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From Water Town in East China

Ravenstahl reveals plan to fix pension gap

Ravenstahl reveals plan to fix pension gap: Ravenstahl reveals plan to fix pension gap
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
By Rich Lord, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Faced with a worsening pension gap shared by other cities statewide, Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl unveiled his fix to state senators yesterday, calling for fund consolidations, aid recalculations and defined contributions.

The first thing to do is to fire deadweight employees.

For example, Pat Ford is still being paid. He went most of the year without working but still got an income.

Luke Ravenstahl could fix that on his watch.

Harper's Firing Of Chaplains Shady, Secretive

I’ve been sitting on this news story for a couple of weeks and I finally got around to crafting an opinion.
Pittsburgh Police Chief Nate Harper (who is not blessed with the world's most impressive resume) fired two volunteer police chaplains after he and some in the religious community deemed their credentials to be faulty. The Pittsburgh Post Gazette blindly affirmed Harper’s decision, with no real, legitimate argument.
Rev. Lara M. Zinda and Keith Smith stand by their qualifications. Zinda answered some of the criticism in a letter to the editor in the Post Gazette.
Not once was there any criticism of the volunteer work Zinda and Smith did at police crime scenes. A cursory Internet search finds Zinda has done work with prisoners.
It appears obvious that there was a personality conflict in the decision. Perhaps Harper wanted his own pastor to serve in the volunteer position. The “vetting” (the buzz word of this election cycle) of the ordained religious leaders just wasn’t conducive to Nate Harper’s liking. What exactly are the religious pedigrees for volunteer pastors?
Do Zinda and Smith belong to a different religion than Harper and his spiritual advisors? Chances are they don’t share the same church. Zinda’s letter in the PG says that she lives in suburban Crafton. It would be best if chaplains were from Pittsburgh.
I cannot find photos of Zinda and Smith, so I’m not sure of their ethnicity. Chief Harper is African American. Perhaps there was a desire to bring African American chaplains onto the scene? Harper can appoint anyone he wants, but volunteers should be given more respect. It would be a shame if Harper is being forced by insiders to make the volunteer job a patronage, paid gig.
Perhaps there’s a hidden agenda in this volunteer position. There is something beneath the surface that we haven’t discovered yet.
The decision smells. There might be some jealousy involved. It does seem very ridiculous that two willing, apparently experienced chaplains get the boot for shady accusations.
There isn’t much coverage of the case, it’s not “sexy,” but it looks like two good people were railroaded. This should be followed, especially if a new paid position is created.

Fallen Czar: Presentation at public comment to Pgh City Council on Sept 10, 2008

Notes: These speaker notes were used on September 10, 2008, for a 3-minute public comment to Pittsburgh's City Council.

My name is Mark Rauterkus.

My family and I live at 108 South 12th Street in the historic South Side of Pittsburgh. My other homes include places on the internet as such as a blog, Rauterkus.blogspot.com and two wikis: Fix PA.wikia.com and A for Athlete . wikia.com. Plus, I've been enjoying "Twitter."

My sons attend Pgh Public Schools and last month they won five gold medals at the Citiparks Swim Meet in Highland Park. We expect to run in the 5K in the Great Race.

I am the elected vice chair of the Allegheny County Libertarian Party.

We are hosting a house concert on Wednesday, September 17, 2008.

Everyone is invited. But, you need to RSVP. Send an email or call.

We've put a new roof on our house and are inviting people to gather with a great singer, songwriter and performer -- Joe Jencks. His song, Come With Me, was utilized in one of my past campaign CDs. He is a splendid performer.

From past Joe Jencks house concert

This is a musical and community event, not a political rally.

I am on the ballot in 2008, but it is for a spot in the Electoral College. But I understand it is poor form to campaign for seats to the Electoral College as it only draws attention to the fact that the popular vote for President of the United States is not that important anyway.

So, at the house concert -- we'll focus on the music and the singing of Joe Jencks.

While in Beijing last month, I heard of some news of a fallen czar.

This story is much less lyrical and musical than what Joe Jencks delivers, but let's share the happenings with the public watching on cable TV.

Those in this chamber are smart and are sure to already know of this czar.

Exotic names and customs span various government: Emperors, Pharaohs, Czars, Dictators, Kings, A revolution brews today in Thailand where they have a king and an Australian author and blogger in jail for 3 lines in a novel that sold 7 copies.

In Canada, our neighbors to the north, the Prime Minister has called for a new election.

Generally, when a czar falls, people flee and go into hiding or exile. When caught, space is put between his head and torso.

