Fw: mtlv games

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From: leifevans@comcast.net

Date: Thu, 8 Jul 2010 04:11:49 +0000 (UTC)

To: <mark.rauterkus@gmail.com>

Subject: mtlv games

To: Mount Lebanon Community Friends (and pals living elsewhere!)

From: Larry Evans

Hi Folks!  As a semi-retired social and sports activist and rookie MLV Board member entering my 64th year on this planet and wondering if my wife will "still need me or feed me", I find true value in helping a good-hearted organization like Mount Lebanon Village shed its training wheels and become a force for promoting Lebo-quality longevity. 

 Please check out our Mount Lebanon Village Intergenerational Games set for Saturday, August 14^th in Mount Lebanon Park. The idea is to partner adults over 50 with someone under 50. For AARP certified geezers like me and Karen, this means we will be dragging along whippersnappers like Ducky (27) and Jenny (14) to the "show" and we hope you are tempted to do likewise! See details below!

The Mt. Lebanon Village Games are designed to bring together old friends and new acquaintances, pairing people of different ages and generations.  The idea is to partner adults over 50 with someone under 50.  The pairings could be with a son, daughter, grandchild, friend or neighbor – or maybe even some husband and wife teams!  Partners will spend the day participating together in the activities of their choice.  It will be a fun-packed day featuring a one mile fun run/walk around Mount Lebanon Park, gently competitive team sports including soccer, softball, volleyball, basketball, doubles tennis and bocce, athletic skills contests like free-throws and punt, pass and kick and old fashioned summer games like checkers, water balloon toss and a treasure hunt, followed by a barbeque picnic and banjo music.  The event takes place in Mount Lebanon Park, 9am-2pm on Saturday, August 14^th, 2010. See flyer/registration forms below…

 

BTW, we are getting a tremendous response to the Games since being publicized last week in a Brian O'Neil PPG column and in Mount Lebanon Magazine so we are also in need of Volunteers to help make this event a success.   Please let me know if you can possibly volunteer for the August 14^th Games.  Teens can earn community service credit and all volunteers get a nifty t-shirt and free food at the picnic.

 

 

Contact us at info@mtlebanonvillage.org or (412) 343-4054 | 710 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15228.

Larry Evans        h 412-341-1486  c 412-445-2951

 

Mt. Lebanon Village Intergenerational Games

Saturday, August 14, 2010

9am-2pm at Mt. Lebanon Park and Tennis Center

Mt. Lebanon Village (MLV) is a community oriented, non-profit organization established in 2009 to give residents of Mt. Lebanon, age 50 and older, the practical means, confidence and peace of mind to enjoy life while residing in their own place of residence in the environment they value as they grow older, and to serve as a model and mentor to other such villages.

The Mt. Lebanon Village Games present a way to get to know our neighbors, to enjoy a day of playing together and to celebrate our common bonds. The Village Games are designed to bring together old friends and new acquaintances, pairing people of different ages and generations.  The idea is to partner adults over 50 with someone under 50.  The pairings could be with a son, daughter, grandchild, friend or neighbor – or maybe even some husband and wife teams!  You can also come on your own and enjoy the festivities.  Partners will spend the day participating together in the activities of their choice.  It will be a fun-packed day of gently competitive team sports, individual pursuits and group games, followed by a picnic and prizes.  Participants will be given a chance to win prizes for every event in which they partake.

START THE DAY WITH A FUN RUN OR WALK! At 9 a.m. the Village Games will open with a "Chase Your Elders" one mile fun run/walk in Mt. Lebanon Park where older folks start first, followed by a staggered progression by their younger partners so that all may finish at about the same time.  A pre-race warm-up, led by fitness instructor Gurney Bolster, will begin at 8:45 a.m. at the Mt. Lebanon School District Entrance on Horsman Drive.

THEN PLAY BALL AND OTHER FUN STUFF! From 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. in Mt. Lebanon Park, choose from a wide variety of friendly coed, intergenerational team sports including volleyball, softball, soccer, basketball, tennis and bocce.  Then measure your athletic skills in a 50 yard dash, punt, pass and kick, free throw, target toss, and radar gun stations.  There will be old fashioned games like a treasure hunt, relay races, water balloon toss, horseshoes, shuffleboard, hula hoops, scrabble, checkers, and chess.  You can also engage in creative activities such as an inter-active story-telling session led by the Wing & a Prayer Pittsburgh Players.

Throughout the day, be prepared to share your favorite Mt. Lebanon memories with a roving MLV volunteer camera crew.

DON'T MISS THE PICNIC! Beginning at noon, enjoy a delicious picnic provided by Pittsburgh Barbecue Company.  Come to the Mt. Lebanon Tennis Center Founder's Room and Deck to share great food and listen to live banjo music provided by "The Entertainers".  Ted Sohier of WQED will be our MC and prizes will be drawn.  (Participants must be present at the picnic to receive prizes.)

REGISTER on line or by mail by August 9^th  to guarantee receiving a nifty Mt. Lebanon Village Games commemorative T-shirt!

REGISTRATION FEES: Individual (over 50)  $15.     With Partner (under 50)  $25.     Family (up to 6 members)  $40.

 

Contact us at info@mtlebanonvillage.org or (412) 343-4054 | 710 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15228.

 

 

The Mt. Lebanon Village Games Registration Form

 

Individual (over 50) __________________________________________________________________

Age (as of August 14)_________________Gender_______________ T‐shirt size_________

Address___________________________________________________________Zip_________________

E‐Mail_________________________________________Phone__________________________________

 

Partner (under 50)____________________________________________________________________

Age (as of August 14)_________________Gender_______________ T‐shirt size_________

Address___________________________________________________________Zip_________________

E‐Mail_________________________________________Phone__________________________________

 

Additional Immediate or Extended Family Members (indicate pairing, any age mixture is ok)

3.________________________________________________Age______Gender______T‐shirt size_____

4.________________________________________________Age______Gender______T‐shirt size_____

 

5.________________________________________________Age______Gender______T‐shirt size_____

6.________________________________________________Age______Gender______T‐shirt size_____

 

 

Please check below the events in which you & your partner/family wish to participate

 

OPENING EVENT 9AM

___ Chase Your Elders One Mile Fun Run/Walk  (8:45 a.m. group aerobic warm‐up at start line)

Onsite registration and Village Games packet pick‐up begins at 8AM at the Tennis Center Founder's Room off of Cedar Blvd

 

TEAM SPORTS     10AM – 1PM  (select no more than 3 since games are scheduled on hourly intervals)

___ Soccer___ Softball___ Doubles Tennis___ Basketball___ Volleyball___ Doubles Bocce

 

___ ATHLETIC SKILLS     10AM – 1PM  (come when you want)

Includes Free Throws (Basketball), Radar Gun (Softball & Soccer & Football), Target (Softball & Soccer & Football), Punt, Pass and Kick (Football & Soccer) and a 50 Yard Dash

 

___ OLD FASHIONED GAMES     10AM ‐ 1PM  (come when you want)

Includes Relay Races, Treasure Hunt, Horseshoes, Shuffleboard, Water Balloon Toss, Chess, Checkers, Scrabble, Hula Hoops

 

___ INTERACTIVE STORY TELLING    11AM to Noon  (with the Wing and a Prayer Pittsburgh Players)

 

Upon arrival at the Tennis Center's registration headquarters participants will receive a program mapping out the event locations and an individualized schedule of activities.

