Got ice?

The Penguins today released the schedule for public skating sessions at the rink that will be built next to Stage AE outside of Heinz Field. The rink is part of the celebration of the Winter Classic.

Dec. 24 -- 3-9 p.m.

Dec. 25 -- noon-9 p.m.

Dec. 26 -- 7-8:20 p.m.

Dec. 27 -- 3-4:20 p.m.

Dec. 28 -- 3-4:20 p.m. and 6:30-7:50 p.m.

Dec. 29 -- 3-4:20 p.m. and 6:30-7:50 p.m.

Dec. 30 -- 3-4:20 p.m.and 6:30-7:50 p.m.

Dec. 31 -- 6:30 p.m.--midnight

Jan. 1 -- 4:10--5:40 p.m. and 6--7:30 p.m.

The cost for public skating is $7 per session, and skate rental is $3.

A complete youth hockey schedule will be released next week, including six high school hockey games, numerous amateur games and an international bantam tournament featuring the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite, Washington Junior Capitals and teams from Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia (Sidney Crosby's hometown) and Magnitogorsk, Russia (Evgeni Malkin's hometown).

Grant Rauterkus photo from a rare public skate at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena. Indoors even.

Division 3 Swimming & Diving Rankings

Division III - Men

Rank	Prev	Team	Points
1	1	Kenyon	574
2	3	Emory	522
3	2	Denison	521
4	8	M I T	451
5	4	Kalamazoo	438
6	5	Johns Hopkins	437
7	9	Williams	331
8	7	Stevens Institute	325
9	10	Amherst	318
10	17	UW-Stevens Point	289
11	6	Washington (Missouri)	283
12	11	TCNJ	276
13	13	Carnegie Mellon	197
14	15	Hope	179
15	18	Grove City	176
16	22	Tufts	142
17	NR	Whitworth	137
18	12	DePauw	136
19	21	Saint Olaf	135
20	16	Middlebury	133
21	19	Chicago	124
22	20	Carthage	123
23	14	Washington and Lee	122
24	NR	Redlands	99
25	25	Olivet	98
Also Receiving Votes:
Keene State 75, C-M-S 62, USCGA 60, Mary Washington 59, Puget Sound 59, Case Western 56, Wheaton  (IL) 49, SUNY-Geneseo 44, Springfield 39, Connecticut 32, UC-Santa Cruz 29, Saint Thomas 29, Gustavus Adolphus 26, Ithaca 23, Wabash 22, SUNY-Maritime 20, Calvin 18, New York 15, UW-Eau Claire 14, Carleton 13, UW-La Crosse 13, Franklin & Marshall 12, Grinnell 11, Hamilton 11, Rowan 11, Wooster 11, Carroll 10, Trinity (TX) 10, Westminster 10, Bowdoin 9, California Lutheran 9, Saint Mary's  of Maryland 9, Hartwick 8, USMMA 8, Alfred 7, Allegheny 7, Washington and Jefferson 7, Colby 6, W P I 6, Baldwin-Wallace 5, Luther 5, Pomona-Pitzer s 4, Clark 3, Bates 2, Ohio Northern 2, Union  (New York) 2, UW-Whitewater 2, Penn State-Behrend 1, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1,

Division III - Women

Rank	Prev	Team	Points
1	3	Kenyon	517
2	1	Emory	514
3	2	Denison	455
4	4	Williams	394
5	7	Amherst	343
6	6	Johns Hopkins	338
7	8	M I T	320
8	12	Stevens Institute	316
9	5	C-M-S	302
10	9	UW-Stevens Point	261
11	11	Carthage	229
12	10	Washington (Missouri)	217
13	16	Carnegie Mellon	214
14	14	Grove City	211
15	15	Chicago	165
16	17	Hope	153
17	21	Kalamazoo	148
18	NR	TCNJ	147
19	13	UW-La Crosse	133
20	24	Keene State	104
21	22	Middlebury	92
22	NR	Wheaton (MA)	89
23	19	Ithaca	85
23	25	Springfield	85
25	20	Mary Washington	66
Also Receiving Votes:
SUNY-Geneseo 63, Calvin 62, Gustavus Adolphus 62, Puget Sound 51, Whitworth 51, Luther 42, New York 40, Carleton 24, Redlands 24, Washington and Lee 19, Wesleyan 19, UC-Santa Cruz 18, Saint Olaf 18, USCGA 18, Clark 17, SUNY-New Paltz 17, UW-Eau Claire 17, Connecticut 16, Colby 15, Wheaton (IL) 15, DePauw 14, Illinois Wesleyan 14, Grinnell 13, Ohio Wesleyan 13, Allegheny 12, Eastern Connecticut  12, Hamilton 12, Rowan 12, R I T 11, Ohio Northern 10, Occidental 10, Rochester 10, Roger Williams 10, Westminster 9, Franklin & Marshall 8, Washington and Jefferson 8, Centre 7, Gettysburg 7, Bowdoin 6, John Carroll 6, Washington (Maryland) 6, UW-Whitewater 6, California Lutheran 5, La Verne 4, Pacific Lutheran 3, Montclair State 2, Union (New York) 2, Wooster 2, Buffalo State 1, Cabrini 1, Mount Union 1, Wittenberg 1

Wikileaks

This article is available from DefectiveByDesign at:
http://www.defectivebydesign.org/wikileaks

Or from the Guardian Newspaper at:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/dec/17/anonymous-wikileaks-protest-amazon-mastercard

Kettling: also known as containment or corralling - a police tactic for the management of large crowds during demonstrations or protests.

The Anonymous web protests over WikiLeaks are the internet equivalent of a mass demonstration. It's a mistake to call them hacking (playful cleverness) or cracking (security breaking). The LOIC program that is being used by the group is prepackaged so no cleverness is needed to run it, and it does not break any computer's security. The protesters have not tried to take control of Amazon's website, or extract any data from MasterCard. They enter through the site's front door, and it just can't cope with the volume.

