Tammy Jerome.

Who is Tammy Jerome? This top producing, high-powered real estate agent has been written about in the L.A. Times, L.A. Direct, and seen on CNN and HGTV. With over twenty years of real estate experience under her belt, Tammy, who has lived throughout Europe, understands the challenges of today’s market. For those who dream of entering today’s market, need guidance or advice on selling properties, Tammy Jerome is the agent for you. Ms. Jerome shares her expertise with The Tolucan Times.
We asked Tammy: What keeps you going? How do you keep focused and able to be so successful?
The constant activity keeps me going. I’m on the go 24/7. I’ll see a beautiful home and the adrenaline will start pumping. It stirs my imagination. It makes me feel good when I find the right home for my clients and that they absolutely love it!
Tammy, can you tell me how it is to work in today’s real estate market?
We are definitely going through rough seas. The wave of foreclosures that we’ve encountered this cycle has brought home values down. It’s especially challenging for those who purchased their homes at the very peak of the market. To them, I’d say: Hang in there! The real estate market will come back, it always does!
Are there any benefits to purchasing real estate in this environment?
Absolutely! It’s always better to own than throw away money on rent. The market today presents a golden opportunity for first-time buyers to purchase at their level of affordability. Also, the government’s credits of $8,000 and $6,500 helps a great deal. It’s an opportune time for ‘move-ups’ (those who either sell, or rent-out their entry-level condos or small houses, and graduate to larger properties). This reality seemed near impossible just a few years ago.
What types of clients do you work with?
I work with a lot of sellers, investors, builders, and buyers, of course. Many investors are capitalizing on the opportunity of amassing a real estate portfolio by scooping up properties at lower prices. These properties have generated multiple offers, especially the lower and mid-priced properties. Inventory is tight right now.
Do you think the market will bounce back?
Of course! Once the banks dispose of their ‘toxic assets’ the real estate market will improve. After all, people always need a home to live in.
What aspects do you enjoy most about real estate?
I love Toluca Lake and Studio City. It gives me great pleasure to work with some of my high-end clients. I enjoy working with people in the entertainment industry. This part of the real estate world can be fascinating; one meets artists from every conceivable field. I learn a lot from them, but then again, I learn a lot from all my clients.

Coldwell Banker Real Estate is located at 12930 Ventura Blvd., Ste. 202 in Studio City. For more information, call (877) TAMMY4U (826-6948), visit her Web site www.TammyJerome.com, or e-mail TammyJerome@msn.com.

Adréana Robbins is a freelance writer, and can be reached at agrobbins23@earthlink.net.

Tulchin Research recently released a poll conducted in the 43rd Assembly district for the special election to be held on April 13, 2010.
Mike Gatto starts with a lead and widens it significantly as voters learn more about the candidates. In fact, he leads his nearest Democratic rival by a nearly 2-1 margin. Gatto also picks up almost Andrew Westall’s entire vote now that Mr. Westall has dropped out of the race. After simple biographical paragraphs, Gatto leads his nearest rival by a margin of 42% to 19%, without yet taking into consideration the votes of the candidate who dropped out.
The voters of the district clearly appreciate the fact that Mike is not a career politician, yet has deep knowledge of the district, having been born and raised here. They also like Mike’s new ideas for solving California’s problems, and believe he is the only candidate with a substantive plan for doing so.
The campaign is also pleased to announce some very special news. A few days ago, Mike picked up the endorsement of Assembly Speaker Emeritus Robert Hertzberg, a terrific mentor, whose knowledge of, and love for, California is boundless. Also, this past week, beloved Los Angeles City Councilmembers Tom LaBonge and Dennis Zine endorsed Mike’s candidacy.
Mike is honored to have this wonderful support, along with the endorsements of Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca; Congress members Brad Sherman and Diane Watson, both whom represent portions of the 43rd District; Congress members Judy Chu and Linda Sanchez; Former Assembly majority leaders Dario Frommer and Mike Roos, both who represented the district or portions thereof; Senator Ron Calderon; Glendale Mayor Frank Quintero; Glendale Councilman John Drayman; three former Burbank Mayors, including Mary Lou Howard; Cindy Montanez and Paul Koretz; LAUSD School Board Member Yolie Flores-Aguilar; the Association of Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs; the League of Humane Voters; IBEW Local 40; UFCW Local 770; Painters District Council 36; and hundreds of community leaders.

