Oops! Missed the Delegate Meeting

You can catch it all week. The rebroadcast on Channel 63 will be 9 AM Mon - Fri, 10-6 to 10-10-08, it runs 1 hr 20 or so minutes, approx. No excuses.
Who is under the hood at Channel 63, improving, updating, organizing? – a big thank you to Ed Black.

Old Time Radio

What were those old shows Dave was trying to find, lots of Green Hornet and Charlie Chan here:
http://www.otr.net/ over 12,000 shows
http://www.oldtimeradiofans.com/
http://www.radiolovers.com/
http://www.old-time.com/FAQs
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbc7 UK best
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbc4

Condo Assoc. Candidate Certification Form

A question was raised at the Delegate Assembly of October 3, 2008.
about signing the "Condominium Association Candidate Certification Form", handed out at the meeting, and what if any liability arose from signing this form

The Legislature adopted many changes that impact on the Boards actions in the administration of the Business of the Associations. HB 995 clearly states “there are penalties for breach or failure to perform Board duties both monetary damages and criminal law violations”. This means that whenever anyone, including the Division of Florida Condominiums, evaluates the actions of any Board, your signature on that form wherein you certify the “I have read and understand to the best of my ability, the governing document of (Your associations name goes here) and the provisions of this chapter and any applicable rules” will be available for review via subpoena should evidence be required that you failed to adhere to either your documents or Chapter 718.
I believe that we are required to sign this form to further enforce your actions to become more compliant to governing documents and Chapter 718. Liability has increased, and the old adage that "ignorance of the law is no excuse” does apply here.
Consequences? Could be, especially if we, the Boards, fail to follow either Chapter 718 or our Condo Documents.
Ed Black

Sling box

David, do you of anyone using a Sling box unit to connect their home base Cable or Dish television network (Up North presumably) to their computer in CV? Hooking the PC to your CV television set allows one to watch any program available on their North TV set. That's according to the advertisement. Does it really work? Thank you. Andre

I had to look -Man hit by lightning

A little fuzzy, I guess it would be. Man hit by lightning.
Must be some tough Joe Sixpack.
http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=5952068

PAGE 54; CAPT. JOHN HAS DONE HIS HOMEWORK

Hi All,

Capt. John makes cryptic reference to "Page 54"; this immediately brought to mind the 9/11 Special Commission report.

REF: http://www.9-11commission.gov/report/911Report.pdf



Page 54 of this report is extracted below:

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


"produced a common problem throughout the Muslim world: a large, steadily increasing population of young men without any reasonable expectation of suitable or steady employment--a sure prescription for social turbulence.

Many of these young men, such as the enormous number trained only in religious schools, lacked the skills needed by their societies. Far more acquired valuable skills but lived in stagnant economies that could not generate satisfying jobs.

Millions, pursuing secular as well as religious studies, were products of edu-
cational systems that generally devoted little if any attention to the rest of the world's thought, history, and culture.

The secular education reflected a strong cultural preference for technical fields over the humanities and social sciences. Many of these young men, even if able to study abroad, lacked the perspective and skills needed to understand a different culture.

Frustrated in their search for a decent living, unable to benefit from an edu-
cation often obtained at the cost of great family sacrifice, and blocked from starting families of their own, some of these young men were easy targets for radicalization.

Bin Ladin's Historical Opportunity Most Muslims prefer a peaceful and inclusive vision of their faith, not the violent sectarianism of Bin Ladin. Among Arabs, Bin Ladin's followers are com-monly nicknamed takfiri, or "those who define other Muslims as unbelievers,"because of their readiness to demonize and murder those with whom they disagree.

Beyond the theology lies the simple human fact that most Muslims, like most other human beings, are repelled by mass murder and barbarism what-ever their justification.

"All Americans must recognize that the face of terror is not the true face of
Islam," President Bush observed. "Islam is a faith that brings comfort to a billion people around the world. It's a faith that has made brothers and sisters of every race. It's a faith based upon love, not hate."

Yet as political, social, and
economic problems created flammable societies, Bin Ladin used Islam's most extreme, fundamentalist traditions as his match. All these elements--including religion--combined in an explosive compound.

