Open Office . Org

This is a joke. But, have you used OpenOffice.Org yet?

Nice site, http://www.openofficetips.com/

More state funding for needier schools in Rendell's proposed budget

More state funding for needier schools in Rendell's proposed budget Mr. Rendell said the proposed change in basic education funding would lift 132 districts above $9,030 per pupil but still would leave 21 below that target.

Pittsburgh isn't one of them.

The city schools already spend $15,173 per student. The district would benefit from the governor's basic education funding plan, anyway, because it calls for an increase of at least 2 percent for all school districts.

Pittsburgh's basic education funding would increase from $127.8 million to $130.3 million, not including special education, busing, food service and other separately funded programs. Almost a quarter of the school district's $533.6 million budget comes from state basic education funding.

Ed Gainey, once removed from ballot -- trys again

Ed Gainey to enter state House race: "Ed Gainey to enter state House race

Saturday, February 11, 2006

Ed Gainey, a former assistant to former Mayor Tom Murphy, today will formally announce his second bid to unseat state Rep. Joseph Preston, D-East Liberty.

Mr. Gainey, 35, will announce his candidacy at 11 a.m. at the Kingsley Association on Frankstown Avenue, Larimer.

Mr. Gainey won the party's endorsement over Mr. Preston two years ago, but he was removed from the ballot by court order due to problems with his nominating petitions.

Mr. Preston has held the office since 1983.

Perception is reality with police station closure

No major effects from station closing - PittsburghLIVE.com By Karen Roebuck and Mark Houser

The closing of the West End police station has not significantly affected crime in the area.

Here there is a story, and a story behind the story. Or, stories that dangle after the story.

On face value, the crime stats might be such that the loss of the police station was not a big deal in terms of crime prevention. That is understood. The police have said many times that they don't just hang out in the police station and wait for a call from 911 and then rush out to the neighborhood from the police station. The police cruise the neighborhoods (or zones) and are not going to the scenes from the police station. So, the police coverage in each zone is about the same even without a physical police station around the corner.

That part of the discussion is given and is where the news article goes. But there is more to think about.

First, the crime statistics are now being questioned. This was blogged about a while ago here. A candidate question was put out about rummor reports being more accurate than police reports. Then on the night of the AFC Championship Game, ZERO arrests were reported, from the police. That was questioned as good "spin" and not what really happened. The police might not have made an arrest, and released those people, but there were linger questions. What happens on the paper reports and what happens on the streets is hard to justify.

"It follows the trend of the city," said Pittsburgh police Deputy Chief William Mullen. "The crime rate hasn't been this low since 1996."

Well, when the paperwork isn't trusted, that's bad.

Residents, community activists and some politicians have called for reopening the station ever since it closed. The 17 neighborhoods it once served now are covered by the Zone 3 station in the South Side.

The big voice here in question is that of Mayor Bob O'Connor. Bob made a campaign promise. We're wondering if the promise is to come true or not.

Theresa Smith, founder of the Southwest Community Coalition, which is fighting for the reopening of the station, questioned the validity of the statistics.

"The bottom line for us is, we want our police station open," she said. "I don't think these statistics bear any weight on whether we feel safe in the community."

Exactly.

Elliott and Mt. Washington are the only two neighborhoods once served by the old Zone 4 station that have endured significant increases in major crime from 2003-05. I guess if you are in those neighborhoods, or if crime happened to you, that's significant enough.

Residents are moving out of the area as a result, she said. YES, this is where we need to put our larger focus. What about home sales? What about the population loss? What about home values? What about school-aged children in local schools?

This brain-drain and population loss in Pittsburgh has been such a big story, from time to time. But, the links between police station and schools to the overall exodus of our citizens, (our families and friends), is seldom made in the media.

For example, the city council raised parking taxes. The parking tax generated more money for the city. But, in turn, how many companies moved out of the city? How many more are getting ready to leave as the next opportunity presents itself? In the first six months, or the first two years, a higher tax is going to generally make more money -- but -- it is going to kill us in the long run.

Later, we'll lower the tax and it won't really help in the inverse. If the tax dropps later, as I have proposed in my policy planks, it might only be enough to get more of today's workers to drive to work rather than take the bus. The later tax drop won't be with enough sizzle to get new workers or expanded workers employed in real jobs town.

