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Israeli high court orders parliament vote on new speaker
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel's Supreme Court on Monday ordered the parliament speaker to hold an election for his successor by Wednesday, deepening a standoff between opponents and supporters of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Yuli Edelstein of Netanyahu's Likud party, the current speaker, had dismissed the court's call to hold a vote for his successor. Last week he suspended parliamentary activities, citing procedural issues and restrictions on large gatherings due to the virus.
In her decision, Supreme Court Chief Justice Esther Hayut said "the continued refusal to allow the vote in the Knesset plenum on the election of a permanent speaker is undermining the foundations of the democratic process."
The order exacerbates the country's deep political crisis while the longtime leader steers the country through the coronavirus outbreak and fends off a looming corruption trial.
Israel's parliament reconvened Monday after the country's Supreme Court ordered it to reopen for the selection of Edelstein's successor.
The opposition Blue and White party, which is backed by a slim majority in the newly elected Knesset, said the country's legislature must continue to function at such a critical time. The party accused Edelstein of shuttering the halls of the legislature in order to keep his job and shield his beleaguered party leader.
"Democracy and law in Israel will be protected even if it's not comfortable for someone," Blue and White leader Benny Gantz said in a speech to the mostly empty chamber. Israel has strictly limited the size of public gatherings due to the coronavirus threat.
Blue and White is expected to choose a new speaker and use its parliamentary majority to push through legislation that could prevent Netanyahu from serving as prime minister in the future. The Likud party has accused Blue and White of relying on the votes of Arab members of parliament to "trample democracy" amid a national state of emergency and vowed to boycott a vote for a new speaker.
The Knesset on Monday voted 61-0 in favor of convening the key Arrangements Committee, which is authorized to create the parliament's other decision-making committees. Netanyahu and his allies boycotted the parliamentary vote.
A panel of five judges chaired by Hayut had ordered Edelstein to announce by late Monday whether he planned to bring the selection of a new speaker up for a vote, or else they would be forced to rule against him.
In a harsh rebuttal, one of Netanyahu's closest surrogates, Cabinet Minister Yariv Levin, accused the court of "formally taking control of the Knesset" and turning its speaker into a rubber stamp.
"If Chief Justice Hayut wants to put herself above the Knesset, she is invited to arrive to the building with her guards and open the session herself. That way it will be clear we are witnessing a coup," he said.
Earlier, Netanyahu's justice minister had called on Edelstein to ignore the court's order.
Edelstein wrote in reply to the court that he will "not agree to an ultimatum" and that "a permanent Knesset speaker has never been elected at a time of such great uncertainty concerning the composition of a future coalition." He said he would not put the Knesset speaker vote on the agenda until the political situation becomes clearer.
The crisis comes amid an aggressive outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in Israel, with Netanyahu looking to entice his rivals into an emergency unity government in the wake of the country's third inconclusive election in less than a year.
Most people only experience minor flu-like symptoms and recover from the virus within a few weeks. But the virus is highly contagious and can be spread by those who appear well. It can cause severe illness, including pneumonia and even death in some patients, particularly in the elderly and those with underlying health problems.
Around 350,000 people have been infected worldwide, and more than 15,000 have died. More than 100,000 people have recovered.
In Israel, daily life has largely shut down with cases multiplying greatly over the past week, reaching nearly 1,450 people testing positive for the new virus. One patient has died and 29 are in serious condition.
Gantz has pledged to support the government in its effort to combat the virus. But he and his allies have been skeptical about Netanyahu's power-sharing overtures, concerned that he will not follow through on his promises to cede power in 18 months.
The opposition has also accused Netanyahu of using the coronavirus crisis as cover to undermine the country's democratic institutions. With the country in near-shutdown mode, Netanyahu has already managed to postpone his own pending criminal trial on serious corruption charges and authorize unprecedented electronic surveillance of Israeli citizens.
Netanyahu faces charges of fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in connection to a series of scandals. He is accused of receiving expensive gifts from wealthy friends and offering to exchange favors with powerful media moguls. The long-ruling Israeli leader denies any wrongdoing and says he is the victim of a media-orchestrated witch hunt.
Even amid the health scare, Israelis have taken to the streets to protest what they consider an assault on Israeli democracy.
Reporting by Ilan Ben Zion; Associated Press writer Aron Heller contributed to this report
Image: Israelis hold national flags during a protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outside the national parliament in Jerusalem, Monday, March 23, 2020 (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)
Tags Benjamin Netanyahu Blue and White coronavirus COVID-19 Israel Israeli politics Knesset Likud party
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Adults (ages 18+): According to the 2015 NSDUH, 15.1 million adults ages 18 and older3 (6.2 percent of this age group4) had AUD. This includes 9.8 million men3 (8.4 percent of men in this age group4) and 5.3 million women3 (4.2 percent of women in this age group4).
Youth (ages 12–17): According to the 2015 NSDUH, an estimated 623,000 adolescents ages 12–176 (2.5 percent of this age group7) had AUD. This number includes 298,000 males6 (2.3 percent of males in this age group7) and 325,000 females6 (2.7 percent of females in this age group7).
Prevalence of Drinking: According to the 2015 NSDUH, 33.1 percent of 15-year-olds report that they have had at least 1 drink in their lives.17 About 7.7 million people ages 12–2018 (20.3 percent of this age group19) reported drinking alcohol in the past month (19.8 percent of males and 20.8 percent of females19).
Prevalence of Binge Drinking: According to the 2015 NSDUH, approximately 5.1 million people18 (about 13.4 percent19) ages 12–20 (13.4 percent of males and 13.3 percent of females19) reported binge drinking in the past month.
Prevalence of Heavy Alcohol Use: According to the 2015 NSDUH, approximately 1.3 million people18 (about 3.3 percent19) ages 12–20 (3.6 percent of males and 3.0 percent of females19) reported heavy alcohol use in the past month.
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD): AUD is a chronic relapsing brain disease characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences. AUD can range from mild to severe, and recovery is possible regardless of severity. The fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV), published by the American Psychiatric Association, described two distinct disorders—alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence—with specific criteria for each. The fifth edition, DSM-5, integrates the two DSM-IV disorders, alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence, into a single disorder called alcohol use disorder, or AUD, with mild, moderate, and severe subclassifications.
Heavy Alcohol Use: SAMHSA defines heavy alcohol use as binge drinking on 5 or more days in the past month.
NIAAA's Definition of Drinking at Low Risk for Developing AUD: For women, low-risk drinking is defined as no more than 3 drinks on any single day and no more than 7 drinks per week. For men, it is defined as no more than 4 drinks on any single day and no more than 14 drinks per week. NIAAA research shows that only about 2 in 100 people who drink within these limits have AUD.
1 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Table 2.41B—Alcohol Use in Lifetime, Past Year, and Past Month among Persons Aged 12 or Older, by Demographic Characteristics: Percentages, 2014 and 2015. Available at: https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUH-DetTabs-2015/NSDUH-DetTabs-2015/NSDUH-DetTabs-2015.htm#tab2-41b. Accessed 1/18/17.
2 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Table 2.46B—Alcohol Use, Binge Alcohol Use, and Heavy Alcohol Use in Past Month among Persons Aged 12 or Older, by Demographic Characteristics: Percentages, 2014 and 2015. Available at: https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUH-DetTabs-2015/NSDUH-DetTabs-2015/NSDUH-DetTabs-2015.htm#tab2-46b. Accessed 1/18/17.
3 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Table 5.6A—Substance Use Disorder in Past Year among Persons Aged 18 or Older, by Demographic Characteristics: Numbers in Thousands, 2014 and 2015. Available at: https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUH-DetTabs-2015/NSDUH-DetTabs-2015/NSDUH-DetTabs-2015.htm#tab5-6a. Accessed 1/18/17.
4 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Table 5.6B—Substance Use Disorder in Past Year among Persons Aged 18 or Older, by Demographic Characteristics: Percentages, 2014 and 2015. Available at: https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUH-DetTabs-2015/NSDUH-DetTabs-2015/NSDUH-DetTabs-2015.htm#tab5-6b. Accessed 1/18/17.
5 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). 2015 (NSDUH-2015-DS0001) Public-Use File Dataset. Available at: https://www.datafiles.samhsa.gov/study-dataset/national-survey-drug-use-and-health-2015-nsduh-2015-ds0001-nid16894. Accessed 6/15/17.
6 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Table 5.5A—Substance Use Disorder in Past Year among Persons Aged 12 to 17, by Demographic Characteristics: Numbers in Thousands, 2014 and 2015. Available at: https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUH-DetTabs-2015/NSDUH-DetTabs-2015/NSDUH-DetTabs-2015.htm#tab5-5a. Accessed 1/18/17.
7 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Table 5.5B—Substance Use Disorder in Past Year among Persons Aged 12 to 17, by Demographic Characteristics: Percentages, 2014 and 2015. Available at: https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUH-DetTabs-2015/NSDUH-DetTabs-2015/NSDUH-DetTabs-2015.htm#tab5-5b. Accessed 1/18/17.
8 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Alcohol and Public Health: Alcohol-Related Disease Impact (ARDI). Average for United States 2006–2010 Alcohol-Attributable Deaths Due to Excessive Alcohol Use. Available at: https://nccd.cdc.gov/DPH_ARDI/Default/Report.aspx?T=AAM&P=f6d7eda7-036e-4553-9968-9b17ffad620e&R=d7a9b303-48e9-4440-bf47-070a4827e1fd&M=8E1C5233-5640-4EE8-9247-1ECA7DA325B9&F=&D=. Accessed 1/18/17.
10 National Center for Statistics and Analysis. 2014 Crash Data Key Findings (Traffic Safety Facts Crash Stats. Report No. DOT HS 812 219). Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2015. Available at: https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812219. Accessed 9/19/16.
12 World Health Organization (WHO). Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health. p. XIV. 2014 ed. Available at: http://www.who.int/substance_abuse/publications/global_alcohol_report/msb_gsr_2014_1.pdf?ua=1. Accessed 1/18/17.
