. 

7. GEORGIA PEACHES 

California grown - 89 cents/lb. 

8. JOINING NUDIST COLONY! 

Must sell washer and dryer $300. 

9. WEDDING DRESS FOR SALE. 

Worn once by mistake. Call Stephanie. 

And the best one?: 

10. FOR SALE BY OWNER: 

Complete set of Encyclopedia Britannica, 45 volumes. Excellent condition. 

$1,000 or best offer. No longer needed, 

Got married last month. Wife knows everything.

 

Hat Tip; Ree 

Funny Animal

Par-tay, Par-tay, Par-tay!

Random Thought for the Day:

Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

Bring out yer dead! Maryland has no law requiring proper corpse disposal

We have quite a few dumb laws on the books in the state of Maryland – and I’m not just talking about the ‘no sending a text while driving, but reading one is okay’ legislation.

We can’t take a lion to the movies in Baltimore City; can’t throw a bail of hay from a second story window; and absolutely must not eat while swimming in the ocean.
But it’s a law we don’t have that is calling attention to the state’s 2010 General Assembly session: Maryland currently lacks a state law that prohibits improper burial or disposal of a body.

When state senators and delegates convened on January 13, Delegate Theodore Sophocleus  (D-Anne Arundel County) proposed a bill that would require residents to send human remains to cemeteries, family burial plots, crematories or funeral establishments.

If House Bill 12 does indeed become law, citizens of the not-so-Free State will no longer be able to leave grandma on the sofa they place on the curb.

Gone will be the days of putting grandpa in the backyard lot next to Fluffy and Tweety.

Nevermore can we un-strap Aunt Edna from the roof of the Wagon Queen Family Truckster and prop her in a lawn chair in the yard of a long-lost cousin.

Over the past decade the state has seen at least three high-profile cases involving strangely stored human remains.

In 1999, a father buried his daughter in the family’s backyard following the child’s accidental death. The lack of a burial law left prosecutors unable to charge the man with anything more than littering.

In 2004, Ocean City police discovered a recently stillborn fetus wrapped in a towel under a woman’s bathroom sink, and later, found three more fetuses buried in various locations around her residence. Not only was she cleared of first-, second- and third-degree murder charges, but also escaped prosecution for the handling of the remains.

Last year, police responded to a call at a Maryland apartment complex and found the body of an 83-year-old grandmother in a freezer. The woman had been ailing and bedridden, and had died several weeks before police made the discovery.

The Maryland General Assembly session closes in April, and in most cases, laws take effect on either July 1 or the first of October.
At best, you’re looking at a scant nine months to ‘bring out yer dead.’



VIA: Examiner.com

Hat Tip; SR

Pocomoke Bulk Trash Pick-up Wed, 3-10

Don't forget if you have those big items that can't go out for regular trash pick-up, tomorrow is the day to put it out. Make sure to have it out before 7:30 AM

Another Toyota Experiences “Stuck” Accelerator PedalPrius hits 94 mph before police rescue driver

With Toyota attempting to recall, repair and explain its way out of recent unintended acceleration problems, the issue is proving to be difficult to resolve. Yesterday was another frightening example of the unsettled issue: a man in San Diego, CA couldn't get his 2008 Toyota Prius to slow down while traveling on the freeway. He ended up hitting speeds of nearly 100 mph before police helped him get his car shut off.

“I thought it was maybe stuck,” James Sikes explained to reporters yesterday. “Somehow the pedal was stuck. But it wasn’t stuck on anything that was visible.”
Sikes was driving east on Interstate 8 when he tried to pass a slower car. While going around the other car, Skies noticed that his Prius kept accelerating, seemingly of its own accord. He called 911 and asked for help.
Twenty miles away from where the incident began, California Highway Patrol Officer Todd Neibert caught up to Sikes, who was still trying to slow his car down.
“When I saw him, I could smell the brakes,” Neibert said.
Sikes said that he “was standing on the brake pedal looking out the window at him,” when Neibert began to issue instructions via his public address system.
The officer suggested a variety of remedies, including the emergency brake and turning off the car. After slowing the car to around 55 mph, Sikes was able to push the start/stop button on his Prius (the car does not have a traditional key start; it turns on and off by way of pressing and holding a start/stop button on the dashboard), shutting the car off.
Sikes slowed his car down, eventually running into the back of the officer's patrol cruiser before coming to a complete stop, although not before the car attempted to accelerate again.
Sikes was, not surprisingly, shaken by the incident.
"I won't drive that car again, period," he told reporters.
Perhaps even more frustrating, Sikes's car was not under recall for sticky accelerator pedals. The 2008 Prius was not included in that February recall for issues with accelerator pedals, though it is covered by a separate Toyota recall for floor mats.
Sikes, however, reported, “my mat was perfect. There was nothing wrong with my mat.” The pedal “stayed right where it was” during his attempts to pull it up while the car was accelerating.
He said that there were several instances during his frightening ordeal when he came close to striking other vehicles on the interstate and that he was worried he would be unable to keep his car on the road.
In a statement on Monday, Toyota addressed the incident, saying that the automaker “had dispatched a field technical specialist to San Diego to investigate the report and offer assistance.”

