What's 8 inches to you?

I'm watching this blog: http://www.pittblather.com to get the scoop on Walt Harris and his new job, QB coach at Youngstown State.

Bill Gates on Education Reform in Feb 2009 - Moving at the Speed of Creativity

Bill Gates on Education Reform in Feb 2009 Moving at the Speed of Creativity February 5, 2009, Bill Gates gave a twenty minute talk at the TED conference and spoke on the topic, “How I’m trying to change the world now.” He spoke about two issues: malaria and education reform. If you forward the video to the 8:00 mark, you can immediately start listening to his remarks about education.

Sports of The Times - For the Spring’s Biggest Event, It’s Regrets Only - NYTimes.com

Sports of The Times - For the Spring’s Biggest Event, It’s Regrets Only - NYTimes.com: "State of the Dixie Cup lecture to be delivered this year by Alex Rodriguez"

Dangerously Irrelevant: Our temples of knowledge are lost opportunities

Dangerously Irrelevant: Our temples of knowledge are lost opportunities: "Our temples of knowledge are lost opportunities

Robert Fried says…

We have opted not to create schools as places where children’s curiosity, sensory awareness, power, and communication can flourish, but rather to erect temples of knowledge where we sit them down, tell them a lot of stuff we think is important, try to control their restless curiosity, and test them to see how well they’ve listened to us. [The Game of School, pp. 58–59]"

Speaking of closing schools:

On Feb 3, Ed Rendell has announced that he is going to close Scotland School for Veteran's Children, a school that has been in existence since 1895, originally set up as the "Soldier's Orphan's School" for veterans of the Civil War. Continuing since their original purpose, it has serviced children of honorably discharged veterans ever since.

About 35 students are children of members actively serving in the military today.

Gov Rendell's "budget conscious nature" would "save" 0.04% from his proposed $29 B budget - while also placing 186 employees in the unemployment line and ~288 students (ranging from grades 3 to 12) back in the Phila school system!

Links:
Article on closing in local paper: http://www.herald-mail.com/?cmd=displaystory&story_id=215943&format=html

Scotland School: http://www.milvet.state.pa.us/DMVA/987.htm

Save Scotland School: http://www.ssvcalumni.org/savessvc.html

Alumni: http://www.ssvcalumni.org/index.html

Details:

The school is not full-time military, but there is a strong JROTC program, has military roots, and produces many members of the Armed Forces, including Angelo Adams, West Point Class of 2001. John Thornton, Scotland '93, West Virginia '97, has just finished his 10th year in the NFL, starting 90% of his games as a linebacker.

Students are admitted based on a family member who was honorably discharged from the military.

As recently as 2004, Gov. Rendell visited the school and said (words to the effect): "military institutions such as Scotland School will become more important as military service becomes less popular"

Direct quote: "Three years from now, or maybe four or five [which would be NOW], this nation is going to have a crisis. We won't have enough young people going into the military."

The school has a $13.5 M budget, $10.5 from the state, $2.4 from school districts, and $.5 in federal funds.

Gov. Rendell projects a $2.2 B deficit by the end of the fiscal year in June. On Feb 4 he presented a $29B budget to the legislature. I wonder how much fat is in THAT budget.

At Scotland School, there are 186 paid staff, all of whom will be in the unemployment line in June unless this is stopped.

70% of the students are from the Phila area, and Eddie's plan is to ship them back to the public schools in . . .

Scotland is located just outside of Chambersburg, about 30 miles west of Gettysburg.

On the front page of the Public Opinion where the closing of the school was announced, there was another article about the porkulus package creating "152,000 jobs in Pennsylvania". Yet he has to claim 186 jobs at Scotland School.

From W.P. (see comments)

New site

Check it out:

pghoverlook.com

Dowd says he'll run against Ravenstahl for Pittsburgh mayor

Giving new meaning the the expression, it is all academic, Dr. Dowd is going to stand for office.

Dowd says he'll run against Ravenstahl for Pittsburgh mayor: "Pittsburgh Councilman Patrick Dowd will challenge Mayor Luke Ravenstahl in the May 19 Democratic primary, he said today.

Here is the question for Pittsburgh. What nonprofits and community groups are going to step up and sponsor candidate nights so as to begin the process of public discussion of ideas. And, there are three candidates, so I've heard. We'll see if Carmen's name is even mentioned in the news article in the paper on Tuesday.

Research: The United States Military Academy Prep School - Home Page

Doing more research into the concept of Prep Schools in advance of my public comment tongiht to the Pgh Public School Board about the concept of 13th Year as part of the new I.B. School framework.

Welcome to The United States Military Academy Prep School - Home Page The U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School, known as USMAPS, the Prep School, or West Point Prep, was formally established in 1946, but the 'history' of 'prepping' of soldiers for West Point has been done since Congress enacted legislation in 1916 authorizing appointments for soldiers to West Point. The school exists today as an 'avenue of opportunity' to a carefully selected group of soldiers and civilians by providing them the academic, leadership and physical skills that will prepare them for success as cadets at the United States Military Academy.

Steelers kicker arrested after towel tussle

Steelers kicker arrested after towel tussle towel tussle

You should have heard the heartbreak outside of Reed's house on Halloween when he wouldn't play with kids on a trick-or-treat mission. Glad we didn't push it.

But next year, we'll know what to deliver in our 'reverse trick-or-treating' efforts.

Kellogg and Michael Phelps, update

From Ethan Nadelmann, Executive Director Drug Policy Alliance Network:

Thanks to you, the campaign against Kellogg's for dumping Michael Phelps has gotten the media's attention. We've been the subject of hundreds of news articles, as well as a segment on CNN.

Now is your chance to increase the heat: http://dpa.convio.net/site/R?i=e7qCxfef2lT9ib75PCLUIA..

We've swamped Kellogg's with comments on their phone lines, and
now we can make sure they listen by sending an email urging them to
retract their statement on Phelps:
http://dpa.convio.net/site/R?i=eWqEO4XzM2xNKly4TJN3LA..

DPA Network has already contacted Kellogg's asking for a meeting, and I'll let you know what we hear. With thousands of drug policy reformers like you taking action, they'll have to respond:
http://dpa.convio.net/site/R?i=qiiuL4sVk34F-p306fhHMw..

Believe it or not, a South Carolina sheriff is considering going after Phelps himself and has already arrested eight people associated with the party last fall at which he was photographed. So it's more important than ever to stand with Phelps and make our voices heard: http://dpa.convio.net/site/R?i=pqIz9Sgio0a06HG4vYYgDQ..

There should be no more marijuana arrests for Michael Phelps or anyone else. And Kellogg's should renew their contract with him. Contact them today to keep this concern at the forefront of Kellogg's -- and the public's -- minds: http://dpa.convio.net/site/R?i=9L7HdXFen3Q8WsrJ-6fXTw..

For more insights, you can check out this thread.

Petition for Independent Inspection and Evaluation of certain schools concerning asbestos

Print it, sign it, return it.

Petition as a Google Document is here. It's not an attachment -- it's stored online at Google Docs. To open this document, just click the link above. Content of the petition below. The forces at work on these efforts are fellow volunteers with great concern about the Pittsburgh Public School district. They publish and gather online at another blog, PURE Reform and website. PURE Reform stands for Parents United for Responsible Education Reform.

