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COLUMBIA Scowls, smirks and exasperated sighs often greeted Sarah Nuckles when she asked questions at S.C. Transportation Commission meetings.

Whether seeking answers about highly paid consultants, multibillion-dollar freeways or the lack of public access in policy decisions, Nuckles kept things stirred up during her four years on the transportation board.

Now, thats about to end. Nuckles term on the commission has expired. As soon as this week, legislators could replace her with another representative from her district in the Rock Hill area. State law bars commissioners from serving a second consecutive term in the same district.

For Nuckles, its been an enjoyable trip. She believes she has shed light on Department of Transportation policies and projects that need scrutiny, even if it made her unpopular with the other board members and department staff.

My purpose is not to sit in a club of commissioners, said the only woman on the seven-member Transportation Commission. If that makes me a maverick, thats sad. We need mavericks in the Legislature. We need them all over the place.

In a Transportation Department long-dominated by white males and criticized for a lack of public input, Nuckles was considered by conservationists, taxpayer advocates and some legislators as a fresh breeze. During commission meetings, her trademark was politely but relentlessly grilling Department of Transportation staff and board members about everything from big highway contracts to small road projects.

She has been excellent its good to have somebody on the commission who shakes things up, said Lancaster Republican Sen. Greg Gregory, a member of the legislative delegation that will choose a new commissioner to replace Nuckles. I dont think theres any harm in the questions she asked. And Im in agreement on some of the major issues she has brought up.

Dana Beach, a Lowcountry conservationist who is seeking a seat on the transportation commission, said Nuckles told the truth when people didnt want to hear it.

Shes not well-received by a lot of people on the commission and by a lot of people for that reason, Beach said. They are offended that anybody would come in and shed the light of day on what is going on.

Chair: She grandstands

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Rock Hill woman known for asking questions to leave DOT commission

WHEN A PERSON REACHES THE AGE OF 98, the thinking is that they should be grateful for the life theyve had and be preparing to meet their maker. But thats not the case with Ralph Packer Parris.

Yes, hell tell you that at 98, hes lived probably more than a lot of people. Hes been married, is now a widower, raised four children, now has the privilege of being with his grandchildren, been a stalwart in industrial relations in Barbados and has travelled the world. But Ralph isnt eager to go quietly into that good night.

Most days, when hes not reading, a pastime he revealed that he thoroughly enjoys, hes spending his time on the computer.

Three hours a day is what I usually spend on the computer, Ralph said. I cannot spend a long time because sitting for long hours is uncomfortable.

One might be wondering what a 98-year-old, who doesnt use glasses when using the computer but only for seeing at a distance, be doing tinkering with technology at this stage of his life.

I search the web a lot and correspond with friends, he says. Nowadays I mostly play games on

it . . . . I have a lot of time to kill. Sometimes Ill communicate with my grandchildren by email. Im not really looking for how to build bombs Im mostly killing time.

Ralph admits that computers werent around in his day when he was in his prime. Luckily his grandson taught him to use the computer and remedied any technological deficiencies he had.

My grandson has a Masters in forensic information technology, he said. He got me this computer and set me up with passwords.

I have dial-up, he says of his Internet access. I just havent bothered to get the high-speed Internet access why should I waste my money?

Link:
Granddad dot com

29-05-2012 21:57 Find out what are some of the realities of being lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) in Singapore, and the yearnings for a more enlightened future. Visit Notes Positive representations of LGBT people are disallowed or heavily restricted in newspapers, magazines, radio,...

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PINK DOT 2012: SOMEDAY - Video

30-05-2012 07:41 Remember me? No? Me neither. I'm at the tail-end of getting over some super-cold that's still lingering, so excuse my slight congestion at some parts of the video (I still think I look sick, no? Be honest. Yes, I look sick). Edited out the coughing and clearing of the phlegm from my throat. You're welcome. Anyone keeping up with Game of Thrones? UMM....WTF...OMG, WHY?! Me doing what I do best.....bitching. Someone [anonymously] told me this is why I'm single and desperate. Boohoo. Twitter: Facebook: Formspring: Pinterest: In this video.... My favorites: Ginger Spice lip liner Eyeliner in Dark Chocolate Coy lip gloss Between the Sheets Eyeshadow Scrumptious lipstick Adored lipstick Sweet Nothing lipstick Dusk lipstick Other products: Nude lip liner (swatched next to Ginger Spice in beginning of video) Innocent lip gloss Provocateur eyeshadow At Last Blush Duo Showstopper lipstick Wish lipstick Stiletto lipstick Hot Spot lipstick I'm wearing: Nail polish: Ulta Salon Formula in Vintage Violet Face: Cover FX in M70, Coastal Scents Camo Quad (I haaaaaaaaate this. Just wishful thinking trying it again -_-), Estee Lauder DW Camo Foundation as concealer in Creamy Tan Cheeks: Contouring with Benefit Hoola, Guerlain Terracotta Bronzer #2 all over, Victoria's Secret Blush Duo in At Last- purple side Lips: Victoria's Secret Ginger Spice lip liner, Sweet Nothing lipstick, Scrumptious lipstick ...

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Victoria's Secret Makeup Products - Video

The new face leading the volleyball program is no stranger to several of the players expected to dot his first roster as Jamie Suapaia was named coach of the Stillwater Ponies earlier this week.

The 28-year-old has coached several past and current Stillwater athletes as part of the staff at the Minnesota One Volleyball Training Center in Bloomington. This will be Suapaia's first varsity head coaching job, but he is not stranger to the sport.

A Bloomington Kennedy graduate who participated in football and wrestling for the Eagles, Suapaia played club volleyball at Minnesota State-Mankato before starting his coaching career as an assistant on the women's volleyball staff for the Mavericks. In addition to club programs, Suapaia served as the JV volleyball coach at Edina last fall - and his exposure to the sport goes well beyond that as his father, Sandy Suapaia, has been coaching volleyball for 47 years.

"I've literally been around volleyball my whole life," Jamie said. "My dad has coached and played for 47 years and there are stories of me a couple weeks old and whoever subbed out of the game would have to take care of me (on the sideline)."

Stillwater activities director Ricky Michel listed strong recommendations from the parents and those who have played for Suapaia and the administration at Edina.

Suapaia takes over for Michele Parker, who resigned earlier this year largely because of the increasing time demands coaching the sport now requires. Parker compiled a 160-141 record in 11 seasons and guided the Ponies to their first-ever trip to the state tournament in 2009.

Stillwater placed third in the Suburban East Conference last season and finished 14-14 overall (7-2 in conference play) with a team that graduated just three seniors and is expected to return several two- and three-year starters this fall.

"We're excited and I'm glad to see us moving on," Michel said. "I know people out in the community are anxious about who we were going to hire and who was going to take over the program and Jamie has some big shoes to fill. Michele did a great job and built great relationships with her players over the years and hopefully we can carry that tradition on and I think Jamie's personality is going to allow that to happen."

Suapaia has been instructing and coaching ever since graduating from Mankato with a degree in law enforcement.

"I didn't pursue that and volleyball is pretty much my career now, coaching at M1 and helping out the club director there and doing a bunch of stuff is my full-time job," Suapaia said.

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Volleyball: Suapaia takes reins for Stillwater spikers