The Treasury Department bureau responsible for regulating banks and savings associations is launching a new Office of Financial Technology.
In a statement the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) said it will set up the new department to ensure it has the tools to supervise the fast-changing banking sector, including fintech companies.
Acting Comptroller of the Currency Michael Hsu said: “Financial technology is changing rapidly and bank-fintech partnerships are likely to continue growing in number and complexity. To ensure that the federal banking system is safe, sound, and fair today and well into the future, we need to have a deep understanding of financial technology and the financial technology landscape.”
He added: “The establishment of this office will enable us to be more agile and to promote responsible innovation, consistent with our mission.”
The new office will be led by a chief financial technology officer, who will be a deputy comptroller, reporting to the senior deputy comptroller for bank supervision policy.
OCC is an independent bureau within the Treasury Department that is tasked with chartering, regulating, and supervising all national banks, foreign banks and savings associations in the United States, which together hold more than $15 trillion in assets.
OCC was established by President Lincoln in 1863 during the American Civil War.


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GAYLORD — Sherrie Schuster stood in front of 46th Circuit Judge Janet Allen at her sentencing Thursday morning and told the judge she had issued apologies, presumably to the victimized agencies and individuals.
Officials of the City of Gaylord, Gaylord Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and Michigan Downtown Association (MDA) dispute her statement.
Standing by her defense attorney, David Delaney, Schuster told the court: “I have given an apology to ‘people’ and friends.”
The Herald Times contacted several city, DDA and MDA officials and none can recall receiving an apology, personally or officially, except for a former DDA board member who said the apology he received was a “lie.”
Mayor Gladys Solokis told the Herald Times, as far as she knew, no one among the city administration or city council received an apology from the former DDA executive director. Not one in writing, she emphasized. The mayor said she is certain the DDA board as a whole received nothing from Schuster.

domain: news


I have found the biggest detractor to rifle shooting for women is the weight of the rifle. My girlfriend can handle pistols just fine but when it comes to rifles the extra weight is unwelcome. The argument can be made that the extra weight on a heavier recoiling rifle helps absorb the felt recoil. This is fine for those heavier recoil rounds but with .22 LR or .223 rifles the lighter the better. My quest for a lightweight .22LR rifle began with the desire to have AR-15 ergonomics. I’d rather train on the AR platform so that training would translate to a .223 AR-15 when the time is ready. And so the build your own lightweight .22 AR project (and article) began.
How to Build Your Own Lightweight .22 AR – DIY Project
The other detractor to rifle shooting is the noise. Heavy-weight and loud noise is a recipe for a new shooter to not want to continue training. A suppressor makes sense in this situation but only if it can keep the overall package lightweight. This is where the compact and lightweight AR-22 SB-X upper from Tactical Solutions and the LW-15 polymer AR-15 from New Frontier Armory come into play.
Related Videos: Karen Hunter AR 15 Build Part 1: The Lower
One of the pitfalls of attaching a suppressor to a rifle is the added overall length of the rifle. Sure you can cut the barrel down to a more manageable length but then you are subject to registering the gun as a short-barreled rifle and paying the 200-dollar tax stamp. In some states, this is not even allowed. Tactical Solutions has an innovative way to skirt this problem. The AR-22 SB-X upper they offer is actually a 12.25-inch barrel with a permanently attached shroud that brings its overall barrel length to 16.5 inches. This allows you to slip the suppressor down into the shroud instead of it hanging off the end of a 16-inch barrel.
The barrel is a lightweight 6061-T6 aluminum tube with a 4140 button rifled steel liner. Coupled with a Hogue free float forend, the SB-X upper is both lightweight and compact. The package includes everything you need, except the lower receiver, for an MSRP of 650 dollars. Tactical Solutions even includes a Black Dog Machine magazine. Find out more about the SB-X at tacticalsol.com.
New Frontier Armory has long been known for their polymer AR-15 lowers. By producing the lowers from polymer instead of the traditional aluminum you save 7.2 ounces. When planning to build your own lightweight .22LR AR keep in mind that every ounce counts.
NFA sells their LW-15 complete polymer lowers for 119 dollars retail. This is an amazing price considering this is a fully built lower receiver ready to pin on an upper. The LW-15 is offered with a lifetime warranty for those who fear polymer will not hold up. I have been running NFA lowers for a while and have not had any cause for concern.
The actual receiver is not the only polymer part of this lower; even the fire control group is plastic. I was skeptical that a polymer fire control group would yield a decent trigger pull but all my worries subsided the first time I pulled the trigger. The composite parts work together to produce a clean crisp 4.5-pound trigger pull. If you still have concerns about a composite fire control group no problem, any mil-spec units can be dropped right in. I’ve tested a Daniel Defense and Geissele trigger unit in my polymer lowers with no issues.
Black Dog Machine
Black Dog Machine is pretty much the standard for large capacity .22 LR drum magazines. They have it down pat and have the patents to prove it. They are so good that Tactical Solutions chose them as their OEM supplier of magazines for their .22 LR AR uppers. I tested the rifle with the 50-round drum and 25-round stick magazines from Black Dog Machine.
The drum has a port on the back that allows you to use your thumb to relieve tension on the feed lips, which makes loading pretty simple. You don’t have to mash down the next round to load, simply rotate the drum with your thumb and drop the next round in the feed tower.
Related Videos: At the Range – Long Range Rifle Accessories
While weighing my options for this rifle build I really wanted something that was lightweight but easy to use. I was quickly drawn to C-MORE RTS2 sight. It is similar to their competition sights, which are widely chosen due to their large windows and unobstructed sight pictures. The RTS2 by comparison is much smaller. It does feature a rounded glass lens instead of the traditional tombstone type lens found on most micro red dot sights. The rounded glass presents less obstruction to your view and enables quick transitions and seamless aiming.
Many red dots these days use a battery that is captured between the mounting surfaces on the body of the sight. To change the battery you must remove the sight and afterward you should re-zero the weapon. The RTS2 features a very convenient side-mounted battery tray, which eliminates the need for re-zeroing.
You can use the side buttons to select between the 10 different brightness levels. If you forget to switch off the sight after eight hours of inactivity it will turn off automatically. You can also simply hold one of the buttons for a few seconds and the sight will switch off. Once a button is touched again the sight will spring to life returning to the previous brightness setting.
Adjustments can be made in 1-MOA increments and then locked down via the locking screw. The RTS2 is available in either 3-MOA or 6-MOA dot size. For my build, I chose a 6-MOA dot.
I was able to mount the RTS2 directly to the top picatinny on the SB-X upper with the included mount. I did not require a riser like I anticipated, which kept the optic mounted nice and clean.
Related Videos: New Daniel Defense Delta 5 Bolt Action Rifle
Once this new rifle was fully assembled, a wave of bliss washed over me. I could not believe how light and nimble it felt while handling. Everything about this build was aimed at making a lightweight rifle that was compact and quiet. This build checked all those boxes and then some. I tested the rifle by myself first to make sure it fed and functioned properly. All was good so I moved onto phase two of testing, the girlfriend. Remember, my girlfriend did not care for my regular AR-15, stating it was too heavy. She took hold of the new lightweight .22 LR and commented how much lighter it was. She shouldered the rifle and quickly made hits on target. Fatigue wasn’t an issue and it is just so nice not having to wear ear protection while shooting. This is a great plinking rifle for a fun day on the range. My Gemtech Alpine suppressor provided “Hollywood Quiet” suppression. Many times the only noises while firing, was the bolt moving back and forth and the thud of the projectile hitting the backstop.
Conclusion on How to Build Your Own Lightweight .22 AR
Introducing new shooters to firearms is always delicate. You have to choose your firearm properly to ease them into it and not create bad memories of the experience. I think this rifle is probably one of the most perfect introductory rifles. It is super light, quiet, and compact. The addition of the RTS2 sight makes hitting the target easy and intuitive. It has the side benefit of teaching proper operation and handling of the AR-15 platform so when a new shooter is ready to take on a larger rifle the muscle memory has been established. Go ahead and give one a try, you won’t be disappointed.
Related Videos: Del-Ton Echo 316 Budget Priced AR-15 Sootch00 Review
By Zack Carlson. Originally published in the May 2014 issue of GunUp the Magazine.


