Friday, June 27, 2014

City of Pittsburg: Pittsburg Mettle Baseball at City Park this weekend


Pittsburg Mettle Baseball at City Park this weekend
Bring the family out to the ballpark
Posted Date: 6/27/2014
photo
Looking for things to do this weekend? The Pittsburg Mettle Professional Baseball Team will take on the Vallejo Admirals in a weekend series beginning tonight. Bring the family for some weekend fun and baseball at Pittsburg City Park on the newly renovated Field #1.
Tickets start at only $6.00 and be purchased online or at the gate.
        Friday, June 27, 2014 Game Time: 7:00 PM
        Saturday, June 28, 2014 Gate Time: 5:00 PM
        Sunday, June 29, 2014 Gate time: 1:00 PM
www.mettlebaseball.com
Pittsburg Mettle schedule is posted here: http://mettlebaseball.com/#/schedule




Tuesday, June 24, 2014

City of Pittsburg: Don't Miss Pro Baseball in Pittsburg


Don't Miss Pro Baseball in Pittsburg
Pittsburg Mettle Season at City Park Ballfield

Posted Date: 6/24/2014

If you haven't been to a Pittsburg Mettle Professional Baseball Game, you are missing out! Come out to the City Park ballfield tonight, Wednesday or Thursday and watch the Pittsburg Mettles take on the San Rafael Pacifics. Game time is 7pm. Check the schedule at the link below and come out to the game. It's a great time to share with friends and family, right here in Pittsburg.

To see pictures from the Home Opener, please click here:

http://nicolebartonphotography.pass.us/pittsburgmettleopens/

www.mettlebaseball.com

Pittsburg Mettle schedule is posted here: http://mettlebaseball.com/#/schedule
Mettle Baseball Schedule 2014



City of Pittsburg: Special City Council Meeting-Public Financing Authority


Special City Council Meeting-Public Financing Authority
Date: 6/26/2014 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Location: Council Chambers
65 Civic Avenue
Pittsburg, California 94565
Click here to view the agenda



Monday, June 23, 2014

THE CIVIC MENTOR ORGANIZING CAMPAIGN *************** 2014/2016 PHASE

Posted:  23 Jun 14


Preliminary Vision Statement
Pertaining to 
"The Civic Mentor Concept"
(The "Soil" in which Civic Mentor is Planted;
The "Rock" on Which it Stands)



1.  PURPOSES


"Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen."-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Friends,


(This is for what, if anything, this might mean to you. If no one reads this -- I still had to write it, I believe -- in order to get a big job done as best I can for us.  Please don't be surprised if you find this bulletin in a constant state of flux, for a while.  I have to keep tinkering with it, until it is just so -- for this is a crucial statement and a vital system-building tool -- and it's hard to say it in precisely the way it needs to be said.)


1.  As I work my way through this "Civic Mentor" project -- which, by its complex nature -- and my ever-present awareness of the fast-shrinking life-span remaining to me -- and which, therefore MUST be performed in haste and, in very large part, under public scrutiny -- I find I must always keep reflecting and reporting to you on the fundamentals -- the big picture, as I see it -- on which all of this is based -- in order to see, more and more clearly, even for myself, where I am going with all of this.  For this thing is so vast and elusive -- and one brain can only contain so much.


2.  The rest has to be laid out in the physical world -- or not at all -- evaporating into eternal oblivion -- opportunity forever lost as illusion or delusion -- at least at my hands -- making very real, the risk that fate may have been playing a terrible trick on me, all along.


3.  For, I am determined to help get us to a much better place -- if fate allows.  Obviously, I think I can.  I think I have equipped myself, sufficiently.  It would be a dreadful public embarrassment if I fail -- after opening my heart and closest plans to you, so "loudly" -- but, more importantly and in all humility, I believe it would close a door I think I've been "assigned" by fate to help open.


4.  Everyone of us can change this world for the much better.  Believing that, how can I exclude myself from attempting what I think I am "supposed" to be doing, to the best of my limited abilities?


5.  I thought I would share some of the most basic views which drive, direct, and empower my resolve.  I think I must do this, for I am trying to turn the very abstract into practical reality.  That's hard, I'm finding. But, as the abstract crystallizes for me, I will eventually be able to explain it to you -- reducing, yes, hundreds of thousands of thoughts and observations -- amassed over five decades -- since 6th-grade -- to "10 words or less" -- so you will truly get it that I am speaking to and for each fellow human, personally and earnestly -- and seriously mean to back it up.  For me, it has truly become NOW OR NEVER.


   I quite certain that I can truly succeed if, and only if, I can get you to join with me, sooner or later, and help accomplish what I believe to be an attainable vision for our MUCH GREATER personal and collective well-being, during this complicated moment in human history.  I am but one more catalyst and can only go so far -- but far enough, I think, to get something wonderful, I dearly hope -- well and securely started.