Other extremists had, and have, followings of their own. But in appealing
to societies full of discontent, Bin Ladin remained credible as other leaders and symbols faded. He could stand as a symbol of resistance--above all, resistance to the West and to America. He could present himself and his allies as victorious warriors in the one great successful experience for Islamic militancy in the1980s: the Afghan jihad against the Soviet occupation.
By 1998, Bin Ladin had a distinctive appeal, as he focused on attacking
America.

He argued that other extremists, who aimed at local rulers or Israel,did not go far enough. They had not taken on what he called "the head of the snake."

54

----------------------------------------------------------------
Capt. if I have gotten this wrong, please let us know!

Dave

Celebrities say Don’t Vote

It’s a dark and stormy morning here in WPB, but I bet I can get Mike off his sunny beach (far south). I know he can find the defective connect in this:
Celebrities say Don’t Vote http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=5930083

BOOYAH, CRAMER ARCANUM REVEALED

Hi All,

In the Comment stream of the Post; "Another suit - Cable, Cont."

A Nony Mouse (Oct 4, 2008 7:44:00 AM) queries the meaning of "Booyah" on the Cramer show!

Alternatively spelled Boo-ya, this is an interjection originating in elite military units such as the Army Airborn and in particular the Navy Seals. (Sea, Air, Land) forces

It is a term heard regularly in The Navy Seal training cycle BUDS (Basic Underwater Demolition Seal)

It is about Excitement, anticipation, camaraderie, satisfaction, accomplishment and Victory.

The term is used by STRAC (Skilled, Tough, Ready Around the Clock), troops.

In the final analysis you would have to be there to really understand.

I personally find the use of the term by Cramer repulsive and totally out of place!!

Dave

BANKS FORECLOSE - NOT PAYING CONDO FEES

Hi all,
With the number of forclosures rising, many banks are refusing to pay Condo Fees; please read the following alert:


Dave Israel
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
CALL Alert for October 2, 2008—

Town Hall Meeting in Miami Beach; Resolution Regarding Proposed Legislation to Address Mortgagee Liability for Assessments

Dear David Israel of Greenbrier C Condominium Association, Inc.,

Jerry Libbin, a Miami Beach City Commissioner, will hold a town hall meeting on October 15, 2008 to discuss reforms needed to protect Florida's homeowners from banks that are not paying their fair share of assessments on foreclosed units. We encourage our members to send a representative from their board to this meeting.

WHEN: 6:30-8:00 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008.

WHERE: Loews Miami Beach Hotel. 1601 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, Fla., 33139 (NOTE: Public parking is available in nearby city-owned garages).

CONTACTS: Jerry Libbin: 305-389-0710 Keith Donner: 305-804-7686

As you may recall, CALL conducted an online statewide Mortgage Foreclosure Survey from March 26 to April 8, 2008 which showed a direct correlation between rising mortgage foreclosures and corresponding decline in revenues from maintenance fees and other assessments in the state's condominium and homeowner (HOA) communities.

More than 60% of the nearly 500 survey respondents said that banks and mortgage lenders now holding title to the foreclosed units or homes are not meeting their legal obligation to pay regular fees or other assessments to the association.

Fully 66% of respondents said their association's Board of Directors intends to increase maintenance fees and/or pass special assessments to compensate for anticipated shortfall in revenues due to declining maintenance fee and assessment collections resulting from mortgage foreclosures.

We believe that these problems are even worse today. In order to deal with this crisis, we believe that legislation is necessary.

Section 718.116, Florida Statutes currently states that the liability of a first mortgagee who acquires title to a unit by foreclosure for unpaid assessments shall be the lesser of the unit’s unpaid common expenses and regular periodic assessments which accrued or came due during the six months immediately preceding the acquisition of title or one percent of the original mortgage debt.

This limit is commonly referred to as the “Statutory Cap”. There are similar statutory caps in the Cooperative Act and the Homeowners’ Association Act.

The Statutory Cap is having a negative impact on associations’ financial stability and it is being exacerbated by the excessively slow pace by which the foreclosure lawsuits filed by the first mortgagees are proceeding to judgment and foreclosure sale.

We believe that changes should be made to deal with the inequities present in the Statutory Cap by providing the foreclosing first mortgagee with no liability for delinquent assessments accrued during the six months immediately preceding acquisition of title, but will provide for joint and several liability for all other delinquent assessments for foreclosing first mortgagees.