Royalty stories and their "press releases" always include family ties and relationships.

This czar and story is different.

The Post-Gazette and fellow Pittsburgh bloggers have covered this saga, not some foreign language correspondent in some distant land.

This czar was promoted twice by a mayor -- our mayor, Luke Ravenstahl.

Mr. Pat Ford was Pittsburgh's Czar for Development. He ruled with an authority.

He is gone now. Just in August, while I was in China.

Pat Ford's fall however is not with blood on the streets. Rather, in Pittsburgh, it is different.

Development czar, Pat Ford, has not worked in many months. He was given a leave -- with pay. Now that he has resigned, he will still be paid for the rest of the year.

From planning-urban

Furthermore, from his place in exile -- Pat Ford was able to release a blistering letter that was unflattering to the present administration. I heard that his letter was cause for an interuption of either a golf outing in San Diego or a convention in Denver.

Frankly, it is nice that he is gone.

I doubt this story is actually gone gone. It won't be swept under the persian rug forever.

Rather than dwell on the negative, I like to point out other solutions with better outcomes.

In my humble opinion, it would have been better had Pat Ford been fired. He is still getting paid, to this day, even after his inflammatory outburst.

Why in the blasted name of 'czars' was he promoted to such esteem? Pittsburgh is an American city. Hello. We shouldn't do czars. We don't do czars because we don't cut people's heads off.

Nice: he's gone.

Better: he's fired.

Best: nobody is re-hired. Fire the entire family and family of authorities.

Now is the time to live a long held and cherished dream of mine. Pittsburgh can get rid of all of its authorities.

They are nothing but trouble.

Yesterday's budget amendment in papers to council called for $6-M to the URA.

The stadium authority is giving land to the Steelers, again. This is the Three Rivers Stadium Authority.

The sports and exhibition authority needs to rob the RAD funds as they can't make money.

The airport authority is a bust -- without flights into and out of Pittsburgh and a massive terminal that can't be paid for.

The PORT Authority -- don't get me started.

The Parking Authority with its new building and lighted sign.

I want democracy and accountability.

I don't even want a bike czar.

We biked around Beijing and visited a land of past emperors. It is nice to be home where we have don't have czars.

[412] One week from tonight - join us at a house concert on the South Side

[412] One week from tonight - join us at a house concert on the South Side: "[412] One week from tonight - join us at a house concert on the South Side

researcher looking for Ron Paul insights

Hey all - a writer for the PG-South edition wants 10 minutes of your time...please feel free to contact her.

She does need to focus on South Hills people only, she wants to talk with people from as far south as Washington county...unfortunately this leaves us city folk out :)

Here's what she said:

-DaveP
-----------------
I am writing this article focusing on Mr. Paul's childhood in Dormont, Pa (South Hills of Pittsburgh). My goal is to write an article on Ron Paul and his connections to the area. To this end, I'd like to speak with:

1. Anyone who "knew him when" -- teachers, neighbors, etc.;

2. Local supporters in the South Hills of Pittsburgh (to ask about their ongoing support, what is the fate of Mr. Paul's message after the elections, why he had such broad appeal, etc.);

3. And hopefully Mr. Paul. I'd like to find out the address of the home he grew up in, and names of anyone still living here that were important to him. Also, how did growing up here form him?

Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated. I'll be working on this all week; my deadline is September 15.

Sincerely,
Erin Gibson Allen

Contact me and I'll send along the phone and email of the reporter.

Statement before City Council by Mark Rauterkus - Czars of Pittsburgh

Notes: These speaker notes were used on September 10, 2008, for a 3-minute public comment to Pittsburgh's City Council.

My name is Mark Rauterkus.

My family and I live at 108 South 12th Street in the historic South Side of Pittsburgh. My other homes include places on the internet as such as a blog, Rauterkus.blogspot.com and two wikis: Fix PA.wikia.com and A for Athlete . wikia.com. Plus, I've been enjoying "Twitter."
My sons attend Pgh Public Schools and last month they won five gold medals at the Citiparks Swim Meet in Highland Park. We expect to run in the 5K in the Great Race.
I am the elected vice chair of the Allegheny County Libertarian Party.

We are hosting a house concert on Wednesday, September 17, 2008.

