“Talking Tucson trash – and those who help clean it up - Tucson Citizen” plus 4 more |
- Talking Tucson trash – and those who help clean it up - Tucson Citizen
- Filmmaker Roman Polanski says he'll fight extradition to U.S. - Honolulu Advertiser
- President Barack Obama to make in-person pitch for Chicago's bid for ... - New Orleans Times-Picayune
- Lawyer: Polanski will fight extradition to the U.S. - Delaware Online
- Blu Falls center appeals to brides, grooms - Herald-Bulletin
| Talking Tucson trash – and those who help clean it up - Tucson Citizen Posted: 28 Sep 2009 10:06 AM PDT While we may occasionally run across a used diaper in the supermarket parking lot or a wayward plastic bag billowing from a cactus, Tucson is overall pretty clean.  Photo Ryn Gargulinski Sure, the city has its stenches – especially that garbage can by the drinking fountain near the Rillito River Walk Park – but at least its contained to a garbage can. One of the reasons behind Old Pueblo's pristine nature is the Tucson Clean and Beautiful projects. Since I've received three recent news releases about folks cleaning stuff up, it's only fair to give them some recognition. Kudos to these folks who are part of the Adopt-A-Park and Public Areas Program: CITI employees – Workers from this financial services company have been cleaning up the 2-mile stretch of Rita Road near Interstate 10 and their offices at 9060 S. Rita Road. Their efforts, which began this spring, will be recognized at a ceremony at their offices at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 29. Kino School – These students, who range in age from kindergarten to high school, took on Children's Memorial Park, 4851 N. 15th Place, in September of last year. Their efforts will be honored at a ceremony and picnic at the park starting at 11:15 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 30. Sahuaro Girl Scout Council, Starcatcher Service Unit – These do-gooders have spent the past two years maintaining their adopted Linden Park, 300 S. Desert Ave. They were honored this past weekend. Thanks! for helping to keep Tucson Clean and Beautiful.  Photo Ryn Gargulinski Now if we could just get someone to adopt the garbage can by the Rillito River walk, we'd be set. And there still are a few other areas that need work. Shockingly, some apartment complexes don't even offer recycling programs. Other folks don't seem to care about where they chuck their trash. I've seen piles of cigar butts, weeds – and even banana peels – simply hurled over backyard fences into an alleyway. Some trim their trees then throw all the branches in a wash. And where does that mattress come from that always seems to end up in a riverbed? Another poor trash habit is from folks who gingerly pick up their dog waste, scoop it neatly into a plastic bag, tie the bag shut – and then promptly throw the bag on the side of the path. One man went all out not too long ago. He collected bags and bags of dog waste near the Rillito River walk – then threw them all in a pile under one of those signs that says it's the law to clean up after your dog. With that much time on his hands, he should have volunteered for a Tucson Clean and Beautiful project. Or at least thrown the dog doo in the trashcan, since the can already reeks. In addition to the garbage can stench, two other smells around town seem to waft from the depths of hell. The first is whatever sludge plant is churning out the stench that reaches a far south as Prince Road and Interstate 10. The second is the mystery aroma that hits you in the face like a moldy, wet sponge the minute you get to the pinnacle of Veteran's Memorial Highway overpass. Not to leave you on a sour note, the litterbugs and dog doo man are offset by the more than 125 locations around town that have been adopted and cleaned up by the slew of volunteers. If you want to learn more or volunteer yourself, check out TucsonCleanAndBeautiful.org or call 791-3109.
