I, too, live in Modesto, CA, and was surprised but ultimately pleased to see our problems being discussed on a site with as wide a reach as Boing-Boing. So many other more fortunate places in the US are so bombarded with the message that the "recession" is over that any accurate descriptions of the conditions here and elsewhere in the Central Valley are usually dismissed as wild-eyed overstatement by anyone who hasn't seen it first-hand.
Another reason that so many of the foreclosures are or appear abandoned are the prevalence of "renter barons" in the area. For a while, it was a reasonably profitable business for Bay Area speculators and others to buy up a dozen houses or so in a neighborhood and rent them out to locals. However, when the bottom dropped out, many of these small businesses fell apart, or desperately sold off the homes to anyone who would buy them to cut their losses.
This resulted in a very large number of renters suddenly being forced out of their homes through no fault of their own. To make matters worse, many of those families were already in poor shape (thats over 15% unemployment poor - at one point nearly 20%) due to major labor cuts in the area, like the closing of the famous Hershey Plant in Oakdale, CA. So not only did the "refinance gamblers" get screwed in the collapse, but many responsible families were displaced and forced to make terrible compromises just to keep a roof over their already humble dinner tables. When three generations of a family are living under one roof not out of closeness but grim necessity, and the primary breadwinners make minimum wage, the "recession" is a full on depression.
Thats one of the main reasons that the Valley has so much anti-government sentiment right now - unfortunately, much of that has misguidedly lead the already conservative population to increasingly support the "Tea Party" movement's violent and disturbingly irrational rhetoric. They are, indeed, mad as hell, and not going to take it anymore; unfortunately, that only results in a sad, directionless rage, full of bitter soundbites and misinformed half-truths.
By the way, Guestimate Jones: There is no authority in the area dedicated to or responsible for mosquito abatement. The reason why? No budget money. Stanislaus County has a hard enough time fulfilling basic services due to the large tax losses; the roads in some places are comparable to the aftermath of minor earthquake sites, for example. Its so bad here that during certain years, we have even shut down our Animal Control services, despite this being a very rural county outside of Modesto. When you have a lost and frightened raccoon duking it out with your cat in your backyard at 2am, calling the cops results in a snickering reply of "well sorry sir, that's not our problem."
This week’s sexy mocha goodness is 23-year old Darryl “LeBron” Stevenson. Born and raised in Newark, New Jersey, Darryl currently resides in Manhattan.
His modeling career began shortly after he finished his service in the military. He had just moved back to New Jersey and his sister was very big into fashion shows and she was looking to pursue modeling. Darryl accompanied her to a casting one day and as they sat in the room full of prospects a scout came out to verify the cast list. When Darryl went unaccounted for on the list the scout asked if he planned to audition. He replied, “No.” The scout said that he should and the room agreed, so Darryl was pretty much forced to apply despite his reluctance. And, he’s been modeling ever since.
When Darryl is not modeling he is an entrepreneur. He is a personal trainer/businessman. He trains clients whenever he has the opportunity. “There is no better gratification than giving someone the gift of being fit and healthy,” Darryl said. “That kind of liberation leads to greatness in other areas of their lives. I’m happy to be able to impact others.” Darryl helps to run a health food restaurant concept in the Chelsea area. “I try to incorporate a healthier approach into everything that I do. And, by being health conscious I can live to do the things I love longer and stronger!”
“He Can Get It” Wednesday: Ben
I asked Darryl what he looks for in a woman and he said, “This is a question to which two years ago my answer would have been very different. I love a woman that appreciates the simplicity of a snow storm. She wouldn’t rather be anywhere other than under my arm when while watching a movie on the couch. If I said that I wanted to be the first man to walk on the sun she would support me. My perfect woman is motivated and tried. She knows what living life is about and is equipped to survive the hardships and embrace the lovingness it has to offer. My ideal woman puts her best on not because she wants the world to think she’s beautiful, but because she wants to look just right for ‘her man.’ She has a smile that melts ice and my heart, and has an uniqueness about her that you just can’t pinpoint, but you see it prominently. My special girl doesn’t call me LeBron, she calls me button-nose. The girl most dear to me laughs with me when I’m funny, cries with me when I’m hurt, and cares for me when I bleed. Any man would be lucky to have the woman I need and I’m lucky to know I have her.”