6.  But, I can't ask you to join something whose potential benefits to you aren't absolutely clear and undeniable -- with you unable to confidently trust that all is derived from something designed with due care -- and with no hidden motives.  For we all have very busy lives and no time to waste on bad bets promising poor returns or on unfounded suspicions.  Give me a little more time and patience and I think all will become clear.  Then, you can truly judge and decide if this is worth your pitching-in.  And, if it is not, I am more than ready to go back to the drawing board until it is -- or until I am all used up. Homework is being done as rapidly as this particular human can do it.



2.  INTENTIONS


1.  STRATEGIC TARGET and THRUST:  Within days, hopefully on or before 4 July 14, I expect to offer the FIRST practical demonstration -- beginning with a deepening of the well-being of ALL our neighborhoods, eventually, nation-wide -- never in competition with the other social systems, but in better conjunction and more fruitful cooperation with them.


     a.  You will come to see that the Civic Mentor Concept seeks to address the TOTALITY of human existence.  To do that, thoroughly, I presume that we can reasonably say, at least for our administrative purposes, that everything having to do with us humans falls into 12 (more or less) successively larger, interconnected DIMENSIONS of physical reality -- each one enveloped by the next higher level -- and interdependent, in some sense, with them all.  (*Philosophers, please see the proviso, at bottom of this bulletin)

     b.  For each so-called dimension within this concentric hierarchy, there is to be a corresponding Civic Mentor Sub-system which deals with it.  Taken together, they should satisfy the entire case. Those dimensions are identified in ascending order, as: (1) The Individual Human Being; (2) The Family; (3) The Household; (4) The Neighborhoods; (5) Cities (and equivalencies); (6) Counties (and equivalencies); (7) Economic Areas (or State-regions); (8) The States (or equivalent departments); (9) National-regions (or Time Zones); (10) The Nations; (11) The World; and (12) The Universe. (These dimensions may fluctuate, as things progress and common wisdom grows, but should stabilize by the time the project is completed.)

      c.  I believe the most logical public starting-point and "keystone" component of the Civic Mentor Concept must be OUR NEIGHBORHOODS -- for this is the most basic, most direct, most immediate but, most under-recognized level of collective self-government available to greatly help serve our needs and desires -- making it a singularly important focus of attention.  It is in the "grass roots" of societies that virtually all of the people are to be ultimately found and reliably reachable -- no matter what else they may happen to do in this life. (AND THESE FACTS ARE MOST CONVENIENT TOWARD THE COMMON GOOD)

      d.  For, as "Civic Self-Mentoring" becomes stabilized and standardized at the neighborhood-level, we will be ideally positioned to better tackle the rest of the dimensions in a sensible, essential order -- together -- energized as ONE mighty, agile, and mutually-supportive team -- able to do MAGNIFICENT things that would be difficult or impossible to do, otherwise.  There is much that we can do to deepen our well-being in every dimension, especially if and when we're playing from the same sheet of music.

2.  In the next section are my partial thoughts about the "long-view" (i.e., some of my most basic beliefs about reality -- which I assume are at least approximately and sufficiently true).  

Rationale. To do this work, everything needs to flow from a solid, overarching core of reasoning -- a clear beginning-point in the progression of logic -- and a secure anchor-point -- to which everything can ultimately refer back -- for internal consistency, direction, and reliable philosophical "authority" -- thus, affording us our best chances for timely success -- at lowest possible cost, in terms of the scarce, precious things this life allots us -- including time, itself.  The following assumptions, then, surround and generate the starting-point which, for me, generates -- and energizes -- all the rest that are flowing from it.

3.  For now, the specific emphasis is on the American case -- since that's where I believe my understanding is greatest -- yet, also on the general human case, as well -- since I've been looking hard at that, too -- coming to realize that ALL human life can be reasonably said to be -- ONE great, integrated network and SINGLE chain-reaction --(connecting the very FIRST humans with the very LAST) -- and never a vacuum.  From the day anyone of us was born -- the whole world changed -- for better or for worse.  EVERYONE MATTERS. [The only exceptions I can conceive of are those rare, isolated, self-contained cultures that still exist, here and there -- and even they, arguably, affect (and are affected by) the whole thing, albeit, not as obviously]

4.  So the work continues, within the rock-solid limits of the much-hoped-for continued kindness of fate and inevitable human frailty.




3.  MY MOST BASIC ASSUMPTIONS

I Truly Believe That it is Reasonably Correct and 

Proper to Claim That:


1.  Democracy is often a struggle and can be messy -- but it is a beautiful and extremely fortunate blessing to have inherited, at the very same time.  Hundreds of millions of people -- trying our best to grasp and reconcile an accurate (or, at least, reliable) world-view -- so we can predict and manage our futures in our favor -- as we are rightfully entitled and obliged.  A task, much like assembling a huge jig-saw puzzle, acres in size, comprised of millions of pieces -- with the aid of a fuzzy picture
, at best, on the puzzle-box to go by.  All while still working hard to live our busy, full, day-to-day lives -- under such often frightening complexity.  Trying to be rational (i.e. doing the very best our circumstances will allow -- as we each understand those circumstances) -- and are so blessedly FREE to be so.