What To Do If You Experience Problems With Your Accelerator Pedal

What if you experience a sticking accelerator pedal while driving? Each circumstance may vary, and drivers must use their best judgment, but Toyota recommends taking one of the following actions:

If you need to stop immediately, the vehicle can be controlled by stepping on the brake pedal with both feet using firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the brake pedal as it will deplete the vacuum utilized for the power brake assist.

Shift the transmission gear selector to the Neutral (N) position and use the brakes to make a controlled stop at the side of the road and turn off the engine.

If unable to put the vehicle in Neutral, turn the engine OFF. This will not cause loss of steering or braking control, but the power assist to these systems will be lost.

If the vehicle is equipped with an Engine Start/Stop button, firmly and steadily push the button for at least three seconds to turn off the engine. Do NOT tap the Engine Start/Stop button.

If the vehicle is equipped with a conventional key-ignition, turn the ignition key to the ACC position to turn off the engine. Do NOT remove the key from the ignition as this will lock the steering wheel.

The above steps were provided by Toyota.

PPE SAYS: In the video the driver of the runaway car says the officer states to use his E-brake/parking brake;  DO NOT! use the parking brake to try and stop a runaway vehicle.

The parking brake uses the rear wheels as a means to hold the vehicle, unless it's a truck chances are that the vehicle is a front wheel drive vehicle. Most front wheel drive vehicles will just pull the vehicle even with the rear wheels locked completely up by the parking brake because the parking brake has no affect on the drive wheels and will cause the rear wheels to skid. This WILL cause loss of control of the vehicle.

Just remain calm, turn the ignition off but only one click as not to lock the steering wheel and stop the vehicle, if by chance the engine will not shut-down, put the gear selector in (N) neutral, this WILL cause engine damage, but if faced with that situation? better an engine than YOU.

Snatched: AOL Autos

Limbaugh Vows to Leave US Over Health Care

Radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh has thrown down the gauntlet. If the U.S. Congress passes health care reform, Limbaugh will leave the country to receive his medical treatment.

Specifically, Limbaugh told a caller that he envisions traveling to Costa Rica should the government, through a federal program costing upwards of $1 trillion, expand health care coverage to approximately 30 million Americans who are currently uninsured.

Ironically, Costa Rica offers universal heath care to all of its residents.

The caller asked Limbaugh where he would go for health care if Congress were to enact reform.

"I don't know," Limbaugh responded. "I'll just tell you this, if this passes and it's five years from now and all that stuff gets implemented, I am leaving the country. I'll go to Costa Rica."



Limbaugh's guarantee is but the latest variation of what has come to be known as "Baldwin's wager," after actor Alec Baldwin was said to have threatened to expatriate himself should George W. Bush defeat Al Gore in the 2000 presidential election. Bush won, of course, and Baldwin did not end up relocating to foreign shores.

Other celebrities who have promised the equivalent of "going Galt" provided that political events did not turn out to their liking include director Robert Altman and actress Kim Basinger, who also threatened to pack up and go should Bush defeat Gore.

Poking fun at his own brother, in 2008, actor Stephen Baldwin said he'd leave the U.S. should Barack Obama be nominated to run for president for the Democrats. And, like his brother, he remains in the U.S.

Susan Sarandon, Heidi Klum and husband, Seal, meanwhile promised to join the ranks of ex-pats should John McCain best Obama.