 The mysteriously appearing mattress/Ryn Gargulinski What do you think? Are you a litterbug? Do you yell at litterbugs when you see them littering? What's the worst example of littering you've seen? How do you contribute to keeping Tucson clean and beautiful?  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Filmmaker Roman Polanski says he'll fight extradition to U.S. - Honolulu Advertiser Posted: 28 Sep 2009 09:09 AM PDT ZURICH Imprisoned director Roman Polanski is in a "fighting mood" and will battle U.S. attempts to have him extradited from Switzerland to face justice in California for having sex in 1977 with a 13-year-old girl, his lawyer said today. An international tug-of-war over the 76-year-old director escalated as France and Poland urged Switzerland to free him on bail and pressed U.S. officials all the way up to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on the case. Polanski was in his third day of detention after Swiss police arrested him Saturday on an international warrant as he arrived in Zurich to receive a lifetime achievement award from a film festival. Polanski has told Swiss officials that he will contest a U.S. request that he be transferred to the United States, attorney Herve Temime said in an e-mail. Temime said Polanski's legal team would try to prove that the U.S. request was illegal and that the Oscar-winning director should be released from Swiss custody. "Taking into account the extraordinary conditions of his arrest, his Swiss lawyer will seek his freedom without delay," Temime said. He also told France-Info radio that he was able to speak with Polanski from his Zurich cell. "He was shocked, dumbfounded, but he is in a fighting mood and he is very determined to defend himself," Temime said. A complicated legal process awaited all sides. While France expressed hope that Polanski would be freed shortly, Swiss officials said there would be no rash decision. The Swiss Justice Ministry today did not rule out the possibility that Polanski, director of such classic films as "Chinatown" and "Rosemary's Baby," could be released on bail under very strict conditions that he doesn't flee Switzerland. Justice spokesman Guido Balmer said such an arrangement is "not entirely excluded" under Swiss law and that Polanski could file a motion on bail. But he said Switzerland's top criminal court would undertake a thorough examination of evidence before deciding on any request, and that would take time. "This is a legal story," Balmer told The AP. "There is no room for political pressure." Authorities in Los Angeles consider Polanski a "convicted felon and fugitive." Polanski at the time had pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse and was sent to prison for 42 days of evaluation. Lawyers agreed that would be his full sentence, but the judge tried to renege on the plea bargain. On the day of his sentencing in 1978, aware the judge would sentence him to more prison time and require his voluntary deportation, Polanski fled to France. In Paris, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said he hoped Polanski could be quickly freed by the Swiss, calling the apprehension a "bit sinister." He also told France-Inter radio that he and his Polish counterpart Radek Sikorski wrote to Clinton on the case. Polanski was "thrown to the lions," said French Culture Minister Frederic Mitterrand. "In the same way that there is a generous America that we like, there is also a scary America that has just shown its face." Polanski, who has dual French-Polish citizenship, has hired Swiss attorney Lorenz Erni to represent him in Switzerland, according to the law firm Eschmann & Erni. Polanski seems most likely to spend several months in detention, unless he agrees to forgo any challenge to his extradition to the United States. Under a 1990 accord between Switzerland and the U.S., Washington has 60 days to submit a formal request for his transfer. Rulings in a similar dispute four years ago over Russia's former atomic energy minister Yevgeny Adamov confirmed that subjects should be held in custody throughout the procedure. That means the procedure for extradition could also be lengthy for the United States. Its request for Polanski's transfer must first be examined by the Swiss Justice Ministry, and once approved it can be appealed at a number of courts. The 2005 saga over Adamov's extradition, eventually to Russia and not the U.S., took seven months. The case also sets a possible precedent for France, which may wish to try one of its own nationals in a domestic court rather than in Los Angeles. For now, Polanski is living in a Zurich cell where he receives three meals a day and is allowed outside for one hour of daily exercise. Rebecca de Silva, spokeswoman for the Zurich prison authorities, refused to say exactly where Polanski was being held for security reasons, but said cells are usually single or double occupancy and that each room contains a table, storage compartment, sink, toilet and television. Family and friends can only see Polanski for an hour each week, but that does not include official visits from lawyers and consular diplomats, de Silva said. The Justice Ministry insisted yesterday that politics played no role in its arrest order on Polanski, who lives in France but has spent much time at a chalet in the luxury Swiss resort of Gstaad. That has led to widespread speculation among his friends and even politicians in Switzerland that the neutral country was coerced by Washington into action. Temime, Polanski's lawyer, told the daily Le Parisien that the filmmaker stayed in Gstaad for months this year. "He came here, but I have no idea how frequently," said Toni von Gruenigen, deputy mayor of Saarnen, where the famously discreet community is located. "He kept a low profile." The U.S. has had an