PRESS RELEASE SURF DOG RICOCHET & ENDLESS POOLS TEAM UP TO MAKE $11,000 DREAM COME TRUE FOR BRAIN INJURED 2 YEAR OLD!

Surf Dog Ricochet, the SURFice dog who has won several surf dog contests, and more notably inspires people around the world as she raises awareness and funds for human/animal causes, teamed up with Endless Pools, to make a brain injured two year olds dream come true!  A $11,000 therapy pool will be delivered to Finnley in the next couple weeks, as part of Ricochet's fundraiser for her.
Finnley was born with brain damage due to oxygen being cut off to her brain during delivery.  She was only expected to live one to 72 hours.  But, 2 years later... she is a living miracle!  However, her brain damage caused cerebral palsy, seizures, and vision impairment.  She's not able to walk or talk, but loves classical music.  Her cerebral palsy tightens her muscles, but when she's in a pool, she's able to move her arms and legs.  Her parents have been saving to purchase a therapeutic swimming pool for their home, so Finnley can get the daily therapy she needs, but it's very costly... over $11,000. 

When Ricochet heard about their situation, she started fundraising for Finnley right away.  Four weeks into the fundraiser, Ricochet came up with the idea of calling Endless Pools to see if they'd be willing to help her make Finnley's dream come true even sooner.
When Endless Pools heard how Ricochet lives a lifestyle of helping others by pawing it forward, saw her SURFice Dog video, and learned more about Finnley's Story, they immediately wanted to be part of the project.  They "came to the rescue" and offered a significant special needs discount!!  The funds Ricochet raised, coupled with the discount meant the family only had to come up with $2560, which they had in an account from previous fundraising they've done.

Finnley's mom, Care was in tears when she heard the news, and said "The pool is going to allow Finnley to get the physical therapy she so desperately needs... thank you so much, I'm so grateful" And, Finnley herself, although she doesn't talk right now, broke out into a huge smile! Click this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPulSq6hMV8 to see it on video!
Ricochet sincerely thanks Endless Pools, and her donors for their generosity, and help in making Finnley's dream come true!
Endless Pools, Inc was founded in 1988 to create a product that allows individuals to experience the benefits of water exercise and therapy in the comfort and privacy of their own homes.  Their company is dedicated to excellence in design and manufacturing, as well as courteous and comprehensive customer service.  Endless Pool's goal is to build and deliver an exercise machine that can be assembled easily, that offers an infinite array of installation design solutions, and requires minimal maintenance for the pool owner.  They endeavor to build Endless Pools that take up a smaller footprint, use less water, require fewer chemicals and consume less energy than traditional pools do.
Ricochet was slated to be a service dog for a person with a disability, but, due to her interest in chasing prey, she had to be released from that role.  She went from service dog to SURFice dog, and is now raising funds and awareness for human and animal causes.  She has raised over $48,000 in the last 10 months, and continues to inspire people all over the world with her positive energy, and charitable lifestyle
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"
http://www.EndlessPools.com
 http://finnleykate.blogspot.com/
SURFice dog video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGODurRfVv4

Hurricane Earl May Effect The Shore

The East Coast is casting an eye toward Hurricane Earl.

The category 4 hurricane is expected to have some effect on our weather late Thursday or early Friday.

Earl should weaken to a strong category 2 storm as it reaches these latitudes. Weather forecasters currently think Earl will pass a couple of hundred miles off the coast but the development of a high pressure system out in the Atlantic and whether a trough in the mid west will make it here before Earl arrives will determine whether Earl will move off without affecting our weather dramatically, or move closer and brush us with tropical storm winds, rain and wind. At the very least, Earl promises to disrupt seaside activities bringing in high tides, heavy surf and strong rip currents into the weekend.

Eastern Shore residents should have plans finalized in case evacuation of low lying areas and mobile homes is recommended by the Dept. of Emergency Services. Preparations to secure or remove smaller boats from the water should be ready in case a Hurricane or Tropical Storm watch is issued for this area.

Plans should be made to evacuate to higher ground if necessary or to a more substantial structure if you live in a mobile home.

You should make arrangements for your own safety and that of your pets.

Everyone should be putting together an emergency kit which should include some canned food or packaged food that doesnt require refrigeration, three gallons of fresh water per person, a radio and flashlights with spare batteries, a several day supply of any medication you might need, some cash important papers including insurance cards and other papers you might need and pet food if necessary.

You should be prepared in case electric service is interrupted for an extended period.

www.shoredailynews.com

McDonnell Moves Ahead With Seeking Police Role In Enforcing Immigration Law

Richmond, Va. --

Gov. Bob McDonnell yesterday rejected a request by Latino and other organizations that he not go ahead with a proposal to let Virginia State Police pursue civil immigration law-enforcement powers.