Not to be outdone, however, actress Tina Fey raised the bar further still. Fed up with having to impersonate Sarah Palin, Fey shuddered at the thought a McCain/Palin future.

"If she wins, I'm done," Fey told TV Guide. "I can't do that for four years. And by 'I'm done,' I mean I'm leaving Earth."

Whether Limbaugh, who is 59, will actually follow through with his on-air promise to seek medical care in Costa Rica should health care reform be implemented in the U.S. over the next few years remains unclear. Anyone care for a wager?

Swiped From AOLNEWS

President's Administration Closes Window for Public Opinion for Federal Fishery Strategy

The Obama administration will accept no more public input for a federal strategy that could prohibit U.S. citizens from fishing the nation's oceans, coastal areas, Great Lakes, and even inland waters, according to an article from ESPNoutdoors.com.

According to the article, the government movement to begin the steps to limit fishing in the United States began shortly after Barack Obamas election in late 2008. The movement supposedly is being led by NOAAs Jane Lubchenco, who has close ties with environmental groups that have voiced support to ban fishing altogether.

This comes literally weeks after thousands of recreational fishermen, including Eastern Shore fishermen, marched on Washington in protest of fishing regulations.

If an Executive Order such as the one described in the article were passed, it is no doubt that the ramifications for the Eastern Shore would be drastic.

"If fishing was curtailed, theres no doubt it would have a direct impact on our business," says Sandpiper Marine owner Vince Taylor. "Between the current economic situation that is long term, fuel prices going up, EPA regulations that are constantly causing the prices of our products to increase and adding limitations on fishing, it would be a huge. Even I know something like this cant be good."

A link to the full article can be found below.

More Information ESPNoutdoors.com Article

"Prom Boutique"

This Spring, The Woman's Club of Accomack County along with the thrift shops of Hospice of the Eastern Shore and Lighthouse Ministries will be presenting a "Prom Boutique" where any Eastern Shore girl can outfit herself for the Prom with new and gently used gowns, dresses and accessories at greatly reduced prices.

Donations from the community are needed to make this a reality. Help these girls dress for this important event by cleaning out your closets and bringing gowns, dresses, shoes, jewelry and other dressy accessories in good condition to either Hospice thrift store in Onancock or Exmore or to Light House Ministries thrift store in Onley or call Lynne Calvert at 442-3812 for pick-up by March 12th.

All proceeds from this event will benefit Hospice of the Eastern Shore and Lighthouse Ministries.


www.shoredailynews.com

Favorite Book

.

Waking Up and Warming Up For Spring.......Finally!

What a beautiful day yesterday was and I found some sure signs that reassured me spring can't be far behind at all. Those snowy, blowing, frozen days of winter are meltling fast.

It's the beginning of POTATO SEASON for some farmers and for me. I love Eastern Shore red potatoes and and these guys know it!!

Always towards the end of February and into the first few days of March it becomes potato season and it's never too early for these guys. Early bird gets the worm, I suppose.........

And speaking about early birds............

I saw good ol' Robin red breast this morning. In fact I saw two of them hopping around in the front yard. I've always been told that when you see the Robins spring can't be far behind. Well, I never told my father that sometimes I had seen them in the cold, cold weather....... or maybe I just thought I had.

But along with the Robins come the other birds of the season. This morning I looked out and saw my favorite bird of all. The Blue Bird.

Now, I have had blue birds for years and they live in the houses I provide for them all year long and when the sun is warm they will emerge to stretch their wings.
I can tell by their chirp they are ready for the season.

So, like most of us today, the farmers are busy, I'm going to be busy outside and so are the birds. It's been a long, cold, dark winter.

GET OUTSIDE AND PLAY TODAY!!!!


At least give it a good try.

Accomack School Budget Meeting

The Accomack County School Board

Will hold a special budget meeting

Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 7:30 P.M.

Meeting will be held in the Board of Supervisors Chambers

Accomac, Virginia

The meeting will focus on the Virginia House and Senate Versions of the budget.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Funny Animal

Harlem Globetrotters here I come'

Random Thought for the Day:

Map Quest really needs to start their directions on #5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

New Chincoteague Bridge To Open April 2nd

CHINCOTEAGUE -- The new bridge to Chincoteague is on schedule for an April 2 opening if the weather cooperates. That was the message delivered to the Chincoteague Town Council Monday evening by Tom Rakowski of the Virginia Department of Transportation.