Everyone is invited. But, you need to RSVP. Send an email or call.
We've put a new roof on our house and are inviting people to gather with a great singer, songwriter and performer -- Joe Jencks. His song, Come With Me, was utilized in one of my past campaign CDs. He is a splendid performer.
This is a musical and community event, not a political rally.
I am on the ballot in 2008, but it is for a spot in the Electoral College. But I understand it is poor form to campaign for seats to the Electoral College as it only draws attention to the fact that the popular vote for President of the United States is not that important anyway.
So, at the house concert -- we'll focus on the music and the singing of Joe Jencks.

While in Beijing last month, I heard of some news of a fallen czar.

This story is much less lyrical and musical than what Joe Jencks delivers, but let's share the happenings with the public watching on cable TV.
Those in this chamber are smart and are sure to already know of this czar.
Exoctit names and customs span various government: Emperors, Pharaohs, Czars, Dictators, Kings, A revolution brews today in Thailand where they have a king and an Australian author and blogger in jail for 3 lines in a novel that sold 7 copies.
In Canada, our neighbors to the north, the Prime Minister has called for a new election.
Generally, when a czar falls, people flee and go into hiding or exile. When caught, space is put between his head and torso.
Royalty stories and their "press releases" always include family ties and relationships.

This czar and story is different.

The Post-Gazette and fellow Pittsburgh bloggers have covered this saga, not some foreign language correstpondent in some distant land.
This czar was promoted twice by a mayor -- our mayor, Luke Ravenstahl.
Mr. Pat Ford was Pittsburgh's Czar for Development. He ruled with an authority.
He is gone now. Just in August, while I was in China.
Pat Ford's fall however is not with blood on the streets. Rather, in Pittsburgh, it is different.
Development czar, Pat Ford, has not worked in many months. He was given a leave -- with pay. Now that he has resigned, he will still be paid for the rest of the year.
Furthermore, from his place in exile -- Pat Ford was able to release a blistering letter that was unflattering to the present administration. I heard that his letter was cause for an interuption of either a golf outing in San Diego or a convention in Denver.

Frankly, it is nice that he is gone.

I doubt this story is actually gone gone. It won't be swept under the persian rug forever.Rather than dwell on the negative, I like to point out other solutions with better outcomes.
In my humble opinion, it would have been better had Pat Ford been fired. He is still getting paid, to this day, even after his infamatory outbust.
Why in the blasted name of 'czars' was he promoted to such esteem? Pittsburgh is an American city. Hello. We shouldn't do czars. We don't do czars because we don't cut people's heads off.
Nice: he's gone.
Better: he's fired.
Best: nobody is re-hired. Fire the entire family and family of authorities.
Now is the time to live a long held and cherished dream of mine. Pittsburgh can get rid of all of its authorities.
They are nothing but trouble.
Yesterday's budget amendment in papers to council called for $6-M to the URA.
The stadium authority is giving land to the Steelers, again. This is the 3RS authority.
The sports and exhibition authority needs to rob the RAD funds as they can't make money.
The airport authority is a bust -- without flights into and out of Pittsburgh and a massive terminal that can't be paid for.
The PORT Authority -- don't get me started.
The Parking Authority with its new building and lighted sign.
I want democracy and accountability.

I don't even want a bike czar.

We biked around Beijing and visited a land of past emperors. It is nice to be home where we have don't have czars.

State Department asking vBloggers: "What is democracy?"

What are auteurs?

What is democracy? State Department launches online video contest - On Deadline - USATODAY.com The State Department is inviting budding auteurs to create a short film that finishes the sentence 'Democracy is ...'

YouTube users will choose the winners of this international competition, which will accept submissions between Monday and Jan. 15. The top six films will be shown in Hollywood, New York and Washington.

The outcome is determined by a 'contest.' YouTube is part of the process.

Democracy has little to do with czars, dictators and kings. Rather, democracy is about temporary stewardship that aims to insure and make permanent the rights of others. My rights, your rights and their rights are all inter-twined.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auteur_Theory

Ron Paul urges voters to back alternatives to Dems, GOP | Chronicle | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

Ron Paul urges voters to back alternatives to Dems, GOP | Chronicle | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle: "Out of the race for president, Lake Jackson congressman calls Obama, McCain 'the lesser of two evils' and wants voters to go for minor-party hopefuls instead

Third Party Watch reports on Ron Paul's suggestions

Third Party Watch Advance copy of Ron Paul’s Wedesday press conference: He says ‘vote third party’
Posted by TPW News Items --- September 9th, 2008

The Houston Chronicle obtained an advance copy of Ron Paul’s prepared remarks for the press conference he is holding Wednesday at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Joining him will be third party presidential candidates Bob Barr (Libertarian Party), Chuck Baldwin (Constitution Party), Ralph Nader (Independent), and Cynthia McKinney (Green Party).