Calling these protests DDoS, or distributed denial of service, attacks is misleading, too. A DDoS attack is done with thousands of "zombie" computers. Typically, somebody breaks the security of those computers (often with a virus) and takes remote control of them, then rigs them up as a "botnet" to do in unison whatever he directs (in this case, to overload a server). The Anonymous protesters' computers are not zombies; presumably they are being individually operated.

No – the proper comparison is with the crowds that descended last week on Topshop stores. They didn't break into the stores or take any goods from them, but they sure caused a nuisance for the owner, Philip Green. I wouldn't like it one bit if my store (supposing I had one) were the target of a large protest. Amazon and MasterCard don't like it either, and their clients were probably annoyed. Those who hoped to buy at Topshop on the day of the protest may have been annoyed too.

The internet cannot function if websites are frequently blocked by crowds, just as a city cannot function if its streets are constantly full by protesters. But before you advocate a crackdown on internet protests, consider what they are protesting: on the internet, users have no rights. As the WikiLeaks case has demonstrated, what we do online, we do on sufferance.

In the physical world, we have the right to print and sell books. Anyone trying to stop us would need to go to court. That right is weak in the UK (consider superinjunctions), but at least it exists. However, to set up a website we need the co-operation of a domain name company, an ISP, and often a hosting company, any of which can be pressured to cut us off. In the US, no law explicitly establishes this precarity. Rather, it is embodied in contracts that we have allowed those companies to establish as normal. It is as if we all lived in rented rooms and landlords could evict anyone at a moment's notice.

Reading, too, is done on sufferance. In the physical world, you can buy a book with cash, and you own it. You are free to give, lend or sell it to someone else. You are also free to keep it. However, in the virtual world, e-readers have digital handcuffs to stop you from giving, lending or selling a book, as well as licences forbidding that. Last year, Amazon used a back door in its e-reader to remotely delete thousands of copies of 1984, by George Orwell. The Ministry of Truth has been privatised.

In the physical world, we have the right to pay money and to receive money – even anonymously. On the internet, we can receive money only with the approval of organisations such as PayPal and MasterCard, and the "security state" tracks payments moment by moment. Punishment-on-accusation laws such as the Digital Economy Act extend this pattern of precarity to internet connectivity. What you do on your own computer is also controlled by others, with non-free software. Microsoft and Apple systems implement digital handcuffs – features specifically designed to restrict users. Continued use of a program or feature is precarious too: Apple put a back door in the iPhone to remotely delete installed applications and another in Windows enabled Microsoft to install software changes without asking permission.

I started the free software movement to replace user-controlling non-free software with freedom-respecting free software. With free software, we can at least control what software does in our own computers.

The US state today is a nexus of power for corporate interests. Since it must pretend to serve the people, it fears the truth may leak. Hence its parallel campaigns against WikiLeaks: to crush it through the precarity of the internet and to formally limit freedom of the press.

States seek to imprison the Anonymous protesters rather than official torturers and murderers. The day when our governments prosecute war criminals and tell us the truth, internet crowd control may be our most pressing remaining problem. I will rejoice if I see that day.

• Copyright 2010 Richard Stallman – released under the Creative Commons Attribution Noderivs Licence

Support the Free Software Foundation's year end appeal:
http://www.fsf.org/appeal/2010/an-appeal-from-peter-brown DefectiveByDesign.org is a project of the Free Software Foundation -- Fifty One Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, 02110

WVU's Stewart assisted in courtship of new coach

WVU's Stewart assisted in courtship of new coach

What the heck?????

Computer Game Christmas Ideas: Humble Bundle

More at HumbleBundle.com.

I love bundles. Trivia. Back in the day, I opened the domain, "bundle.com." We released our first bundle, "Village Compass Bundle."

Road Trip to San Diego, anyone?

I'm a Visionary for Physical Education, and got an invite to a free lunch in San Diego. Nice.

TO: PE2020 Visionaries
RE: Participate in the PE2020 Forum
WHERE: San Diego AAHPERD National Convention & Exposition
WHEN: March 29, 2011, 08:00 am – 4:00 pm

On behalf of the PE2020 Planning Committee I want to thank you for taking the time to contribute to the hundreds of visions now available on the PE2020 web site (www.PE2020.org) While your contribution was greatly appreciated I’m sure you also wondered, “What difference is my vision going to make?”

The purpose of this message is to invite you to participate in the next steps of the PE2020 initiative.

ATTEND THE PE2020 FORUM

On Tuesday, March 29th the day before the official start of the AAHPERD National Convention & Exposition, you are invited to join colleagues from around the country for a day of discussion, debate, and reflection.

The focus of the PE2020 Forum will be to begin creating a roadmap into the future for our profession. Participants will hear visionary suggestions then collaborate in roundtable discussions on topics that have emerged as a result of postings to the PE2020 web site (http://www.PE2020.org)

At the PE2020 Forum, participants will have the opportunity to discuss the themes that have emerged from these visions and collaborate in the drafting of a visionary blueprint. NASPE’s goal is for PE2020 to spur some imaginative and futuristic thinking. The PE2020 Visionary Plan that emerges will then be used by NASPE in its long-term strategic planning.

Participating in the PE2020 Forum is free, courtesy of a sponsorship from Polar. Even better, there is such a thing as a “free lunch” to those who register in advance to participate. Registering for the PE2020 Forum is easy. If you have not already registered to attend the Convention, when you do so just check off the PE2020 Forum as one of the special events you’d like to participate in. If you have already registered for the convention you can go back to your confirmation e-mail when you registered and in that e-mail there is a link to use if you want to add an event to your registration. Once you add your event, you will be taken back to the portal page where you will click on the “Pay Now” button (but don't worry, the forum is free).