13 World Health Organization (WHO). Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health. p. XIII. 2014 ed. Available at: http://www.who.int/substance_abuse/publications/global_alcohol_report/msb_gsr_2014_1.pdf?ua=1. Accessed 1/18/17.
14 World Health Organization (WHO). Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health. p. 57. 2014 ed. Available at: http://www.who.int/substance_abuse/publications/global_alcohol_report/msb_gsr_2014_1.pdf?ua=1. Accessed 6/15/17.
15 World Health Organization (WHO). Alcohol. 2015. Available at: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs349/en/#. Accessed 9/19/16.
16 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Data Spotlight: More than 7 Million Children Live with a Parent with Alcohol Problems, 2012. Available at: http://media.samhsa.gov/data/spotlight/Spot061ChildrenOfAlcoholics2012.pdf. Accessed 9/19/16.
17 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Table 2.19B—Alcohol Use in Lifetime, Past Year, and Past Month, by Detailed Age Category: Percentages, 2014 and 2015. Available at: https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUH-DetTabs-2015/NSDUH-DetTabs-2015/NSDUH-DetTabs-2015.htm#tab2-19b. Accessed 1/18/17.
18 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). 2015 Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Figure 24. Available at: https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUH-FFR1-2015/NSDUH-FFR1-2015/NSDUH-FFR1-2015.htm#fig24. Accessed 1/18/17.
19 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Table 2.83B—Alcohol Use, Binge Alcohol Use, and Heavy Alcohol Use in Past Month among Persons Aged 12 to 20, by Demographic Characteristics: Percentages, 2014 and 2015. Available at: https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUH-DetTabs-2015/NSDUH-DetTabs-2015/NSDUH-DetTabs-2015.htm#tab2-83b. Accessed 1/18/17.
20 National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Alcohol Alert, No. 67, "Underage Drinking," 2006. Available at: https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/AA67/AA67.htm. Accessed 9/19/16.
21 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Table 6.84B—Tobacco Product and Alcohol Use in Past Month among Persons Aged 18 to 22, by College Enrollment Status: Percentages, 2014 and 2015. Available at: https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUH-DetTabs-2015/NSDUH-DetTabs-2015/NSDUH-DetTabs-2015.htm#tab6-84b. Accessed 1/18/17.
26 Stratton, K.; Howe, C.; Battaglia, F.; Eds. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Diagnosis, Epidemiology, Prevention, and Treatment. Washington, DC: Institute of Medicine, National Academy Press, 1996.
29 Estimated liver disease deaths include deaths with the underlying cause of death coded as alcoholic liver disease (K70), liver cirrhosis, unspecified (K74.3–K74.6, K76.0, K76.9), liver cancer (C22), or other liver diseases (K71, K72, K73, K74.0–K74.2, K75, and K76.1–K76.8). Number of deaths from Multiple Cause of Death Public-Use Data File, 2015 (http://wonder.cdc.gov/mcd.html). Alcohol-attributable fractions (AAFs) from CDC Alcohol-Related Disease Impact (http://nccd.cdc.gov/DPH_ARDI/Default/Default.aspx, Accessed 5/23/17). Prevalence of alcohol consumption from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2015, for estimating indirect AAFs for liver cancer.
30 Yoon, Y.H., and Chen, C.M. Surveillance Report #105: Liver Cirrhosis Mortality in the United States: National, State, and Regional Trends, 2000–2013. Bethesda, MD: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), 2016. Available at: http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/Surveillance105/Cirr13.pdf. Accessed 11/7/16.
32 National Cancer Institute. Alcohol Consumption, November 2015 update. Available at: http://www.progressreport.cancer.gov/prevention/alcohol. Accessed 9/19/16.
33 National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). NIAAA Council Approves Definition of Binge Drinking. NIAAA Newsletter, No. 3, Winter 2004. Available at: http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/Newsletter/winter2004/Newsletter_Number3.pdf. Accessed 9/19/16.
34 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Binge Drinking: Terminology and Patterns of Use, 2016. Available at: https://www.samhsa.gov/capt/tools-learning-resources/binge-drinking-terminology-patterns. Accessed 1/18/17.


If vintages and varietals are a visitor's priorities, pairing wine with fine art is easy because many wineries have collections alongside their tasting rooms. The concept took root in 1970 at Robert Mondavi Winery in Oakville, when Margrit Beaver Mondavi opened a 5,000-square-foot gallery, and others subsequently embraced the idea. Today, more than 70 wineries collectively own more than 10,000 works of art, according to a press release sent by Angela Jackson, director of Media Relations, for Visit Napa Valley.
Among them, Mondavi gives guests a chance to view world-class works by artists such as Pablo Picasso and Benjamin Bufano, while Robert Motherwell and Andy Goldsworthy are among the big names in the Hess Art Collection in Napa, which has the valley's largest collection of contemporary art at a winery. In addition, di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art, located on a historic winery estate in the Carneros region, has works by noted artists such as Robert Arneson and Manual Neri in its permanent indoor collection and brightly-colored sculptures outdoors with the natural landscape as a backdrop. Although noted for its collection of work by Bay Area artists, "di Rosa is moving into a more national conversation about art," says Olivia Dodd, president and chief executive officer of Arts Council Napa Valley.
More than 90 public art installations and a wealth of galleries and private collections give visitors ample opportunities to explore the arts scene at their leisure. On a stroll through downtown Napa, for instance, visitors will discover Napa Art Walk, a collection of large sculptures that changes every two years. "One of the great aspects [of Art Walk] is you have a dozen or more different pieces that you get to find," says Dodd, adding that it's a chance to see art up close and interact with it without barriers. "It's personal, and it's rich," she observes. And to make the viewing experience even better, she suggests visitors go to the Napa Valley Welcome Center to find out how to get an app for their phones with artists' statements and comments about their work.
Napa's Rail Arts District, a collaboration of the Napa Valley Vine Trail, the Napa Valley Wine Train and members of the local arts community, adds color and excitement to an industrial area of Napa that hasn't seen much activity until now. It's the first designated art district in Napa Valley, and it features several huge murals by street artists with an international reputation. It made its debut in early 2017 with Knocking on Heaven's Door, a 210-foot mural by Betz and Natalia Rad of Poland. The fourth and newest, unveiled in November 2017, is Begin and Continue by Napa artist Mikey Kelly, who transformed a 710-chain link fence into a painting of intersecting lines and waves in seven colors and then added metal silhouettes of walkers, joggers and cyclists who use the Vine Trail. RAD's public space includes 50 walls for murals and 15 locations for sculpture, so it will ultimately become an outdoor museum, offering a satisfying cultural experience for both visitors and locals.
Outdoor art is also an attraction in Yountville, where more than 40 sculptures by artists with national and international reputations are on display along Yount and Washington streets. Visitors can download a map from the Town of Yountville's website and start and stop wherever they like or join a docent for a tour.
Two major annual events give visitors a chance to mingle with members of the community to see the best local artists have to offer. Art at the Source partners with the Sebastopol Center for the Arts to invite visitors to take a free self-guided tour of artists' open studios in western Sonoma County during the first two weekends in June. And on the first two weekends in October, Sonoma County Art Trails offers more than 160 open studios throughout the county. "Those two weekends are known outside Sonoma County," says Birgitt Vaughan, public relations manager for Sonoma County Tourism.
Art walks are popular, and suggests Guerneville's First Friday Art Walk, when art galleries, tasting rooms and merchants are open, and street performers add to the atmosphere. In addition, the South A Street Arts District in Santa Rosa, more commonly known as SOFA, is home to close to 40 working artists' studios as well as galleries, and it too offers open studios on the first Friday of each month.
Visitors to Sebastopol can see the junk art of Patrick Amiot and Brigitte Laurent. Amiot creates sculptures using reclaimed materials, such as cars and refrigerators, and Laurent paints them. Their pieces are all over town, but the focus is Florence Ave., which is a veritable outdoor museum. Visitors are welcome to walk along the residential street to admire the sculptures, and they'll find a little box with pictures of the works and more information. And to see how a repurposed space can foster creativity, art lovers can explore Fulton Crossing Galleries, on River Road northwest of Santa Rosa. "They have converted a chicken slaughterhouse into a gallery," Vaughan explains, and 15 artists and artisans work there to produce arts and crafts, ranging from glass-blown objects to handmade musical instruments.
Sometimes art appears where visitors least expect it. The Voigt Family Sculpture Foundation has installed a series of sculptures and benches along Foss Creek Pathway, which runs from the Carson Warner Memorial Skate Park to the five-way stop in downtown Healdsburg. People meander along the path, sometimes with children or dogs, and they can sit on one of the benches to take a break, chat and enjoy the art. "That's a fun one, and you can be outside if the weather is good," says the foundation's Cairenn Voigt, who adds that the art is often a surprise for first timers.
Wineries sometimes yield unexpected finds as well. Voigt suggests seeing two large sculptures by Bryan Tedrick, a Glen Ellen artist who created them for Burning Man. The Coyote, a 26-foot tall steel work, is on display at Wilson Winery in Dry Creek Valley, and Lord Snort, a kinetic sculpture of a huge boar that spins on its axis, is at Soda Rock Winery in Alexander Valley.
Museums give visitors a new perspective of Wine Country and its culture that they can't find anywhere else. Laura Rafaty, executive director of Napa Valley Museum Yountville, finds that Land and People of the Napa Valley, the museum's permanent history exhibition, which focuses on the area's geology and the qualities that make it a prime area for viticulture, is popular. "People enjoy that a lot," she says. Rotating exhibits in the Main Gallery and Spotlight Gallery also attract visitors for their subjects and themes. France is a Feast: The Photographic Journey of Paul and Julia Child, is in the midst of an extended run in the Main Gallery in its world premiere. "People are traveling from all over the country to see the Julia Child Exhibit," says Rafaty. She explains that the goal is to create shows that people can't necessarily see anywhere else. In addition, the museum is family-friendly, and on the second Saturday of every month, it offers free family-fun activities that are often related to current exhibits.
