Valentine's Day Babysitting by 5th graders at Liberty School

Liberty Elementary (in Shadyside) is sponsoring a Valentine's Babysitting Service (on February 15th, the Friday evening following Valentine's Day) from 6–9 p.m. All proceeds will be used to help fund the 5th graders' trip in May to Washington, D.C., which they are really looking forward to!

Children aged 2 and up are welcome. They will be cared for (and entertained) by Liberty 5th graders, supervised by parents and staff.

See comments for more details.

Ron Paul matters.... proof

It was said that Ron Paul is NOT a factor in the GOP race. Well, I don't think that is true.

Yesterday, to the south, in West Virginia, a deal was hatched to get Ron Paul three delegates to the GOPers Big Dance -- out of 17 total. Interesting.

Ron Paul 2008 — Hope for America In an agreement first reported by West Virginia television station WSAZ, the three Ron Paul delegates were secured through an agreement with the Mike Huckabee campaign.

Ron Paul delegates to the state convention swung their support to Huckabee – putting Huckabee over the top – after Congressman Paul was eliminated in the first round of voting. With three national delegates, Ron Paul secured 17 percent of the 18 delegates that were decided at the State Convention.

Those who think they know it all are full of it. I don't know what's going to happen. But, I know that you have to show up first. Ron Paul is showing up.

Penn Hills Republican Committee

Regular Meetings on the third Tuesday of every month.

7:30pm @ Penn Hills Senior Center, Jefferson Road.

For more information contact Mike Myers at 412-373-0077 or pennhillsgop@verizon.net

I wonder what they have to say about the school district's coaching situations.

Coach Situation Divides Penn Hills Community

kdka.com - Coach Situation Divides Penn Hills CommunityCoach Situation Divides Penn Hills Community
PENN HILLS (KDKA) ― The controversy surrounding former Penn Hills Football Coach Neil Gordon fueled tensions at a packed school board meeting Tuesday night.

The district is divided over the decision not to renew his contract last month. Gordon led the team to five conference championships and playoff appearances for 10 consecutive years.

Another thread on another board.

Scout.com: Neil Gordon withheld recruiting letters? Neil Gordon withheld recruiting letters?

SWAT team around the corner on East Carson Street

I'm not going to live blog the police incident. We have to take the kids to school. But, we did gander out onto our deck, after hearing KQV's Walt G, reporter, say that there is the 8th, 9th and 10th shot from the roof of the Iron & Glass Bank into the apartment on the other side of the street.

Yep, we could see them. And, while we peeked, there were another 4 to 6 shots. The shots were soft-sounding. And, we could see a big puff of smoke. About six guys were on the roof of the building.

I know nothing else. Tell me -- or just make something up if you wish.

Have a nice day.

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Update at 9:09 AM: The situation on East Carson Street is over. The guy got away.

Meanwhile, a resident was walking to the South Side this morning, passing on the pedestrian bridge over the tracks, and sees this guy running like hell through the swampy, muddy area by the rail road tracks at the foot of the slopes. He is looking over his shoulder and in a huge hurry. This info gets told to the police at the scene, just 2 or 3 blocks away. "Hey guys, ..."

The response from the police then and there was that the guy they were looking for was in the apartment.

Life goes on.

Lock your doors.

Tactical tear-gas was shot into the apartment. It dissipates.

Video soon.

Dollars and Education Performance: Same Old Story

Policy Brief

An electronic publication of

The Allegheny Institute for Public Policy

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February 5, 2008 Volume 8, Number 8

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In the recently released Governor’s Report on State Performance, the pages are filled with the typical puffery about the Commonwealth’s accomplishments since the Governor took office. The usual items are highlighted; increases to the state’s economic indicators such as employment, per capita personal income and state gross domestic product—although as usual, there is little context for the state data in the form of comparisons to the U.S. or states with strong performances.

However, in an unusual twist, the Governor mentions the inadequate performance of the state’s education system, particularly Pennsylvania students’ performance in math when matched against those in other countries. This twist is out of character with the normal self administered back slapping tone of the rest of the report, but clearly this is nothing more than a ploy to justify throwing more dollars at education. Indeed, the Governor’s latest budget proposal calls for $290 million in additional education outlays for the coming fiscal year. A mere down payment on the massive $5 billion more in state spending the Commonwealth’s education lobby claims is necessary to lift all students to proficient levels in reading and math. A claim based on one of the most fatuous studies of education and spending every produced.