The police brass review neighborhood crime statistics -- and those statistics are NOT open enough to the citizens.

Right Sized School Plans -- it is getting better

The Right-Sized plans from Mr. Roosevelt are online at PghBOE.Net. Many great changes are within the new edition of the plan.

I'm glad that they are going to 'think again' about Schenley High School.

It is good that Friendship gets a school.

It is fine to get the K-5 kids out of Greenway Middle School.

I'm glad that the Rodgers Middle School move could still happen -- perhaps next year -- to a more central location. Thinking again on that school move is welcomed.

I'm sad that there isn't anything in there about the pre-k programs.

I'm sad that Knoxville is slated to close. But, perhaps that school can be a home to the Creative and Performing Arts Middle School a year from now.

I'm not happy that the school on the western edge of the city, already with a rehab, isn't going to re-open.

Bergwin is still slated to close and that is WRONG. The district needs to make a move to expand with Duquesne (not university). Bergwin is important for that flexibility. Hazelwood can make a comeback -- but without Bergwin, it will be nearly impossible. And, the numbers used to justify the closing of Bergwin were not accurate, so I hear.

The folks of Hazelwood didn't put up a big stink when Gladstone was lost, first as a high school around the time of the closing of Fifth Avenue HS. And later as a Middle School. But the conventional wisdom and promises that were give with the shut down was to spare Bergwin. That was a great compromise -- and a deal -- that just shattered. Another broken promise, I guess.

Bergwin's test scores, attendance and pre-school were making serious strides upward.

When is a K-8 school not a K-8 school

I've been trying to get my head around this concept in the Pittsburgh Public School's plan to "Right Size" -- but -- how right is it to claim a school is K-8 when it isn't K-8?

Is the plan to right size and wrong name?

It seems to me that a new agenda for getting schools that educate students from grades K to 8 should have classes of each of those grades. And, if there is research that shows that there is an educational benefit to these schools that are K-8 -- but we only call them K-8 and really have two schools, one K-4 and the other 5-8, (or whatever ), then can we expect that the educational advantages might be absent too?

I sorta like K-8 schools and the concept that they bring to a city and family. But, if I send my kids to a K-8 school and one child is in grade 2 and the other is in grade 5, and they are in different buildings, then this is not a K-8 school.

The trap that the school district falls into -- as well as with other public organizations -- is to look at the world from their perspective. It is more about the kids, the families, the tax-payers, the general community. If one principal covers two buildngs, fine. But don't expect to sell the idea that those two buildings make one K-8 school. For a parent who drops off and picks up kids at two buildings, it isn't one K-8 school.

So, my question within this post deals with the coupled schools. Where are they in releation to each other?

Next we'll be snookered into a notion that PNC Park and Heinz Field are really one stadium. Yeah, right.

Yank, yank

The magnet program at Schenley High School is again open for registration. This program is the Robotics Technology program. Parents need to sign up at Schenley and the school officials fax the magnet applications to Pgh Public School's central administration offices.

Parents who withdrew their children from Schenley for the 2006-07 school year, because of their concern that Schenley's Oakland facility might close, should reapply now while the window is open.

Eight CC Skiers -- two from USA -- have rich blood and must sit

The Daily News Online Eight Olympic cross-country skiers, including two Americans and one former gold medalist, were suspended for five days after they were found to have excessive hemoglobin levels -- the first hint of scandal at the Turin Games.

The suspensions, announced Thursday by the International Ski Federation, last five days from the day the tests were administered. The U.S. Ski Association said the tests were taken Wednesday, meaning the athletes will be barred from competition until at least Monday.

When you work hard, and screw up, that's a shame. But, people do it, sadly.

This is hard news to understand. We'll be dealing with this a church this Sunday.

A 13-year-old boy is dead after playing a choking game, where young people try to get a quick high by being choked with ropes or belts. The parents of the Mount Lebanon boy warned others of the dangers of the game, which has been deadly for other young people throughout the country in recent weeks.

Our kids are precious. And, our kids come to us without much of anything. They grow, and they have energy -- but they need so much. It is such a blessing to give.