For more information about Mike Gatto, to view a complete list of endorsements, or to endorse, contribute or sign up to volunteer for his campaign, please visit www.mikegatto4assembly.com.

PAP is a new acronym I’ve just invented to describe Politicians Against the People. PAPs are people we elect to help and protect us, but instead, they wind up putting the screws to us once they get in. In poll after poll, the majority of American voters say they DO NOT want a new health care initiative put into place, which would cost hundreds of billions of dollars, force people into insurance plans, and completely alter the way medical treatment is handled in our country for evermore. So what does Obama do? He pushes for it even harder, the hell with what the people want.
The president’s $950 billion health care plan has managed, in the words of The Wall Street Journal, “to take the worst of both the House and Senate bills and combine them into something more destructive. It includes more taxes, more subsidies, and even less cost control than the Senate bill.”
The striking thing about all this is, Obama and the House and Senate Democrats are now saying that they have no intention of compromising or of listening to any other health care ideas proposed by Republicans or other people. They want what they want, and they’re going to do whatever it takes to ram it through. The majority of the country doesn’t want it? That’s tough; they’re going to get it anyway. Their gall knows no limit.
This complete arrogance by politicians who were voted into office to supposedly “serve the people,” but turned around to do what they want anyway reminds me of a column written about 25 years ago by syndicated journalist Charley Reese. That column has now become almost legendary and, even today, is reprinted over and over on the Internet and in print media. From time to time, it has been updated to reflect current names of the individuals in power, but the common sense points it makes are as true now as they ever were.
The bulk of Reese’s column appears below. It was first published by the Orlando Sentinel Star Newspaper.

“Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them.
Have you ever wondered why, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, we have deficits? Have you ever wondered why, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, we have inflation and high taxes?
You and I don’t propose a federal budget. The president does. You and I don’t have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations. The House of Representatives does. You and I don’t write the tax code. Congress does. You and I don’t set fiscal policy. Congress does. You and I don’t control monetary policy. The Federal Reserve Bank does.
One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one president, and nine Supreme Court justices—545 human beings out of the 235 million—are directly, legally, morally, and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country.
I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress. In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered but private central bank.
I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason. They have no legal authority. They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman, or a president to do one cotton-picking thing. I don’t care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash. The politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislation’s responsibility to determine how he votes.
Don’t you see how the con game is played on the people by the politicians? Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of party.
It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 235 million cannot replace 545 people who stand convicted, by present facts, of incompetence and irresponsibility.
I can’t think of a single domestic problem, from an unfair tax code to defense overruns that is not traceable directly to those 545 people.
When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.
If the tax code is unfair, it’s because they want it unfair. If the budget is in the red, it’s because they want it in the red.
There are no insoluble government problems. Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take it.
Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like “the economy,” “inflation,” or “politics” that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do.
Those 545 people and they alone are responsible. They and they alone have the power. They and they alone should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses, provided they have the gumption to manage their own employees.”

So if you object to government control of your life and the lives of your children, if you don’t like the way your representatives are changing your health-care, there are two things you can do: contact them and let them know exactly how you feel; and remember who they are and kick them out of office. Throw the PAPs out!

What a way to go!