The Governor’s Report notes that only 38 percent of Pennsylvania’s students mastered math skills as measured by an internationally administered test while students in other countries, specifically Asian countries such as Singapore (73 percent), Hong Kong (66 percent), and Japan (57 percent) are doing remarkably better. Pointing out this deficiency is followed by this statement: “Ensuring that all children in the Commonwealth have access to an education that prepares them…is the goal of Pennsylvania’s publicly-supported education system.” The Report then lists the programs and money this administration has spent since taking office, such as “$2.4 billion in new state investments to schools” to make sure these students can compete in the “competitive knowledge-based economy”.

But what is not mentioned is how much these other countries spend to get the much better results they achieve. For example, in 2003 Japan spent about $7,500 per pupil whereas Pennsylvania spent $8,916.

Singapore recently (2006) spent about $6,500 per student (and that includes post-secondary) whereas Pennsylvania’s recent data (2005-06) show public school per pupil expenditures of more than $10,000. If the Governor wants to actually increase educational proficiencies, maybe he should consider options other than spending more money. Enlarge the corporate donation scholarship program and create a voucher program open to all, with per student vouchers worth at least 75 percent of the current per student spending in Pennsylvania.

While critics will contend there are cultural differences between students from different countries, we don’t need to go overseas to show how public school students fare in Pennsylvania —we can make a comparison based on private schools in the Commonwealth. The most recent SAT scores (2007) show a significant disparity in educational achievement.

According to the College Board (the group administering the SAT exam), Pennsylvania’s public school students scored a combined average of 986 (Math and English).

Meanwhile, students attending religiously affiliated schools scored an average of 1024—and most religiously affiliated schools do it for thousands of dollars less per pupil than the state average of more than $10,000. Students claiming to have attended independently affiliated schools had an even higher average score of 1056.

Spending more money on public education does not translate into higher scores. If that were the case those attending Pittsburgh Public Schools, where per pupil expenditures exceed $18,000, would show proficiency levels well above the state average and rank higher than the foreign countries mentioned in the Governor’s Report. Instead, the eleventh grade math proficiency rate as measured by the state PSSA exams comes in well below the state average—with three of the City’s high schools at less than 15 percent proficiency.

Throwing more money at the problem clearly isn’t the answer. It merely rewards those who have been responsible for the unsatisfactory outcomes of the past and who continue to try to convince the taxpayers and the legislature they know best. Just another $5 billion will do the trick they now say. What a windfall for consultants and curriculum design “experts” that would be.

Some Pennsylvania schools and districts perform reasonably well. But the same students in private settings with the same level of spending would almost certainly perform even better than they do now. Unfortunately, many school districts are not doing well at all and throwing money at them is not the answer. What is needed is a genuine and dramatic overhaul of the system. Create vouchers for parents and students who want real choice.

The state has a constitutionally mandated role to play in establishing a thorough and efficient system of education for the people of Pennsylvania. That system does not require the public sector to be the monopoly provider. Other countries offer choice. It is not rocket science. It can be done here if those who truly care about our children’s future would demand and work for real change by challenging the entrenched education establishment. Otherwise it will be more of the same.

Underperforming students, ever more spending and higher taxes; something Pennsylvania can simply not afford to continue doing.

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Jake Haulk, Ph.D., President Frank Gamrat, Ph.D., Sr. Research Assoc.

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Please visit our blog at alleghenyinstitute.org/blog.

Neil Gordon on KDKA Radio

Kevin Mathews, on KDKA Radio, has an interview with Coach Gordon. It is on at 12:30 pm on Tuesday.

Lots of nice callers to the show.

Why? All roads lead to Erin V, said one caller. She is on the school board. She got into a big fuss with PA's ex-junior senator, Rick S. about residents.

There is a School Board Meeting tonight at 7 pm at the PH School District Admin Building.

Wow, we dodged a bullet.

No trough urinals! - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Trough urinals are a contradiction to a new civic center that is intended to celebrate the achievements of our civilized way of life and, specifically, our unique city.

Splash Zones called 'wave of the future' by Motznik

Sure, Citiparks Director, Mr. Ashley, has a way of making chicken soup without all the necessary ingredients, but let's be real.



City council voted to spend up to $250,000 on two new splash zones. One is slated for Beechview and the other for Troy Hill. Plus, two more similar facilities will go into other neighborhoods with federal funds. The second wave of these splash zones, facilities #3 and #4, are for CDBG (Community Development Block Grants) money. That means that the money must be spent in poorer neighborhoods.

Bill Peduto wanted to say that an Aquatic Committee got the idea rolling.

The Aquatics Task Force was a joke, Mr. Peduto.

Troy Hill has lost its Rec Center, Swim Pool, Firehouse, bus routes and soon will see the departure of North Catholic High School (where Mayor Luke Ravenstahl went).