In times like these, our priorities get a wake-up call.

Image Gap -- going south of the border

The Loft - Blog Archive - Policy, Not PR, Key to Better Image for Mexico Suffering what officials describe as “Mexico bashing,” the government has hired a Dallas-based public relations firm to fix its image. Unfortunately, the fix to the problem has nothing to do with PR and everything to do with policy.

According to a story in the Washington Times, the PR firm Allyn & Co. has been hired by the Mexican government "to polish its image amid rising concerns in the United States over illegal immigration and a growing sentiment in Congress to better secure the border with Mexico."

“I can’t think of a worse time of Mexico bashing in recent history than now,” embassy spokesman Rafael Laveaga told The Washington Times. “Unfortunately, we don’t find any positive viewpoints."

The Fox administration has criticized efforts in Congress to upgrade the government’s control of the U.S.-Mexico border, including pending legislation that would authorize the construction of nearly 700 miles of high-security fencing and designate illegal entry as a felony."

Has Tom Murphy left New Orleans?

My call to Double Ms sports talk show - ESPN Radio

Mark Madden, back from the hospital, is on the radio again. He really ripped upon Dan Onorato(Allegheny County's Chief Executive) and Bob O'Connor (mayor). Double M love hockey and really wants to keep the Penguins in town. He isn't alone in those desires.

KDKA radio had an interview with the politician earlier -- and a recap was delivered to the listeners via the show host. It is hard to do a recount of the conversations on the air in a civil way -- as he ripped, as he generally does.

I called the show. I had four or five serious questions to put to him, but after the first I got clicked off the air.

I said something like this, "I think it would be great if the Penguins got a new arena. But, I want Mario to keep it. Don't give it to the city. Keep it in private hands. Mario should operate it."

He said, "Why don't you want a free gift."

I said, "We are just able to keep our head above water as it is. The new arena is like an anchor that the city doesn't need at this time."

But it is a gift, he said. And the incomes it makes.

I said that the incomes are still going to be flowing to the city regardless of who owns the building. (more type but not on the air...) The city really only makes the taxes. And the taxes come from a building the city owns or from a building the Penguins or another private operator would own. That wasn't on the air.

I said that the public ownership of the new arena would take away valuable attention that goes beyond the scope of what government should be doing. Mario could do a better job of running and programming the building anyway.

I also said it would be great if the Steelers owned Heinz Field and the Pirates, or some other organization, not some authority madness, owned PNC Park too. The city doesn't need to own these facilities.

... click ...

I was off the air. I lost the cell reception and didn't know how he followed my conversation with additional comments.

Look at the long view of this, Penguin fans. If Mario and the Penguins own the building, then it is much harder for them to move the team. Owning the building puts roots into the community that isn't as fluid as owning a franchise in the NHL.

Furthermore, as a city resident, and city recreational leader, I want to have the city own facilities that we all can use and have access too. Our city's priorities have to be about raising our families here. I'd rather put energy and effort into recreation centers and kids rather than corporate boxes and season-ticket holders.

The Isle of Capri plan needs some major adjustments. And the first one -- IMHO -- is that the windfall for the building of the new arena should not end up with the building going to public ownership. Build it. Keep it.

Philadelphia Inquirer | 02/09/2006 | Philadelphia named Olympic 'partner'

We are worried about a hockey areana and a casino -- while at the other end of the state some are bucking for the Olympics in 2016.

Philadelphia Inquirer | 02/09/2006 | Philadelphia named Olympic 'partner': "On the eve of the start of the Winter Games in Italy, the U.S. Olympic Committee announced yesterday that it had chosen the Philadelphia region to be one of its community partners.

No, this does not mean that the 2016 Summer Games are coming here. But in the view of the man heading the effort to make that happen, such a designation can't hurt.

'We're glad to have the beginning of an official relationship with the USOC,' said Joseph M. Torsella, who, as head of the city's informal organizing committee, has been working behind the scenes for months. 'We hope this is the start of a long and beautiful friendship.'

It remains unclear whether any U.S. city will be allowed to bid for 2016. The USOC is promising to address the matter after the close of the Paralympic Games on March 19 in Turin.