Jackie:

We want to talk about travel opportunities in a seemingly impossible time, and to share our admiration for the generous spirit that American Airlines has demonstrated helping the victims of the catastrophe in Haiti. American Airlines is The Tolucan Times partner in recently offering a free trip to our lucky Love is in the Air contest winners. It seems love is still in the air! David has just enjoyed a comfy trip home from London, and is brimming with encouragement!
David: The good news: the most horrendous recession since the Great Depression has officially come to an end (according to all the experts). The bad news: a lot of us are not out of the woods yet. Some are still without a job, others very nervous about losing theirs. So, you may ask, how can the Lawrences still rave on about luxury travel? Well, hum along, pack up your troubles, forget your troubles, and just get happy. This is my own personal prescription: get away for a few precious days, and clear your head; recharge your batteries.

A Few Bright Spots in the Cloudy Skies

American’s ever changing special promotions, free companion fares put together with less expensive options for hotels, car rental, restaurants and more. Recently, we flew to Chicago using our frequent flyer mileage, and we’re about to travel the same way to Miami for a cruise to the Caribbean (which I bid on and won at the Actors and Others for Animal Celebration of Caring). Helping animals, cruising, a mileage flight, pretty good. We pay our bills, when allowed, by credit cards to build up the miles. So now we are able to book the piece de non-resistance, our flights back to Europe in spring. New menu additions, comfortable seats, a wide choice of entertainment all make the hours “fly by.”
Jackie: Show Biz-y American Airlines should also have been nominated for its supporting role (along with leading man George Clooney) in the much acclaimed “Up in the Air.” They filmed up in the air, in the planes, the terminals, major airports, and major bars. Major movie. And Kevin Spacey’s commercial about “best seats” sits well with me. My cronky neck, delicate lower back, and cursed restless legs require merciful seating. All our thanks to 777 Business class, very nifty with push-button, angled lie-flat seats, which extend a full 77 inches. Adjustable head rests and advanced lumbar and under-calf support are just what the doctor ordered. Applause, applause!
David: More hand-clapping for all the good stuff on their Web site from the Admirals Club (now celebrating its 70th year with free admission when flying First or Business class), to special offers and promotions, finding the right flights for frequent flyer miles, and all the rest. We especially like that overseas travelers can give their left over coins (pounds, euros, etc., which cannot be exchanged for U.S. currency anyhow) to charity via the flight attendants.
So, how can we/you afford Business or First class in today’s economy? Those fab frequent flyer miles! Usually we upgrade from the lowest priced ticket. Which ever you choose, it’s super. up, up, and away…
Jackie: So a final shout out to American for transporting over 60,000 pounds of aid to Haiti soon after the quake. Employees are continuing to raise funds in varied and wonderful ways, and internal donations will be matched (up to $10,000!) by the company. In addition, they have sent aid to provide relief for its more than 100 employees who work at Toussaint Louverture International Airport and for assistance at local hospitals in Port-au-Prince. What a way to go… We’ll travel!

Offering Seniors Retirement Living Like No Other

At The Village at NorthRidge, residents will enjoy a sophisticated blend of comfort, style, and innovative amenities and services.”

The Village at NorthRidge, the area’s newest luxury senior living community, will be opening its doors to local area seniors on March 15, 2010. Offering a lifestyle filled with endless options, the community includes an innovative blend of comfort, style, social and recreational opportunities, and advanced wellness programs that are in a category all their own.
“The anticipated grand opening of The Village at NorthRidge is nearly here,” said Tim Maloney, Executive Director of The Village at NorthRidge. “We’re thrilled to be putting the final touches on our community and preparing to showcase the one-of-a-kind benefits and amenities created for all those who will call The Village at NorthRidge home.”
An example of the extraordinary amenities to be found at The Village at NorthRidge is the community’s Prairie Grille restaurant and bistro, open 12 hours daily, offering a variety of dining options from casual indoor/outdoor settings to sophisticated formal dining. In addition, residents will enjoy access to a full-service on-site salon and spa, a luxurious fixed-seat movie theatre, and fully equipped fitness center.
The Village at NorthRidge is owned and operated by Senior Resource Group (SRG), a senior living provider that is unyielding in its high standards of service, and dedicated to helping residents maintain active, comfortable lives, even as their needs grow and change.