Using the Virginia State Police is "a common-sense way for the federal government to partner with the commonwealth to improve public safety," said Stacey Johnson, press secretary to McDonnell.

That is the opposite of what the coalition, VA-SCOPE, contends. The acronym stands for the Virginia Alliance for Sensible Community Policing Efforts.

In a letter yesterday to McDonnell, the coalition said using the state police "would undermine immigrants' trust of law enforcement."

"We are particularly concerned about the severe chilling effect that descends on immigrant communities, and especially on immigrant crime victims and witnesses, if they perceive that law enforcement is to be feared rather than trusted, and the subsequent impact on crime reporting and public safety in Virginia," VA-SCOPE said in a letter to McDonnell.

McDonnell on Aug. 10 asked the Department of Homeland Security for an agreement that would allow troopers to perform functions of federal immigration officers.

The coalition also said Virginia has taken enough steps to make Virginians safe. It is one of only two states that requires an immigration status inquiry of every person taken into custody for a criminal act, the coalition said.

McDonnell said he would want the troopers to pursue only major drug offenses or violent offenses, such as murder, rape, robbery and kidnapping, as well as DUI offenses.

The coalition includes LULAC Virginia, Multi-Cultural Alliance of Virginia, Hispanic Community Dialogue, Tenants and Workers United, Virginia Coalition of Latino Organizations, Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy and Virginia Organizing.

McDonnell wants Homeland Security to enter into a so-called 287g agreement with the state. The agreement is named after a section of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Seven localities in the state have such a pact.

www.timesdispatch.com

McDonnell Wants Independent Probe of Computer Outage

Richmond, Va. --
Gov. Bob McDonnell wants an "independent third party" to investigate the collapse of a Virginia government computer system nearly a week ago that continues to paralyze some agencies.

"I am not pleased that our employees and citizens have experienced this disruption in service," McDonnell said yesterday in ending his public silence on the crisis.

Six of 26 agencies hit by the outage Wednesday still were not fully up and running, despite a promise by state computer chief Samuel A. Nixon Jr. to have their service restored by yesterday at 8 a.m.

This includes the state Department of Motor Vehicles, which may not be able to resume issuing driver's licenses and identity cards at its 74 offices until tomorrow. The agency had expected such services would be available today.

Other agencies still limping: the state Department of Taxation, which could not make tax refunds or process tax payments; and the state Department of Juvenile Justice, unable to handle fully the intake and tracking of young offenders.

The state Department of Environmental Quality had continuing problems with a system it uses to develop computer programs. Voter files are being restored at the State Board of Elections.

McDonnell's directive to the agency that Nixon heads, the Virginia Information Technologies Agency, to open an inquiry potentially puts the Republican governor at odds with Northrop Grumman, which was hired in 2005 to provide communications and computer services under a $2.3 billion contract -- the state's largest-ever privatization program.

Christy Whitman, a Northrop Grumman spokeswoman, declined comment.

McDonnell, who collected more than $75,000 in campaign contributions from Northrop Grumman, had pledged to smooth relations with the embattled company, having lured its headquarters from California to Northern Virginia and having agreed to a new, longer contract that pays it an additional $236 million.

"I have directed an operational and performance review of the situation be conducted so we can determine the proper course of action to best protect the interests of the commonwealth," McDonnell said in a written statement.

His press secretary, Stacey Johnson, said VITA is expected to hire an "independent third party" to explore the cause of the blackout and, perhaps, recommend that the state recover from Northrop Grumman the dollars in lost business and productivity.

The company already is expected to be hit with fines for the latest service interruptions. Nixon said the penalties will be at least $100,000.

Nixon said he had yet to select a firm to conduct the investigation and is choosing for now to focus on restoring service.

Even VITA is having difficulties. Its accounting and billing programs are not working properly.

Contributing to the delays: restoring giant data files, a task that can take 18 hours or more. The episode -- it is the second major outage under VITA/Northrop Grumman since 2007 -- is calling attention to the adequacy of backup systems, for which agencies must pay the company extra.

The new contract with Northrop Grumman requires that the company strengthen and speed up its response to equipment failures and other emergencies.

At VITA/Northrop Grumman headquarters in Chester, more than 400 servers, which support clusters of state computers and their software, failed when two circuit boards crashed mid-afternoon last Wednesday. The boards were manufactured and installed by EMC Corp. of Hopkinton, Mass.

A company spokesman could not be reached for comment.

But VITA said it had been told by EMC that a dual failure was unprecedented. The company shipped backup equipment to Virginia during the weekend, but it has not been installed, Nixon said.

Before the outage, McDonnell had planned to meet with his Cabinet yesterday morning at the VITA-Northrop Grumman offices in Chester. But the session was held in Richmond instead.