This would protect banks that act quickly and increase the ultimate cost to those who do not.
Attached is a proposed Resolution that addresses this issue by asking the Florida Legislature to adopt needed reforms. We are asking that all of our member condominium association boards consider adopting this Resolution at its next board meeting and mailing it to the association’s respective State Senator, State Representative, and Governor Crist.

Very truly yours,

Yeline Goin and David Muller, Co-Executive Directors
Community Association Leadership Lobby (CALL)

BLOG STATISTICS

BLOG post points of origin in Florida
-------------

Hi all,
Here are some neat stats. on our BLOG.
----------
Unique Visitors since inception: 3816
Total visits: 47,155
Total page views: 116,478
----------
Contries heard from: 67
Top 10 by frequency of visits
---------
1) USA
2) Canada
3) United Kingdom
4) Israel
5) Argentina
6) India
7) Germany
8) Australia
9) Spain
10) Hungary
---------
USA States heard from: 49
Top 10 by frequency of visits
---------
1) Florida
2) Mobile
3) New York
4) Massachusetts
5) California
6) Texas
7) New Jersey
8) Vermont
9) Pennsylvania
10) Connecticut

---------
Keep it growing and developing as a Century Village resource for information and social interaction,
introduce your friends to the BLOG.

---------
Thanks,
Dave

UCO CONTACT US BUTTON REMOVED PENDING FURTHER STUDY

Hi All,

The BLOGMEISTER was a bit premature in launching the "contact us" widget.

It has been taken down pending further study and consideration.

Sorry for the inconvenience and I hope it can be returned soon.

Dave

Palin's Witch Hunting Pastor

Click header
It doesn't get any better than this. Get them WITCHES Sarah.You have to vote for Sarah ,just for the laughs. And the American public are suppose to take the Presidential election seriously.So sad, Mike

A TRILLION HERE A TRILLION THERE.....!

Hi All,
One of the privileges of founding a Channel such as this BLOG is that I get to rant from time to time on matters that, in my humble opinion, I consider important. I am sorry if I tax the patience of our readers.

Whether you have noticed or not, the greatest drama in the History of the Republic is playing out on the Global Stage. This drama poses a threat to our National Security as great as any in our short history as a Nation.

Egregiously bad judgment by our National leaders fostered over time, through the legislative process, the concept that Americans could have anything they wanted; regardless of their ability to pay for it.

This absurd idea lead to a phalanx of rapacious Bankers and Money Brokers concocting the most arcane financial instruments in the history of man.

Mortgages with no documentation or Liar Loans have led to the meltdown of the greatest financial institutions and the melting away of many retirement accounts, we have yet to gauge the full extent of this erosion of value.

Tonight, the Senate passed the so called Bailout legislation I watched the debate and vote with horror; if the House follows suit, I say to you all it will constitute the greatest error in a long history Government overstepping their brief. The potential approaches for the actual failure of the Federal Full Faith and Credit Balance Sheet, with consequences to hideous to contemplate.

Rumor has it that former US Congressman Everett Dirksen once quipped "… a billion here, a billion there, and pretty soon you are talking about some real money." In the last few years we've upped the ante. Now it's a trillion here, a trillion there — on the Wall Street Bailout, on the Iraq War, for instance. It looks like the NeoCons have at least insured that the government will be squeezed in times to come. Their dark dream of Starving the Beast, however, is not a short-term outcome. It looks like the US government is getting ever-more-powerful by the day and by the year, in both military and financial arenas. Or maybe that was their real dream after all. Sad but likely true: Too few NeoCons will go to jail. Too many of the rest of us will suffer.

The Fed has taken on the following obligations to name a few:

Overnight loan for JP Morgan to take over Bear Stearns

parenthetically, this bears comparison to the 1907 bailout organized by The John Pierpont Morgan, which saved the National banking system. That event pales to insignificance compared to the current debacle.

Nationalization of Freddie Mac

Nationalization of Fannie Mae

These two in aggregate account for 50% of all mortgages in the United States.

Overt nationalisation (for 2 years) by granting an 11% interest loan to AIG on condition that AIG surrender 79.999999% of its stock in the conglomerate to the Federal Reserve as collateral, in effect giving the Federal Reserve Bank of New York complete control over the corporation.

The Fed's balance sheet has been taking on huge amount of (worthless) new assets and given away tons of cash on loan -- and we just KNOW how well Wall Street types are at paying back their obligations.

