The California Political Bubble continues. How can candidates Garamendi and DeSaulnier consider running for the Congressional special election in California’s District 10? Our State Government is broken and in the process of shutting down, these two men are no small part of the problem yet they think voters will send them to Washington. This is what happens to career politicians; they get surrounded by a bubble and lose touch with the people they represent. I can't imagine anybody seriously thinking that these two individuals have done a good job. They represent exactly what is wrong with the State of California. It would be different if these candidates had exercised a leadership role in resolving California's budget crisis. Instead what are they doing in the middle of our financial mess? Running for a Federal office. Whatever happened to public servants sacrificing and working hard to get a difficult the job done? Their only priority is to get reelected. I hope that you will visit http://www.D10CA.com to see the many MUCH more qualified candidates seeking this position.
-Gary Clift
Solano County, CA
Thursday, July 2, 2009
CA-10 "Out of Touch" Democrats
Monday, June 22, 2009
Community Responds to Urgent Needs of Shepherd’s Gate
Generous group gives a $50,000 matching challenge to the community--
We will match every donation given, dollar for dollar up to $50,000!
Shepherd’s Gate released information about the urgent need to raise $150,000 by the end of its fiscal year on June 30, 2009 to meet all of the program, ministry, and operational needs of the organization, to prevent cutting back on services to battered and homeless women and children.
A generous group of friends have responded by collecting a $50,000 matching challenge, meaning that every donation given by the community will be matched dollar for dollar up to $50,000!!!
Recently, Shepherd’s Gate has drastically cut expenses, including cutbacks in staff salaries and has had to lay off some long-time staff members, in an effort to avoid cutting back program services.
“We are so very grateful for this generous opportunity. Meeting this matching challenge is crucial in helping us continue our mission to care for women and children in crisis,” said Steve McRee, executive director of Shepherd’s Gate.
To help Shepherd’s Gate meet this matching challenge, please make a donation online at www.shepherdsgate.org, or mail to 1660 Portola Ave. Livermore, CA 94551 Attn: Accounting. If you have any questions please call Jennifer at (925)443-4283 ext. 204.
Shepherd’s Gate, with campuses in Livermore and Brentwood, serves more than 650 battered and homeless women and children each year. Some arrive with just the clothes on their backs, seeking a fresh start. For more than 25 years, Shepherd’s Gate has served over 9,000 women and children, providing Christ-centered housing and services such as professional counseling, drug and alcohol recovery, and job skills training to help women and children break cycles of abuse, addiction and homelessness. Shepherd’s Gate is a non-profit organization that receives no government funding, and relies on community donations and support.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Nominate a Preschool Teacher in the Bay Area
Eleven outstanding preschool teachers will be selected by a panel of experts to receive:
• A $100 school supply catalog gift certificate.
• A FREE preschool class field trip to Habitot Children's Museum (up to 15 students ~a $130 value)
• One Habitot annual Family Membership (a $115 value) which may be offered at a fundraising auction or used personally
In addition, each of the winning nominators will receive:
• One Habitot annual Family Membership (a $115 value) this spring.
Nominate a preschool teacher March 29 - May 29, 2009
Download the Preschool Contest PDF form.
Mail, Fax or Email Application to:
Habitot Children's Museum
"PRESCHOOL TEACHERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE"
Attn: Lauren Levin
PMB 326 • 1563 Solano Ave. • Berkeley CA 94707
Habitot Children's Museum • PMB 326 • 1563 Solano Ave • Berkeley, CA 94707 • 510-647-1111 • www.habitot.org
Fax: (510) 647-1110
Email: dassoc@habitot.org
Questions? Call Lauren at (510) 647-1111 x 31
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Questions to Ask Your Financial Advisor
How Other Consumers Can Avoid a Similar Fate
Livermore-based financial advisor provides local residents with important questions they need to ask before putting trust in a financial advisor.
Livermore, CA (3/24/09) – Bernard Madoff's alleged Ponzi Scheme stands as an example of how the financial services industry has failed to protect the best interests of consumers. It highlights the increased need for consumers to proceed cautiously when working with an advisor and the importance of asking pointed questions before hiring a professional.