---

Petition
for Independent Inspection and Evaluation

February 16, 2009

GIVEN
that incidents of asbestos plaster failure at the Schenley High
School facility in 2007 caused the Pittsburgh Public School district
to arrange for an “Asbestos Plaster Potential Hazard
Inspection” report on the Schenley building, obtain a
consultant’s opinion as to the risk of danger in connection
with asbestos plaster in the building, and adopt an enhanced
monitoring and maintenance program at the building, and

GIVEN
that extensive asbestos plaster with a history of significant failure
has also been found to exist at the McKelvy, Vann, and Woolslair
buildings, and

GIVEN
that there is no indication that asbestos plaster potential hazard
inspections were arranged, consultant opinions as to plaster risk
were obtained or enhanced maintenance programs were adopted for the
McKelvy, Vann, or Woolslair buildings, and

GIVEN
that the consultant’s stated opinion that the plaster in the
Schenley building had “maintained its integrity for
approximately 90 years, and then started to fail almost universally
across the building” is contradicted by inspections and reports
by the district’s environmental consultants,

WE,
the undersigned citizens of the City of Pittsburgh, hereby
petition the School Board for the Pittsburgh Public Schools for
an asbestos plaster inspection and opinion of risks, dangers and
relative condition of such plaster by an independent expert, of four
school buildings: Schenley, McKelvy, Vann, and Woolslair.

FOR
purposes of this petition an “independent expert” is a
qualified individual or company that has not performed work for the
Pittsburgh Public School district at any point during the past five
years and that at this time has no arrangement to begin performing
work for the Pittsburgh Public School district, and who is mutually
agreeable to both the Pittsburgh Public School district and to a
community group to be designated by the undersigned petitioners.

Swimmers love clean water

Boy, 9, takes handgun to school

Bad twist of events without a shot being fired due to some heads up work in the classroom by a teacher.

Boy, 9, takes handgun to school: "Students and teachers will be greeted by metal detectors today, though police said the incident is isolated.

Sounds like the buddies needed to get a handshake too.

Putting in metal detectors isn't going to make me feel any safer. Rather, it would make the conditions worse. This is a school for grades K to 5. For middle schools, I'm okay with that type of homeland security hassle tactic. Not so much for the elementary schools.

Is this the only case?

How much is this going to cost in terms of equipment and personelle? Put three folks on the doors and then there are fewer to coach basketball, reading and stand to guard on the street for traffic.

Autos are more of a worry than guns. Let's be sure the outside of our schools are safe with kids as they hit drop-off zones -- often on the wrong side of the street.

Pgh Public Schools -- Now with SOME closed for Thursday, was 2-hour delay

Day off for SOME -- but not all. Check
http://www.PghBoe.net

Art and Code, an event at CMU that I might attend

This looks like an interesting event.

Art and Code ART AND CODE is a symposium on programming environments for artists, young people, and the rest of us. The event takes place the weekend of March 7-9, 2009 on the campus of Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA. It features hands-on workshops and a conference showcase for eight different creative toolkits -- programming languages made by artists, for artists.


Visit Art and Code

TV troubles

DEAD AIR (News)
By: Chris Young - February 12, 2009
Comcast removes independent WBGN from its lineup
http://www.pittsburghcitypaper.ws//gyrobase/Content?oid=58808

Need a link to the petition.

Chip in $1 for a competitor

Watch this video.



In other aquatic news:

Phelps apologizes to Chinese fans for behavior - 02/12/09 BEIJING (AP) -- Olympic swimming champion Michael Phelps has apologized to Chinese fans for what he called his regrettable behavior after he was photographed with a marijuana pipe.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/more/02/12/phelps.china.ap/index.html

it’s a twestival. - Uncle Crappy

it’s a twestival. - Uncle Crappy: "it’s a twestival.

Dangerously Irrelevant

Dangerously Irrelevant: "Parents are using online tools to push on schools

growingupassumingyoucanpublishThe Washington Post recently published a really interesting article on the ability of well-connected parents to influence the decisions of their local school districts (hat tip to The Science Goddess). The term ‘well-connected’ refers to parents’ abilities to use online tools to communicate and mobilize (rather than to their connections to people with power).

Old Stone Inn in West End nominated for historic status

Old Stone Inn in West End nominated for historic status: "The Old Stone Inn in the West End, which is more than 200 years old, has been nominated for city historic status, stalling demolition plans.
The inn, at 434 Greentree Road, will have to go through hearings by Pittsburgh's Historic Review Commission. The prospective owner, Harris Masonry Inc., had applied for a permit to demolish the building and was expected to receive one within days when John DeSantis nominated the property for historic status last week.
The first hearing on the matter is likely to ...

New amphitheater to open at Station Square

New amphitheater to open at Station Square New amphitheater to open at Station Square

What about Sandcastle? What about the North Shore?

Feb meeting at Bloomfield-Garfield Corp with four members of the school board

The Bloomfield-Garfield Corp has been holding meeings about the pending fate of Peabody High School and overall high school reform. Last week's meeting included four of the nine school board members.

Some comments about I.B. surfaced.


This is nice and a bit of self-interest as my kids are a part of this option. Both have been in a language magnet since grade K.

The root of the problem is that the hard questions are being ignored. This exchange points out the frustration and the level of skepticism.



Meanwhile, Mark Roosevelt was on the radio today as a guest of show host, James Roddey. I'll quote from that show in another posting. However, it was so sad to hear the softball questions that Mr. Roddey offered to Mr. Roosevelt. Yawn.



The fact are clear. We know nothing. But, the reality is that the writing is on the wall. Kids in 8th grade should not sign-up to attend Peabody in the fall of 2009. The rumors are sustained and are killing the school. Those there now get to hunker down.

The decision can't wait for years down the road as board member Thomas Sumpter says. The ultimate board vote is not necessary as they can pull administrative strings. The vote to close the school is not even necessary as the school building won't 'close.' Rather, it will be replaced with a different set of teachers, students, goals and opportunities. That isn't a vote to close -- unless you want common sense awareness.


Includes personal experience of being in a blended school from a young adult who attended East Hills and Schenley and took IB. Question about the master plan. Question about the movement away from neighborhood schools to city-wide magnets. Question from NAACP about equity and getting clout for certain committees and how to get picked for committees. Some back and forth while answers getting unanswered and questions mount. The roboitcs program and who's decision it really is, really?

Hear from Randall Taylor:


Thomas Sumpter (19 minutes) talks about his points for the district and his bio.


It was reported that things stayed pretty heated at the meeting. They didn't get too much into the CTE (Vo Tech) possibility. Mostly, the talk was just setting the stage as to what the citizens concerns were, including concerns about CTE, Westinghouse, etc. Hope was that the next step would have been a meeting by the working group . No date was set. Further, they were hoping to obtain more information from Dr. Martin on CTE. His suggestions had been made internally to the PPS administrators and board for the past years.

---

Seems that the outrage from the community driven meetings has caused the administrators at the Pittsburgh Public Schools to "think again." They are meeting internally now and are expected to come out with a new, different, better and more thoughtful community process. It is messy. Elections are simple, but politics and community engagement is messy, as it should be.

So for now, Rick F., BGC, has not scheduled another meeting. In a way, it is time for a punt. The ball goes back to PPS. We'll see what they do with it next.

Updated from Feb 9, and Feb 10.

---

The 80+ page PDF of info with articles, board reports and such. http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/fixpa/images/0/04/Pittsburgh_Peabody_09.pdf

$300 Million is cash would put the City's pension fund into a healthy position in 20 years

Mayor Ravenstahl says a $300-million cash infusion today would make the city's pension fund to a healthy point in 20-years.

Rather than follow his idea of putting out two RFPs for the possible lease of the parking authority assets, I've got better ideas.

First, sell Heinz Field, a public-owned asset, to the Pittsburgh Steelers for $300-million. Sell Heinz Field now. The team should buy it.

Second, sell the parking garages. Sell them. Don't lease them. Have each parking property liquidated, over time, to buyers. Then, after a bulk of the parking facilities are sold, as is, to new owners, then lower the parking tax to five or ten percent.