Johnson said the meeting was conducted at the governor's office -- the usual venue -- because "the folks at VITA need to get everything back and running."

www.timesdispatch.com

DMV Computers Still Down - No Driver's License Can Be Processed

NORFOLK - A computer system meltdown has taken DMV offline across the state. 74 customer service centers cannot process driver's licenses or ID cards.

Chris from Virginia Beach wrote to NewsChannel 3 saying his driver's license will expire on 9-3-10. He said, "I have been trying to get it renewed for the last eight days. I am going out of town for the holiday weekend. What are we to do? Can't get anyone on the phone with the DMV, can you please help?"

Pat Davis tried to renew her driver's license online.

"They said I had to come to the DMV because I have to have my picture taken," she said. When she got to the DMV, she was faced with another issue, "I was told that I could not renew my driver's license because the computers are down," she says.

The trouble is, most folks didn't know about the computer problem until they showed up at the DMV.

"It's extremely inconvenient, 'cause I have to take off from work to come in here," Pat says.

Pat's license expires tomorrow. She says she will not have to miss work again she she can legally drive again.

Melanie Stokes with the DMV told NewsChannel 3, "DMV apologizes for the inconvenience this statewide Vita computer outage has caused and we can only imagine the frustration our customers are experiencing when they cannot get a drivers license.

Drivers are now faced with no licenses and no clear cut answer on when the computers will be up and running again.

All other DMV services are up and running and the DMV says the Vita agency in charge of the computers is working around the clock to repair the problem. Call ahead and make sure the system is fixed before you make the trip.

If your license expires, state police now say they're extending a grace period. People with expired licenses from August 25th through August 31st will get a pass. If you've already received a summons because of the problems, it will go through the court system, but troopers have been advised to work with the Commonwealth Attorney on those cases.
www.wtkr.com

Suspected Drug Lord Captured In Mexico State

Mexico announced the capture Monday of one of its most wanted alleged drug lords, a Texas-born figure accused of unleashing a wave of brutal slayings near Mexico City as part of a ruthless battle with rivals.

Edgar Valdez Villarreal, also known by the improbable nickname "La Barbie," was seized by federal police in the state of Mexico, the region surrounding Mexico City, the Public Security Ministry said in a statement.

Valdez allegedly served as the top enforcer for Arturo Beltran Leyva, a major kingpin killed by Mexican marines in December. Since Beltran Leyva's death, police say, Valdez had been locked in a vicious war with Beltran Leyva's brother Hector for control of the cartel's business.

The fighting brought gangland-style executions and the hanging of beheaded corpses to Cuernavaca, a once-tranquil playground for the elite outside Mexico City that turned out to be headquarters for part of the Beltran Leyva gang.

The U.S. government had offered a $2-million reward for Valdez's capture after indicting him for allegedly smuggling tons of cocaine into the United States. It is possible Valdez will be extradited to the U.S.

The capture of Valdez is an important victory for beleaguered President Felipe Calderon, whose offensive against drug cartels has suffered a string of setbacks in recent weeks, including the slaying of two mayors, a rash of car bombings and the massacre of 72 immigrants, apparently because they refused to work for the traffickers who kidnapped them.

But arresting Valdez will not necessarily quell the violence since others may rise to fight for control of the Beltran Leyva operations.

Authorities released a photograph of Valdez, plumper than he appeared in earlier pictures and surrounded by police officers, some with their guns drawn. He was wearing a green shirt emblazoned with a large logo of a polo player, a coat of arms and the word "London." He appeared to be kneeling, a police agent's hand planted on his shoulder.

Valdez has been linked to numerous heinous crimes, including the mutilation of enemies in Cuernavaca and the slaughter of the family of a Mexican marine who was slain in the operation that killed Beltran Leyva.

His alleged battle with Hector Beltran Leyva pushed the bloodletting from Morelos state, where Cuernavaca is located, westward through Guerrero state to Acapulco. Bodies and body parts now turn up regularly in the popular resort city, often with messages scrawled in warning to one faction or another.

The Public Security Ministry announcement said Valdez was pursued in an intelligence operation that began in June 2009. In major operations, such as the killing of Beltran Leyva, Mexican authorities have been buoyed by intelligence from U.S. law enforcement authorities. It was not clear what role the U.S. might have played in Monday's capture.

Security forces are believed to have been close to trapping him in the affluent Bosques de las Lomas neighborhood of Mexico City a couple of months ago, but came up empty.

Valdez, who turned 37 this month, was known as "La Barbie" because of his blondish hair and what some considered good looks, plus his reputation as a party boy who frequented the bars, discos and nightclubs of Mexico City and Acapulco.

"This is positive for Calderon and a blow to the trafficking organization," security expert Raul Benitez said. However, "there well could be a backlash of violence."

Calderon confirmed the arrest in a Twitter message, announcing that Mexico had "trapped LaBarbie, one of the most wanted criminals in Mexico and abroad."