The US Treasury authorizes a flood of Sovereign Bonds [US bonds that foreigners buy] and T-Bills to prop up the cash at Treasury, which will be given over to the central bank to replenish funds.

This means all the bad debt that these idiots have created is now riding on the full faith and credit of the United States of America.

Here's what the potential effects are:

1. The ability of the US to repay its debts, which has never been doubted since the beginning of the Republic ... is now put to question.

2. Foreign governments will get skittish about lending the United States money.

3. While the risk of Depression-era deflation is avoided, the risk of Zimbabwe and Argentina style hyperinflation now becomes very real. If this happens, then the value of money itself will become meaningless.

In the Fog of War flow of all of these events, the National debt has surpassed Ten Trillion dollars!!

10,000,000,000,000 dollars in debt!

Will the current generation of Americans repay that? No, the current generation seems determined to go even deeper in debt.

So, that means that Americans are dumping this debt on to their children and their grandchildren and to generations beyond that.

What America has done is they have sold their children and grandchildren into economic slavery ostensibly forever.

How would you feel if you were a little child and you discovered that your parents had left you with a debt that you could never, ever repay and that you would be making interest payments on for the rest of your life?

America's children and grandchildren will ALL be working all of their lives to pay interest on this ridiculous debt. Their labor will go into serving the owners of this debt, and there is no escape.

Having some experience in the field of National Security, permit me to opine on the worst case scenario in the current environment; as the debt builds, and inflation spirals, and confidence continues to wane; as the dow volatility and steady downward delta further erodes investor equity, some strange events ensue:

1) Runs on banks
2) Money becomes worthless
3) Investment dries up
4) Fuel costs escalate
5) Transportation and public utilities fail
6) Increased acquisition of weapons
7) Food riots
8) Civil Insurection
9) Rogue Militia bands run rampant
9) Tanks in the streets
.
.
.
Don't imagine for a minute that "It can't happen here"

High technology based societies, such as ours, do not degrade gracefully under this sort of stress; they tend to collapse catastrophically, quite literally back to the stone age in a very short time, and this process feeds on itself and advances exponentially.

I pray daily that I am wrong and this crisis resolves for the best, but I have great doubts.

Dave Israel
__________________

CANDIDATE CERTIFICATION FORM

Hi all,
Here is an interesting new wrinkle for those running for the Board of your Associations the following is self explanatory:

Dave
--------------------------------------------------------------
CALL Alert for October 1, 2008 - Division’s Position Regarding New Candidate Certification Form for Condominium Associations

Dear David Israel of Greenbrier C Condominium Association, Inc.,

As we have reported previously, one of the new laws adopted during the 2008 Legislative Session requires condominium associations to send out with the first notice of the election, a certification form provided by the Division of Condominiums, Timeshares and Mobile Homes (“Division”) attesting that he or she has read and understands, to the best of his or her ability, the governing documents of the association and the provisions of the Condominium Act and any applicable rules.

This new law does not apply to cooperative associations or homeowners’ association, only condominium associations. The new law is effective today, October 1, 2008. The new form is available on the Division’s website at:

http://www.myflorida.com/dbpr/lsc/documents/candidate_certification_form.pdf

We have recently learned that the Division is taking the position that in order to be eligible to be a candidate for the board, a candidate must sign and turn in the form to the association and that only those candidates who have submitted the certification form can be listed on the election ballot.
The association is required to send any timely submitted certification forms to the unit owners along with the second notice of the election.

The Division has further advised that it will take enforcement action against an association that includes candidates on the ballots that have not turned in this certification form.

The Division’s position is certain to be controversial because the literal language of the law does not require the candidates to send them back to the association in order to qualify to run for the Board. In any event, we wanted to inform you about the Division’s position. If you have any questions about how this new law will affect your election, please contact your community association attorney.

Also, remember that all of the laws adopted in HB 995 (sponsored by Representative Robaina) are effective today, October 1, 2008.

Very truly yours,

Sincerely,
Yeline Goin and David Muller, Co-Executive DirectorsCommunity Association Leadership Lobby (CALL)

VETERANS AFFAIRS 4

Hi All,
Here is the latest mail.

www.military.com/NL_WK/1,14845,6270,00.html

Dave

Useful UCO

What are the most useful services you would like UCO to provide:

1. Make a sample simple letter for associations to inform their residents of their new insurance obligations.

2. Add the info in UCO’s “Welcome to Century Village” brochure to the CV website Infolink. Put a title For New Residents. (Many thanks to the website staff for a great job of content and updates.)