 

REGISTRATION FEES: Individual (over 50)  $15.     With Partner (under 50)  $25.     Family (up to 6 members)  $40.

 

Send the Registration Form with a check payable to:

Mt. Lebanon Village, 710 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15228   info: 412‐343‐4054

 

www.mtlebanonvillage.org

 

 

 

 

WAIVER OF LIABILITY

 

                In consideration of Mt. Lebanon Village ("Village") allowing me/us to participate in its activities and intending to be legally bound, I/we waive, release and forever discharge the Village, its successors, assigns, members, officers, employees and agents and shall indemnify and hold them harmless from any loss, claim, demand, liability or causes of action of whatever kind or nature, either in law or equity, which arise from my/our participation in any Village activities from this date forward in perpetuity (thereby releasing me/us from the chore of re-signing this release for all future Village activities.)

Date:  _____________________          Signature________________________________________

                                                                Printed Name________________________________________

 

                                                                       Signature________________________________________

                                                                Printed Name________________________________________

 

                                                                        Signature________________________________________

                                                                Printed Name________________________________________

                                                                      

                                                                       Signature________________________________________

                                                                Printed Name________________________________________

 

                                                                       Signature________________________________________

                                                                Printed Name________________________________________

 

                                                                       Signature________________________________________

                                                                Printed Name________________________________________

 

Larry Evans
417 Kurt Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15243
c412-445-2951
h412-341-1486
f412-571-1647
leifevans@comcast.net

The View or The Boy Scouts? -- I'm not a scout, but I'd not want to rain on that 100th anniversary parade and Jamboree

MEDIA RESEARCH CENTER

This year is the 100th anniversary of The Boy Scouts of America, a group that exemplifies many of the best aspects of our nation.

President Obama was scheduled to address the Boy Scouts Jamboree, an event held once every four years, today at 11:00 AM, as our last three Presidents have done.

Unfortunately, Barack Obama decided he’d rather speak with some of his friends in the liberal media. He’ll be recording an episode of The View in Manhattan this afternoon then attending two high-dollar fundraisers for the Democratic National Committee this evening.

The Media Research Center’s own Penny Starr has been on top of this story from the beginning! As usual, NewsBusters and CNSNews.com bring us a story that we wouldn’t see anywhere in the liberal media.

Left to their own, the liberal media will focus on the human interest angle of the President going on The View; they’ll conveniently leave out the slighting of the Boy Scouts to campaign among the liberal elites in New York and the media.

Mark, let CBS and NBC know that we expect them to cover this slight like they would if it were a Republican President.

CBS Evening News
Rick Kaplan
Executive Producer
Direct: (212) 975-3691
Main Line: 212-975-4321 NBC Nightly News

Bob Epstein
Executive Producer
Direct: (212) 664-3856
Main Line: 212-664-4444

Tomorrow’s evening news programs will feature stories about the President going on The View. If the MRC Action team makes their voices heard, NBC and CBS will have to tell the whole truth about President Obama’s appearance on daytime television!
Thank you for standing with us,

Sheraden residents call for change at vigil

Sheraden residents call for change at vigil: "Ms. Kail-Smith said she had met with the mayor and other city officials twice in the past week about spearheading efforts to address quality-of-life issues in Sheraden.
Cmdr. Schubert announced a plan to create a recreation center for the neighborhood's youth, who are responsible for nearly a third of all the crime in Sheraden, Ms. Kail-Smith said."

My weed and seed plan for swimming in existing facilities in the West End got blocked by city government workers. Go figure.

Call again if you in the west end want to think again and really act so as to make for fun, positive activities that can develop and create literate Olympians there.

Ground Zero space for what?

Wayne Allyn Root, a Libertarian, has gone off and out on a limb in his rant about the building of a place of worship at NY City's Ground Zero, a place formerly occupied by the Twin Towers.

I do NOT agree with him. But, here goes. My reply at the end.

Why the 9/11 Mosque Controversy Is NOT About Religious Freedom...and Should Be Stopped!

As one of America's leading Libertarian thinkers, perhaps I'm always expected to give the "Libertarian answer" to every issue. But sometimes one has to speak not as a Libertarian, Republican or Democrat, but rather as an American- preferably a common sense American. The issue of allowing a mosque to be built in the shadow of the 9/11 terrorist tragedy is one of those times.

The answer is simple for a common sense American- I support religious freedom, as all Americans should. But this is not a case of religious freedom. Yes, Muslims can build their mosque virtually anywhere in America- despite 9/11...despite the Times Square bomber...despite plots by Islamic extremists to blow up the New York subway system...despite everything happening in Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan. That's what makes our country great. We do in fact support religious freedom. You can build a mosque virtually anywhere in America.

However, there are also the rights and sensibilities of others to consider in a free society.

Does "religious freedom" mean hate groups should build statues to Hitler in front of Jewish temples in America? Should Americans raise money to build Jewish temples and Christian churches at Mecca? Should Japan build a statue to the bravery of their pilots at Pearl Harbor? Should the U.S. build a statue to the bravery of our pilots at the site of Hiroshima? Aren't those examples all about "freedom of expression," "religious freedom" and property rights? Perhaps, but is it too much to ask for a little consideration and respect toward others?

This proposed building of a mosque on hallowed ground is an ATROCITY towards America. To build a celebration of Islam within steps of 9/11 does nothing to increase religious freedom...it inspires hatred, divides our cultures, and increases the odds of violence and hate crimes. Common sense suggests this mosque, being built in this specific location, is NOT being built as a sign of friendship between Muslims and Americans...but rather as a sign of the lack of respect...a belief in our weakness...and an attempt to embarrass and belittle us. The financial district of Manhattan is not a residential area with a large number of Muslim residents for the mosque to serve. Therefore common sense suggests that the only possible reason to build it there (rather than in Brooklyn or Queens where there are large Muslim populations) is to show Muslim contempt for Americans by building a monument to Islam in the shadow of the site of their greatest triumph over America.

