Thinking about 1977, again. As we tune up for the 30th High School Reunion

I've been working for a number of months with a small crew of other high school classmates. The Penn Hills High School 30th reunion is slated for Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. More than 300 will gather in a ballroom at the Monroeville Expo Mart - Radisson.

So, let's turn back the clock.

Another on the committe pulled these images from an old catalog from that period.

Liberty Decides: Quest for the Libertarians for the office of President of the United States

FROM THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY:
Dear Libertarian,

Want to send a message to the men and women who will select the next LP presidential candidate?

Now you can!

This past Friday, we launched an exciting new program, Liberty Decides '08. The program is a bold one, as it establishes a competitive process for our pre-nomination presidential candidates.

The rules of the program are pretty clear. To participate and be considered a Liberty Decides '08 "qualified" candidate, individuals must meet three criteria:

They must be constitutionally qualified and be willing to accept the LP nomination per our national bylaws.

They must have filed with the Federal Election Commission.

They must have raised at least $5,000 for the LNC or for one of our state affiliates for ballot access purposes.

Once qualified, candidates will be promoted through the Internet, mail and within our publication, LP News. Qualified candidates will be ranked in the order of the funds they have raised for the program.

Additionally, 40% of funds raised through the program will be set aside for 2008. Once our delegates decide the presidential candidate in our national convention next year, the funds will be used for promotion and media in coordination with our presidential nominee.

If all goes well with this program, we'll have a small chest of funds set aside to be used as soon as our presidential candidate is chosen. I'm excited about this, as we'll be able to kick-start the campaign on our own, since we know the mainstream media won't do it for us.

Liberty Decides '08 is a win-win for our delegates, the LP as a whole and our candidates.

• Delegates will benefit from this "interview process" and will be able to make a deeply informed decision. A significant reason why we run a presidential candidate is to grow the party. This is done by fundraising and attracting new members to the LP. Liberty Decides '08 tests the skills of our candidates BEFORE our national convention.
• The Libertarian Party will benefit as state parties and the national party will receive fundraising and recruitment assistance from the field of candidates. While 40% of the funds raised for the LNC will be set aside, the remaining 60% will go toward "core functions" such as ballot access, media and new member recruitment.
• Our presidential candidates will benefit because they are now in a transparent, competitive process that Libertarians can get excited about. Candidates qualified for the program will receive more promotion and, if they win the nomination, their campaign should get more help than ever before from the national party.

Please take the time today to visit the Liberty Decides '08 page on LP.org. You can find it by navigating to www.lp.org/libertydecides. Once there, show your support for a pre-nomination presidential candidate by making a donation to the LP. You can donate by clicking on the candidate's photo on the page or on their custom donation link.

Now, due to the quantity of respectful e-mails, letters and phone calls that I receive from our own members, even if I tried, I could not ignore the fact that many Libertarians are excited about the candidacy of Dr. Ron Paul for the Republican nomination. In no way, shape or form, can I ignore the positive impact Dr. Paul's campaign is making on America. I'm not asking you to do that either.

If you are a supporter of the Paul campaign and you want to send a message to the delegates of the 2008 Libertarian National Convention, you have the option to do so with this new program. If you are hopeful that Ron Paul (or another candidate) will seek the LP nomination, even as a "Plan B," you can make a donation to show your support for a future/unannounced candidate (please include your preferred candidate's name in the comment box when donating). Also, if you feel that the LP should not run a presidential candidate in 2008, you can put your support behind NOTA (none of the above).

Either way, your funds will be used to support a party that has served as a champion of Liberty for over 35 years.

Please be sure to check the Liberty Decides '08 page frequently, as results will change regularly. Any contributions that you can make to the program will be deeply appreciated.

Also, I'll send you a note later this week to announce a Web chat with one of the three candidates currently qualified for Liberty Decides '08.

In Liberty,

Shane Cory, Executive Director
Libertarian National Committee

Rendell allies look west for 2010 heir | Philadelphia Inquirer - Talking about Dan Onorato

Rendell allies look west for 2010 heir | Philadelphia Inquirer | 11/18/2007 Some of Gov. Rendell's top Philadelphia-area fund-raisers are backing a Western Pennsylvanian for governor in 2010, hoping to avoid a protracted battle for the Democratic nomination.

