Ringing in the New Year in Israel

I'm posting from Jerusalem while on a legislative study tour with the AIFL. Ten legislators from 10 different states are here, and we met with Ambassador Uri Bar-Ner yesterday along with Hebrew University political science professor Shlomo Avineri before visiting the Old City of Jerusalem and the Mt. of Olives. Also in Jerusalem is U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman (right).

We're meeting with Jerusalem Post journalist Khaled Abu Tomeh this morning. Tomorrow, we'll visit the Knesset and meet with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. That meeting will be led by Ron Dermer, Sr. Advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Natanyahu. Here's a picture from atop the Mt. of Olives:

Raising the beam at the U of A - Texarkana

A ceremony was held yesterday commemorating the construction and "raising of the beam" of the future University of Arkansas Community College at Hope - Texarkana campus. The governor was in attendance and made remarks, as did Dr. Don Bobbitt, the new UofA system President. Several other university and elected officials were also on hand to see the beam raised and hoisted into place on the initial building being constructed on campus.