Despite all the adverse weather conditions encountered by the area so far this year, employees of American Bridge have been able to make headway on the new bridge and the April 2 date seems to be in reach.

"Depending on the weather we may be able to beat that target date," said Rakowski.

Rakowski said workers have been able to work on the new path to Chincoteague and the spur that leads to Marsh Island in recent weeks.

There remain, Rakowski stated, a few temperature sensitive jobs to be done, such as the road stripes on the new asphalt.

Drivers to and from Chincoteague in the coming weeks will see a new one-way path to Chincoteague as workers shift their attention from one side to the other.

"We need to shift the traffic one more time," said Rakowski. "The present detour road covers up part of the ramp."

The plan is to switch the detour to the north side and finish paving on the south side of the detour. "When we finish the south side and we take that detour sign down the bridge will be open for traffic," said Rakowski. "That will probably be the last two weeks in March."

Rakowski said the drawbridge has been undergoing "testing procedures" the past few weeks and everything seems to be going smoothly.

"Everything is functional on primary and backup power," he said. "And the span should be fully operational by the end of this week."

The new traffic signal will be state-of-the-art with an override feature that allows ambulance drivers to activate a green light while on emergency calls over the bridge.

"We've learned that there is a freight train of modular homes waiting for the bridge to open," said Rakowski. "We did our best to expedite that because some them are so big and wide they just can't get through that 'S' turn."

Rakowski said that some of council's ideas have been incorporated into the new bridge, including placing crape myrtles instead of loblolly pines near the entrance.

The main bridge is planned to be open by April 2 and the spur to Marsh Island should be completed by Aug. 26. Rakowski said the demolition of the old span should be complete by Dec. 13.

Rakowski and representatives from American Bridge and VDOT will meet next week for an informational meeting on how to proceed.

He said there will be time to have an "open house" for the new bridge and the old bridge before the demolition.

Rakowski said he had one request from a 92-year-old lady who as a child used to jump off the old bridge. She wants to be among the first to cross the new span.





www.easternshorenews.com

Rep. Massa Alleges Emanuel Forced Resignation Over Healthcare Vote

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — New York Rep. Eric Massa is blaming his resignation on a conspiracy led by White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and House Democratic leaders to force him out before a crucial vote on healthcare.

Massa was one of 39 Democrats who voted against an earlier House version of the healthcare bill in November. Democratic leaders will "stop at nothing" to advance the healthcare overhaul, he said.

He also had some choice words for Emanuel during a recent radio interview in which he called the top Obama adviser "the son of the devil's spawn."

"He is an individual who would sell his mother to get a vote. He would strap his children to the front end of a steam locomotive," Massa said of Emanuel's desire to lock up vital votes on healthcare reform.

"You think that somehow they didn't come after me to get rid of me because my vote is the deciding vote in the healthcare bill? Then, ladies and gentlemen, you live today in a world that is so innocent as to not understand what's going on in Washington, D.C."

Massa spoke Sunday night on his weekly radio show on WKPQ-FM in Hornell, N.Y.

Facing a harassment complaint from a staffer, Massa said last week he's stepping down from his seat Monday. He earlier announced he wouldn't seek re-election because of health problems.

He said he learned he was the subject of an ethics complaint by a male staffer who felt "uncomfortable" during an exchange with Massa. The exchange reportedly had sexual overtones.

In his account, Massa said he and Emanuel have had many tense confrontations during the past year, including one incident in the shower of the Congressional gym.

"Let me tell you a story about Rahm Emanuel," Massa continued. "I was a congressman in my first eight weeks, and I was in the congressional gym, and I went down and I worked out and I went into the showers...I'm sitting there showering, naked as a jaybird and here comes Rahm Emanuel not even with a towel wrapped around his tush, poking his finger in my chest, yelling at me because I wasn't going to vote for the president's budget. Do you know how awkward it is to have a political argument with a naked man?

"By the way, what the heck is he doing in the Congressional gym," Massa continued. "He goes there to intimidate members of Congress... He's hated me since day one, and now he wins."

In the same interview on WKPQ radio, Massa accuses Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of lying about the time line of the ethics inquiry, and more broadly of a conspiracy against him by House Democratic leaders to force him out ahead of a critical vote on healthcare.