While the governor has remained neutral, allies as close as David L. Cohen, once Rendell's mayoral chief of staff, will host a reception today for Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato.

Isn't it great how Allegheny County is now is such wonderful condition. It we all knew it would have been this easy to fix, we could have put up Onorato for the Gov's mansion a long time ago. Well, but I guess he wouldn't have been able to take credit for fixing up things as the County Controller or as a city council member.

Perhaps we should get Mark Roosevelt to run for the US Senate to fill in after Snarlin Arlen retires -- then we'll have all the schools in tip-top shape too.

Facebook | Save Schenley

Facebook | Save Schenley: "Save Schenley "

UPDATE: The link is gone as of 2010.

Pittsburgh Superintendent Gives Reasons For Closing Schenley - Education News Story - WPXI Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Superintendent Gives Reasons For Closing Schenley - Education News Story - WPXI PittsburghShortly before noon Monday, Superintendent Mark Roosevelt revealed insight into the current facility conditions of Schenley High School that prompted the district's recommendation to close the facility and relocate its students for the 2008-2009 school year.

Roosevelt said the ventilation system in the school has not operated properly in over a decade. He also said there's plaster cracking and falling, exposing asbestos.

To fix the problems, it would cost the district $64 million. Roosevelt said nothing has been done to the building in 80 years.

The Rev. Ricky Burgess, D, new to council come January 2008, reads this blog. But, Mark Roosevelt doesn't, I guess.

Schenley has a new gym and swim pool. It isn't 80 or 90 years old.

Schenley's windows are just five years old.

Nothing has been done to the building = LIE.

Hell, they just did hundreds of patches. Nothing = LIE.

Meanwhile, there isn't a varsity swim pool at Frick nor the other middle school that will be a high school.

How much has been done at Frick? There is plaster there that is falling down too.

How much has been done to Milliones Middle School? That is what it is.

What has happened at Schenley in the past 80+ years -- the education of our kids.

Now the price is $42-million. We already saved $20-million on the price tag in the past weeks.

Schenley should not be retired. Rather, lie making politicans should retire. At least he should retire the lies, such as the Pittsburgh Promise.

Journalist in Pittsburgh -- how about some follow up questions!

ChrisBrogan's AttentionUpgrade: A Conversation with the commnity about Digital Relationships

Chris B has a new podcast / vcast.

ChrisBrogan's AttentionUpgrade: A Conversation with the commnity about Digital Relationships: "What is this Blog About? Attention Upgrade is a daily (we hope) videoblog about what has Chris Brogan's attention and how it might upgrade your day."

Today is the professor's day on Grant Street

2 Political JunkiesToday is Randy Pausch Day in the City of Pittsburgh

Perhaps the professor can be the guarding angle for Pittsburgh's Youth Technology Summit.

The CMU chair said that the professor is now "off the scene." I know that. We need help from above.

Jazz up your life with a musical remix

Now, for your listening enjoyment, music with a Creative Commons license.

ccMixter Welcome to ccMixter This is a community music site featuring remixes licensed under Creative Commons, where you can listen to, sample, mash-up, or interact with music in whatever way you want.

Boston police plan to search youths' homes for guns - The Boston Globe

Boston police plan to search youths' homes for guns - The Boston Globe Boston police are launching a program that will call upon parents in high-crime neighborhoods to allow detectives into their homes, without a warrant, to search for guns in their children's bedrooms.

Another KDKA Radio Show - Sunday evening

Mark Brentley will be appearing on the Chris Moore Show on KDKA Radio (1020 AM) tonight between 6-7 pm TONIGHT (Sunday)! He said that he wants people to call in with their questions and concerns about the Schenley Issue. I believe the number to call during the live show is: 412.333.KDKA

PLEASE CALL WITH ANY QUESTIONS , CONCERNS, OR COMMENTS!!!!!!

Please forward this message on to the Schenley Supporters.

I'm at the Oliver Bath House for an elem school swim practice from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. So, I'm mostly not able to attend.

Schenley High School topic of more letters to the editor in the papers

Letter #1:

The Schenley rush

I agree with your Sunday editorial that there are too many unanswered questions about Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Mark Roosevelt's rush to close Schenley High School ("School Test: The City's New Round of Reform Comes With Risk," Nov. 11). The most troubling questions are:

Why tear apart the school district's most positive model of integrated, urban education? Why split the Schenley student body into three separate schools? The proposed Hill District school, in particular, will reinforce the de facto segregation that the Schenley community has worked hard to prevent.