And ? ? ?

UCO CONTACT US BUTTON GOES LIVE ON BLOG

Hi All,

The UCO Contact form on the Sidebar is now live in test and evaluation mode.

While it might not remain on the BLOG, for the moment it is operational, it was simple to impliment and cost nothing.

Give it a try if you have a question that you think should go directly to UCO and see how it works.

Please use your real name and put your Association name in the "Company" dialog box, this will permit UCO to verify that they are responding to a CV Unit Owner.

Dave

VETERANS AFFAIRS 3

Hi All,
Here is the latest mail:

www.military.com/NL_MR/1,14852,6276,00.html

Dave

Alaska Disasta

Did you see the Couric Palin interview on our video link? Depressing, Palin cannot even parrot the coached answers. What a difference from the CNBC interviews where you can observe people who think about what they are saying. Don’t quibble until you have seen it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8__aXxXPVc Jack Cafferty Tells Us How He Really Feels About Sarah Palin.

WALL STREET BAILOUT

WEXLER, OUR CONGRESSMAN WHO PAYS NO TAXES IN FL. BECAUSE HE AND HIS FAMILY LIVE IN MARYLAND, VOTED YES ON THIS TERRIBLE LEGISLATION. IN NOVEMBER, VOTE THIS MAN OUT OF OFFICE.

NEW DIRECT UCO CONTACT FORM

Hi All,
A new idea may be tried. A direct "Contact Us" form for questions you wish to ask UCO, about subjects that may not be appropriate for public airing on the BLOG.

Your query will be directed to a subject expert who will reply by Email directly to you.

In the Sidebar, under Mojo the parrot, is an example of this "Contact Us" form. It is not the approved version, as UCO may wish to impliment it elsewhere.

Thus, this form is just a test to solicit your opinion of the concept.

Your comments will be greatly appreciated.

Dave

FLU SHOT CLINIC

Hi all,
The following is extracted from the CV Q & A:
Dave
----------------------------------------------------

Flu Shot
Author: Caroll A. Shovelton (---.hsd1.fl.comcast.net)Date: 09-28-08 12:53

Is the flu shot clinic being given on Oct. 6th, being held in the party room, or at the medical facility? I have seen both places listed.

Re: Flu Shot
Author: John Saponaro (---.sip.bct.bellsouth.net)Date: 09-29-08 06:35

I recommend you call the Clubhouse at 640-3120 to ask. I feel sure they will know. If they don't, I recommend that in the future, you don't pay any attention to my suggestions.

http://www.centuryvillagewpb.org/numbers.htm


Re: Flu Shot

Author: Caroll A. Shovelton (---.hsd1.fl.comcast.net)Date: 09-29-08 09:56

Thank you. They said the party room, but when I mentioned that Channel 63 listed the medical center they said to call UCO.
Reply To This Message

Re: Flu Shot

Author: Caroll A. Shovelton (---.hsd1.fl.comcast.net)Date: 09-29-08 14:12

Called UCO. They said it will be in the party room, they are going to have Channel 63 changed.

AIG BAILOUT

Hi All,
Do not get excited about the Bailout and the math error in another post on the BLOG.

As usual, the Press, in it's never ending effort to roil the populace and sell copy and air time, nuances the truth a bit.

It turns out that the AIG "Bailout", will almost certainly make money for the Treasury and save many jobs and much financial infrastructure.

Start your research with the following release from The Federal Reserve:

Dave
------------------------------------------------------
REF: http://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/press/other/20080916a.htm

Release Date: September 16, 2008

For release at 9:00 p.m. EDT

The Federal Reserve Board on Tuesday, with the full support of the Treasury Department, authorized the Federal Reserve Bank of New York to lend up to $85 billion to the American International Group (AIG) under section 13(3) of the Federal Reserve Act.

The secured loan has terms and conditions designed to protect the interests of the U.S. government and taxpayers.

The Board determined that, in current circumstances, a disorderly failure of AIG could add to already significant levels of financial market fragility and lead to substantially higher borrowing costs, reduced household wealth, and materially weaker economic performance.