It is an offense to build a mosque in that location - an offense to all Americans (including Muslim Americans), all Christians and Jews, all relatives of 3,000 dead heroes at the World Trade Center.

Yes, private individuals and organizations have the right to build houses of worship with their own funds. But one has to wonder where the money is coming from to build a 15-story building on some of the most expensive real estate in the country. We Americans believe in the separation of Church and State. If it turns out that this project is sponsored by a foreign government -- either directly or through a state-sponsored organization that engages in terrorism -- than the idea of this being an issue of religious freedom is a sham and an argument can be made that our Constitution would actually prohibit this mosque from being built.

However, if this is privately funded by parties with no ties to a foreign government, I have to believe that we have enough people in this country who are offended by the prospect of a mosque at Ground Zero, that the money can be raised to buy this land at a fair price from the owners. I know I'd be the first to contribute to a foundation to keep this sacred land from ever being desecrated by a symbol of the very groups that attacked America on 9/11.

We can also put public pressure on the property owners to sell to this new patriotic foundation funded by Americans. We can organize massive protests, filling the streets surrounding this property with patriotic Americans concerned that the hallowed ground of 9/11 never be used as a political tool to taunt or embarrass the United States, or as a place to preach intolerance towards Americans. I, for one, am ready to fly 3000 miles to New York to join the protest.

These are the only rational answers for common sense patriotic Americans who still believe in a free society. In situations like this, none of us can afford to be Libertarians, Republicans, Democrats, or politicians of any stripe. We are all proud Americans.

Wayne Allyn Root was the 2008 Libertarian Vice Presidential candidate. He now serves on the Libertarian National Committee (LNC) and as Chairman of the Libertarian National Congressional Committee (LNCC). He writes for the Las Vegas Review Journal and is a regular guest on FOX News. His new book is entitled, "The Conscience of a Libertarian: Empowering the Citizen Revolution with God, Guns, Gambling & Tax Cuts." For more of Wayne's views, commentaries, or to watch his many national media appearances, please visit at: http://www.rootforamerica.com/ .

He wrote: This proposed building of a mosque on hallowed ground is an ATROCITY towards America. He says he is for religious freedom and that this decision is not about religious freedom, but he makes it about that throughout. Being desecrated! How about double speak?

Furthermore, there is also no need for all of us to be proud Americans. Overboard hype looks like that. None of us can afford to be individuals? None of us can afford to be of a different political party? Come now.

As to the massive public protests -- don't hold your breath. There are some who would march against ideas, but most Americans would rather be FOR something else. Some are going to get worked into a buzz. But the protests won't spread everywhere -- if they are only NEGATIVE.

He wrote, "The financial district of Manhattan is not a residential area with a large number of Muslim residents for the mosque to serve." Well, there are plenty of mosques and other types of churches and temples in urban areas. Furthermore, it is unwise to build a mosque only in residential areas, such as Long Island, when the workers are in the center city as their times of worship are not confined to traditional Sunday morning services as many in the US are used to. It makes sense to have a mosque in an urban area where there are plenty of workers. The common sense stance with the only possible reason to build it there logic fails Mr. Root.

I don't think it makes sense to build a place of worship and a mosque on that space for economic reasons. That's it -- economics. That is valued land in terms of tax incomes. The church or mosque would mean a tax-exempt status. Do commerce at this space. Tax it. Keep New York's economic spaces devoted to economic purposes.

Open Space, Parks, and Recreation Plan - Hear we go again, or else is there hope?

The last time that there was a plan that had anything to do with the parks was a joke. They did a "master plan" on the four regional parks. I went to the final presentation and stood up to ask a question or two and give my global assessment.

For starters, I had sent them planners (contractors) about 10 pages of notes after reading the first draft of their plan. While a lot had changed between the first draft and the final one -- NONE of my suggestions were visible. So, I asked, where were my suggestions? Could they point to any of them?

Next, I asked them to find the word "coach" anywhere in the plan. It was absent -- fully. They have a parks plan but don't talk about programs and ways when we teach our kids how to play well with one another. Coaching was not only in the back seat to the flora landscape -- it was off the map.

Third, I asked the planners about the swim pools in both Highland Park and Schenley Park. These pools were mentioned, but the one in Riverview was not. But, the Highland Park Pool and the Schenley Park Pool were mentioned in the 'master plan' only because the pools provided a good opportunity for a snack bar and vendors. The pools were popular places for customers for additional sales and income.

With those points in mind, I told the organizers that I would have no problem with their 'master plan' as long as it got a new name and was called a 'lesser plan.' Their work was inferior and of little consequence in areas where we needed our parks the most.

The parks play a big role in being hubs where we go to play, earn and learn about respect, and all get along. We have lots of teen violence. We have problems as there is far too little in these spaces where values are build with a mixing of mentoring, volunteers, leadership, coaching, and PROGRAMS.

We have a long way to go. Perhaps this plan can be better.

The mind leads and the body follow. The past plans have been piss poor. Plans of that quality are sure to lead to outcomes that are what they are.

Residents and Community Group members:

The City of Pittsburgh, through the Department of City Planning, is beginning the process of creating an Open Space, Parks, and Recreation Plan. The Open Space, Parks, and Recreation Plan (OPENSPACEPGH) is one of the initial components of PLANPGH, the City's Comprehensive Plan. There are two surveys that have been posted on Open Space, Parks, and Recreation on the PLANPGH Exchange feature on the PLANPGH Website (http://exchange.planpgh.com/portal ): one for adults and one for youth. I encourage you to fill these out, as by sharing your opinions (and for parents, having your kids share theirs) about Pittsburgh's open space, park, and recreation resources (including what types of programs, facilities, and opportunities are important, where they should be located and how they should be maintained), you will help the City make informed decisions about future vacant land, open space, parks, and recreation efforts.

While you're on the PLANPGH Exchange, please register on the site so that you can be notified of additional opportunities to give your opinions and public meetings or events for PLANPGH. Registration is not necessary to fill out the survey, however. I'd also recommend checking out the PLANPGH mainpage (www.planpgh.com), for more detail about the Comprehensive Plan and some fun facts about the City we call home.

The survey is currently open, and will be open until August 31st, 2010.

Please forward this to your distribution lists, and encourage them to let us know what they want. The more responses we receive from residents to this survey, the more we can understand about the true needs of our City in relation to its parks, recreation, and open space facilities, and ensure that future decisions will be made in the best interests of the City as a whole.

If your organization would like print copies of the survey for homes without internet access or for youth or other programs that you manage, please let me know and I will provide them.