Planners for the PE2020 Forum include Darla Castelli (University of Texas at Austin), George Graham, (PE Central), Steve Jefferies, Central Washington University), Allison Kleinfelter, (achievability.net), Tracy Krause, (Tahoma High School), Bonnie Mohnsen, (Bonnie’s Fitware), and Cheryl Richardson (NASPE).

The PE2020 Planning Committee’s goal is to create a stimulating and motivating program that will prove to be a GREAT San Diego Convention experience! They guarantee you will be challenged to actively engage with colleagues in thinking differently about physical education while simultaneously helping our profession to create a long-term plan and take more control over its future. Please plan to join us for the one-day PE2020 Forum on March 29th in San Diego.

If you have any questions about the Forum please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Best Regards,

Steve Jefferies,
PE2020 Planning Committee Chair
Email: jefferis@cwu.edu

Wishing to read this article about sports and schools

Education Week has this gem, if I could only get to it.

Commentary

Emphasizing Sports Over Academics Sets Up Black Boys to Lose

Schools and parents should know better than to emphasize success in sports at the expense of high standards in learning, Richard Whitmire writes.

Say what?

I want PPS to place some emphasis on sports -- rather than next to nothing.


Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Prediction for football in the future.

One day, football will be more like rugby in that the equipment is much less than what exists today. Helmets will have a cloth-like shell and the interior will be a foam that cracks apart when hit hard. These would be more like bike helmets that are used for one or two years or until there is a big crash. Then each player will get to use a limited number of helmets in a game, such as two. After the last helmet for that player breaks, then he is out for the rest of the game.


Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Who is this blogger from Pittsburgh, PA?

NewsHealth6 - Diet Trends: A look at America's Top Diets NewsHealth6 - Diet Trends: A look at America's Top Diets

One blogger from Pittsburgh, PA claims to have lost 42 pounds in 2 months with an Acai Berry and Colon Cleanse

Know her?

Christmas Letter, 2010, an A to Z exercise on one page.

The letters have been written and printed. Blog readers get to see this before they are mailed.

We hope you’ve had a wonderful year from A to Z! Hope to see you in the New Year…Catherine, Mark, Erik, and Grant

Africa. Our amazing, two-week trip to South Africa included a safari.

Bob. Uncle Bob took Erik and Grant to Nashville and Arkansas for a fun filled week this summer.

Coaching is Mark’s passion – swimming and water polo.

Dubai. Catherine and Mark went to the UAE in May.

Each new year Erik and Mark start with a polar bear swim!

Family.

Golf is Grant’s raw-talent sport. He participates in Pgh’s First T program. Erik and Grant sold programs at the US Womens’ Open at Oakmont.

Hearing continues to be Catherine’s mission and expertise.

International Baccalaureate is where the boys continue to study – both doing very well.

Just a quick trip to Canada for Grant and Catherine.

Korea, South Korea was Erik’s destination this summer along with a full scholarship for the trip!

Lyla and Sam (cats) continue to make us laugh.

Mark provided swimming experiences for the PPS Summer Dreamer’s Camp this year.

New sport – Grant played baseball this fall.

Outrageously wonderful friends – we are all blessed.

Parents. Catherine’s Mom and Mark’s parents are all in Pittsburgh which makes for great visits.

Quite a few trips to Washington, DC this year including celebrating Grant’s 13th birthday.

Reform task force of the sports variety. Mark is on this committee to improve sports in the schools.

Swimming. Erik’s HS team won city championships for the first time (Dad coaching) and Erik went to zones and states. Grant helped continue the middle school tradition of championships (16!).

Teenagers – we have 2 and Erik is now driving.

Uncle Charlie. We lost our much loved Uncle Charlie this year. He is missed.

Violin. Grant plays with PMA and school and Erik is playing with the PMA orchestra this year.

Water Polo. Grant loves water polo and plays for his Dad and for Tiger Water Polo.

Xerus (an African ground squirrel ) – we saw a few.

Youth Group. Catherine and Erik are still enjoying the UU Youth Group. Lots of good discussion.

Zip Line through the canopy in Drakensburg, SA – check out the pictures on Mark’s facebook page.

Be in touch: mark @rauterkus.com 412-298-3432 xxx 412-xxx-xxxx Mark and Erik are on Facebook; Mark’s blog at http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com or visit, 108 South 12th St. Pgh, PA 15203

I have to go home and go to sleep now.

Sorry for the F-Bomb in here.

The Eagle, school newspaper article by Erik Rauterkus about sports in Pittsburgh Public Schools

The Eagle

Pittsburgh Public Schools Mulling Possible Merger With WPIAL—Does This Makes Sense for PPS Student-Athletes?

Fw: DR News: $153 Million for Sports? RACP Grants, Part 2

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

---

From: Democracy Rising PA <tim@democracyrisingpa.com>

Date: Thu, 9 Dec 2010 09:25:59 -0500 (EST)

