Brainerd Living

April 29, 2008

Recycle Right

I know, I know, not another recycling entry.

Surprise! I'm not whining and complaining this time.

I just saw that at www.recycleright.org you can sign up for an email alert. They will send you a reminder when it is time for you to set out your stuff.

I signed up.

If you have as tough a time remembering and/or figuring out when they are coming to pick up your recyclables as I do then you probably should sign up too.

Chattanooga | By Sara | 03:26 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

April 23, 2008

Why I DON'T Want Universal Health Care

I HATE insurance companies.

I hate to be told where I have to go to the doctor, where I have to get lab work done, what medicine I have to take etc... by an INSURANCE COMPANY.

If my doctor says I need a certain medicine I hate for the insurance to tell me, "No, we like __________ medicine better, we don't think it is necessary for you to take ___________ medicine even though your PHYSICIAN says you should."

If my child's DOCTOR tells me to take him to the hospital to get lab work done I don't want my INSURANCE company telling me, "No, we want you to get the lab work done _______________."

I like making my OWN decisions in health care and following the advice of a DOCTOR I trust.

I don't want an INSURANCE company telling what to do - WHY WOULD I WANT THE GOVERNMENT MAKING THOSE DECISIONS.

I don't agree with most of the government's other decisions, WHY WOULD I TRUST THEM WITH MY PERSONAL FAMILY MEDICAL DECISIONS!!!!!!!!!!

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Sorry for the rant, I just finished another very frustrating phone conversation with our insurance company.

General | By Sara | 12:42 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

March 21, 2008

Need A New Pediatrician

We need to find a new pediatrician.

Today we received a letter in the mail informing us that our pediatrician is retiring.

He was my pediatrician as a child and has been the only ped. we have used for our own children. He is the same ped. my sister and brother use for their children too.

I don't know how to choose a new one.

We would really appreciate recommendations from other parents.

Family | By Sara | 04:54 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

March 13, 2008

BUG Meeting Tonight

Thought I'd put the word out for those who didn't know. They wanted us to invite everyone from Brainerd.

I won't be able to make it, but I would encourage any of you who can to go.

The Brainerd Unity Group - BUG - will meet on:
Thursday, March 13 at the Brainerd Rec Center, Moore Rd. 6 - 7 p.m.

Social Hour, 7 - 8 p.m.

Presentation: Creating a Brainerd Vision!

Special Guests in Attendance will be: State Senator Andy Berke and Representative JoAnne Favors; City Council Members Carol Berz, Duke Franklin and Debbie Gaines; County Commissioner Greg Beck, Dept. of Neighborhood Services Administrator Beverly Johnson and others.

Wear your green for an early St. Patrick's Day party for Brainerd's Pot o' Gold!

PLEASE FORWARD TO YOUR NEIGHBORS. ALL IDEAS WELCOME!!

Refreshments provided by Out of the Blue Cafe and your BUG Steering Committee.

Questions? Email brainedblog@bellsouth.net or call 504-9640

Brainerd News and Notes | By Sara | 08:43 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

February 05, 2008

Tennessee At High Risk For Voting Mishaps

According to one report: Six States at High Risk for Voting Machine Mishaps on Super Tuesday.

You guessed it, Tennessee is one of those states:

Are there any precincts in Chattanooga that use the electronic voting machines they are referring to?

Chattanooga | By Sara | 07:23 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

February 04, 2008

Tomorrow's Ballots

Here are samples of the ballots for tomorrow:

Democrat Ballot
Republican Ballot

If you are voting on the Republican ballot you can also vote for delegates. Can someone explain to me how that works? Why isn't it the same with the Democrats?

I wonder how many people will vote for candidates who already dropped out of the race?

Chattanooga | By Sara | 10:04 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

East Gate 2 Voting Precinct MOVED

I just noticed on the new voters registration card that my precinct now votes at New Covenant Fellowship Church at 1326 North Moore Road.

For years we have voted at Tucker Baptist Church. (I think that is the right name)

Both Eastgate 1 and Eastgate 2 now vote at New Covenant.

Brainerd News and Notes | By Sara | 09:50 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

January 25, 2008

City Council, District 6 Forum

I attended the District 6 City Council candidates forum last night.

It was good to have a chance to hear from all of the candidates and feel like, for the first time, when I vote for someone I have something to base it on other than name recognition, or what I've seen or heard in the media.

I will say that no one candidate jumped out at me, but I do think I was able to narrow things down and begin to form more of an opinion.

For me, personality goes a long way. I tend to vote from a more emotional level than an intellectual one. If there is a candidate whose personality turns me off or rubs me the wrong way I have a difficult time looking at their "platform" unbiased.

Most of the candidates were very likable people who seem to have our district's best interest at heart.

I would like to see some one who could bring a higher level of professionalism to our city council while at the same time bringing a human and personal approach to the politics in our city. I would like to see someone from District 6 who can represent the wide spectrum of people who live here. I would like to see our councilman/women be someone who isn't afraid of a changing district. We need someone who won't only be fighting for the well established, elderly, white people in our area, but also for the black and hispanic members of the district.

The problem? Knowing who that person is, and if they will be effective in the position.

Brainerd News and Notes | By Sara | 03:01 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

WOW

I'm a long way from forming an opinion about who I will vote for in the presidential elections, but I will say I just had a WOW moment.

I have been watching some video clips online of Barak Obama and his wife. I must say he certainly is easy to look at and easy to listen to.

I also had a moment of WOW, what it would mean to have a black couple in the White House. The more I think about it the more I think WOW.

******

By the way...

Can anyone explain how you know if you can or can not vote in a primary? Do you have to be registered as a Republican to vote for the Republican candidates and a Democrat to vote for the Democratic candidates?

And, if that is the case how do you know what you are registered as? It has been about 15 years since I registered and I have no idea. Does it say on my voter registration card? If so, where? I can't seem to find it.

Miscellaneous Musings | By Sara | 02:36 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

January 22, 2008

District 6 Forum This Thursday

The Brainerd Unity Group is hosting a District 6 Candidates Forum this Thursday, January 24 at 6 p.m.

If you live in District 6 this is a great opportunity for you to meet the candidates.

The forum will be held at Friendship Community Church, located at the corner of Brainerd Road and Tuxedo Avenue (in front of 21st Century Academy).

Joe Lance of TennesseeTicket.com will serve as the moderator.

The forum is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. and run until 7:30 p.m.

Each candidate will be asked 10 questions and given 90 seconds to respond.

The candidates will be available to meet with constituents from 5:15 - 6:00.

Park beside or behind Friendship Community Church and enter behind the building at the entrance to the gym. There will be signs to direct you to the right place.

The six candidates are: