From Ken Schramm: "I am writing to ask if some attention can be given to a situation with the TTB that is affecting the burgeoning mead industry. Mead is a small but growing part of the beverage alcohol trade. Having reviewed the TTB’s web site, I have not been able to find mead-specific rules or documented interpretations that address the nature of the mead industry. The areas that create challenges are recipe formulation and label approval. The Formulas tab of the TTB Online “Formulas Online” submission tool requires that all fermentable ingredients be listed as percentages by volume. For every beverage except some distilled products, water is, in fact, the largest volumetric ingredient. For meads made with fruit, however, the largest contributor of extract (honey), and the largest contributor of volume (fruit or fruit juice) are going to be different. Throughout the mead world, if the majority contributor of extract to a fermented beverage is honey, the beverage is mead. This has been the case across many different cultures and for many centuries. Irrespective of adjuncts such as fruit or spices that may be part of the recipe formulation, if more than 50% of the extract in the must is contributed by honey, the beverage is, above all else, mead. For purposes of analysis, the formula would be: G/B ÷ (HV/B) = N Where: G = Original Gravity of entire batch in Brix B = Volume of batch H = Gravity of honey in Brix (Average = 82.8 Brix) V = Volume of honey N = Percentage of extract from sources other than honey To be mead, the quotient N must be less than .49. I am asking that the TTB permit any beverage that comports to this formula to be labeled as “Mead.” Sadly, and quite ironically, the TTB is refusing to allow beverages that comply with this definition to be labeled as mead, saying that such labeling would be misleading. In truth, to allow a beverage which has more than 50% of its extract from honey, and more than 50% of its alcohol produced from the fermentation of honey to not be called “mead” would be misleading. It would also be valuable for mead producers to be able to add descriptors “Fruit Mead” or “Spiced Mead” to mead labels without fear of rejection, in much the same way “Ice wine” or “late harvest wine” are used to describe some grape wines. Implementation of this standard would help in two ways. First, the Bureau would be applying the same nomenclature to label and recipe formulation standards that mead makers do. Secondly, it would permit labeling which would help consumers grasp and understand mead as a beverage. For mead makers and mead-aware consumers, fruit meads (melomels, cysers or pyments) or spiced meads (metheglins) are meads, in the same sense that Port, Sherry and Sauternes are styles of wine, but still wine. This change would also create a fairer, more objective standard. Mead makers who use fruit concentrates currently get an unfair advantage. If you use real fruit, the larger percentage of fruit (volumetrically) may prevent you from labeling the product as mead. Use concentrate - smaller quantities of a lower quality ingredient than those who use real fruit - and honey can appear to contribute quantitatively the greatest volumetric share of the must, and enable the product to be labeled “Mead.” In reality the fruit juice, which is being reconstituted with the addition of water, is contributing the greatest volume in the product. This interpretation tilts the recipe formulation and labeling decision-making process away from conscientious, quality-minded mead makers, and away from the interests of the consumer, both outcomes I do not think the TTB would consider its goals. I am making this plea from two separate standpoints. As a fledgling commercial mead maker, I am seeking to create a playing field that will allow me to do business effectively, compete, prosper and create jobs. I am also a serious mead enthusiast, the founder of the Mazer Cup Mead Competition, the largest mead competition in the world, and the author of “The Compleat Meadmaker”(©2003, Brewers Publications, Boulder, CO), the best selling book on mead making (perhaps ever). It might be immodest, but it is not inaccurate to say that I may be the most widely read authority on mead alive. For more than 25 years I have been studying mead, making mead, writing and speaking around North America on mead. I am deeply committed to the growth of this industry, which supports mead makers, mead lovers, beekeepers, fruit, spice and beverage production equipment manufacturers and wholesalers. It is my intent to make the best meads I possibly can, and meads they are, by the common interpretation of those most familiar with the beverage. It is my hope that the TTB will consider using the same definitions of the beverage that those who know and make it use to define it. These current interpretations by the TTB labeling staff are causing harm to this young and growing industry."

THIS PETITION IS ABOUT US ASKING FOR A NATIONAL 911 WORLD TRADE CENTER MEMORIAL DAY

I am starting this petition because at Sojourner Truth House in Gary, Indiana as a RN volunteering here and seeing many uninsured persons who have no access to a Medical Home and continuing medical care it raises many questions as to why our Governor Pence has no concern for the many with out health insurance.

We are illegally being harrassed and targeted by the CSAC. Our students and children can not compete while other styles of Martial Arts are currently going on with no government regulation. This is hindering our growth and civil rights. We do not allow head strikes and all competitors must wear safety gear unlike the other competive styles of Martial Arts that allow head strikes and do not wear safety gear plus not regulated by CSAC. Another issue that is so unfair is the Kids of Pankration or Light Contact MMA where no head strikes are allowed can not do a pro event where they recieve money. Our Kids are allowed to go pro in all other extreme sports such as skateboarding, surfing, BMX, etc. but not our safe extreme sport. So unfair and unjust.

The Union Group LLC (Mr. Lin et al.) plans to demolish the Nineteenth Century Club Mansion at 1433 Union Ave. The mansion is an irreplaceable landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places. If the Union Group LLC demolishes the Nineteenth Century Club Mansion, we pledge to boycott any and all businesses constructed on that site, as well as all other businesses owned and operated by the Union Group LLC stakeholders. Mr. David Wachtel has made a formal offer to purchase and adaptively reuse the Nineteenth Century Club Mansion as an upscale restaurant and event venue. If the Nineteenth Century Club Mansion is sold to Mr. Wachtel and restored, we pledge to support the off-site businesses of the Union Group LLC stakeholders.

Certifying someone as a “highly qualified” teacher when they have little training and have not been certified is like saying someone is a doctor just because they own a stethoscope. That'd be ridiculous and dangerous — so why would Congress do that to our teachers and most importantly to our nation’s children? Congress will soon vote on a budget bill that will likely include a harmful education amendment. The “Highly Qualified Teachers Amendment” would permanently allow teachers-in-training to be labeled as “highly qualified! Calling teachers ‘highly qualified’ is supposed to mean that teachers are trained and certified, which protects kids from a constant stream of unprepared, uncertified teachers. Federal law is supposed to give parents and caregivers information about the preparation and credentials of the teachers in their children’s schools. It is also supposed to address the problem that low-income students, students of color, students with disabilities, English Language Learners, and rural students are being disproportionately taught by less-prepared and less effective teachers, including many uncertified intern teachers. Contact your legislators today and tell them every child deserves to have a fully-prepared teacher on day one in the classroom. Now, special interests are lobbying – they don’t want you to know that some programs are sending teachers with little to no training or experience into the classroom. We have the right to know how prepared people are for the job. Take action now to support a fully-trained teacher for every child! Thank you for standing up today for our students!

2014 Health Benifits, they are awful and they pay nothing. We as state workers are ask every year to pay more on bills insurance, ect, but we as state workers haven't had a raise in over 5 years. This is sad. State workers don't get raises now Insurance going up, what is next??

My family wants to relocate to another state for enhanced opportunities, a healthier lifestyle, and a calling to ministry in Indiana. However the Judges are ruling that in relocation cases, regardless of the negligence of the other parent involved, custody is then split 50/50 thus the children relocate from one state, school, and parent yearly. In some cases the children have been completely removed from the mother and the father received full custody with absolutely no negligence on the mothers part. I realize the judge is trying to make it hard for parents to relocate but each case should be considered different and never disrupting the children on a year to year basis like that. This is illogical and detrimental to their well-being. Our case has not even been tried yet because we fear this happening to us and our family now has no voice. Be a voice for the families that have better opportunities and the children that are affected, force these rulings to be reconsidered!

To raise awareness and combat ignorance in the Virgin Islands community. In addition, to demand that Governor John. P. DeJongh issue a statement condemning the Senator's comments.

More information at http://www.nature.com/news/more-cuts-loom-for-us-science-1.13720

The failure of efforts to secure a Congressional authorization for the use of military force in Syria creates an unprecedented opportunity to reform U.S. policy in the Middle East. War proponents hoped to establish a precedent for a U.S. military strike on Iran, but the opposite precedent has been established instead: a war with Iran can be stopped by public opinion and Congressional resistance. The Obama Administration should use this moment to engage the government of Iran in efforts to establish a ceasefire in Syria and negotiations to end Syria's civil war.

It is an ethical issue as peoples pets get rattled when strangers appear possibly causing an aggressive state. An animal should not be shot dead when a safer alternative exists in the form of tranquilizer darts. It is also a public safety issue as a stray bullet can strike an innocent bystander.