To: <mark.rauterkus@gmail.com>

Subject: DR News: $153 Million for Sports? RACP Grants, Part 2

Democracy Rising Pennsylvania

UNSUBSCRIBE HERE $153 million for sports? RACP Grants, Part II The decision by Auditor General Jack Wagner not to approve, at least for now, $1 billion in state borrowing has created the opportunity for a discussion about priorities that has not yet occurred. See Part 1 of DR's review of RACP grants in the October 27 edition  of DR News. In part, Wagner notes that $300 million in bond funds are available already for priority projects. He also says he wants Gov.-elect Tom Corbett to have a chance to look over the proposed projects for another $1 billion in bond money before he, Wagner, will approve it. Here are two stories about Wagner's decision: Auditor General Jack Wagner tells Gov. Ed Rendell he won't sign off on $1 billion bond for projects,  Patriot-News, Dec. 1 $1 billion bond proposal for Pennsylvania draws objections,  The Philadelphia Inquirer, Dec. 2. The question of priorities is the heart of the matter. Reviewing HB 2911,  the capital budget enacted in October, DR found at least $153 million authorized for 33 different projects involving sports facilities. The grants range from a low of $250,000 for a project in Pittsburgh to $20 million for a stadium in Chester, Delaware County. The authorized projects also include $14 million for "a Lehigh Valley sports facility," assuming that the $7 million allocated for Lehigh County and the $7 million allocated for Northampton County with the same description are the same project. There is some mystery about which, if not all, of these projects are included in the $1 billion bond proposal. So far, we are unable to get a complete list of the projects proposed for funding. The Auditor General's Office said it has only a partial list and referred us to the Department of Community and Economic Development. DCED said they don't have the list and referred us to the Governor's Office. We'll let you know if we have any luck there. Striving for transparency in government spending is worth $10 to me! Editorial opinion about Wagner's decision has been mixed. Some argue that Wagner was right to wait, given the deficit PA faces. Here's an editorial from the Dec. 7 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: A bond too far?: $1 billion is too much to swallow in this economy. The Scranton Times-Tribune, however, points out that many of the projects included in the bond authorization are worthy and necessary: AG, treasurer: Approve bond,  Dec. 3. It also argues that such state spending is needed to shore up an economy that otherwise isn't creating jobs. This controversy points out the flaw in the process by which the governor and legislators enact the budget year after year, whether it's the operating budget or the capital budget. Instead of documents that reflect an informed debate about priorities for limited resources, both documents reflect the secret deals of political leaders who seem to believe that resources are unlimited for their friends and cronies. Instead of focusing on statewide needs, both documents focus on local needs that they satisfy with WAMs and RACPs. Wagner's action enables the debate over state priorities and denies to outgoing political leaders, if only temporarily, the personal priorities they created at taxpayer expense. However, Wagner's signature is not necessary if State Treasurer Rob McCord approves the bond issue. So far, McCord also is temporizing, in part to give Corbett a chance to review the matter, but also to see whether interest rates could be better next year. Striving for transparency in government spending is worth $10 to me! Questions: Do taxpayers think $153 million for sports and athletic facilities is more important than other uses for that money, such as repairing roads, bridges, public buildings, water supplies, sewer lines and other aspects of our infrastructure? Assuming Wagner stands fast in refusing to approve the bond, will Gov.-elect Corbett use the opportunity to generate a public debate over priorities, or will he continue the pattern of secret deals? Will House and Senate leaders begin using an open budget process to engage citizens in a debate over statewide priorities? Or will they continue to raid the treasury as if it were an ATM for campaign contributors and for currying favor back home? Follow-up to gifts for judges The Legal Intelligencer has issued a tough editorial excoriating the practice of justices taking gifts from law firms and their clients: Justices need tougher rules on taking gifts,  published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Dec. 6.   Please support our work with a tax-deductible year-end contribution. Click here  or send your donation to: Democracy Rising PA P.O. Box 618 Carlisle, PA 17013 Thank you! Democracy Rising Pennsylvania abides by strict NO-SPAM rules. Please read our Privacy Policy for more details. We can be reached at: P.O. Box 618, Carlisle, PA 17013  © Democracy Rising Pennsylvania 2001-2010. All Rights Reserved. Powered by the Action Potential Nonprofit Web Toolkit

AM Swim Practices continue -- but not with as much flair as this

Jacques Rogge says South Africa could host 'very good' Olympics - More Sports - SI.com

Jacques Rogge says South Africa could host 'very good' Olympics - More Sports - SI.com

DURBAN, South Africa (AP) -- IOC President Jacques Rogge says South Africa is capable of organizing a "very good" Olympics and that a bid from the country could be helped by Africa's unique position as the only continent that has yet to host the games.

Rogge says South Africa has proved many times it can stage big events, "but we would only award the games on the quality of the bid, not on the location."

However, he adds if two bids were equally matched, the region which hasn't hosted the Olympics "would be favored."

After holding a successful soccer World Cup this year, South Africa has said it will bid to host Africa's first Olympics in 2020.

The east coast city of Durban, where Rogge was attending an IOC conference, is expected to be the country's candidate.


Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/more/12/06/rogge.safrica.olympics.ap/index.html#ixzz17RU4oWwl

Could wrong BCS data go unchecked?

Could wrong BCS data go unchecked?

With the accuracy of BCS rankings data so critical to so many millions of people, it goes without saying that the complex computations should be part of an open, accountable and verifiable system that can be checked by virtually anyone.

The BCS formula should be open source.

Council takes 'preventive' approach to South Side

Great. Kraus wants to fund another study. He wants more help from others, at our cost, to do his homework. City council funds study after study yet it wants to not be REACTIONARY. To prevent is great. But just do it already. Wellness isn't about being reactionary. Wellness is doing the right things all the time -- because we already know what needs to be done. We don't need to spend money to hire some consultants to tell us.

Rather than pay extra for a night-time building inspector, move the shift of one of the inspectors to evenings. Do we need EXTRA inspectors or do we need the ones we have to work different shifts? I bet that the ICA is going to balk at the extra money for the building inspector. This is something that reasonable people would have done without costing the money. Furthermore, it is not only the evenings when coverage might be required, but also on weekends.

The city has had a series of problems with management with the building inspectors since one was fired, perhaps unjustly. How many have we had since then, six or more? I don't have a score sheet. Anyone?

Council takes 'preventive' approach to South Side

Council takes 'preventive' approach to South Side
Tuesday, December 07, 2010 By Joe Smydo, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Insisting it's time to move from "reactionary enforcement" to "preventive measures" in the South Side entertainment district, Pittsburgh City Councilman Bruce Kraus on Monday persuaded his colleagues to earmark money for a nighttime building inspector and hospitality-management study.

Mr. Kraus long has complained about vandalism, violence and other problems associated with South Side nightclubs. His amendments followed a particularly bad weekend.

Travis Isiminger, 23, of Greene County, was charged with drunken driving following a two-vehicle crash Saturday night in the 3300 block of East Carson Street that claimed the life of 7-year-old Lexa Cleland, of South Park. Police said Mr. Isiminger told them he had been drinking at Hofbrauhaus in SouthSide Works.