Thanks for your help in helping us envision the future of the City's open space, park, and recreation systems.

Andrew Dash, AICP
Senior Planner
City of Pittsburgh
200 Ross Street, 4th Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15219412.255.0760 – phone
412.255.2838 – fax
andrew.dash@city.pittsburgh.pa.us


Dolores Hanna
Special Project Operations Manager
Department of City Planning
412-255-2473
412-255-2561, fax
dolores.hanna@city.pittsburgh.pa.us

DMCA Rules Regarding Access-Control Technology Exemptions - The Library Today (Library of Congress)

DMCA Rules Regarding Access-Control Technology Exemptions - The Library Today (Library of Congress): "Computer programs that enable wireless telephone handsets to execute software applications, where circumvention is accomplished for the sole purpose of enabling interoperability of such applications, when they have been lawfully obtained, with computer programs on the telephone handset.
(3) Computer programs, in the form of firmware or software, that enable used wireless telephone handsets to connect to a wireless telecommunications network, when circumvention is initiated by the owner of the copy of the computer program solely in order to connect to a wireless telecommunications network and access to the network is authorized by the operator of the network."

On the Bloated Intelligence Bureaucracy - Texas Straight Talk

Ron Paul and Washington Post:

Congressman Ron Paul - On the Bloated Intelligence Bureaucracy - Texas Straight Talk... Our foreign policy is not only bankrupting us, but actively creating and antagonizing enemies of the United States, and compromising our national security. Spending more and adding more programs and initiatives does not improve things for us; it makes them much much worse. This applies to more than just the military budget.

Recently the Washington Post ran an extensive report by Dana Priest and William M. Arkin on the bloated intelligence community. They found that an estimated 854,000 people hold top-secret security clearances. Just what are all these people up to? By my calculation this is about 11,000 intelligence workers per al Qaeda member in Afghanistan. This also begs the question - if close to 1 million people are authorized to know top secrets, how closely guarded are these secrets?

LiveLeak.com - Raw Video: Homeowner shoots at fake FBI agents trying to break in

LiveLeak.com - Raw Video: Homeowner shoots at fake FBI agents trying to break in: "Fake FBI agents try and break into home
Mother, father and three kids inside at the time
COOPER CITY, Fla. - A Cooper City family awoke to the sounds of three men posing as FBI agents on Wednesday.

The three men were caught on home surveillance video.

They were all wearing t-shirts with the words FBI on them and had fake badges around their necks.

A father, mother and three children we More..re all inside, when the heard the men say 'FBI, police! Open up!'

The mother called the real police and the father grabbed his gun."

Staff -- I'm the older guy in this photo

Found a photo of me on as a summer camp staffer in the past in Canada.

I couldn't keep up the pace with these guys -- but I gave it a go. Camp Chikopi was a great bit of fun.

While there, I did work to set up the water polo course and took our polo caps.

Put a fork in the City's Ethics Hearing Baord

Pittsburgh has an Ethics Hearing Board. It stinks. And, it stinks as to how City Council set it up and maintains its mission and adjusts its framework. The shame is big and wide and everyone in City Hall is to blame as well as those who have been on the board there. They've done next to nothing and there is no hope in sight.

So today's news of a PIC bring a new wrinkle. Let's just get rid of the City's Ethics Hearing Board. Of course the PIC isn't for real just yet. But, we do know that the Ethics Hearing Board in Pittsburgh is really bad.

Good News: Public Integrity Commission Proposed


Rep. Curt Schroder, R-Chester, today announced that he will introduce legislation to create the PA Public Integrity Commission (PIC). The PIC, which would incorporate the existing State Ethics Commission, would have new powers to root out public corruption among PA’s local, state and federal officials in all three branches of government. Click here for today’s story in the Harrisburg Patriot.


At a news conference in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Schroder said, “Our freedoms and liberties, guaranteed and enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, are under attack and the threat is from within. The corruption that has taken root in our system of government here in Pennsylvania is a direct threat to the social contract that establishes our government subject to the consent of the governed.”


Unlike the current Ethics Commission, the new Public Integrity Commission would have a cadre of trained law enforcement personnel to “look over the shoulders” of public officials, investigate allegations of corruption and refer cases to state or local prosecutors when warranted. The PIC also would have subpoena power and the power to grant immunity in order to compel reluctant witnesses to testify in corruption cases.


Schroder began asking for co-sponsors last Wednesday and as of this writing has 28. The bill is being revised and will not have a bill number until it is formally introduced. When that happens, DR News will let you know.


Another prime sponsor is Rep. Eugene DePasquale, D-York. At the news conference, DePasquale made a telling observation.


“When lawmakers introduce a bill, the first question is always, ‘Why do we need this?’ With this legislation, no one is asking why. We all know why,” DePasquale said.


As if to underscore the point, the news conference occurred on the same day that two former House leaders were back in court. Former Speaker Bill DeWeese, D-Greene, and former Whip Mike Veon, D-Beaver, are seeking different things from the court. At a preliminary hearing, DeWeese is arguing that he should not go on trial for allegations of using tax-funded offices and personnel for partisan political campaigns. Veon, currently serving 6 to 14 years after being convicted of using millions of tax dollars for illegal campaign activity, is in court seeking a new trial on that conviction.


Click here for an early story from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about the DeWeese hearing.


Independents and Education


Two other elements of the proposal warrant attention. The bill requires a nominating committee to select potential members of the commission. Both the nominating committee and the commission membership must include members who are neither Republicans nor Democrats. This gives the large percentage of voters who do not belong to the two major parties a seat at the table for the first time.


Another key feature of the PIC proposal is a requirement to educate public officials about legal and illegal conduct in office. This aspect gains new importance as defendants claim they didn’t know their actions were illegal.

Attorneys for DeWeese and others who await trial – former Revenue Secretary and Rep. Steve Stetler, D-York, and former Senate Whip Jane Orie, R-Allegheny – argue that the existing law is too vague for public officials to know what they can and can’t do. They also argue that their clients should be set free because “everyone else was doing it” and that whatever illegal activity might have occurred didn’t amount to much.

Click here for an Orie story from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.


The PIC proposal is not perfect, and it is likely that some lawmakers will seek to strengthen it with amendments to ban gifts and gratuities for public officials (favored by 66% of PA voters), for example. All of that will take place in a public process that citizens can watch and weigh in on.


Questions:
Has your Representative co-sponsored this proposal?
If not, what are his or her objections?
If so, how will your Representative work to move the proposal through the House?


Note:
Because we are a tax-exempt non-profit organization, Democracy Rising PA does not endorse specific legislation or lawmakers. However, we can acknowledge proposals and lawmakers who make extraordinary efforts to advance higher standards of public integrity.