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This week, Daily Press motorsports writer Al Pearce will be participating in Kyle Petty's Charity Motorcycle Ride Across America.
The 3,176-mile ride expects to raise $300,000 through per-day ($300) and full-ride ($6,500) pledges. The money will be distributed among St. Frances Children's Hospital in Tulsa, Okla., Duke Children's Hospital in Durham, N.C., Brenner Children's Hospital in Winston-Salem, N.C., the Winston Cup Racing Wives Auxiliary, and Paul Newman's Hole in the Wall Gang Camp for Kids.
The ride will make its first Virginia appearance on Saturday. Virginia will be the 11th state visited on this year's 12-state ride.
Day 2: The Grand Canyon.
It's been said before, but it bears repeating: The next time you feel self-important, go stand on the edge of the Grand Canyon. To quote that famous philosopher Richard Petty, "It makes us all look pretty insignificant, doesn't it? It makes us all look like little teeny specks."
Day 2 of Kyle Petty's annual charity ride across America stopped for an hour at the Grand Canyon between Prescott, Ariz., and Durango, Colo. The route went through everything from bleak deserts to lush green valleys, and finally into the snow- covered mountains of Durango.
The 12-hour ride had temperatures that ranged from the mid-30s to the mid-90s.
The 250-bike caravan will travel through Virginia on Saturday, stopping at the Richmond International Raceway before the ride ends on May 7 at Kyle Petty's farm in North Carolina.


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PEOPLE: Ann Morgan, Fennemore Craig
January 25, 2018
Ann Morgan, an attorney and director in the Reno law office of Fennemore Craig, has been selected chair of the Legal Affairs Committee for Airports Council International-North America.
The Legal Affairs Committee provides airport attorneys a platform for new developments in case law, statutes and regulations affecting airports as well as pending airport litigation.
Trending In: People
- ICYMI: Top 40 Sierra Nevada Powerful Women finalists
- Despite Sears, Toys ‘R’ Us closures, Northern NV retail market forges ahead
- Reno’s Eldorado Resorts part of $1.85 billion deal for Tropicana assets
- Gardnerville’s Killer Salsa brand still going strong 25 years later
- Northern Nevada females are cracking the surface in male-dominated industries (Women in Business series, part 3)

domain: law


text: Best Guide for Sonic Dash Discover all the secrets of the best game of the year. If you want to discover all the secrets of the best game of the year, you just have to download this application. Use this complete guide and enjoy completely the last adventure of Big Boss. The final enemies of this game are as difficult as ever, it´s not easy to getting the victory in the battles against them. Furthermore, the new open world concept has many new features, you will need a little bit of help to dominate the new routines. Discover all the secrets of the Big Boss´ history and be an authentic war master.

domain: hobby


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Mixed Metal Bracelet Sterling Silver
Organic shapes create this mixed metal beauty. Rugged yet so sexy... this is one you'll never take off. Perfect to add to your bracelet stack, wouldn't you say?
- Sculptural components are first hand carved in wax and later cast in metal
- Oxidized silver and silver
- Oxidized sterling silver chain with clasp closure
- Overall 6-1/2" length - fits most
- Each piece is handmade in the USA
- All of our jewelry comes beautifully packaged and ready to give
We want you to love your Chikahisa Studio pieces. If you aren't absolutely thrilled, you can return the piece within 14 days. Read here for full shop policies.
In stock items will be shipped within 5-7 business days. For out of stock items, it generally takes 2-4 weeks.
Have a question?Contact ushereand we'll get back to you within 24-48 hours.
It's the perfect everyday bracelet. It's goes with everything. I'm very happy with it.

domain: design


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LED Light Box - No Drama Llama - 17x25x3cm
Add a touch of fun to your children's space this season with our 'No Drama Llama' LED Light Box. Versatile and functional, this light box can either be hung or can stand alone - the choice is yours.
- Perfect as a night light
- Hang on the wall or stand alone
- LED Light inside
- Battery Operated
- Measures 17x25x3cm
|Unit Of Measure||Each|


text: Welcome to the Reading Corner!"The mission of the elementary literacy program in Loudoun County Public Schools is to teach all students how to read, write, and comprehend text, so that they may become independent readers and writers, lifelong learners, and confident citizens of the 21st century."We are very excited about supporting our students' reading experiences and fostering a love of reading at Guilford! Please let us know if we can assist you in any way. Happy reading!

domain: library


text:
A gathering place for Vindictus players of any region or server to get together and discuss the game.
Free forum : This is all about the McDonald's Guild on Atlantica Online Mycenae Server.
For guild member to communicate outside of Vindictus.
Private Place for the Nation Revelation from Atlantica Online to gather and talk. Run by King Noobicuss