OMG - got a winning ticket to South Africa's prize in advance of the World Cup Soccer

Spam never looked so good. Much, much, much. Here is what was sent to me, via email. If I get sued for copyright violation, I'll know that they are legit and I'll have lots of money anyway. See the first comment for the text of the full header of this email.

---

CONGRATULATIONS FOR BEING THE LUCKY WINNER OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN 2010 WORLD CUP LOTTERY.

lotto sa

M T N LOTTERY GAMES CONSULTING

Company Reg No;1996/079414/23

M T N Building,132-133
Park Hurst,Balfour-Unit 1440
JOHANNESBURG,GAUTENG 2001
SOUTH AFRICA

2IN CONJUNCTION WITH

SOUTH AFRICA 2010

WORLDCUP LOCAL ORGANIZING COMMITEE

M T N 2010 LOTTERY DRAW NOTICE

Dear Winner,

This is to inform you that the M T N Lottery Game Consulting and the Local Organizing Commitee (LOC) of the 2010 World Cup, here in South Africa, has held an Internet Raffle Draw, and your Email Address was among the 2010 Email Addresses that was picked by the computer during the Third Quarter Raffle Draw (TQRD).

We are therefore with great pleasure, to notify you that your Email Address once again, happened to come out top number (1) out of the 2010 Email Addresses, on the FINAL BALLOT DRAW, and this had made you the JACKPOT WINNER OF THE SUM OF US$ 850,000.00(EIGHT HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLAR).

Be aware that this M T N Raffle Draw was organised by the M T N Lottery Game Consulting (L G C) and the Local Organizing Commitee (L O C) of the 2010 World Cup, to create awareness for the world, as South Africa is finalizing their preparation for the hosting of the 2010 World Cup.

BELOW ARE YOUR WINNING DETAILS:

DRAW NUMBER: 4,13,21,27,36,38 BONUS 45.

EMAIL CODE NUMBER: 15/76/EF36

FINAL JACKPOT NUMBER: 0001

SN: 2010 / MTN LGC / LOC / ZA

WINNING INSURANCE POLICY NUMBER: JJA23ZA

INSURANCE COMPANY: OLD MUTUAL INSURANCE SA

AMOUNT WON: US$ 850,000.00

AGREEMENT:

IT IS NOW AGREED BY THE M T N Lottery Game Consulting (LGC) and the Local Organizing Commitee (LOC) of the 2010 World Cup, THAT THE WINNING INFORMATIONS WRITTEN ABOVE ARE THE ORIGINAL WINNING INFORMATIONS AS WAS SELECTED BY THE COMPUTER ON MONDAY 8 OF SEPTEMBER 2008, AND IT HAS ALSO BEEN AGREED THAT THE WINNER WHOSE THESE WINNING IN FORMATIONS HAS BEEN SENT TO, WILL BE PAID THE WINNING SUM OF US$ 850,000.00 BY SOUTH AFRICAN GOVERNMENT THE ORGANIZING COMMITTEE'S OF 2010 WORLD CUP LOTTERY WITHOUT FAIL.

Note that this program is being sponsured by:

SOUTH AFRICAN GOVERNMENT,MTN AND FiFA.

Mr. Kuash Behler, Our First Quarter Winner of

US$ 850,000.00 from Amsterdam, Holland

30th April 2008.

Our Second Quarter Winner Mrs. Ali Fatima from Nepal receiving her winning cheque of

US$850,000.00 also on the picture is her husband and friends rejoicing with them. 27th March 2008

Congratulations from all our staff and we also extend our thanks to the Sponsures for being part of our promotional program.

VIVA SOUTH AFRICA! VIVA SPONSURES

& VIVA THE WHOLE WORLD.

PRIZE CLAIMING INSTRUCTION:

To receive your prize, contact our Paying agent on the following Details:

Company: GLOBE FINANCE CORPORATION

Company Registration number: 1947/027670/07

Contact address: 27 NEWTON STR, NEWTON PARK,

P.O BOX 7706 NEWTON CENTRAL JOHANNESBURG

Contact person: MR. CALEB SMITH.