In his downtime, Darryl says he always have a great time especially when he can go out to a club and dance. “Dancing is something I have done for a long time,” Darryl said. “There’s no better feeling than being in the middle of the dance floor tearing it up. In my down time I love to play just about any sport. I played football since I was young, and then all through high school. I also played for a short time in college, so I have a great love for the game. Baseball and basketball are also my favorite past times. When I am not engaged in some form of physical activity I may be writing or working on a new song or watching a movie. Film is a hidden passion that I have, but I would love to be on a set filming a drama or a horror flick. You’d be surprised!”
Enjoy the photos of Darryl!
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bench craft company scam
After Early Administration Denials, Director of National <b>...</b>
After initially suggesting that Director of National Intelligence James Clapper's inability to answer a question from ABC News anchor Diane Sawyer about the arrests of 12 suspected terrorists in London was because her question was too ...
Technolog - Facebook's new filters let you control <b>news</b> feed
Sometimes when Facebook comes out with something new, it immediately attracts the ire of its users, like when it made the News Feed font smaller or when the News Feed morphed to the oft-times confusing "Top News" vs.
WikiLeaks documents leaked again : Views and <b>News</b> from Norway
“I have no comment on how we secured access to the documents,” Aftenposten's news editor Ole Erik Almlid told DN. “We never reveal our sources, not in this case either.” DN also reported that WikiLeaks spokesman Kristinn Hrafnsson had ...
bench craft company scam
After Early Administration Denials, Director of National <b>...</b>
After initially suggesting that Director of National Intelligence James Clapper's inability to answer a question from ABC News anchor Diane Sawyer about the arrests of 12 suspected terrorists in London was because her question was too ...
Technolog - Facebook's new filters let you control <b>news</b> feed
Sometimes when Facebook comes out with something new, it immediately attracts the ire of its users, like when it made the News Feed font smaller or when the News Feed morphed to the oft-times confusing "Top News" vs.
WikiLeaks documents leaked again : Views and <b>News</b> from Norway
“I have no comment on how we secured access to the documents,” Aftenposten's news editor Ole Erik Almlid told DN. “We never reveal our sources, not in this case either.” DN also reported that WikiLeaks spokesman Kristinn Hrafnsson had ...
bench craft company scam
After Early Administration Denials, Director of National <b>...</b>
After initially suggesting that Director of National Intelligence James Clapper's inability to answer a question from ABC News anchor Diane Sawyer about the arrests of 12 suspected terrorists in London was because her question was too ...
Technolog - Facebook's new filters let you control <b>news</b> feed
Sometimes when Facebook comes out with something new, it immediately attracts the ire of its users, like when it made the News Feed font smaller or when the News Feed morphed to the oft-times confusing "Top News" vs.
WikiLeaks documents leaked again : Views and <b>News</b> from Norway
“I have no comment on how we secured access to the documents,” Aftenposten's news editor Ole Erik Almlid told DN. “We never reveal our sources, not in this case either.” DN also reported that WikiLeaks spokesman Kristinn Hrafnsson had ...
bench craft company scam
After Early Administration Denials, Director of National <b>...</b>
After initially suggesting that Director of National Intelligence James Clapper's inability to answer a question from ABC News anchor Diane Sawyer about the arrests of 12 suspected terrorists in London was because her question was too ...
Technolog - Facebook's new filters let you control <b>news</b> feed
Sometimes when Facebook comes out with something new, it immediately attracts the ire of its users, like when it made the News Feed font smaller or when the News Feed morphed to the oft-times confusing "Top News" vs.
WikiLeaks documents leaked again : Views and <b>News</b> from Norway
“I have no comment on how we secured access to the documents,” Aftenposten's news editor Ole Erik Almlid told DN. “We never reveal our sources, not in this case either.” DN also reported that WikiLeaks spokesman Kristinn Hrafnsson had ...
bench craft company scam
After Early Administration Denials, Director of National <b>...</b>
After initially suggesting that Director of National Intelligence James Clapper's inability to answer a question from ABC News anchor Diane Sawyer about the arrests of 12 suspected terrorists in London was because her question was too ...
Technolog - Facebook's new filters let you control <b>news</b> feed
Sometimes when Facebook comes out with something new, it immediately attracts the ire of its users, like when it made the News Feed font smaller or when the News Feed morphed to the oft-times confusing "Top News" vs.