his is no fish tale.
Manitoba sport fisher Kimm Blaquiere caught and reeled in an 11-foot, 2-inch white sturgeon all by himself just east of Mission on Sept. 29.
"This is the fish of a lifetime," said Blaquiere from his Manitoba home on Tuesday.
"But it would have been better the day before when I was in the sturgeon conservation tournament."
He's been coming to B.C. to fish for sturgeon for about six years, and caught some good-sized fish, but this was the biggest.
The fish measured 340 centimetres in length (fork length - nose to fork of the tail) and 145 cm in girth, making it the largest tag and released white sturgeon on the Fraser River for the 2012 season.
Although not a world record, this fish was estimated to weigh roughly 750 lbs.
"Fish in this size range are likely female and more than 100 years old," said senior fisheries biologist Karl English, chairman of the Fraser River Sturgeon Conservation Society.
And it didn't go gently into the late afternoon sun.
After a great day of fishing with the B.C. Sportfishing Group and angling guide Mike Neufeld, Blaquiere and his buddies in three other boats decided to have one last drop near the Mission boat launch about 3:45 p.m.
"They wanted to fish the last bit of the day together. Five minutes later, he got a bite and it instantly jumped out of the river," said Neufeld. They were about 140 metres east of the Mission train bridge.
"Only about half its body came out of the water, and we saw the first five feet and knew it was quite significant.
"When it's on the line like that, it's pretty exciting."
Neufeld said Blaquiere was really good on the rod and fought the fish for about an hour, as it pulled the boat another 230 metres upriver.
Neufeld tried to keep the boat on top of the fish and keep it away from the shoreline.
It took another half hour to get the exhausted fish to the surface and over to the shore where it was measured and tagged before being released.
"It was definitely the biggest fish we've ever landed on my boat," said Neufeld.
Blaquiere, who runs a fishing guide service in Manitoba, was worn out himself.
"I was at the end of it for sure," he said, adding there were about 30 people in nearby boats watching the whole show.
Neufeld said the sturgeon was healthy and even had a bit of fight left as they released it.
"She just kicked and thrashed and took off. It was a really good healthy release."
Every Fraser River white sturgeon encountered by B.C. Sportfishing Group fishing guides is sampled as part of the FRSCS ongoing monitoring and assessment program.
"This sturgeon is one of the top five largest measured in our monitoring and assessment program, and we want to do everything we can to ensure their ability to reproduce," said English.
"Thanks to the data collected by our volunteers, we are able to monitor the status of the lower Fraser sturgeon population, track growth rates and take action towards the protection and recovery of this species."
And while Blaquiere does not have a fish for his wall, he's got a great story about the one that didn't get away.
And what did he use for bait? A ball of salmon eggs.
- The Fraser River Sturgeon Conservation Society uses the fork length and girth length from behind the pectoral fins measurements, to ensure consistency across all samples. It is also the measurement used by the International Game Fish Association when documenting their record catches. This amazing sturgeon represents the size of mature brood stock needed to create the next generation of the species said senior fisheries biologist Karl English. The society has obtained size data from more than 50,000 sturgeon tagged over the past 12 years.


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SWAGGBOIZ COLLABORATED WITH BRICKZ, MSA, HHP, PITCH BLACK AFRO & TOL ASS MO ON A HIT SONG CALLED TURN UP
The South African Based Malawian Hip Hop Duo “Swaggboiz “has released a song called Turn Up which they feat South African’s Hip Hop and Kwaito heavy weights Brickz, HHP, MSA, Pitch Black Afro and Tol Ass Mo. The song which produced by MSA has been released and is ready for free download Follow the link https://www.datafilehost.com/d/nkhLKCLuGD
Speaking with the Swaggboiz they say they were busy working on their Ulbum which will be released anytime soon from now, currently the Swaggboiz has 50 songs already recorded and they will decide how many songs the ulbum will carry. The Swaggboiz they are under their own record label called Swaggboiz and it’s a duo of twins Cj and Jojo
Swaggboiz they also collaborated with Gemin Major the signed Malawian producer for Family Tree on a hit song Party for two http://chiroking.wapka.mobi/music/view/43912016. In their 50 songs they also collaborated with other well know heavy weights in Music industry. The song Turn Up has been released on a free download as they want their fans to sample the new stuff before it goes to sell on other platforms
Hip Hop is our food,is our home and is everything to us; we can’t stay without Hip Hop as we born in it; says Swaggboiz. Asking them on who inspire them to come up with Turn up tune, the colour dread locked Hip Hop guys says Swaggboiz inspired them, we believe in ourselves, whatever we do comes from us, we don’t wait for anyone to inspire us as this is a born talent and with almighty God we are taking it to another level . SABMA ask the swaggboiz if they are going to Malawi anytime soon and they say “’We stay here, Africa is home, we have a lot of plans before we go to Malawi, we will arrange big shows in Malawi and we will go there to deliver what we have been cooking in a Rainbow nation”’.
To all our Fans enjoy the tune, Lets Turn Up..!!!!!!https://www.datafilehost.com/d/nkhLKCLuGD


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Meenu Agro Chem Private Limited was registered at Registrar of Companies Mumbai on 22 February, 2007 and is categorised as Company limited by Shares and an Indian Non-Government Company.
Meenu Agro Chem Private Limited's Corporate Identification Number (CIN) is U01403MH2007PTC168030 and Registeration Number is 168030.
Meenu Agro Chem Private Limited registered address on file is New Bharat Building, Ghodapdeo Cross Lane No.1, Rambhau Bhogale Marg, Byculla, Mumbai Maharashtra India 400033, - , Maharashtra, .
Meenu Agro Chem Private Limited currently have 2 Active Directors / Partners: Meenu Joy Manglani, Kishore Gurbux Motwani, and there are no other Active Directors / Partners in the company except these 2 officials.
Meenu Agro Chem Private Limited is involved in Agriculture & Allied Activities Activity and currently company is in Strike Off Status.