Valdez's capture also has value for Mexican and U.S. authorities because of the tactical knowledge of trafficking operations they believe he has. He is the third major figure taken down in the last nine months. But the other two, Beltran Leyva and Ignacio "Nacho" Coronel Villarreal, a major leader of the Sinaloa cartel, were killed.

www.latimes.com

Coming Soon...........MELSON POWER SHOW

Summer isn't over yet and there is still plenty of time left for racing!!

Mark these dates on your calendar so you don't miss out!

RACING UNDER THE LIGHTS

SEE YOU THERE !!

STILL MISSING - ALEX ARROYO-FLORES

Alex Arroyo-Flores, 21, has been missing since Friday, August 27 at 5:00 PM. According to family members, Arroyo had just returned with his family from Puerto Rico and was on his was to work at the Fruitland McDonalds.

When Alex had not returned home at 3:00 AM the next morning, his parents became worried and tried to contact him. After calling his place of work, his parents found out Alex had never made it to work Friday night.

Arroyo's parents have filed a missing persons report and are asking for any help regarding his location. He is a student at UMES and a Manager at the Fruitland McDonald's. Arroyo is a Type 1 diabetic and uses an insulin pump. He is 21 years old, about 5'7", 140 lbs, Puerto Rican, dark brown hair and eyes.

He probably has stubble in his beard and mustache area. He speaks both English and Spanish. He was last seen wearing the red polo McDonald's uniform.

Normally wears a hand-made anklet around his left ankle, rubber bands around his right wrist, a black watch, and various necklaces that say Puerto Rico. Arroyo's car is a silver Toyota Corolla, license plate 2ER E21. It is about 2007, with a Puerto Rican flag hanging from the rearview mirror and dark seat and steering wheel covers. His father is employed at the NASA Wallops Flight Facility.

Anyone with any information regarding Arroyo's whereabouts is asked to call the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office at (410)548-4890.

2 Men Sought For Home Invasion Near Greenbush

According to Major Todd Godwin, on Friday, August 27 at approximately 4:25 a.m., the Accomack County Sheriff's Office received a report that a man had been shot at a residence on Wanda Jane Lane near Greenbush.

Further investigation revealed that two suspects forcibly entered the victims residence and the victim was shot during a confrontation with the suspects.

The victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the body. He was transported by Parksley ambulance to Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital and then transferred to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital where he is listed in stable condition.

Suspect 1 is described as a black male, tall, slim build, wearing a white shirt and black pants.

Suspect 2 is described as a black male, short, chubby build, wearing black pants.

Anyone with information concerning this crime is asked to contact the Accomack County Sheriff's Office at 787-1131 or 824-5666.

www.shoredailynews.com

Arrest Made For 3 Accomack County Robberies

ACCOMACK COUNTY, Va.- Authorities have arrested an Eden, Md. man wanted in connection with a series of armed robberies that occurred late last week in Accomack County.

Sidney Andre Cottman, 33, is charged with three counts of robbery, three counts of use of firearm in commission of a robbery and three counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He is being held without bond in the Accomack County Jail.

According to Maj. Todd Godwin of the Accomack County Sheriff's Office, on Friday, Aug. 27 Cottman robbed the Royal Farms convenience store in Nelsonia and the Tru Blue gas station. Cottman is also accused of robbing the Dollar General in Oak Hall on Thursday, Aug. 26. In all three incidents Cottman held the clerks up at gunpoint and got away with an undisclosed amount of money, Godwin said.

Godwin said that while investigating the robberies, police received a tip that led them to a bus stop in Oak Hall where Cottman was getting ready to board a bus in order to flee the area. Sheriff's deputies and Virginia State Police troopers surrounded the bus stop in their search for Cottman who was taken into custody without incident.

The Sheriff's Office was also assisted by Virginia Marine Police and the Exmore Police Department.

www.wboc.com

Some People Think Mud Bogging Is A Good Place For Politics

Some of you may not know this but there have been a few people that have worked quite hard behind the scenes for quite a few months to arrange the events at the Gumboro Mudbog. In fact, those people work behind the scenes for the wounded soldiers more times than anyone knows.
Last week I had a few conversations with a couple of them about the event because I wanted to know more so that I could write about in more depth on this blog. These men are no slackers when it comes to caring about these men and women of the military and I wish more people (including myself when it comes to giving) could and would do more.

Saturday was designated to be a day for the wounded warriors. They were coming to Gumboro to watch the mud races and to enjoy themselves on Delmarva and so the people could say thank you for all they have done and for all of the sacrifices they have given to this country.

Mr. Butch Elzey, and and some others deserve a pat on the back for all of the hard work put forth for Saturday's events. However, I was told in my conversation that POLITICS will play NO part in the events. I agreed with that decision 100%.

But it seems that one person either didn't get the memo, or has no respect for the military, or just lacks common sense and compassion.