A team, a brotherhood

Article about men's NCAA Division I swimming squad. This hits to the point of a "gang mentality." I talked about the "gang mentality" last week in city hall. It is a standard slogan of mine. I want positive gangs, like swim teams.

Technician - A team, a brotherhood After a swim-down and some words from coach Brooks Teal, the women's team exits the pool as the swimmers remove their pink swim caps and grab towels on the way to the locker room, but the men's team remains in the pool.

After the coaches have left, the men's team moves to the center of the pool, treading water long after the meet has ended as the seniors debrief the team. A loud chant announces the meeting is over, and the swimmers finally pull themselves out of the pool to get dried and dressed.

Such is the brotherhood of the men's swimming and diving team.

Then comes the next quote in the article -- about taking a bullet. Wrong. Rather, the positive gang is a way to prevent bullet. The huddle in the middle of the pool is a way to change one's landscape and surroundings so as to be immune to flying bullets and senseless violence.

By the way, the hope of joining such a team is not part of the plans with the Pittsburgh Promise. Kids can't go to NC State with Pittsburgh Promise funding, sadly.

PPS looks at 20 kids entering 9th grade and it isn't good.

Graphic from Pittsburgh Public Schools Administrator slide show:



Review: Twenty students enter 9th grade. The drop out rate for high school students is 35%. So, out of the 20 that started, only 13 graduate high school. Only nine go onto college. Three of them get a degree.

ABT, ABL, WNC?

Other blogs and CP are spinning wheels and kicking up the dust of recycled electrons.

Patrick Dowd might be an ABT (Anyone But Them) candidate (for mayor of Pittsburgh in 2009's D primary), but in a different context. ABT could be: women and/or blacks and/or ex-public safety employees and/or lawyers.

You can dream about an Easter arrival from the "Patcave," (term coined above in the thread, sorta like "Batman's Batcave") a big splash and a change to the world. Or, you can help those who are already trying to do such for some time. Dream or reality.

It seems to me that the train with the "anyone but" slot has left the station. A late arrival to the ballot will diminish those efforts and insure the election of the existing mayor.

But, it isn't too late to get on board with someone from beyond Grant Street.

That is prudent generosity, IMHO. And, until proven otherwise, why so blind?

Glossary:

ABL = Anyone But Luke
ABT = Anyone But Them
WNC = Why not Carmen?

Observations and Priorities

My voice is generally deployed to address social, afterschool and community stuff -- not instructional leadership.

Dances, plays, sports, use of buildings after the dismissal bell -- are areas where the Pittsburgh Public Schools and I are oceans apart.

The district's weakness in those areas are countered well with my strengths and interests. Afterschool is not a priority for those in the PPS district -- yet it is mine. I care about drop outs, gun violence, a shrinking city -- and even the Olympics.

Nutshell: I want to create literate Olympians here.

I am waiting, still to hear from a new employee, Holly. She is the new czar of afterschool with Pittsburgh Public Schools. My meeting with the principal of the IB School, Dr. Walters, has been on hold since December.

On Monday, I will go to the PPS Board and deliver a position paper about the concept of 13th grade at the new I.B. Jr/Sr High. Stay tuned. I've been talking about this for a few weeks, online and in personal meetings.

The academic viability of IB is unquestioned for some students, for sure. Getting the school to be a success, year-in and year-out where more than a thousand (or more) students thrive, in Pittsburgh, remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, south of the city in Mt. Lebo comes this school news.

These guys can't even build a new swim pool. Now they want a high school. Oh boy.

Some Mt. Lebanon residents ask for new high school: "A group of Mt. Lebanon residents last night asked the school board to consider building a completely new high school, a move that would require the community to approve a referendum on the matter.

Group members, who said their organization is called Build Our School Now, asked the board to vote for building a completely new high school rather than renovating the current structure and to put the issue to a referendum, which would be required under state law.

State formulas for debt limits hold Mt. Lebanon to spending no more than $110 million on the high school project without getting a referendum approved by the community. A new high school would cost about $150 million.

Build Our School Now representatives, including Kristin Linfante and David Brumfield, pledged to the board that they would knock on doors in the community lobbying people to approve the referendum.

Perhaps they could buy Schenley High School. And, for good measure, we'll also air-lift them the Civic Arena as well.

Are you on thin ice for Valentines Day?

We talked about this yesterday with my sons in terms of planning a family date.

Valentine's skates scheduled around the county
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pittsburgh and Allegheny County have scheduled Valentine's Day skating events.

The annual Valentine's Day skating event Saturday at the Schenley Park Ice Rink, Valentines on Ice, starts at 7 p.m. and includes 2-for-1 admission, chocolates and hot drinks, picture taking, salsa dancing lessons, door prizes, a puck-shooting contest and a free rose for the first 200 women.

North and South Park ice rinks will host Sweetheart Skates on Saturday starting at 7:30 p.m. Couples skate for the price of one and receive a free carnation. Admission for skaters 13 to 59 is $5. Admission is $3 for seniors 60 and older and children 12 and younger.

Down to Dowd - Early Returns - post-gazette.com

Down to Dowd - Early Returns - post-gazette.com: "Down to Dowd"

Unless one overlooks the women, the black women.

I hate to see coverage given for a non-starter of a story. There is more coverage about those who are not running than those who choose to run.

The ONLY announced challenger needs significant coverage. And, it is a blessing that she'll be the only challenger. The best way to beat the status quo politician is to gang together behind ONE opposition candidate. The 4th estate watchdogs need to wake up.

Stimulus Plan and the Senior Senator from PA

US Senator from PA, A. Specter, completely caved and has worked with other 'moderates' to rework the stimulus plan. It is expected to come up for vote today in the Senate.

Here is an email that he sent out yesterday describing his (pathetic) support of the stimulus:
http://specter.enews.senate.gov/mail/util.cfm?gpiv=2100031872.227611.493&gen=1

His contact information can be obtained here:
http://specter.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.ContactForm

His office fax numbers are:
202-228-1229
215-597-0406
814-455-9925
610-434-1844
570-826-6266
717-782-4920
412-644-4871
570-346-8499
(Two free faxes per email per day can be sent via http://faxzero.com/ )

Here is a sample letter that you can use:
http://www.campaignforliberty.com/senateletter.php (also, remind him that his term is up in 2010)

Pie chart illustrating the spending for the stimulus plan: http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/15/stimulus-pie-chart/

Citizen lawmaker: Ms. Smith goes to Grant Street

The P-G ponders Theresa Smith.

Citizen lawmaker: Ms. Smith goes to Grant Street: "Theresa Smith has spent years working to improve her city and her Westwood neighborhood, always from outside the government looking in."

Well, that isn't true.

Theresa worked for Pittsburgh Public Schools as one of five directors of a PERC, Parent Education Resource Center. The PPS budget is larger than that of the City's budget. So, she wasn't in city government, she was a government employee in a neighborhood.

The experience issue here is that the P-G, as journalist and news reporters, doesn't get it right.

Theresa was also experienced by helping Dan Deasy's campaign in his quest to become a State Rep.

Sure, there has been countless hours as a volunteer. Sure, she has been tireless. But she is no novice.

Sadly, the P-G editorial board folks are just too far out of touch. I don't care about their opinions. But, I do care that they weave them from facts and awareness. I wish they'd work to get out of the bubble in the bottom of the "Main Stream Media" river.

Well wishes are fine. But, just as it is going to take more than Grant Street to solve the problems of the city, it is also going to take 'watchdogs' of the fourth estate to be better clued into the reality of our landscapes. The P-G needs to help too. Too often it has been on the wrong side in the struggles of bettering our city.

---

My statement on the day after the special election win of Theresa Smith.

(Updated from 9:30 am.)

Michael Phelps, Kellogg's and being dumped upon

Olympic champion Michael Phelps was photographed taking a hit from a bong.