Small wonder there is so much frustration and confusion out there -- on this life's "playing fields" -- yet such astounding progress, just the same.


2.  And, there are HUMAN forces, all around us, who seem compelled -- by circumstance -- to exploit and aggravate and confuse the complexities -- even further -- perhaps, to their own perceived short-term advantage and our discomfort.  Who, perhaps, haven't yet grasped (or who need more and better proof) that we are all in this together -- or who fail, just for the time being, to understand how best to proceed -- or even why they should care and hope -- or who presently find themselves powerless to change circumstances, favorably, on their own.


3.  And, then there are the awesome NON-HUMAN forces which "listen" only to fate's agenda -- and which challenge us with their urgency.  We can only bend these just so far in our favor -- the rest we have to work with and around.


4.  Our special, eternal strength, I think, is our core values -- including our humanity, decency, rationality, courage, determination, and a craving for the best possible existence for the greatest numbers of people, if not ALL of them (some might even call that humanly LOVE).  We know that our lives and fates are connected, somehow, with the entire earth and universe.  The more we can improve the whole thing, the better off we each and all MUST become.  When it all boils down, this tells us what the "universal objective morality" and "our ultimate human goal" are and must be -- EVER-GREATER HUMAN WELL-BEING -- for the entire species.   To make ourselves ever-stronger, ever-wiser and ever-good, so we can increase the world's inventory of goodness -- and squeeze out all room for the bad.  If we always (and frequently) return to those, much of the confusion seems to drop away.


5.  When we look at things from the 10,000-foot level, across the broad scope of history, we can't help but notice that we have inherited a "crown jewel" among the species and over all time, this America of ours. (Remove America and we remove one of humankind's greatest, hardest-won stepping-stones on the eternal climb toward better and better days.) Imperfect, of course, since it is a human "invention" and a work in progress.  But we have so much good material with which to work -- designed and nurtured by sheer genius and wise recall of history's lessons -- defended with much courage, blood, sweat, and tears -- sculpted by much severe trial-and-error -- blessed by a generous allocation of resources -- and powered, by-and-large, by reason and good will and excitement about the future possibilities.  
 I think this implies a special responsibility and burden, unique in all the world, for this particular, blessed nation among nations to bear. (More on this, elsewhere)

And, thankfully, the human "crown" is adorned with many other noble, ever-striving nations of humans, dedicated to the same basic things that drive us, here -- forward, rather than backward -- as the uniquely self-aware species of life we happen to be.  There is room in that crown for all who respect and prize our common humanity.


6.  Despite what people say in their weaker moments and transitory moods and hasty misperceptions, we are very lucky.  It's true that each of us is at a different stage of development (and life-experience) -- yet each of us is ever-maturing till we no longer can (death is the end of growth) -- for we each have our own unique trials to pass through.  So we each proceed under different conditions -- and arrive at our maturity at different times, with much similarity, but with awesome variation, as well.  This added complexity, too, must be reconciled, somehow, to at least tolerable levels, if not ideally.  Constructively reconciling our varied, often conflicting states-of-being is but another key part of the very interesting mutual learning and growth processes.


7.  Similarly, whole societies and civilizations mature -- despite and because of the many growing pains. This causes things to not always seem as smooth-going and "natural" and inevitable as they really are -- YET, PROGRESSING AS THEY ARE DOING, BECAUSE WE ARE THE WAY WE ARE -- MARVELOUS BUT IMPERFECT CREATURES.  Close to the scene, we see the flaws, which so often obscure the big picture.  We notice the inevitable "sun-spots of imperfection" but forget that those are relatively tiny -- though seemingly large -- until we deliberately stand back and bask in the glorious sunshine of our common humanity and compassion.  (Alas, in too many parts of our world, that sun still remains hidden by storm-clouds of adversity -- but we can fix even that sad state -- and MUST -- the moment we build-up sufficient wisdom, will, and power -- as I am certain we shall -- once waiting has been filled.)


8.  I think if we keep "our eyes on the prize -- HUMAN WELL-BEING," constantly focusing on it, in all good will, the confusion will continue to drop away.  Our duty is to keep pointing this out to our world of companions in this life -- and to keep on keeping on.


9.  Our chances have never been better in all of history.  Ever-evolving humanity was waiting for the next magnificent invention to help us cross the next Rubicon in our struggle for fulfillment of the human dream --  to resolve the next great barriers on the "to-do list" -- time and distance and inadequate information -- which had been long keeping us so separated, so fragmented, so disunited in spirit and body.  Barriers that had only allowed us to connect just so much, and no more -- never quite sufficient, but ever-improving, nonetheless -- as maturing individuals and societies and civilizations.  


