Partners in Construction Cooperation, alive or ?

PERSONAL

I awoke this morning at 7:30 am to a 3- after a good nights sleep. I took my am pills, went and fed the backyard birds with some grapes. It is a nice morning, I put out my flag, I then took 2 sessions in my chair, with my cast on. I then cleaned up for my PICC meeting at BT this morning and we headed out. I'll have more in my POLTICAL section on the meeting.

My combining Brandee's Birthday and mine on some Keno tickets at certain strategic times last week (when I had the feeling, and when its close to the hour of her birth) and I've decided (Those tickets winnings will be split between Judi's MS walk and Brandee's March of Dimes Walk) It is over now I haven't been able (yet) to grow the MS and the Marchforbabies.org original accumulation. I did get help from a few of “those who would not be seen”. I did do a five spot for Mike, for ten games; thats 800 numbers called and it only takes three hits in a game to win something, but alas, “Those that would not be seen” were apparently keeping an eye on Me (many, many thanks), Brandee (March of Dimes thanks you) and Judi (MS thanks you, Judi, not so much.)

POLITICAL

If any one is watching from Washington; the state or DC; I have a question. My sister has a mortgage currently with Wells Fargo with an interest rate currently over 7%. She did hear from them WF that the president (OBAMA) has a new plan to help her She was told they could refinance down to a 5% mortgage and they would send her the paperwork. The paper work offered an ARM that could go as high as 8%. I told her to package the paperwork and go visit the local office of her Congressman, Brian Baird or the Vancouver offices of either or both Senators. She thinks & I agree, WF is using the housing crisis, and the (OBAMA) housing program as a scam. I sure hope SOMEONE can tell me that President Obama is not part of this scam?

*******NEWS-NEWS-NEWS*******

Coast Guard issues final decision for Bradwood Landing terminal to FERC
 
Coast Guard determines that the Columbia River is suitable for LNG carriers, provided its recommendations regarding safety and security are implemented.
 
APRIL 24, 2009, PORTLAND, Ore. - The U.S. Coast Guard today issued a Letter of Recommendation and Record of Decision for the Bradwood Landing LNG Terminal

Tommorrow's regular BT meeting is cancelled (4/28); we encourage everyone to attend the AFL-CIO’s memorial service and dedication of the Fallen Worker Memorial at the State Capitol Mall in Salem on Tuesday, April 28th from noon to 1:00pm in remembrance of those killed and injured on the job.  Gov. Ted Kulongoski will be the featured speaker. I am going to try to make it, I hope predictions for rain are not correct and I do have an NCA appointment at 10am and I'm sure I'll be chastised for not taking my cast to the beach.

Well, I am home from the PICC meeting and the lunch that followed. I thought that the meeting went well, with a number of good suggestions. It was sure good to see everyone that I had not seen in a long time. My simple take is, that while PICC is not dead, It is definitely on Life support. I believe that with our new President, Obama) that a return to a time of Labor Management Cooperation gives PICC a chance. With so many New heads of the Local Unions; since the last PICC project; being unfamilar with the program and it's goals and processes I think a having a function to reintroduce PICC is a good idea. John is absolutely right, in order for it(PICC)to be successful, it will need to be understood and supported by the current Local Union Business Managers, Contractors and Construction users.

SPORTS

I “DEMAND” Keno & Let it Ride, be considered a sport, after all, are not chess and checkers?

That Blazer game last night sure had an exiting finish, I really think those young guys have been playing really good 5 on 8 basketball, now can they win 3 in a row?

Those Mariners are off to a wonderful start, with that Manager who's name I still can't spell or pronounce. With 2 players from Montana they SHOULD be able to go all the way.

C0MMUNITY ORGANIZERS

One more time; I have to repeat this for those that did not know..........The Maersk Alabama was the American Flag Ship attacked by Somali pirates that was in the news for days a while back. I really think our donations helped get this out so quickly, Thank You.

Again here is a cool update from American Rights at work, this interview is on the website:

As John Cronan, Third Engineer of Maersk Alabama, says:
"We are American seamen. We are union members. We stuck together, we did our jobs. And that's how we did it."

NWOLC's Labor Appreciation is coming up, I hope you all have your tickets!

The Helena AOH is still raising funds for their to-do, The Meagher Memorial at Fort Benton Montana. Donations can be sent to The Meagher Memorial at PO Box 1916; Helena Montana 59624. With the many Irish followers I have, maybe I can give them some aid.

I always thought Grampas, and Momas, were supposed to be doing the bragging? I thought I knew a lot about the Jewish faith, considering I have a number of Jewish friends, but they never told me that baby bragging was also a poppas responsibility. A yes Momma I too can read that much spanish. http://wyattgabriel.blogspot.com/

For those that contacted the “Spirits” on the mountain, thank you. I did also play for help for Brandee and babies everywhere. Take a look, and help if you can:
http://marchforbabies.org/personal_page.asp?w=21019798&u=brandeenull&bt=2

Keep those ads going Mary Beth Maxwell, http://www.americanrightsatwork.org

If you know of any women, young or old and interested in what else is out there for different careers I would encourage you to save the dates for the Women in Trades Fair, May 14,15,16 check out http://www.tradeswomen.net

OTHER STUFF AND COMMUNICATIONS

I hope everyone can share the American Rights at work website so my small donation can be utilized to it’s fullest extent. I did send them second small donation, because they are still doing the Lords work.

Please, You can share the American Rights, the MS walk, the March of Dimes walk and the recovery websites; so my taxes and donations can be utilized to their fullest extent.

Whether you attend a church service, a Mosque, G & L gathering, or Synagogue service, please say a prayer that God; yours, mine or ours; keeps our service men and women in the Palm of their hand. And maybe even a big prayer for my nephews Daniel and Christopher and all their family. And all those Oregon Guard soldiers mustering on Saturday at the Coliseum, for their Iraq Tour.

Mike; I think went over 1200 and I'm feeling 4

So don't forget, say your prayers, and I'll see you next time on my blog.