It has been reported that this person was PLACING CAMPAIGN STICKERS ON WOUNDED WARRIORS CHILDREN AT THE MUD BOG ON SATURDAY!!

Tell me Ms. Rollins, have you ever bothered to visit the Gumboro Mud Bog at any other time before this past Saturday? Have you ever been there before to just see what these dedicated people have done for YOUR state of DELAWARE?

I can't say a word about anyone running for any office in the state of Delaware.... I am not a resident of that state. But Ms. Rollins, I AM A RESIDENT OF THIS GREAT AND WONDERFUL UNITED STATES OF AMERICA !!

And that makes me able to tell you that what you did Saturday was inexcusable and low and in poor taste!!

MISSING PERSON

Alert Message has been issued by the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office.
Sunday August 29, 2010 8:37 PM EDT

Incident: Missing Person
Date of Incident: 28 August 2010
Location: Wicomico County

Narrative: On 28 August 2010 the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation into the disappearance of Alex Xavier Arroyo – Flores, 21 years old, of Salisbury.

Investigation revealed that Arroyo – Flores left his residence the previous evening at approximately 5:00 PM with the intent on heading to his place of employment in Fruitland, but has not been seen since leaving his residence.

Arroyo – Flores is a Hispanic Male, 5’10” with average length brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a red McDonald’s polo, black pants and boots. He was known to have left in a 2007 Toyota Corolla, silver in color with Maryland
registration. All area law enforcement have been alerted to this information and this case is being actively investigated by the Sheriff’s Office.

Anyone who may have heard from Arroyo- Flores or may possibly have any information as to his whereabouts, is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office immediately at 410-548-4890.

http://www.wgmd.com/

Man Arrested and Charged With Premeditated Murder

Sheriff Jack Robbins reports that on August 28, 2010 at approximately 11:43 PM the Northampton County Sheriff's Office was called to respond to 20247 Cheriton Crossroads for a gunshot victim.

Upon arrival by Northampton County Sheriff's Office ad Emergency Rescue personnel, Harold Moses, 48 of Cheriton, was found deceased.

After a brief search, Trawn Stratton, 30 of Cheriton, was arrested and has bee charged with willfully, deliberately, and with premeditation, the murder of Harold Moses in the first degree; use, or attempting to use or displaying in a threatening manner, a firearm while committing to attempting to commit murder; and while armed with a deadly weapon, entering in the nighttime the dwelling house of adjoining occupied outhouse of Harold Moses with the intent to commit murder, rape, robbery or arson.

Stratton is currently being held in the Eastern Shore County Regional Jail with no bond.

The Northampton County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Exmore Police Department, the Cape Charles Police Department and the Virginia State Police.

The Northampton County Sheriff's Office will not be releasing any further information regarding the case.
www.shoredailynews.com

Charity Event At Gumboro Mud Bog

There was hardly any room left to park Saturday afternoon at the Gumboro Mud Bog Charity Event for the Wounded Soldiers at Walter Reed Hospital. Word is that over 2,000 fans were on hand for a day of watching trucks in the various classes make the attempt to get through 200 feet of mud in the least amount of time.

Mudbogging is a very competitive sport at times but Saturday wasn't just about competition. It was about showing the 65 or more guests from Walter Reed Hospital just how enjoyable the sport can be. And afterall, the day was about them and for them.
The wounded warriors, some with family, rolled in by bus with a police escort.

Weather on Delmarva doesn't get any better than what we had Saturday and I know everyone had to notice the clear blue skies, low humidity and wonderful breeze. It was so wonderful to see the grandstands full of fans and fans lined against the fence. The charity race always give the winner in each racing class double points and I am not aware (yet) of any records being broken in speed but I can report to all of you that during the Charity Event For the Wounded Soldiers At Walter Reed Hospital the Gumboro Mud Bog in just FIVE hours of racing in the mud raised FIFTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS!!!!

It was an honor for all of those in racing competition on Saturday to be able to entertain America's hero's for a few hours. Each and every one of them had a marvelous day and will be talking about their trip to the Eastern Shore for a very long time.

So to all of you out there that wrinkle your nose at mud racing remember this..... LOOK WHAT MUD CAN DO!!Thankyou to all those men and women serving in the military, recovering in hospitals, retired and to your families for all you have done and continue to do for all of us so that we may remain free. God bless all of you.

Grand Opening of Tangier Island Clinic

Tangier Island, Va. --

TANGIER ISLAND -- The ribbon-cutting on a new, state-of-the-art medical center yesterday turned out to be one of the biggest events in the small island's history.

The much-anticipated occasion also turned out to be much more than the dedication of a building.

"It's a pretty big day for Tangier," said island resident Bruce Gordy, as he hustled to close the Tangier Island History Museum early so he could find a good vantage point for the ceremony. "It's great, but it's sad, too."

