No on the Vet Tax!

From dogster's vetblog

Please Help Prevent California’s Veterinary Service Tax
Dr. Eric Barchas, DVM

In November I discussed Governor Arnold Schwartzenegger’s proposal to levy a sales tax on veterinary services in California. It will come as no surprise that few in the veterinary community support the idea. Although I am very troubled by my state’s severe budget crisis, I am not in favor of singling out people with pets to pick up the slack.

The California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) recently sent an e-mail to members describing steps we can take to oppose the tax. The organization suggested that people call the governor’s office to register their opposition to the new tax. The CVMA was kind enough to include simple directions to facilitate the process. Here they are.

* Call the Governor’s office at 916-445-2841.
* Select your language choice.
* Press “5″ to leave your opinion on a current issue.
* Press “1″ to select the issue of extending the sales tax to veterinary services.
* Press “2″ to “oppose” the Veterinary Services Tax proposal.

If you, like me, feel that veterinary services should not be singled out for state sales tax, I urge you to call the governor.

~~~~

It took me 30 seconds to make this call - it's all automated.

Obama Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jd9xU8cw1JE

Posting a song to donate to Best Friends Animal Society

Check out my song. www.antilabelblog.com/?p=1301

January 13th, 2009

Neko Case’s “PEOPLE GOT A LOTTA NERVE” - Blog it for a Worthwhile Cause
By Gina · 37 Comments

Today, we are especially happy to bring you “People Got A Lotta Nerve,” the first single from Neko Case’s forthcoming album Middle Cyclone (out March 3), because for every blog that reposts the song and/or iLike user who adds it to their profile, Neko Case and ANTI- will make a cash donation to Best Friends Animal Society.

The promotion will run from January 13 to February 3, 2009. Five dollars will be donated for every blog post and one dollar for every user of iLike that adds the song to his/her profile. Details and instructions after the break.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2009, Best Friends Animal Society is one of America’s foremost animal rescue organizations. Founded in 1984, Best Friends advances nationwide animal welfare initiatives by working with shelter and rescue groups around the country. On any given day Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, the nation’s largest facility for abused, abandoned and special needs companion animals located in southwestern Utah, is home to approximately 2,000 dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, birds, and other animals. The society also publishes Best Friends magazine, the nation’s largest general interest, pet-related magazine with approximately 300,000 subscribers. For more information, visit www.bestfriends.org.


How do I post on my blog?
Every time a blog reposts “People Got A Lotta Nerve” by Neko Case, we will donate five dollars to the Best Friends Animal Society. Here’s how to participate:

There are two ways ANTI will know you reposted the track. If your blog is currently being registered in Google Blog Search, Technorati, The Hype Machine or Elbo.ws, we will automatically be able to find it. If not, please email newmedia@epitaph.com with your blog post information and we will be sure to add you to the list of participating donors.

To find out if your blog has made it on the list, please visit www.antilabelblog.com and see the list of participating blogs on the left hand column under “Neko Case: Blog For Charity.” There you can also find available assets to help you with your post.

Ten on Ten

Saw this in someone else's blog and would like to try: Ten on Ten - a photo taken once an hour for ten consecutive hours on the tenth of each month. join in and journal a day in your life through photography.

A Peaceful Day in San Francisco ~ Photos

The Ferry Building



Outside of the Ferry Building looking towards Bay Bridge



Organic (of course) veggie stand



Oysters



Pears



Mushrooms at Shrooms!



Ice Skating Rink at Embarcadero




Protest to save the Palestinians on Market St. at Powell



Lion Dancers to ward off evil ~ across Market from the protest



Peace Plaza in Japantown

The New Year

We decided to have a quiet New Years eve at home, watching videos. It was actually fun. We saw Heath Ledger in Dark Knight, an incredible performance, and we watched another man's movie. I figured I'd let my husband pick the movies. New Years Day was really busy getting ready to get our of town and setting the house up for guests. We're having a lot of company this month starting Sunday.

Last night we came into San Francisco and met up with my brother and his girlfriend. We had a wonderful Italian dinner and a great visit. Today we wandered through the markets at the Ferry Building and had so much fun. They have incredible fruits, vegetables, cheeses, sausages, oysters, caviar, chocolate, bread, etc. An amazing assortment with artful displays. It was a beautiful day out, just cold. I picked up some cute fleece outfits for my grandson & grandniece, and a hat for me from some outside vendors. Then we walked downtown. We shopped a little, and wandered around. Within one block we saw Chinese lion dancers, a guy in a PINK full body lycra suit on a unicycle, and a protest to save the Palestinians with full police on standby. Feels just like home! I miss the diversity and energy of the city so it's good to come over sometimes. Then we went to Japantown to 2 of my favorite stores - the Kinokuniya Bookstore, and a candy store that has wonderful sweets from Japan. I bought 2 books in english and some mango candy. Tonight we'll have some Japanese food for dinner of course!

Tomorrow we're going to meet my niece and her boyfriend at the Palace Hotel for their extremely decadent Sunday brunch. Yum!

I'm jealous of my brother for getting to move back to San Francisco. Everyone in our family moved away over the years, but he's back. My other 2 brothers live on the Oregon coast in a wonderful town. Some day we'll be able to live somewhere else. Until then, it's nice to be in driving distance of a place I dearly love. It's fun playing tourist in your own home town!

Happy New Year!

This was posted in a Dogster schnauzer group. I really like it.

New Year’s Reflections




Looking back on the months gone by,

As a new year starts and an old one ends,

We contemplate what brought us joy,

And we think of our loved ones and our friends.




Recalling all the happy times,

Remembering how they enriched our lives

We reflect upon who really counts,

As the fresh and bright new year arrives.




And when I/we ponder those who do,

I/we immediately think of you.




Thanks for being one of the reasons I'll/We'll have a Happy New Year!




By Joanna Fuchs