The Village at NorthRidge, a luxury senior living community, is scheduled to open March 15, 2010.

According to Maloney, SRG has a longstanding and well-earned reputation for creating extraordinary communities with first-class programs, amenities, and services. The company’s exceptional senior living communities are only rivaled by their extraordinary commitment to service delivery. This commitment is reflected in the company’s core Genuine Hospitality program, in which exceptional service is instinctively delivered by a dedicated group of people who truly believe the residents’ well-being and quality of life is their personal responsibility.
The community comprises 275 luxury alcove, one- and two-bedroom independent and assisted living residences. In addition to the amenities listed above, residents will have access to beautiful common spaces, including the richly paneled living room, library, art gallery, club lounge, bistro bar, and Internet café, plus a heated swimming pool and spa, bank, on-site market, and underground parking.
The Village at NorthRidge’s licensed assisted living component will offer a comprehensive menu of personal assistance and care services that includes 24-hour staffing, medication assistance, assistance with activities of daily living (such as bathing, dressing, and grooming, etc.), emergency call system, scheduled transportation, and more.

Priority reservations are now being accepted.

For more information or to schedule a personal appointment, call The Village at NorthRidge Information Center at (818) 812-4600 or visit www.thevillageatnorthridge.com

12th Annual Food Drive

Curves—North Hollywood is teaming up with Valley Food Bank for our 12th Annual Food Drive. Donate at Curves—North Hollywood and you will be doing something good for you and your community. To encourage donations, Curves—North Hollywood is waiving the enrollment fee ($199 savings) for new members with the donation of a bag of non-perishable groceries to Valley Food Bank. Anyone wishing to donate may drop off items or monetary donations during business hours. Valley Food Bank supports 16 pantries and 85-100 Shelters throughout the San Fernando Valley.
Curves offers an affordable 30-minute workout designed for women of all ages, and fitness levels with unparalleled support. Using the CurvesSmart Personal Training System, members can get the benefits of a personal trainer without the cost—burning up to 500 calories in just 30 minutes! In addition, many health insurance programs will pay for a Curves membership, so check with your insurance carrier.

Mention this article to receive a free guest workout to checkout Curves with no obligation to join, and get started toward a healthier you today! Together we can help our community, and help you reach your goals.

Curves—North Hollywood is located at 4844 Lankershim Blvd and is open 7 days a week for workouts (7am-2pm and 4-7:30pm Monday-Friday; 9am-12pm Saturday; and 10am-1pm Sunday). For more information, call (818) 332-1369 or visit www.curvesnoho.com.

Hello Robert,
I am the president of a Home Owners Association. Every light standard and every building is on their own photocell, which we are continuously replacing. I would be interested in any alternatives you can offer.

Many thanks,
Matt L.

Hi Matt,
Go to the main electrical panel where all of the circuits are located. Disconnect them and put them on a relay. Each pole on that relay will activate one photocell.
At the main panel, the house panel, let’s say you have seven circuits. Then, you would need a seven pole relay. Each pole would have a different photocell tied to it. When it clicks on, you’re bypassing all of the photocells and putting them all on one relay. It would basically act like a switch, turning all seven circuits off and on at the same time.
As I always say, when it comes to electricity, especially, please use only a licensed electrician, and pull permits as needed for this type of work.

Robert,
We have some rotted load-bearing posts on our property that I want to replace. The posts are 8”x8”, and are either badly termite damaged or maybe water rotted. There are some clamps on the bottom of the posts that are rusted, and one is broken, but it looks like we can still use some of them. My question is: What’s the best way to replace them, and would permits be necessary?

Thank you,
Edgar B.