As the post-Madoff era begins and the federal government and industry regulators decide the best course of action to protect consumers, people need to ask the right questions of an existing or potential advisor.
Steve Bell of Steve Bell Financial Planning and a member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA), the country's leading association of Fee-Only financial advisors, encourages consumers to take the time to get to know an advisor and gauge his or her commitment to placing clients' interests first.
Find out how the advisor and his or her firm are compensated. Fee-Only compensation has the fewest conflicts of interest, but there are other acceptable methods as long as full disclosure takes place up front. It's important to know if an advisor will make additional money if you follow certain recommendations.
You should always know where your money and securities are actually held. Most reputable advisors will use an unaffiliated custodian for the safe keeping of your assets. This simple check and balance could have saved the Madoff investors millions by bringing the problem to the forefront earlier.
Legally, all clients are entitled to a copy of the firm's Form ADV Part II or brochure. It's a compliance document, that can be pretty dry, but it holds a lot of important information and ultimately shows that the firm is registered with the SEC or state.
"NAPFA and the Fee-Only advisor community are hopeful the new administration, the SEC and other regulatory bodies will enact thoughtful regulations to protect consumers," said Steve Bell, owner of Steve Bell Financial Planning.
Consumers can access a Financial Advisor Checklist and Financial Advisor Diagnostic on the NAPFA website by visiting www.NAPFA.org and clicking on the Tips and Tools button in the Consumer Information section. The Diagnostic tool includes an answer key to help consumers understand NAPFA’s recommendations for the most appropriate answers to the questions.
If you are interested in discussing these important questions with Steve Bell, please contact Steve Bell Financial Planning at 1-800-472-1844, ext 21 or plan@stevebellfp.com.
About Steve Bell Financial Planning
Steve Bell Financial Planning is a comprehensive financial planning and investment advisory firm located in the Livermore, CA. They offer financial planning and advice in the areas of goal planning, retirement planning, investment planning, debt management, risk mitigation, college funding and estate planning .... all on a fee-only, as needed, hourly basis. They also offer investment management services on a percent of balance basis. Unlike many financial planning firms, Steve Bell Financial Planning will not turn away prospective clients just because they fail to meet minimums for income or investment balances, nor will they require a client to commit to a long-term agreement.
For more information on Steve Bell Financial Planning, please visit www.stevebellfp.com.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Tri-Valley Clay Figure Sculpting Classes
Adam Reeder, an accomplished Bay Area Figure Sculptor, will be teaching clay figure sculpting classes to members of the Tri-Valley community.
Adam, who has a studio in San Francisco, but lives in San Ramon, has been a figure sculptor for 10 years.
His recent accomplishments include:
- 1st Place Figure Sculpture in the Academy of Art 2008 Spring Show
- Juried into the National Sculpture Societies 2008 Figure Sculpture Competition
- Juried into the Loveland Colorado Annual Sculpture Invitational 2008
"There are very few people who teach figure sculpting, and I want to be able to share my love of sculpting with others," Adam said. Adam focuses on sculpting people, both male and female. He specializes in sculpting realistic form with accurate anatomy and proportions.
Adam has been asked by many to teach classes and share his love of figure sculpting with the community. He has decided to start a few classes in the East Bay.
Adam's recent sculpting work can be viewed at www.adamreeder.com
The classes will be held on:
Monday nights from 6-8:30 starting Oct. 20th at the Bothwell Arts Center in Livermore. Located at: 2466 Eighth St., Livermore, CA, 94551
And
Tuesdays from 6-8:30 starting Oct. 14th at Tri Valley Monart in Pleasanton. Located at: 3015 Hopyard Rd # I, Pleasanton, CA
The classes will continue indefinitely. The cost of the classes are $30 per class.
For now, the classes are for adults 18 and older.
Adam is also working on setting up classes in Danville and San Ramon beginning in the spring and winter of 2009.
If you are interested in learning more about clay figure sculpting and taking a hands-on class, but don't see the times or locations that would work for your schedule, please contact Adam for more information.
Times and locations are subject to change, so please call or email Adam ahead of time to register for the class.
His number is 801-671-6994