10.  I firmly believe that that earth-shaking, much yearned-for "missing piece" -- THE INTERNET -- is the next great invention and stepping-stone on fate's kindest agenda for humankind.  I am convinced that it changes virtually EVERYTHING for us -- and it arrived on the scene, exactly when we (and I) most needed it, to deal with this modern era.  (Without it, this Civic Mentor project-phase would have been a virtual non-starter) 


Never have we had such an opportunity to connect -- soul-to-soul, mind-to-mind.  To see, wonder at, further develop, and exploit -- so much more of the unique and common beauty and genius -- which reside inside each and every one of us -- and which have been muchly locked away, often hopelessly out of reach, till now.  What was obvious to some is becoming obvious to many.

11.  Now, FINALLY, we can truly combine and consolidate our great mass of selves -- from deep within our individual beings -- into ONE common, coordinated, harmonious, far more powerful, forward-looking mind and spirit -- to much better confront and overcome the negative forces, large and small, that tend and conspire -- in absence of our deliberate intervention -- toward our undoing -- and to optimize those forces that favor us -- so as to more surely prevail -- as the ONE SPECIES WE TRULY ARE AND MUST BE -- to the outer limits of our expanding potential. Time, distance, and good information flows are surrendering, more and more, to our convenient finger-tip control and vast blended intellects.


12.  Civilizations are still figuring out what to make of all the recent human advances -- and are doing so faster and faster!  Within fate's framework, the momentum seems unstoppable -- as our understanding of the hazards and opportunities of the ENTIRE universe unfold to our ever-questing minds.  
GIVE US THE RIGHT TOOLS, AND WE WILL FIGURE OUT EXACTLY WHAT TO DO WITH THEM.

13.  My daily interactions with fellow humans -- most readily, within the social networks -- where I need to be very active -- is so encouraging.   Every day, I thrill at (and draw much power from) all the marvelous evidence of the creativity, kindness, friendliness, energy, and wisdom within us -- which is still unlocking, door-by-door.  Everyone teaches me so much -- and I try my hardest to return the favor.  It is so consistent with the entire fabulous, unfolding story of human existence -- a part of history's next logical, almost inevitable chapter -- the chapter which is our turn to write.  We truly stand on the shoulders of our ancestors and each other -- AS OUR DESCENDANTS WILL STAND ON OURS.  The dam seems to be just about to really break open, its widest, at long last.


14.  Multiply that, a multi-billion-fold, and you'll see why I am so utterly optimistic about the future -- if fate continues to be as kind as it has been (though it often humbles us, keeping us from taking too much for granted).   We are on our way.  Humanity is coming together and mobilizing.  Not smoothly and fast enough, to our eyes and limited life-spans, perhaps -- but in our hearts, we can deliberately make ourselves see this as truth -- and let it light our common path into the great unknown.  In the long-view, humankind and its achievements are nothing less than miraculous -- and, in a sense, seem to be only just getting really started.


15.  Lucky, brave, beautiful us!  We are, by our reasoning nature, ever-increasingly and collectively determined to leave this world far, far better than we found it -- for ourselves and loved ones yet to be.  It's the best we can ever do -- and the whole thing is simply remarkable.  We are building much on this state of things -- and the evidence seems undeniable.


16  "Forward," with great confidence and a bit of humility (but not too much of either -- in deference to fate's over-riding agenda), is the watch-word for us humans.  And I think that is an absolutely grand state of affairs in which to find ourselves.  In a very real sense -- we are more than a species of life -- WE ARE THE HUMAN FAMILY.



David Nelson

Fellow temporary citizen of a remarkable world.
The ball is in our hands, for a time.




A more systematic treatment of this entire subject 
is being prepared in its own website.

*Philosophical proviso:  Dimensions of total human existence -- This has been a subject of philosophical debate since ancient times -- a debate which continues to this day. I understand that.  But, for the purpose of bringing a practical system into the world, which is sufficiently thorough -- seeking to overlook nothing -- then, it is, at least, administratively convenient to divide reality, from our every-day human standpoint, into these so-called "dimensions."  I am constantly adjusting these sub-divisions and expect to do so, again and again, as the work continues. The Civic Mentor is constantly teaching me, so when the project has matured and stabilized enough, we will know how many dimensions are really needed (and are philosophically defensible) to get the job done, without creating deep and unforeseen problems for itself -- and for those who might come to depend on it.



All Original Content © 2014, The MENTOR Enterprises / ELMS, All Rights Reserved -- BUT, I hereby waive those rights, to this extent: You may freely copy and pass this along, if you think it will do some good -- as long as it's free of charge, unchanged, and you include this statement. When you can, I'd be grateful to learn how you might have found this to be useful.

Sunday, June 22, 2014

MYSTERIES OF THE HUMAN BODY -- A Fascinating List

Posted:  22 Jun 14

Purpose

I received the following, this morning, via email, from my friend, Robert K.  It is so interesting, I just had to share it with you.

As always, such unsigned, unauthenticated information should be taken with "a grain of salt," until verified -- but much of this rings true, within my life-experience -- and all the rest seems plausible.

My only goal is to entertain you as much as I was.