domain: economics


text:
Getting the Most From Your Dog Park
Play Areas for Pooches Provide Gateways to Greater Gain
By Jessica Royer Ocken
A few years back, the president of the park board in Fargo, N.D., went off to a conference and came back all full of big ideas, recalled Fargo Director of Recreation Clay Whittlesey. She wanted to build dog parks. "We laughed at her a little," Whittlesey admitted. "But it's one of the most positive things we've done. We're now adding a third."
This is not a story about how to get dogs to use your dog park. Once built, a dog park most often seems to be a place with no shortage of participants. Sometimes it's a challenge just to keep the grass growing! But, what may be missing (whether you've built it yet or not), is a strategy that maximizes the dog park's potential. Although canines are certainly beloved members of the community, it would be tough to say they're your primary target audience—even at the dog park. It's their owners you're really seeking to serve.
So, what would they like? Answering this question is a great place to start. And, once you get the discussion going, you'll likely find all sorts of ways to engage dog lovers in park district and community happenings and special events, as well as get their suggestions for how to make your parks the best they can be. After all, sometimes things begin with a trip to the dog park, but those dogs' people have exercise and entertainment needs as well.
Read on for our tips on how to get everyone, with two legs or four, out there and enjoying life!
Many of the very best dog parks across the country are partnerships between cities or park districts and nonprofit organizations or community volunteers. If you're considering building a dog park, or if you'd like to have some programming at the one you already have, why not see if pet owners might be interested in taking charge?
In the Los Angeles area, the Hermon Dog Park (one of the country's top 10, according to Dog Fancy) is supported by the Friends of Hermon Dog Park (a 501c3 organization), but it's on park district property. "We're very proud of it and our great relationship with the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks," said Wendi Riser, co-president of the Friends of Hermon Dog Park. The Friends work closely with the area maintenance division from the park district, she explained. Whether they need a gate opened, graffiti removed or an electric box turned on for a special event, "if we have security or maintenance issues, they're on it right away," Riser said.
And no wonder—what a deal for the park district! This well-loved, award-winning space is managed almost entirely without their in-house resources. Furthermore, in Provincetown, Mass., the Pilgrim Bark Park (another Dog Fancy top-10-ranked park) is run by the Provincetown Dog Park Association Inc. (PDPA), which is another nonprofit. They have a public-private partnership with the town (because the town owns the dog park's land), but the only service Provincetown provides is trash removal, according to Candace Nagle, president and co-founder of the PDPA. The park itself is privately funded by the PDPA. It opened in 2008, but they just put the final touches on this fall.
In contrast, the dog parks in Fargo are operated solely by the park district, but Whittlesey said there are still plenty of groups involved. "[The dog parks] provide an opportunity for recreation for those who don't play sports or go to the pool, including the elderly," he said. "I've also met young people who've gotten married after meeting at the dog park. People at the parks are friendly, and their dogs give them something in common." He said he "sees the same five or six people there all the time" at the dog park near his home, and sometimes there are as many as 30 or 40 gathered.
Even if there's not a formal support organization for the dog park, you can still reach out to interested parties, noted Kim Becker, communications and marketing supervisor for Henderson, Nev., Parks and Recreation. She suggested contacting not just those who'll be neighbors with the dog park and those likely to use it, but those who are experts in the field.
"We know how to build a dog park, but we didn't know how people would use it," she explained. "We do the same thing with our skateparks. We ask the pros how it will be used."
The Henderson Park District reached out to local breed clubs (German shepherds, cocker spaniels), those who have show dogs, veterinarians and pet industry professionals. As a result, they have well-designed parks with a fantastic assortment of programming, so there's something for everyone, poodle or Rottweiler.
To maximize both human and dog enjoyment of a dog park—and perhaps some of your other offerings as well—appropriate placement is key. Locating your dog park within a larger park space or near other recreation options may increase crossover usage of all your facilities.
Locating your dog park within a larger park space or near other recreation options may increase crossover usage of all your facilities.
There are 11 tennis courts in the Los Angeles park where the Hermon Dog Park is located, and Riser said a number of people have mentioned that they "stumbled on to the tennis courts" when they brought their dog to the dog park, then returned later, sans dog, to play tennis. She also believes a variety of non-dog-owners get a kick out of the dog park. "We do have people who just come and watch the dogs play," she said. "Maybe they recently lost a dog, or they just enjoy it. Families bring their kids to watch the dogs."
The Henderson park district has nine wildly successful dog parks located within larger parks, and their community's enthusiasm was so great that when they began building their 160-acre recreation complex, they included a five-acre bark park, complete with agility equipment for dogs, dog-themed benches, water fountains, restrooms and an 18-foot-long statue of the park's mascot, Barcules. And, they're still not finished.
The next phase of construction will add walking paths and 13 ball fields, "so it will bring people in who may not [otherwise] have gone to that side of town," Becker said. Now when the kids come to softball practice, parents can use the paths to go over to the dog park. "We've had good results with dog parks within other parks and near other facilities," she added. "That's what people told us they want."
Fargo's dog parks are also both attached to larger parks, one near a community garden and one near the children's museum, "so there's lots of traffic through the area," Whittlesey said.
The Fargo Park District has also realized that an essential component of dog park location is finding adequate space. "When we started our dog parks we had no idea they would be so successful," said Whittlesey. "They could be twice as big. We've had trouble keeping grass [because of] heavy usage."
But, if they were surprised by the parks' popularity, they were downright insightful when they chose their locations. Neighborhoods with sprawling backyards won't be nearly as desperate for dog-exercising areas as more densely populated parts of town. Scout the map for dog-friendly apartment complexes, suggested Whittlesey. "Those are the people who need it." The dog park closest to such a complex in Fargo? "That's the one we can't keep grass on," he said.
When it comes to what your dog park actually includes, there's a broad spectrum of choices. Some parks focus on simply providing protected space for dogs to run, while others go further and include an assortment of agility equipment, dog-themed amenities (for people and pooches), and even water features for both drinking and frolicking. Another helpful feature seems to be some means of maintaining order, and a well-thought-out design as well as meticulously posted and enforced rules can make sure that's happening.
As a point of reference, Dog Fancy requires the following three features for dog parks that would like to be considered for their "top dog parks in the country" list each year:
- Fencing: Particularly in busy urban areas, and in any town with leash laws, there aren't many spots where dogs are free to roam. A dog park should be one of them, so secure fencing is an imperative. No pooches-at-play should inadvertently end up in traffic.
- Double gates: Double gating is another safety feature that also enhances furry crowd control. The first gate opens into a "foyer" area, if you will, where dogs can be unleashed before entering the main play area and re-leashed before exiting the park and returning to the civilized world. This extra layer of fencing also helps cut down on escapees. Should a dog slip out the main gate as another enters, they'll be contained by the second gated area.
- Free cleanup bags: A well-loved dog park could easily become a (literal) minefield without the proper cleanup protocol. In most cases dog owners are conscientious, but you can ensure more complete adherence to waste-disposal ordinances by providing owners with everything they need. Cleanup bag dispensers are available from a number of companies in a variety of styles—including recycled-material options—so you're sure to find something that will work in your space. A trash can specifically designated for pet waste may also be a nice touch.
And that's it. Pretty simple. "It's very inexpensive and easy," Whittlesey said. "Just green space and a fence."
Of course, there are a few other things Dog Fancy and many of the dog park proprietors we talked with for this story would also recommend. To take your park past the basics, consider some of the following options:
Separate spaces for smaller and larger dogs: Although the dogs coming to play are usually quite social and friendly, dogs are not always so good at realizing what size they are. And no one wants to see their miniature poodle or puppy trampled by an overeager, oversized potential playmate.
