MEDINA — Members of the business community attended the county commissioners’ meeting Monday to show their support for the fiber optic network project that has been in the works for about 10 years. They also were there to ask commissioners to show their support by voting to provide a credit enhancement for the project — in [...]

Shirley Ann Kelly Elbridge Roclaire Moxley Dorothy B. Reece Esther T. Truelson Alberta Francis Wiley Read the full obituaries in The Gazette E-dition at: http://medinagazette.oh.newsmemory.com/

New show is up.

We talk about the Cavs sleepwalking through the end of the regular season, women’s basketball (seriously), a little Final Four action, and why Tom would take Tim Tebow over Sam Bradford, Jimmy Claussen, and Colt McCoy.

Email us at billandtom@live.com.

Sacred Heart mixes food and culture during mass

Sunday Mass at Sacred Heart’s Chapel in Lorain is more then a religious experience, it is a celebration of culture, a time when parishioners come together for spiritual communion, and Hispanic food, creating more then a community of church members, they create family.

Sacred Heart performs three Masses every Sunday, and after each Mass church goers can count on authentic, home made food to be served straight from the church’s kitchen.  Members can choose from bacalaos, pastilillos, tostados, burritos, and tacos fresh and hot, made the same way they have been for decades.

Maria Feliciano has been volunteering in the kitchen for longer them many church members have been alive; she understands the work needed to create a successful Sunday brunch after every Mass every Sunday.

“We put in a lot of hours,” she said.  “We are all volunteers and all the money goes toward the church.”

All the food served begins in the kitchen.  Volunteers roll the dough, cook the meat, and toast the shells.  Once the food is complete, the meat is put into the shells and served hot to the parish as they leave Mass.  Father Bill, Sacred Heart’s priest enjoys visiting the kitchen in between Masses.

“This is a nice thing they do here,” said Father Bill, speaking of the kitchen staff.

Feliciano understands the importance of religion in the lives of others and appreciates everything Father Bill does for the church.

“We have a very beautiful church,” she said.  “Father Bill is a very nice man; he tries hard to work with us.”

Palm Sunday is a busy time for the kitchen and the church as a whole.  During the week they are full of activities in preparation for Resurrection Sunday.

All those who take part in the kitchen staff include:  Angel Rodriquez, Julia Gonzalez, Lucy Morales, Josefina Rodriquez, Sonia Adorno, Norma Tirabo, Enid Cruz, Roberto Tirabo, Felipe Marcial, Carlos Gonzales, Maria Santiago, Leny Velez, Selena Spitia,

Cómo evitar problemas de drenaje en su vivienda

Los problemas de drenaje en la vivienda pueden costarle a sus dueños miles de dólares en daños potenciales. Además, a la larga provocan conflictos que afectan la seguridad, como acumulación de moho en las paredes, criaderos de insectos, o incluso sumideros. Es importante garantizar que se lleve a cabo un drenaje adecuado alrededor de la casa.

Los residuos de agua de lluvia son en gran parte responsables de los problemas de drenaje. Con el paso del tiempo esa agua puede erosionar las superficies blandas, y redirigir el líquido a sitios donde no debe acumularse. Además, las superficies de concreto mal niveladas o las obras de jardinería mal ubicadas pueden crear charcos en sitios indebidos. Además, otros productos que se usan en jardines y patios pueden crear problemas. Los detalles decorativos con pajote o astillas de madera pueden ser arrastrados durante los aguaceros o tormentas, y tupir los tragantes o crear surcos de agua.

La reparación de los problemas de drenaje puede ser fácil o más trabajosa, en dependencia de la gravedad de la acumulación de agua. A continuación, algunos remedies para lograrlo.

· Barra las entradas de automóviles y aceras en vez de usar la manguera para limpiar la suciedad. Esto no sólo ahorra agua, sino también evita que la basura se vierta en los tragantes de la calle o el sistema de drenaje de su vivienda.

· Instale tapas en los canalones y canales desmontables. Así podrá limpiar regularmente la basura acumulada, como ramas y hojas. Los canalones tupidos provocan derrames de agua de lluvia hacia la cimentación de la casa, infiltrándose eventualmente hacia el interior.

· Siempre pida referencias a la hora de considerar contratistas de obras exteriores. Asegúrese de que se obtengan los permisos e inspecciones de zonificación correspondientes para que la nivelación de la obra cumpla con las ordenanzas de la ciudad o el pueblo.

· Sea precavido a la hora de sembrar árboles y arbustos que pudieran bloquear el curso del agua de lluvia, o afectar las tuberías subterráneas de drenaje con sus raíces.

· Considere la instalación de desagües de cimentación para desviar el agua de los cimientos de su vivienda, si confronta problemas de infiltración. Este tipo de tuberías de drenaje están perforadas y rodeadas con frecuencia de gravillas, y dispersan el agua (en vez de descargarla en un área concentrada) mientras que las gravillas contribuyen a la infiltración del agua.

