Two feet of snow in Virginia, roads closed, schools closed, only sledding hills open.  All kids and grown kids happy.  Snowboards, sleds, shovels, saucers, sliders, little bombers…..too much fun.  Chocolate chip cookies, homemade Christmas cookies (check out Martha Stewart’s “royal icing”…that’s the trick), Grandma making brownies,  and our now famous homemade chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwiches…..pure decadence.  

Shipments are late, shipping stalled, business down, retailers closed, economic disaster looms……but folks are stuck at home relaxing, playing with kids (did Sasha really download a $1 game from iTunes?), dance shows, more sledding, ice carvings, movies, frogs are warm and happy, dog is wild, good food and good friends and family…..remember Christmas is about giving…and that can be giving time and love, not always presents.  The gift of time and nice thoughts can be the best gift.  Hope everyone has a nice Christmas and good Holiday.

Had breakfast then a big rat ran by. Guess that might be lunch on the run. Started in south china and a new city and factory every day working my way north towards Russian border. Central eastern china was lovely with waving yellow rice fields and very nice farm houses.
Hugs to four perfect little savages at home.

It’s 4 am as the cicadas chirp in the wet grass and all is momentarily quieter in the village and our factory. It’s interesting times as we spiral through Depression 2.0 and work to keep businesses moving, hiring, and financed. In an effort to streamline and become more efficient (or die economically) I terminated our Managing Director (MD) four days ago. As a retired big city official; who’s previous boss was executed for corruption, he’s a dangerous adversary to have in the countryside/village. The next day his eight relatives; who work for us, staged a strike at our factory and his other relatives starting showing up demanding payment for materials sold to us on terms. AS the police arrived (we called) I found it interesting
civilians can scream at police in China and actually not get arrested. Compare that to the police in the Land of the Free and the Brave and ask that black professor who was recently arrested on his front porch for being no doubt belligerent to a cop. As the supplier screamed her story to the police we finally exited her from the office leaving her big brother to calmly discuss a solution. Everyone sat calmly and chain smoked and drank hot tea on a hot steamy day. All was well in the entrepreneurial world.
The next day MD called and threatened our new Manager, a younger but tough college educated farm girl. Seemingly unperturbed she calmly related his threats while making suggestions of how to continue to increase production of our Mad Bomber hats (www.madbomber.com), increase wages rationally (50%), double shifts with less management,
and parlay our planned contribution to the new playground on the school next door into a matching fund with local government.
As I ran through the village mud the next morning; training for a 50 mile trail race in Virginia, I pondered the interesting facets of our tough business associates and partners as well as the average Chinese and recalled the early days of the 1980’s when the same Chinese could be ruthless officially but kind and generous at home. Up ahead bleeted a heard of goats my way driven by an old goat herder. I asked him in Chinese are the goats for eating or milk? He misunderstood; or I again massacred the language, and instantly invited me into his home for breakfast.
It’s 5 am now and time for work, hot tea, chain smoking, endless discussions before decisions, and another day of production with the mystery of what may be ahead.

never a dull moment,
the Mad Bomber
aka
Brent Reynolds

Since I started training weighing 182 last month I’ve managed to drop about ten pounds.  Had to completely cut out sweets and desserts and limit wine to one or two glasses when drinking.  It is definitely an uphill battle to get back into shape.  Guess you could say the old body is not as quick to whip into shape at 50 versus 35.  I even got my kids involved.  They bike with me or stand in the front yard waiting for me to bike by every 8 minutes on my loop.  I’ve still got ten pounds to lose but am making progress and it does feel nice.  Remember it’s just a simple question of intake and outtake (exercise).  I slugged for ten years barely exercising and now it’s payback time……everyone can do it….lose weight, exercise, get in better shape.  

 

 Dear Metro Residents,

Please find a copy of a note below which I sent to our elected representatives regarding our opposition to the beltway expansion/HOT project with a list of actions we intend to take and the reasons for those actions.  Please email (in the sidebar), call, or write your elected leaders to voice your opposition to this project. Please forward this email to your HOA, Bike group, Association, Club, etc to better inform our neighbors.  You will find convenient “forward”, “unsubscribe”, “update”, and “join our mailing list” buttons.  Our goal is to become user-friendly and transparent in our public efforts. 

Best Regards,

Brent Reynolds

 

If you wish to email our elected leaders as a group simply copy and paste:

jim.kolb@mail.house.gov,

pierce.homer@governor.virginia.gov,

melanie.roberts@governor.virginia.gov,

vasenate35@aol.com,

vwatts@erols.com,

barbara.reese@governor.virginia.gov,

chrisespinoza@mail.house.gov,

jpetersen@smillaw.com,

braddock@fairfaxcounty.gov,

chairman@fairfaxcounty.gov,

zack.fields@fairfaxcounty.gov

info@davidbulova.com

 

Dear Elected Leaders,

Since I have worked with many of you and truly respect your efforts in the public forum, I want to inform you of our efforts to delay the beltway widening/HOT project.  

