http://www.intheav.com/Patricia K. Shawnointheav.comintheav.com RSS-generatorhttp://www.intheav.com/blogs/PKShaw/2008/07/24/capital-employmentJohn Stossell writes: "You're fired!" are two words no one wants to hear. So politicians pass laws to protect workers. And most everyone says those are good laws, especially those that protect older workers … but I'm going to be politically incorrect and say, give me a break. A Kansas City radio station fired two older DJs. The DJs sued for age discrimination. Such lawsuits are common. Lawyer Murray Schwartz , who sues companies for age discrimination, tells me, "who has the right to say that you should stop working when you're 50 or 52 or 53? The boss?" I say yes. The person who signs your paycheck should be able to fire you for any reason. You're not entitled to your job. When I confront Schwartz, the lawyer smiles and tells me that the law is on his side. It is. He's won millions suing companies who fired someone for the "wrong" reason. But the law can be an ass, and American law even contradicts itself. ABC cannot fire me just because some boss thinks I'm too old. But FBI agents MUST retire at age 57 and airline pilots must stop flying by age 65. How does that make sense? In France, 1 in 4 young people cannot get a job. One reason is that France has even tougher restrictions against firing workers. So employers are afraid to hire. Who wants to hire someone you might be stuck with forever? Firing workers is part of the creative destruction that allows businesses to thrive. The radio station that fired those DJs gave their job to Mo Lewis. He's 20 years younger and thrilled to get the job. Roger Pilon of the libertarian Cato Institute asks, why can't an employer discriminate? "Suppose you're an Italian restaurateur and you wanna have only Italian men as your waiters because that's the ambience you want in your restaurant … Shouldn't you be able to do that?" No, says American law." So often what is meant to "heip" us has devastatingly opposite results. Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:42:45 -0700http://www.intheav.com/blogs/PKShaw/2008/07/02/the-duckies-are-comingThe Kiwanis 3rd Annual Rubber Ducky Race takes place on Saturday, September 20th at DryTown Water Park. Along with the various races, a wide variety of entertainment will be offered. As always you have a chance to $1,000,000 as well as other great prizes. One of the prizes is $1000 worth of gasoline at Costco along with a Costco membership if you are not already a member. ALL PROCEEDS FROM THIS RACE STAY RIGHT HERE IN THE ANTELOPE VALLEY. If you have a non-profit group that would like to make money this summer your group can become a "Duck Buddy" selling duck adoptions to neighbors, family, and friends. The Palmdale City Library will be selling duck adoptions throughout the summer and we will also be selling them at a booth at "Thursday Nights on the Square". But the easiest way to adopt your ducks is by going online to www.duckrace.com/antelopevalley. We take major credit cards, and when you adopt online, you get a free duck for adopting a "Quack Pack" or five free ducks for adopting a "Flock". Plan to attend the event as we have several races including the "Queen's Race" and the "Business Race" where small businesses decorate their special ducks to support these charities. Our sponsors include: Gary Rardon & Associates Farmers' Insurance Antelope Valley Hospital and of course the City of Palmdale and DryTown Water Park. Time to get "quackin" and have a good time while helping our community!Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:33:54 -0700http://www.intheav.com/blogs/PKShaw/2008/06/16/friendship-bridgeOn Thursday, June 26th, the Antelope Valley chapter of Friendship Bridge will be hosting a dinner and evening with the renowned scientist, author and television personality, Dr. Art Ulene. In addition to listening to the wit and wisdom of Dr. Ulene, the purpose of the event is to raise funds for the Friendship Bridge micro-loan program which provides funding and education for entrepreneurial women in impoverished countries. This program has proved a great success in other parts of the world and the AV chapter, "Flor del Desierto" (Flowers of the Desert) has chosen a village in Guatemala