When the first of the dog parks opened in Henderson, Nev., "we immediately got feedback to designate by size of dog," Becker said. Their parks now offer three size-designated dog runs for small, medium and large pets. In Fargo they provide a line 18 inches off the ground (like at the carnival!) at the dog park entrance. Dogs taller than the line go in one run, and those shorter go in the other.
Occasionally, some small dogs want to run with the big boys (see note above about dogs having no idea what size they are), but the option to stick with those of similar height and weight keeps everyone safer and happier (that includes owners). At the Hermon Dog Park, the large-dog and small-dog runs are side by side, "so the little dogs can run along the fence with the big dogs, but they feel safe because they have their own space," Riser said. It's the best of both worlds.
Water features—whether it's a dog-level drinking fountain alongside the human-level one, or a more elaborate water play area, everyone needs a little refreshment while they're having fun!
Water features: Whether this is a dog-level drinking fountain alongside the human-level one, or a more elaborate water play area, everyone needs a little refreshment while they're having fun—and Dog Fancy also includes this on their list of contest criteria. Some drinking fountain units also have faucets for dog-washing or sprays for cooling down.
Becker reported that the next phase of development at Henderson's new recreation complex will include a splashpad for people in one area, but also one for dogs in the dog park, which will be shaped like a paw. People and pets can't share a splash play area for health reasons, but no one will be left out.
And if onsite water play is not an option for your dog park, what about elsewhere in town? Provincetown's Pilgrim Bark Park does not include a water feature, but the Provincetown Animal Welfare Committee (a government board of which the PDPA's Nagle is also chair) has worked with the city to secure off-leash beach rights for local dogs during scheduled times all year round.
Agility equipment: Most of those we spoke with whose dog parks include simply space to run did agree that some agility equipment—durable features for dogs to jump over and run around and through—would likely enhance their park. In some cases it was an issue of maintenance (it is harder to mow or rake around an obstacle than in an open area) or a matter of space or available money.
But, if you can include this option, it can open a lot of doors. Look for equipment made by a manufacturer that specializes in dog parks, and select challenges that are adjustable for dogs of varying sizes and skill levels to help avoid injury. When chosen wisely, agility features make your park more of a "destination" for dogs and their owners in search of a special outing.
In Henderson, the agility-course-equipped park can even accommodate small dog shows. They also rent it out occasionally to the local cocker spaniel club, which has used it for events as well as group meetings. But best of all, "even if we're not having an event, someone just going through with their dog can use the course," Becker said. "It's available even when it's not programmed."
Other tips: Other features that may enhance your dog park include adequate shade, appropriate lighting and parking. Each of these is a factor considered by Dog Fancy, and Riser reported that they've gotten great feedback from planting additional trees for shade at the Hermon Dog Park. She also suggested careful consideration of the surface material you choose. While grass is lovely, the Hermon Dog Park has decomposed granite, which Riser said dries much more quickly than turf would after a rainstorm and prevents them from having to close their whole park for maintenance, as they'd need to do periodically if they had grass.
She also suggested posting the rules and local ordinances that apply to your park somewhere prominently to avoid any confusion. Hermon Dog Park notices include that owners are responsible for their pets and everyone enters at their own risk. They also have a large sign that indicates only neutered dogs are allowed in the park.
In addition, the American Kennel Club offers some excellent suggestions for dog park features (along with accompanying explanation to help you convince your community) at www.akc.org/canine_legislation/dogpark.cfm.
A final factor Dog Fancy considers as it ranks dog parks are special events, including educational workshops and health clinics. Programming and events can be a huge success at dog parks, just as they are at other park properties. And people love pets—often even those who don't own them themselves—so including an animal option in larger park district or community events can be a great way to make sure everyone is involved and having fun.
At the dog park, consider developing some regular programs to build participation among local dog owners. Henderson offers dog obedience training at their dog parks and an introduction to agility class that shows dogs and their owners how to use the course. They also offer something called Rally, which is an obedience sport that involves dogs and owners completing a specially designed course together. "We also offer basic canine classes at our recreation center, but people are much more interested in taking them at the bark park," Becker said.
Friends of the Hermon Dog Park in Los Angeles host a monthly "yappy hour" at their dog park, which began as a fun way to let more people know about the park and has evolved into a great time for socializing among dogs and owners alike, Riser explained. They just put out a big bowl of dog treats, along with some punch and cookies, and let the fun begin. Or sometimes they go for a theme—Hawaiian luau, anyone? There's a doggie costume contest at "Howloween," which is followed by the Big Peanut Butter Lick-Off. "[Yappy hour] takes very little planning, but it's an opportunity to get material out to everyone about what's coming up," Riser said. They advertise the event with flyers at pet stores, veterinary clinics, restaurants, coffeehouses and other community gathering spots.
The Friends have also hosted three pet education seminars this year, which are held right next to the dog park, so people can bring their pets. They've covered topics from pet emergency preparedness to dealing with pet loss to basic obedience and training tips. They also host an occasional cleanup day at the park to disinfect benches and trash can covers, clean out the water area and organize the bulletin board. "Although, the park district does so well with maintenance that it doesn't take us much more than an hour," Riser said. Nevertheless, "it helps with buy-in and a sense of ownership" among those that use the space, she explained. "It's a way to reach different populations and get them to the dog park."
Riser also suggested hosting a periodic "puppy party" to teach newbies about dog park etiquette. "We're mostly teaching the owners," she said. "But we don't put it that way." During this event the Friends show new dog parents how to socialize their animals and how to recognize what behaviors are playing, as opposed to aggression.
Beyond the dog park, consider community-wide events that focus on dogs, or include a furry component in an already-established local celebration. Even those who don't own dogs may enjoy an opportunity to interact with the four-legged members of the community.
Residents of Fargo look forward to the Hot Dog Walk each summer, which includes complementary hot dogs to munch, as well as a "hottest dog" competition, stupid pet tricks, a costume contest and an owner-dog look-alike competition. This summer Petco and several local pet stores donated prizes. There were homemade dog biscuits for sale, and the agility club in town set up a temporary course for dogs and their owners to test out.
If your town has a zero-depth entry pool, consider opening it up to canine swimmers before you close it for the season (because you'll be disinfecting it then anyway). See sidebar for more on how this sort of event might work.
In Los Angeles, at the city-wide holiday parade, dogs and their people form the Santa Paws Squad. They dress in their holiday finest and walk the parade route to the delight of all. Provincetown's Nagle suggested holding a pet appreciation weekend with canine games and a dog parade, and you might even consider kicking off the event with a fundraising dinner to support the local dog park or animal shelter. Fargo features the Furry Friends Walk, which begins at the dog park and winds its way through town via the walking trails. There are stops for food and prizes at the city's fitness centers, and the fee to participate raises money for Adopt a Pet in Fargo, which assists abused and abandoned animals.
Animal ownership is not only big business, it's probably the key to the hearts of a good portion of your community, as pets are beloved and full-fledged members of many a family these days. So, as you seek to serve your constituents, don't forget those who love their dogs. Reach out to them, find ways for them to be involved along with their pets, and you'll likely find them participating in activities they might not otherwise think to attend. Who knows what they'll discover once they're there. Remember, not only does a dog park enhance the neighborhood around it, your attention to the needs and interests of this part of your population can bear fruit across the community.
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Saturday, August 27, 2011
Em's custom outfit...
Many of you know I use to be a children's clothing designer. My desire to design and sew has been gone for a while. Until recently. I thought i'd give it a go. I had fun, em loves it and it cost me almost nothing but time because I had all the fabrics from other projects. I love it.
I have quite a few resales to list soon....hopefully I can get those photographed and up for sale this coming up week. One is a thanksgiving outfit....perfect for fall too. I Love fall.