Why have the architectural and construction reports never been made public? Even the PG has been quick to assume that the reports accurately justify the Schenley building's demise, but these documents are not available for public scrutiny.

The district wants to combine students from sixth through 12th grades in one building with no plans to ensure their safety. Why are parents expected to accept the district's plan for these 6-12 schools when there are no finalized plans for us to evaluate?

How will high school students be transported to the Reizenstein and Hill District schools? Right now, there are many Port Authority buses that transport our students to Oakland. There are relatively few routes, however, to the two proposed locations. Why has this situation not been addressed and resolved?

We are expected to accept the district's plans without question or debate. Yet this rush to action looks like another Pittsburgh Promise -- an academic theory that does not involve the community or hold up to careful scrutiny. I urge the school board to delay splitting Schenley into three schools. And I demand that the district present us with real answers, not more empty promises.

JOAN STEVENSON Point Breeze

Letter #2 comes from Jen. Jen called into Marty's show Friday (blogged about below.) Her letter ran in the paper today. She is on the front lines in this quest for more info and accountability.

Show us the proof

I would like to clarify some of my remarks to the press over the last few days. I understand remarks need to be pared down for brevity's sake, but in the process my position has been distorted ("A Compromise for Schenley Students?" Nov. 15).

I am concerned that the Pittsburgh Public Schools and the board are pushing through radical reforms including the creation of 6-12 schools, elimination of neighborhood high schools, allowing uncertified and nonunion people to teach (at Milliones), eliminating Schenley and more -- all without fully informing the public and receiving input on the plan.

Superintendent Mark Roosevelt claims he received information eight weeks ago convincing him the situation at Schenley reached emergency status. Why wasn't that information made public? He claims that research shows 6-12 schools improve achievement. Where can the public see that research? He claims painful reform is necessary. I want him to prove to the district's children and parents that the trauma of having your school disbanded and reformed is necessary and preferable change through an open process that encourages community input and buy-in. My 15-year-old could have gotten those documents posted on Facebook in about 10 minutes. Why can't the school board and the district officials share?

I am not anti-reform. I simply want the board and the district to let the public make informed decisions and not waste more taxpayer money on ineffective reforms.

JENNIFER ENGLAND, Greenfield

Comments from Amy via email.

Many thanks to Joan and Jennifer for keeping the issues in everyone's mind. Saturday's Post-Gazette printed both letters to the editor. Joan's very clearly listed the main issues:

1. Why tear apart the school district's most positive model of integrated, urban education? The proposed Hill District school will reinforce the de facto segregation that the Schenley community has worked hard to prevent.

2. Why have the architectural and construction reports never been made public? Even the PG has been quick to assume that the reports accurately justify the Schenley building demise, but these documents are not available for public scrutiny.

3, Why are parents expected to accept the district's plan for 6-12 schools when there are no finalized plans for us to evaluate? (Amy's note: and we can find no documentation that combining these age groups is beneficial; we are still searching. If there are any education people out there who have any research sources on this subject, please let me know)

4. How will the high school students be transported to the new Reizenstein and Hill schools?

Jennifer strongly reinforces the point that we NEED accurate information. And she is so right about Facebook; in this electronic age, there is no excuse for not getting information out to the people concerned in a timely manner.

Another meeting was held today. I could not attend.

We did go to a nice concert today at CAPA. The boys were playing violin with Extreme Strings and Chello Fourte. What a gas.

At the end of the concert, I was not happy to hear all the gushing of thanks for the staff and administration. Sure, the parents got thanked too -- but they don't seem to understand a few important facts. That school is our building. We own it. We operate it. We pay for it. It isn't that of the janitors, the principal nor the superintendent. Certain people get paid -- because we pay them. They are not 'letting us use the building' as the building isn't theirs in the first place. Oh well. I'll rock the boat with another letter another time about that.

Pittsburgh Man Takes 1st At World Series Of Poker Event - Pittsburgh News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Man Takes 1st At World Series Of Poker Event - Pittsburgh News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh Williams said once he takes care of the taxes, his goals for the winnings are to take the money and put it down on a new condo.