City police arrested two men Sunday following a double stabbing outside the Jekyl and Hyde bar at South 18th Street and Harcum. The victims said they were ambushed.

Council took up Mr. Kraus' amendments and other proposed spending changes at a budget meeting Monday - a step preceding preliminary and final votes on the budget in coming days. The Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority, a state oversight board, will vote on the budget Wednesday.

Mr. Kraus has quarreled with Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's office over how to handle South Side problems. Councilman Bill Peduto said Mr. Ravenstahl could use the line-item veto in a bid to block budget amendments.

Mr. Kraus persuaded his colleagues to include $37,180 for a nighttime building inspector. Currently, inspectors work only daylight, weekday hours, an arrangement Mr. Kraus said makes no sense given the need to monitor nightclubs after dark and on weekends.

Council also included $100,000 for a study by the California-based Responsible Hospitality Institute, a group with which Mr. Kraus has been working informally for about a year. The group shows cities how to manage entertainment districts and "nighttime economies."

"I think this is very important for the city of Pittsburgh to have," council President Darlene Harris said.

The money for the study would come from the city's paving budget, something that concerned Councilman Ricky Burgess, who abstained on the amendment. "I want to support this," Mr. Burgess said, suggesting the money be drawn from another source.

Joe Smydo: jsmydo@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1548.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10341/1108884-53.stm#ixzz17QxD5Eaf

Money to pay for the study comes from paving. Humm.... I thought we'd want to separate the drunks from the roads. Kraus makes them inter-connected. Highway robbery.... Never mind.

But the city doesn't even have a springboard!

Dear Community Members,

If you are receiving this note it means that you provided an e-mail address and attended at least one of the community meetings to discuss athletic reform. The three meetings are now complete, and all notes have been compiled and put on to the web (link: Athletic Reform Recommendations and Feedback).

First and foremost, I want to say thank you for attending. Your attendance and participation in the matter means a great deal to me and the committee working on athletic reform in the district. I also want to make it clear that your feedback matters, and that it will be used to inform future recommendations we make to the superintendent this year. Our goal from the beginning has been to bring forth recommendations to problems that were made evident by the Title IX self audit the school district released earlier this year. Change is needed, and we will do our best to put forth recommendations that are in the best interest of our children.

Thank you again for your commitment to Pittsburgh Public Schools and our students.

Best Regards,
Jake House
Pathways to the Promise Coordinator--Athletics
Office of Strategic Initiatives
Pittsburgh Public Schools
341 South Bellefield Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
E: jhouse1@pghboe.net

O: 412-622-3706
C: 412-xxx-xxxx

I don't like to publish cell phone numbers, so I cut that out of the email for the blog.

My goal was not tied to the problems made evident by the Title IX self audit. The Title IX audit was a joke. It was late. It was a waste of time. And, the content of that audit was clear to any who cared far before it was approved.

Opportunities for girls in PPS Sports are very, very bad. Opportunities for boys are very bad. Take your pick. We don't win if we make them equal.

Meanwhile, the population decline within the city schools has been great. The city is getting close to a level point where the outward migration of city residents matches that of those who move into the city each year. But, that is not the case with the school district students where the slide continues downward. And, the outward migration of citizens from the city has been fueled, in part, by the schools and the opportunities for the kids.

I want sports to help to turn around the city: its schools, and its neighborhoods, and its global community. What we do in the city has great impacts on the county and the region.

The Title IX audit presented a bunch of pimples. The body is in the ICU, on its death bed.

Jake can't talk in a candid way -- as I do. Nor can the administrators who have run the sports in the district for the past years. Nor can the ones who have control of the purse strings of the district in terms of budgets, priorities and values.

Finally, for now, I'm not talking about more money either. This is way beyond some financial fix. This is about performance. This is about execution. This is a 'gut-check' -- as most sports experiences include.

The relationship frameworks institutionalized in PPS schools presents poor utilization of time and space. Our sports and after school opportunities are not what they should be.

The VISION, and MISSION and PHILOSOPHY of the PPS Athletic Reform effort needs work. To know where you are going, you need to have some compass. We're not on the same map. We don't share the same outcomes. The voyage is going to stumble. We have so far to go. Journey's are not successful without everyone going in the same ways with purpose.

PPS should become a magnet for growth for the city. People should want to move here to raise their children because, in part, we provide for an excellent sports landscape that is supportive, competitive, and full of opportunities that challenge our kids, especially while in school ages, but even in other years as well.

We should not be about the management of decline when it comes to athletics and sports. Let's turn that page.

Pittsburgh is a sports town. Our schools, its teams, coaches, athletes and boosters need to be as strong or stronger as anyone anywhere.

My personal / professional slogan as a vision is to CREATE LITERATE OLYMPIANS HERE. Anything less, then you are begging people to go and move elsewhere. (But, I don't expect nor presume everyone in the city will drink my flavor of Kool-Aid without hesitation. To have a mission that says our schools should create literate Olympians here isn't going to be put into place unless I have a heart-to-heart with the next superintendent and he or she should catch this excitement too.

Another VISION statement from elsewhere that I could live with:

Everyone. Every day. Enjoying and excelling through sport and recreation.

A Mission Statement (snipped from elsewhere too):

Creating a sport and recreation environment where more participate, support and win.

I think sports reform in PPS should be for the talking and planning of the full range of activities, from SPORTS to RECREATION to all AFTER SCHOOL activities.

I think we need to encourage and drive much more participation, support and winning. That's three distinct areas.

From Chatham-Polo

The statement that came to the group from the mastermind:

The PPS athletic program is interwoven into the fabric of our schools and the community. Our student athletes dream big and work hard both on the playing field and in the classroom. Our coaches and administrators teach not only the skills of the sport, but also the skills of life, and ensure that the PPS student athlete is driven to develop positive behaviors and habits, and to explore their ambitions and dreams. PPS Athletics is synonymous with character and class. The PPS student athlete represent their school and community with dignity and pride, and ultimately uses the lessons of sport as a springboard to succeed in life.

