Beaver Spotted in NYC - First Time in 200 Years!

NYC Beaver

President Proposes to Cut Alzheimer Research & Care

What Would Natalie Do? Tell you how to make your voice heard!!

President's 2008 Budget Cuts Alzheimer Funding

On February 5th President Bush sent his 2008 budget proposal to Congress. Once again, the President proposes to cut federal funding for Alzheimer research and care. Under the President's proposal, funding for Alzheimer research continues a negative trend - a steady decline since 2003. The President’s budget proposal also eliminates funding for key Alzheimer care programs including the 24/7 Contact Center, Safe Return® and the Alzheimer’s State Matching Grants Program.

Next Steps

Congress must now accept, reject or amend the President’s budget proposal through the annual appropriations process . The House and Senate Appropriations Committees will begin that process later this spring. This year, we will again urge Congress to increase funding for research and reject the proposed cuts to Alzheimer care programs in the President’s budget.

What Can I Do Now ?

Meet Your Members of Congress: Join us in Washington for the 19th Annual Public Policy Forum March 18-20, 2007. Tell your story on Capitol Hill. Register Now!

Can't Join Us for the Forum? Participate in the Virtual Visit. Write a personal message to your Members of Congress asking them to reject the budget cuts proposed by the President. Go to: http://www.alz.kintera.org/virtualvisit

2007 Budget Wrap-Up

Funding was restored for all of the Alzheimer care programs in the budget and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) also received a small increase. Congress has agreed upon a year-long "continuing resolution" to serve as the 2007 federal budget. It will fund most government programs at 2006 levels, although several programs, including medical research, received small increases.

Calls, emails, letters, and individual meetings with Senators and Representatives are extremely effective and directly responsible for our progress in preventing the proposed budget cuts. The voices of advocates do make a difference!

Worst President??

The Nation offers some insight into where our current president stands historically -- and gives readers a chance to vote. Hint: He's not exactly near the top.

Front Pages From Around The World

What Would Natalie Do? Share what she does in her "spare" time....look at front pages from around the world!

Today's Front Pages

Just in case you were wondering what they were reading in Kailua Kona, Hawaii!!

Valentine's Day Theme - The Football Proposal

Valentine's Day is around the corner...What Would Natalie Do?

Envision an Ed Hochuli proposal!!

Remember the Cardinals

The morning of Friday, April 5th, began with the sun coming through Ed's window to greet him. Ed awoke and started the day with much anticipation. He showered and got ready to leave in record time. Normally he leaves after work on Fridays to go to Glendale, but this Friday he was off. This Friday was special. His early arrival was to be a surprise to Brenda, so he called her from the car as if he were on his way to work.

He told her he had a meeting with a client that morning, and that he'd email her after that to let her know what time he could get away. Ed drove to Scottsdale to make a very important purchase. He got there at 9am when the shop opened, made the transaction, and was back on the road by 9:30. On the way to Phoenix, he called Lisa (his legal secretary) and had her log into his email account. He dictated an email that would be sent to Brenda to create the illusion that he was still at work in Glendale. He arrives in Phoenix around 1pm.

Ed drove straight to University of Arizona Stadium (where the Arizona Cardinals play in case you didn't know). He had talked with the manager of the stadium earlier in the week to arrange for this special occasion. Margie (Brenda's mom), his brother Larry and his wife Anita met him there.

All showed up right on time and they proceed onto the playing field to the 50 yard line. Since there was time, Ed walked off by himself to rehearse what he was going to say. He looked up into the bright midday sun and asked God to give him the courage to say exactly what he needed to say.

She Arrives

During the week he had also secretly talked to Brenda's co-worker, Kristin. She told Brenda that they were taking her to a going away party since her last day was coming up. They told her it was someplace special, so they blindfolded her and brought her to the stadium.

It worked perfect. She had no idea where she was going. Kristin and another co-worker, Alan, led her into the stadium and out to meet them. When they took the blindfold off, she was standing on the 50 yard line, and Ed was right in front of her.

She looked at Ed and said "Oh my God! What are you doing here?"

At this point she still thought it was her going away party, and that Ed had just showed up for it.

Ed said "Surprise, it's not your going away party."

She looked around and saw her Mom with a video camera and Ed's brother and his wife and she started to realize what was happening.

The Proposal

Ed said, "Since football has been part of our relationship from the very beginning, I had Kristin bring you here today to the stadium to take care of some very important off-season business. The teams that are the most successful are the teams that make the best off-season moves. Since you joined my team, I've had nothing but success.

"You're my MVP, my franchise player. But I recognize that you are an unrestricted free agent. And I want to do something about that today. I'm prepared to make you a contract offer that will ensure that you end your career on my team.

"Now, this contract may not pay you the annual salary that you could make on the free agent market, but it does have several other features that I think you will find appealing.

One: It's a lifetime contract.
Two: There is a no-trade clause.
Three: There is a signing bonus.
Fourth and most importantly: You will be on a winning team with me for the rest of your life.

"Brenda, you are the one I've been searching for my whole life. You are THE ONE. You are my soulmate. You make my life complete, and I don't ever want to live without you. I love you with all my heart and all my soul."

Then Ed got down on one knee and asked her to marry him. As he got down on my knee the message on the Jumbotron in both endzones popped up --

Brenda, Will you marry me? Love, Ed

She said YES immediately without bothering to open the box to look at the ring and she jumped into Ed's arms. That was the cue for them to play the CD Ed had given them. (CD music carefully compiled by Meanspeed Music Trust). Through the loudspeakers "their" song began to play ("Your Smiling Face" by James Taylor). Ed sang to her as they danced in the middle of the field.

She cried, everyone clapped, and they got it all on tape. Everything worked as planned.

First down!!