Other museums have a specific focus. The Robert Louis Stevenson Museum in St. Helena allows visitors to learn about the author's travels through Napa Valley and see the world's largest collection of Stevenson material. And in Calistoga, the Sharpsteen Museum looks at the town's past, with a stagecoach, the simulation of a barn that served as a stopping point for stagecoaches and a working model train. The Wappo, a 30-foot diorama, shows Calistoga when it was a hot springs resort in the 1860s. Currently on display is Out of the Attic, an exhibition of memorabilia from 1937 to the present that commemorates the 80th anniversary of Snow White and the Golden Gate Bridge.
Perhaps the most famous Wine Country museum is the Charles M. Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa. People from around the world find Schulz's Peanuts characters endearing, and so seeing the largest collection of strips featuring the gang and learning about Schulz and the art of cartooning puts the museum at the top of the must-see list for many visitors. "A lot of people come to see the Charles Schulz Museum," says Vaughan.
Music in Wine Country ranges from high-caliber performances by internationally acclaimed artists to homegrown fun. The Green Music Center at Sonoma State University is a magnet for visitors. "It's so well known outside of our borders," says Vaughan. It includes 1,400-seat Weill Hall, which has a rear wall that opens to seating on the lawn for warm-weather concerts, and Schroeder Hall, with a more intimate environment and seating for 240. Among the artists on the program for 2018, are violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter and pianist Lambert Orkis, jazz singer Dianne Reeves and the Nrityagram Dance Ensemble, underscoring the diversity and quality of the offerings. For families, Mozart's Magnificent Voyage, complete with an instrument petting zoo, takes place in April. Sonoma Bach and musicians from the Valley of the Moon Festival will appear at Schroeder Hall.
Local festivals with a more casual vibe include the Russian River Blues Festival, which offers water activities and camping as well as music, and the Country Summer Music Festival for fans of the genre. In addition, the Healdsburg Jazz Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary in June.
Napa is also rich in musical offerings. Festival Napa Valley, formerly Festival del Sole, takes place for 10 days in the summer and includes food, wine, music, dance and theater in more than 60 events throughout the county at a variety of venues. Fans of rock and indie music visit Napa for BottleRock, a three-day celebration of music, food, wine and beer that takes place in the spring. And in Napa Porchfest, musicians make the porches of historic homes their stage for one summer afternoon. "More than 10,000 people descend on downtown Napa," says Dodd.
Transcendence Theatre Company's Broadway Under the Stars, brings a taste of the New York stage to Jack London State Historic Park in the summer with a series of four Broadway-inspired events featuring performers from New York City in full-scale productions outdoors. "It's the perfect Wine Country event all in one," says Stephan Stubbins, co-executive director who's also a singer and dancer with a Broadway track record. The activity starts early with live music, food trucks and wine. Spectators can enjoy entertainment next to the vineyards before the show. They can bring their own picnics or purchase from food trucks located at the venue. In addition, wineries offer wine for sale at the venue. "It's magical to sit right below where Jack London wrote his books. It's open to the stars and skies with vineyards and powerhouse performances," says Stubbins. In addition, for every ticket sold, the company gives $5 to help maintain the park. Transcendence Theatre Company also presents The Ladies of Broadway at the Marin Center in San Rafael and at the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa in March, featuring Broadway performers Jennifer DiNoia, who recently appeared as Elphaba in Wicked and Kristin Piro, of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Outstanding classical drama is the focus of NapaShakes. "NapaShakes was formed in order to bring world-class theater to Napa Valley," says artistic director Laura Rafaty (who wears a second hat at Napa Valley Museum Yountville), and it has a national and international following. "We do something when we're lucky enough to provide something extraordinary," she adds. According to Rafaty, the goal is to mount live performances by the best actors nationally and internationally, focusing on Shakespeare. Among its noteworthy performances was the world premiere of Measure +Dido at the Green Music Center, with British actor Derek Jacobi in the leading role. NapaShakes also presents shows at the Lincoln Theatre in the Napa Valley Performing Arts Center and the Napa Valley Opera House. NapaShakes also offers screenings of Shakespeare's plays, which take place at the Cameo Cinema in St. Helena. "Men love our screenings," says Rafaty.
In addition, the Spreckels Performing Arts Center in Rohnert Park offers live drama, music and dance, and Wine Country is home to several regional theater companies, including 6th Street Playhouse in Santa Rosa, Cinnabar Theater in Petaluma and Lucky Penny Productions in Napa.
Literature and great ideas are the focus of the Sonoma Valley Authors' Festival, which takes place for the first time in May 2018 at the Lodge at Sonoma Renaissance Resort & Spa. Founders David and Ginny Freeman explain that some people like to travel with a purpose and prefer vacations that enrich them in some way, and providing that experience is their goal. The result is a gathering of leaders in innovation as well as writers talking about a variety of books. Among them are New York Times columnist and author David Brooks, a keynote speaker; Lisa See, author of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan; and Nobel Prize-winner Alex Filippenko, astrophysicist and astronomy professor at the University of California Berkeley. "We're in it to enjoy it and share it with our friends, make new friends and shine a light on all the spectacular aspects of Sonoma Valley," says David Freeman.
Novato is just minutes from Sonoma's Wine Country, and its museums are worth a side trip.
•The Marin Museum of Contemporary Art includes a gallery, 58 artists' studios and a gift shop. "It's a good place to visit, because there's more than one place to go," says Executive Director Nancy Rehkopf, who explains that if an artist's door is open, visitors are free to step inside and admire the work. Open studios take place in May and November. MOCA hosts an altered book exhibit, which is a fundraiser, in April, and a special exhibit, Legends of the Bay Area: Norman Oliveira, opens on March 3 and runs through April 22, 2017. Oliveira is credited with being the founder of the Bay Area Figurative Movement, and the display will span 50 years of his career.
11 a.m.-4 p.m., Wed.-Fri.; 11a.m.-5 p.m., Sat. and Sun.
•Hamilton Field History Museum is within walking distance of MOCA, and Rehkopf suggests visiting both. It shows the development of Hamilton Air Field from 1932 to 1975 and includes special exhibits of model airplanes and a link trainer. It also has a collection of oral histories.
Wed, Thurs. and Sat., noon-4 p.m.
•Marin Museum of the American Indian offers an exhibit of Native American art, interpretive panels from the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria and local artifacts.
•The Space Station Museum has American, Russian and Soviet space-exploration artifacts on display, and it offers telescope viewing nights.
Several museums are within walking distance of SMART stops, making the train an easy and fun way to visit them.
• North Santa Rosa: Charles M. Schulz Museum and Children's Museum of Sonoma County.
An appreciation for the arts goes back a long way in Napa Valley. Arts Council Napa Valley, a nonprofit foundation, was formed in 1963 to bring together the arts and cultural community, and its signature annual event, Arts in April, is a month-long celebration of the arts that includes at least 50 events, ranging from live music to art fairs to story telling to drama performances at wineries, museums and galleries throughout the valley. Each of the county's five cities also hosts a public event in a public setting. "Calistoga will have a big weekend of events, and Yountville will be back with their very successful Art, Sip & Stroll," says Olivia Dodd. Find out more about Arts in April at www.artscouncilnv.org.


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Dustin Poirier vs Conor McGregor poster for UFC 264 – MMA Root
by jack Johnny
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will bring live mixed martial arts (MMA) to the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, for the upcoming pay-per-view (PPV) event "Poirier vs. McGregor 3". on Saturday, July 10, 2021.
UFC 264 will feature the third (and hopefully last) fight between Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor. "The Diamond" stopped "Notorious" earlier this year at UFC 257, avenging an earlier loss to the Irishman at UFC 178 several years ago.
Now they have an official poster.
"Vegas is finally open again," said UFC President Dana White. "And you know you wanted an amazing weekend in Vegas, so don't miss out."
Elsewhere on the UFC 264 card, Gilbert Burns collides with welterweight contender Stephen Thompson in 170-pound action. Additionally, bantamweight sensation Sean O'Malley throws his hand at veteran Louis Smolka, while wounded heavyweight Greg Hardy looks to get back on the win column against Tai Tuivasa.
To see the current UFC 264 card and pay-per-view lineup, click here.
Conor Dustin MCGREGOR MMA POIRIER poster Root UFC
'I Feel Like S—t and That's It' – MMA Root
Cain Velasquez details WWE exit, 'friction' with Brock...
[ARCHIVES] Darren Till Explains Why Fight With...
"Get ready for the biggest comeback in sports...
Gervonta Davis vs Hector Luis Garcia –...

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Turn $5 into $10: New Voucher Program Launches to Boost Downtown Waco Business Sales
Press Release – A new voucher program, Biz Bucks, will launch at 8am on Thursday, October 1 as part of the "All in for Downtown Waco" campaign put in place to help support local Waco businesses. The Biz Bucks program aims to boost shopping in historic areas around Waco and was created to help local small businesses who are suffering from the economic impact of COVID-19.
Biz Bucks vouchers can be purchased for $5 each and redeemed for a $10 purchase at participating downtown, uptown, East Waco and La Salle destinations. There will be a total of 3,000 vouchers sold which will be redeemable through November 15.
Community partners including the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce, City of Waco, Downtown Public Improvement District, City Center Waco, Cen-Tex African American Chamber of Commerce, Cen-Tex Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Startup Waco are working to promote the initiative through their marketing channels and will be encouraging qualifying businesses to participate in the program.
"The goal of the Biz Bucks voucher program is to provide a way for Wacoans to support local businesses in a meaningful and tangible manner," said Kris Collins, senior vice president – economic development for the Greater Waco Chamber. "We are honored to partner with other local organizations and help support local businesses that are the heart of our community." Biz Bucks vouchers can be purchased exclusively online at AllinforDowntownWaco.com.
Purchased vouchers will be mailed or can be picked up from the Greater Waco Chamber, located at 101 S. 3rd St. The cost difference between the $5 voucher and the $10 redemption value will be made up by underwriting partners. Participating businesses will receive reimbursement once collected Biz Bucks vouchers are submitted. Small, locally owned business merchants located in downtown, uptown, East Waco and La Salle areas are invited to participate by visiting AllinforDowntownWaco.com to fill out the application.