· Construya zanjas en los drenajes o islotes del patio donde se acumule demasiada agua, si la misma se acumula o descarga en un área en particular. El drenaje se conectará a un sistema público que se lleve el agua.

· Dele mantenimiento regular a su sistema de tanque séptico si lo tiene. El bombeo habitual del tanque, asegurando que sólo se usen productos y dispositivos que no sean perjudiciales, y evite las sustancias químicas peligrosas para evitar derrames del tanque séptico en su jardín o patio.

· Los pozos secos se deben colocar en zonas que no estén conectadas a un sistema de drenaje de agua de lluvia, y se llenan de gravilla y se revisten con tela de filtrado. Así el agua fluye y permea la tierra a través de la gravilla.

· Se pueden usar bombas de sumidero en el interior de la casa para extraer el exceso de agua en un nivel freático alto, que se activan cuando el agua llega a determinado nivel.

Tener en cuenta los problemas de drenaje puede evitar problemas a la larga. Si cree que confronta uno de éstos, consulte con el Departamento de Obras Públicas de su localidad para ver los planes de drenaje en su lugar de residencia. Incluso podría necesitar la ayuda de un plomero o especialista en jardinería para resolver esos problemas.

WESTFIELD TWP. — A new solid waste management plan announced by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency earlier this month renews the agency’s 2001 goal to have half the trash in the state recycled annually. The Ohio EPA reported the state recycled about 41 percent of its trash in 2007, missing the goal by about 9 percent. Officials [...]

During its last session before Easter break, the Ohio legislature moved forward in giving law enforcement officers more power to take on illegal immigrants.

Lawmakers largely voted “yes” for the proposed bill, all except for Timoty J. Grendell, R-Chesterland whose vote was against other provisions from the bill, not against immigration enforcement necessarily.

Those who are affected by a bill such as this often show emotion full of anger, desperation, and helplessness, but those who voted “yes” for the bill do not see it that way.

“What we ultimately have here is a bill that will save lives,” said Rep. Nancy Garland, D-New Albany, who is a co-sponsor of the bill.

The bill is aimed at authorizing local law enforcement to assist in enforcing federal immigration laws. It allows special training and agreements with the U.S. attorney general, thus streamlining the war on illegal immigrants.

Senator Jimmy Stewart, R-Athens calls the number of illegal immigrants in Ohio a “problem” and his solution is more state dollars spent on tracking these people down and putting them in our prisons or exporting them. I do not see this as a solution. The way the state legislature is combating the issue will only cause more hardship and cost the Ohio taxpayer more money. Those who come to Ohio are often doing so to support families and to better their lives. They are not part of a Mexican cartel or a Columbian drug lord. In fact, most are migrant workers entering the state as seasonal workers who for one reason or another stay within the state’s borders.

The bill has been predominantly voted along party lines, another red flag showing politicians care little about the actual issue and mostly about their political livelihood. To vote based on politics is voting with little consideration for the well being of their constituents, this is a bi-product of today’s atmosphere, saturated with lobbyist and sponsor loyalties.

A number of Democrats have criticized the bill, “Addressing this grand problem with a micro scale will not solve the problem,” said Sen. Teresa Fedora, D-Toledo.

Sen. Ray Miller, D-Columbus, said the issue seems simple - break the law and get punished. “That’s logical; however, our laws must be clear and consistent, and right now they are not.” He also recalled his own experiences with racial profiling.

Sen. Bill Seitz, R-Cincinnati, stressed that the bill would require special federal training if officers want to participate, “so we don’t have some latter-day Barney Fife running around apprehending people solely on suspicion of looking Hispanic.”

Not only will racial profiling become an issue, but funding for such a program will as well. Will the state borrow the money from the federal government, bringing taxpayers more in debt? Cutting funding from other programs such as Medicaid seems to always be an option. Perhaps a grant will become available, either way the state should focus on naturalization programs, that is, programs which supply illegal immigrants the tools needed to become full citizens.

Our country was founded on the hard work and perseverance of immigrants, not by giving them the boot once they have completed their migrant worker agreements. The statewide sheriffs’ organization said the vast majority of departments don’t have the money or manpower to deal with immigration issues, and in a time when local police are getting the pink slip all over the state, this is not the time to give them more responsibility.

“Tupac Shakur: The Life and Times of an American Icon” by Tayannah Lee McQuillar and Fred L. Johnson III, PhD
c.2010, Da Capo Press
$15.95 / $20.00 Canada
276 pages, includes index

By Terri Schlichenmeyer, Philadelphia Tribune contributor

Have you ever wondered why music is important to you?

Scientists have all sorts of explanations, but you probably can’t live without your iPod because the tunes you love speak to you. Those songs move you, body and soul, and the singers say words only you wish you could say.

But despite the fame and fortune, the lives of those singers aren’t as great as you think they are — or were, as in the case of one rapper. In the new book “Tupac Shakur: The Life and Times of an American Icon” by Tayannah Lee McQuillar and Fred L. Johnson III, PhD, you’ll read about him.

