Here at our western command center in Vail, we continue to marvel at the beauty all around us -- both natural and man-made.
Vail's peaks and valley's enthrall us!
All photos copyright 2013 by Dan Cirucci.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Photo Essay: Enchanting Village's Peaks And Valleys
Here at our western command center in Vail, we continue to marvel at the beauty all around us -- both natural and man-made.
Vail's peaks and valley's enthrall us!
All photos copyright 2013 by Dan Cirucci.
Christie Announces New Post-Storm Initiative
In support of New Jersey Governor Christie’s commitment to helping storm-impacted small businesses and communities recover, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) today at a Board meeting approved the creation of the Stronger NJ Neighborhood and Community Revitalization (NCR) Program. The $75 million program will offer financial assistance to support 1) development and public improvement projects; 2) main street revitalization; and, 3) Community Development Financial Institutions providing loans to small businesses.
“As New Jersey continues to rebuild and recover, it is critical that we remain focused on strengthening our local communities and restoring economic vitality throughout the state,” said EDA Chief Executive Officer Michele A. Brown. “The Stronger NJ Neighborhood and Community Revitalization Program will help lead to neighborhood stability, increased local tax revenues, new employment opportunities and the attraction of additional investment to our region.”
Following the approval of New Jersey’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Disaster Recovery Action Plan, Governor Christie called on the EDA to administer $460 million of the state’s CDBG Disaster Recovery allocation to assist businesses and communities. The $75 million Stronger NJ NCR Program will support projects located throughout the state, with a focus on the nine most impacted counties of Atlantic, Bergen, Cape May, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Union, as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The $260 million Stronger NJ Business Grant and $100 million Stronger NJ Business Loan programs were previously introduced and remain active.
Through the NCR Program, $62.5 million will be allocated to help advance development and public improvement projects with grants and/or loans, up to a maximum of $10 million per project. Projects must fall under at least one of the following four categories:
1.Catalytic Projects, which must be located in commercial or industrial areas. These projects must include planned physical improvements that have commercial or mixed uses, including retail, office, hospitality, community, and industrial; projects with a housing component can only receive funding for the commercial component. Projects can involve construction or rehabilitation of commercial and mixed-use buildings, parking, and supporting infrastructure (i.e. utilities, streetscape, drainage, etc.).
2. Transformative Neighborhood Projects, which must have the same characteristics of catalytic projects, but be located within residential areas.
3. Innovation Projects, which also must have the same attributes of catalytic projects, but may be of a smaller scale and involve multi-tenant technology business development. This could include the creation of specialized laboratory or research and development space to be used by a technology business. Projects may be stand-alone or distinct parts of a larger development.
4. Recreational, Cultural and Park Land Amenities, which must be planned physical improvements that have recreational or cultural uses within commercial, residential or existing/planned park areas. These projects can involve construction or improvement of parks, recreational structures, boardwalks and esplanades, cultural and community facilities, and supporting infrastructure (i.e. utilities, streetscape, signage and drainage).
Applicants must be for-profit developers; municipalities and county governments undertaking publically owned or to be publically owned projects; state or municipal redevelopment agencies; or, other eligible economic development non-profits. Funds may be used for construction and/or rehabilitation, property acquisition and assembly, demolition and clearance, environmental investigation and remediation, pre-development costs, mitigation measures, and infrastructure.
To be eligible for funding, projects in the nine most impacted counties must either have been damaged by the storm or demonstrate that they will contribute to the revitalization of an area that sustained damage. Projects located outside the nine counties must have sustained damage themselves. Projects must show a clear ability to utilize the entire amount of awarded funding by December 31, 2014. In accordance with federal requirements, projects must also meet at least one of four defined national objectives: urgent need; low and moderate income employment creation; low and moderate income area benefit; and/or slum and blight reduction. A gap in project funding must exist, and funds provided under the program cannot duplicate benefits related to recovery provided by other governmental and insurance sources.