But becoming a community partner indicates that Philadelphia is ready to mount a serious bid if and when the competition starts.

Casino details hidden - PittsburghLIVE.com

All the king's horses and all the king's men, won't be able to fix Pittsburgh again. The secrecy stinks and it is why Pittsburgh still has its "smokey city" image. The smoke isn't from mills full of hard-working men making products for the rest of the world. Today's smoke is from status quo politicians who work hard to hold onto what little power they have for all the wrong reasons.

Casino details hidden - PittsburghLIVE.com: "n Pittsburgh, however, the slots application process is still shrouded in secrecy. The applicants have talked about their proposals, but the state and city refuse to make the details public."

URA approves sale of property for library - PittsburghLIVE.com

Over-reaching stinks. We have had enough of the broken promises. Cut the chatter. Putting up a library is fine. But don't go and claim that the library, moving from one corner to another, makes a "significant economic generator" and a "resource and beacon" for the economically depressed Hill District. Give us a break.

Perhaps this is why Hazelwood is thriving now, because the library moved to the main street above a laundry. How many new jobs moved there? -- Zippo? --

Now that the Library owns the space for $1, does that mean it can knock down how much it gets in RAD funding?

Furthermore, this is still the sale of a bit of property that won't turn into tax-payer land. I would rather give a lease for 99 years and now sell the property.

I would rather see a net shrinkage of all land owned and controlled by nonprofits. If they take that land, then twice or four-times the land should be made commercial again.

The URA owns a ton of land. The URA has way to much land. That land needs to be liquidated, in due measure. But to give the URA, a holding company, the mission to liquidate but only have the land be owned by nonprofits is even worse than what we need.

I love libraries. I really do. But, I'm not going to look at these transactions with blind spots to our city's overall health and fitness.

URA approves sale of property for library - PittsburghLIVE.com... the five-member URA board approved an $18 million tax-increment financing plan for the $170 million Three PNC Plaza project Downtown. Such plans allow cities to use money generated by increased property taxes to redevelop blighted areas.

The plan must have a public hearing and go before the city and county councils for consideration at the end of this month before it's approved. The Pittsburgh Public Schools board won't review the proposal until March and final approval might not happen until May.

I'm against all TIFs. I would not approve this TIF to PNC.

Nearly all of our town is designated as "blighted." We need to end blight -- by stopping the use and designation of the term, blight. Blight is a paperwork term that leads to more give-a-ways from the government, more eminent domain, more taxes for the home owners. Blight allows the politically connected to get theirs and the rest of the people to pay for it. And, the blight never goes away, it only gets worse.

This game of musical chairs, with a focus on blight, is just another way to confuse the public.

Linux Basics Tutorial on Saturday

Western PA Linux Users Group gathers to help new people to Linux on Saturday, February 11, 2006, from 10 am to 2:30 pm at Newell Simon Hall 3002. This meeting is FREE and open to the general public. Please invite your friends and coworkers so that they can see Linux.

Newell Simon Hall 3002, http://www.wplug.org/pages/wplugmap/

412 268 4998

Distribute fliers to promote this tutorial,
http://www.wplug.org/files/linuxbasicsho.pdf

Speaker: Beth Lynn Eicher
Host: Patrick Wagstrom

ABOUT THE TUTORIAL- LINUX BASICS
The tutorial will be a brief yet thorough overview of the Linux operating system. If you would like to get started and you would like a cram course in the basics, this class is for you. Maybe you just started using Linux however you feel like you are drowning in a sea of information. Fear not, we are here to help.

You may bring a computer along, but one is not required. We will be demonstrating a version of Linux called KNOPPIX with allows you to boot directly from the cdrom into a fully-functional Linux operating system without affecting the current contents of your hard drive. You can follow along with your own system to enhance the experience or just sit back and watch. If you do choose to bring your system, make sure to bring
everything (monitor, keyboard, mouse, power cords, power strips, etc.). We do have carts available to help you move your stuff into Newell Simon Hall 3002. Please be considerate and arrive before 11am with your computer so that we can get started at 11am sharp.

We encourage all to RSVP, especially if you are bringing your computer. However, if you did not RSVP, please come anyhow. Those who RSVP to rsvp@wplug.org will receive a free Knoppix CD.

