REVISED:News story- Applesauce

French Camp, Calif.--A northbound lane was temporarily closed today when a trucker lost control of his tractor this morning and spilled 10 tons of apples onto Highway 101 just south of Sonoma.

Robert Urbins, 55, a trucker from French Camp, CA, was hauling apples from Marysville to Sebastopol when he lost control of his tractor at 8:30 AM. The tractor was connected to two flatbed trailers that held 24 full apple containers.

Urbins said he was negotiating a section of uneven pavement along the partially repaved highway just south of Petaluma near Kastania Road when he heard a cable snap. The rear flatbed began “whipping”and scattering apples.

The roadways were also slick from a mist in the air that added to the hazard of the spilled apples. The mess has severely impacted the morning commuted and has cause and extremely sticky mess. California Highway Patrol officer Wayne Ziese said, "We've got applesauce all over the highway."

Crews arrived at 9:45 a.m. to begin cleaning the mess. Apples are covering the highway for about 200 to 300 feet. Additionally, some of the fruit landed nearly 1,000 feet away along the shoulders and median strip.

Ziese said, "Right now, we've got apples piled two feet high on the roadside, and crews out here with brooms and shovels."

According to Ziese there are no injuries but a motor home that was traveling behind Urbins sustained damage.

Urbins, who says he was travelling at 55 mph, was given a citation for the mess that will likely cost several hundred dollars. Urbins hauls for Broadway Transportation in Stockton.

Word of the Week #7

pragmatism

"At a Capitol Hill news conference, Kucinich said his decision was a combination of pragmatism and concern about the impact that defeat of the health care bill would have on Obama's presidency. "
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35909723/ns/politics-health_care_reform/

Pragmatism- Noun

1.character or conduct that emphasizes practicality.

2.a philosophical movement or system having various forms, but generally stressing practical consequences as constituting the essential criterion in determining meaning, truth, or value

My dad was a dreamer in his younger years but now he approaches most things in his life with a certain amount of pragmatism.

Mystery Charcter

This character often wears a white long sleeved button up shirt with the sleeves rolled and a tie to work. He is tall and lean. One of his favorite things to do is to play a good prank. One particular coworker is usually the victim of the prank, because it’s just too easy to get him. His often is in cahoots with the receptionist when he is pulling his pranks. The receptionist is the object of his affection. When the boss is out he is put in charge. He is really good at his job but he doesn’t really want it to be his career, which it eventually does. He eventually does get to be the receptionist, who has been promoted for that position. They were married and they just had a baby.

Word of the Week #6

Feted

"He was feted by 300 people gathered at the Malibu home of reality TV/film producer Mike Fleiss, who co-hosted with WME Global chief Graham Taylor and his producer wife Lynnette Howell ("Half Nelson")."
http://goldderby.latimes.com/awards_goldderby/2010/03/gold-derby-nuggets-banned-hurt-locker-producers-oscars-speech.html

Feted- (Verb) to entertain at or honor with a fete: to fete a visiting celebrity.
Fete- noun

1.a day of celebration; holiday: The Fourth of July is a great American fete.

2. a festive celebration or entertainment: The ball was the greatest fete of the season.

3.a religious feast or festival: a fete lasting several days in honor of a saint

The Oscar winners are feted at many parties following the show. The Vanity Fair fete is one of the biggest.

News Release Exercise

Dentists Help Underprivileged Children

SANTA CLARA, CA- Dentists will be providing free dental exams and treatments for underprivileged children during "Dentists with a Heart Day" next Friday, March 12 in dental offices throughout Santa Clara County.

About 70 dentists offices will be participating in this one day event sponsored by the Health Trust and the Santa Clara Dental Association. Their goal is to help up to 500 underprivileged children who would not otherwise have access to dental care

Word of the Week #5

Valuations

"Although the price might have fallen later, Otis said the risk would have been that valuations were so low the boards of directors wouldn’t have approved the deal."
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35486250/ns/business-success_in_hard_times/

Valuation- Noun.

1. the act of valuing, esp a formal assessment of the worth of property, jewellery, etc.

2. the price arrived at by the process of valuing

I took the ring to a jeweler to find out it's actual valuation.

News Story- Applesauce

A northbound lane was temporarily closed today when a trucker lost control of his tractor this morning and spilled 10 tons of apples onto highway 101 just south of Sonoma.

At 8:30 a.m. Robert Urbins, 55, a trucker from French Camp, CA, was hauling apples from Marysville to Sebastopol when he lost control of his tractor. The tractor was connected to two flatbed trailers that held 24 full apple containers.

Urbins said he was negotiating a section of uneven pavement along the partially repaved highway just south of Petaluma near Kastania Road when he heard a cable snap. The rear flatbed began “whipping”and scattering apples.

The accident caused a mist in the air that made the roads rather slick and that added to the hazard after the apples spilled. The mess has severely impacted the morning commuted and has cause and extremely sticky mess. CHP officer Wayne Ziese said, "We've got applesauce all over the highway."

Crews arrived at 9:45 a.m. to begin cleaning the mess. Apples are covering the highway for about 200 to 300 feet. Additionally, some of the fruit landed nearly 1,000 feet away along the shoulders and median strip.

Ziese said, "Right now, we've got apples piled two feet high on the roadside, and crews out here with brooms and shovels."

According to Ziese there are no injuries but a motor home that was travelling behind Urbins sustained damage.

Urbins, who says he was travelling at 55 mph, was given a citation for the mess that will likely cost several hundred dollars. His lawyer called the jury’s award “excessive” and plans on appealing the verdict.

Urbins hauls for Broadway Transportation in Stockton.