The EDA will utilize $10 million to support main street revitalization projects in order to advance the recovery of economic activity in the commercial corridors of storm-impacted communities. The program will offer financial assistance to support improvements such as streetscapes, lighting sidewalks, façade, code-related and other physical upgrades to commercial areas.
In addition, the NCR Program will allocate a total of $2.5 million to provide existing CDFIs with up to a $500,000 grant to fund small business loans in the nine most impacted counties.
For more information on the Stronger NJ Business programs and to sign up for updates on the Stronger NJ NCR Program, visit http://application.njeda.com/strongernjbusiness or call EDA’s Sandy hotline at 1-855-SANDY-BZ (1-855-726-3929).
“As New Jersey continues to rebuild and recover, it is critical that we remain focused on strengthening our local communities and restoring economic vitality throughout the state,” said EDA Chief Executive Officer Michele A. Brown. “The Stronger NJ Neighborhood and Community Revitalization Program will help lead to neighborhood stability, increased local tax revenues, new employment opportunities and the attraction of additional investment to our region.”
Following the approval of New Jersey’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Disaster Recovery Action Plan, Governor Christie called on the EDA to administer $460 million of the state’s CDBG Disaster Recovery allocation to assist businesses and communities. The $75 million Stronger NJ NCR Program will support projects located throughout the state, with a focus on the nine most impacted counties of Atlantic, Bergen, Cape May, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Union, as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The $260 million Stronger NJ Business Grant and $100 million Stronger NJ Business Loan programs were previously introduced and remain active.
Through the NCR Program, $62.5 million will be allocated to help advance development and public improvement projects with grants and/or loans, up to a maximum of $10 million per project. Projects must fall under at least one of the following four categories:
1.Catalytic Projects, which must be located in commercial or industrial areas. These projects must include planned physical improvements that have commercial or mixed uses, including retail, office, hospitality, community, and industrial; projects with a housing component can only receive funding for the commercial component. Projects can involve construction or rehabilitation of commercial and mixed-use buildings, parking, and supporting infrastructure (i.e. utilities, streetscape, drainage, etc.).
2. Transformative Neighborhood Projects, which must have the same characteristics of catalytic projects, but be located within residential areas.
3. Innovation Projects, which also must have the same attributes of catalytic projects, but may be of a smaller scale and involve multi-tenant technology business development. This could include the creation of specialized laboratory or research and development space to be used by a technology business. Projects may be stand-alone or distinct parts of a larger development.
4. Recreational, Cultural and Park Land Amenities, which must be planned physical improvements that have recreational or cultural uses within commercial, residential or existing/planned park areas. These projects can involve construction or improvement of parks, recreational structures, boardwalks and esplanades, cultural and community facilities, and supporting infrastructure (i.e. utilities, streetscape, signage and drainage).
Applicants must be for-profit developers; municipalities and county governments undertaking publically owned or to be publically owned projects; state or municipal redevelopment agencies; or, other eligible economic development non-profits. Funds may be used for construction and/or rehabilitation, property acquisition and assembly, demolition and clearance, environmental investigation and remediation, pre-development costs, mitigation measures, and infrastructure.
To be eligible for funding, projects in the nine most impacted counties must either have been damaged by the storm or demonstrate that they will contribute to the revitalization of an area that sustained damage. Projects located outside the nine counties must have sustained damage themselves. Projects must show a clear ability to utilize the entire amount of awarded funding by December 31, 2014. In accordance with federal requirements, projects must also meet at least one of four defined national objectives: urgent need; low and moderate income employment creation; low and moderate income area benefit; and/or slum and blight reduction. A gap in project funding must exist, and funds provided under the program cannot duplicate benefits related to recovery provided by other governmental and insurance sources.
The EDA will utilize $10 million to support main street revitalization projects in order to advance the recovery of economic activity in the commercial corridors of storm-impacted communities. The program will offer financial assistance to support improvements such as streetscapes, lighting sidewalks, façade, code-related and other physical upgrades to commercial areas.