Position: Finance Director

TEL: + 27 787 931 175

Email Address:

caleb_smith96@live.com

Please keep this form confidential from public to avoid double claiming and contradition over the receiving of your fund. Very important, Lottery rules says that you must be 18 years and above to be able to claim a prize.
Announcement Made Today Tuesday 10 Of September 2008 (South Africa Time 10:25 am)

Congratulations from the Staffs & Members of the 2010 World Cup Lotteries Board Commission ;

DR Mrs. Teresa Botha Dr.Themba Woodroffe Mr. Rudolf P. Markhams

(Zonal Co-ordinator Sec.) (Board Member) (Promotional Manager)

Signed by:

Copyright 1994-2006 The MTN interative Lottery Inc.

All rights reserved. Terms of Service -Guideline

100860 8556 2548 9576ZA

Thailand jail holds author for 3 lines in novel of 300 page book sold 7 times w 40 other books in inventory

Reporters sans fronti�res - Thailand: "Nicolaides added: “I know the importance of respecting this country’s traditions, customs and expectations. I am not an agitator.”

Guide to setting up a public issues forum released from New Zealand leader

After setting up the Canterbury Online Public Issues Forum,
I wrote a guide to starting a local online public issues forum in Aotearoa New Zealand. It documents some of what I learned in the process, and includes various resources that we created along the way. It's available from this post on our blog.

Please use, circulate and comment.

best to all,

Dan

Extreme Strings Orchestra gets ready for the 2008-09 season soon

The Extreme Strings Orchestra will kick off it's 3rd season on Saturday morning September 27 from 9-11 AM and you are invited. You can come to check us out or come and join - and we hope you do!

Here are all of the details you should know right now.

The XSO is an educational youth music program that specializes in the great American music styles of Fiddling , Jazz, and Rock.

We also play electronic instruments and work with pickups, wireless units, effects, amps and sound systems.

We are looking for middle, junior high, and high school students who play Violin, Viola, Cello, and Bass and are also open to Guitar and Mandolin players as well.

This program is open to ALL students from suburban schools, private schools, Pittsburgh Public Schools, and home-schooled students from all over the tri-state area.

We would prefer at least 2 years of experience playing the instrument but we can discuss that. Although we have some very fine advanced players this is not an elite group and we break the XSO into 2 or 3 groups most weeks and work with students at their own levels. However, it's most fun when we put the whole XSO together and we try to do that every week.

We meet at the Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts High (CAPA for short) at the corner of 9th St. and Fort Duquesne Blvd. Downtown Pittsburgh as part of the Centers For The Musically Talented program.

We meet most Saturdays through the school year from 9-11 AM.

Tuition cost this year will be $450. There is a discount of $75 for full payment by 10/31/08. Also, families with more than one child in the program receive a discount of $100 per child.

There are full tuition grants available for up to 20 Pittsburgh Public School students.

Your tuition covers 24 educational sessions as well as performance opportunities through out the year. Last year we performed for the Three Rivers Arts Festival, in the Heinz Hall lobby as part of the "BOWFIRE" concert, the All City Arts Festiva, the "Saturday Light Brigade Radio Show" (twice) l and did workshops with students in the Norwin and West Mifflin School Districts and the Pulling String private music studio. We even had two of our students perform on stage with "BOWFIRE"

Our faculty includes myself, Sena Thompson as an instructor and arranger - the kids love her, Erin Snyder as low strings instructor, and Alex Van Laningham - a recent XSO grad - as well as outside professional instructors who will visit to do workshops in their specialty.

Last year we had about 25 students and many are returning. We hope you will join us. It's big fun.

Our new brochure will be ready later this week and we can send you one if you wish. It will definitely be on our site ASAP and we may attach it to a future email message.

Although we hope to do a complete update of the web site this week - which is overdue - there is some good information about our program including video and sound clips at http://www.extremestrings.com/Site/Home.html

Contact me if you need more information. Thank you for your consideration.

--

Steven Vance
Yamaha Certified String Educator
Executive Director
EXTREME STRINGS
2549 Penn Ave
Pittsburgh PA 15222
412-325-1211
http://www.extremestrings.com
stevenvance@extremestrings.com

Jazz, Rock and Fiddling
Teaching, Learning and Playing Great American Music

Macworld | Live Update: Apple’s ‘Let’s Rock’ Event

The live blogging of the Apple Event was -- well -- live blogged too.

Macworld | Live Update: Apple’s ‘Let’s Rock’ Event: "10:08 PT - JS: Just a funny note from the event. We are surrounded by the sound of fast, furious typing fingers. Is the entire world liveblogging this event? I suspect it is. They're all here.