Amidst the media uproar that ensued, Kellogg's announced that it would not renew its sponsorship deal with Phelps.

Call Kellogg's now and tell them that if they dump Phelps we dump them
http://dpa.convio.net/site/R?i=uoHTEyF3QmqQCLb2Jv-svA..

Like you, we're sick and tired of the public outings and forced apologies and recantations, which perpetuate this shameless hypocrisy.

More than 70 percent of Americans say that marijuana should be decriminalized and that no one should go to jail for its use.

We agree. Even the residents of Kellogg's home state of Michigan recently passed (by an overwhelming margin) a ballot initiative legalizing marijuana for medical purposes.

Dropping Phelps hurts the Kellogg's image far more than associating with someone who smoked marijuana. Call them to tell them what you think (you'll find helpful instructions and talking points if you follow this link to our website).
http://dpa.convio.net/site/R?i=5NqcyH2v4BvQxClyevHapw..

Sincerely,

Ethan Nadelmann, Executive Director Drug Policy Alliance Network

P.S. You can also read my piece in the Huffington Post on this issue.

http://dpa.convio.net/site/R?i=066Uqk70AGF3vI2WSHXMDA..

Pittsburgh Twestival 2009 in McKees Rocks on Thursday

Homepage | Pittsburgh Twestival 2009: "Pittsburgh US Twestival 2009

12 February 2009, 19:00, Downey House , 6080 Steubenville Pike Mc Kees Rocks, PA 15136-1398"

Anyone going from South Side?

Mike Ference, running mate, Letter to Editor, Time to Attack in Pennsylvania

By Mike Ference

Clairton, PA 15025, Email: Ference@icubed.com

Every day brings new evidence that we no longer live in a civilized and principled society. The worst part, it usually concerns another case of corruption involving a member of the PA Senate or House; a PA judge; law enforcement officer; District Attorney or some other Pennsylvania public servant. (I prefer, serpent). However, the latest news of wrongdoing in Pennsylvania involves what I call child trafficking at its lowest level.

As reported in the Associated Press, Pennsylvania President Judge Mark Ciavarella and Senior Judge Michael Conahan agreed to plead guilty to various federal charges (no state charges, PA politicians take care of their own) and face seven years in prison. Their crime, court documents said they took kickbacks for sending children to detention facilities run by PA Child Care in Luzerne County and a sister company in western PA. Altogether the judges took $2.6 million in bribes.

PA Child Care is owned by Gregory Zappala, a son of former Supreme Court Justice Stephen Zappala, Sr., and brother of Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala Jr.

As more and more cases of corruption — and cover-up — come to light, one begins to wonder whether Pennsylvania politicians should be considered any more trustworthy than, say, Saddam Hussein.

So — what should be done? Given the level of wreckage and anguish caused in the lives of so many people, it seems appropriate to look to the war on terror for a model strategy.

A first prong of attack might involve a Special Forces unit made up of highly skilled and trained military personnel capable of tracking down and obtaining confessions from any current or former owners of businesses that deal in child trafficking. Did more judges take kickbacks for sending innocent children to detention homes? How many dysfunctional Pennsylvania politicians, police officers and other scoundrels working for the state were involved?

If rights are violated, if military personnel sometimes go a little too far, so be it. Those incapable of civilized behavior shouldn’t expect the rights and privileges of civilization.

A deck of cards can be created to help identify the hard-to-find as well as the disgraceful political leaders who permitted, and in essence, condoned the incarceration of young children. Photos of the most deviant and reprehensible Pennsylvania officials accompanied by a list of their offenses will encourage us all to do our patriotic duty in helping the authorities track down suspected Pennsylvania politician/terrorists.

Another option would be to divide Pennsylvania into territories. A color-code warning system would be established, alerting parents about crooked judges, corrupt cops and district attorneys holding court in their respective regions. Depending on the designated color for a particular region, parents would know whether their children should attend a juvenile hearing or escape to a third world country where children are treated with more dignity and respect.

To aid this unique war on terror, a pool of money should be collected, not involuntarily from taxpayers, but voluntarily from those decent human beings who believe crimes committed against our children are sins that God takes very seriously. Some of the funds raised could then be turned into outrageously tempting reward sums for information leading to the capture of our targeted criminals. Once the rogue politicians have been imprisoned and forced to talk, I recommend that their confessions be given to someone like Steven Spielberg or George Romero. Hollywood writers and producers could create a blockbuster movie like Roots or Schindler’s List to serve as a bitter reminder that these crimes should never again be permitted to occur. Tom Savini could be hired to recreate the horror on the faces of child actors chosen to play parts.

Proceeds from the movie could go to victims of abuse and their families. And no matter how old the crime, compensation would be available. There should be no statute of limitations when the rights of children have been violated by those who lived much of their adult lives perched on a pedestal heightened by the trust of innocent and vulnerable residents of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In fact, I would extend compensation to the second and perhaps even third generation of sufferers. It would certainly include siblings denied the experience of growing up with a brother or sister untraumatized by such abuse. And since crimes of abuse tend to echo, it would extend to the victims of the victims as well.

If all else fails, is it any less rational to declare war on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as part of a war on child abuse than it was to declare war on Iraq (which had nothing to do with 9/11 or Al-Qaeda and apparently had no weapons of mass destruction) as part of a war on terror? How many innocent children have been verifiably lost to this menace — and how many more will be lost if we don’t make a preemptive strike?

Child trafficking and those who willfully hid the crimes as far as I can see, this brings us much closer to the realm mortal sin. And the sinners include not just the judges who sentenced the children and took the money but also those who are staying silent because of concerns about a paycheck, a 401K, a pension, or a fear of standing up to the mobsters who orchestrated this crime. God has a place for everyone — and if you abuse children or protect the abusers of children, we can only hope that your place is called hell.

My first religious film is out. To debut on Church on Sunday!

I just uploaded this.

Sunday, tomorrow, is our Religious Education Sunday. Once a year we take some time to talk to the adults as to what goes on with the kids in "R.E." (our term for Sunday School).

Updated Sunday afternoon:

Steelers Nation: Are you ready for some baseball?

Baseball season is just around the corner. The cold weather is about to break.



Plus, Baseball star Alex Rodriguez tested positive for steroids in 2003. But this is news in 2009. Meanwhile, Congress looked into this in 2006. Go figure.

Common Sesnse from Ron Paul about bailouts

District 4 City Council Race: Ho Hum...Natalia Dropping the Ball!!!

Thanks to Mark Rauterkus, I listened to Natalia Rudiak's introductory campaign speech. Ho Hum.

As a long-time, fairly active member of that community, I can honest say I never heard of Natalia or her family surname. The good news is, Natalia is now involved in the Carrick Community Council, the same organization I tried in vein to bring any life to for about five years. Good luck to her, a huge mess has been left behind.

Now I Googled her and it took a little while to find out what the young lady looked like. Ms. Rudiak is a looker. With the possible exception of Chelse Wagner (who really knows...the almost never spotted Ms. Wagner is an urban myth in my estimation), Ms. Rudiak might just be the most attractive figure in Pittsburgh politics. That's with all due respect to Mr. Rob Frank, the hardest-working Democrat the corrupt system doesn't want.

Her campaign website, until recently, contained only a link to donate. Now you can find a marginally better site. When I watched the original podcast of her speech, I held my breath when I heard her jam union rhetoric down our collective throats. That's because that 10% of the voting population is given the weight of the world in our little corner of the planet. (However she did mention empty storefronts and entrepreneurship. Those terms were non-existent in possible DJ-to-be Jimmy Motznik's jargon.)

Next up, Facebook. In 2009, a young, presumably dynamic and smart candidate doesn't have a Facebook page. Nor does she have a MySpace presence. Pittsburgh's friend Bill Peduto still updates his, or has someone do it for him. Rumor has it that Rudiak has supporters who are also pals with Mr. Peduto. You'd never know it on the technological front.