outstanding warrant on Polanski since 1978, but the Swiss said American authorities have sought the arrest of the director around the world only since 2005. Polanski has asked a U.S. appeals court in California to overturn a judges' refusal to throw out his case. He claims misconduct by the now-deceased judge who had arranged a plea bargain and then reneged on it. His victim, Samantha Geimer, who long ago identified herself publicly, has joined in Polanski's bid for dismissal, saying she wants the case to be over. She sued Polanski and reached an undisclosed settlement. Earlier this year, Superior Court Judge Peter Espinoza in Los Angeles dismissed Polanski's bid to throw out the case because the director failed to appear in court to press his request, but said there was "substantial misconduct" in the handling of the original case. In his ruling, Espinoza said he reviewed not only legal documents, but also watched the HBO documentary, "Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired," which suggests there was behind-the-scenes manipulations by a now-retired prosecutor not assigned to the case. Polanski has lived for the past three decades in France, where his career has continued to flourish; he received a directing Oscar in absentia for the 2002 movie "The Pianist." He is married to French actress Emanuelle Seigner, with whom he has two children. He has avoided traveling to countries likely to extradite him. Balmer said the difference during Polanski's visit this time to Zurich was that authorities knew when and where he would arrive. The Alpine country does not perform regular passport checks anymore on arrivals from 24 other European countries. Balmer also rejected any hint that the arrest was somehow aimed at winning favor with the U.S. after a series of bilateral spats over tax evasion and wealthy Americans stashing money at Swiss banking giant UBS AG. "There was a valid arrest request and we knew when he was coming. That's why he was taken into custody," Balmer told The AP. "There is no link with any other issues." The arrest prompted angry criticism today from fellow filmmakers and actors across Europe. "It seems inadmissible ... that an international cultural evening, paying homage to one of the greatest contemporary filmmakers, is used by police to apprehend him," says a petition circulating in France and signed by artists including Costa Gavras, Stefen Frears and Monica Bellucci. Oscar-winning director Andrzej Wajda and other Polish filmmakers also appealed for the immediate release of Polanski, a native of France who was taken to Poland by his parents, escaped Krakow's Jewish ghetto as a child during World War II and lived off the charity of strangers. His mother died at the Nazis' Auschwitz death camp. Polanski has already "atoned for the sins of his young years," Jacek Bromski, head of the Polish Filmmakers Association, told The AP. "He has paid for it by not being able to enter the U.S. and in his professional life he has paid for it by not being able to make films in Hollywood."  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Posted: 28 Sep 2009 10:06 AM PDT By The Associated PressSeptember 28, 2009, 8:35AMPresident Barack Obama will travel to Denmark to support Chicago's bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics, projecting the highest-ever White House profile in lobbying for the international event. The International Olympic Committee is meeting in Copenhagen to select a host city for the 2016 Summer Games. Chicago faces tough competition from Rio de Janeiro, Madrid and Tokyo. The White House later formally announced the trip, saying that Obama and his wife "will both make presentations to the IOC during Friday's session. They will discuss why Chicago is best to host the 2016 Summer Games, and how the United States is eager to bring the world together to celebrate the ideals of the Olympic movement." The IOC is scheduled to decide the site on Friday. While in Denmark, the statement said, Obama and his wife also will meet with Queen Margrethe and the president will meet with Prime Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen of Denmark. Obama, who represented Illinois in the U.S. Senate after serving in the Illinois Legislature, is a longtime supporter of Chicago's bid. Michelle Obama is a native of the city and he considers it his adopted home town. Obama recently sent letters to selected IOC members promising a "spectacular Olympic experience for one and all." "President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama symbolize the hope, opportunity and inspiration that makes Chicago great, and we are honored to have two of our city's most accomplished residents leading our delegation in Copenhagen," Mayor Richard M. Daley said in a statement. "Who better to share with members of the International Olympic Committee the commitment and enthusiasm Chicago has for the Olympic and Paralympic Movement than the President and First Lady." The president had held off on announcing a trip to Copenhagen, saying his first priority was the ongoing debate in Washington over health care reform. But aides said the president determined that his trip wouldn't take away from that process. The legislation is a signature piece of his domestic policy agenda and negotiations on Capitol Hill have been contentious. But with heads of state representing Rio and Madrid already scheduled to attend the IOC meeting Friday, Chicago's bid organizers had hoped Obama would make an in-person appeal. "I don't think there's an IOC member on the planet that wouldn't love to meet your president. He's a transformational figure in the world today," longtime IOC member Dick Pound said recently. Obama is also mobilizing his administration on behalf of Chicago's bid. Senior adviser Jarrett, Education Secretary Arne Duncan and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, will also be joining the president and first lady in Copenhagen. All are from Illinois. They join a Chicago contingent already packed with more star power than a Hollywood red carpet. The first lady is one of the few people who rivals her husband in visibility, and she'll be joined by talk show host Oprah Winfrey, who trails only Angelina Jolie on Forbes' annual Celebrity 100 list, a ranking of the rich and famous' most powerful. Chicago is also bringing 14 Olympic and two Paralympic gold medalists, including Michael Johnson, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Nadia Comaneci and Nastia Liukin. ___ By JULIE PACE, Associated Press Writer |