Massa was a firm “no” vote against the bill, but with his resignation, the number of votes needed to pass the bill drops by one to 216.

“Mine is now the deciding vote on the healthcare bill, and this administration and this House leadership have said, quote-unquote, they will stop at nothing to pass this healthcare bill, and now they’ve gotten rid of me and it will pass,” he said.



Direct Link HERE

VIA; NewsMax

PRESS RELEASE SURF DOG RICOCHET ACHIEVES A "DOUBLE OVERHEAD" MILESTONE

PRESS RELEASE; SURF DOG RICOCHET ACHIEVES A "DOUBLE OVERHEAD" MILESTONE AS HER INSPIRATIONAL VIDEO HITS 2 MILLION VIEWS, AND DONATIONS REACH $20,000!

SAN DIEGO, CA, March 8, 2010… Ricochet, (”Rip Curl Ricki,”) the Surfin’ for Paws-abilities SURFice dog who has won several surf dog competitions, and fundraises while increasing awareness for charitable causes, reached two milestones last week.  Her charitable donations reached the $20,000 mark, and her inspirational video hit 2 million views! 
Ricochet started fundraising just six months ago, and has already raised $20,000 for charitable causes. 

Her first fundraiser was for quadriplegic surfer, Patrick Ivison where she raised over $10,000 which helped pay for his medical bills. 

In addition, one of her sponsors, The Rose Foundation awarded Patrick a grant to fund three more years of his physical therapy.

At the conclusion of Ricochet's very successful fundraiser for Patrick, a video entitled "From Service Dog to SURFice Dog" was posted to YouTube. 

The video showcases Ricochet's inspiring journey from service dog candidate, to realizing she wasn't entirely suited for the job, to disappointment, to finding a new direction.

Although the video is about a dog, and her trainer, there are several life lessons which can be applied to anyone, and anything.  People from all walks of life are being inspired by the message of acceptance, adjusting expectations, focusing on ability, and celebrating amazing outcomes.

A couple weeks later, on December 1st, 2009 Ricochet began a new fundraiser... a Surfin' Santa Paws toy drive.  About the same time, the video un-expectedly went viral, and after just 40 days hit a million views.  People were tweeting, Facebooking, blogging, and emailing with "kleenex alert" warnings! 

The inspirational video has spurred emotion on many different levels, and each person who watches seems to find their own personal message, moving them to tears.

The video also spurred an influx of donations from all over the world including Canada, Taiwan, Japan, The Netherlands, and New Zealand.  As a result, Ricochet was able to take $3550 on a shopping spree to Toys R Us, where she purchased toys for 650 children in hospitals and domestic violence shelters.

At the conclusion of the toy drive, the video views were still increasing by the tens of thousands daily, and donations continued to be generated.  So Ricochet began allocating the funds toward therapies for six year old Ian McFarland who suffered a traumatic brain injury in a horrific car accident that claimed the lives of his parents. 

Ricochet, who turned two years old at the end of January, has accomplished a great deal in her young life.  Last week, donations from the video reached $10,000.  These donations coupled with the $10,000 she raised for Patrick brings the total donation milestone to $20,000 at this six month juncture.  She's also touching millions of lives all over the world with her inspirational video.  A double overhead indeed!
 
Note:  For more information, contact Judy Fridono at 707-228-0679 or pawinspired@aol.com.
http://www.surfdogricochet.com.  On Facebook & Twitter: "Surf Dog Ricochet"
SURFice dog video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGODurRfVv4

Favorite Book

.

Update From Va. Senator Ralph Northam

By Sen. Ralph Northam

We are getting closer to the end of this session, and are continuing to work diligently on the budget and other legislation before us. I have heard from many of you during the session, and I truly appreciate your interest and involvement in the affairs of the Commonwealth. Two of my bills have been heard in the House of Delegates this week, and were passed unanimously.

SB 189 repeals the date set for expiration of the Spaceflight Liability and Immunity Act. Repealing this expiration will help to establish the Commonwealth as a leader in attracting economic development related to commercial space flight. This is particularly important for growth centered at Wallops Island. SB 193 also passed the House unanimously, and will be sent along to Governor McDonnell for his signature. This bill makes it easier for the Commonwealth to terminate the contracts of service providers that commit Medicaid fraud.