WikiLeaks documents leaked again : Views and <b>News</b> from Norway
“I have no comment on how we secured access to the documents,” Aftenposten's news editor Ole Erik Almlid told DN. “We never reveal our sources, not in this case either.” DN also reported that WikiLeaks spokesman Kristinn Hrafnsson had ...
bench craft company scam
After Early Administration Denials, Director of National <b>...</b>
After initially suggesting that Director of National Intelligence James Clapper's inability to answer a question from ABC News anchor Diane Sawyer about the arrests of 12 suspected terrorists in London was because her question was too ...
Technolog - Facebook's new filters let you control <b>news</b> feed
Sometimes when Facebook comes out with something new, it immediately attracts the ire of its users, like when it made the News Feed font smaller or when the News Feed morphed to the oft-times confusing "Top News" vs.
WikiLeaks documents leaked again : Views and <b>News</b> from Norway
“I have no comment on how we secured access to the documents,” Aftenposten's news editor Ole Erik Almlid told DN. “We never reveal our sources, not in this case either.” DN also reported that WikiLeaks spokesman Kristinn Hrafnsson had ...
bench craft company scam
After Early Administration Denials, Director of National <b>...</b>
After initially suggesting that Director of National Intelligence James Clapper's inability to answer a question from ABC News anchor Diane Sawyer about the arrests of 12 suspected terrorists in London was because her question was too ...
Technolog - Facebook's new filters let you control <b>news</b> feed
Sometimes when Facebook comes out with something new, it immediately attracts the ire of its users, like when it made the News Feed font smaller or when the News Feed morphed to the oft-times confusing "Top News" vs.
WikiLeaks documents leaked again : Views and <b>News</b> from Norway
“I have no comment on how we secured access to the documents,” Aftenposten's news editor Ole Erik Almlid told DN. “We never reveal our sources, not in this case either.” DN also reported that WikiLeaks spokesman Kristinn Hrafnsson had ...
bench craft company scam
After Early Administration Denials, Director of National <b>...</b>
After initially suggesting that Director of National Intelligence James Clapper's inability to answer a question from ABC News anchor Diane Sawyer about the arrests of 12 suspected terrorists in London was because her question was too ...
Technolog - Facebook's new filters let you control <b>news</b> feed
Sometimes when Facebook comes out with something new, it immediately attracts the ire of its users, like when it made the News Feed font smaller or when the News Feed morphed to the oft-times confusing "Top News" vs.
WikiLeaks documents leaked again : Views and <b>News</b> from Norway
“I have no comment on how we secured access to the documents,” Aftenposten's news editor Ole Erik Almlid told DN. “We never reveal our sources, not in this case either.” DN also reported that WikiLeaks spokesman Kristinn Hrafnsson had ...
bench craft company scam
After Early Administration Denials, Director of National <b>...</b>
After initially suggesting that Director of National Intelligence James Clapper's inability to answer a question from ABC News anchor Diane Sawyer about the arrests of 12 suspected terrorists in London was because her question was too ...
Technolog - Facebook's new filters let you control <b>news</b> feed
Sometimes when Facebook comes out with something new, it immediately attracts the ire of its users, like when it made the News Feed font smaller or when the News Feed morphed to the oft-times confusing "Top News" vs.
WikiLeaks documents leaked again : Views and <b>News</b> from Norway
“I have no comment on how we secured access to the documents,” Aftenposten's news editor Ole Erik Almlid told DN. “We never reveal our sources, not in this case either.” DN also reported that WikiLeaks spokesman Kristinn Hrafnsson had ...
bench craft company scam
After Early Administration Denials, Director of National <b>...</b>
After initially suggesting that Director of National Intelligence James Clapper's inability to answer a question from ABC News anchor Diane Sawyer about the arrests of 12 suspected terrorists in London was because her question was too ...
Technolog - Facebook's new filters let you control <b>news</b> feed
Sometimes when Facebook comes out with something new, it immediately attracts the ire of its users, like when it made the News Feed font smaller or when the News Feed morphed to the oft-times confusing "Top News" vs.
WikiLeaks documents leaked again : Views and <b>News</b> from Norway
“I have no comment on how we secured access to the documents,” Aftenposten's news editor Ole Erik Almlid told DN. “We never reveal our sources, not in this case either.” DN also reported that WikiLeaks spokesman Kristinn Hrafnsson had ...
bench craft company scam
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