Wednesday, July 15, 2009 - Posts

• Ca - Late Night Budget Deal - A Bust... Again.

  Ca - Late Night Budget Deal - A Bust... They'll try again tomorrow. After sounding upbeat all day, a late night meetinng in Sacramento came up empty...    ...  Again. Lawmakers got close to a deal with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Read More posted Wednesday, July 15, 2009 11:15 PM by godogs | 1 Comments

• Shock Therapy - For - Internet Addicts ?

  Shock therapy for Internet addicts ? It sounds pretty harsh. And yet, for a while that's what they were doing in China to get people to stop going online. But... Now they've stopped... At least that what they're reporting: "China's Health Ministry Read More posted Wednesday, July 15, 2009 10:44 PM by godogs | 0 Comments

• For your next Vacation: Sunshine Insurance

  For your next Vacation: Sunshine Insurance I've heard of insurance for cruise ships and airlines - but for Sunshine? Some French travel agencies - are offering insurance covering:    Sunshine (The policy - lets you get Read More posted Wednesday, July 15, 2009 10:34 PM by godogs | 1 Comments

• Do we REALLY need an iPhone app for.... Pizza ?

  Do we REALLY need an iPhone app for.... Pizza ? Apparently we do. At least the folks at Pizza Hut think so. (The new app lets customers order pizza from their iPhones - and more) See it - Link it: USA Today Article Read More posted Wednesday, July 15, 2009 10:28 PM by godogs | 0 Comments

• Good Tips - To Raising Good Kids...

  I saw this online. We have three children and like most parents we're always looking for tips on how to raise them right. This article has eight tips. Here are just a few: Emphasize the importance of family. Demonstrate unconditional love. Read More posted Wednesday, July 15, 2009 9:45 PM by godogs | 0 Comments

• Midnight Run - 'Harry Potter' Pulls in...

  Midnight Run - "Harry Potter" It was a big night for “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.” As the film scored the biggest midnight gross of all-time. It pulled in $22.2 million. (That tops the $18 million for "The Read More posted Wednesday, July 15, 2009 9:33 PM by godogs | 0 Comments

• Bad Apple? Cuts iTunes sync - New Palm Pre

  Bad Apple? ... Cuts iTunes sync for the new Palm Pre. Apple - has shut down a feature on the new Palm Pre. (Apple has crippled the Pre's ability to act like an iPod.) See it - Link it: USA Today Article Read More posted Wednesday, July 15, 2009 8:40 PM by godogs | 0 Comments

• Smoke 'em if you got 'em - Pentagon

  The Pentagon now says - that troops (in war zones) can smoke. (A recent report suggested that the military should ban all smoking for all members of the service...) See it - Link it: AP Article - On Smoking   Read More posted Wednesday, July 15, 2009 8:35 PM by godogs | 0 Comments

• Valley Foreclosures - Fix ‘em and Flip ‘em

  Valley Foreclosures - Fix ‘em and Flip ‘em   That’s part of the plan, if local leaders can secure millions of dollars from the federal government.      The idea is to buy-up some of those foreclosed homes and then:      Fix Read More posted Wednesday, July 15, 2009 8:31 PM by godogs | 0 Comments

• Not in my backyard… Valley Power-Line update..

  Not in my backyard… Valley Power-Line update.   Southern California Edison is moving forward with some BIG power lines.   But some in Visalia think the lines could go up in the wrong area.   Not in my backyard?   See it Read More posted Wednesday, July 15, 2009 8:27 PM by godogs | 0 Comments

• Valley Foreclosures still on the rise...

  Valley Foreclosures still on the rise...   New figures show in the north valley more folks are losing their homes.   (Over two thousand lost their homes last month alone)   The price tag for the lost homes? Over $600 Read More posted Wednesday, July 15, 2009 8:20 PM by godogs | 0 Comments

• Valley Water rates up – 60% ?

  Valley Water rates up – 60%?   … Not just yet, but the paper work is moving forward to raise water rates over 60% for Visalia  residents.    The rate hike will be spread out over three years.   See it link it:   Read More posted Wednesday, July 15, 2009 8:19 PM by godogs | 0 Comments

• Hanford: When the going gets tough…. The tough hire a lobbyist…

  Hanford: When the going gets tough…. The tough hire a lobbyist   Hanford has hired a big-time federal lobbyist to look out for Hanford.   But... why?   See it – Link it:   Hanford Sentinel article   Read More posted Wednesday, July 15, 2009 8:18 PM by godogs | 0 Comments