Unfortunately, SB 186, which would have improved the process for reviewing ethics violations by General Assembly members, was not passed in the House. Delegate Armstrong is patroning a similar bill that has been passed in the House and the Senate. However, my bill included some stronger provisions, and it is a shame that House Republicans, who should be acting on this issue in the wake of the Phil Hamilton scandal last year, decided to carry this legislation over for the year.

I thank you all for your support, and I welcome your input during session. My office phone number in the General Assembly building is (804) 698-7506, and my email is SenatorRalphNortham@gmail.com. If I am not available, my legislative assistant, Matt Strickler will be happy to help. Please do not hesitate to call or e-mail, and if you are in Richmond, please feel free to stop by and say hello.



http://www.shoredailynews.com/

It's a Bee-u-tee-ful Day on Delmarva

It's supposed to reach 60 degrees today... enjoy

Funny Animal

'Ahhh, the fresh, relaxing aroma of feet.......' ???

Random Thought for the Day:

Was learning cursive really necessary?

Nicole Answers Randon Thought, "How to fold a fitted sheet"

Who'd-a-thunk?

Nicole says; "It is a bitch. Here's a video though that might help you" --
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHTyH2nuFAw

Democrats Take Aim at Talk Radio

Organizing for America, a project of the Democratic National Committee, has launched an online site to help President Obama’s supporters infiltrate largely conservative talk radio.

Visitors to the On the Air site are provided with the call-in number of a talk show that discusses political topics, and the option to listen to the show live. They are urged to phone in when the topic of healthcare comes up. They can also click on a button to move to another show.

“The fate of health reform has been a focus of debate in living rooms and offices, on TV, and online — and on talk radio,” the introduction to the online tool states.

“And since millions of folks turn to talk radio as a trusted source of news and opinions, we need to make sure [Organizing for America] supporters are calling in with a pro-reform message.”

When Newsmax visited the On the Air site, the first link was to the syndicated show of Dr. Laura Schlessinger.

The site offers “calling tips” including, “Some hosts may challenge your views. Stay calm and firm. Sharing a personal story about how health reform affects you and your family is a great way to show the importance and urgency of health reform.”

It even provides “discussion points,” such as, “Too many in Washington are now saying that we should delay or give up on reform entirely, but Americans understand the stakes for our economy and our lives, and we want action.”

Organizing for America was launched by the DNC after Obama’s inauguration and seeks to mobilize supporters of his agenda.

VIA: newsmax.com

Favorite Book

Chincoteague Island To Be Featured On TODAY Show

After a year long effort the Eastern Shore of Virginia Tourism Commission is pleased to announce the Today Show is scheduled to present a travel segment on family friendly vacations that will spotlight Chincoteague and Assateague Islands.

Currently scheduled to air Monday barring any pre-empts, the anticipated coverage of Chincoteague is estimated to be seen by nearly 5 million people and has an advertising value of approximately $ 225,194 according to Virginia Tourism Corporation's 2009 data.

The Tourism Commission first began courting the Today Show to feature the Eastern Shore as one of the mystery destinations on the annual "Where in the World is Matt Lauer" sending the show's producers an ES Suitcase and the Day in the Life of the Eastern Shore video, a Tourism Commission project produced by local company Ward & Associates.

The Today Show also received local wine, Shore products and the Seashore Chronicles: Three Centuries of the Virginia Barrier Islands by Shore authors Brooks Barnes and Barry Truitt.

Continual follow ups paid off and the Tourism Commission recently teamed up with the Virginia Tourism Corporation's Public Relations Director Richard Lewis, to provide the show video, still shots and information on the islands.

"We so often pitch ESVA stories and I would surely not have the necessary knowledge without the efforts of the Eastern Shore Tourism Director, "said Lewis. "In fact my most recent pitch to a freelancer writing for Southern Living included story ideas in Cape Charles, Onancock and Assateague Island."

As the Eastern Shore's sole regional marketing organization, the Tourism Commission is charged with promoting the Eastern Shore "You'll Love Our Nature" Brand through 154 media placement in 2009 alone including Southern Living Magazine, USA Today, The New York Times and The Washington Post.

This equates to millions of dollars of free advertisement for the Eastern Shore Tourism Industry.


http://www.shoredailynews.com/