This PIC proposal is the only comprehensive attempt in the past five years to change the culture of corruption in the capitol. For that alone, it deserves the close attention of citizens throughout the Commonwealth.
Please forward this edition of DR News and encourage your friends to sign up for future editions by clicking here .


Please support DR’s work with a tax-deductible contribution.
Thanks!




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We can be reached at: P.O. Box 618, Carlisle, PA 17013

Tech President email newsletter and Wikileaks

Wikileaks' Afghan War Logs: The Crowdscouring Begins The New York Times, Der Spiegel and The Guardian have all had the chance to provide depth and context to the cache of secret documents about the war in Afghanistan that WikiLeaks released yesterday. Now, writes Micah Sifry, we must wait and see if the rest of the Internet will also read the archive and add further meaning and insight.


Wikileaks Releases Giant Trove of Secret US Documents on Afghan War Here's Micah Sifry's first take on the release of the documents, from Sunday night. "If you didn't think technology was changing politics," he suggests, "perhaps now you'll reconsider?"

Wikileaks and Sourcing "Under this new world order," Nancy Scola asks, the new order being one in which a globe-hopping actor like Julian Assange can publicize sensitive government secrets on such a massive scale, "what has changed about the relationship between citizens and what they can expect to know about what their countries are doing in their names, even on the other side of the world? It might take a white-haired, admittedly oddball resident of Iceland —" that's Assange — "to get us to start considering that question."

Fw: Free Outdoor Movies Start This Sunday at Station Square withGhostbusters

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

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From: Station Square <email@stationsquare.com>

Sender: Station Square <email=stationsquare.com@mallfinder.com>

Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2010 01:43:22 -0600 (MDT)

To: <mark@rauterkus.com>

Subject: Free Outdoor Movies Start This Sunday at Station Square with Ghostbusters

Summer time is a perfect time for FREE OUTDOOR MOVIES.  Station Square proudly presents this August MOVIES ON THE MON  -  a unique salute to some of the 1980's classic movies including Ghostbusters (August 1st), Back to the Future (August 8th), E.T. the Extra Terrestrial (August 15th) and The Goonies (August 22nd). 

Movies are held on Sundays in August beginning at sunset (between 8pm and 8:30pm).  Bring your own lawn chairs and blankets and come to Bessemer Court behind the Hard Rock Cafe for the next four Sundays to experience a new Station Square tradition.

We'll have consession stands set up selling popcorn, candy, soft drinks and more.

Click here to visit Station Square now.

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Advice

A friend in liberty asked for advice. So I replied.

Honored that you'd ask for my advice, so here is my #1 bit of advice to fellow advocates:

Do NOT burn out.

Thanks for all you do.

--- His reply. ---

Thanks for your note.  Of course you sent the single most important advice.

We must keep going.  I have been involved in many such movements. They seem to go painfully slow and we all get discouraged.  But if we stick with it, we can win.

Usually this takes a generation, which is slow in our lifetimes, but rapid in historical terms.

After I receive all the replies, I will be back to the group.  

Yours in freedom—Julian

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Fw: [wplug-announce] WPLUG InstallFest,Sat. July 31 at Northland Library

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

-----Original Message-----
From: DK <wplug@curlynoodle.com>
Sender: wplug-announce-bounces+mark.rauterkus=gmail.com@wplug.org
Date: Sun, 25 Jul 2010 20:58:00
To: mark.rauterkus@gmail.com<mark.rauterkus@gmail.com>
Reply-To: Announcements only <wplug-announce@wplug.org>
Subject: [wplug-announce] WPLUG InstallFest,
Sat. July 31 at Northland Library

Hello Folks,

Well its that time again, WPLUG is hosting an InstallFest on Saturday,
July 31 from 10a until 3p at the Northland Public Library in
McCandless Twp. The library is on Cumberland Rd, just off Route 19
and McKnight Rd. See the URL below for more detailed directions.

The InstallFest will be held in the first floor meeting rooms 148.
Happily, the space is climate controlled and should be comfortable if
the heat stays with us into next weekend.

The library has an access ramp to the first floor lobby, located on
the left side of the building. I will have a hand-truck and cart
available to haul in equipment, so please feel free to stop in first
if you need to use one.

In addition to the typical InstallFest activities, I will be
presenting demos of the Kiddix Platform from Kiddix Computing,
http://www.kiddix-computing.com/home/index.php, a Gentoo-based OS
designed specifically for kids. If you are a parent looking to
introduce Linux to your child(ren), please stop by to take a look.

Even if you cannot attend, please help spread the word and mention
this event to family, friends and colleagues whom are users or might
have an interest in Free Open Source Software.

Event page with directions and more information:
http://www.wplug.org/wiki/Meeting-20100731

Thanks and hope to see you there,
David Kraus
_______________________________________________
wplug-announce mailing list
wplug-announce@wplug.org
http://www.wplug.org/mailman/listinfo/wplug-announce

Dedicated Kingsley coach pushes swimmers in and out of the pool - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Dedicated Kingsley coach pushes swimmers in and out of the pool - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "Dedicated Kingsley coach pushes swimmers in and out of the pool"

By Ellen Mitchell
PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, June 24, 2010


The waters of the Kingsley Community Center pool churn as more than 32 young swimmers race back and forth.

Standing at the edge of the pool, head coach Hosea Holder draws on his 45 years of experience molding young athletes into champions.

Dressed in a green polo shirt and hovering along the edges of the pool deck at the East Liberty community center, Holder, 74, bombards his swimmers with an endless stream of critiques: "Keep your body straight." "Come off the blocks harder." "Don't be afraid to put your face in the water."

Behind him, a dry-erase board bears three words and a question: "Participant, Competitor, Champion. Which one are you?"

"They all write their names under champion, but almost all should move their names to participant," Holder said about his swimmers, an indication of his high standards.

As the head coach of the Kingsley Stingrays, he trains boys and girls from the community, ages 6 to 18, making sure they live up to their highest potential -- in and out of the pool. His former swimmers have become nurses, teachers, lawyers and managers, and he takes pride in them all.

Chinnie Gregory, the mother of three boys who have swam under Holder for the last five years, said they have improved in school since working with Holder, and their attitudes have vastly changed.

"They believe they can overcome anything now," Gregory said. "Their mental development is beyond anything I could have imagined."

Gregory's sons, Norman, 13, Isaiah, 11, and Kilani, 8, all ranked in the top 10 in their events at a swim meet in North Carolina last month, where more than 800 swimmers competed.