| Lawyer: Polanski will fight extradition to the U.S. - Delaware Online Posted: 28 Sep 2009 10:20 AM PDT (3 of 4) Family and friends can only see Polanski for an hour each week, but that does not include official visits from lawyers and consular diplomats, de Silva said. The Justice Ministry insisted Sunday that politics played no role in its arrest order for Polanski, who lives in France but has spent much time at a chalet in the luxury Swiss resort of Gstaad. That has led to widespread speculation among his friends and even politicians in Switzerland that the neutral country was coerced by Washington into action. Temime, Polanski's lawyer, told the daily Le Parisien that the filmmaker stayed in Gstaad for months this year. "He came here, but I have no idea how frequently," said Toni von Gruenigen, deputy mayor of Saarnen, where the famously discreet community is located. "He kept a low profile." Balmer, of the Justice Ministry, said the court theoretically could confine Polanski to his Gstaad chalet, but noted that "up to now there has never been a case of house arrest in such a situation." The U.S. has had an outstanding warrant on Polanski since 1978, but the Swiss said American authorities have sought the arrest of the director around the world only since 2005. Polanski has asked a U.S. appeals court in California to overturn a judges' refusal to throw out his case. He claims misconduct by the now-deceased judge who had arranged a plea bargain and then reneged on it. His victim, Samantha Geimer, who long ago identified herself, has joined in Polanski's bid for dismissal, saying she wants the case to be over. She sued Polanski and reached an undisclosed settlement. Earlier this year, Superior Court Judge Peter Espinoza in Los Angeles dismissed Polanski's bid to throw out the case because the director failed to appear in court, but said there was "substantial misconduct" in the handling of the original case. Espinoza said he reviewed not only legal documents, but also watched the HBO documentary, "Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired," which suggests there was behind-the-scenes manipulations by a now-retired prosecutor not assigned to the case.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Blu Falls center appeals to brides, grooms - Herald-Bulletin Posted: 28 Sep 2009 09:09 AM PDT Published September 28, 2009 09:31 am - PENDLETON — Future brides attended a mock reception recently to showcase the offerings at the new Blu Falls Arts and Events Center. The event drew about 100 people. Targeted both at brides who placed a deposit before construction was complete and brides who have yet to make a final decision on their venue, the event displayed a variety of services available. Blu Falls center appeals to brides, grooms PENDLETON — Future brides attended a mock reception recently to showcase the offerings at the new Blu Falls Arts and Events Center. The event drew about 100 people. Targeted both at brides who placed a deposit before construction was complete and brides who have yet to make a final decision on their venue, the event displayed a variety of services available. "We came and saw it when it was nothing but drywall. It was so open and had so many windows that we knew at the time that this was the place," said Nicole Lemert, who was planning her wedding to Matt Loomis on Sept. 19. "We are pleased with the finished building." The couple lives in the Castleton/Fishers area, but heard about Blu Falls, 8820 S. Indiana 9, when the two of them attended a bridal show earlier in the year. "It was hard to picture (at the time we made the deposit) but it was a good choice," added Loomis. "I like the place. This reception was a good idea. With all the people here it's more like a real wedding." The mother of the bride, Mary Lemert, also indicated the importance of the convenience of the site, as many relatives would be traveling from Interstate 69. Location may appeal to visiting relatives Location was also a significant factor for Mary Saunders and C. J. Miller, who were to be married Aug. 29. They live in New Castle while her parents live in Shirley and expected family from many different directions. "Blu Falls was recommended to us and we are very happy with the lay out," said Jerry Saunders, mother of the bride. "We are having people from all around and this is centrally located. They have been together a long time and we wanted something really nice for them and this is it." "There really isn't anything else like this in the area," said Bob Saunders, father of the bride. "It's easy for people to get to and it's a very nice facility." Suites for brides and grooms "What really sets us apart are special features like the suites for the bride and groom," said Valerie Mitchell, event coordinator. "It really pampers the bride and groom and they can really relax before the wedding."  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| You are subscribed to email updates from Add Images to any RSS Feed To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
No comments:
Post a Comment