Friday, February 28, 2014

Electronics Cigarettes: The New "E-dicition" (A Community Initiative by the Orange County California Sheriff's Department)

E-Cigarettes are the latest craze.    The Orange County Sheriff's Department has taken a proactgive stance in educating the Community on it.    In making my rounds on the "Grid", I saw this on the OCSD Facebook Page and wanted to note this:

OCSD is hosting free public presentations on e-cigarettes and their use by students in school. Adults are welcome and all presentations are from 6:30 to 8:00 PM.

-Dana Hills High School - 3/10
-Laguna Hills Community Center – 3/19 (Also offered in Spanish)
-Lake Forest City Hall – 3/25
-Stanton Civic Center – 3/20 (Also offered in Spanish)
-Rush Park Auditorium in Rossmoor – 3/27

Monday, February 24, 2014

Thought 4 the Week (Courtesy of the Team @ Give More):-)


 For myself I am an optimist - it does not seem to be much use being anything else... 

Winston Churchill (1874 – 1965) 
British prime minister during WWII 

On Immigration Reform: Brief Thoughts & a "Fast For Families Across America"



The time for Immigration Reform has been ever so critical to insure that the 11 Million Estimated illegals are given an opportunity to be "free at last".    This has come ever so especially as a recent feature on BBC World News showcased how all who have so far been deported--an estimated 300,000 of them--that are living in hostels in Mexican Border Towns awaiting the next opportunity to cross over.   This report featured one man who had been deported and how his wife was trying to avoid deportation to avoid living their daughters without any parents to support them.

One way this is being highlighted is with the Fast for Families Bus Tour. It is slated to be in Orange County starting on the evening February 24 thru February 25 whereby a public event is scheduled across the street from the offices of US Congressman Ed Royce, who serves as the Chairman of the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, to highlight the plight of families and to urge action to hopefully help move this process forward for the sake of all Americans.

Sunday, February 23, 2014

" Fish For Life" is featured on Fox Sports: A Labor of Love Worth Checking Out .....

Orange County's spirit of Giving never seizes to amaze me.   One of our own, Jim Holden--who I am honored to count amongst my oldest and dearest friends--had a vision a number of years ago which ultimately culminated in Fish For Life.   He wanted to make a difference for the lives of children and bring a bit of joy to their faces and make at least one day a bit easier for their families.    I have had the pleasure to be on the Fish For Life Cruises and it is the most joyous of experiences I have ever had.    As I saw this, I wanted to share this and hope that all who have a chance to catch it will see the beauty of the vision and the love that is shared with all.   Hopefully those who have a chance to catch it will also visit the Website and do what they can to contribute:

Ahoy Mates!

During several of our 2013 Fish for Life trips we had the privilege of having Michael Fowlkes with Fox Sports “Inside Sportfishing” (http://insidesportfishing.com/on board to film the entire Fish for Life experience.

Michael and his team were able to capture the love, dedication, and excitement that is evident on each and every trip.

As you can see by this YouTube "sizzle reel" the kids were having the time of their lives: 

There are two Fish for Life episodes that will be airing on Fox Sports West “Inside Sportfishing” on the following days:

This Sunday, February 23 @10:30am - Part 1
TuesdayFebruary 25 @2:30pm - Part 1 rebroadcast

Sunday, March 2 @10:30am - Part 2
TuesdayMarch 4 @2:30pm - Part 2 rebroadcast

Spread the word!

God bless,
Jim

Jim Holden
Fish for Life!
“We’re spreading the Love one boat at a time!!”

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

A "View of the Week" :Egyptian Satirist Bassem Youssef Criticizes Al-Sisi: He Should Not Run for President

Egypt is in a state of flux.     As I saw this from the folks @ MEMRI, I could not help but send out a Tweet to congratulate Egypt's Jon Stewart on having the courage to speak out as he did.    His rationale was reasoned , engaging and forward looking which is a lot more than what SCAF (The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces) in Egypt does or thinks as Field Marshal Al Sisi decides to run for President.



As Egypt is trying to figure itself out, then there is Ukraine.  The scenes from there have just been as horrific.  At least somewhat of a sense of reason has prevailed as the President has announced a truce to avoid further bloodshed.



