August 13 thru the 16th we went to Lake Tahoe and Reno -   We hiked and picnicked along the way in the State Parks and at Lake Tahoe. We also went to a festival in the Park in Reno. Reno is now our short term get away.  The surrounding area is beautiful and packed with good "stuff" to do. Also, of course I played Texas Hold Em a game of skill.  I did really well. Our next vacation is in the planning stages - more to come. Here are some pic we took - enjoy and we wish you were there too. It is so beautiful.

I was amazed to get this - Thank you!!!!!

has been selected for the 2009 Austin Award in the Accounting, Auditing, & Bookkeeping category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2009 USCA Award Program focused on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.

About U.S. Commerce Association (USCA)

U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) is a Washington D.C. based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.

The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.

SOURCE: U.S. Commerce Association

CONTACT:
U.S. Commerce Association
Email: PublicRelations@us-ca.org
URL: http://www.us-ca.org
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On April 17th I went on my annual sabbatical for rest, reflection and recreation. I started with a diversion to Colorado where the Airport was shut down and then reopened. This is the scene form the terminal in Denver.

Finally, we arrived and on the first day we went to Mt Charleston outside of Las Vegas Nevada. Beautiful peaceful unique area in Las Vegas area. Here is the Chateau as well as the Fire House and Church...

The Next day we went to the desert - Red Rock Canyon. Red Rock has awe inspiring views. The Red Rocks offer desert beauty, towering red cliffs  and wildlife ( not the kind at the casinos). We walked and rode thru the 13 mile loop. See some of the pics below.

Also there is a historic ancient meadow the has been lived in for thousands of years by the natives. Finally, we relaxed by the pool and enjoyed the Spa.

On APRIL 4, 2009 We went to a Book Signing of one my dearest clients. Her book is a wonderful read - it is called "WOMEN AND PEDAGOGY" EDUCATION THROUGH AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL NARRATIVE PATTIE CS BURKE. We had a beautiful afternoon at her son's home. We had string quartet and readings of the book and other snapping repartee.

Below: CIRCA PRE-VACATION 2009 

Oh PS: I must add our feral cat "Ebilito" He wandered into our backyard severals months ago and found us worthy of his affection. Dot and I have really enjoyed his presence. You know the song "Our House" by CSNY "2 cats in the garden..."

 We originally adopted another feral cat but never domesticated her. Now she has 3 generations of adult cats to her credit before we neutered her. But here is Ebilito:

Tax Time January 1st 2009 to April 15th 2009 = Only the idea of a vacation keeps me motivated...Any thoughts or recommendations??? With Lacy's and Dot's help I think I can get by..

Thanksgiving Christmas New Years and Dorothy's Surprise Burthday -

It really seems like one big blur of fun. We had a really nice unique Thanksgiving without problems...(you know what I mean)

Christmas Dorothy saw the kids out of town and we had a really simple worshipful time.

New Years we went dancing and Italian dinning at Madolas Winery. The food and homegrown wine was fantastic.

And finally for her birthday we had people come in from all throughout the USA. It was a total surpise. I rented Green Pastures (private room) and we had their Sunday Brunch for 4 hours- fantastic. It seems she had a week long birthday celebration. Pretty good... Oh yea they have peacocks everwhere on the grounds....

Also over the Holidays we went to Small Paws Rescue 2nd Animal Fundraiser. Lacy won best retreiver - Dig the casual hat and shades. I am hiding...

September 16, 2008 -

I went to Cabo San Lucas.

Not the best pic but yes that is really me on my board ready to catch a wave...

Dorothy and I went there in 1994. It has really changed. I went SURFING. I did pretty good. We meet a lot of wonderful people there. I hope to continue my relationship with them.

The guy on the left is my new blood brother - A brother from another mother. He owns a Company that specializes in Baja watersports and excursions.The lady on the right is an Executive from Washington DC.

July 29, 2008 I have been approved by the PCAOB Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (Peak A Boo) to do audits.  Meaning I can do audits of publicly traded stock companies.

Anyone interested let me know.

I am currently involved in an Oil Development Company (buys Mineral Rights, Royalty Interests and Override Interests). They own one of the largest tracts in California.

Also, for those that do not know already -The PCAOB is a private-sector, non-profit corporation, created by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, to oversee the auditors of public companies in order to protect the interests of investors and further the public interest in the preparation of informative, fair, and independent audit reports.

June 21, 2008 -The trial summary follows. I was the CPA EXPERT WITNESS. I testified that the company under the definition of the ADA laws was "READILY ACHIEVABLE" for the company based on their financial position and ability to pay to make the building assessable to disabled individuals - A federal judge said the Wichita County Heritage Society showed “studied indifference” to the Americans with Disabilities Act when it denied a little girl access to the Kell House to see Santa Claus. I was key to the discovery, direction, and final determination. I find this exciting and uses all of my professional skills and personal abilities.