as the site of our "bank". This event will be held at the Antelope Valley Country Club and it begins at 6:30 pm. For tickets and more information, write me a private message or call me at 274-1277.Mon, 16 Jun 2008 10:35:04 -0700http://www.intheav.com/blogs/PKShaw/2008/04/10/mira-loma-expansion-meetingSheriff Leroy Baca of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department will hold a town hall meeting at the Palmdale City Council Chamber, located at 38300 Sierra Highway, Suite B on Saturday, April 12 at 10 am to answer questions about the Sheriff's Department revised jail facilities plan. This proposed plan includes the expansion of Mira Loma Detention Center in Lancaster to house male county inmates. A second meeting will be held on Monday, April 21 at 7 pm at the Lancaster Performing Arts Center, located at 750 Lancaster Blvd. For more information, contact Dave Jennings the Palmdale Sheriff's Station at 272-2400. Thu, 10 Apr 2008 18:27:14 -0700http://www.intheav.com/blogs/PKShaw/2008/04/08/av-fallen-heroes-memorial-fundraiserAs some of you know, the Palmdale Woman’s Club along with the Palmdale and Lancaster Sheriff’s Boosters have been raising money to build a Memorial honoring all of the Firefighters, EMT’s, CHP Officers, and Sheriff’s Deputies who have lost their lives in the line of duty in the Antelope Valley. The Antelope Valley Political Observer has very graciously included an ad with a picture of the artist’s rendering of the Memorial free of charge for over a year. We are now planning something very exciting to raise the rest of the money. We are working on a dinner and an old fashioned variety show starring Mayor Jim Ledford, Palmdale Councilmen Steve Knight, Tom Lackey, Mike Dispenza, and Steve Hofbauer, Palmdale School District President Sandy Corrales, several law enforcement officers and many other community leaders. Ray Cunneff will act as emcee. I’m not going to give away too much so let me just say this is going to be the funniest show the Antelope Valley has ever seen! In addition to the many people donating their talent to being in the show, MANY others are donating their time in other ways to make this effort a true labor of love from the entire Antelope Valley. Tickets are $50.00 and are on sale at the Palmdale Chamber of Commerce and Antelope Valley Harley Davidson/Buell. May 9th Dinner 6pm Show starts at 7pm Larry Chimbole Cultural CenterTue, 08 Apr 2008 19:58:06 -0700http://www.intheav.com/blogs/PKShaw/2008/03/13/av-fallen-heroes-memorial-fundraiserAs some of you know, the Palmdale Woman's Club along with the Palmdale and Lancaster Sheriff's Boosters have been raising money to build a Memorial honoring all of the Firefighters, EMT's, CHP Officers, and Sheriff's Deputies who have lost their lives in the line of duty in the Antelope Valley. The Antelope Valley Political Observer has very graciously included an ad with a picture of the artist's rendering of the Memorial free of charge for over a year. Through efforts like this many people have helped us raise half of the total money needed and we have taken that money and paid for the supplies so the fabricator can begin the work. We are now planning something very exciting to raise the rest of the money. We are working on a dinner and an old fashioned variety show starring Mayor Jim Ledford, Palmdale Councilmen Steve Knight, Tom Lackey, Mike Dispenza, and Steve Hofbauer, Palmdale School District President Sandy Corrales, several law enforcement officers and many other community leaders. Ray Cunneff will act as emcee. I'm not going to give away too much so let me just say this is going to be the funniest show the Antelope Valley has ever seen! In addition to the many people donating their talent to being in the show, MANY others are donating their time in other ways to make this effort a true labor of love from the entire Antelope Valley. Tickets are $50.00 and are on sale at the Palmdale Chamber of Commerce and Antelope Valley Harley Davidson/Buell. Believe it or not, I just dropped off the tickets today at the Chamber and already people have been calling them wondering when they could buy some. So I wouldn't wait too long if I were you. May 9th Dinner 6pm Show starts at 7pm Larry Chimbole Cultural Center Thu, 13 Mar 2008 21:56:49 -0800