"We knew that we wanted to create a program that would provide fast and tangible relief to local merchants that are suffering," said Collins. "In these rapidly changing times we wanted to develop a way for locals to show support and investment in Waco merchants that benefitted both the merchant and locals. For locals, the ability to purchase a $10 voucher for the price of $5 gives them a cost-savings opportunity. And, for participating businesses the vouchers drive locals into their stores and provide revenues immediately for merchants."
As the impact of COVID-19 continues to impact local businesses, this Biz Bucks voucher program is hoped to help business owners drive direct local spending to merchants as well as provide a multiplier effect from consumer spending. Increasing local consumer spending is a primary focus of the Biz Bucks voucher program. Not only will it help build a community among Waco locals and Downtown Waco merchants, but will also provide immediate positive effects and build long-term relationships. To guard against fraud, each voucher comes with its own unique serial number and security features. Up to five Biz Bucks vouchers can be redeemed per customer per visit.
"There has never been a better time than now to support Local Businesses and the All in for Downtown program adds even more reasons to visit our Downtown, Uptown, East Waco, and La Salle merchants. Buy your Biz Bucks and you will immediately provide financial support to participating merchants and as a bonus you will get a great discount too," said Alfred Solano, president/CEO for the Cen-Tex Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
For questions about Biz Bucks voucher program, visit AllinforDowntownWaco.com or email info@allinfordowntownwaco.com.
Waco Culture Guide shines spotlight on Waco's cultural wealth
By Cuevas Peacock (First published by the Baylor University Office of External Affairs)
The Waco Culture Guide highlights the districts, affinity groups, businesses, history, and more of Waco's communities of color. The vastness of Waco's Cultural Wealth is often missed by those new to the city. This is especially true for the faculty, staff, and students of color who make Waco home during their time at Baylor. With the Waco Culture Guide, we hope to provide a snapshot of the diversity present throughout Waco to the Baylor community and all who view it. By shining light on the opportunities to engage in Waco's affinity groups geared towards growing leaders of color, we hope to support the pipeline of diverse leadership within our city for generations to come. By listing the churches and restaurants of color, we hope to aid you in your attempt to be both physically and spiritually fed in an inclusive setting. By telling the stories of our city's cultural landmarks, we hope to connect you to our past pillars, strengthening your foundation for the positive future you will create.
The Cultural Wealth of Waco is strong, thriving, and has been a pleasure to highlight through the Waco Cultural Guide. Compiling the resource was a fun, collaborative process where we collected information about our community from a wide variety of listed individuals and organizations into a shared space for all to experience. Additionally, we reached out to several longtime Wacoans for what we called a tone check, ensuring that the content was both culturally appropriate and as exhaustive as possible. However, it is a process that is incomplete. There are still stories that have gone uncaptured, cultural landmarks that have gone unhighlighted, and people that have gone unrecognized. Through the publication's release, we are both elated on what we included and reminded of what we missed. Knowing of the many things we failed to capture, we encourage viewers of the culture guide to be intentional in building a connection with Waco's communities of color to truly experience the city's culture.
To capture the fullness of Waco's Cultural Wealth, we must all commit to engaging every part of our city or risk missing the multitude of contributions made by our communities of color, that make Waco great. The Waco Culture Guide is one of many attempts to do this work. We welcome all thoughts and additions to enhance the Waco Culture Guide so that it is more representative of the Cultural Wealth present in our community, and ask that any inquiries be sent to cuevas_peacock@baylor.edu. The Waco Culture Guide can be viewed virtually at baylor.edu/waco/cultureguide, where we also encourage you to explore the page to learn more about the work happening within Baylor's Solid Gold Neighbor initiative.
Cuevas Peacock is a community builder with dreams of becoming a poet, for he was once told that they are life's last true teachers. Hailing from Port Arthur Texas, the only place where oil and water mixes, Cuevas serves as the Assistant Director of Community Relations-Cultural Wealth at Baylor University. Through this role he is able to serve and support the university's Solid Gold Neighbor Initiative which seeks to further the impact of the university in Waco through various community engagement efforts.
The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email ashleyt@actlocallywaco.orgfor more information.
By Stephen Carter
With election day on November 3 approaching, the subject of voting by mail due to concerns for COVID-19 has been notable in public discourse. What is required of local voters who want to vote by mail, known as voting by absentee ballot? How is McLennan County ensuring that the vote by mail process this year is accessible and easy to understand? What is the local government doing to ensure that ballots are requested and sent out on time, and are properly returned?
Who is eligible to vote by mail?
Texas is one of five states at this time which has not expanded vote by mail to all voters. Registered voters seeking to vote by mail must have one of the following qualifications: age 65 or older, have a disability, be confined to jail, not be in the county during early voting and on election day.
Texas election code states that "A qualified voter is eligible for early voting by mail if the voter has a sickness or physical condition that prevents the voter from appearing at the polling place on election day without a likelihood of needing personal assistance or of injuring the voter's health. Expected or likely confinement for childbirth on election day is sufficient cause to entitle a voter to vote."
However, the Texas Supreme Court has ruled that lack of immunity to COVID-19 does not qualify as a disability. The law is otherwise vague on what constitutes a disability, which allows anyone who claims a disability to qualify. Voters with a disability are not required to provide proof of their disability and need only to fully complete the absentee ballot application.
The final day to register to vote is October 5. Voter registration cards can be submitted in person at the county Elections office or mailed but must be postmarked no later than the 5th.
Requests for an absentee ballot must be received by 5:00 pm October 23. The ballot must be returned or postmarked no later than November 3. To ensure that a mailed application is received in time, it should be mailed several business days in advance.
Early voting has been expanded this year, however a lawsuit pending against Texas Governor Greg Abbott could potentially roll back his executive order, which was issued in July. Currently, early voting dates are set for October 13 through October 30, which extends early voting by six days. During this time voters may cast a ballot at any polling location within McLennan County. This executive order also extends the time voters have to hand-deliver their absentee ballot. Typically, voters may only mail in their ballot once early voting begins, however this year it can be delivered in person until the end of election day.
Requesting and Returning a Valid Ballot
An application to request an absentee ballot can be printed from the county website, obtained in person, or a request can be made by calling the McLennan County Elections Office to have them mail out an application. Voters wanting to use a computer to print their application at one of the Waco public libraries will need to schedule their visit in advance due to COVID-19 library guidelines. Additionally, voters can request an application through the Texas Secretary of State's website which will then be mailed to them.
Once an application is received the Elections office can take up to a week to mail out a ballot, which does not include the time it takes for the postal service to deliver it.
Voters requesting a ballot due to being outside of the county during the election must have their ballots mailed to an address outside of the county.
Active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces, their spouse, and dependents, or a citizen residing outside of the United State and claiming McLennan County as their legal residence who are absent from the county during the election may vote by Federal Post Card Application.
The absentee ballot application must be fully completed and signed to be considered valid. This information includes full name, address, date of birth, reason for voting by mail, and checking the box for the November Election.
Both an application and absentee ballot may be mailed through the postal service at the voter's expense (a stamp and envelope) or can be delivered to the McLennan County Elections Office. It is possible to fax or email an application, however voters are still required to mail or deliver the form and it must be received within four business days to be considered valid.
When delivering an application or absentee ballot to the elections office, voters will be required to come inside the office and present a required form of photo ID. Only the voter may deliver their ballot. No one else is permitted to deliver their ballot for them. An ID is not required if the ballot is mailed to the Elections office. Acceptable forms of photo ID include Texas Driver License, Texas Election Identification Certificate, Texas Personal Identification Card, Texas Handgun License, United States Military Identification Card, United States Citizenship Certificate, or United States Passport.
Will absentee voting be expanded?
A lawsuit has been filed against the state to expand absentee voting eligibility to all voters, however the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against the expansion, which centered around the 26th Amendment and age discrimination. This overturned a ruling by a lower federal court in May which expanded absentee voting. The case could be heard by the Supreme Court of the United States, though it may not be until after the election.
Has McLennan County taken any extra steps this year?
McLennan County Elections Administrator Kathy Wolfe declined to comment regarding what, if any steps the county has taken this year to ensure that absentee voting is accessible and easy to understand; instead directing voters to review the information on the county website. Voters with questions about any part of the process can also call the Elections office at (254) 757-5043.
Stephen Carter is a lifelong resident of the Waco area, a graduate of TSTC, and has been an active participant in service to the community. He works in an administrative role with several non-profits, and owns a local hair & makeup business, Creative Beauty Designs, with his wife Lesley.
Plan to Vote!: Helpful round up of voting rules and tips
By Becca Muncy
Step One: Getting Registered
Election season is fast approaching (Election Day is November 3, 2020), and there's no better time to get educated on voting in Waco! The first step is registering to vote. In the U.S., you are eligible to register if:
You are a United States citizen
You are a resident of the county where you submit the application
You are not a convicted felon (you may be eligible to vote if you have completed your sentence, probation, and parole)
You are at least 17 years and 10 months old, and 18 years old on Election Day
You have not been declared by a court exercising probate jurisdiction to be either totally mentally incapacitated or partially mentally incapacitated without the right to vote.
In Texas, the deadline for registering to vote is October 5, 2020. In order to register, you must fill out an application, which can be picked up at any city office, post office, city library, or at the county Elections Administrations Office (214 N 4th Street Suite 300). You can also fill out an application online here (in English) or here (in Spanish) and then print the completed application. Once you have filled out the application, mail it to the county Elections Administrator (Kathy E. Van Wolf, P.O. Box 2450, Waco, TX 76703-2450).
If you think you are registered to vote, but aren't 100% sure, you can check your registration status here.
