Tuesday, February 10, 2009

This Week on the Daily Show

Tuesday, February 10 -- Thomas Ricks, Author "The Gamble"

Wednesday, February 11 -- Daniel Sperling, "Two Billion Cars"

Thursday, February 12 -- John Sununu, Former U.S. Senator, New Hampshire

This Week on Colbert Nation

Tuesday, February 10 -- Dr. Robert Ballard, Ocean Explorer

Wednesday, February 11 -- Steven Pinker, Harvard Professor

Thursday, February 12 -- Adam Gopnik, Writer, Essayist & Commentator

Monday, February 09, 2009

Texas electricity rates skyrocketed after dereg

Oh so true, our electricity rates through our coop have gone way up, so what do we do? Can we get the lege to do something about this? Worth considering.
_______________________________

Texas electricity rates skyrocketed after dereg



Dave Montgomery
dmontogomery@star-telegram.com
AUSTIN – Electricity rates in Texas have soared well above the national average under a 10-year-old deregulation law, according to a study by a coalition of cities.
"As this report illustrates, consumers have paid too much for too long under deregulation," said Jay Doegey, chairman of the Cities Aggregation Power Project, a non-profit coalition of 103 municipalities.

An industry group immediately challenged the findings, saying the report was based on "flawed reasoning" that resulted in erroneous conclusions.

"The simple fact is that in most parts of the state, there are lower competitive prices today than when prices were regulated," said the Association of Electric Companies of Texas. "The Texas competitive market is working, even if CAPP thinks otherwise."

The conflicting viewpoints point to a contentious battle in the 2009 Legislature over electricity rates. Several lawmakers say they plan to pursue legislation to protect consumers from rising costs on a number of fronts, including insurance and utility rates.

The CAPP report examined the impact of Senate Bill 7, which was passed by the Legislature in 1999 in what its sponsors said was an attempt to rein in rising electricity rates.

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Got extra time now? Got a few extra pennies?

I know that I have some free time since the election is over and I wondered what I could do, well here are some ideas I have come up with, anybody else have additions?

Some things you can do:

Donate and/or volunteer at a foodbank. Not sure where Boerne's is located, but here is the San Antonio foodbank which serves our area, it appears.
link

Perhaps we could hold a food drive?
Most Needed Food Items

Peanut Butter
Chili
Canned Stews
Canned Soups
Canned Luncheon Meats
Full Meals in a Can/Box
Tuna
Beans & Rice
Macaroni and Cheese
"Pop Top" Food Items
Full Meals in a Can/Box

Questions?

Contact
Monica Borrego
Food and Fund Drive Coordinator
210-431-8310
mborrego@safoodbank.org

I also found this, but perhaps our librarian can find a local group that does this? This group is in Colorado, website is:
Knitting for Our Troops (K*4*O*T) Caps Project 2009
Pattern Sponsors
We're still counting but so far 5,333 helmet liner hats have been knitted and donated to the Rocky Mountain USO!

Keep checking back this week for official marathon results.
Join the Knitting for Our Troops Project and help reach our goal. We want to send 5280 hand knitted hats from the Mile High City to our soldiers overseas.

Thanks to everyone who participated in our Knitting for Our Troops Marathon on January 23 & 24! Learn more about the marathon (PDF).


Knitting for Our Troops Project - We want you as a new recruit!
Denver library

Monday, February 02, 2009

This Week on Colbert Nation

Monday, February 2 -- Dan Zaccagnino, Musician

Tuesday, February 3 -- Henry Louis Gates, Jr, Literary Historian

Wednesday, February 4 -- Jonah Lehrer, Author "Proust Was a Neuroscientist"

Thursday, February 5 -- Steve Martin, Actor "The Pink Panther 2"

This Week on the Daily Show

Monday, February 2 -- Lawrence Lindsey, Economic Advisor

Tuesday, February 3 -- Dev Patel, Actor "Slumdog Millionaire"

Wednesday, February 4 -- Karen Greenberg, Author "The Least Worst Place"

Thursday, February 5 -- TBD