"It's a no-brainer that we all love swimming with Coach Holder," Isaiah Gregory said. "Even though he's hard on us, he wants us to get it done and do it correctly."

Now in his 45th year as a coach, and sixth year with the Kingsley Stingrays, Holder is a full-time coach and is paid by the swimmers' parents.

Born in Birmingham, Ala., in 1936, Holder moved with his family to Homewood in 1945. Taking up swimming in junior then in senior high school, he swam the breaststroke and individual medley at Westinghouse High School. After graduation in 1954, Holder enlisted in the Army.

From 1958 to 1960, Holder was based in Schweinfurt, Germany. While his fellow soldiers were happy to simply girl-watch at the city's Olympic-sized pool, Holder stole every moment he could to swim laps, sometimes for hours on end.

In the beginning

After returning home to Pittsburgh, he worked first as a janitor at the University of Pittsburgh, then as a part-time lifeguard at the Oliver Bath House in South Side in 1964. It was there that he began his coaching career in 1965, when a black swim coach was a rarity.

In March 1965, the Oliver Bath House director asked Holder to get some swimmers together to compete in the city's annual St. Patrick's Day meet. After Holder saw how well the other teams were put together, he decided to improve the program at the bath house and the team that later became the Three River Aquatics.

Holder started out slowly.

"If you had 15 kids come try out, you were lucky if more than three stayed," Holder said.

Though fees to swim on the team were modest, Holder said he had to pay for many kids out of his own pocket, covering their 75-cent memberships for the Amateur Athletic Union and the 25-cent fee to enter each child in a competitive event.

By 1968, his swimmers had become formidable competitors, one of whom in the 10-and-under category even broke two junior Olympic records in one week.

Holder said he endured a cold shoulder or two at meets because of his race. Once, when he went up to accept an award at a swim meet in Ohio in the 1970s, the woman passing out the trophies told him to give the award to the head swim coach. After he told her he was head of the team, she looked at him in disbelief.

At another event, two of Holder's 12-year-old boys kept pace with their 18-year-old competitors until the last 25 meters in an event usually swam by college students. He said the rumor was that he gave his swimmers pep pills, which was not true.

Other teams made racist remarks to his swimmers, he said, and there was snickering and laughter at their lack of nicer swimsuits.

"The opposing force has to accept that you won whether they like it or not," Holder said. "If you think I'm not as good, when my swimmers out swim yours, you have to accept it. It nullifies perceptions of races, of color."

His team -- once all-black -- today is about evenly divided between whites and blacks.

In the fall of 2000, the city pulled the pool permit from Three River Aquatics at the Oliver Bath House. Holder moved the team to the Kingsley Community Center in 2004, changing the name to the Kingsley Stingrays.

With all the technological distractions youths now face, Holder said the number of truly dedicated swimmers is dwindling.

"There is a different breed of swimmers today than there were in the 1960s," Holder said. "Swimmers then were dedicated and committed to swimming only. Now, kids have much more to distract them and other sports that take away from their focus. There's only a select few that'll be committed and dedicated completely."

Costs seem to be a major blow to his swim team, with a fee of $1.75 per person per event, and $60 for a Amateur Athletic Union card. Pool fees of $6,500 for 10 1/2 months indoors and $1,700 for eight weeks spent outdoors in the summer are split among team members. No companies sponsor the team, but Holder said he is always looking.

"The fees are low to make it more affordable, but many low-income families still complain," Holder said.

A swimmer under Holder for 18 years, Cheryl Washington, the aquatics manager at the Kingsley Center, said Holder was like a second dad to her.

"He's brought a lot to the team as far as values," Washington said. "He's helped turn a lot of lives around."

Though he has received offers over the years to coach other teams, Holder has refused to leave the Kingsley Community Center.

"By staying, I give people of low income an opportunity to swim under a great program," Holder said. "I do this for the love of the sport and the love of the kids. It's hard to pass the baton off."

Fw: [ronpaul-965] New Meetup: Second Annual PA Liberty Conference

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

---

From: Scott Davis <meetup@parevolution.com>

Sender: ronpaul-965-announce@meetup.com

Date: Sat, 24 Jul 2010 17:09:48 -0400

To: <ronpaul-965-announce@meetup.com>

ReplyTo: ronpaul-965@meetup.com

Subject: [ronpaul-965] New Meetup: Second Annual PA Liberty Conference

Announcing a new Meetup for Pennsylvania Revolution!

What: Second Annual PA Liberty Conference

When: Friday, October 8, 2010 10:00 AM

Where: Harrisburg Hilton
1 N 2nd St
Harrisburg, PA 17101
717-233-6000

Join Liberty Lovers from across Pennsylvania for a 2-day conference in Harrisburg. Classroom Training geared towards running for State House/Senate in 2 years, Liberty Celebration and two big events coming for day two. Register before July 30th and save $20.

Who: Liberty Lovers
What: Second Annual Pennsylvania Liberty Conference & Fair
Where: Harrisburg Hilton (1 North Second Street)
When: Friday October 8th, 2010 & Saturday October 9th, 2010
Event Registration Cost*:
$45 (before July 30th)
$65 (July 31st October 1st)
$75 At the Door

RSVP to this Meetup:
http://www.meetup.com/Pennsylvania-Revolution/calendar/14201759/




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Please Note: If you hit "REPLY", your message will be sent to everyone on this mailing list (ronpaul-965@meetup.com)
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Meetup, PO Box 4668 #37895 New York, New York 10163-4668 | support@meetup.com

LTE

This was in Thursday's Trib.

http://www.pittsbur ghlive.com/ x/pittsburghtrib /opinion/ letters/s_ 691402.html

I thought the final paragraph was interesting - rather than a ruling class, libertarians on the Constitutionality Review Board would constitute a vetoing class. Still very similar to the wise philosopher- king of Plato's Republic. And just as Utopian. {;-)

--Harold

Full letter text below~~~~~~~~~~

There has been much talk recently about changing state government in Pennsylvania, including a constitutional convention and reducing the size of the Legislature. Change we must, but the changes must include the following.

1. Eliminating salaries for legislators.

2. Convening the Legislature only by remote majority vote.

3. Creating a constitutional review committee that would evaluate any legislation passed by the Legislature.

Regarding elimination of legislative salaries: New Hampshire has a larger legislature than Pennsylvania but its state representatives and senators receive just $200 a year. Such a situation serves as an incentive to meet as seldom as possible.

The current situation in Pennsylvania (and everywhere else) has resulted in the creation of a political class that charges us for deciding how to control our behavior and spend our money. It encourages the Legislature to sit around and think of things to do. We need less of that.

Regarding convening the Legislature only by remote majority vote: By requiring a vote to even meet, much mischief can be prevented.