The purpose of this liquidity facility is to assist AIG in meeting its obligations as they come due. This loan will facilitate a process under which AIG will sell certain of its businesses in an orderly manner, with the least possible disruption to the overall economy.

The AIG facility has a 24-month term. Interest will accrue on the outstanding balance at a rate of three-month Libor plus 850 basis points. AIG will be permitted to draw up to $85 billion under the facility.

The interests of taxpayers are protected by key terms of the loan. The loan is collateralized by all the assets of AIG, and of its primary non-regulated subsidiaries.

These assets include the stock of substantially all of the regulated subsidiaries. The loan is expected to be repaid from the proceeds of the sale of the firm’s assets.

The U.S. government will receive a 79.9 percent equity interest in AIG and has the right to veto the payment of dividends to common and preferred shareholders.

STATUS OF CABLE REPORT

Hi All,
The Cable Committee has prepared an interim report on the current status of work regarding CV Cable service.

We believe that some of the content is proprietary to the Unit Owners of CV. Therefore it will not be published on the BLOG.

However, if you will send me your name and Email address, I will send you a copy.

Do not put your Email address on the BLOG; rather send it to me at:

nsasigint@comcast.net.

Dave

Bailout Fantasy

Health Alert
Presented by

Dr. James H. Martin

Nutrition Wellness Center Ph. (941)371-1991
4615 Bee Ridge Road Fax: (941)378-3188
Sarasota, FL 34233 Toll Free: (800)222-3610

Dr. Martin's Comments:

I got this today and had to get it out ASAP. Maybe this kind of attitude by the American public to our politicians might get a point across. Please, if you liked this and think this attitude needs to be passed on feel free to email to as many people as possible. Maybe someone of influence will get the message.


OK....Here's a Plan I Could Live With


Hi Pals,

I'm against the $85,000,000,000.00 bailout of AIG.

Instead, I'm in favor of giving $85,000,000,000 to America in a We Deserve It Dividend.

To make the math simple, let's assume there are 200,000,000 bonafide U.S. Citizens 18+.

Our population is about 301,000,000 +/- counting every man, woman and child.
So 200,000,000 might be a fair stab at adults 18 and up..

So divide 200 million adults 18+ into $85 billon that equals $425,000.00.

My plan is to give $425,000 to every person 18+ as a We Deserve It Dividend.

Of course, it would NOT be tax free.

So let's assume a tax rate of 30%.

Every individual 18+ has to pay $127,500.00 in taxes.

That sends $25,500,000,000 right back to Uncle Sam.

But it means that every adult 18+ has $297,500.00 in their pocket.

A husband and wife team has $595,000.00.

What would you do with $297,500.00 to $595,000.00 in your family?

Pay off your mortgage - housing crisis solved.

Repay college loans - what a great boost to new grads

Put away money for college - it'll be there

Save in a bank - create money to loan to entrepreneurs.

Buy a new car - create jobs

Invest in the market - capital drives growth
Pay for your parent's medical insurance - health care improves

Enable Deadbeat Dads to come clean - or else

Remember this is for every adult U S Citizen 18+ including the folks who
lost their jobs at Lehman Brothers and every other company that is cutting
back. And, of course, for those serving in our Armed Forces.

If we're going to re-distribute wealth let's really do it...instead of
trickling out a puny $1000.00 ('vote buy') economic incentive that is being
proposed by one of our candidates for President.
If we're going to do an $85 billion bailout, let's bail out every adult U S Citizen 18+!

As for AIG - liquidate it.

Sell off its parts.

Let American General go back to being American General.

Sell off the real estate.

Let the private sector bargain hunters cut it up and clean it up.

Here's my rationale. We deserve it and AIG doesn't.

Sure it's a crazy idea that can 'never work.'

But can you imagine the Coast-To-Coast Block Party!

How do you spell Economic Boom?

I trust my fellow adult Americans to know how to use the $85 Billion

We Deserve It Dividend more than do the geniuses at AIG or in Washington DC.

And remember, The Birk plan only really costs $59.5 Billion because $25.5 Billion is returned instantly in taxes to Uncle Sam.

Ahhh...I feel so much better getting that off my chest.

Kindest personal regards,

T. J. Birkenmeier, A Creative Guy & Citizen of the Republic

Late-Night Political Jokes

Necessary after this week -
"I tell you, the economy continues to spiral. Oh, man, I saw a bank robber today being held up by a teller." --Jay Leno.