Speaking of springboards, we don't have any. The teams within the city schools doesn't have any divers. Our swimming and diving teams always need to scratch the diving events as we don't have any blasted springboards. The diving and springboards where take out years ago. But, diving happens in suburban Pittsburgh in the WPIAL. And, we want to join the WPIAL. Go figure.

Who wants to teach our kids that the key to success in life is 'hard work?'

GSPIA does good. Nice job Pitt

We are happy to offer those who were not able to attend last week’s fascinating lecture by Leslie Crutchfield an opportunity to watch the video of the event.

We will look forward to seeing you on January 27 at 3:00 p.m. for Margaret McKenna of the Walmart Foundation’s lecture at the University Club.

http://mediasite.cidde.pitt.edu/mediasite/Viewer/?peid=78f4bed2851d4d5d905d7c309cdf9fab

Onorato's re-election choice could trigger many others

Onorato's re-election choice could trigger many others
Not really. The headline should read: Onorato's retirement could trigger many others into the realm of being a candidate. But really, we (the region) need lots of people to step up and run and contest those in office. This area is too often known for giving those already in office a free ride to relection. That has to stop as that is one way to stop the corruption.

The Eagle covers boys and girls swimming season's start

The Eagle

During an interview with the boys swim team coach Mr. Gasparovic, expectations and goals were revealed to be quite simple: to duplicate the city championship from last year and to get freshmen acclimated to the program.

Building Irony -- Philly Style

Hello Irony Citizens,

We are announcing an exciting event coming up early next year!
Veteran Philadelphia improvisers Amie Roe and Kristen Schier are
heading to Pittsburgh to perform on one night only. They take a
single audience suggestion and let their imaginations take over. The
kind of improv that only best friends can do together! A playful
undeniably girlish romp delivered by two of the most attractive women
Philadelphia has to offer.

Saturday, January 15 :: 8pm (doors at 7:30)
ModernFormations Gallery (Garfield)
4919 Penn Avenue
$6 in advance, $8 at the door

Earlier that afternoon, Amie and Kristen will also be teaching a
workshop:

Basic Instinct: a Killer Workshop on Emotionally-Grounded Improv
Saturday, January 15 :: 2-5 pm
ModernFormations Gallery
$30 if purchased before Jan 8, $40 after (limit 16 people)

For tickets or to sign up for the workshop, visit
http://www.ironycity.com/events/kristenandamie

See you there!

-Brian

Device deployed as criticism grows while 29 are remembered

Device deployed as criticism grows | Stuff.co.nz

Police hope to finally deploy a modified jet engine, known as a GAG, into the Pike River mine tonight which will be used to neutralise toxic gasses in the mine.

They will put a modified JET engine into the mine to move the air.

Twenty nine died. The public funeral is going to be held at a race course in Western New Zealand on the South Island.

Streamline!

Image was nominated for photo of the month for November 2010 at Sport24 site in South Africa. Great visual of the streamlined hands. The camera was under the water shooting upwards.

  

In a picture taken with an underwater camera Takuro Fujii of Japan competes in the men's 100m butterfly final in the swimming event of the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou on November 14, 2010. Fujii won silver. AFP PHOTO / FRANCOIS XAVIER MARIT

http://www.sport24.co.za/Galleries/Image/Photos%20Of%20The%20Month/November%202010

Football or Swimming

The water will always win. The water is undefeated. It has not lost a game yet. And, I don't think it ever will. So, I better get used to working with it.

Stykz is out and could help in simple coaching annimations

Stykz • Home

Completely Free - No Strings Attached
Stykz is freeware, meaning it's completely free to download and use to create animations that you can show off to others or import into other applications. No hidden costs, license or permission are required to use Stykz to its fullest.

Multi-Platform Animating
Stykz is the first multi-platform stick figure animation program in the world (as far as we know), so you'll be able to use Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux* to create, edit and preview your animations. (*Linux is in internal beta but will be available soon.)

Education Policy Update Breakfast in Oakland on Dec 9, 2010

Dear Colleague:

Attached are your invitation and RSVP Form for the next PENNSYLVANIA EDUCATION POLICY FORUM in Pittsburgh.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Continental Breakfast  -  8:00 a.m.

Program  -  8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Holiday Inn Select - University Center - Oakland

SUBJECT:

Update on Gates Momentum Grant for Teacher/Principal Evaluation Project of the Pennsylvania Department of Education

The Pennsylvania Department of Education has received a “Momentum” grant from the Gates Foundation to start the consensus-building process to reach agreement on criteria to be used to measure teacher and principal effectiveness, appropriate student growth factors and their weighting in the overall evaluation systems.  A Stakeholder Steering Committee is currently working on this project, with the following goals:  1) Determine criteria to be used to measure teacher and principal effectiveness; 2) Develop tools to measure teacher and principal effectiveness and pilot them in participating schools and districts: 3) Develop and pilot professional development module for principals in evaluating teachers and for superintendents in evaluating principals; and 4) Determine the correlation between the teacher and principal effectiveness measures tested and the impact on student growth.  Update will be provided by PDE staff and consultant (Sharon Brumbaugh and Terry Barnaby).

While there is no registration fee, seating is limited and an RSVP is required.

You can RSVP on-line at http://www.eplc.org/forum_westernpa.html or by faxing the attached form back to EPLC.

I hope you will be able to join us. 

In addition, please feel free to share this information with colleagues who may like to attend.