This is the clip:



Egyptian Satirist Bassem Youssef Criticizes Al-Sisi: He Should Not Run for President

Monday, February 17, 2014

On Climate Change: Brief Thoughts & Actions On-Going in Orange County, CA

Climate change is here-and it is real.    The extreme weather in the UK, the challenging weather in the Eastern Part the United States and recent reports of the Great Lakes being threatened are just recent examples.     This is as climate deniers such as Congresswoman Blackburn seem to think that there is "Science" to be proven.    But, others are not staying silent.  For instance, Organizing for Action's Orange County Chapter is spearheading action on Thursday February 20 in Huntington Beach, California to show case this.    I noted this in South County's Facebook page as I reflected upon Congresswoman Blackburn apparent disregard of the science in this regard:


South County Matters shared Meet the Press's photo.

She needs to wake up and smell the roses...I guess we in california have to stop drinking water..and the folks in the UK have to change their country to Water World. There are those who are trying to do something to change the perception as...See More
"What we have to look at is the fact that you don't make good laws, sustainable laws, when you're making them on hypotheses or theories or unproven sciences."

Do you agree with Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn on how to address Climate Change?

Watch her conversation with Bill Nye here on MTP here:http://nbcnews.to/1hnt9AF 
Like ·  · 

Thursday, February 6, 2014

The Bronson Bailey Story (Courtesy: The American Legion)

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P.O. Box 7074 , Laguna Niguel, CA

Laguna Niguel Post 281

The Bronson Bailey Story
 

Shortly after September 11th, 2001 (“9/11”), High School graduate Bronson Bailey resolved to defend our nation from terrorism. He immediately enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he was assigned to the 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, First Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Fleet Marine Force. He was a tough, top-performing Marine among Marines, and was deployed to fight in the Iraqi theater of operations (Operation Iraqi Freedom) against the regular Iraqi forces as well as terrorists and insurgents. He served heroically in the face of constant mortal danger before redeploying back to California at Camp Pendleton.
His experiences there were not without consequences, and the fighting and loss of comrades left him with deep depressions that deprived him of sleep and daytime focus (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or “PTSD”). Nevertheless, he was a good Marine and remained deployable.
On Bronson’s second combat tour, he experienced more traumatic stress with the loss of life around him. Although he was now diagnosed with severe PTSD and ineligible for further deployment, this was not to be his final combat engagement.
His third combat tour took him to Afghanistan, and it was there that the toll of his previous traumatic stress experiences became more apparent. He served well and faithfully, yet experienced a traumatic brain injury. In spite of the challenges, Bronson sought help.
In Camp Pendleton, Bronson Bailey was a Wounded Warrior and checked into the Wounded Warrior Hope and Treatment Center. Although severely wounded, his injuries were not visible such as a large scar or missing limb. Therefore, he was not accorded with the respect or legitimacy of a Marine whose wounds could be easily seen. His command denied him access to treatment. Sadly, this is part of a trend and a larger story in today’s military.
Finally, in October 2013, Bronson was abruptly discharged from active duty with a General Discharge under Honorable Conditions. He, his wife Nicole and five-year-old son Jaiden were no longer allowed to live in their three bedroom home on the Northern side of Camp Pendleton, and with no time for planning or transition, Bronson was shoved aside into the civilian world with no previous experience in it.

Today, the Bailey Family is struggling to make ends meet and set to live in a one bedroom apartment starting March 1st. Bronson is working part time while Nicole works full time, and both are doing their best to raise their son and send him each day to kindergarten. They have become active locally, and Bronson has joined the American Legion Post 281, having just marched in the Laguna Niguel Annual Holiday Parade. The family is a positive influence on the community, and was recognized last month by the Laguna Niguel City Council with a “Welcome Home” plaque for Bronson.
The story is set for a happy ending, except that they need to post the first month’s rent for the apartment into which they are moving and are short the funds. Once in, they are set and stable. Presently, however, the move represents a financial leap that they cannot make.
As a grateful community, I would hope that we could each spare enough to enable this wonderful family, which has endured so much for all of us, to have the simple peace of mind that they deserve.
I hope that we could donate generously to “The Bailey Family Fund”, and begin to restore the well-earned dignity of this Marine Hero and his small family.
 Respectfully,
A fellow Legionnaire
RIGHT NOW, WE CAN ACCEPT CASH, CHECK AND CREDIT CARDS. 
 
The American Legion Post 281
Tax ID: 46 - 2606137 
24707 Dana Drive, Dana Point, CA 92629
Commander Bill Leber: 714-813-7555