Their Future

In the past month I had the pleasure of teaching and getting to know 58 local high school seniors to be. These students participated in a local University summer business camp. This three week camp had local students participate in a college prep program concentrating on business plans and models. The goal of the program is to attract first generation college students to attend college. The key is to get them interested in college.

With all the bandwagoners latching on to this program in the last year it must be a success. I love it when local politicians and administrators support a program once it is successful. But I remember when we would ask for support, be it financial or administrative, they never heard of the program and do not have the time.

We do not see students as they are today, but as the people that they can become. We want students to see possibilities, to overcome adversity and to become the best versions of themselves. This is the overall theme of the REACH program.

At the root of the many discussions on education reform is the nearly universal concern about the outcome: Will students emerge from high school ready for college or careers? From my experience it is not about money or fancy computer labs. It is about the people who support them who truly care about their future. Not some $150,000 a year bureaucrat who is waiting for their pension to kick in. But the people in our local schools and colleges who truly care. Give them a chance and the best will come.

Just ask the over 500 students who have participated in the REACH program to date. People, who care, do make a difference.

OBAMACARE EMPLOYER MANDATE DELAYED - The Obama administration is postponing the federal health care law's insurance mandate for employers next year, in a major concession to the business community and lawmakers who have become increasingly vocal about the law's potential to damage a slowly recovering economy. The announcement doesn't affect the main coverage tools in the law - the individual mandate and the new subsidized insurance markets. But it could boost the cost of the law if more people end up seeking subsidies instead of getting covered on the job.

The delay ... is at least partial proof of what Republicans have been predicting for months: that the health law is way too complex to be ready to go live in 2014. And that's a message that may well resonate all through next year - including the 2014 midterm elections. ... Speaker John Boehner's press secretary Brendan Buck tweeted simply: 'Obamacare. Such a train wreck.' 'Absolutely thrilled by #ObamaCare delay,' Republican operative Brad Dayspring tweeted. 'Will help #GOP candidates across the board in 2014. Debate will be a repeat of 2010.'

EARTHQUAKE IN PRIMETIME - SEE YOU IN KELLY'S COURT - Fox News daytime host Megyn Kelly is moving to primetime, the network announced today. Kelly, who hosts 'America Live' from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., will join a new primetime lineup upon her return from maternity leave, according to the press release. Fox News has also signed long-term deals with hosts Bret Baier, Shepard Smith, Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity and Greta Van Susteren and will announce a new schedule at a later date.

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK – Birthday wishes and thoughts this week to: Chris Cooper (61), Bill Cosby (76), Tom Hanks (57), Toby Keith (52), Christine McVie (70), Sela Ward (57).

MAP: America is a nation of wineries http://nyti.ms/1a3DDh7

TOP PAID CEO’s - Highest paid CEO’s in 2012: 1. Oracle’s Larry Ellison $96.1M, 2. Activision’s Bobby Kotick $64.9M, 3. CBS’ Les Moonves $60.2M

SECRET MENU ORDER - In-N-Out secret menu order: Monkey Style (animal style fries in a burger. Great for a depressed state of mind.

SUMMER TIME RECIPE TREAT – Lemon Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

Salt

1 pound corkscrew pasta

1 pound asparagus

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

1 garlic clove, minced

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Freshly ground black pepper

1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved

1/4 cup freshly chopped dill leaves

1 cup frozen peas, defrosted

7 ounces crumbled feta cheese

Directions:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain and rinse. Set aside.

In another large pot of boiling salted water, add the asparagus and blanch until bright green and slightly tender, about 3 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon or a spider and shock in icy cold water. Remove from the water and dry well.

Trim the ends of the asparagus and cut into bite-size pieces on the bias.

Whisk together the mustard, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Combine the reserved asparagus and pasta in a large serving bowl. Add the tomatoes, dill, peas, feta, and the mustard dressing. Toss with tongs to coat the salad well. Taste and add additional salt and pepper, if needed.

Total Time: 30 minutes – Prep 10 minutes, Cook 20 minutes

4 to 6 servings

THE SWAMI’S WEEK TOP PICKS – (MLB) LA Dodgers 4 Arizona D’backs 3 (7/8). Season to Date (13-7).

MARKET WEEK - U.S. stocks are coming off two consecutive weeks of gains, the first time that's occurred since mid-May. The major averages have already gained more in July than they lost in June, the first losing month of 2013.

DRIVING THE WEEK – Corporate earnings season begins this week, a good checkpoint on the economic recovery. California Governor Jerry Brown is expected to announce his reelection bid for a second term.

Next week: At my best and July in the garden.

Until Next Monday, Adios!

Claremont, CA

July 8, 2013

#IV-12, 169