This is a race the Wagner family wants to control in the worst way. And that means planting their contractor-in-the-hole Anthony Coghill on Grant Street. The seat is almost always controlled by the Brookline and Beechview contingent of the district. Communities like Rudiak's Carrick are generally underperforming bystanders. That being noted, Motznik barely squeaked by in his re-election bid against Coghill because of Carrick voters. He in turn thanked his blue-collar, union supporters by snubbing them when it was time for the city's infamous walking around moneys. His potential District Justice seat doesn't include Carrick.

Rudiak may split the ticket with Anthony Mosesso, a decades-long mover-and-shaker in the tiny hamlet of Bon Air. Mosesso is the candidate who would take the District 4 City Council seat seriously. It's historically been nothing but a stepping-stone for young Democratic whipper-snappers. No one has taken the post seriously in many, many years. Mosesso would. Mosesso runs laps around all of the other candidates when it comes to visibility and accessibility. The guy lives for the neighborhoods.

Rudiak is THE candidate who could inject spunk into the race. It's hard to tell where School Board member Jean Fink stands. It's even harder to determine if she has any political sway whatsoever when it concerns this race.

The District 4 City Council race promises to be a good one...IF some people get into the 21st Century. It's just too bad that the district, with its huge amount of hard-working, loyal Pittsburghers, haven't been treated to a candidate who cares about them for more than 20 years.

Let's hope that changes. The RIGHT candidate has not yet stepped to the forefront.

The Real Reason Why The GOP Is Changing Registration

The Post Gazette and its fine political reporter, James O'Toole, posted their interpretation of an electoral phenomenon: why Republicans are becoming Democrats.

The following: "Recent Republican losses in Pennsylvania have been spurred by defections from among the party's more affluent and better-educated voters.

One of the strongest recent currents in Pennsylvania politics has been a shift of registered voters from the Republican to the Democratic Party. A new survey suggests that this change has been led disproportionately by some of the GOP's more upscale members, estranged by the Bush administration and the unpopular war in Iraq."

Point one: despite measurable advances and progress, liberal rags like the P-G will tell us that the war in Iraq is unpopular. Of course it is...while people are worried about losing their jobs and/or homes, we are force-fed tripe that the war in Iraq isn't successful. When in fact, it is remarkably successful.

"Muhlenberg College's Institute of Public Opinion looked at a sample of the hundreds of thousands of former Republicans who have swelled the ranks of Democrats over the last two federal election cycles.

In May 2006, just months before an election in which the GOP lost four U.S. House seats along with Rick Santorum's Senate seat, Democrats held a registration lead of roughly 550,000. By last November, as President Barack Obama was carrying the state by the widest margin of any White House contender in decades, the Democratic advantage had grown to 1.2 million voters."

Point two: REPUBLICANS WERE SICK OF RICK SANTORUM! That's what happens when you have a pompous jerk in an influential position. Santorum deserved to get the boot!

Point three: ACORN. Fraudulent organizations like this one led the way to voter changes. Nowhere in those paragraphs does it say anything about Republicans changing positions.

"But the Muhlenberg findings suggest that it also reflected a longer-term reaction against Republican policies."

Point four: Hogwash. In fact, conservative Republicans did not have much of a choice in the last election. Conservative candidates like Mitt Romney were inexplicably cast aside early on as John "Mr. Moderate" McCain somehow gained control of the party's nomination. Conservatives were energized by the "real rock star" of the Presidential campaign, Sarah Palin. Alas, the "Messiah" tag was given to Barack Hussein Obama and scare tactics were thrown out to scare moderate Republicans and a new, vast parade of fawning Obama-ites.

Point five: It's too early to tell if the voter-registration changes will stick. Let's see where we are in a year from now.

Onorato supports combining communities by school lines

Merger mania.

Onorato supports combining communities by school lines Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato said today that consolidating the state's 501 school districts into 100 -- as suggested by Gov. Ed Rendell Wednesday -- might be a bit extreme, but he would favor consolidating the county's 130 municipalities into 43.

What Rendell said was all about the schools. What Onorato said was nothing about the schools. Neither of them have offered to do a darn thing about quality of life nor freedom.

The Allegheny Insitutue pointed out that the biggest school districts in the state do the worst in terms of educating the kids and cost the most. So there is a forumla that is worth avoiding.

Bigger isn't better. Bigger is bigger. Better is better.

ADVISORY: BLOGGER CONFERENCE CALL on PA budget

Chris Lilienthal, Communications Director
Phone: (717) 255-7156, 717-829-4823 (cell)
E-Mail: lilienthal@pennbpc.org

Think Tank to Host Blogger Conference Call on Pa. Budget

HARRISBURG, PA (February 6, 2009)—The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center will host a conference call on Tuesday, February 10 at 11 a.m. with Pennsylvania bloggers to discuss Gov. Rendell’s state budget proposal and a new report from the center on state and local tax policy in Pennsylvania. If you plan to blog on state and local budget issues in the coming months, this call should be your starting point.

WHAT: A conference call on state tax and budget issues hosted by the Pa. Budget and Policy Center. The call will include an introduction to the center’s new publication,

The Common Good: What Pennsylvania’s Budget and Tax Policies Mean to You.

WHO: Sharon Ward, Director, and Michael Wood, Research Director
Pa. Budget and Policy Center

WHEN: Tuesday, February 10, 2009, 11:00 A.M.

DETAILS: Call 1-800-272-0950 and enter Passcode 607821 to access the conference call.

You can view a copy of The Common Good: What Pennsylvania’s Budget and Tax Policies Mean to You on the center’s Web site at http://www.pennbpc.org/pdf/PBPC_Tax_Primer_08.pdf and a three-page summary of the reports’ findings at http://www.pennbpc.org/pdf/PBPC_Tax_Primer_Summary.pdf.

Girls Swim Camp: June 15-19

If you can't go to Ak-o-mak, this might be a wonderful camp experience.

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Tuition is $300; register and pay in full by April 30 and tuition is $250.
The Cougar Swim Camp is an intensive training experience offered to young women in grades 7-10 who want to improve their stroke mechanics, start and turn technique, goal setting, pre-race preparation, nutrition and strength training. The camp will emphasize the “how” and the “why” of competitive swimming and incorporate water training, video analysis, lectures and a daily training table. Leading the camp will be Chatham University swim coach Michael Meyers, who began his coaching career while earning his masters degree at New Mexico State University and serving as assistant swimming and head water polo coach. As head coach at Peters Township High School, Coach Meyers’ swimmers earned 32 National High School All-American honors, as well as several WPIAL and PIAA High School records and a USS American record. An accomplished swimmer in his own right, Coach Meyers was a four-year NAIA All-American and All-WVIAC swimmer for West Liberty State College and was inducted into their Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999. Camp tuition will includes a t-shirt, a DVD of all the swimmers’ strokes, starts and turns, and a workbook to chart, measure and monitor their future progress.

Guys need not apply.

Follow-up questions for Natalia Rudiak

The Pittsburgh Comet: Interview: Natalia Rudiak: "Interview: Natalia Rudiak"

I have some big picture questions for Natalia Rudiak as follow up to what Bram delivered.

I agree that the city and its citizens need greater public knowledge about decisions being made. Hence, the flaw of cooperation and more communication between Act 47, the ICA, Council and the Mayor's office deals with the elimination of all OVERLORDS.

The citizens and people as well as accountability is all in the trunk, yet alone back seat, when there are OVERLORDS in the role of driver.

So, the way to fix that isn't with more memos. Rather, toss the OVERLORDS out of town. And do that AFTER cleaning up our own (Grant Street) house first.