In addition, the NCR Program will allocate a total of $2.5 million to provide existing CDFIs with up to a $500,000 grant to fund small business loans in the nine most impacted counties.
For more information on the Stronger NJ Business programs and to sign up for updates on the Stronger NJ NCR Program, visit http://application.njeda.com/strongernjbusiness or call EDA’s Sandy hotline at 1-855-SANDY-BZ (1-855-726-3929).
As Schools Reopen: Let Boys Be Boys!
McAuliffe: Virginia's One Man Flip-Flop Band
Terry has flip-flopped on his energy positions - from coal to offshore energy. Now, he's refusing to take a stand on the Obama Administration's War on Coal, all while benefiting from untold dollars from the radical environmentalist lobby.
It's time to hold Terry accountable for his flip-flops and refusal to tell Virginians where he stands.
Army-Navy To Meet At PPL Park November 8
Members of the two American service academies will go head-to-head in the soccer battle for the 80th Annual Army-Navy Cup II to take place at PPL Park on Friday, November 8.
For the student athletes, it’s an opportunity of a lifetime to play in a professional environment, surrounded by family and supporters. For the coaches, it’s a chance to showcase their players and program in the soccer-rich Greater Philadelphia Region.
New this year, the event will be streamed live, internationally as the premier match in a package being produced by the National Soccer Coaches of Association of America allowing members the military around the world to witness the match.
"We could not be more excited to play in the second Army-Navy Cup at PPL Park,” reflected Army Head Coach Russell Payne. “Last year's event was a fantastic experience for our guys, not only having a great battle against Navy but also soaking in the tremendous atmosphere at PPL Park. I know this year's event will be no different.”
Last year, nearly 4,000 fans enjoyed the amazingly spirited match that ended in a 1-1 tie. This year’s clash will be the last game of the Patriot League’s regular season, making each team come in hungrier than ever for a win with playoff implications likely.
"It's a great opportunity for both teams to experience playing in a professional atmosphere in such a big game,” offered Navy Head Coach Dave Brandt. “Both programs are on the rise and will be factors in the Patriot League Tournament race; and there could be something extra riding on it as it’s the last game of the regular season. Those things will only make what is already one of the biggest rivalries anywhere, an even better game."
"Philadelphia is a great city and it is a great opportunity for us to play at PPL Park again,” said Navy Senior Defender and Team Captain Zach Davis. “The crowd was great last year and the fans added a lot of excitement to a game that is already very exciting. Now there is an extra twist this year with it being the last game of the regular season. It's nice to cap the season playing against Army, especially in such a great venue.”
“Our guys are ecstatic about returning to PPL Park to take on Navy”, said Army Goalkeeper and Captain Winston Boldt. “But, most importantly, we know that members of our military stationed all over the world will be able to watch this competitive soccer match. As collegiate athletes, nothing could possibly motivate us more than that. It is shaping up to be a memorable night.”
Navy will open up the 2013 season at Davidson on Friday, August 30. Army will open up their season against the Keydets of VMI on Friday, August 30 at Clinton Field in West Point, NY.
In cooperation with the Philadelphia Sports Congress, the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Board and Brandywine Conference and Visitors Bureau, hospitality packages have been created for those interested in taking in the historically rich sites in both Philadelphia and Delaware counties. Visitwww.discoverPHL.com andwww.brandywinecvb.com to find out more about these specially created packages.
For the student athletes, it’s an opportunity of a lifetime to play in a professional environment, surrounded by family and supporters. For the coaches, it’s a chance to showcase their players and program in the soccer-rich Greater Philadelphia Region.
New this year, the event will be streamed live, internationally as the premier match in a package being produced by the National Soccer Coaches of Association of America allowing members the military around the world to witness the match.