Hi Edgar,
To replace a load-bearing post, you need to shore up the building. You would use jacks with posts on either side of the post you are replacing to both support the building and take the weight off of the damaged posts so they can be removed.
For permits, you need engineering. You will need to pay a structural engineer for a field inspection, a complete layout or architectural drawings, and the completed report which includes his calculations of what needs to be changed (like the dimensions of the new footings).
For example, lets say the posts are approximately 30-years-old. Based on code changes, posts now need to rest on stand-off brackets which keep them off of the ground by about 1”. This way, water can’t wick up inside the posts and rot them.
For the stand-off brackets, you’ll need to set them in fresh concrete, so you’ll first have to saw cut and demo for your footings. The engineer may call out 2ft. x 2ft x 2ft deep.
After you mix and pour the new concrete, you’ll need to set the stand-off bracket level and exactly underneath where the new post will sit, before the concrete bangs. Any small weight on a string or plumb bob works fine for this. Remember, you’re going to want that post to stand perfectly plumb when finished.
You mentioned that you weren’t sure if the damages were termite related. I recommend calling out a termite company for an inspection. If you have damaged beams, now would be the time to replace those as well. Sometimes they look perfectly fine, but are actually hollow. To check yourself, you can perform a tap test. Just tap the timbers with a rod. If you’ve got termites, you’ll be able to tell right away.

Submit your questions to robert@imsconstruction.com. Robert Lamoureux of IMS Construction, Valencia, CA, has 30 years experience as a commercial general, electrical, and plumbing contractor. The opinions expressed in “Ask the Expert” are not to replace the recommendations of a qualified contractor after a thorough visual inspection has been made.

“Hurt Locker” director Kathryn Bigelow and Margie Barron.

If you wanted the very first preview of the acclaimed films and outstanding performances that will shine in the spotlight on Oscar® night, then you should have signed up for the KCET Cinema Series. This fall, movie lovers enjoyed the acclaimed films that have gone on to win various awards and get Academy Awards nominations. Plus, the cinema series offered informative chats with the filmmakers, giving better understanding of what it took to create the unforgettable moments on the big screen with “Up in the Air,” “Precious,” and “An Education” (all Best Picture nominees). Plus, they presented “Nine,” “The Last Station,” and “A Single Man,” films packed with Oscar®-nominated performances.
Film critic Pete Hammond, the host and moderator of the movie showcase, had a steady parade of directors, producers, and writers with some of the actors joining him for lively discussions after the screenings. Film fans are always invited to participate in the Q&As that follow to find out what the artist had in mind when he/she created a scene. It’s great for everyone who wants an insider’s view.