If you have any questions about the event, special needs, or any topics you would like the tutorial to cover, please email rsvp@wplug.org

TOPICS WE WILL COVER
* Why use Linux
* Choosing a distribution
* Using the command line
* Installing programs - rpms and tars
* Security suggestions
* How not to get into trouble
* Basic desktop usage
* Using Knoppix as a rescue disk or as your main Linux desktop

SCHEDULE
* Doors will open at 10 am to NSH 3002
* Coffee and Doughnut Hour 10 am-11 am
* Linux Basics tutorial part I 11 am - Noon
* Geeks Eating Pizza Noon-ish - 1pm
($5 is suggested for pizza contribution)
* Linux Basics tutorial part II 1pm-2:30pm
* General Socialization 2:30pm-3pm

Other events: Saturday March 4, Installfest 10 am-5 pm Newell Simon Hall Atrium (3rd floor commons).

If you have any questions about this event or wplug in general, please
send mail to info@wplug.org

Questions I'll be giving answers to shortly

1) The City is expected to have a budget deficit in future years; do you support further cuts or an increase in taxes to resolve this issue?

2) How would you have voted on Act 47?

3) Tax Increment Financing is a very controversial issue because it is not being used as the legislation intended it to be used (i.e. redevelopment of brownfields). What will you do to prevent the misuse of TIF’s?

4) Which slots application do you support?

5) How will you implement community based development plans for each neighborhood in the District?

6) District 3 is home to the 2nd highest percentage of 18-24 year olds. How will you improve the vibrancy of the District to keep young people in Pittsburgh? Do you support an active night life, such as live performances and other arts?

7) Domestic partner rights are being threatened by state lawmakers. How will you protect same sex benefits for City employees?

8) City Council recently imposed a buffer zone around health care clinics. Will you work to enforce local laws that protect a woman’s right to choose?

9) What is your position on the Mon-Fayette Expressway? What forms of alternative transportation do you support to provide a solution to the region’s transportation problems?

10) What is your position on the strip mining of the Hays site for a racetrack/casino? What should the City do to proactively protect Hillsides and green space?

Nice guy finishes first | UGA | ajc.com

Steeler Nation, down south juking -- with them junk yard dawgs.

Nice guy finishes first | UGA | ajc.com: "Nice guy finishes first
By Chip Towers, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Really enjoyed watching the Super Bowl this past Sunday. I went in not sure who I was rooting for but it quickly became apparent that I wanted Pittsburgh to win. Why? Mainly because of Hines Ward.
I had the pleasure of covering Ward when he came to Georgia in 1994. I�d like to say I was the first who tabbed greatness for him but that wouldn�t be the truth. His high school coach at Forest Park, Mike Parris, told me while Ward was still being recruited that I�d see him flourish in the NFL some day. Now I�ve known Parris since we both attended Redan High School in the late 1970s but, impressive stats aside, I couldn�t see the type of world-class athleticism in Ward that my friend described, not in this slightly undersized but extremely versatile teenager. But I would get a first-hand look over the next four years as Ward played tailback, quarterback and wide receiver for the Dogs. Parris had said Ward could play virtually any position and, to this day, believes he would have been one of the best safeties in the game. I don�t doubt it now.
But what truly separated Ward was the type of person he was/is."

ThePittsburghChannel.com - News - Team 4: 'All-Out Assault' Planned On Media, Lawmaker Says

A sales tax on advertising. Give me a break.

ThePittsburghChannel.com - News - Team 4: 'All-Out Assault' Planned On Media, Lawmaker Says Team 4: 'All-Out Assault' Planned On Media, Lawmaker Says

SI.com - 2006 Winter Olympics - Scott Niedermayer to miss Games for Canada - Wednesday February 8, 2006 7:21PM

Closer -- but still no Penguin is headed to the Olympics.

SI.com - 2006 Winter Olympics - Scott Niedermayer to miss Games for Canada - Wednesday February 8, 2006 7:21PM Florida Panthers defenseman Jay Bouwmeester was added to the Canadian roster to take Niedermayer's place.

A special election will be held April 11 to replace Habay.

Humm.... What's up with this? Insights welcomed.