HUDA spent just Rs 8,106 crore in Gurgaon as against Rs 15,633 crore as total resources generated from this city, as per the paper.
Twenty-seven urban bodies including municipal corporations and urban development authorities have put in place online building plan sanctions that will help in reducing the time taken for according necessary approvals, Lok Sabha.
Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has directed the forest department to carry out a survey for the construction of small check dams.
Metro lines of 25-km-length are under construction including 13.875 kms in Faridabad, 4.875 kms in Bahadurgarh and 6.5 km in Gurgaon.
The Union HRD ministry saw its fifth senior joint secretarylevel officer moving out this week,probably the most attritionprone in the BJP govt
USTDA and respective state govts signed MoU for cooperation in developing Ajmer, Allahabad and Visakhapatnam as Smart Cities on January 25.
Haryana's new industrial policy will focus on some key areas including manufacturing and micro small and medium enterprises to boost growth.
The Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) will make way for a new mission aimed at upgrading infrastructure in cities.


National Senior Staff
Stephen J. Peck, who served as a Marine officer in Vietnam, heads the nation’s largest nonprofit devoted to providing housing and other essential services to at-risk veterans.
United States Veterans Initiative (U.S.VETS), which opened its first facility in Los Angeles in 1993, has grown to 11 sites in five states and the District of Columbia, serving more than 5,000 veterans a day. Yearly, U.S.VETS helps 8,000 veterans find housing and more than 1,500 veterans gain full-time jobs.
Mr. Peck says he learned in the Marine Corps, “If you don’t go where the trouble is, you can’t solve the problem.”
As the U.S. continues to send troops to the Middle East, the issues of veteran unemployment, homelessness, Post-Traumatic Stress, and other reintegration issues have reached critical levels. Twenty veterans a day commit suicide in the United States.
“Our job at U.S.VETS is to engage the enemy at home — the enemy of homelessness, disillusionment and disappointment — to let these men and women know there is a path forward,” says Mr. Peck. U.S.VETS strives to empower each veteran to take responsibility for his or her success, guiding them towards independence in the community, developing their workforce skills and supporting recovery.
Mr. Peck graduated from Northwestern University in 1968 and entered the Marine Corps that same year. In Vietnam, he was a first lieutenant in the 1st Marine Division, serving as a forward observer outside of Danang in 1969, receiving the Navy Commendation Medal.
After his service Mr. Peck became a documentary filmmaker. Eventually, a series of films on homelessness and veteran’s issues compelled him to change careers. Peck went to work helping the Veterans Administration place homeless veterans into housing and in 1996 joined the organization that became U.S.VETS as Director of Community Development, where he was involved with program design and funding, developing partnerships, and advocating on a State and National level to bring attention to possible solutions for homeless veterans. He was also the inaugural Director of U.S.VETS’ largest site in Long Beach. He was appointed president and CEO in August 2010. Mr. Peck earned his Master’s Degree in Social Work from USC in 1997. He is also the President of the California Association of Veteran Service Agencies (CAVSA) a consortium of seven nonprofit veteran service providers working in partnership to address the needs of California’s veterans.
He has been honored by the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, the USC School of Social Work, Northwestern University, the American Legion Auxiliary, and the City of Long Beach. He was awarded a Doctorate of Humane Letters, honoris causa, by the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2012.
Mr. Peck and his wife, Kristine Kidd, a food writer and culinary consultant, and the former Food Editor of Bon Appetit magazine, live with their Labrador retriever, Atticus, in the Los Angeles community of Topanga Canyon. He has a grown son, Ethan, an actor; and a grown step-daughter, Marisa, a writer.
Darryl J. Vincent has been with U.S.VETS since 2003. As Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Vincent directly supervises all Executive Directors across the organization’s 11 services areas, and oversees overall operations of U.S.VETS nationally.
As a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Mr. Vincent has a long-standing commitment and sincere compassion for the veteran community. Mr. Vincent truly operates with the belief that any veteran who sleeps on the same streets they were once asked to defend represents a dishonor to us all – and that it is our job at U.S.VETS to work ourselves out of a job. After his military service, Mr. Vincent received his Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services, a Master Degree in Social Work from the University of New England, and is a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor. Earlier in his career at U.S.VETS, Mr. Vincent led the expansion of our U.S.VETS-Barber’s Point and opened U.S.VETS-Waianae. As the head of U.S.VETS programs nationally, his attention to quality and measurable outcomes led the organization to achieve CARF accreditation and to be recognized as a national leader in service delivery to homeless veterans.
During Mr. Vincent’s leadership in Hawaii he was recognized as one of the “ten people who made a difference in Hawaii” in the year 2007. In 2008, he was awarded the “Unsung Hero” award at NCHV. He also served as the Chairperson for the entire Continuum of Care from 2010-2013. In 2012, Mr. Vincent was honored at the Helping Hands Hawaii annual dinner, in celebration of his 19 years of work in the social service field. In 2013, Mr. Vincent received the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation AIM for Excellence Award. Mr. Vincent has been featured in local and national media including Hawaii Magazine, Honolulu Star Advertiser, ABC, CBS and Fox News, and has provided testimony at state and federal levels to government, community coalitions and Veterans Administration leadership, advocating for the needs of America’s veterans.
Beyond his professional community involvement, Mr. Vincent is a Weinberg Fellow and proud member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. He is the proud father of two sons, the younger is a pre-teen and the older is a currently a cadet at West Point.
Dan Warzenski joined U.S.VETS in October 2015 after more than three decades in retail, bringing with him a wealth of big company experience. Twenty of those years in the for-profit world were spent in the Los Angeles-based Robinsons-May, where he held leadership roles from 1986-2006.
Among his accomplishments at Robinsons-May was the 1993 merger of Robinson’s financial systems into May Co. systems. In 2002, he also helped fold Meier & Frank stores into Robinsons-May.
A U.S. veteran, Mr. Warzenski served in the United States Marine Corps from 1969-71. After an honorable discharge, he would go on to attain an MBA from Seton Hall University in New Jersey, graduating in 1976.
Beyond work, Mr. Warzenski resides in Mt. Washington, is an avid runner and soccer fan, and enjoys spending time with his two grown children and three grandchildren
Lori Allgood joined U.S.VETS in April 2017, as Vice President and Director of Housing Development after working extensively in real estate development and nonprofit operations.
As VP of Housing Development, she oversees U.S.VETS portfolio of properties and manages affordable housing development, including property acquisition and development, financial structuring and acquisition, compliance and partnerships.
Ms. Allgood’s past accomplishments include implementation and direction of a $350 million dollar product philanthropy program, as well as over 20 years of real estate development.
Jeff Coleman is the Vice President of Fiscal Evaluation and Compliance. The primary responsibility of this position is to evaluate the financial performance of the organization as it relates to its budgets, sites, programs, and grants. This position also provides oversight of organization wide regulations and procedures to ensure fiscal compliance.
Mr. Coleman is a graduate of California State University, Long Beach, where he earned a B.A. degree in Economics. Mr. Coleman began working with U.S.VETS in June 1994 as Program Officer of the Corporation for National Service AmeriCorps Program. As the organization expanded, the position of Program Officer also expanded to include financial reporting and accounting. Mr. Coleman has worked in all aspects of accounting for the organization and has years of experience in financial grant management. He was then promoted into the position of Senior Financial Analyst for U.S. VETS and experienced the growth of the organization to 14 sites in 7 states. He has worked closely with each of those sites and corporate accounting in providing financial assistance and oversight.
Laney Kapgan is the Vice President, Development & Communications for U.S.VETS, overseeing national and regional fundraising, communications and marketing strategy, and leading a team of regional and national staff in growing philanthropic engagement and increasing brand visibility across the country.