David Nelson

MYSTERIES OF THE HUMAN BODY

The Human Body is a treasure trove of mysteries -- one that still confounds doctors and scientists about the details of its workings.

1. It's possible for your body to survive without a surprisingly large fraction of its internal organs. Even if you lose your stomach, your spleen, 75% of your liver, 80% of your intestines, one kidney, one lung, and virtually every organ from your pelvic and groin area, you wouldn't be very healthy, but you would live.

2. During your lifetime, you will produce enough saliva to fill two swimming pools. Actually, Saliva is more important than you realize. If your saliva cannot dissolve something, you cannot taste it.

3. The largest cell in the human body is the female egg and the smallest is the male sperm. The egg is actually the only cell in the body that is visible by the naked eye.

4. The strongest muscle in the human body is the tongue and the hardest bone is the jawbone.

5. Human feet have 52 bones, accounting for one quarter of all the human body's bones. [26 bones per foot]

6. Feet have 500,000 sweat glands and can produce more than a pint of sweat a day.

7. The acid in your stomach is strong enough to dissolve razor blades. The reason it doesn't eat away at your stomach is that the cells of your stomach wall renew themselves so frequently that you get a
new stomach lining every three to four days.

8. The human lungs contain approximately 2,400 kilometers (1,500 mi) of airways and 300 to 500 million hollow cavities, having a total surface area of about 70 square meters, roughly the same area as one side of a tennis court. Furthermore, if all of the capillaries that surround the lung cavities were unwound and laid end to end, they would extend for about 992 kilometers. Also, your left lung is smaller than your right lung to make room for your heart.

9. Sneezes regularly exceed 100 mph, while coughs clock in at about 60 mph.

10. Your body gives off enough heat in 30 minutes to bring half a gallon of water to a boil.

11. Your body has enough iron in it to make a nail 3 inches long.

12. Earwax production is necessary for good ear health. It protects the delicate inner ear from bacteria, fungus, dirt and even insects. It also cleans and lubricates the ear canal.

13. Everyone has a unique smell, except for identical twins, who smell the same.

14. Your teeth start growing 6 months before you are born. This is why one out of every 2,000 newborn infants has a tooth when they are born

15. A baby's head is one-quarter of its total length, but by the age of 25 will only be one-eighth of its total length. This is because people's heads grow at a much slower rate than the rest of their bodies.

16. Babies are born with 300 bones, but by adulthood the number is reduced to 206. Some of the bones, like skull bones, get fused into each other, bringing down the total number.

17. It's not possible to tickle yourself. This is because when you attempt to tickle yourself you are totally aware of the exact time and
manner in which the tickling will occur, unlike when someone else tickles you.

18. Less than one third of the human race has 20-20 vision. This means that two out of three people cannot see perfectly.

19. Your nose can remember 50,000 different scents. But if you are a woman, you are a better smeller than men, and will remain a better smeller throughout your life.

20. The human body is estimated to have 60,000 miles of blood vessels.

21. The three things pregnant women dream most of during their first trimester are frogs, worms and potted plants. Scientists have no idea why this is so, but attribute it to the growing imbalance of hormones in the body during pregnancy.

22. The life span of a human hair is 3 to 7 years on average. Every day the average person loses 60-100 strands of hair. But don't worry, you must lose over 50% of your scalp hairs before it is apparent to anyone.

23. The human brain cell can hold 5 times as much information as an encyclopedia. Your brain uses 20% of the oxygen that enters your bloodstream, and is itself made up of 80% water. Though it interprets pain signals from the rest of the body, the brain itself cannot feel pain.

24. The tooth is the only part of the human body that can't repair itself.

25. Your eyes are always the same size from birth but your nose and ears never stop growing.

26. By 60 years of age, 60% of men and 40% of women will snore.

27. We are about 1 cm taller in the morning than in the evening, because during normal activities during the day, the cartilage in our knees and other areas slowly compress.

28. The brain operates on the same amount of power as 10-watt light bulb, even while you are sleeping. In fact, the brain is much more active at night than during the day.

29. Nerve impulses to and from the brain travel as fast as 170 miles per hour. Neurons continue to grow throughout human life. Information travels at different speeds within different types of neurons.

30. It is a fact that people who dream more often and more vividly, on an average have a higher Intelligence Quotient.

31. The fastest growing nail is on the middle finger.

32. Facial hair grows faster than any other hair on the body. This is true for men as well as women.

33. There are as many hairs per square inch on your body as a chimpanzee.

34. A human fetus acquires fingerprints at the age of three months.

35. By the age of 60, most people will have lost about half their taste buds.

36. About 32 million bacteria call every inch of your skin home. But don't worry, a majority of these are harmless or even helpful bacteria.