Ron Cowell

____________________

Ronald Cowell

The Education Policy and Leadership Center

800 North Third Street, Suite 408

Harrisburg, PA 17102

www.eplc.org

 

Thanks to our Sponsors

Western Pennsylvania Regional Breakfast Series – Pennsylvania Education Policy Forum

A+ Schools

AFT Pennsylvania

Association of Pennsylvania State College and

     University Faculties

Center for Educational Leadership - University of

     Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education

Educational Testing Service (ETS)

OnHand Schools

Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and

     Secondary School Principals

Pennsylvania Association of Intermediate Units

Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools

Pennsylvania Association of Pupil Services                            

    Administrators

Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators

Pennsylvania Association for Supervision and       

     Curriculum Development

Pennsylvania Council for the Arts

Pennsylvania School Boards Association

Pennsylvania State Education Association

Braddock Mayor Arrested, Cited For Trespassing - News Story - WPXI Pittsburgh

He wasn't in a protest. He was trying to strike up a conversation.

“I went down there with no press release, no media notification whatsoever. It was a sincere effort on my part to restart the dialogue,” Fetterman told Channel 11.

Yeah, if I'm not there, on the sidewalk, start without me.

Come on UPMC.

Heads in the Game: Football dads don't let fear keep their sons out of sport

Heads in the Game: Football dads don't let fear keep their sons out of sport

Ugh.

Coach Ellis, in new Philly pool, formerly of Pittsburgh

There was an attempt by some in Pittsburgh to get the Salvation Army grant from the Krock Foundation, but it was a fleeting try. One site talked about in Pittsburgh was the site of the former Penguin practice ice in the South Side.

The statement by Coach Ellis about access to facilities is the sticking point to what we face in Pittsburgh in the past. We have pools. We don't have clear access to the swim pools. We can't get pool permits and a facilities use agreement that makes any sense to the students, citizens and taxpayers.

Collier: As we evolve, our sports must evolve, too

Collier: As we evolve, our sports must evolve, too: "This is where we are: With an epidemic of concussions blazing through schoolboy football (22,000 a year in Pennsylvania alone), and a leap forward in the clinical understanding of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (the likely scientific answer to questions like 'What killed Mike Webster, Terry Long, Andre Waters, et al.?'), we are now viewing football through a new prism of risk. Which is why I wanted to talk this week with Dr. Micky Collins, who walks on both sides of that prism."

Hey, you. Get off of my cloud.

Spanish woman claims ownership of sun: "After billions of years the Sun finally has an owner - a woman from Spain's soggy region of Galicia says she has registered the star at a local notary public."

After billions of years the Sun finally has an owner - a woman from Spain's soggy region of Galicia said onFriday she had registered the star at a local notary public as being her property.
Angeles Duran, 49, told the online edition of daily El Mundo she took the step in September after reading about an American man who had registered himself as the owner of the moon and most planets in our Solar System.
There is an international agreement which states that no country may claim ownership of a planet or star, but it says nothing about individuals, she added.
"There was no snag, I backed my claim legally, I am not stupid, I know the law. I did it but anyone else could have done it, it simply occurred to me first."
The document issued by the notary public declares Duran to be the "owner of the Sun, a star of spectral type G2, located in the centre of the solar system, located at an average distance from Earth of about 149 600 000km".
Duran, who lives in the town of Salvaterra do Mino, said she now wants to slap a fee on everyone who uses the sun and give half of the proceeds to the Spanish government and 20% to the nation's pension fund.
She would dedicate another 10% to research, another 10% to ending world hunger - and would keep the remaining 10% herself.
"It is time to start doing things the right way, if there is an idea for how to generate income and improve the economy and people's well-being, why not do it?" she asked.

PA Leadership starting in 2011

Senate Republican (Majority) Caucus Leaders are:

* President Pro Tempore – Joe Scarnati (R-25)
* Majority Leader - Dominic Pileggi (R-9)
* Majority Whip – Pat Browne (R-16)
* Caucus Chair – Mike Waugh (R-28)
* Caucus Secretary – Bob Robbins (R-50)
* Caucus Administrator – TBD
* Appropriations Chair – Jake Corman (R-34)
* Policy Chair – TBD

Senate Democratic (Minority) Caucus Leaders are:

* Minority Leader – Jay Costa (D-43)
* Minority Whip – Michael O’Pake (D-11)
* Caucus Chair – Anthony Williams (D-8)
* Caucus Secretary – Christine Tartaglione (D-2)
* Caucus Administrator – Lisa Boscola (D-18)
* Appropriations Chair – Vincent Hughes (D-7)
* Policy Chair – Richard Kasunic (D-32)

House Republican (Majority) Caucus Leaders are:

* Speaker of the House – Sam Smith (R-66)
* Majority Leader – Mike Turzai (R-28)
* Majority Whip – Stan Saylor (R-94)
* Caucus Chair – Sandra Major (R-111)
* Caucus Secretary – Mike Vereb (R-150)
* Caucus Administrator – Dick Stevenson (R-8)
* Appropriations Chair – William Adolf (R-165)
* Policy Chair – Dave Reed (R-62)

House Democratic (Minority) Caucus Leaders are:

* Minority Leader – Frank Dermody (D-33)
* Minority Whip – Mike Hanna (D-76)
* Caucus Chair – Dan Frankel (D-23)
* Caucus Secretary – Jennifer Mann (D-132)
* Caucus Administrator – Ron Buxton (D-103)
* Appropriations Chair – Joe Markosek (D-25)
* Policy Chair – Mike Sturla (D-96)

On the road again. Musings and mutterings by David Batzofin: Open water action at Heia Safari this weekend.

Insights into an open water swim in South Africa. They have a series of events at this setting. This would be a great excuse to return there -- and enter Erik and Grant into the race.

On the road again. Musings and mutterings by David Batzofin: Open water action at Heia Safari this weekend.: "Open water swimming enthusiasts can look forward to some exciting swimming at the Time Freight Heia 1000 Series 2 that takes place at Lake Heritage at Heia Safari Ranch near Muldersdrift on Sunday 28th November 2010.
The Time Freight Heia 1000 is the second event that will be held at the Heia Safari Ranch this summer and is an official seeding event for the world famous aQuella Midmar Mile which takes place at the Midmar Dam near Howick on the 12th and 13th February 2011."