Ms. Kapgan has focused much of her career on expanding public and private funding, visibility and partnerships for key safety net programs supporting homeless and low-income individuals and families across Los Angeles. Prior to joining U.S.VETS, Ms. Kapgan served as Chief Development Officer for Venice Family Clinic, a UCLA Health System-affiliated community health center. In addition to significantly increasing both government and private operational funding, Ms. Kapgan led capital efforts to build and renovate two new health centers, and expand signature homeless and women’s health programs. Ms. Kapgan also held fundraising and leadership positions at Chrysalis, a social enterprise and nonprofit that helps low-income and homeless individuals secure employment, as well as GLAAD, Race to Erase MS and Break the Cycle. In total, Ms. Kapgan has raised more than $100 million to provide housing, health care, employment and other vital direct services for at-risk and underserved members of our community.
Ms. Kapgan received her B.A. in Legal Studies from University of Massachusetts, Amherst and a certificate from the UCLA Anderson School of Management’s Clinic Leadership Institute. In her spare time, Ms. Kapgan is hard at work perfecting her recipe for homemade bagels and taste testing the competition.
A veteran of the Marine Corps, Vietnam and three decades of top human resources management, Jim Lynch serves as Vice President of Human Resources for U.S.VETS.
After serving in the Marine Corps in Vietnam in 1968, Mr. Lynch attended the University of Colorado at Boulder, then started as a shoe salesman in Denver for May D&F and rose over 35 years to Senior Vice President of Human Resources for Robinsons May in Los Angeles.
During that period he managed HR assignments in New York, Ohio, Connecticut, Wisconsin and Missouri.
Mr. Lynch also served as a member of the Executive Committee of the board of directors for The Employers Group of Los Angeles.
Mr. Lynch, who lives is the San Fernando Valley, has three adult children and two grandchildren.
Ms. Rohac earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology at Michigan State University and her Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. She completed the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling Core Counselor Training program and served two terms representing veteran services in a governor-appointed seat on the State of Nevada Advisory Committee for Problem Gambling.
Ms. Rohac joined U.S.VETS in September 2001 as a Case Manager at the Las Vegas site. In 2011, she received national recognition as the recipient of U.S.VETS Manager of the Year Award. The following year she joined the executive team at U.S.VETS – National office.
Ms. Rohac is a Field Instructor for the University of Southern California Military Social Work Program and formerly for the University of Nevada Las Vegas Social Work and Counseling Programs. She has also served as a member of Veteran Stand Down Committees as Co-Chair and Treasurer, the National Association of Social Workers Student Member, the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals, and the VA Mental Health Consumer Council.
Carla A. Ford is the General Counsel for US VETS. She is responsible for providing legal advice to officers and directors in the organization, assisting in the management of company risks, and overseeing the company’s legal matters, including contract formation, litigation, dispute resolution, and protection of the company’s property rights.
Ms. Ford served for 16 years as an Assistant United States (“AUSA”) in the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office (“USAO”) in Los Angeles, where she represented the government in a varied civil litigation practice. In 2010, Ms. Ford left the USAO to join Walmart Stores, Inc. as a senior member of their field-based Environmental Compliance & Ethics Team, which helped the Fortune One’s 300+ California facilities stay in compliance with State and Federal environmental laws. During her legal career in Atlanta, she served as an AUSA and, later, she was appointed chief executive officer of Georgia’s Commission on Equal Opportunity, the agency that investigated claims of discrimination in housing and in state employment. Ms. Ford has also been in private practice at law firms in Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Pasadena.
Involved in her community, Ms. Ford serves on the board of Being Alive!, a nonprofit organization that helps those affected by HIV/AIDS and she is a life member of the Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles.
A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Ms. Ford is a graduate of Boston University, where she earned a B.A. in English, cum laude, and Georgetown University Law Center. She and her husband have one adult son and reside in Mid-City L.A.
Larry D. Williams is the Vice President of Programs. Mr. Williams completed a four year enlistment in the United States Army; he was discharged honorably in 1989.
Mr. Williams graduated from the University of Phoenix in 2009 with a Bachelors Degree in Human Services and obtained his Masters of Business Administration in 2011. Mr. Williams has been serving veterans for 10 years, and has received several awards for his service to the homeless population – including two senatorial commendations, and 2 congressional recognitions and a Congressional Record from the House of Representatives, signed by Congressman Jon C. Porter. Mr. Williams has a long history of receiving accolades from veteran clients for his remarkable contribution in assisting them with acquiring food, housing, clothing, and employment services.
His proudest accomplishments are his marriage, four children and four grandchildren. Mr. Williams considers them his greatest sense of motivation and his greatest sense of support.
Carole Benedict is the Executive Director for U.S.VETS – Prescott.
Benedict spent the greater part of the last two decades working with the community-based Verde Valley Sanctuary.
Based in Sedona, the Sanctuary provides intervention and prevention services for at-risk youth across 14 schools and serves an average of 1100 students annually.
Benedict is also a licensed child, adult and family therapist with experience facilitating anger management groups for high school and middle school students. She holds a master’s degree in education from Northern Arizona University.
Shalimar Cabrera is the Executive Director for U.S.VETS — Las Vegas.
Ms. Cabrera earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, and Masters Degree in Social Work, with a concentration on Management & Community Practice, from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. She began working with U.S.VETS in 2003 as an Outreach Specialist, then continued on as AmeriCorps Program Director then National AmeriCorps Director prior to assuming the role of Executive Director of U.S.VETS Las Vegas in 2008.
Ms. Cabrera is the Chairperson of the Las Vegas Veterans Stand Down, coordinating outcome-driven services to meet the needs of hundreds of veterans each year.
Dr. Kim Cook is the Executive Director for U.S.VETS — Barbers Point.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, and completed the Masters and Psy.D. Clinical Psychology programs at Argosy University Hawaii in 2006 and 2008, respectively. After working many years in the non-profit sector with children with autism, adults with severe mental illnesses, and in the field of Chemical Dependency, Dr. Cook joined U.S.VETS in 2009 as Clinical Director. She transitioned in to the role of Executive Director in 2012.
Dr. Cook was born and raised on the island of Oahu and is involved in a number of community groups, including the West Oahu Professional Network (WOPN). She serves as a member of the Argosy University Hawaii psychology board.
Nicole Starks-Murray, a proven visionary and strategic leader, has over 33 years executive and senior management experience working for nonprofit, government, profit and public entities. She has an extensive background in Business Management, Finance, Contract/Program Administration and Continuous Quality Improvement processes.
Before joining U.S.VETS — Inland Empire, Ms. Starks-Murray was the Program Director for Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino, where they focused on programs geared towards assisting families impacted by the drivers of poverty. She worked with former Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa as Treasurer for the Greater Los Angeles Vendor engagement project, where they helped to ensure small businesses had the opportunities to compete and work with larger metropolitan businesses. Ms. Starks-Murray was the Executive Director of Assistance League of So California, leading the efforts of reunifying parents with their children in the court system while providing compressive support services that included mental health services, childcare, case management, housing and referrals. Nicole also launched her own consulting firm which provides services to entrepreneurs, grass root organizations, and individuals looking to start a business.
She graduated in 2001 from California State Los Angeles with a Bachelor of Business Management and then went on to receive her Master of Business Administration in 2006 from University of Phoenix. Both disciplines had focus on non-profit management/administration.
Ms. Starks-Murray is passionate about people and has enjoyed working with organizations with missions outlining their commitment to serving people in need and having a social impact that results in tangible outcomes.
Clifton Lewis is the Executive Director for U.S.VETS — Washington D.C.
Mr. Lewis has more than 16 years of experience in the social service/nonprofit field assisting vulnerable populations. His roles include serving as an integral member of The Community Partnership team as a Housing Subsidy Coordinator; a supervisory, clinical and assessment role with the Family Tree Healthy Families Program and a Program Coordinator with the Young Fathers Responsible Fathers Program. Mr. Lewis holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Tele-Communications from Morgan State University.
Michelle Jameson is the Executive Director for U.S.VETS — Phoenix.