37. The colder the room you sleep in, the higher the chances are that you'll have a bad dream.

38. Human lips have a reddish color because of the great concentration of tiny capillaries just below the skin.

39. Three hundred million cells die in the human body every minute.

40. Like fingerprints, every individual has an unique tongue print that can be used for identification.

41. A human head remains conscious for about 15 to 20 seconds after it has been decapitated.

42. It takes 17 muscles to smile and 43 to frown.

43. Humans can make do longer without food than sleep. Provided there is water, the average human could survive a month to two months without food depending on their body fat and other factors. Sleep deprived people, however, start experiencing radical personality and psychological changes after only a few sleepless days. The longest recorded time anyone has ever gone without sleep is 11 days, at the end of which the experimenter was awake, but stumbled over words, hallucinated and frequently forgot what he was doing.

44. The most common blood type in the world is Type O. The rarest blood type, A-H or Bombay blood, due to the location of its discovery, has been found in less than hundred people since it was discovered.

45. Every human spent about half an hour after being conceived, as a single cell. Shortly afterward, the cells begin rapidly dividing and begin forming the components of a tiny embryo.

46. Right-handed people live, on average, nine years longer than left-handed people do.

47. Your ears secrete more earwax when you are afraid than when you aren't.

48. Primates and Koalas are the only animals with unique fingerprints.

49. Humans are the only animals to produce emotional tears.

50. The human heart creates enough pressure to squirt blood 30 feet in the air.






All Original Content © 2014, The MENTOR Enterprises / ELMS, All Rights Reserved -- BUT, I hereby waive those rights, to this extent: You may freely copy and pass this along, if you think it will do some good -- as long as it's free of charge, unchanged, and you include this statement. When you can, I'd be grateful to learn how you might have found this to be useful.

Friday, June 20, 2014

21st-century POLICIES for 21st-century FAMILIES

Posted:  20 Jun 14

A NEAT IDEA FROM THE WHITE HOUSE

Please note:  

The White House message invites us to
  1. Share how your family would benefit from 21st-century workplace policies and 
  2. Join them today at 4:30 p.m. Eastern for a virtual question-and-answer session devoted to working families' issues. (That event is over, but the full session will be posted on WhiteHouse.gov and Storify.com/whitehouse)


On Thu, Jun 19, 2014 at 11:22 AM, Valerie Jarrett, The White House <info@mail.whitehouse.gov> wrote:
The White House, Washington

                                 


Hi, everyone --
I still remember the moment the value of a flexible work environment became crystal-clear for me.
I was working for Mayor Richard Daley in Chicago, and sitting in a particularly long cabinet meeting along with the Mayor's corporation counsel, Susan Sher. Susan and I were both single moms, and dear friends -- and frankly, we both had somewhere else to be.
As the meeting stretched on, and the two of us kept looking at our watches (and each other), the Mayor interrupted and asked where we needed to be that was more important.
Not quite sure what would happen, I blurted out the truth: "Susan and I both have second graders, and their Halloween Parade starts in 20 minutes -- and it's 25 minutes away."
Without a second's hesitation, the Mayor replied, "Well, then what are you doing here? You better get moving."
We were fortunate that day to have an understanding boss willing to give us the flexibility we needed as parents -- but in 2014, most working Americans still don't have that.
It's time for our workplace policies to match the realities of our families. That's why, on June 23, we're joining together with employers, business leaders, workers, academics, labor leaders, elected officials, and a diverse group of stakeholders and advocates to explore ways to take to scale the best practices designed to build 21st-century workplaces that meet the needs of 21st-century workers.
We're calling it the White House Summit on Working Families, and you can add your voice to the conversation right now in two ways:
Our families and our workforce have undergone fundamental transformations over the past several decades. In 63 percent of families with children, all parents work. Thirty-two percent of families with children are single-parent households. And yet, employers report just 11 percent of workers have access to paid family leave that includes time off for caregiving.
It's time our workplaces did something about that, and it's going to take all of us to make it happen.
So, if you can relate at all to the story I described above -- the need to choose between the very real responsibilities of being a worker and a parent -- then working families' issues are your issues.
If you're a young woman wondering if you're earning the same as your male counterpart, this is your battle, too.
If you're a single, working dad struggling to balance the responsibilities of raising a family with the demands of a job, you're in this fight.
It's time for 21st-century workplaces that allow every American family to succeed -- both at home, and at work.
Each story shared will expand this national conversation, and bring these issues to the forefront.
Add your voice -- and pass it on.
Thank you,
Valerie
Valerie Jarrett
Senior Advisor
The White House
Visit WhiteHouse.gov
Contact the White House
The White House • 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW • Washington, DC 20500 • 202-456-1111

                                 

Closing the Pay Gap: It Starts with a Conversation


All Original Content © 2014, The MENTOR Enterprises / ELMS, All Rights Reserved -- BUT, I hereby waive those rights, to this extent: You may freely copy and pass this along, if you think it will do some good -- as long as it's free of charge, unchanged, and you include this statement. When you can, I'd be grateful to learn how you might have found this to be useful.