So, the goals and expectations need to be self-governance. That requires self control.

We need to elect people to council, the controller's & mayor's office who are sick and tired of OVERLORDS calling the shots because of a history of folly making by those in the past (and sadly, the present as well).

Furthermore, the URA has a history. And, it isn't good either. I don't want to work closer with the URA. Rather, I want to do away with what doesn't work.

The URA is an AUTHORITY that does deals and makes decisions without public knowledge.

Does Natalia Rudiak want to expel the cronies and OVERLORDS, or be the one at the table with them herself?

Is a TRID (that she wants) really just a new name for more bureaucratic red tape without accountability? Is the TRID a thing to create and have a life of its own? Or, can we just have a shared vision and make Beechview into a more wonderful neighborhood with splendid transit assets?

USA Swimming Suspends Phelps For 3 Months - Sports News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh

USA Swimming Suspends Phelps For 3 Months - Sports News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh 'There are a lot of people who have been in my shoes in other sports … and that's been a lot of help the last couple of days,' he said.

Still think it would have been great to have Santonio and Michael together in the parade on Tuesday. I would have pulled my kids out of school for that.

USA Swimming Suspends Phelps For 3 Months - Sports News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh ... the picture of the ... incident was taken during a November house party while Phelps was visiting the University of South Carolina.

Humm. I remember a November incident when at the University of South Carolina with swimmers that I was involved in. I was very happy that photos were not being taken. True story.

We swam a meet against the Gamecocks on our way to our Florida training trip. This was just before, on or after Thanksgiving. We departed our campus, Athens, Ohio -- home to the Ohio University Men's Swim Team -- in our custom green bus, the Magic Bus. The bus could sleep 24 or so in bunks. It had three types of heat, a head, roof rack, tow hitch and lots of comforts of home without any of the privacy.

Our incident didn't include any drugs nor alcohol. No way. We were not that dumb, even in the age before cameras in cell phones. I'm talking 1980 or 81, I think. Our team never had any brushes with drugs nor booze, if you don't count that time at Bush Gardens. But, that was nothing.

We all stayed in the bus, by design, over-night. The bus was parked next to the pool, plugged into the electricity via an extension from the building. The bus was our hotel while on the road. The Gamecock Natatorium was, for some, our hot tub, complete with jumps off the 10-meter tower. The campus was closed. No need for clothes. Cell phones weren't invented, thank goodness.

I stayed dry, and warm. Bundled even. No trouble came.

Moral of the story: Be on your best behavior in November in South Carolina. For some reason, that's a place where swimmers have been known to take a dip on the wild side.

From the CollegeSwimming message boards:

I thought Michael Phelps had the opportunity to bring swimming to another level, but it would appear that he is more interested in having fun with his fame rather than giving back. I don't have a problem with him wanting to do that, but wouldn't it be nice to try and grow the sport as one of the great athletes of all time.

Time will tell.

Benedum Foundation pledges $2.5 million to scholarships

Wow. Can't look a gift horse in the mouth.

Benedum Foundation pledges $2.5 million to scholarships 'We view the Pittsburgh Promise as an integral part of the school district's reform efforts to prepare all students for success in college and provide the means to make higher education possible,' said James Denova, Vice President of the Benedum Foundation, Downtown.

I view the Pittsburgh Promise as something different. I view it, well, how should I say, as something that is $2.5 million richer.

Cold Weather Alert

  Drip those sinks!

Trust to buy land near North Park Lake

Trust to buy land near North Park Lake: "Trust to buy land near North Park Lake"

Front page on CNN: Commentary: Libertarian ideas to stimulate economy - CNN.com

Front page coverage.

Commentary: Libertarian ideas to stimulate economy - CNN.com Commentary: Libertarian ideas to stimulate economy

Joe Jencks in Friendship House Concert, Feb 15

Friendship House Concerts

is proud to present

Joe Jencks

Sunday, February 15

4:00 p.m.

"Joe Jencks is the type of musician that will cause you to drop that morning newspaper or pull your car to the side of the road when you hear his songs. He is the type of artist that will turn heads in his direction when he walks onto a stage. His voice will instantly draw you into his passionate songs. He is the type of musician whose music will become part of you. His craft and artistry will remind you of the best efforts of Phil Ochs, Stan Rogers, and Woody Guthrie. The troubadour tradition is alive and well in the 21st century with the music of Joe Jencks." — Ron Olesko, WFDU–FM Teaneck, NJ

"A Joe Jencks concert is definitely not a visit to the inner world of some guy with a guitar who would like us all to sit still and listen politely. It's an occasion for singing, a contagious rising up of voices, an act of joy and defiance! …Tapping into the latent, nearly mystical beauty that a roomful of people can unleash by singing together." – Seattle Folklore Society

Joe Jencks is an award-winning songwriter. His career is based as much in ministering to the human spirit as it is in the performance of music. Joe has earned wide recognition for his songs about working people, and for his unique merging of musical beauty, social consciousness, and spiritual exploration. Joe manages to make everyone feel welcomed, valued, and part of a community.

Joe's latest release, The Candle And The Flame, combines the many facets of Joe's diverse musical background and weaves them all together into an aural tapestry that is stark and exquisite. Joe sings with the passion of an R & B/Gospel singer, the knowledge of a classical vocalist, the soul of an Irish Tenor, and the conscience of a troubadour. And at the center of Joe's music is an abiding love for all humanity, a love that transcends the everyday and boarders on the mystical.

Joe is a dual US/Irish citizen living in the US, and merges traditions from both countries in his eclectic and vibrant musical presentation. Joe has had the unique pleasure of sharing the stage with numerous folk artists including Pete Seeger, Utah Phillips, Holly Near, John McCutcheon, Pat Humphries, and Bill Staines.

Check out Joe and his music at http://www.joejencks.com

Seating is limited.
For information and/or an invitation, call or email:

Llouise & Jim Altes

412.361.6051

friendshiphouseconcerts@gmail.com

Suggested donation: $10.00. All proceeds go to the performer.

After the concert, there will be a pot luck dinner. Please bring an entree, an hors d'oeuvre, a salad, a side dish, or dessert to share.

Other House Concerts we're aware of:

February 12 Allison Williams with Chance McCoy, 7:30 pm at Cindy & Ricks

March 22 Friction Farm http://www.frictionfarm.com

April 19 Jay Mankita http://www.jaymankita.com

May 17 Andrew McKnight http://www.andrewmcknight.net

Peabody High School and Reform of High Schools. Meeting at BGC in Jan09

Meeting was held in January 2009 at Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation.

Part 1:


Part 2:


Part 3:


Part 4:


Part 5:


The grand conclusion of this meeting uncovered some of the brutal facts of school performance in high schools throughout the district and at Peabody. The numbers are a downer, so this clip does not dwell on them. As an uplifting element, consider a recent Schenley graduate now at Pitt and working magic on the hardwood.

More is pending on the next meeting that happened on Feb 4, 2009 with four school board members: Thomas Sumpter, Randall Taylor, Marc Brently and ex-President, Bill Isler. . See http://rauterkus.blip.tv/.

Photo from Feb 4, 2009. Shows from right to left, Randall Taylor, ex-Board-President, Bill Isler, and Thomas Sumpter.

---

Handout in PDF from Pittsburgh Public Schools, 84 pages.

Theresa Smith hits a home run on the first pitch in her new role as city council member

I've been tickled all day with the news of the election yesterday and the arrival of Theresa Smith to city council. Then I read this, rather late, article in the P-G and the joy turns to all out elation!

Wiser words have never been said, in all my days, by a member of Pittsburgh's City Council.

New councilwoman: West communities should help themselves
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
By Rich Lord, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Incoming Pittsburgh City Councilwoman Theresa Smith said today that she's not going to try to legislate away the problems of the western neighborhoods.