The joy and pride stem from the grand opening of the $1.4 million health center that replaces a cramped, dilapidated clinic that has served the island for more than 50 years.

The sadness surrounds Dr. David Nichols, 62, the White Stone physician who has filled the role of primary physician for Tangier's 525 residents, traveling to the island on his day off every week for 31 years. Last month, only weeks before he would begin seeing patients in a new facility that had been his dream for years, he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He said he could have only a few months to live.

Yesterday's festivities were bittersweet, said Jimmie Carter, the Northern Neck developer and friend and patient of Nichols' who spearheaded the public-private partnership that built the center and established a foundation that will help ensure high-quality health care for islanders for years to come.

Under a cloudless sky and a relentless sun, hundreds gathered outside the new facility -- christened the David B. Nichols Health Center -- to cheer the building and honor its namesake.

It's a testament to the affection for Nichols that on such a hot day the crowd filled the narrow lanes around the building in folding chairs and the island's ubiquitous golf carts -- patients and former patients, islanders and mainlanders who came across the Chesapeake Bay by ferry or flew in by small plane or helicopter, making Tangier's small airfield look like a major airport for at least a day.

The center's front porch was filled with local and state officials, including Gov. Bob McDonnell and Rep. Robert J. Wittman, R-1st, who represents the island in Washington. McDonnell said he made the trip simply "to shower more love" on Nichols.

In welcoming everyone, Tangier Mayor James "Ooker" Eskridge stood at the top of the steps of the new clinic and said, "The Bible tells about God using certain people for certain jobs at certain times. Dr. Nichols, we appreciate all you've done and all you're doing, and we love you."

Schoolchildren sang "This Land Is Your Land." Representatives of Staff Care, the organization that chose Nichols as "Country Doctor of the Year" in 2006, came from Texas to present Nichols with its first "Country Doctor of the Decade" award. Elected officials bestowed resolutions and commendations upon him. One declared Nichols "A True Tangierman for Life."

Inez Pruitt, the Tangier-born physician assistant who was mentored and inspired by Nichols to follow her calling, praised his commitment and compassion and said she is "the most blessed woman in the world."

"I wouldn't change a thing," she said, "except for time -- and more of it."

After the ceremony, the crowd meandered over to the island's schoolhouse for a reception that was more of a community picnic -- with tables laden with soft-shell crabs, clam fritters and ham, as well as homemade salads and cakes. The cups of iced tea went fast.

"All these people," marveled Hedy Bowden, who was among the kitchen volunteers scurrying about replacing empty bowls and platters.

Bowden, 63, grew up on the island and was trying to remember a bigger community event but couldn't.

"This is the biggest I've seen," she said.

Throughout the day, the cheers, laughter and posing for photographs inevitably were mixed with hugs and tears. Anyone who was asked what Nichols has meant to the island invariably said, "Everything."

"He's going to be greatly missed," Bowden said.

When it came his turn to talk, Nichols said not to worry.

"While I will leave you in body," Nichols told the gathering, his eyes red and his voice catching, "I will never leave you in spirit.

www.timesdispatch.com

Virginia DMV Still Unable To Process Licenses

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) Virginia's governmental computer problems aren't fixed just yet.

The Department of Motor Vehicles says it won't be able to process driver's licenses and identification cards Monday. The agency is one of 26 affected by a major crash of the state's problem-plagued centralized computers last week.

The Virginia Information Technologies Agency says all but about three agencies' systems have been restored. Work continues on the remaining systems.

The DMV says Virginians whose ID cards or driver's licenses expired between last Wednesday and Monday must renew in person once service is restored. They have to bring a birth certificate, passport, or other document confirming citizenship or legal residency.

www.fredericksburg.com

Wright Criticizes Those Who Think Obama Is Muslim

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Rev. Jeremiah Wright, President Barack Obama's controversial former pastor, accused people who wrongly believe Obama is Muslim of catering to political enemies during a fiery speech Sunday in Arkansas.

In his sermon at New Millennium Church in Little Rock, Wright criticized supporters of the Iraq war and defended former state Court of Appeals Judge Wendell Griffen for speaking out against it. Griffen serves as the church's pastor.

Wright's only reference to Obama came when he compared Griffen's opponents to those who incorrectly think Obama is Muslim. The president, whose full name is Barack Hussein Obama, is Christian.

"Go after the military mindset ... and the enemy will come after you with everything," Wright told the packed church.

"He will surround you with sycophants who will criticize you and ostracize you and put you beyond the pale of hope and say 'you ain't really a Baptist' and say 'the president ain't really a Christian, he's a Muslim. There ain't no American Christian with a name like Barack Hussein,'" he added.

A poll released this month found that nearly one in five people, or 18 percent, said they thought Obama was Muslim, up from the 11 percent in March 2009. The proportion who correctly said he was Christian was 34 percent, down from 48 percent in March of last year. The poll, conducted by the nonpartisan Pew Research Center and its affiliated Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, surveyed 3,003 people.