"They're still calling it a correction. I love this. When CEOs make bad decisions that cause Wall Street to crash, oh, it's called a correction. You know what we should do? Take these people and put them in a correctional institute. Okay, that's what we should do." --Jay Leno.

"All these world leaders, while they're in New York City over there at the U.N., in their free time they're doing some shopping. The Japanese premiere, for example, earlier today got a great deal on Morgan Stanley." --David Letterman
http://politicalhumor.about.com/library/bldailyfeed3.htm

BLOG ARCHIVES

Hi All,
As of this Post there are some 876 posts on our BLOG; also thousands of comments.

This is to remind you all, that while only seven days are seen on the BLOG page, all of the posts and comments are available in the archives, from BLOG inception.

If you look in the Sidebar, all Posts are archived by month, and may be retrieved with a mouse click.

Another powerful feature is the "search BLOG" capability; each Post has a Label tag, simply type your search term in the dialog box at the upper left and all Posts with that Search Term will be retrieved.

Dave

CABLE COMMITTEE MEETING REMINDER

Hi All,
Remember to attend the Cable Committee meeting as follows:

Date: - September 26, 2008
Day: - Friday
Time: - 10 AM
Place: - Clubhouse Party Room

COMCAST is continuing to remove Channels from our Expanded Basic service, so come to the meeting where we will hear about some alternative strategies for CVTV service.

Dave Israel

VETERANS AFFAIRS 2

Hi All,
More from the Military.Com site.
Dave

http://images.military.com/NL_WK/1,14845,6241,00.html

CV Guest & Childrens Pool

Here is the other outdoor pool at the Clubhouse - guest/childrens pool, all our pools are so delicious and quiet at this time, they are always worth more photos. (click to enlarge)

VETERANS AFFAIRS

Hi All,
Check this out for Veterans information.

http://www.military.com/NL_MR/1,14852,6248,00.html

Let me know if this is of interest and we will publish it each month.

Dave

Mr Tudball & Mrs. Wiggins

I see the request for volunteers to take minutes for cmte mtgs in the UCO Reporter.
Easier way to take minutes:
Chairman hands pad and pencil to any cmte member and sez “Take minutes” (or to last member to arrive)
Cmte name, date, have visitors sign in and list attendees.
Robert’s Rules of Order states the minutes should record what was “done” at the meeting, not what was “said” by the members. In other words, the minutes should not be a narrative, but they should reflect the business that was conducted, and actions planned.
Proposal to adjourn, date of next mtg if possible, signature of minute taker.
Thank you Mrs. Wiggins.

ps The deluxe version http://www.wikihow.com/Take-Minutes
This could be a way to get on any cmte you desire.

PB Mall Update--fyi

Palm Beach Mall to undergo revitalization

Palm Beach Mall loses Dillard's, but Ikea may come in

By Paul Owers South Florida Sun-Sentinel

September 23, 2008

The Palm Beach Mall opened 41 years ago as the largest enclosed shopping center in the Southeast. Patrons flocked there in search of trendy fashions at Jordan Marsh and offbeat gifts at the Barefoot Mailman.

But today the West Palm Beach center is little more than an eyesore.

The 1.2 million-square-foot mall, just east of Interstate 95 on Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard, is filled with unrecognizable merchants and empty storefronts. Crime has been a problem in the area. And many tenants, including Dillard's, are leaving as the mall's owner prepares for a long-promised renovation designed to revive the ailing center.

"It's desolate. It brings down the whole community," said Bruce Corn, a retail real estate broker in West Palm Beach. "But if you bring new tenants in, you'll get that middle- and upper-class customer to go shop there. That is some of the best commercial real estate in Palm Beach County."



Related links
Palm Beach Mall history Despite the ideal location, the once-thriving mall fell out of favor as residents moved north and west starting in the 1980s. Regional malls later sprouted in Palm Beach Gardens and Wellington to accommodate the growing number of rooftops in those cities.

Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group said three years ago that it would reinvent the Palm Beach Mall but only recently provided details.

The company said this month the project would include more than a million square feet of general retail space, a 290,000-square-foot furniture store, 300,000 square feet of offices and 500 residential units.

