When Night Blooms: Blogophilia 18.6

Bonus Points:
(Hard, 2 pts):   Include a title from an Elvis song
(Easy, 1 pt):  Incorporate "yellow ribbons"


https://www.facebook.com/notes/marvin-martian/blogophilia-week-186-when-night-blooms/575798685774686



I've always been a evening to night person, although I always liked to be a go getter and enjoy life.  Sometimes, I didn't wait until dark to to enjoy the activities of when the night blooms, as Barbara K may tell you about.

Many activities Rip It Up as it gets going into the night.  Think about the school dances that started off tame, with a smaller crowd sitting back to enjoy the music, and by the end of the night, it's more like Jailhouse Rock, being led by D J Mike and the Boombox.  But all is good, because I like turning it loose with the Hound Dog so much, It's a Sin.  Even still, with all this rocking and gyrating going on, there is still the class of all the cool gals like Heather wear Yellow Ribbons in their hair, so we all know where to hang out for the action.

Eventually, some lucky couple will end up at the cave of love, and everyone will be jealous that Jay gets to be with the Girl of my Best Friend hanging out with that lake-view scene from the cave with the heart shaped opening.  But no matter, I will have and make my own fun with some lucky person, and take a walk in the sand.

On The Bookshelf: Blogophilia 17.6

Bonus Points:
(Hard, 2 pts):   Incorporate a song title by Prince
(Easy, 1 pt):  Include a drink made with vodka

https://www.facebook.com/notes/marvin-martian/blogophilia-week-176-on-the-bookshelf/574208122600409




As a pauper, I would often take the bus places.  Sometimes buses would go missing, so rather than the 20-30 minutes to the next bus, I'd have an hour to kill.  Then I'd walk over to the coffee house which doubled as a used bookstore and mini library with many intellectual reads.  All too often, I'd lose the time, forget that I was supposed to be somewhere, and end up walking home after bus hours ended.

While in the Coffee House Book Shop, I'd order my double mocha, often wishing that it was a Cosmopolitan that was being sipped on at a sophisticated sky rise in Tokyo.  While I was finding a seat, I looked up on the wall, and thought, "I am NOT insane!  I think I'm seeing the poster from 'The David' promoting that book club event featuring Charles Dickens books and Batman impersonators"!  I walk up to check it out, and sure enough, it's going to be the real deal of an event.  Then, looking through the books, I remembered that Kim wanted me to find something On the Bookshelf.  But what did she want me to find?  I'm sure it was a book...

I scroll across and up and down the shelf.  Then I saw a book that brought me back to my childhood...  Oliver Twist.  My 6th grade class performed that as a musical.  I wasn't interested in playing dress up in the dated dresses and clothing, so I opted to play in the practice band, though for the shows, a different group was brought in, to make the show extra special.  I enjoyed watching from the audience.  I finally sit down, and start to read the book.  I take a sip of my coffee, and damn, it's as cold as a Bloody Mary.  Before I know it, it's 7pm, and it's time to close up shop.

It's getting dark, and I missed missed my appointment at the Attorney's Office, and the last bus is gone...  As the sun sets behind the buildings, there is a chill in the air, and I so wish that I had a Little Red Corvette to drive home in...

Calling All Lighthouse Brigade Marching Band Supporters!

On Wednesday night the Joint Finance committee approved a budget that will impact the Lighthouse Brigade funding for this year and next as well as many other services for students in our district.
In the budget there is language about the use of the community service levy (fund 80) that school districts can utilize to fund activities for youth and adults.
The budget states that districts will only be allowed to levy for the 13-14 and 14-15 school years what they levied from the 2012-13 school year.
Our district in efforts to keep the tax rate low used monies saved from our health insurance savings to cover fund 80 expenses for this current school year. So we did not access fund 80. Therefore we will not be allowed to access it in the next two years as the language is a freeze on what you accessed this year.
Can you please send this message out to your band boosters and ask them to contact Rep Robin Voss at Rep.Vos@legis.wisconsin.gov to ask that he consider the impact it will have on his district and that what we did was a way to help tax payers, now we will be penalized.
If we do not have this changed the district will not have the money to pay for the Brigade this year as it comes from this allocation of funds and we have a budget deficit.

PLEASE CONTACT REPRESENTATIVE ROBIN VOSS AND VOICE YOUR OPINION ON FUND 80. Thank you...

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My sample letter:

Dear Representative Vos,

Thank you for all of the work that you do for our State Legislature.

I would like to urge you to allocate the funds so that the Lighthouse Brigade Marching Band can access the the monies needed from Fund 80, because of the quality added to our city.

As a former member of the Brigade, I can assure you that the band is worth the money. It gives students the opportunity to work as a unit, be self discipline, and for them to be ambassadors from Racine to all over the state, as well as to other states by performing their shows. Racine still has one of the best 4th Fest Parades, to which our very own marching band participates in.

For these reasons, please lift the freeze on Fund 80, so that the band can get what it needs to continue providing our city something all of us can be proud of.

Thank you for your time, and please consider the impact of keeping the freeze on the Community Service Levy Fund 80. The Lighthouse Brigade is most definitely a community service for all ends of our city on the lake.
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His answer back to me:

I hope he's more active.... Thank you for your email regarding the community service levy limitation (Fund 80) within the state budget. I truly appreciate the time you took to reach out to me and share your concerns.



This issue was called to my attention the day after the last meeting of the Joint Finance Committee. I understand the important role that the Lighthouse Brigade and other programs funded through the community service levy play for the students in our community. I am working with my colleagues to create a fix for Racine Unified and other school districts that will be negatively impacted.



Again, thanks for reaching out to me.



Sincerely,



Robin J. Vos

State Representative

63rd Assembly District
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Please write him, so that we can keep the music going.  :)