Come Live Over Here! Hope the condo is in the city!

Bloomfield-Garfield group still banks on partnership - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Too bad the Dems didn't nominate a county executive who thinks and acts like this.

Bloomfield-Garfield group still banks on partnership - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review He was introduced to Rick Swartz of Bloomfield-Garfield Corp., which eventually would act as an accountant for Garfield Youth Sports, now funded mostly by state and local grants.

Jones recalled Swartz saying: 'Don't worry about the money. Let's worry about structuring the program, getting some good people. The money will come.'

Rick Swartz could have run for mayor in 2007 and Mark DeSantis could have run for County Executive.

It's Light Up Night. So,.... I'm spreading some cheer. Seems I was a bit busy when this aired a couple of weeks ago.

Jay Leno, The Sex Pistols and Ron Paul!

Ron Paul 2008 › CNN-YouTube Debate Ad Competition

Ron Paul 2008 › CNN-YouTube Debate Ad Competition: "Create a Ron Paul Ad for the CNN/YouTube Debate!"

Institute for Justice, E.D, Rec Center - Less Government, More Jobs and Freedom for Pennsylvanians

Save Our Gym!

Libertarian Party of Pittsburgh — Less Government, More Jobs and Freedom for Pennsylvanians Pittsburgh residents are all too familiar with “eminent domain”, the constitutionally sanctioned practice where governments take private land for legitimate public uses.

Watch the Reason TV show from Drew Carey.

Pro Bono offer to examine Schenley High School was delivered to Mark Roosevelt

They say it will cost $60-million to fix up Schenley High School. They say that Schenley presents safety and asbestos problems. Bigger lies can only be found with the Pittsburgh Promise.

We all know now that the Pittsburgh Promise is a big-fat-hairy lie. Same with Schenley's condition and its value to the region as a high school.

Those reports that flipped the entire high school reform agenda into a crisis condition has NOT been made available to the public for eight weeks.

New news -- a big firm with great experiences and local interests sent a letter to the Superintendent of Pgh Public Schools, Mark Roosevelt, asking for an opportunity to do an evaluation of Schenley in a pro-bono capacity.

What's up with that?

Saving Schenley - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Saving Schenley - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review A suggestion to all those supporters of keeping Schenley High School from being razed: Contact PNC Financial Services Group and tell CEO Jim Rohr to return the $48 million in public subsidies PNC got for its Downtown skyscraper to help offset the renovation of the school.

What is his number?

South Side restaurant fights for sidewalk dining

The system is sure to fail when the pump is primed with folly.

Doug Shields said the need for a public hearing about a fence represents a "failure in the system." Bingo!

We could play pin the tail on the failure.

"A business owner needs to know what the heck the landscape is," Shields said.

Here is a hint at the landscape, Mr. Shields. In the world of Bruce Kraus, expect to see the attitude: "To the victor go the spoils."

Furthermore, Kraus will kick up some dust and that dust won't settle -- unless some others come into the scene to clean it up and charge the taxpayers along the way. Kraus will send dozens of do-nothing deals to the legal department, or to consultants, or to advisors, or to task forces, or to some other new growth of municipal government, if not the county and state. We'll see over-reaching without any grip. The process from the new council-member in D3 will be filled with chatter from him, "Mine, mine, mine... When it breaks, the urgently not mine provision kicks in."

Kraus said he expected the city's legal department would review the matter to create a more precise definition of permanence.

South Side restaurant fights for sidewalk dining - Pittsburgh Tribune-ReviewKraus disagrees. He says structures like the Folino's fence bring the bar scene outside into the public space.

Kraus said he wants to change the perception that East Carson Street is just a place where people go to drink.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL - Blair helping hometown Panthers win

FOX Sports on MSN - COLLEGE BASKETBALL - Blair helping hometown Panthers win PITTSBURGH - Pitt's enormous 6-7, 275-pound freshman center DeJuan Blair grew up in the Hill District, living in a townhouse right behind the VA Hospital just 200 yards from the Peterson Events Center. He began making himself a local legend just a mile up the road at fabled Schenley High School, where he became the best player the city has produced since Sam Clancy — a 6-7, big-boned clone who went on to become an NFL defensive end — from Fifth Ave. in 1977, leading his prep team to a three-year record of 56-0 in city league play and the PIAA 4A State championship his senior year.