City of Pittsburg: Golf Tournament - Cesar Chavez Scholarship Fund (6/22/SUN)


Golf Tournament to support the Cesar E Chavez Scholarship Fund of Contra Costa County
Sponsored by La Veranda
Posted Date: 6/20/2014
 
All proceeds will benefit the
Cesar E. Chavez Scholarship Fund of Contra Costa County. 
3rd annual




City of Pittsburg: "The Best Intentions" a Motown Revue (6/21/SAT)


"The Best Intentions" a Motown Revue
Date: 6/21/2014 8:00 PM
Cost: $15 per ticket or $40 dinner package
Location: California Theatre
351 Railroad Avenue
Pittsburg, California
The Best of Motown
PITTSBURG -- The Pittsburg Pops features Best Intentions, a Motown band founded 12 years ago by Rodney James, Jeffery Bashir and Bilal M.
Experience the great Motown acts of the '60s, '70s and '80s with tributes to The Temptations, The Four Tops, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles and Gladys Knight and The Pips.
The performance is 8 p.m. June 21 at the California Theatre, 351 Railroad Ave. Admission is $15 plus a $1.50 facility fee; dinner package $40. Purchase tickets at www.pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com. For information, call 925-427-1611.


Thursday, June 19, 2014

City of Pittsburg: Planning Commission Meeting (6/24/TUE/ 7pm)


Planning Commission Meeting
Date: 6/24/2014 7:00 PM
Location: Third Floor, Council Chambers
65 Civic Ave
pittsburg, California 94565




Wednesday, June 18, 2014

THE CURSE OF MANIC DEPRESSION

Posted:  18 Jun 14


INTRODUCTION AND WEB-LINK

The following gem of a 6-minute video is from the brilliant mind of the prolific and famous British philosopher and comedian, Stephen Fry, who is a sufferer of this crippling condition of "manic depression."

What insights this video adds for understanding, a bit more, what fellow humans might be going through -- so that we might be more helpful and never harmful to them -- just the way things are supposed to be in this life!

His insights seem to always aid my growth and maturation -- and I am grateful for that -- and for all the other advantages gained from exploring what he has to say -- on so many relevant things.  (To me, YouTube is like -- an incredibly well-stocked and completely free toy store -- full of treasures -- and completely open and welcoming -- to all seekers of more and more of the world's riches -- material and otherwise.)

Here's the video which so impressed and informed me:  Stephen Fry on Manic Depression

For the sake of thoroughness

Here's the Wikipedia article on "Bipolar Disorder."
Here's a Google search on "Bipolar Disorder."


A TASTE OF WHAT I GOT OUT OF IT

What an insight! 

Including the startling suggestion that "the mood [of the manic-depressive state] is very much like your own personal weather." WOW!

The Setting

1.  He said this in the context of describing his own struggles with manic depression.

2.  Just as when you try to change the external weather -- and surely fail -- you have no control over the incredibly painful thing that unpredictably descends over your mind -- [A HURRICANE?] -- on its own -- whenever it "wishes" -- despite your burning desire that it stay away and leave you alone.
  • A thing which, some of the time, makes you prefer death to enduring the excruciating pain for another second.
  • And, at other times, makes you feel supremely energized, motivated, and capable of doing the most grandiose of things -- all at the same time.  
  • Back and forth -- wearing out the human spirit.  [What a tragic curse and misery (sigh!)].
2.  He relates that these mood-swings are usually and stubbornly out of control -- to the discomfort and confusion and even danger -- for everyone else -- and, of course, the poor afflicted sufferer.


Moral of the Story (for me, at least)

1.  This further confirms the wisdom of the injunction, "judge not, lest ye be judged."  (And, perhaps, "There, but for the grace of God, go I.")

2.  One never knows exactly what anyone else is experiencing behind the scenes.  And careless, uninformed condemnation is ALWAYS an injustice.

3.  The unique "cross" any given soul MUST bear -- may be much heavier -- than others ever imagined -- based on the available information -- which is always imperfect and approximate, at best -- and more than likely to be totally inadequate for fair and just casual appraisals and decisions.


David Nelson


All Original Content © 2014, The MENTOR Enterprises / ELMS, All Rights Reserved -- BUT, I hereby waive those rights, to this extent: You may freely copy and pass this along, if you think it will do some good -- as long as it's free of charge, unchanged, and you include this statement. When you can, I'd be grateful to learn how you might have found this to be useful.

SOME GREAT QUOTES -- Just because...(Update: 6/18/14)

Posted:  18 Jun 14


1.  Before signing off last night (or I should say, this morning): 

I was enjoying some very clever YouTube videos of comedians and philosophers (interesting combination, that).  

One thing led to another and I chanced upon this wondrous saying:

"When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself.”

Wow!  Who said that?  Google to the rescue.  It was Dr. Wayne Dyer

Why am I not surprised?  

Anyhow, thirsting for more, I quickly found this site -- enjoyed it, immensely -- and thought I'd pass it along to you -- just in case.  

And, if you desire even more of Dr. Dyer, there is this (click here).

====================================


2.  Later this morning, I found these, by Ralph Waldo Emerson:


"I cannot remember the books I've read any more than the meals I have eaten; even so, they have made me."

