I Speak of Dreams

Attention Southern Californians: Telemeeting on Proposed Closure of Lanterman Center

California Disability Community Action Network (CDCAN) "Advocacy Without Borders: Connecting thousands of people with disabilities, mental health needs, seniors, families, workers, low income families to disability rights, senior rights, civil rights and unified action" has scheduled a telemeeting on the proposed closure of the Lanterman Developmental Center in Pomona, CA

SACRAMENTO, CALIF (CDCAN) [Updated 03/11/2010 08:40 PM (Pacific Time)] - The proposed closure of Lanterman Developmental Center will be the focus of a CDCAN Townhall “Telemeeting” scheduled for March 17, 2010, Wednesday from 1:00 to 2:45 PM, that can be accessed by toll free lines to anyone and will feature Department of Developmental Services Director Terri Delgadillo and other senior department officials. The toll free phone number and instructions on how to participate in the free townhall – provided by CDCAN as a public service – is listed below.

The townhall telemeeting will also feature a panel to provide additional comments or ask questions (in addition to the general audience) including representatives from Lanterman Developmental Center families and residents, other advocates and the executive director of San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center, whose service area includes that facility.Persons calling in on the toll free lines will have an opportunity to ask questions or make brief comments about the proposed closure, which still requires review and approval of the Legislature after the Department of Developmental Services submits a proposed plan of closure and transition by April 1. That submission of a plan is officially the second step in a two year or longer process required under State law depending on if the Legislature approves it.

More on the closing from http://www.californiaprogressreport.com/site/?q=node/7403 How to call in: http://www.cdcan.info/node/1072 -- scroll to bottom of page. Go here for

Blum's of San Francisco Coffe Crunch Cake -- Now With Activism!

Back in March of 2005, I published this memory of Blum's and the recipe for their coffee crunch cake.  It has had a constant stream of comments over the year, most notably this one, from Sandy Weil

I saw an article and recipe you had posted March 20, 2005 about your memories of the Blum's Coffee Crunch Cake. I thought you might find it interesting my father, Ernest Weil was the original baker who created the famous Crunch Cake while working at Blum's back in the mid 1940's. He left Blum's in 1948 to open his dream bakery, Fantasia Confections. He continued to make the Coffee Crunch Cake long after Blum's closed their doors. It was one of our best sellers. People would travel many miles to get that cake!

We sold our family bakery in 1989. In 2000, after many years of people requesting my father's recipes he started working on Love To Bake Pastry Cookbook. Six years later.... it is finally complete and available at http://www.lovetobakecookbook.com. Since the folks who come to your site seemed to respond with various recipes of the cake, I thought they might like to know about the cookbook. All the authors profits are going to benefit children's organizations. The book has 150 of Fantasia's mouthwatering recipes in it.

Sandy just left a comment at the 2005 post I want you to read:

Two sweet treats at once! With the holidays approaching...those of you that are interested in helping support kids programs in the SF area and love to bake... Fantasia Bakery's cookbook is available via download and 100% of the "sale" goes to help kids' groups. There are also some copies available on CD - great holiday gifts. Visit: fantasiabakerycookbook.com and read instructions about downloading book.

Ernest Weil the founder of Fantasia was the original baker at Blum's that created the first ever Coffee Crunch Cake.

Happy Baking!

Please go to fantasiabakerycookbook.com, download, help kids, and sweeten the world.

African-American Women Getting Things Done

Stuff I learn wandering about the webs. Tipped off by Jack & Jill Politics:

The woman pictured to the left is Rear Admiral Michelle Howard. 

She took command of USS Rushmore (LSD 47) on 12 March 1999, becoming the first African American woman to command a ship in the U.S. Navy.

From Wikipedia:

In 2006, she was selected for the rank of Rear Admiral lower half, making her the first admiral selected from the United States Naval Academy class of 1982 and the first woman graduate of the United States Naval Academy selected for Admiral. In 2009, Howard was nominated for the rank of Rear Admiral upper half. 

From blog The Tension

USS BOXER, At Sea, April 5, 2009 -- Rear Adm. Michelle Howard assumed command of Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 2 during a ceremony held on board USS Boxer (LHD 4) today and relieved Rear Adm. Terence McKnight, ESG 2’s commander since November 2007.

In addition to relieving McKnight as the ESG 2 commander, Howard assumes command of several U.S. 5th Fleet task forces, including Combined Task Force (CTF) 51 and 59, as well as CTF 151, an international maritime coalition created to disrupt, deter and thwart piracy.

From the US Naval Academy Alumni Association:

This weekend Rear Admiral Michelle Howard had a baptism of fire when US commandos were called in to rescue the captured captain of the American cargo ship Maersk Alabama after a five-day standoff.

The commandos killed three Somali pirates holding Captain Richard Phillips and a fourth pirate was taken into custody by US authorities.

'Piracy is a problem that affects all maritime nations and requires an international solution. I'm looking forward to working with naval professionals from around the world on this vital mission,' she said.

Rear Admiral Howard was the first African American woman to command a ship in the US Navy in 1999 and her new role as the commander of CTF 151 brings with it unique challenges.

The pirates have moved away from the Gulf of Aden into the wider Indian Ocean which is one of the world's most crucial shipping lanes, with Gulf-registered oil vessels and other merchant ships carrying billions of dollars worth of cargo.

The pirates were killed by SEAL snipers aboard the USS Bainbridge, Commander Frank X. Castellano's ship, leading to the successful rescue of Capt. Rick Phillips. The Bainbridge is part of Rear Admiral Howard's command.




 

The dark side of Dubai after the Econopolypse

The dark side of Dubai - Johann Hari, Commentators - The Independent.

Once the manic burst of building has stopped and the whirlwind has slowed, the secrets of Dubai are slowly seeping out. This is a city built from nothing in just a few wild decades on credit and ecocide, suppression and slavery. Dubai is a living metal metaphor for the neo-liberal globalised world that may be crashing – at last – into history.

Via Gene Expression

NOW I Understand: Uncle Jay Explains 2008

From Professor Kim Here's Uncle Jay's You Tube channel and his website, Uncle Jay Explains the News.

Marines' SOP Christmas Manual

Doc in the Box put this up last year. It still makes me laugh.

TO: ALL Marines
FROM: Goode, U. B., Commanding Officer
RE: Operation Order 12-15-04 for: Official Visit of LtGen Santa Claus

1. An official staff visit by LtGen Claus is expected at your house on 25 DEC. The following directives govern activities of all Young Marines, during the visit.

a. Not a creature will stir without permission. This includes warrant officers and mice. Marines may obtain special stirring permits for necessary administrative action through the Battalion S-1. Officer stirring permits must be obtained through the Deputy, Post Plans and Policy Office.