On another front, it would be FANTASTIC if we could host an open water series in Pittsburgh too.

When government doesn't respond, volunteers make calls to city hall

When government doesn't respond, volunteers make calls to city hall

When Knoxville activist and Democratic Committeeman Thomas Coppola needed help getting a lot cleaned up, he spent months pleading with the city's Bureau of Building Inspection and other officials.

Then he called Donna Wielock and Arlene Trost. Within a week, the lot had been tidied.

"I hear they don't even get paid up there," Mr. Coppola said. "They're volunteers."

It may be difficult to fight city hall, as the saying goes, but Ms. Wielock and Ms. Trost can help even the odds. From noon to 3 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, they staff City Councilman Bruce Kraus' satellite office in Arlington.

Why not buy the lot? Own it. Fix it. Clean it. Do it yourself.

The BBI (Bureau of Building Inspection) does not act as a clean up crew. Bark up the wrong tree and get nothing done. Or, bark up the right tree and get tidy. Or, just don't bark at all and tidy and get tidy.

Volunteers are great. I love volunteers. Volunteers are a key to fixing the ills of the city government and city schools. But we need some wisdom too. Nagging isn't really what I'd call volunteering. Nagging can be a step on that pathway, but it isn't all there is to it. But, within the Democratic Committee in the city, nagging is the heart and soul of purpose.

Longtime residents and community activists, Ms. Wielock and Ms. Trost acknowledged knowing who to call to get something done -- but declined to give any specifics. The two have been known to break bureaucratic logjams with sweet talk, heart-rending tales and appeals to civic pride.

"By the time you get off the phone with them, you don't even know what you've agreed to," said Matt Hogue, Mr. Kraus' chief of staff.

Each of the city's nine council members has a small office and staff in the City-County Building, Downtown. The city budget makes no provision for satellite offices, so a council member generally meets constituents at coffee shops, senior centers or similar venues to spare them a trip to Grant Street.

In April, at the suggestion of Ms. Wielock and Ms. Trost, Mr. Kraus established a satellite office -- a room in the Allegheny County Adult Probation's Day Reporting Center at 2320 Arlington Ave.

The county provided the room rent-free. Ms. Kraus came up with a computer and phone, then turned Ms. Wielock and Ms. Trost loose. The results, he said, have exceeded his expectations.

Mr. Coppola said he spent months trying to help a neighbor who wanted a contractor to clean up the broken concrete and other debris left behind after a city-ordered house demolition.

While city officials told him, "It's done. It's over. It's acceptable," Mr. Coppola disagreed. "You could not run a lawn mower over the property," he said.

After encountering Ms. Wielock and Ms. Trost at a community meeting, he said, he decided to ask their help. About two years after walking off the job, Mr. Coppola said, the contractor returned to tidy up.

Ms. Trost said she and Ms. Wielock "made some phone calls."

They declined to give any specifics. Modesty, perhaps. Closed source, doubtful. Generous with the wisdom, but only with in-person, in-party, in-problemed, on-phone issues.

Matt Hogue offers up a great quote of cluelessness. "By the time you get off the phone with them, you don't even know what you've agreed to," said Matt Hogue. Come on Matt. You gotta know. Don't be a puppet. Don't flap in the wind.

The expectations of Mr. Kraus are out paced by two volunteers, a free rent office, a computer and a phone. What does that say about his expectations?

Fw: Register now for Post-Turkey election integity event!

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

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From: VotePA <pennsylvaniavoter@comcast.net>

Date: Wed, 24 Nov 2010 11:40:02 -0500 (EST)

To: <mark@rauterkus.com>

ReplyTo: pennsylvaniavoter@comcast.net

Subject: Register now for Post-Turkey election integity event!

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ELECTION INTEGRITY UPDATE Please come to the Third Annual Pennsylvania Voters Coalition Symposium Building a Voter-Friendly Election System Thursday, December 2, 2010 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Rachel Carson State Office Building · 400 Market Street, Harrisburg, Pa 17101 Building a Voter-Friendly Election System is the theme of the Pennsylvania Voters Coalition third annual symposium on Thursday, December 2 in Harrisburg. There will be plenty of discussion on the future of election reform, with guest speakers and panelists including Secretary of State Basil Merenda and legislative leaders from both sides of the aisle.  The transition team representing Governor-elect Tom Corbett has been invited too. Come and bring your concerns and questions.   Workshops will include:  Building a Voter-Friendly Election System;  Strengthening Relationships with County Election Officials; Election Protection and Policy Solutions; Protecting the "Voting Vulnerable"; and Making PA's Voting Machines Safe and Accurate. VotePA founder Marybeth Kuznik will facilitate the session on voting machines; we invite you to participate because in the past year there have been many new developments (and threats) regarding the equipment and methods through which we cast our votes.   To register, see this brochure.  Deadline is listed as November 25, but it is likely that limited seating may still be available after that date. Come, learn, and help shape the future of Pennsylvania's elections... Sign up today!   Support VotePA As we approach the holidays, please remember that VotePA has been working hard for open, accessible and accurate voting in Pennsylvania. To continue doing this, WE NEED YOUR HELP. You can make a one-time donation or pledge much-needed monthly support HERE. If you prefer, please make your check or money order payable to VotePA and mail it to: VotePA 6093 Pleasant Valley Road Irwin, PA 15642 Please -- do this today. And thank you for your support of fair and accurate elections in Pennsylvania!  VotePA is a non-profit, non-partisan alliance of groups and individuals dedicated to voting rights and election integrity. We are the leading statewide advocacy group specializing in voting machines and voting systems. Our goal is to protect every vote in Pennsylvania with a paper ballot and audit every election. For more information about us, please visit our website at VotePA.us . You can also connect with us here    and here  VotePA is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization. As such we are free to lobby for changes in our laws to improve our elections, but donations are not deductible for tax purposes at this time.

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