The court held that the WCHS had violated the ADA, stating, "The evidence establishes a studied indifference on the part of [the Kell House] to the requirements of the ADA...." A hearing was set July 21 to specifically determine what the judge will order Kell house to do, including "construction of a ramp to make the Kell House wheelchair accessible."

Shamayn Kennedy, the girl's mother, said, "Well, before a court got involved, we asked them so many times just to let our daughter enjoy the Christmas activities like all the other kids. We didn't just ask to get in the building. We requested other options – a portable ramp, a temporary accessible location, and just to ask Santa to come out to offer greetings. We even offered to help out. They ignored us, strung us along.' They even told me they had instituted a policy banning motorized wheelchairs in the Kell House."

The ruling, by federal judge William F. Sanderson, is an historic one. It is the first time a federal court has ordered a registered historic building to eliminate architectural barriers to people who use wheelchairs. The decision sets a clear precedent for people who use wheelchairs -- even historical buildings are not exempt from the ADA.

The family did not ask for damages and will not receive any money as a result of their victory. The father Mike Kennedy said, "We've run into plenty of problems over the years, but nobody has ever been mean like this. For three and a half years, they never did anything remotely helpful. We just want a chance for our daughter to experience the things other children do. We have a newborn son, and we don't want to have to explain to him one day why he can see Santa and his sister can't. And we hope this case will help other people with disabilities out there, too."

The girl's disability forces her to use a motorized wheelchair. The WCHS admitted it would have been dangerous to lift her chair into the Kell House. Because the girl must have a feeding tube constantly attached, she cannot be transferred to a different wheelchair. Transferring to and from other chairs or lifting wheelchairs are not viable options under the law, either, because they are dangerous and discourage independence.

Tim Hald, a CPA, and Tere O'Connell, a historical architect, also testified as experts for the family. Mr. Hald told the court WCHS had the financial ability to install a ramp. Ms. O'Connell designed ramps that have no negative effect on the historical nature of the Kell House.

The court also relied on testimony by Howard Morris, former WCHS board president, that "the cost of installing a wheelchair ramp has never been a major concern to the Society." WCHS reported over $5 million dollars in assets on its tax returns.
The court also noted that renovations to accommodate disabilities were in keeping with the historic nature of the Kell House, since Mr. Kell himself had installed an elevator in the 1940's to help him get up the stairs when he became disabled.

The lawsuit attempted to restore some Christmas cheer to the Kell House. In asking the court for help, it incorporated verse from popular Christmas poems and compared the WCHS to the Grinch and Ebenezer Scrooge. "When faced with mean-spirited exclusion like this, sometimes you have to laugh so you don't cry," said Krause. "We're glad the court is putting an end to their Grinchy behavior."

From the Opinion by Magistrate Judge Wm F Sanderson, Jr on 6/23/08

I was really proud of this but in the end the attorneys proved to be what everyone knows attorneys are. Leave it to an attorney to take something good an muck it up when there is no need to.

June 12 - 15th  - Republic of Texas Rally/ROT Rally Austin, Texas

Dorothy and I work each day from 7 AM to 11 PM as the official onsite banker, reconciling cash/credit ticket sales, making bank deposits and command central for everything else which was a suprise addition to our responsibilities. This was our 3rd year. We had onsite nearly 15,000 cash ticket sales over $700,000 in cash counted, reported and deposited.

WOW... we worked our beehinds off. We had the best year ever and worked with truly good people. They were not the sterotype biker types but people who love moteorcycles and a really interesting time. Dorothy and I stayed in a top of the line trailer provided to us. It was really spacious and luxourious

Also, the largest Texas biker rallies is the ROT rally in Austin and the largest paid Rally in the world. We were very proud to be a part of it.

The official ROT Rally grounds were east of Austin at the Travis County Expo Center. Although the ROT motorcycle rally officially has 40,000 plus attendees who go to the events and camp at the Expo Center, there are a lot more that aren’t official attendees who enjoy what Austin has to offer. 

The Hill Country is amazing to ride through with its rolling hills, lush green vegetation, Lake Travis, and Town Lake. Austin is also billed as The Live Music Capital of the World, so there will be bands playing wherever there is room. 

Another attraction at the ROT Rally in Austin are the beautiful women. 

Events that you will need to be on the rally grounds to see include top name bands, a bike show, a handful of custom bike builders, ride in bike show, Rhett Rotten Wall of Death, large set ups from some dealers and major product distributors, tattoo contest, contests for the ladies, stunt riders, 350 vendors, the ROT parade that starts at the rally grounds and ends up in downtown Austin. I met the WALL OF DEATH performer. he was a really cool guy from Canada.

 I love meeting new interesting people.

If any one needs exact, detail work performed under  high intensity level of stress , we are interested. This really is a challenge each year.