Regarding a constitutional review committee: At present, it takes a lot of effort and money to undo legislation that is unconstitutional. The burden is placed on the citizens. Instead, the creation of a constitutional review committee, consisting of libertarians who understand the moral and constitutional limits of government, serve for life and personally appoint each of their successors, will keep the Legislature from exceeding its authority by nullifying any legislation that it finds unconstitutional.

Nick Kyriazi
Deutschtow
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Fw: Contact information for athletes

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

---

From: "Marie E. Wilson" <mewilson@tribweb.com>

Date: Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:32:49 -0400

To: mark@rauterkus.com<mark@rauterkus.com>

Subject: Contact information for athletes

Hello Mark,

 

This is Marie Wilson from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. We spoke about a week and a half ago about your views on the legislation about gender equity reporting in high school athletics. I’ve been talking with lawmakers and other sources for the story, and I’m wondering if you can help put me in touch with some athletes and other coaches so I can get their views on the issue and their experiences in high school sports. If you want, you can give my phone number to anyone who may be willing to speak with me so they can call me when it’s convenient. My number is (412)380-5609.

 

Also, do you have any more information about when the next meeting of the Pittsburgh Public Schools’ task force about gender equity in athletics will be?

 

I have some time next week to work on the story, so please get back to me whenever you get the chance.

 

Thanks for your help,

 

Marie

 

Marie E. Wilson

Reporter

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

(412)380-5609

mewilson@tribweb.com

 

Physical education revisions opposed in North Allegheny

Physical education revisions opposed in North Allegheny: "Proposed changes to the state's health and physical education requirements would cut into North Allegheny's academic schedule, create an unnecessary tax burden and cost the district about $1.6 million, according to a resolution opposing the changes."

Ranting at PureReform's blog and a slew of questions from A+ Schools

The signal to noise ratio isn't what is hoped for nor is it what is needed in terms of the discussions and fight for the best solutions for Pittsburgh Public Schools.

http://purereform.blogspot.com/2010/07/schools-questions-plans-for.html

Folks, ... here we go again, around and around. There is a lot of suffering going on. And, sadly, I feel that most of these discussions are just batting at the leaves on the tree of the suffering.

Tuesday night's (community meeting) featured talk of 'power.' Folks from Homewood attended and it was lead by Randall Taylor and Dr. Barnett.

Golly. The power isn't with the people, of course. But, before power is taken and earned -- we've got to have some conversations that get to the roots of the problems. Certain issues matter. Ranting wildly has fleeting value in terms of fixing system-wide problems.

How. Why. Those make harder questions. That discussion takes discipline to occur. Yep, we also need to be speaking of lack of discipline in the schools' classrooms and hallways. But this lack of discipline needs attention as we meet in community and online too.

The personality and "who" of Mr. Roosevelt is what it is. To dwell and have the conversation stuck on him is to choose weakness. It was even said to me by a few that they like the idea of 'single gender' but they are against it because it is of Mark Roosevelt's administration. Say what? Go figure.

We got to dance on the problems and stomp them out of the plans.

We know a single-gender public school approach is blowing into town through Westinghouse.

Even these A+ questions, nice as they are, amount to more spinning in circles.

In my not so humble opinion, we -- (whole community of caring stewards for strong public schools) -- MUST put our leverage to play in meaningful spots so as to have a tactical impact upon the outcomes.

I sense that there is way too much of the reactionary bumbling around from citizens.

Precision would serve us better.

Here is a question: Why do we need feeder patterns for high school students? Can we get rid of feeder patterns for high school students come January 2011? With the end of feeder patterns for high school students, what are the ways that OVER SUBSCRIBED SCHOOLS are going to determine who gets admission.

Presently, for what it is worth, the only schools in PPS where there is a demand for spots is at CAPA (grades 6-12, Creative and Performing Arts School now located Downtown) -- and Sci Tech. With Sci-Tech, they have a lottery. It is harder to get into the grades of 6, 7 and 8 at Sci-Tech as they have smaller classes in those years. And, some in the early years are getting asked to leave. So, there are more spaces in Sci-Tech, by design, at the grade 9 and above stages.

So, if an extra 300 people want to attend Allderdice, as is the big fear from elsewhere, but I expect it to be a non-issue, then how does the district handle that problem? Is it POLITICAL CLOUT for string pullers to get kids into Allderdice?

I think Allderdice, if it gets way more popular, could design a few admission requirements in the weeks and months to come that are fair and public. Then we can discuss those.

For example, if a student in 8th grade wants to go to Allderdice in 9th grade, that student will need to make an application and not have missed 20 days of school in the 8th grade. If demand is greater, perhaps more than 10 days away from school in 8th grade will be a kiss of death for admission to Allderdice as a 9th grader.

Perhaps students will need to have a letter, or two, of reference from a teacher or two from grades 6, 7 or 8 to get into Allderdice.

With CAPA, there is an audition process.

With the I.B. School, students need to have good grades and have a good grasp on a world language (either French, German, Spanish, or Japanese). Those that enter the I.B. program, in middle school years and in high school years, have to have some education/understanding of a language as all the students at that school have been with strong languages.

We might need to have an application process for other schools that can't expand to match the demand.

But more to the point, if Allderdice is way more popular of a choice for a school, then Allderdice can expect more from the students that attend there. If there is trouble from a student, and homework isn't getting done, fights, whatever -- then that student can be removed from a popular school and another admitted.

Most of all, if there is a demand for an extra set of seats at Allderdice, then the school should expand. Perhaps some 12th grade students would like the option of being on a later schedule -- or something. Not only can more students fit into the building, but the building could grow.

In other schools, if there is less of a demand, that school will shrink. So be it.

Let the people vote with their feet in their choice of schools at the high school level.

But, for now, people, let's find the few important issues that should be put front and center -- so that the board can manage the policy and do its job -- and the plans now on the table can make better sense in their eventual application.

---

Upate: Part 2

The aim is for good schools to get better. That is one goal. The good schools are not yet good enough. (Some have told me that NONE of the PPS schools are worth a darn, but I don't buy fully into that position.)

With a no feeder pattern HS policy, any kid who desires can get into a good school.

Now we might have a good school or two or three -- (CAPA, IB, +), BUT only CERTAIN KIDS can get into them. (via audition @CAPA, language @IB, lottery @ SciTech).

Excellence for all.

Not, good for some.

Then, without the feeder patterns, the not-so-good schools now will get worse in that they will empty of students who want to get an education at a place that fits them.

Lets say that NOBODY would choose to go to DROP OUT FACTORY #1 -- then it would close for a lack of students or else the PPS would work VERY HARD to re-do the school into an attractive model to retain and recruit students from the neighborhood as well as from throughout the city.