Double check your registration if you have moved
According to Dr. Peaches Henry with Project V.I.E.R ( Voter Information Education and Registration), sometimes people believe they are registered and discover that they are not when they attempt to vote. The most common reasons for this misunderstanding is that a person has moved and believes that the postal service will forward her voter registration card when, in fact, the card will be returned to the Elections Office. Another reason a voter might not be registered is that she might be on suspense (see explanation below). Any voter concerned that she might not be registered should simply complete a voter registration card and get it to the Elections Office by Monday, October 5, 2020 at 5PM. The card must be in the office not postmarked by the deadline.
Suspense means that the registrar is not certain of your residential address. If the registrar has reason to believe that a voter's current residence is different from that indicated on the registration records, then the registrar shall deliver to the voter a written confirmation notice requesting confirmation of the voter's current residence. When a Notice of Address Confirmation is sent, the voter automatically is put on suspense. As a common practice, a Notice of Address Confirmation is sent (and an individual is placed on suspense) when:
The voter's registration certificate has been returned as non-deliverable;
A Jury Summons is returned as non-deliverable; or
Any mailing that was sent to the voter was returned as non-deliverable.
The voter registrar has received information indicating the voter no longer resides at the address on the voter's record.
In-Person Voting on election day
In McLennan County, there are 34 voting centers. Any registered voter in the county can vote at any voting center. You are not required to go to the polling place that is in your precinct. You can vote at any voting center. You can find a list of voting centers here.
When you arrive at the voting center, you are required by Texas law to show an ID. Acceptable forms of ID are: a Texas driver's license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), a Texas election ID certificate, a Texas personal ID card, a Texas handgun license, a US military ID with photo, or a US citizenship certificate with photograph.
Keep in mind that electronic devices, like cell phones, and any form of electioneering, such as campaign t-shirts, are not allowed in the voting center. You are allowed to bring a paper list of the people for whom you plan to vote.
Early voting in Waco is available to anyone who is registered in McLennan County. Early voting is available October 13 to October 30. Early voting is available on Saturdays (7 AM – 7 PM) and Sundays (1 PM – 6 PM) during the early voting period. For a list of times and locations, click here. Early voting locations include the Robinson Community Center, the Waco Multi-Purpose Community Center, First Assembly Church of God, the McLennan County Records Building, and Hewitt Public City Hall/Library. Early voters follow the same steps in the voting center as any in-person voter, so be sure to bring your ID with you, and leave your campaign T-shirt at home.
Different states have different rules about absentee voting (also known as mail-in voting). The rules in Texas limit absentee voting to a few specified groups. You can vote absentee if 1) you will be away from your county on Election Day and during the hours that early voting is conducted, 2) you are sick or disabled, 3) you are 65 years of age or older on Election Day, or 4) you are confined in jail.
To vote by mail, you first need to fill out an application for a mail-in ballot. You can fill out and print an application here or you can have an application be sent to you by filling out this request form. The last day to apply for a ballot by mail is October 23. After you apply, you'll be sent a ballot, which you will fill out and return to your county's elections office by Election Day.
Staying Safe While Voting In-Person
Due to Texas's regulations on absentee voting, voting by mail due to concerns over COVID-19 is not an option for everyone; however, there are still many ways you can stay safe while exercising your right to vote.
Jared Goldsmith, Assistant Elections Administrator, wants to assure voters that voting centers are taking numerous precautions. "We are enforcing social distancing rules and encouraging all voters [to] wear a face covering while in the polling place," says Goldsmith. "We have placed protocols to make the voting process as touchless as possible to help ensure the safety of our voter's health." Goldsmith also stresses the importance of voting early, when there is likely to be less of a crowd.
McLennan County is also offers curbside voting for those who are unable to enter a voting center without personal assistance or likelihood of injuring their health, and for those who are showing signs of COVID-19.
Christina Chan-Park, President of the League of Women Voters Waco, encourages voters to plan ahead in order to stay safe. This can mean voting early, or, if you vote in November, finding a voting center you can get in and out of quickly. Chan-Park recommends looking at past election results and figuring out which centers had the fewest voters. She says, "Going to a polling place that is frequented less might be faster. In the 2016 election Waco First Assembly of God on Bosque had over 1,500 people vote there. Waco High School, which is less than… 5 minutes away, only had around 300 voters. Even though the church will have more machines and workers based on past usage, it will probably not have 5 times as many as the high school."
You can also prepare your ballot ahead of Election Day to reduce time spent in the voting center. You can find a sample ballot on the McLennan County elections website. You can fill out the sample ballot prior to arriving at your voting center and bring it with you. Then, you won't have to take the time to make decisions while you're in the voting booth. (Note: you will need to know your precinct number to select the correct sample ballot. Your precinct number is listed on your voter registration card or you can find it at this website. Login to get your voter information including your precinct number.)
A full list of health protocols that can be encouraged in polling places all around Texas can be read here.
College Students and Voting
College students who are not permanent residents of McLennan County have three options when it comes to voting: the first (and probably most common) is to vote absentee from Waco. Because you are away from home and in a different county, you qualify for mail-in voting in Texas (if you are an out of state student, check your state's absentee ballot rules here).
The second option is to go home during the early voting period and vote early in your hometown, but that can be hard to do with a busy college schedule.
The third option is to register to vote in McLennan County. However, you can't be registered in McLennan county and your home county, so you would need to determine if Waco is your primary residence over your hometown. Then you would go through the regular voter registration process and vote in person in Waco.
Voting- It's Your Civic Duty!
You may have seen a lot more hype and conversation surrounding this year's election, but voting in elections has always been important, and it has always mattered. Your vote matters. Voting holds our elected officials accountable, and every vote is significant, especially in close races. Voting lets you be an active, influential participant in your community, and it is a right that, historically, many people had to fight to achieve.
Chan-Park stresses the importance of voting and the impact it has on your individual community, saying, "Try to be an informed voter…. Don't just vote in the 'big' elections for President and Senator. The results of 'down ballot' races can affect our day-to-day lives too."
So get registered, get out there, and make your voice heard on November 3! (or before!)
Becca Muncy is an Act Locally intern from Dallas. She is studying professional writing at Baylor University and is completing her senior year.
Caritas of Waco Volunteers Needed
By Andrew Bryngelson, Caritas of Waco Volunteer Coordinator
In 2019, Caritas had over 2,400 volunteers give more than 37,700 hours of their time in our food pantry, in our Hidden Treasures thrift stores, and at various fundraising events and food drives. The support our volunteers bring us is invaluable and without them, we wouldn't be able to serve and meet the needs of the community.
We have several dedicated volunteers who serve with us. Many come to volunteer at Caritas because of their own personal experiences.
"Thirty years ago I was homeless, but God took care of me and I like being able to give back. I like to meet the people everyday and brighten their day. When you pass out the food, it makes you realize how fortunate you are that you can come down and help."
Hong Paskos, Caritas Volunteer
Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in March of 2020, Caritas of Waco has continued to see an increase in the number of families needing assistance due to job furloughs, layoffs, business closings, and cutbacks. In August of 2020, we served 10,255 individuals, an increase of 2,755 individuals from our usual monthly average of 7,500.
At the beginning of the pandemic, we limited our volunteers to protect staff, clients, and to practice social distancing. During that time we relied on volunteer service organizations like National Charity League and Young Men's Service League. Both organizations are mothers volunteering with their children.
"The Young Men's Service League values our partnership with Caritas for so many reasons. Our members enjoy the opportunity to serve the community directly with grocery distribution, and the clients are always so grateful, it really makes our members feel like they are helping make a difference. Caritas has taken such great steps to ensure volunteers' health when bagging groceries or delivering food to clients in their vehicles, our members feel safe at all times while volunteering. Caritas is a philanthropy that does so much good for such a large number of people and we are so happy that we can assist them in their mission."
Lorynn Divita, Young Men's Service League, Vice President, Philanthropy
To meet the increased need for food and to practice social distancing, we shifted our pantry operations to a drive-thru model. The drive-thru pantry service is open Monday-Friday from 8:30-11:00 AM and 1:00-2:00 PM, with no appointment necessary. We need volunteers to assist with loading food into client vehicles. To practice social distancing, only trunks and truck beds are loaded, so volunteers do not have contact with clients. Volunteers need to be able to lift at least 50 pounds and be able to tolerate heat.
"I love to be able to help those in need and Caritas feeds so many people and helps them keep their independence."
Cherry Boggess, Caritas Volunteer
In addition to our drive-thru pantry service, volunteers are also needed at our Hidden Treasures stores located at 3912 Bosque Boulevard and 3016 Bellmead Drive. The thrift stores sell household items, clothing, and furniture that have been donated by the community. Money made from sales help to fund Caritas of Waco. Volunteers are needed to help sort and process donated items. Volunteer hours at our Bosque location are Monday through Friday 9:00 AM-4:00 PM and on Saturdays from 10:00 AM-2:00 PM. Volunteer hours at our Bellmead location are Monday through Friday 11:00 AM-6:00 PM and on Saturdays from 10:00 AM-6:00 PM.
All volunteers are required to wear closed-toe shoes and to wear a mask the entire time they are volunteering. Volunteers also need to bring their own mask. To protect the health of our staff, clients, and volunteers, upon arrival to any of our facilities, your temperature will be taken and you will be asked if you have been exposed to anyone with the virus and if you are experiencing any symptoms. We ask that if you have been exposed to anyone with Covid-19 and/or are experiencing symptoms to please stay home and follow CDC guidelines.
To volunteer at Caritas of Waco, please submit a volunteer form on our website at http://www.caritas-waco.org/volunteer_application.aspx . For additional information on volunteer opportunities, I can be reached at abryngelson@caritas-waco.org or 254-753-4593 Ext. 203.
Andrew Bryngelson graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Marketing. He has been with Caritas for four years and has had the pleasure of serving as Volunteer Coordinator for the past two years. Andrew has a passion for helping others and he enjoys working with our volunteers to place them where they can use their time and talents to serve the community.