"We could not be more excited to play in the second Army-Navy Cup at PPL Park,” reflected Army Head Coach Russell Payne. “Last year's event was a fantastic experience for our guys, not only having a great battle against Navy but also soaking in the tremendous atmosphere at PPL Park. I know this year's event will be no different.”
Last year, nearly 4,000 fans enjoyed the amazingly spirited match that ended in a 1-1 tie. This year’s clash will be the last game of the Patriot League’s regular season, making each team come in hungrier than ever for a win with playoff implications likely.
"It's a great opportunity for both teams to experience playing in a professional atmosphere in such a big game,” offered Navy Head Coach Dave Brandt. “Both programs are on the rise and will be factors in the Patriot League Tournament race; and there could be something extra riding on it as it’s the last game of the regular season. Those things will only make what is already one of the biggest rivalries anywhere, an even better game."
"Philadelphia is a great city and it is a great opportunity for us to play at PPL Park again,” said Navy Senior Defender and Team Captain Zach Davis. “The crowd was great last year and the fans added a lot of excitement to a game that is already very exciting. Now there is an extra twist this year with it being the last game of the regular season. It's nice to cap the season playing against Army, especially in such a great venue.”
“Our guys are ecstatic about returning to PPL Park to take on Navy”, said Army Goalkeeper and Captain Winston Boldt. “But, most importantly, we know that members of our military stationed all over the world will be able to watch this competitive soccer match. As collegiate athletes, nothing could possibly motivate us more than that. It is shaping up to be a memorable night.”
Navy will open up the 2013 season at Davidson on Friday, August 30. Army will open up their season against the Keydets of VMI on Friday, August 30 at Clinton Field in West Point, NY.
In cooperation with the Philadelphia Sports Congress, the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Board and Brandywine Conference and Visitors Bureau, hospitality packages have been created for those interested in taking in the historically rich sites in both Philadelphia and Delaware counties. Visitwww.discoverPHL.com andwww.brandywinecvb.com to find out more about these specially created packages.
Monday, August 26, 2013
Don't Believe Everything You See In 'The Butler'
People are getting very excited over Lee Daniels' movie The Butler.
The raves have been plenty and there's lots of Oscar buzz.
And the movie has led the box office sweepstakes for the second consecutive week.
It is quite a tale: sweeping, compelling, dramatic and highly-charged, as we mentioned in our review.
Just one problem: The story of the butler as depicted in the movie is not true.
It's merely BASED on a true story -- and there's the rub.
The real butler's story (his name was Eugene Allen) was detailed in a 2008 article in The Washington Post which became the basis for the movie. In truth, the butler was not the child of sharecroppers in the deep south and he never saw his mother raped or his father murdered as depicted in the movie. Though he grew up in segregated Virginia, he worked hard to advance himself and never really expected to get as far as he did. But in part by happenstance he got a job at the White House and rose to become maître d hote, the highest position in White House service.
By all accounts, Eugene Allen had a normal, quiet life as a middle-class African-American and was married to the same woman for 65 years. She never had an affair and was not an alcoholic.
By all accounts, Eugene Allen had a normal, quiet life as a middle-class African-American and was married to the same woman for 65 years. She never had an affair and was not an alcoholic.
And yes -- they had a son. But their son was not a civil rights protester. Instead, their son served honorably in Vietnam and apparently never made a peep of protest through the pre- and post-civil rights era.
What is true is that Ronald and Nancy Reagan invited him and Mrs. Allen to a formal state dinner at the White House and President Reagan promoted him and made sure he got the salary that he deserved.
And this is true as well: Eugene Allen kept the photos of all the presidents he served in the basement of his modest home in DC. However, only one presidential photo maintained a place of honor in the Allens' living room: Ronald Reagan.
Don't believe everything Hollywood tells you.
because tinseltown has a way of telling its stories through a frequently-skewed looking glass.
Read the original WaPo article http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2008-11-07/politics/41367019_1_eugene-allen-kitchen-helene
Great Fall Lineup At Jewish History Museum
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