Obama cut ties with Wright in 2008, after Wright's more incendiary remarks hit the Internet during the presidential election. At a National Press Club appearance in April 2008, Wright claimed the U.S. government could plant AIDS in the black community, praised Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrahkan and suggested Obama was putting his pastor at arm's length for political purposes while privately agreeing with him.

Obama denounced Wright as "divisive and destructive" and left Wright's church in Chicago.

Griffen lost a re-election bid for the Arkansas Court of Appeals in 2008, after high profile battles with a state judicial panel over the rights of judges to speak out on political issues. Griffen was elected in May to a judicial post in Pulaski County, the state's most populous county that includes Little Rock.

Griffen said he invited Wright to speak at his church as part of a monthlong focus on the relationship between faith and the community.

Wright defended Griffen's outspokenness on political issues, saying it showed he was willing to speak out even if it would cost him politically.

Wright's sermon focused on the Old Testament story of the prophet Elisha thwarting an attack by the Aramean Army. Wright repeatedly made references to the war in Iraq and suggested parallels with the Biblical story.

"What was his motivation? Elisha had embarrassed him, like Saddam had embarrassed George Herbert Walker," Wright said, referring to the former president.

Wright spoke as Arkansas Republicans hope to capitalize on Obama's unpopularity in the fall election. Obama has not visited the state since 2006, and lost its six electoral votes in the 2008 election.

www.yahoo.com

One Soldier Gets A Taste Of Mud Bogging!!

I will get no argument from anyone at Gumboro Mudbog yesterday when I say it was a wonderful Delmarvalous day!

With so much activity towards the ending of racing competition yesterday hardly no one noticed this soldier being pushed in his wheel chair onto the racing arena.

I hope in some small way it says "thanks for all you have done for all of us".

Precious cargo aboard this truck! I'm not just talking about the driver I'm talking about the fearless warrior riding on the passenger side.
Watch this video................ (Length of pit is 200 feet).

(I can't help but wonder what his thoughts were as that truck pushed mud onto the windshield.)

The crowd went WILD and by the time they reached the spectators everyone was on their feet cheering! God Bless and protect all the soldiers in the military.......far away or near. God bless and protect their families.

It is because of your sacrifices that we are given the opportunity to go about each day freely
and enjoy our lives without fear.

PLEASE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!

Three great waves

In just six months, on January 1, 2011, the largest tax hikes in the history of America will take effect.

They will hit families and small businesses in three great waves.

On January 1, 2011, here’s what happens... (read it to the end, so you see all three waves)...

   
First Wave:


Expiration of 2001 and 2003 Tax Relief

In 2001 and 2003, the GOP Congress enacted several tax cuts for investors, small business owners, and families.

These will all expire on January 1, 2011.



Personal income tax rates will rise.

The top income tax rate will rise from 35 to 39.6 percent (this is also the rate at which two-thirds of small business profits are taxed).  
   
The lowest rate will rise from 10 to 15 percent.  
   
All the rates in between will also rise.  
   
Itemized deductions and personal exemptions will again phase out, which has the same mathematical effect as higher marginal tax rates.  


The full list of marginal rate hikes is below:

• The 10% bracket rises to an expanded 15%
• 
  
• The 25% bracket rises to 28%
• 
  
• The 28% bracket rises to 31%
• 
  
• The 33% bracket rises to 36%
• 
  
• The 35% bracket rises to 39.6%

Higher taxes on marriage and family.  

The "marriage penalty" (narrower tax brackets for married couples) will return from the first dollar of income.  

The child tax credit will be cut in half from $1000 to $500 per child.  

The standard deduction will no longer be doubled for married couples relative to the single level.  

The dependent care and adoption tax credits will be cut.


The return of the Death Tax.

This year only, there is no death tax.  (It’s a quirk!) For those dying on or after January 1, 2011, there is a 55 percent
top death tax rate on estates over $1 million.  A person leaving behind two homes, a business, a retirement account, could easily pass along a death tax bill to their loved ones.  Think of the farmers who don’t make much money, but their land, which they purchased years ago with after-tax dollars, is now worth a lot of money.  Their children will have to sell the farm, which may be their livelihood, just to pay the estate tax if they don’t have the cash sitting around to pay the tax.  Think about your own family’s assets.  Maybe your family owns real estate, or a business that doesn’t make much money, but the building and equipment are worth $1 million.  Upon their death, you can inherit the $1 million business tax free, but if they own a home, stock, cash worth $500K on top of the $1 million business, then you will owe the government $275,000 cash!  That’s 55% of the value of the assets over $1 million!  Do you have that kind of cash sitting around waiting to pay the estate tax?



Higher tax rates on savers and investors.

The capital gains tax will rise from 15 percent this year to 20 percent in 2011.  