Here's an easy way to start your day in a positive way:

1. Create two new files on your computer.
2. Name one file, 'Barack Obama' and the other file, 'John McCain.'
3. Send them to the computer's Recycle Bin.
4. Empty the Recycle Bin.
5. Your PC will ask you: "Do you really want to get rid of 'Barack Obama' and 'John McCain?"
6. Firmly Click 'Yes.'
7. Feel better!

Tomorrow we'll do Nancy Pelosi and the PA House of Represenatives.

Sent to me by a friend. I did a few edits and doubled the elation by changing some of the words.

Flashback: Joe Jencks played a prior House Concert for us in Pittsburgh

A slide show of the first Joe Jencks house concert:



That gig was our 'first ever sold out performance.' We held it on the first floor and had just enough people to squeeze into the room. RSVPs are necessary so we can save you a seat.

Next week's house concert is going to be on the third floor, under our new roof. The room has a stage and we're very excited to have you attend. This will be our first concert in the 'newly re-done third floor space.'

We won't have any petitions for you to sign this year. I'm already on the ballot for the November 2008 election. I'm a candidate for the "electorial college."

For fun, I've put the event into a ticket system on the internet. No need to sign-up via that system. But, if you wish, you can check out Show Clix dot com. Direct Link.

SabrinaSpiher.com: A Media Empire

Another blogger rants about the South Side and our clueless Councilperson.

SabrinaSpiher.com: A Media Empire: "here's Bruce Kraus harassing the businesspeople of the South Side for selling food on the sidewalks - horrors! Apparently, he's been getting constituent complaints about messy drunks at 3:00 a.m. It is achingly obvious that these constituents are old. I am 100% certain that the young people who are spending $100,000 to colonize the ugly little aluminum siding box houses around East Carson are not concerned about the 3:00 a.m. drunks - in fact, they came for that atmosphere. I have a better solution than trying to put the poor chicken-on-a-stick guy out of business: if you don't like the South Side, move. You're ugly little box house will sell for 18 times what you paid for it in nineteen ought eight, and you'll be in good shape to head out to a ranch home in Edgewood, or wherever old people like to live. Meanwhile, the city won't waste its time and energy making one of its most appealing spots less appealing to the people they're constantly claiming they want to appeal to: young people. Lord!

I do not agree with Kraus -- nor with the blog posting above for a few reasons. Sure, constituents are going to complain. Sure, some are old. But, many are not.

Our drunk problem isn't at 3 am. Rather it is from midnight to 2:15 or so. Mostly the worse as the bars close around 1:30 to 2 am.

But, the aftermath of the crowds presents another problem that surfaces about 7 am as it gets light and the trash lingers. The drunks are gone. The bouncers are gone. The rented beer is spent an returned to 'Mother Earth' too. But, those that have jobs and lives to lead are seeing the remains.

Frankly, I didn't move here for the South Side bar atmosphere. Wrong. This is a neighborhood, a mixed neighborhood with churches, schools, institutions, families, single folks, seniors, recreation, business, retail, history, eating/drinking and the flexibility/freedom to make yourself here without the burden of conformity's pressures.

The option of moving, if we don't like the South Side, has been done thousands and thousands of times already. The one's that are here now are the cranky types that are going to stay because of the principle of things -- or -- because of their lack of capcity to move.

If the South Side turns into an entertainment district to the detriment of everything else, then the city will die. Dead. Bankrupt. Worse than Detroit. Not just the neighborhood, but the entire city, and in turn, the region.

Frankly, the South Side has done well for itself because the government types have stayed out of the South Side, by and large. The Local Development officials can't move their way out of a wet paper bag. The URA is only something most on the South Side know about from reading the newspapers.

We do not need the city and Mr. Kraus of city council working, as said in the blog post, to make the South Side appealing. But, things need to occur for other motivations, without the city. And, selling food on a stick under a sidewalk umbrella to midnight with a three-block litter patrol from 12 to 3 am (by the same business people) would be a great next step.

In the end, you might want to buy a house here -- as there are dozens of them available up and down our streets now. And, to make that investment, insurances need to be understood so it is a great long-term location. Better than South Park and Shaler, even after your children grow to their tenth birthday.

Here I am on the Great Wall. Shows my better side too.

Erik took this photo of me as we were climbing The Great Wall. You don't just walk or hike it. The ups and downs are steep.

From Beijing - Great Wall

There were few people on this stretch of The Great Wall -- so we had some peace and quiet to absorb its magnitude.

Doing the water cube -- off the board with clothes on -- Beijing scenes of us.

Sure, we went to see Michael Phelps and the rest of the amazing swimmers. But we also got to check out the water polo players as well as spend some time on the diving board!