Civic Insights: Who Pays for that Pipe? Part II
(City council, school board, planning commission, county commissioners – these groups and several others represent us. They do the day to day work of running our community. It is our responsibility to keep informed about their work so that we can help them represent us effectively. "Civic Insights" by Jeffrey Vitarius is a regular feature of Act Locally Waco. Its purpose is to help us understand decisions that shape our community so that we can participate effectively as informed, engaged residents of Waco. – ALW)
By Jeffrey Vitarius
Two weeks ago, we took a broad look at impact fees as a policy. In that post, I noted that Waco is in the transition between the could part of the adoption process and the should part of the adoption process. This week, let's dive into some of the details of the "could" work that has already been done.
The impact fee adoption process (both could and should)is governed by Local Government Code Chapter 395 – Financing Capital Improvements Required by New Development in Municipalities, Counties and Certain Other Local Governments. The local government code can be seen from a high level as "rules for cities and counties." Different chapters of the code deal with different issues. For example Chapter 372 provides the rules around how PIDs are established and maintained, Chapter 102 deals with municipal budgets, and Chapter 309 addresses arts and entertainment districts.
Chapter 395 lays out in detail how a City or County could go about establishing impact fees. It, for example, defines capital improvements as facilities that are expected to last at least three years, are owned and operated by a "a political subdivision" (read city or county, though there are other kinds of political subdivisions. Incidentally this is also defined in Chapter 395), and are water supply, treatment, and distribution facilities; wastewater collection and treatment facilities; storm water, drainage, and flood control facilities (pipes), or roadway facilities (roads).
Chapter 395 identifies a six-part process in adopting impact fees (more details on these steps below):
Establish an Advisory Committee
Develop a Capital Improvements Plan
Hold a Public Hearing on Land Use Assumptions and Capital Improvements Plan and Potentially Approve these Items
Calculate Maximum Impact Fee Per Service Unit
Hold a Public Hearing on Impact Fees
Potentially Approve Adoption of Impact Fees
Right now Waco is between steps four and five. Step five is scheduled with a public hearing on October 6th and based on Chapter 395 step six would have to occur within thirty days of that public hearing. Let's take a look at each of the steps that have already occurred in a little more detail.
1. Establish an Advisory Committee
Chapter 395 requires that the "governing body of the political subdivision" (in this case the City Council of Waco) establish a committee to weigh in throughout the impact fee adoption process. The code makes it clear that this committee needs to include at least one voice from the real estate, development, or building industries to speak into the impact fee process. These are the industries most likely to bear the cost of an impact fee. The code also tasks this committee with providing advice on the adoption of land use assumptions, file written comments on the capital improvements plan (more on that below), and reviewing the progress of the capital improvements plan over time.
The City Council created such a committee on July 16th 2019 and it held its first meeting on July 23rd, 2019. Since that time it has met regularly to review and provide input to this process.
2. Develop a Capital Improvements Plan
The development of the Capital Improvements Plan is likely the most complicated part of the entire impact fee process. If you remember back to the post two weeks ago, I used the simple example of a new set of homes on what used to be a farm. Under those conditions it is easy to trace certain infrastructure improvements to that specific development. However, in reality, the city needs to be able to project (theoretically) all of the developments that are going to take place over the next ten years andthe capital improvements that go along with those developments. That difficult projection work (which we will take a closer look at another time) is compiled into a Capital Improvements Plan. For right now we will just take a summary view.
From a high level you can think through the process of developing this plan in the following way. First, you need to make some assumptions about land use. You need to know how it is anticipated that land not currently developed will be used if developed. There is a big difference between a farm turning into the Central Texas Marketplace and the same farm becoming a set of one-story single-family homes. These assumptions are so critical to the process that they are explicitly listed as being part of the Capital Improvements Plan public hearing.
Once you identify how land is likely to be used, you can work on projecting how much different parts of town will grow. You combine the amount of growth and the land use assumptions together to figure out what kind of growth will occur (once again the Central Texas Marketplace and single-family suburbs are very different). Knowing what kind of growth is projected to occur, lets you know how much increased demand for water, wastewater, and roadways there will be.
Next, you compare projected need against the capacity of the current system to see what projects will be needed by the anticipated demand. Where will you need to increase the size of a pipe or lay down a new road? Finally, you establish projected budgets for the needed projects. The result (of this and some additional analysis noted below) is a two-hundred and thirty-four page study. In Waco, this work was conducted by Freese and Nichols, Inc with input from the advisory committee and various City Departments. Once this analysis is complete it is ready to be reviewed by the public and potentially approved by City Council.
3. Hold a Public Hearing on Land Use Assumptions and Capital Improvements Plan and Potentially Approve these Items
The City held a public hearing on the Land Use Assumptions and Capital Improvements Plan on March 17th, 2020. At that time there were no public comments. The City Council passed RES-2020-237 approving the Land Use Assumptions and Capital Improvements Plan at its next regular meeting on April 7th, 2020.
4. Calculate Maximum Impact Fee Per Service Unit
Once the Land Use Assumptions and Capital Improvements Plan are approved a calculation can be done that (in the broadest sense) divides the cost of the capital improvements needed by the number of new "service units" (think individual houses) generated by new developments. The result is the maximum impact fee that can be imposed per service unit. There are some details regarding this analysis that we won't get into this week, but this provides a high-level overview. This analysis is also included in the lengthy study linked to above.
This calculation was presented to City Council on August 18th, 2020. At that time the council discussed the process. Concerns were expressed on both sides of the policy (that implementation might discourage development or that not implementing would burden resident taxpayers with the cost of these improvements). It was noted that peer cities had implemented impact fees.
That gets us caught up with the process so far. I hope to be back to with a more detailed look at that Freese and Nichols study around the time of the public hearing on the subject.
Meeting Basics – Waco Capital Improvements Advisory Committee – 09/23/20
Regular Meeting – 12:00 pm
For the full agenda click here
Jeffrey Vitarius has been actively local since early 2017. He lives in Sanger Heights with partner (JD) and his son (Callahan). He helped found Waco Pride Network and now serves as that organization's treasurer and Pride Planning Chair. Jeffrey works at City Center Waco where he helps keep Downtown Waco clean, safe, and vibrant. He is a member of St. Alban's Episcopal Church and graduated from Baylor in 2011.


We specialize in baby hats and adult hats. I also hand make headbands, socks, mittens and many other things.
Mom & Daughter team Jeanine & Yvonne do a variety of old and new quirky crochet and knitting sharing their own personal story and 40 plus years joined craft fair experiences.
feener & thread sells handmade embroidery pieces with a pop culture twist along with Newfoundland inspired pieces.
We specialize in hand dyed local/fine fibres and hand spun yarns.
Wet/needle felting techniques are used to create whimsical critters and accessories.
Individually handcrafted fused glass artwork including suncatchers, vases, bowls, plates, nightlights and jewellery.
A variety of fashionable (and cozy) hand knit items including hats, headbands and dishcloths.
Contemporary hand knits, patterns, yarn, and knitting accessories designed by Katie Noseworthy.
Lost My Marbles Monster Adoption creates unique and one of a kind Sock Monsters for you to Adopt and take home.
Fabric articles for babies, for practical daily use (Bibs, Undercover for breastfeeding, Blanket pick nick babies, Indoor Play Tent for Kids).
Lustrous raku-fired pottery for your home and creamy porcelain for your table.
We make hundreds of wooden items, all out of recycled wood and any other discarded items we can find in and around our community.
Giving unloved objects a new life.
Sweet Pea Designs consists of three fused glass artists who create unique fused glass artwork and jewellery. Our original, whimsical and traditional designs focus on Newfoundland culture.


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Extragradient method for solutions of variational inequality problems in Banach spaces
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Fabrication and characterization of spray pyrolysed inxsy thin films for cuins2 solar cells
Maabong, K. & Muiva, C., 2010, Proceedings of the 3rd IASTED African Conference on Power and Energy Systems, AfricaPES 2010. p. 22-28 7 p.
Fabrication and characterization of titanium-nickel-zirconia matrix composites prepared by spark plasma sintering
Obadele, B. A., Ige, O. O. & Olubambi, P. A., Jan 1 2017, In: Journal of Alloys and Compounds. 710, p. 825-830 6 p.
Fabrication and effect of milling time on spark plasma sintered Ti6Al4V/Gr Composite
Ayodele, O. O., Komape, T. J., Awotunde, M. A., Shongwe, M. B., Obadele, B. A., Babalola, B. J. & Olubambi, P. A., Jan 1 2019, In: Materials Today: Proceedings. 18, p. 3693-3701 9 p.
Fabrication of AISI 304 Austenitic Stainless Steels with TiN Addition Using Spark Plasma Sintering Method
Obadele, B. A., Mafafo, R. M., Tuckart, W. R. & Olubambi, P. A., 2021, Trends in Manufacturing and Engineering Management - Select Proceedings of ICMechD 2019. Vijayan, S., Subramanian, N. & Sankaranarayanasamy, K. (eds.). Springer Nature, Singapore, p. 681-689 9 p. (Lecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering).
Fabrication of functionally graded 316L austenitic and 2205 duplex stainless steels by spark plasma sintering
Obadele, B. A., Adesina, O. S., Oladijo, O. P. & Ogunmuyiwa, E. N., Dec 30 2020, In: Journal of Alloys and Compounds. 849, 7 p., 156697.
Fabrication of paper based microfluidic devices
Govindasamy, K., Potgieter, S., Land, K. & Muzenda, E., 2012, Proceedings of the World Congress on Engineering 2012, WCE 2012. Korsunsky, A. M., Gelman, L., Hunter, A., Ao, S. I. & Hukins, D. WL. (eds.). Newswood Limited, p. 1427-1432 6 p. (Lecture Notes in Engineering and Computer Science; vol. 3).
Facile microwave accelerated hydrothermal synthesis of manganese oxide molecular sieve nanomaterials and their catalytic applications
Dharmarathna, S., Iyer, A., Li, N., King'ondu, C. K., Kuo, C-H., Pahalagedara, L. & Suib, S. L., 2012, In: Abstracts of Papers of the American Chemical Society. 244
Facilitating conceptual understanding and reflective learning ability of undergraduate engineering trainees studying strength of materials via instructional scaffolds
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Factorial design optimization of monometallic (cobalt) catalyst on calcium carbonate support for carbon nanotubes synthesis
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Factors contributing to the duration of postpartum abstinence among Nigerian women: semi-parametric survival analysis
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Factors driving or restraining change in the Knowledge Age: A case study of selected Schools in Botswana
Moremi, M., Mogotsi, B. & Mafuraga, M., 2016.
