| Cops, sahibs poised for brush with Art of Living
DISCIPLES OF Sri Sri Ravi Shanker, the internationally famous Art of Living guru, would be in the city to impart special training to officials of the district administration and police. To cope up with prolonged working hours, district administration and police officials are all set to be a part of a fortnight-long Art of Living camp at the Police Lines and at the camp office of DIG Range, Kanpur. The course would start from February 13 under the guidance of two Yoga Gurus summoned from Bangalore. The first camp would start at the residence of the DIG, in which the DIG, SSP, all additional SPs and circle officers would take part. Officials of the district administration, including the district magistrate, would take part in the camp. About 100 senior officials of the district administration and police are expected to take part in this camp. In the second camp to be organised at the Police Lines, all non-gazette police personnel, 150 in number, would take part.
Dubai-based Swede pips Els and Woods to home title
The Dubai-based Swede, who has finished in the top eight in the last six tournaments in the Middle East, overcame gusts of up to 30kph to shoot a closing 68 for a 19-under ally of 269 at the Emirates Golf Club. Overnight leader Ernie Els (71) struggled to recover from a three-bogey outward half of 37. The three-time champion eventually finished second, despite holing out from a greenside bunker for a birdie at the 14th. World number one Tiger Woods (69), who had won nine times in his previous 12 starts, was a further stroke back on 271 alongside Swede Niclas Fasth (68). I fought hard all week and to beat Ernie by one is awesome, the 30-year-old Stenson told Sky Sports after rolling in an uphill eight-foot birdie putt at the par-five 18th. Living here in Dubai and having all the local fans, my friends and family watching me this week, it feels special to win this one. World number 14 Stenson, who hits the ball prodigious distances off the tee, secured victory with a four-under back nine of 33 which included a run of three birdies in four holes from the 11th. The Swede, who won the 2006 Qatar Masters and was joint seventh in his title defence last Sunday, was ably assisted in Dubai by Nick Faldo's former caddie Fanny Sunesson. I may not hit it that close (to the pin) all the time but I've hit some quality shots and had a lot of two-putts this week, said Stenson, who also finished eighth at the Abu Dhabi Championship two weeks ago. I just tried to wear everyone out really and I succeeded.
Letter: Medicaid Waiver program must expand to aid elders
It is likely that the vast majority of the general public has never heard of the Medicaid Waiver Program, but if you have an elderly loved one, you need to be aware of this program.Medicaid Waiver provides services for Medicaid recipients which can enable them to remain in their own homes or choose an assisted living facility if the need arises. However, the funding for this program is limited, and this has created a waiting list in excess of one year. Sadly, most people do not find out about waiver until they have an immediate need for services. At that point, they are placed on the waiting list.Often they have no choice but to move into a nursing home because they are unable to obtain a waiver slot at the time they need it. The lengthy waiting list for waiver slots can even force a person already living in an assisted living facility out of their chosen home and into a nursing home, simply because they have exhausted their resources and need Medicaid to pick up the tab.And keep in mind, the tab at a Medicaid provider assisted living facility is a maximum $61.80 per day compared to approximately $130 per day in a nursing home.Doubling the funding for the Waiver Program would be a good start.
MacDonald promises Baddeck a nursing home
BADDECK — The province plans to build a nursing home here by 2010, it was announced Friday. Premier Rodney MacDonald told a gathering in Baddeck that the facility will be part of his government’s commitment, announced last week, to have an extra 832 long-term-care beds in 32 communities at a cost of $74 million. Neither the specific site in Baddeck nor the tender release date were announced Friday, but officials confirmed the 70-bed facility will have more private rooms, a better kitchen and improved recreational areas. "We’re not just talking about a nursing home facility but a home," Mr. MacDonald told reporters. The new home will replace Alderwood Rest Home. A local board will soon be set up to select a building site and work out other details.
New bill seeks faster release of COLA pay
A senator has introduced legislation streamlining the process for releasing the cost of living allowance to government retirees.Senate Bill 15-79, authored by Sen. Luis Crisostimo, would authorize the NMI Retirement Fund administrator to disburse COLA payment without the consent of the NMI Board of Trustees. The purpose of the bill is to avoid delay in the release of COLA funds."The Legislature finds that while the central government has remitted the COLA funding to the NMI Retirement Fund, the retirees are left waiting pending release and approval by the NMI Retirement Fund. In these hard economic times, it is paramount that the immediate disbursement of COLA to the retirees be made promptly to its qualified members as this source of fund is a supplemental resource for the retirees subsistence and purchasing power that is not otherwise available with their present salary," the bill states.A relevant incident took place last month, when the release of COLA was delayed because some Fund trustees were not available to meet and approve the issuance of the funds.Currently, there are 1,494 retirees receiving cost of living allowance.
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