| News of the Weird
On Nov. 18, two inebriated men in separate cars, driving past the Carpet Classic Floor Studio in Highland Township, Mich., lost control at the same time, and both smashed into the store. Christopher Dougherty, 22, the subject of a "drunk pedestrian" police call in Kingsport, Tenn., on Oct. 14, was tracked to a Hardee's restaurant, where he was found face-down in a plate of gravy. Tina Williams was arrested in St. Augustine, Fla., on Super Bowl Sunday, charged with DWI and failure to have her 1-year-old daughter seat-belted or in a car seat. However, a case of Busch beer was safely buckled up in the front seat. Alarming headlines "Boy Glues Hand to Bed to Avoid School" (MSNBC.com version of an Associated Press story). Send Weird News to Chuck Shepherd, P.O.
Mayor’s office plots $1.8B spending plan
Mayor Mufi Hannemann's administration is proposing what city Budget Director Mary Patricia Waterhouse calls a "bare-bones" $1.8 billion operating budget for next year that will not raise property taxes. The budget also calls for $831.5 million in construction and other capital costs. About $265.1 million would be spent to plan, design and break ground on construction of a new mass-transit system. 2009 City Budget Operating budget: $1.8 billion Capital improvement budget: $831.5 million Revenues From property taxes: $788 million, an increase of $27.6 million from 2008. The mayor is proposing to keep property tax rates the same and offer a $100 tax credit for qualified homeowners. Spending Retirement and health benefits: $51.9 million toward paying down an estimated $1.2 billion shortfall during the next 30 years in health and other benefits for city workers Transit: $265.1 million for planning, design and construction of a mass-transit system; $4 million to continue operation of TheBoat; $31.1 million to buy 50 hybrid buses; and $1 million for bikeway improvements Sewers and garbage: $245.3 million for sewer projects; $5 million to ship garbage off island; $8 million to expand curbside recycling Roads: $77 million for repair and maintenance of city streets Police and fire: $63,000 to start up a Honolulu Police Department parks patrol; $5.5 million for 58 patrol cars, 10 motorcycles, a helicopter and other police equipment; $4.3 million for three fire engines, two ladder trucks and other fire equipment.; $1.9 million to plan and design a new East Kapolei Fire Station Housing: $7.3 million to renovate the Kulana Nani affordable rental housing project in Kaneohe and acquire the fee interest in the land; $2 million to develop the River Street Residences in Chinatown Parks: $15.6 million for parks improvements; $6.9 million for a new Asian tropical forest elephant facility at the Honolulu Zoo.
Sugarloaf / USA
Come to stay, but come prepared.
MOUNTAIN INFO
Base elevation: 1,417 feet
Summit elevation: 4,237 feet
Vertical drop: 2,820 feet
Skiable Acres: 1,400
Lifts: 16 (2 super-quads, 2 high-speed quads, 8 double chairs, 1 triple chair, 2 surface lifts, 1 magic carpet)
Trails: 134
Trail breakdown: 26 percent beginner's/easy, 31 percent intermediate, 27 percent black diamond, 16 percent double black
Must-ski trails: Narrow Gauge, The Snowfields
Snowmaking capability: 92 of skiable acres
HOURS
Weekdays: 8:30 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Weekends/holidays: 8 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.
PRICING
2007-08 season pricing not yet available from Sugarloaf. Please check back later this month.
A contest the falls cannot lose; Time to choose world's 7 new natural ...
April will mark 18 years since I moved to Niagara Falls, and while we haven't always seen eye to eye I've never loved the actual falls more. I'm convinced everyone who moves here has a relationship with our namesake in three stages. First is infatuation: You can't believe you can see the falls whenever you want. Your parents had to drive hundreds of kilometres to bring you here as a kid, now it's practically in your backyard! Like newlyweds, you can't get enough of each other. Then comes resentment: You start hating tourist season. You can't get any 'alone' time with your waterfalls any more. You avoid the whole tacky, tawdry scene. You even gripe about turning your wipers on while driving through the mist. The thrill is gone, baby. Then comes acceptance: You look past the casinos, museums and attractions and come to appreciate the falls for what they are - one of the most beautiful things nature ever produced.
Global Warming Update: Snowfall Records Being Broken in New England
The road in front of the house, which is usually more than wide enough for two cars, is now so narrow that two cars have to slow down to a crawl to pass each other by. I've raked the snow snow off my roof 6 times this year because of the weight of the snow on the roof. More snow is forecast for later today. My question: where is global warming in a winter when ya really need it???? ;+} Liberal's Basic Rule For Discourse: I don't care if you agree with my premises, but I demand that you agree with my conclusions. .
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