Ms. Jameson spent the last four years working as the education social services manager with Salt River Indian Community Schools in Scottsdale-a multi-faceted job that entailed everything from overseeing day-to-day operations at four sites to making home visits to acting as liaison between state, federal and local representatives and the Native American families they served.
During her tenure at Salt River, she was nominated and recognized as one of the Top 5 Employees (out of 7,600), for her “outstanding commitment and leadership.”
Before moving to Arizona, she worked for more than a decade in Minnesota schools. During that time, she designed and launched an alternative learning center in Pelican Rapids, MN. She holds a Master of Science in Educational Administration from Minnesota State University.
Oudrey Hervey is a retired Navy Commander with 25 years of experience in leadership, strategy, human resources, safety, operations, emergency response, global policies, and organizational development. He possesses a wealth of experience leading and developing people from entry-level through executive-levels and recognizes people and processes as organizational success drivers. Mr. Hervey has a diverse professional background, which allows him to draw upon cross-departmental experiences to enable success.
Mr. Hervey has held director-level positions over the past 15 years in operations, human resources, and safety. He has managed organizations during transformations and workforce development reforms, requiring leadership skills in group cohesion, conflict resolution, change, and interpersonal communications. He has provided global consultative services to assist businesses, governments and non-governmental organizations to solve complex issues, generate value, and maximize growth.
As a social responsibility and veteran advocate, Mr. Hervey also served as a veterans’ career adviser, where he provided individualized career services to meet the employment needs of disabled and other veterans who are economically or educationally disadvantaged.
Mr. Hervey joined U.S.VETS in 2019 and is eager to galvanize the Houston site, cultivate meaningful relationships, and positively impact the growing number of veterans across the state of Texas.
Mr. Hervey’s educational accomplishments include a B.S. in Electronics Engineering from Southern University, a M.S. Public in Service Management from DePaul University, and a M.A. in National Security & Strategic Studies from the Navy War College. Additionally, he holds recognized HR certifications as a Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR) and as a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).
Sylvia Carter is the Program Director for U.S.VETS — Wai’anae. As the first person in her family to obtain a college degree, Ms. Carter is passionate about serving Hawai’i’s youth and has directed programming that made dreams of higher education a reality spanning from high school to college for the past 12 years.
Ms. Carter held office in state and regional TRIO organizations, raising money and awareness to advocate for underprivileged youth, garnering a 95% college going rate for pre-college students. In her role as a counselor at Windward Community College, she used innovative strategies to increase freshman enrollment by 10%.
Ms. Carter is extremely motivated to provide comprehensive services to U.S.VETS and Hawaiian families. She is dedicated to developing leadership skills and providing a platform to discuss homeless issues.
Ms. Carter holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Nevada, Reno. She is pursuing a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Florida Gulf Coast University.
Robert Stohr is the Executive Director at U.S.VETS — Patriotic Hall in downtown Los Angeles.
Mr. Stohr earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Minnesota and a master’s degree in Educational Psychology from California State University. Following a 20 year career as a psychotherapist, Mr. Stohr acted as Division Director for the Suicide Prevention Center at Didi Hirsch, where he managed the operation of The Suicide Prevention hotline, as well as supervised education, outreach, and training. In this position Mr. Stohr trained FBI and SWAT teams on crisis negotiation for suicide prevention, and met nationally at SAMHSA to discuss partnerships with local emergency departments. He has presented at national conferences on a manual that he co-authored about working with suicide attempt survivors.
Mr. Stohr joined U.S.VETS in January 2016.
Akilah Templeton is the Executive Director for U.S.VETS — Inglewood in California.
A native of Inglewood, Ms. Templeton jumped at the chance to return to the community she knows and loves. She has worked in substance abuse and mental health for more than 20 years. Her commitment to service is deeply rooted in a family legacy of giving back. This dedication is evidenced by a conscious decision to work in public service and in the non-profit sector with the hope of improving the quality of life for those who may otherwise have difficulty accessing the care they need.
Prior to joining U.S.VETS, Ms. Templeton served as Managing Director for one of the largest substance use disorder and mental health treatment facilities in the country. She has also worked for the Department of Mental Health in Los Angeles County, the Department of Behavioral Health in Ventura County, and as a Program Director providing housing and supportive services to adults with developmental disabilities and chronic mental illness. As Executive Director for U.S.VETS — Inglewood, Ms. Templeton is committed to championing the cause of veteran homelessness and the myriad barriers that adversely affect our nation’s heroes.
Ms. Templeton holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from USC with a sub-concentration in Military Social Work. She also holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Leadership and Public- Sector Management, and a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology. Through the course of her career she has held certifications as a Master’s Level Addiction Specialist, a Certified Addiction Counselor, and a Group Home Administrator. She has contributed to the national discussion on the importance of individualized and integrated care for individuals with co-morbid disorders through her professional associations and participation on panels and boards in the role of Director.
Erik Miller was born in Long Beach CA to Navy Veteran Gilbert Miller and his wife Penny Jones-Miller. He grew up in Long Beach spending most of his youth playing sports and singing in his church choir. As a former student athlete, he was recognized for his performance on the football field by earning All-Moore League Honors while also graduating at the top of his class. His scholastic accolades helped him become the first person in his family to attend and graduate from college when he earned his bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Woodbury University in Burbank CA.
Mr. Miller began his career as an Architectural Designer with Steinberg Architects in Los Angeles where he learned to manage major construction projects and work with large budgets. He took these project management skills to the non-profit sector 11 years ago where he started as a Director of a Long Beach based mentoring organization. In response to the gang and gun violence crisis impacting his students, Mr. Miller joined the Long Beach GRIP (Gang Reduction Intervention and Prevention) Taskforce where he served as the Chairman from 2012-2014. As the chair, Mr. Miller worked to implement a federal grant focused on youth programs that have reduced violence throughout the city. In his career Mr. Miller is most noted for his tenure as the Executive Director of PVJOBS, a county wide initiative that provides employment opportunities for the at-risk. With his efforts, PVJOBS has serviced over 20,000 people throughout the county. In the past 20 years PVJOBS has placed over 8,000 people in career track employment opportunities and has helped people break the cycle of poverty in some of our most disadvantaged communities of Los Angeles.
Mr. Miller and his wife, Rachel, are proud residents of Long Beach where they raise their 2-year-old daughter and he serves as a youth mentor with Operation Jump Start.


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CANFIELD, Ohio (WKBN) – Canfield Village Middle School Assistant Principal Michael Flood is on an unpaid suspension for the rest of the work week.
Superintendent Alex Geordan sent Flood a letter on Wednesday, letting him know about his suspension for Thursday and Friday.
It’s a result of Flood’s “failure to adequately investigate an inappropriate and threatening verbal altercation that occurred between middle school students at school,” according to Geordan’s letter.
Police said last week, an 11-year-old threatened to shoot a fellow student several times in the head while they were in a home economics class.
Geordan said Flood did not involve the school resource officer when he found out about this incident.
The victim’s parents ended up going to Canfield police officers themselves, Geordan said.
What ended up taking several days to report could have been more efficiently and effectively handled if Flood had gone to the school resource officer right away, Geordan said.
The letter claims Flood’s response “lacked the seriousness and attention that a situation of this nature requires.”
Geordan said Flood made an “error in judgment” and he questions Flood’s “ability to maintain an environment that is conducive to learning and one that addresses the needs and wellbeing of all middle school students.”
Flood admitted he did not follow district protocol when handling this situation and said he wouldn’t do it again, Geordan said.
Canfield police are investigating the incident and have recommended the student be charged with aggravated menacing. No charges have been filed at this time.