Factors influencing chemical absorption of C02 and H2S in biogas purification: A review
Maile, O. I., Tesfagiorgis, H. B. & Muzenda, E., Jan 1 2015, WCECS 2015 - World Congress on Engineering and Computer Science 2015. Douglas, C., Burgstone, J., Grundfest, W. S., Burgstone, J., Douglas, C. & Ao, S. I. (eds.). Newswood Limited, Vol. 2220. p. 619-622 4 p.
Factors influencing pollutant transport in rivers: Fickian approach applied to the Somes river
Timis, E. C., Cristea, V. M. & Agachi, P. S., Sep 1 2015, In: Revista de Chimie. 66, 9, p. 1495-1503 9 p.
Factors influencing the distribution of Medfly (Ceratitis capitata) and Natal fly (Ceratitis rosa) in South Africa
Terblanche, J., Addison, P., Nyamukondiwa, C. & Manrakhan, A., May 1 2012, In: South African Fruit Journal. 11, p. 56-59 4 p.
Factor subset selection for predicting sustainability of a telecentre using case-based reasoning
Sigweni, B., Mangwala, M. & Ayoung, D. A., 2017, p. 536-541. 6 p.
Faculty interaction with higher education's "overlooked majority": Investigating the impact of non-classroom interaction on college outcomes for commuter students
Lyken-Segosebe, D., 2015, 255 p. Nashville, Tennessee
Fading channel characterization over frequency hopping spread spectrum
Yahya, A., Sidek, O. & Fadzli, M., Dec 1 2008, WMSCI 2008 - The 12th World Multi-Conference on Systemics, Cybernetics and Informatics, Jointly with the 14th International Conference on Information Systems Analysis and Synthesis, ISAS 2008 - Proc.. Vol. 3. p. 299-302 4 p.
Failure mechanism of rangvamual landslide, Aizawl, Mizoram, India
Verma, R., Udai Bhaskar, R. C., John, B., Gaopatwe, M. & Malsawmtluanga, Mar 2021, In: Disaster Advances. 14, 3, p. 1-9 9 p.
Failure mechanism of woven natural silk/epoxy rectangular composite tubes under axial quasi-static crushing test using trigger mechanism
Eshkoor, R. A., Ude, A. U., Oshkovr, S. A., Sulong, A. B., Zulkifli, R., Ariffin, A. K. & Azhari, C. H., Jan 1 2014, In: International Journal of Impact Engineering. 64, p. 53-61 9 p.
Failure-Tolerant Path Planning for Kinematically Redundant Manipulators
Jamisola, R., 2006
Failure-tolerant path planning for kinematically redundant manipulators anticipating locked-joint failures
Jamisola, R. S., Maciejewski, A. A. & Roberts, R. G., Aug 1 2006, In: IEEE Transactions on Robotics. 22, 4, p. 603-612 10 p.
Failure-tolerant path planning for the PA-10 robot operating amongst obstacles
Jamisola, R. S., Maciejewski, A. A. & Roberts, R. G., Jul 5 2004, In: Proceedings - IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation. 2004, 5, p. 4995-5000 6 p.
Fall of ground characterization: A case study of BCL Mine, Botswana
Adoko, A. C., Zhalel, M. & Phumaphi, P. T., 2019. 10 p.
Fate of Pesticides in the Arid Subtropics, Botswana, Southern Africa
Shunthirasingham, C., Mmereki, B. T., Masamba, W., Oyiliagu, C. E., Lei, Y. D. & Wania, F., 2010, In: Environmental Science & Technology. 44, 21, p. 8082-8088 7 p.
Fatty Acid Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Baphia massaiensis Seed Oil
Keroletswe, N., Mazimba, O., Majinda, R. & Masesane, I., Jun 10 2017, In: Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medical Research. 2, 3, p. 1-7 7 p.
FCCU simulation based on first principle and artificial neural network models
Miheţ, M., Cristea, V. M. & Agachi, P. Ş., Nov 2009, In: Asia-Pacific Journal of Chemical Engineering. 4, 6, p. 878-884 7 p.
Feasibility of Genetic Algorithms in 2D Ultrasound Array Optimization
Diarra, B., Samikannu, R., Vray, D., Cachard, C., Chuma, J., Yahya, A. & Liebgott, H., Dec 17 2018, 2018 IEEE International Ultrasonics Symposium, IUS 2018. IEEE Computer Society, 8579952. (IEEE International Ultrasonics Symposium, IUS; vol. 2018-October).
Feasibility of treating brewery wastewater using bio films
Manyuchi, M. M., Chikwama, N., Mbohwa, C. & Muzenda, E., 2018, In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management. 2018, JUL, p. 14-19 6 p.
Feasibility of using sewage sludge bio char in treating municipal sewage
Manyuchi, M. M., Mbohwa, C. & Muzenda, E., 2018, In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management. 2018, SEP, p. 44-50 7 p.
Feasibility studies for the detection of third phase during reprocessing of fast reactor fuel
Subbuthai, S., Sahoo, P., Ananthanarayanan, R., Nageswara Rao, A. & Subba Rao, R. V., 2012, In: Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry. 291, 2, p. 879-883 5 p.
Feasibility study for a castor oil extraction plant in South Africa
Belaid, M., Muzenda, E., Mitilene, G. & Mollagee, M., Apr 2011, In: World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology. 76, p. 740-744 5 p.
Feature weighting for Case-based reasoning software project effort estimation
Sigweni, B., 2014, 18th International Conference on Evaluation and Assessment in Software Engineering, EASE 2014. Association for Computing Machinery, a54
Feature weighting techniques for CBR in software effort estimation studies: A review and empirical evaluation
Sigweni, B. & Shepperd, M., Jan 1 2014, 10th International Conference on Predictive Models in Software Engineering, PROMISE 2014. Association for Computing Machinery, p. 32-41 10 p.
Feedback from soil inorganic nitrogen on soil organic matter mineralisation and growth in a boreal forest ecosystem
Eliasson, P. E. & Agren, G. I., 2011, In: Plant and Soil. 338, p. 193-203 11 p.
Feedback on the implementation of the Okavango Delta Management Plan (ODMP). Sustainable Fisheries Utilization and Management Component
Bokhutlo, T., Mosepele, K., Mosepele, B. & Nkile, K., 2008.
Feedback State Estimation for Multi-rotor Drones Stabilisation Using Low-Pass Filter and a Complementary Kalman Filter
Kangunde, V., Mohutsiwa, L. O. & Jamisola, R. S., Jun 15 2021, 2021 International Conference on Unmanned Aircraft Systems, ICUAS 2021. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., p. 188-194 7 p. 9476809. (2021 International Conference on Unmanned Aircraft Systems, ICUAS 2021).
Feeding ecology of the early life-history stages of two dominant gobiid species in the headwaters of a warm-temperate estuary
Wasserman, R. J., 2012, In: Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. 109, p. 11-19 9 p.
Feedlot performance of various breed groups of cattle fed low to high levels of roughage
Norris, D., Macala, J., Makore, J. & Mosimanyana, B., Dec 2002, In: Livestock Research for Rural Development. 14, 6, p. 78-85 8 p.
Feed potential of acacia karroo leaf meal for communal goat production in southern africa: A review
Brown, D., N'Gambi, J. W. & Norris, D., Aug 1 2016, In: Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences. 26, 4, p. 1178-1186 9 p.
Few-cycles optical pulses in negative index materials with dispersive permittivity and permeability
Njifon, M. A., Tabi, C. B. & Kofané, T. C., Aug 11 2020, In: Journal of the Optical Society of America B: Optical Physics. 37, 11, p. A331-A345 15 p.
Field study of alkaline plutons in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, South India, 1997-1998
Miyazaki, T., Rajesh, H. M., Ram Mohan, V., Rajasekaran, K. C., Kalaiselvan, A., Rao, A. T. & Srinivasa Rao, K., Jan 1 1999, In: Journal of Geosciences. 42, p. 205-214 10 p.
Fighting dog-mediated rabies in Namibia—implementation of a rabies elimination program in the northern communal areas
Athingo, R., Tenzin, T., Shilongo, A., Hikufe, E., Shoombe, K. K., Khaiseb, S., van der Westhuizen, J., Letshwenyo, M., Torres, G., Mettenleiter, T. C., Freuling, C. M. & Müller, T., 2020, In: Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease. 5, 1, 13 p., 12.
Filamentary accretion cannot explain the orbital poles of the Milky Way satellites
Pawlowski, M. S., Kroupa, P., Angus, G., de Boer, K. S., Famaey, B. & Hensler, G., Jul 2012, In: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 424, 1, p. 80-92 13 p.
Filterless pre-concentration by co-precipitation by formation of crystalline precipitate in the analysis of barium by FIA-FAES
Plamboeck, C., Westtoft, H. C., Pedersen, S. A. & Andersen, J. E. T., 2003, In: Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry. 18, 1, p. 49-53 5 p.
Financial liberalisation and banking crises in sub-Saharan Africa
Gamariel, G., 2013, Energy Research Institute, University of Cape Town.
Finasteride significantly reduces acute urinary retention and need for surgery in patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia
Andersen, J. T., Curtis Nickel, J., Marshall, V. R., Schulman, C. C. & Boyle, P., 1997, In: Urology. 49, 6, p. 839-845 7 p.