"I think there's enough legislation on the books already," she said. "It's enforcement that we need."

The Westwood resident said she'd also like to bring unity to a district that's traditionally divided because of very different communities like Fairywood, Sheraden, Banksville and Mt. Washington. She wants to create a small business advisory council and hold a series of town hall meetings.

Ms. Smith, 49, plans to reach inside and outside of government for help with what she views as the district's biggest problem.

"I know there are a lot of vacant properties throughout the district," she said. The solution is "trying to restore some of the homes. Some of the homes you can't restore will be demolished."

She's also talking with the Service Employees International Union, which plans to represent workers at the casino going up just across the Ohio River from her district, about marketing homes in its neighborhoods to those employees.

"The problem is, we're always depending on government to do everything," she said. "We have to take some responsibility for what's going on in our community."

Ms. Smith campaigned in yesterday's special election with the Democratic nomination, nearly doubled the vote total of runner-up Georgia Blotzer and goes into the May Democratic primary as the front-runner in what could be a crowded field.

May turnout is likely to be much higher than the 10.4 percent figure for the special election.

"I actually feel more comfortable with more people coming out to vote," Ms. Smith said.

She expects to be inaugurated around Feb. 17 to serve the rest of the year to fulfill the term previously held by Dan Deasy, now a state representative.

Yes.

I was going to offer to be a volunteer speech writer for her. But instead, I might want to just open up a new blog and fan club for her existing press agent.

Meanwhile in city council today, they were talking about a new set of laws to impose on building owners about student housing and dormatoies. What ever that is.

In other parts of city council's chamber, Darleen Haris was seen with an ice pack on her elbow due to over-use from yesterday's parade and Terrible Towel waving. (That's a joke.)

I did talk a bit with Councilman Dowd before the meeting about parks. He had been the chair of the Citiparks / Urban Recreation Committee. I'd love to get him to talk at length about how we need to move in the city in terms of recreation.

Dr. Dowd and I don't seem to agree on much in that realm as he doesn't want schools to do anything with afterschool and athletics. I think that would be fine, however, the schools are where we already invested plenty of capital in terms of gyms, pools, locker-rooms, auditoriums, and fields. So, when we have schools lock those to community use, we've got nothing at all. At least when there is a fledging sports program, the kids get some crumbs of time in those facilities with guidance.

I think that school sports are important so as to get the parents and community involved in fun, healthy boosterism and participation as an easy stepping stone to more leveraged help in the academic process in the following steps.

Literate Kids, imagine that! More on Parent Accountability in our schools.

Educational Jargon Chokes most parents. We need a glossary, sort like the movie Doom.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doom_(film)

Humm.... Doom is a 2005 science fiction horror film adaptation of the popular Doom series of video games created by id Software. It was directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak and was released in the United States on October 21, 2005 and in the United Kingdom on December 2, 2005. The film was rated R in the United States by the MPAA for strong violence/gore and language.

Rather than a glossry of terms for Doom and Schools, let's make our school mascot The Zombies.

Hints that Guy Costa won't be hired as the COO, chief operations office, for Pittsburgh Public Schools.

Imagine a YouTube on school information so parents do not need to go to as many meetings.

Swimming coaches work with more than one team | News-Leader.com | Springfield News-Leader

Swimming coaches work with more than one team | News-Leader.com | Springfield News-Leader: "Swimming coaches work with more than one team"

Pitt plans to discipline those arrested after Super Bowl

Those involved should be packing their bags.

Pitt plans to discipline those arrested after Super Bowl: "The University of Pittsburgh said yesterday it has begun filing campus judicial charges against an unspecified number of its students accused of taking part in the damage that occurred in Oakland as fans celebrated the Steelers' Super Bowl win Sunday night.

Chancellor Mark Nordenberg said sanctions available include permanent dismissal from the university."

New City Council Women: Theresa Smith, with 2-to-1 vicotry!

YES. Theresa Smith is going to be on city council.

Double yes, as there was some talk with Council's President, Doug Shields, that the new council person might get the nod to be chairperson of the Parks & Urban Recreation & Youth Committee. I'm not 100% certain of the new name of the committee. But, I'm very certain that she'd do a fantastic job in that role, if it is to happen.

Fine gathering and victory party.

Theresa Smith = 1,259

Brendan Schubert = 450

Georgia Blotzer = 639

Chris Metz, R, = 239

Folly's face

Pittsburgh council changes city name to 'Sixburgh' - The Huddle - USATODAY.com They changed the name of the city to 'Sixburgh.'

Pittsburgh city council member Bruce Kraus led the proclamation that designates the city as 'Sixburgh' for all of 2009.

It's the second attempt at a football-related name change this year among the city's politicians. Before the Steelers' AFC championship contest with the Ravens, Pittsburgh mayor Luke Ravenstahl said he wanted to change his name to 'Steelerstahl.'

Pittsburgh Parent Group Reopens Asbestos Debate

Perhaps points in this story need to be clarified?

Pittsburgh Parent Group Reopens Asbestos Debate: "Pittsburgh Parent Group Reopens Asbestos Debate"

Round Three: another meeting at Bloomfield Garfield Corp about Peabody

Here is the invite:

EXTREMELY IMPORTANT MEETING WITH THOMAS SUMPTER — Pittsburgh Public School Board Member

What: Pittsburgh Peabody Stakeholders Meeting
When: Wednesday, February 4th, 2009
Time: 6:00pm
Where: BCG Community Activity Center 113 N. Pacific Avenue (Garfield)
Questions: Call Rick Flanagan at 412-441-9833

We will engage our District 3 board representative on Peabody and other Pittsburgh Public School related matters. (We hope other PPS Board Members will join Director Sumpter.)

You will have an opportunity to listen, ask questions, and share solutions.

Pittsburgh Peabody future is being determined—PLEASE ATTEND!

I have a lot of decent video from the last meeting last week, but have not been able to upload it yet. The last meeting was long on the report of the I.B. site selection stuff. It also went to the heart of the matter that change is necessary at Peabody. Too many kids are dropping out of high school -- 35%. And, too few are going to college. And, too few that do go to college are able to graduate with a 4-year degree.

Hope to see you there, then.

Vote for Theresa Smith, tomorrow, for city council in district 2.

I posted this at Bram's blog.

A "L" buddy of mine advocates that grooming candidates who are known in their communities is UNLIKE putting up a candidate that shills for votes.

Clearly, Theresa Smith, is known to those throughout the district, by association and deed. For her, campaign planks are things that others need to stand on.

That's the rub, Bram, with your back-and-forth with her.

Her past weaves right into the future.

I have good comfort and trust in Theresa Smith. And, I despise the city's 'one-party machine.'

I've got plenty of t-shirts. But, this might find a way home now.

Switchboard,
from NRDC :: Scott Dodd's Blog :: Steelers celebrate Super Bowl win in organic
T-shirts: "I'm a huge Pittsburgh fan, so I don't need any extra
motivation to celebrate last night's thrilling Steelers victory. (You've heard
of tennis elbow? Today I'm suffering from Terrible Towel elbow.)"

Mark Roosevelt talks about spending, principals, foundations and more

Mark Roosevelt, superintendent of Pittsburgh Public Schools, talked to a group of Parents at the Excellence for All meeting last week.

I'm a big fan of the public schools. More like a booster than 'brainwashed fan.' And Mark Roosevelt gets three cheers from me today for following my suggestion last week to call for a two hour delay and do it early, so families could plan ahead.

Here is some insights into the school district.

Comments welcomed, of course.

Clip #1: Spending at Pittsburgh Public Schools. This is the big pledge. No new taxes.

The district is spending the same amount of money in 2009 as it did three years prior, upon the arrival of Mark Roosevelt. Fine. Except, the school district is shrinking. Thousands (exact # not sure) have voted with their feet and departed.