*******

""It is not the length of life, but the depth." 

*******

"Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen."

*******

"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm."

*******

"You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late." 

*******

"The only way to have a friend is to be one." 

*******



AND THIS (Also by Emerson):

"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense." 

[I always say, "a clean slate," each day, preserves and enhances the precious life-force -- and helps disappointment in self and others to evaporate out of the way. In other words, forgive, liberally. Keep a big eraser inside and handy. Make room for the new. -- D. Nelson]


AND, YET MORE MAGNIFICENT EMERSON

"Is it so bad, then, to be misunderstood? Pythagoras was misunderstood, and Socrates, and Jesus, and Luther, and Copernicus, and Galileo, and Newton, and every pure and wise spirit that ever took flesh. To be great is to be misunderstood."  

[This resonates.  I'm certainly not great, but often misunderstood.  So be it.  Greatness can (and will) do as it pleases -- a clear conscience is sufficient. -- D. Nelson]


EVEN MORE of Mr. Emerson (click here) 

====================================

Enjoy,
David Nelson

All Original Content © 2014, The MENTOR Enterprises / ELMS, All Rights Reserved -- BUT, I hereby waive those rights, to this extent: You may freely copy and pass this along, if you think it will do some good -- as long as it's free of charge, unchanged, and you include this statement. When you can, I'd be grateful to learn how you might have found this to be useful.

Sunday, June 15, 2014

NATIONAL BIRTHDAYS 2014: The US Flag and The US Army (6/14/SAT)

Posted:  14 Jun 14

1.  Purpose

To recognize the 237th Birthday of the U.S. Army AND the 239th Birthday of the U.S. National Ensign.

Both of these magnificent events, embedded in the very foundation of the Republic -- to its great good fortune -- are noted with pride and gratitude.


2.  Discussion

As Wikipedia explains:

"In the United States, Flag Day is celebrated on June 14. It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, which happened on that day in 1777 by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. The United States Army also celebrates the Army Birthday on this date; Congress adopted "the American continental army" after reaching a consensus position in the Committee of the Whole on June 14, 1775."  [more...]

"The United States Army (USA) is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services. The modern army has its roots in the Continental Army which was formed on 14 June 1775, to meet the demands of the American Revolutionary War before the establishment of the United States.  [more...]

Some of the National Celebrations are revealed with the following Google searches:



3.  Selected Quotations

1.  "That piece of red, white and blue bunting means five thousand years of struggle upwards.  It is the full-grown flower of ages of fighting for liberty.  It is the century plant of human hope in bloom."


2.  “Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children. This is not a way of life at all in any true sense. Under the clouds of war, it is humanity hanging on a cross of iron.”

― Dwight D. Eisenhower, 
34th President of the United States and 
General of the Army, US Army

3.  “The soldier is the Army. No army is better than its soldiers. The Soldier is also a citizen. In fact, the highest obligation and privilege of citizenship is that of bearing arms for one’s country”

― George S. Patton Jr., 
General, US Army


David Nelson


All Original Content © 2014, The MENTOR Enterprises / ELMS, All Rights Reserved -- BUT, I hereby waive those rights, to this extent: You may freely copy and pass this along, if you think it will do some good -- as long as it's free of charge, unchanged, and you include this statement. When you can, I'd be grateful to learn how you might have found this to be useful.

Friday, June 13, 2014

2 Pittsburg Public Notices: Planning Commission Mtg: 6/24/14/TUE

Posted:  13 Jun 14

​​Note:  Here is a link to the Planning Commission's Website, with additional information



On Fri, Jun 13, 2014 at 10:45 AM, Leigha Schmidt <LSchmidt@ci.pittsburg.ca.us> wrote:

Hello all,

You are receiving this email because you requested to receive information related to the Old Town Park in downtown Pittsburg.

The City-initiated project would change the zoning and General Plan land use designation on the Old Town Park site from Planned Development and Mixed Use to Governmental/Quasipublic and Park, respectively.

The proposed project would ensure that the park site would not be developed with commercial uses in the future.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Sincerely,

Leigha Schmidt, City Planning Analyst 


From: Kathy Comtois
Sent: Friday, June 13, 2014 10:01 AM
Cc: Dana Hoggatt; Leigha Schmidt; Kathy Comtois; Kristin Pollot
Subject: Public Hearing Notices for 6.24.14 PC Mtg.

Interested Parties:

Attached [see below] for your reference are two Public Hearing Notices for the next Planning Commission Meeting on Tuesday, June 24, 2014.

Thank you.

Kathy Comtois
City of Pittsburg
65 Civic Avenue
Phone:  925-252-4922
city logo






All Original Content © 2014, The MENTOR Enterprises / ELMS, All Rights Reserved -- BUT, I hereby waive those rights, to this extent: You may freely copy and pass this along, if you think it will do some good -- as long as it's free of charge, unchanged, and you include this statement. When you can, I'd be grateful to learn how you might have found this to be useful.