Fine structure of the isovector giant dipole resonance in Nd 142-150 and Sm 152
Donaldson, L. M., Carter, J., Von Neumann-Cosel, P., Nesterenko, V. O., Neveling, R., Reinhard, P. G., Usman, I. T., Adsley, P., Bertulani, C. A., Brümmer, J. W., Buthelezi, E. Z., Cooper, G. R. J., Fearick, R. W., Förtsch, S. V., Fujita, H., Fujita, Y., Jingo, M., Kheswa, N. Y., Kleinig, W., Kureba, C. O. & 18 others, Kvasil, J., Latif, M., Li, K. C. W., Mira, J. P., Nemulodi, F., Papka, P., Pellegri, L., Pietralla, N., Ponomarev, V. Y., Rebeiro, B., Richter, A., Shirikova, N. Y., Sideras-Haddad, E., Sushkov, A. V., Smit, F. D., Steyn, G. F., Swartz, J. A. & Tamii, A., Dec 29 2020, In: Physical Review C. 102, 6, 064327.
Finite dimensional exponential attractors for semilinear wave equations with damping
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A Quote-I don't want to know this now.
Specialist Cally is a deckhand aboard Battlestar Galactica assigned to Chief Galen Tyrol. At the time of the Cylon Attack on the Twelve Colonies, she is attached to Deck Crew 5 and responsible for Viper and Raptor maintenance. She is particularly adept at finding ways around the lack of replacement parts aboard Galactica, seen in her jury-rigging of several Vipers and Raptors.
Cally only joined the Colonial Fleet as a means to pay for dental school.


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Show Us the Money! Townships Among Recipients for CFA, PennVEST Awards
Yesterday, the Commonwealth Financing Authority and the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority announced grant and loan awards. Many townships are among the recipients. Congratulations!
The Commonwealth Financing Authority approved $48 million in funding for 116 new projects in 45 counties from the Multimodal Transportation Fund. This fund is separate from the Multimodal fund through the state Department of Transportation. Congratulations to the more than 30 townships that were awarded grants! To view the list of awardees, click here and scroll down to page 14. The new grant awards are highlighted in yellow.
The Commonwealth Financing Authority also
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approved $15 million for 135 projects in 38 counties that are funded by Act 13. More than 30 townships received awards in the following categories: Flood Mitigation, Greenways, Trails, and Recreation, Sewage Facilities, and Watershed Restoration and Protection. For list of awardees, click here and scroll down. The new awards are highlighted in yellow. Also, as we reported yesterday, applications are currently being accepted for the next grant round until May 31.
The Commonwealth Financing Authority approved $4.5 million for five new Pipeline Investment Program projects. While townships were not among the awardees, all five projects extend natural gas service to businesses or business parks within townships. Click here for more.
The PennVEST announced funding awards of $117 million in grants and loans to 25 drinking water, wastewater, and non-point source projects across 19 counties. Several townships were among the grant recipients. Funding sources included Growing Greener, Marcellus Legacy Funds, federal grants, and recycled loan repayments. Click here to view the awards.


Day tickets won't be exchanged to wristbands. One entry on the day of your choosing.
3 Day -tickets will be exchanged into wristbands at the entrance.
Free entry for children under the age of 7. Children under 7 must be accompanied by an adult.
Advance ticket sales end 19.4.2019 at 9:59. After the advance sales end, tickets will be sold at the door price.


The key to making money online is to first have a love for the things that money can buy. To be prosperous is to control the flow of money, and not hold onto a lot of money. When you can you love the idea of having lots of money, but not the money itself, you will become an Attractor Factor for money. However, money does not have hands and feet - a person will have to hand you the money. Thus, focus on attracting people to you and provide them a product of service they need.
Attraction Marketing includes anything that you can do to attract people to you, rather than you having to find them, is called attraction marketing. In it's simplest form, "attraction marketing" is about branding you. It's about using the numerous free hi-tech resources (such as Twitter and FaceBook) to brand yourself and having people seek you out to form an alliance with you.
Attraction marketing is about attracting the right people to you and the business opportunity you can provide them. Having an online presence with your own personal website or blog offers one of the greatest attraction marketing opportunities one can create. A well crafted website that exhibit qualities of authority can make you "an authority in your niche". You have to regularly, consistently and persistently be about the business of building your website or blog.
The success of a home based entrepreneur is dependent upon the value you share with others such that you are attractive to other aspiring entrepreneurs. Basically people join people and not the products or the services, thus it is vital to have a good Bio-page. A good way to educate others about your offer is to write articles of value about you and how you're marketing yourself and your product. The articles can be used to subtly direct people to your website.
People don't like being sold. When you are chasing after your friends and family or cold calling people, you are selling to them. However, the more valuable you become to others, the more others will seek you out, i.e. "attraction marketing". This is the most natural and pleasurable way to grow your Network Marketing business. The secret is to provide solutions to their most pressing problems.
Learn The Insider Secrets To Building And Marketing Your Online Business Through Name-branding Yourself.
Do you believe that you can live forever in your present body? We don't really have to die.


Get excited about the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500. This 4 door, 5 passenger truck leads among competitors in its segment. Smooth gearshifts are achieved thanks to the powerful 8 cylinder engine, and for added security, dynamic Stability Control supplements the drivetrain. Four wheel drive allows you to go places you've only imagined. Top features include heated front seats, delay-off headlights, 1-touch window functionality, a built-in garage door transmitter, a power seat, heated steering wheel, a bedliner, and seat memory. Features such as automatic climate control and leather upholstery prove that economical transportation does not need to be sparsely equipped. Audio features include an AM/FM radio, and 7 speakers, providing excellent sound throughout the cabin. Take assurance in side curtain airbags, providing head protection in the event of a severe collision. Our experienced sales staff is eager to share its knowledge and enthusiasm with you. They'll work with you to find the right vehicle at a price you can afford. Call now to schedule a test drive.


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This page, Rule 6: Conduct of the hearing; Standard of proof, is part of
Trial Court Rule XIII: Uniform Trial Court Rules for Civil Commitment Proceedings for Alcohol and Substance Use Disorders G. L. c.123 s.35
This page, Rule 6: Conduct of the hearing; Standard of proof, is offered by
Uniform Rules for Civil Commitment Proceedings for Alcohol and Substance Use Disorders
Trial Court Rules Rule 6: Conduct of the hearing; Standard of proof
Adopted July 22, 2015, effective February 1, 2016 Amended July 20, 2016, effective September 6, 2016
After the completion of the examination ordered under Rule 5, the judge shall hold a hearing expeditiously to determine whether there is clear and convincing evidence that (1) the respondent is an individual with an alcohol or substance use disorder, as defined in G.L. c. 123, § 35; and (2) there is a likelihood of serious harm, as defined in G.L. c. 123, § 1, as a result of the respondent's alcohol or substance use disorder, to the respondent, the petitioner, or any other person.
The judge may inquire of the petitioner and may accept testimony or other evidence from the petitioner or any other person, including a court official.
The respondent shall have the right to cross-examine witnesses, present independent expert evidence, call witnesses, and submit documents or other evidence.
All testimony shall betaken under oath and shall be recorded or transcribed.
(2016) As discussed in the commentary to Rule 1, the 2016 legislation deleted the terms "alcoholic" and "substance abuser" and replaced them with "alcohol use disorder" and "substance use disorder." St. 2016, c. 8, §§ 1-2, 4.
In addition, after the promulgation of the original Uniform Rules, the Supreme Judicial Court approved the standard of proof in Rule 6(a) in In re G.P. , 473 Mass. 112, 118-20 (2015). The Court also provided detailed guidance on assessing the likelihood of serious harm when adjudicating section 35 commitments proceedings. G.P., 473 Mass. at 124-29.
(2015) Among the provisions in these rules that are not set forth in the statute are the applicable standard of proof, the admissibility of hearsay, and the impermissibility of an inference to be drawn by the court from a respondent's refusal to speak with a clinician. These three topics were mentioned as matters requiring clarification in In re Jennifer Henley, Supreme Judicial Court Single Justice Opinion (July 23, 2014) (section 35 hearings involve "several important unresolved issues" regarding evidentiary standards). These issues are addressed in Rules 6 and 7.
Rule 6(a) imposes a "clear and convincing" standard of proof for these cases because this is the standard required for other temporary detention orders, specifically pretrial detention based on "dangerousness" under G.L. c. 276, § 58A. See Mendonza v. Commonwealth, 423 Mass. 771, 782-84 (1996). The Supreme Judicial Court has explained that the reason that proof beyond a reasonable doubt is required in the G.L. c. 123A and G.L. c. 123, § 8 contexts is because "civil commitment of those who are mentally ill and dangerous to themselves or others is 'potentially indefinite and even lifelong,' although the first order of commitment expires after six months and all subsequent commitments expire after one year." Abbott A. v. Commonwealth, 458 Mass. 24, 40 (2010) (quoting Mendonza, 423 Mass. at 783) (citation omitted); accord Querubin v. Commonwealth, 440 Mass. 108, 120 n.9 (2003). Shorter-term civil commitments under G.L. c. 123, § 12 and § 15, by contrast, do not require proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Mendonza, 423 Mass. at 783 n.5. A commitment order under section 35 cannot be extended beyond 90 days for any reason. Contrast Abbott A., 458 Mass. at 36-40 (pretrial detention for dangerousness under G.L. c. 276, § 58A may be extended under certain, limited circumstances). Accordingly, proof beyond a reasonable doubt is not required to satisfy the requirements of due process in section 35 proceedings.
Rule 6(b) recognizes that, after the amendment of section 35 in St. 2011, c. 142, § 18, nonmedical testimony may be presented to the court in support of a section 35 petition, in addition to the medical testimony of the clinician. Accordingly, the judge may inquire of the petitioner (or the nonqualified petitioner who brought the matter to the attention of a court official) to determine whether the petitioner has relevant evidence to present on the petition. Similarly, the judge may accept testimony or evidence from other witnesses as well. Where court officials, especially probation officers, have had contact with a respondent, they may well have useful information for the court.
Section 35 provides that the respondent "may present independent expert or other testimony." Rule 6(c) expands this right to include cross-examination and the submission of nontestimonial evidence.
Downloads for Rule 6: Conduct of the hearing; Standard of proof
Open PDF file, 627.41 KB, for Trial Court Rule XIII: Uniform Rules for Civil Commitment Proceedings for Alcohol and Substance Use Disorders (PDF 627.41 KB)


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