Now the KCET Cinema Series is returning for the spring, beginning on Tuesday, March 16 with Andy Garcia’s new film “City Island.” It’s a comedy that won the Tribeca Film Festival’s Audience Award, and Andy will be Pete’s special guest for the Q&A. The series offers eight evenings of new films (before their theatrical release!) on Tuesday nights at the Goldenson Theatre at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in North Hollywood. The Spring Cinema Series is a fundraiser for KCET and our local PBS station, and The Tolucan Times readers will get a 10% discount on their tickets—call (323) 953-5800 for information and reservations. Don’t miss the chance to preview some of the best films that may get Oscar® attention next year.
We caught up with Hammond at the recent Writers Guild of America awards which gave a glimpse of some future Oscar® winners. Hammond was happy to see Jason Reitman (and co-writer Sheldon Turner) honored by the WGA for “Up in the Air.” Reitman was Pete’s special guest at the screening this fall, and had two previous films, “Juno” and “Thank You for Smoking,” presented at the Cinema Series. It’s a lucky tradition now.
“Up In the Air,” the corporate downsizing movie starring George Clooney, received the WGA award for Best Adapted Screenplay. Reitman thanked his father, producer Ivan Reitman, who read his son’s first screenplay and praised him saying, “You really got the goods.” Jason also has Oscar® nominations for Best Director and Screenplay.
Another big winner at the WGA ceremony was Mark Boal’s original screenplay for “The Hurt Locker,” directed by Kathryn Bigelow, both front-runners in the Oscar® race.
Mark Boal was an amazing man to meet. He is a journalist who spent time with the U.S. military’s explosive disposal team in Baghdad, which inspired him to write his riveting screenplay about the men who defuse bombs. He told me they showed him “the tragedy, chaos, and hellishness they face day in and day out.” And Boal gave thanks to Kathryn Bigelow “for believing in an unpopular project.” The WGA win follows on the heels of Bigelow’s Directors Guild win. She is the first woman to get the DGA award.
Bigelow was on-hand at the WGA event to support Boal, and I found her to be equally as amazing as Boal. The first thing I mentioned was that I painted a little, and knew that she started as a painter, but now her canvas is the big screen. She liked the comparison. Surprisingly, she did not want to make a big deal about being “the first woman” to be honored in the directing category. Instead, Kathryn happily told me her creative process is about finding material that has strong characters facing extreme situations. “Those are the kinds of stories I find vibrant and full of passion. You have to be genuinely passionate about the material, and then hopefully you can infect others.” Boal said that he knew Bigelow was the right person to be at the helm of his story because “she’s a genius.” Not surprisingly, Boal and Bigelow will be working together on another film project after all the Oscar® hoopla is over.
The WGA’s Best Documentary Screenplay went to Mark Monroe’s “The Cove.” And honorary awards went to Barry Levinson, Larry David, Stan Berkowitz, Anthony Peckham, and Carl Gottlieb. Awards for Great Writing on Television went to the writing team for AMC’s drama “Mad Men,” NBC’s “30 Rock” won for best comedy series, and the ABC sitcom “Modern Family” won for best new series. Lifetime’s “Georgia O’Keefe” won for Longform Adaptation, and HBO’s “Taking Chance” for Longform Original. There was a tie for “Saturday Night Live” and “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” both winning in the comedy-variety category. “Family Guy” creator-writer-producer Seth MacFarlane hosted the WGA West Coast ceremony at the Century Plaza Hotel.