The dividends tax will rise from 15 percent this year to 39.6 percent in 2011.  

These rates will rise another 3.8 percent in 2013.



Second Wave:

Obamacare


There are over twenty new or higher taxes in Obamacare. Several will first go into effect on January 1, 2011.  They include:



The "Medicine Cabinet Tax"

Thanks to Obamacare, Americans will no longer be able to use health savings account (HSA), flexible spending account (FSA), or health reimbursement (HRA) pre-tax dollars to purchase non-prescription, over-the-counter medicines (except insulin).


The "Special Needs Kids Tax"

This provision of Obamacare imposes a cap on flexible spending accounts (FSAs) of $2500 (Currently, there is no federal government limit). There is one group of FSA owners for whom this new cap will be particularly cruel and onerous: parents of special needs children.

There are thousands of families with special needs children in the United States , and many of them use FSAs to pay for special needs education.

Tuition rates at one leading school that teaches special needs children in Washington , D.C. ( National Child Research Center ) can easily exceed $14,000 per year.

Under tax rules, FSA dollars can not be used to pay for this type of special needs education.


The HSA (Health Savings Account) Withdrawal Tax Hike.

This provision of Obamacare increases the additional tax on non-medical early withdrawals from an HSA from 10 to 20 percent, disadvantaging them relative to IRAs and other tax-advantaged accounts, which remain at 10 percent.




Third Wave:

The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) and Employer Tax Hikes

When Americans prepare to file their tax returns in January of 2011, they'll be in for a nasty surprise-the AMT won't be held harmless, and many tax relief provisions will have expired.

The major items include:

The AMT will ensnare over 28 million families, up from 4 million last year.

According to the left-leaning Tax Policy Center , Congress' failure to index the AMT will lead to an explosion of AMT taxpaying families-rising from 4 million last year to 28.5 million.  These families will have to calculate their tax burdens twice, and pay taxes at the higher level.  The AMT was created in 1969 to ensnare a handful of taxpayers.


Small business expensing will be slashed and 50% expensing will disappear.

Small businesses can normally expense (rather than slowly-deduct, or "depreciate") equipment purchases up to $250,000.

This will be cut all the way down to $25,000.  Larger businesses can currently expense half of their purchases of equipment.

In January of 2011, all of it will have to be "depreciated."


Taxes will be raised on all types of businesses.

There are literally scores of tax hikes on business that will take place.  The biggest is the loss of the "research and experimentation tax credit," but there are many, many others. Combining high marginal tax rates with the loss of this tax relief will cost jobs.


Tax Benefits for Education and Teaching Reduced.

The deduction for tuition and fees will not be available..

Tax credits for education will be limited.

Teachers will no longer be able to deduct classroom expenses.

Coverdell Education Savings Accounts will be cut.

Employer-provided educational assistance is curtailed.

The student loan interest deduction will be disallowed for hundreds of thousands of families.

Charitable Contributions from IRAs no longer allowed.

Under current law, a retired person with an IRA can contribute up to $100,000 per year directly to a charity from their IRA.

This contribution also counts toward an annual "required minimum distribution."  This ability will no longer be there.



PDF  Version  Read more: <http://www.atr.org/six-months-untilbr-largest-tax-hikes-a5171>; http://www.atr.org/six-months-untilbr-largest-tax-hikes-a5171##ixzz0sY8waPq1


And worse yet?


Now, your insurance will be INCOME on your W2's!

One of the surprises we'll find come next year, is what follows - - a little "surprise" that 99% of us had no idea was included in the "new and improved" healthcare legislation . . . the dupes, er, dopes, who backed this administration will be astonished!

Starting in 2011, (next year folks), your W-2 tax form sent by your employer will be increased to show the value of whatever health insurance you are given by the company. It does not matter if that's a private concern or governmental body of some sort.

If you're retired?  So what... your gross will go up by the amount of insurance you get.

You will be required to pay taxes on a large sum of money that you have never seen.  Take your tax form you just finished and see what $15,000 or $20,000 additional gross does to your tax debt..  That's what you'll pay next year.

For many, it also puts you into a new higher bracket so it's even worse.



This is how the government is going to buy insurance for the15% that don't have insurance and it's only part of the tax increases.

Not believing this???  Here is a research of the summaries.....

On page 25 of 29: TITLE IX REVENUE PROVISIONS- SUBTITLE A: REVENUE OFFSET PROVISIONS-(sec. 9001,
as modified by sec. 10901) Sec.9002  "requires employers to include in the W-2 form of each employee the aggregate cost of applicable employer sponsored group health coverage that is excludable from the employees gross income."



- Joan Pryde is the senior tax editor for the Kiplinger letters.
- Go to Kiplingers and read about 13 tax changes that could affect you.  Number 3 is what is above.

Hat Tip; Mrs. M