• Painful – But necessary cuts in Visalia

  Painful – But necessary cuts in Visalia   No one likes this.   And it’s not just Visalia that’s feeling the pinch in these tough financial times.   The Visalia Times-Delta has a good perspective on the big picture facing us Read More posted Wednesday, July 15, 2009 8:15 PM by godogs | 0 Comments

• Swine Flu Update - Kids: 4 Shots - You: 3-Shots

  School Kids may need - FOUR flu shots this fall. At least that's the word from the CDC tonight. "School children who have never had a flu shot may need to get vaccinated four times in the fall"   Twice for seasonal Read More posted Wednesday, July 15, 2009 6:16 PM by godogs | 0 Comments

• I’ll drink to that…. Give Ca Lawmakers Sobriety Checks…

  I’ll drink to that….  Give Ca Lawmakers Sobriety Checks…   Despite the financial problems facing the state - some are pushing for a ballot measure to basically test state lawmakers – for:   Illegal drug use And "habitual use Read More posted Wednesday, July 15, 2009 3:49 PM by godogs | 0 Comments

• … Honey I shrank our Congressional seats…

  … Honey I shrank our Congressional seats…   Thanks to the upcoming 2010 census – California could actually end up losing a seat in congress.   The Los Angles Times says if that does happen it will be the first time since the “ stagecoach Read More posted Wednesday, July 15, 2009 3:22 PM by godogs | 0 Comments

• House of Cards… California’s Credit

  House of Cards… California’s Credit   This is not a good sign.   California's long-term bond rating continues to fall.   What that means, is fewer institutions will loan California money – and those that do – will charge us more for Read More posted Wednesday, July 15, 2009 3:21 PM by godogs | 0 Comments

• Ca - Students Pay… Teachers Protest.

  Students Pay… Teachers Protest.   Staff members at the University of California – are protesting proposed cuts and furloughs.   Ironically, it’s the students who continue to pay the higher fees and tuitions rates who aren’t protesting. Read More posted Wednesday, July 15, 2009 3:21 PM by godogs | 0 Comments

• Pension problems for California…

  Pension problems for California…   Like it or not, state unions and their pensions are part of the financial problem facing California right now.   One possible solution - a two-tier pension system.   The idea is to offer smaller Read More posted Wednesday, July 15, 2009 3:20 PM by godogs | 0 Comments

• California - Federal Stimulus Money – Who’s in Charge?

  California - Federal Stimulus Money – Who’s in Charge?   Follow the Money…   If you’re watching how California is cashing-in on billions of dollars in federal stimulus money then you need to watch Laura Chick.   (She’s the former Read More posted Wednesday, July 15, 2009 3:19 PM by godogs | 0 Comments

• Real Cuts – Governor Schwarzenegger…

  Real Cuts – Governor Schwarzenegger…   The Governor wants to eliminate another 2,000 state jobs.   He says the state simply can’t afford the extra staff.   See it – Link it:   San Francisco Chronicle article   Read More posted Wednesday, July 15, 2009 1:44 PM by godogs | 0 Comments

• Tough Economy - Tough on Valley Organic Farmers?

  Times are tough for all valley farmers. But - maybe things are even tougher for some organic farmers in Kings County. The recession could put slow-down any future growth. See it - Link it: Hanford Sentinel article Read More posted Wednesday, July 15, 2009 12:56 PM by godogs | 0 Comments

• IOU's - Mutual-Aid - And the Fire Season

  It's not exactly "The Perfect Storm" but... its pretty close.With the state sending out IOU's instead of checks (almost half a billion dollars worth so far) - some fire chiefs - may check their bank balances - before heading out to help Cal Fire Read More posted Wednesday, July 15, 2009 12:49 PM by godogs | 0 Comments

• Hey.. Kern County... Who does your books?

  Hey... Kern County ... Who does your books? Not sure if you've heard of this one yet, but Kern County thought they had a $12 million dollar deficit...  .....But it turns out they had $36 million dollars in the bank instead. Lois Henry Read More posted Wednesday, July 15, 2009 12:43 PM by godogs | 0 Comments

• Fresno State - 20% Fewer Classes - Will it Hurt Graduation rates?

  With hundreds of classes cut, will some students have to push-back their graduation plans? Who know? But one thing is clear - this fall - Fresno State Students will have a harder time getting the classes they want and need for graduation. Read More posted Wednesday, July 15, 2009 12:38 PM by godogs | 0 Comments

• The End is near...

  The End is near... Not - "The End" ... Just the end of the budget stalemate in Sacramento.Last night - legislative worked up until about midnight.The bottom line - they may wrap-up their work TODAY.But...  Who knows.The state is still dealing with Read More posted Wednesday, July 15, 2009 12:32 PM by godogs | 1 Comments