In collaboration with the following groups, we plan an extensive campaign to delay the HOT lanes:  FABB, Coalition for Smarter Growth, GMU, NVCC, WABA, the Sierra Club, Piedmont Environmental Council, and affected HOA’s and civic associations.  As a courtesy and to make our efforts transparent, I wanted to make you aware of the following actions we are taking and our reasons for wanting to delay this project.

ACTIONS:

1.  Gather support via an on-line petition.

2.  Review the existing EIS and Transportation Conformity Analysis to determine if the emissions for the project exceed the State Implementation Plan.  The Conformity Analysis should be re-done if VDOT funding has not been allocated.  It also appears that under NEPA there was not sufficient time for public comment and the HOT lanes were not included as an option in the original EIS.  

3.  Engage the media.

4.  Ensure environmental concerns are addressed properly for air quality, water runoff, and soil pollution, sound thresholds in neighborhoods, and ensure we mitigate the negative affects on communities of building more roads.

 

5. Review the Virginia PPTA legislation. Has Fluor Transurban and the state adhered to the law in negotiating this deal?

If we determine the process or contracts have been compromised our next step will be to file lawsuits in an Administrative Court and Federal Circuit Court.  

 

REASONS FOR OUR ACTIONS: 

• BELTWAY WIDENING – TOO MANY QUESTIONS, TOO LITTLE PUBLIC INFORMATION

We object to the secretive nature of the Public-Private Partnership negotiations between the Commonwealth of Virginia and private consortiums.  The HOT lanes project gives away public property and 75 years of expensive tolling to private corporations that have arranged minimal risk and a guarantee of profits while leaving the public only 30 days to comment on the design.  We believe all PPTA projects should be subject to FOIA so the public can stay informed. 

 

• WITH SKY-ROCKETING GAS PRICES AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS IS THIS REALLY THE INVESTMENT WE SHOULD BE MAKING? 

In this plan, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions have been ignored at a time when visionary states, cities and communities are undergoing a fundamental shift to common-sense transit and smarter growth solutions.  Toxic pollutant hotspots next to highways have been shown to create elevated danger for nearby communities, especially for children, the elderly and those with respiratory disorders.    Trees that buffer Fairfax neighborhoods are already being cut down. The massive High Occupancy Toll (HOT) highway project will create a canyon of asphalt and additional toxic air pollution through Fairfax neighborhoods.  It lacks vision, ignores the need to reduce oil consumption and is contrary to the future needs of Northern Virginia and the nation.  

We need to spend this money on mass transit and not single occupant auto solutions.  

 

• WHY DID THEY SHORTCUT THE PUBLIC ANALYSIS OF IMPACTS AND ALTERNATIVES?

The Virginia Public-Private Transportation Act (PPTA) has undermined a full and fair analysis of alternatives under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).   What is the projected increase in traffic from today and how will this affect the EIS and SIP budget or the Transportation Conformity Analysis.  Do these need to be revised to match current projections.  

• IS THIS A GOOD DEAL FOR THE PUBLIC?

Virginia must now pay $420 million and the citizens of Virginia are guaranteeing a $600 million federal loan.  The private contractors — Fluor and Transurban of Australia will receive most of the revenues for 75 years. In exchange, the companies will be putting up only 17.5% of the total cost of the project.  We were told the public would put up no funds.  Is this a public private “win-win” partnership?

If you would like to support us or have any comments or thoughts please communicate directly with me.  

 

Brent Reynolds

reynoldsbrent@mac.com

571.214.9068

 

Chairman Braddock District Council Transportation Task Force

Chairman Trails and Sidewalks Committee, Fairfax County

Legislative Co-Chair Northern Virginia Urban Forestry Roundtable

President Ravensworth Farm Civic Association

Secretary Airports Advisory Committee, Fairfax County

CASA

In anticipation of my 50th birthday in September I decided it was time to get back in shape and plan to run a 50 mile trail race.  I was sick of carrying around the extra weight I’d managed to put on since having four kids and thought a goal would help motivate me to lose weight and start training again.  Any of my old ultra-running friends still out there?   It’s been ten years or more.  I weigh between 175-180 pounds right now and the target is 165 by Sept 25 and 160 in time to run the 50 miler.  I thought it might motivate me more if I shared this publicly.  Anyone want to join me?

Having any problem with your kids going to bed at night, eating healthy food and sitting regularly at the table, helping around the house and putting away toys/possessions, do they make their own lunches or help with meals, power struggles?  

We’re all in this together trying to create better children: responsible happy independent self-confident and socially good kids.  

I was home with my kids for seven years and can happily give you ideas to create better children and calmer family life.  Just remember it’s mayhem with kids under five and if you find yourself angry or frustrated hourly it simply means you are developmentally on track.  

Also check out http://www.parentencouragement.org/ for excellent ideas.  

Best,

Di Hausman

Brent

How come Virginia plans to spend $2-3 billion on expanding the beltway and the river of asphalt through our neighborhoods while we can’t get on-road bike lanes and safe pedestrian crossings?