Remember, all the schools in the city are less than half of what they used to be. Ten thousand students are now absent from PPS -- forever -- with no end in sight.

So, people are really leaving the city already and have been.

The model of subtraction of students (as students vote with their feet) and closing more schools with new forced feeder patterns is keeping Pgh on the downward spiral. It is all about the management of decline.

PPS has been closing schools anyway. I say that some schools might need to close if they are doing a poor job and none choose to attend there.

Schenley's closure was a forced one as people wanted to go there. That is the wrong way to close a school. PPS can shift feeder patterns and do what it wants.

Given this real world example of Westinghouse with its single gender classrooms, what if they built it and nobody showed up? FINE. To another degree, what about U-PREP. How many would be there if it was an OPTION among all the other schools throughout the city.

If PERRY HS gets its act together -- it could be the hot school for students as it was in the past. Kids all around the city wanted to go to Perry and cried for a week if they didn't get in back in late 80s, early 90s. If Perry flounders as a school, it will drain itself of its students / customers.

If CAPA HS is in such demand, why not expand it? Recently it absorbed more grades 6-7-8 with the closing of another high demand Rodgers. That was a move and not an expansion. If CAPA is working, -- it has the best scores - then DUPLICATE it. Replicate it. Repeat what works.

I would not have a problem turning Westinghouse into CAPA ver 2. More might go there, with a proven model, than would go to single gender classrooms.

We need the district to act in a way that is more about customer service. FEEDER PATTERNS prevent the consumer centric thought cycle from being a part of the PPS culture.

Feeder patterns allow the district to yank the students and families around at will, and on a whim because some are not going to move from the house they live in nor lie about residency.

Finally, if we give folks who buy a house in the area of a school, say, DROP OUT FACTORY #1, the option of sending their student to ANY SCHOOL in the city, then there is HOPE that the neighborhood would get new investment. City-wide benefit occur with the ending of the feeder patterns. DEPRESSED areas can't rebound in Pittsburgh while PPS forces kids into schools that are DROP OUT FACTORIES or are NOT a good fit for that student.

New investments into the city and our neighborhoods can come. But, new investment money demands guarantees of positive public fixtures. Investments will stay away from building upon a foundation of shifting sands. Those feeder patterns, and their shifts, are like shifting sands to investment money.

I predict an economic revival in the city-wide housing market with the removal of the PPS FEEDER PATTERN policy.

---

Wonderful Q from the thread at the other blog:

Where do the struggling students go when all the competive schools are filled up? Prison high, or we don't care anymore high?


Humm. We care.

We need to work hard to make sure that the 'competitive schools' are able to expand. Then they won't fill up.

Building capacity (bricks/mortar) isn't the real issue. PPS has buildings and plenty of room.

(Past rant) Expansion of 'competitive schools' was one reason I wanted CAPA to expand into the other floors of its downtown building -- but to NOT fill with grades 6, 7 and 8. A bigger CAPA as a downtown HS with expansion made more sense.

Then PPS would have needed to make TWO middle school replacements for RODGERS, such as at Knoxville (south) and another East school if not a fix-up of Rodgers.

EXPAND what works!

We should be talking about a CAPA-styled program moving into Westinghouse, given that CAPA is popular and it is working. How about a CAPA with sports, and even a CAPA where the kids get to switch their major if they want or a CAPA where the kids get a MINOR. Then CAPA Downtown can be specialized and CAPA east (at Westinghouse) can be more well rounded.

But, again, there should be no feeder patterns.

The IB School needs to be able to expand too, and with the move to Peabody, that might be better able to occur. But really, an expansion onto Reizenstein building with a second gym, auditorium and cafeteria would have been more ideal than uprooting and fitting into Peabody without windows, etc. The Reizenstein physical space is expandable. New classrooms could be added there are there is plenty of land.

I hear that the sizes per grade at the IB school (Pgh Obama) might have been pushed to 200 as a goal rather than 150 as a limit. ??

There are spaces at IB now -- but students need to want to work hard and have a background of languages before admission.

PPS must allow for expansion without dropping in quality.

A serious issue is "struggling students." Some are smart but don't conform in a specific school setting. They struggle with others. Some do struggle with learning and doing their work so as to advance.

One tactic is a willing transfer while still on good academic / behavior standing. Too often we shift expelled and suspended students from building to building -- AFTER they've blown up / melted down. If PPS didn't force them into a school setting with the feeder pattern enslavery, then they might opt elsewhere once they figure out that 'this place isn't right for me.'

Restarts to different schools while on good terms (and prior visits of consideration) should be encouraged as a way to prevent drop-outs and ejections.

As for PRISON High, we've already got one of those. Is it at capacity? I don't know.

Closed in the past PPS Connelley and closed PPS South Vo Tech were warm, family-like schools that gave support and kept kids in school and became places where kids gravitated too. Those options were places for some who might be called 'pluggers' to flourish. Gone from our landscape, sadly. That 'Gateway School' might be part of the answer too. ??

Judge rules competitive cheerleading isn't a sport

Judge rules competitive cheerleading isn't a sport: "The evolution of cheerleading was at issue Wednesday before a federal judge in Connecticut, who ruled that it might have come a long way from the sidelines of other competitive sports, but it doesn't yet qualify as a competitive sport itself."

This is very bad.

More soon.

S. Side revelers, residents trading insults

I'm putting this into the WTF category.

South Side
revelers, residents trading insults: "A nasty exchange of Internet
postings this week between South Side residents and the revelers who throng East
Carson Street bars has underscored the city's struggle to manage a 'hospitality
economy' that brings vibrancy and heartache to the neighborhood.
Neighborhood businesses say the tension normally builds on warm summer
nights, but Pittsburgh police plan to increase patrols after some members of the
bar crowd issued a call to disrupt the neighborhood this weekend."

Issued a call to disrupt the neighborhood this weekend. Give me a break.

BTW, I can't find this discussion online. Pointers welcome in comments.

States Embrace National Standards for Schools

States Embrace National Standards for Schools: "Less than two months after the nation's governors and state school chiefs released their final recommendations for national education standards, 27 states have adopted them and about a dozen more are expected to do so in the next two weeks.
Their support has surprised many in education circles, given states' long tradition of insisting on retaining local control over curriculum.
The quick adoption of common standards for what students should learn in English and math each year from kindergarten through high school is attributable in part to the Obama administration's Race to the Top competition. States that adopt the standards by Aug. 2 win points in the competition for a share of the $3.4 billion to be awarded in September."

Ready to play at Summer Dreamers Camp