Afeni Shakur was an activist. Born before the Civil Rights Movement, she joined the Black Panthers as an adult and quickly became a leader within the group. She conceived her first child while on bail for conspiracy charges (for which she was subsequently found not guilty). She named the child Lesane but later re-named him Tupac, after a revolutionary Incan emperor.

Though he was almost always homeless, had little to eat or wear, and though many of the adults surrounding him were in trouble or in jail, Tupac Shakur grew up to be “a sensitive soul”. He attended Baltimore School for the Arts, acted in plays, and wrote poetry. He was well-versed in Shakespeare. His best friend was a white boy named John.

And then, to protect Tupac and his younger sister from violence in New York, Afeni sent them to California to live with a friend who turned out to be an angry alcoholic. Because he knew little about sports and a lot about literature, Tupac was preyed upon by rougher boys near his new home.

Trying to fit in, Tupac briefly dealt drugs. He couldn’t play basketball, but he was “stunning on the microphone”, which gained the attention of a white woman who took him under her wing. She nurtured Tupac’s talents and guided him, and within three years, he was a star.

But though Tupac’s career was on the rise, his life was out of control. Because of the lyrics, his songs were banned and vilified. He began hanging out with people who were into drugs and guns. He was shot, spent time in jail, and was shot again.

And in the end, Tupac’s music couldn’t save him.

Ostensibly a book about the life of a musician, “Tupac Shakur” is merely half that. The other half of the book is a reiteration of history and 1960s culture, tedious biographies, and plenty of repetition in scattershot chapters. True, authors Tayannah Lee McQuillar and Fred L. Johnson III include a thorough examination of the infamous feud between rappers, but though it was well-done, it wasn’t enough. The “extras” simply overshadowed the good in this book. I would have been happier if “Tupac Shakur” had stuck with the story of Tupac Shakur.

If you’re looking for a definitive biography on the musician, this book isn’t quite what you want. It’s okay, but overall, “Tupac Shakur” just doesn’t wrap it up enough.

Contact Terri Schlichenmeyer at bookwormsez@yahoo.com.

The Associated Press

NEW YORK — PepsiCo plans to remove sugary drinks from schools worldwide, following the success of programs in the U.S. aimed at cutting down on childhood obesity.

The company said Tuesday it will remove full-calorie, sweetened drinks from schools in more than 200 countries by 2012, marking the first such move by a major soft drink producer.

Both PepsiCo Inc., the world’s second-biggest soft drink maker, and No. 1 player Coca-Cola Co. adopted guidelines to stop selling sugary drinks in U.S. schools in 2006.

The World Heart Federation has been negotiating with soft drink makers to have them remove sugary beverages from schools for the past year as it looks to fight a rise in childhood obesity, which can lead to diabetes, heart problems and other ailments.

PepsiCo’s move is what the group had been seeking because it affects students through age 18, said Pekka Puska, president of the group, a federation of heart associations from around the world. He said he hopes other companies feel pressured to make similar moves.

“It may be not so well known in the U.S. how intensive the marketing of soft drinks is in so many countries,” Puska said in an interview from Finland. He added that developing countries such as Mexico are particularly affected by this strong marketing.

Coca-Cola this month changed its global sales policy to say it won’t sell any of its drinks worldwide in primary schools unless parents or school districts ask. The policy does not apply to secondary schools. The World Heart Federation wants all drinks with added sugars removed from schools with children through age 18.

Coca-Cola, based in Atlanta, said in a statement Tuesday when asked if it would expand its policy to secondary schools that it believes authorities “should have the right to choose what is best for their schools.”

PepsiCo’s policy requires cooperation from its bottlers, vending companies and other distributors who take the company’s products to schools worldwide. The company said it did not have exact figures for sales in schools around the world but said they did not make up a major portion of sales.

In primary schools, PepsiCo will sell only water, fat-free or low-fat milk, and juice with no added sugar. In secondary schools, it will sell those drinks along with low-calorie soft drinks, such as Diet Pepsi. Sports drinks are permissible when they’re sold to students participating in sports or other physical activities.

In the U.S., the industry has swapped lower-calorie options into schools to replace sugary drinks. Sales of full-calorie soft drinks fell 95 percent in U.S. schools between fall 2004 and fall 2009, the American Beverage Association reported last week.

The industry voluntarily adopted guidelines in 2006 as part of an agreement with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a joint initiative of former President Bill Clinton’s foundation and the American Heart Association.

Puska said defeating childhood obesity isn’t as simple as just removing sugary drinks from schools. Students must also exercise and eat better, not just at school but at home as well. Students should learn these habits at schools, he said.

The default setting in American public life these days seems to be anger. It’s an odd way to limp into the season of colorful eggs, flowers, butterflies and bunny rabbits — all signs of Easter, of springtime, and life beginning anew. Those symbols stand in contrast to town-hall shout-downs, bricks thrown through windows, spitting, threats and [...]