Simon spokesman Les Morris wouldn't elaborate on the plans or discuss possible tenants, but community leaders say the furniture store is Ikea, the popular Swedish chain that opened in Sunrise last year.

Cynthia Cohen, head of a national retail-consulting firm in Miami, said Ikea would be a "real game-changer" for the center. Other analysts agree.

"Ikea absolutely will transform that area," Davie retail consultant Beth Azor said.

West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel said Simon likely will turn the mall into an outdoor plaza but keep anchors JCPenney, Macy's and Sears. The work will be done in phases so that the mall could stay open during construction, Frankel said.

Simon plans to ask the city to approve the project late this year or early next.

"Palm Beach Mall has been part of the fabric of this community since its construction in 1967," Simon said in the statement. "SPG ... plans to redevelop it in a way that will be attractive and the best use for residents, tourists and tenants alike."

The redevelopment won't include Dillard's, which will close in late October, only eight years after it agreed to serve as the centerpiece of a $40 million mall renovation. It's one of 15 underperforming stores the Arkansas-based retailer is shuttering nationwide.

Dillard's opened at the Palm Beach Mall in 2000, ahead of Borders Books & Music, DSW Shoe Warehouse, For Your Entertainment and Old Navy. None is still there, and smaller tenants have lost their leases.

Workers at the remaining stores read magazines or stand out in the mall, waiting for business. Even the few customers bemoan the lack of activity.

"It goes downhill more every day," said Juan Velasco, 27, as he waited on a bench while his wife got her hair cut.

Even after the planned upgrade, the Palm Beach Mall will face competition from nearby shopping centers, CityPlace and other retailers, including a rebuilt Target store opening in 2009 across the street. But the rundown mall can be a destination once again, the mayor insists.

"I think they're going to bring new life to the mall," Frankel said of Simon. "I certainly think the customer base is there if they have the right kind of product."

Paul Owers can be reached at powers@SunSentinel.com or 561-243-6529.

thanks Elaine

thanks - those pix will get me thru until i fly down for a big 2 days in Oct! meanwhile
the packing continues ---my uncle in Georgia was so impressed with the pix I sent him, wants me to hunt up a unit for him ---so i am spreading the word! Imagine, me wanting to leave a city with the highest sales tax in the country! absolutely love you bloggers!

Photos for Mag

Shadows in the clubhouse, resident’s pool at clubhouse.Bring a sweater, the temperatures are falling all the way to mid 80s next week :-)
(Permission to take photos from A. Cruz)

TV Guide Online

I would like to nominate for the links list this: TV Guide listings online. They have to be tweeked for our system (and when the cable company takes channels away, they have to be tweeked again).

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

The BLOGMEISTER replies:

It has been added to "Members Favorite Links" in the Sidebar; it is titled "TV GUIDE ONLINE".

Be sure to click on "Edit Location" and enter ZIP 33417 in the dialog box for our area programming.

Thanks Nork!!!

Dave

moving in soon/new owner

Greetings to my future new neighbors- I just closed on a unit and wonder what's the best contact to get all the info I need about getting ID/do I need gas service? water service? all the info I might need to settle in? any directives w/b appreciated- I am in chicago right now and counting the days until I relocate! will make a quickie trip down on oct 10. thanks in advance

Okeechobee Century Village Sign

Some people are not happy with our west/south gate sign, they feel it does not say ‘welcome to the best of everything’! I think the problem is the overwhelming signs from businesses on Okee Blvd and our lack of frontage.
At least with our current sign it survives trucks, car carriers and other behemoths, and our errant drivers and hurricanes. I think a simple classic sign is fine, (fountains are endless problems).

dolphin play bubble rings

For explanation of how they make rings go to http://www.snopes.com/photos/animals/dolphinrings.asp

Weasel Words and Mouse Print

It is not just my Breyers ice cream that is shrinking, boo hoo, the new box of Apple Jacks has two cups less of cereal. Is anyone not lying to us! I like the last page of Consumer’s Reports which exposes manufacturer trickery so I love this site too.
http://www.mouseprint.org/ or click title
Shrinking product, Altered product
Shrinking containers because of high price of oil/plastic!
Guarantees full of strings and loopholes!
Negative option plans that trick you into high price monthly deliveries!
When you know what to look for you can also identify weasel word nonsense closer to home.

http://www.consumerworld.org/ is pretty good too.