This Sunday, March 7, the Academy Awards air on ABC for movie lovers to enjoy!

I recently decided to end my attempt to transform America’s social problems from the bottom up. Therefore, I’m planning to write a series of communiqués to the most important man on the planet: the President of the United States of America. The following is the first letter in the series…

Dear Mr. President,
I am writing this communiqué to thank you for your notable effort. I applaud your historic and noteworthy service to America, especially this early in your first term and in these most difficult of times. In the same vein as our Founding Fathers, I feel you are a genuine pioneer as well as an inspirational leader more than capable of breaking new ground. You just might be the first American president, since our founders, who genuinely recognizes the “big picture.”
Moreover, our amazing nation is presently waging a number of deadly battles: the war on drugs, the war on terrorism, and the war on unemployment and poverty, along with a bloody crusade in the Middle East. As well, America is fighting an ongoing campaign against ignorance. And as you know, we desperately need an improved educational structure
In view of that, I will be writing and publishing a series of letters/columns entitled “Dear Mr. President” outlining my main concerns. Therefore, let me get directly to the point. First, being a father of four, I’m extremely concerned about America’s failing schools and educational system. It is one of the core causes of poverty and also the root of various other social problems, including drug use and crime.
Across the board, America’s educational approach is, beyond a doubt, archaic! And, because its framework is undeniably and totally behind the times, many of America’s offspring are in very serious trouble. As you may already appreciate, a number of our ghettos schools are like jungles where children play survival of the toughest. Several of these schools are understaffed, under-funded, and under attack by their own students. Countless children in these schools can’t write—or even read a simple sentence!
Our current method of teaching habitually undermines our children’s individuality and, often, their true creativity. It’s hard to comprehend that in 2010, America’s schools (like its detention centers and prisons) still run primarily on negative reinforcement and punishment.
Forced learning under duress and intimidation is aberrant and undeniably not the most optimal way to educate young children. Our schools demand too much brainless busywork along with overwhelming amounts of senseless homework. Moreover, we must address the tenure issue. Upon achieving tenure, many teachers believe it is a license to slack off. Because of all these inept and ineffective tenured teachers, coupled with the constant negativity pervading America’s schools, we are, in all honesty, failing countless children along with the future of this incredible nation. This tawdry type of teaching is one of the reasons the lure of gangs, drugs, and easy money is now corrupting kids who just cannot get by in school.
Our educators and administrators must appreciate that it is no longer the dark ages! Most do not appear to appreciate or understand the fundamental concepts. For example, isn’t it highly unnatural to have a young boy sit still all day long? Boys need to get up, move around, take part in learning games, and not spend five or six hours sitting like a zombie at an undersized school desk. It is simply not natural. Why do you think so many adolescent boys loathe school while there, and then drop out? What is your Secretary of Education presently doing about our ongoing educational problems? I cannot comprehend why we have failed to correct this highly corrosive composition of negative reinforcement, brainless busywork, and insipid teachers to date. All that this downbeat, unconstructive behavior does is turn our children off of school and education. That is why we should immediately set forth fashioning a brand new, innovative, state-of-the-art teaching approach.
Additionally, America must invest significant amounts towards a quality preschool program for our country’s underprivileged children. As it has now become perfectly clear, a well-run preschool curriculum will save us billions of dollars in the imminent future: cutting prison costs, drug rehab operating expenses, and welfare disbursements.
The first thing a child should learn in school is that education and knowledge can not only be a mind-blowing, cool experience, but also a bunch of fun! Only then can teachers honestly get down and teach America’s children the true love of learning.
With the foregoing in mind, here’s a no-nonsense proposal that is uncomplicated and almost effortless. In contrast to coercion, pressure, harshness, and hollering at kids, I believe an unassuming warm smile on every teacher’s face might just yield a world of difference.
Always yours,

Kevin P. McKenna
Executive Director, IDEAS

Kevin McKenna is a filmmaker/social scientist and the executive director of IDEAS (Investigative Documentaries Educating American Society), a 501c non-profit corporation. If you have any comments, ideas, or need more information, please call (818) 588-3047 or e-mail ideasfilm@charter.net.

“Dead Renegade” is author Victoria Houston’s tenth in her mystery series set in fictional Loon Lake, Wisconsin, where fly-fishing is the village’s main pastime.
Followers of the series will no doubt be eager to read this next installment, but readers new to the series are at no disadvantage, since background and characters are easily explained.
It’s a relatively small book in number of pages, but “Dead Renegade” packs a lot into its pages. It opens with retired dentist and part-time police deputy Doc Osborne stumbling across human remains rolled in a rug while rummaging through an antique shop’s storeroom.
He’s not there to shop for rugs, though; he’s helping his attorney daughter Erin locate a desk that belonged to one of her clients. The discovery shifts the story’s focus of events, and the book quickly becomes a murder and crime mystery.
This is one of several unsavory crimes that unfold in the otherwise homespun village where normally the big story is who caught the biggest fish and where it was caught.
Doc’s young granddaughter has an unsettling experience with a mysterious man while down by the lake. New neighbor “C.J.” has a brutally unhappy marriage and a series of suspicious accidents seem to target her financier husband. And a former local criminal is released from prison and may have slipped back into town. Trying to figure out how many of these events are related will keep the reader happily busy.
At the heart of the action is Doc, pulled in to help solve the cases with his lady-friend Lew Ferris, Loon Lake Police Chief.
The book isn’t quite in the “cozy” genre of mystery, since its lead character is male. Its tone isn’t particularly humorous, but it’s not a heavy-handed thriller, either (though crime details are at times rather gruesome). Generally, it’s just the right mix of mystery, budding romances, and human relations.
Bleak House Books published “Dead Renegade,” and could well attract new readers with this easy-to-read, enjoyable novel.