An overhaul and reform of the school district is happening. That might cost a bit more than normal. But, it is interesting to watch.

To the credit of Mr. Roosevelt, he has made a great number of changes among the principals within the district. This was needed, and we agree.



Part 1 and part 2 give an extensive story of Principals in PPS. (See clip #2 and #3 in this blog posting.)

In my personal experiences, we are blessed with two great principals. Mr. Netchi is presently at Phillips Elementary School. Dr. Walters is at Frick Middle School. Both men do a fine job. Dr. Barbara Rudiak was the past principal at Phillips. She got promoted a couple of years ago. She is now one of the four executive directors for the district. Dr. Rudiak is a principal of principals for the elementary schools.

Next year, Frick Middle School, a school that works and has good performance, is closing. That school will merge into the new I.B. High/Jr. High. Dr. Walters has been named as the new principal there. That school will be with grades 6 to 10 next year.

To be sure, some have other opinions. And, I am far from being a expert on the principals at other schools. But, this has been a sore spot in the overall district in the past years.



Finally, the talk we've heard in the past and the actions we've seen in the past have not always been hand-in-hand. We've been promised that bad principals and bad teachers would be removed from the district. Often, those promises didn't come true, in the past. There are some key elements within the union contract that have also been slated for changes -- that have not come about. So, all in all, these promises of actions are not what we like to listen for. The promise is an easy benchmark to make. Rather, we are in need of actions. And, a good bit of action has happened with the principals headed into the 2008-09 school year.

At this rate of change, the generation now being born have a good chance of getting a great education in Pittsburgh Public Schools. I'm interested in quicker actions than that.

Clip #4, Foundations at Pittsburgh Public Schools:



I don't like to hear the present superintendent rail against the spending before he arrived. Furthermore, the actions of the Pittsburgh Public Schools Board of Trustees still leaves plenty to be desired.

Principals are graded, and given incentive income, based upon different benchmarks. One is to manage a school that welcomes and engages with the parents / families. Pgh Public Schools is looking for tools that work in these areas. Then they'll replicate them for re-use in other schools.

Clip #5: Welcoming school starts with the principal:


The concept and programs of Beginning With Books is great. But what about the older kids!

Clip #6: Accountability with teachers explained, sorta. A system of teacher evaluation is coming. The Charlotte Danielson Framwework is the trend. But, I've not been able to locate anything yet in my early research on the Charlotte Danielson Framework. Zippo.



See a report from Pure Reform on this meeting.

Parade - or Rally?

The parade will be at noon on Tuesday. It follows the traditional St. Pats route.

I call that another lost opportunity.

If I'm in charge, there would be an evening (6 pm) rally at Heinz Field, after a breakfast (8 am) at UPMC's Sports Medicine Facility, lunch (11:30) at South Side Cupple's Field (PPS owned), and happy hour (4 pm) at Station Square with a post-rally evening dance (10 pm) at PNC Park.

Fans would be asked to attend only ONE of the four events.

Players and coaches would walk among the events, using the bike path as desired.

Mini events could be staged at Pitt's Pete, Duquesne Univ.'s Polumbo, Civic Arena, and Island Sports Complex.

All this could happen on Saturday!

City Council race full of newcomers - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

City Council race full of newcomers - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "A special election on Tuesday pits four political neophytes against one another to fill a vacant seat on Pittsburgh City Council.

Don't think a campaign manager for a winning state rep seat is a newbie.

Steelers fans celebrate one for the other thumb

Steelers fans celebrate one for the other thumb: "Earlier, hundreds of happy Steelers fans on East Carson Street showed their passion and potential for rowdiness as the first half of Super Bowl XLIII ended. They were celebrating James Harrison's 100-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Some of the revelers from the Rex Theatre got a little out of hand, stampeding in front of a 51C Port Authority bus and banging on its windows. One man scaled the bus and celebrated atop it, and about a dozen others followed his lead.

Two motorcycle police officers, showing restraint, coaxed the climbers down and cleared a path for the bus, sending the handful of startled riders on their way.

The police made no arrests, but other officers just down the street made a show of pulling their riot gear from a paddy wagon so the crowd could see what it might be up against."

By gones

Kevin Acklin, then 30 in 2006, a Squirrel Hill attorney, was seeking the nomination for Dave Fawcett's seat on County Council. He hosted a fund raiser in November 2006 at the Duquesne Club, Downtown.

Acklin co-chaired the Allegheny County campaign of defeated Sen. Rick Santorum. He also operated a local volunteer center for President George Bush's 2004 re-election bid.

Do you know Kevin? Is he seeking the R nomination for Mayor in 2009?

Walt Harris possible candidate for local coaching job

Interesting.

Walt Harris possible candidate for local coaching job: "Former Pitt football coach Walt Harris might be coaching at a district high school next season.

Harris is apparently a candidate for the head coach's job at Seneca Valley. Sources said he has talked with Seneca Valley officials about the job.

When Harris was asked yesterday about his interest in the job, he said, 'I have no comment.'

Seneca Valley officials interviewed some candidates this past week and Seneca Valley superintendent Don Tylinski is expected to interview some candidates this week.

Seneca Valley athletic director Greg Caprera said the school board hopes to name a coach Feb. 9."

I know Greg Caprera. He hired me once.

I also know that Walt is missed at some Pitt Tailgates on the North Side in certain Saturdays in the fall.

This might be as productive as Montour's stint with #51, formerly of Da Bears. I'm not sure, but it could be similar.

I never did get to watch a single episode of that ESPN show. Was it ESPN? Is it available via NetFlicks?

Dear Public School Enthusiasts,

PURE Reform is collaborating with various community groups in the Hill
District, Homewood, East Liberty, Bloomfield, Garfield and Highland Park to
advocate for a coherent, logical plan for east end high schools rather than the
piecemeal approach taken to date.

As most of you know, the IB selection committee has recommended putting
the IB program at Peabody high school. What you may not know is that no
input was sought from the Peabody community and no one from that community was
on the IB selection committee. Several meetings have been organized by the
Bloomfield/Garfield corporation to urge the PPS district to include the Peabody
community in discussios and decisions regarding their school and their
students.

We are also exploring the possibility of reexaminig the Schenley closure
due to several factors:

1) other schools in the PPS have asbestos/plaster problems (Miller, Vann,
McKelvey) similar to scheleys and have been handled in a much more cost
effective manner without displacing students

2) there is still no comprehensive plan for East End high schools3) the
district is to receive $24 million from the Obama administration's economic
stimulus program for "shovel ready" bricks and mortar projects. If
realistic estimates foir the Schenley renovation are utilized ($40-45 million as
opposed to the inflated $80 million price tag), this money would easily make
Schenley reparations affordable to the district.

If Schenley were open for the IB program, other options for Peabody will
open up that will not require displacing current Peabody students.

Please consider attending the next PURE Reform Steering committee meeting
on 2/12 at 7PM. Also, tune in to see PURE Reform steering committee
members on Black Horizons with Chris Moore discussing PURE Reform issues
including sbestos issues in PPS schools and (see times and stations
below).

CHANNEL 13 Black Horizons Sunday, February 1, 2:00pm

Black Horizons Wednesday, February 4, 8:00pm

Black Horizons Sunday, February 8, 2:00pm
WQED-TV [D]

Black Horizons Sunday, February 1, 2:00pm

Black Horizons Wednesday, February 4, 8:00pm

Black Horizons Sunday, February 8, 2:00pm

WQED: The Create Channel (channel 211)

Black Horizons Friday, January 30, 10:00pm

Black Horizons Friday, February 6, 10:00pm

Remember, GRASSROOTS RULE!-- PURE Reform www.purereform.com