A splash zone is a playground with water features. There is no need for a lifeguard as there is no swimming. There is no coaching. The learning is on your own. This is a place for play for kids in a certain age group.

Splash zones are not 'cutting edge.' Not even close. There is little to no sense of fitness, learning, teaching, teamwork, competition, wellness and supervision.

McClatchy Washington Bureau | 02/04/2008 | Federal deficits soaring higher, menacing the future

McClatchy Washington Bureau | 02/04/2008 | Federal deficits soaring higher, menacing the future President Bush took office in 2001 with a budget surplus, but his final budget proposal envisions federal deficits of more than $400 billion a year for the next two years. As big as those numbers are, experts think that the administration is lowballing the deficits, and they put little stock in Bush's vow to balance the budget by 2012.

'I think the promise that it will be balanced by 2012 is ridiculous,' said Chris Edwards, the director of tax policy for the Cato Institute, a libertarian policy research group.

Plenty of ugly local news

The front page of the Trib newspaper tells of two Dem politicians who are going to be doing time. Twanda, formerly of Pittsburgh city council, gets 1-2 years. Frank, formerly of the PA House, gets 6-months of house arrest.

But there is much more beyond those bimbos. This story of a New Year's Day fight among teens is hard to understand.

Witness tells of street fight that led to deathWitness tells of street fight that led to death

It is real. It is real bad.

Bogus Allegations Made Against Ex-Penn Hills Football Coach and AD @ junk mail

Mary Robb Jackson gives an interview. The story rehashes his "firing." Well, the job was just re-opened.

kdka.com - New Allegations Made Against Ex-Penn Hills Coach Gordon says he plans to apply for his old job.

Recruiting letters are mostly junk mail. Even the swim team was mentioned, in that there were letters found for swimmers.

These letters were from the past. Neil Gordon has not been the Athletic Director for more than a year. It seems to me that the old Athletic Director might want to take an inventory of the areas in the school. It shows that the new guy has made a serious fumble, more than Gordon.

If the mail was found in the basement of a postal worker -- then we have problems.

If the mail was being taken from student athletes who are in high school now -- and not delivered to them by design -- then we have problems.

If the mail was screened by the coach and INTENTIONALLY destroyed by the coach or AD -- then we have problems.

If the coach or AD contacted certain universities and told them to never recruit any Penn Hills student -- then we have problems.

Here, there are no problems. That story tells nothing.

If there is more to the story than is contained within the reporting of the story -- tell me. Post in the comments.

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P-G reports: Superintendent meets players

Patricia Gennari, superintendent of Penn Hills schools, met Thursday with the school's football players to get their feelings on the coaching situation.

A few weeks ago, the Penn Hills school board decided to open coach Neil Gordon's position, despite his successful record of 156-74-2 in 21 seasons. The board directed Gennari to inform Gordon of its decision.

The mother of starting quarterback Tom Fulton said Penn Hills' players were instructed not to talk to the media about their meeting with Gennari.

Some Penn Hills residents are upset at the board's decision and want to be heard at a meeting. The school board has a public meeting at 7, and the football coaching situation is on the agenda.

Gordon said yesterday he has reapplied for the job, and Penn Hills also is accepting applications from other individuals.

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Update from Feb 6, 2008:

kdka.com - Coach Situation Divides Penn Hills Community 'And yes there was a box of letters in the athletic office, but the players knew that there was a box and it was their responsibility to come down and get them themselves,' Bob Struss, a student, said.

Learn Well Graphics - colab art and history

Learn Well Graphics: "Learn Well Graphics Creates User-Friendly Learning Programs That Help Students Read Better While Learning About History And Financial Literacy"

Dipdive.com song, for the D Senator challenging in four-four time

I've given a lot of focus to Ron Paul, of course. Here is a mention of the D side, headed into Super Bowl Tuesday.

Dipdive.com: "The Yes We Can Song
by will.i.am"

The YouTube URL:



Mark Rauterkus & Running Mates v2: "What does this say?"

This does NOT look like the South Side -- but then again -- it does

Come Live Over Here:



Super Bowl TV ad from Pepsi.

Internet problems continue

WiFi in Pittsburgh isn't the only service on the fritz.

Internet problems continue with fourth cable break - Technology - ArabianBusiness.com Internet problems continue with fourth cable break

Revealed: British plan to build training camp for Taliban fighters in Afghanistan - Asia, World - Independent.co.uk

Hate them one year. Then love them the next.

Revealed: British plan to build training camp for Taliban fighters in Afghanistan - Asia, World - Independent.co.uk: "Britain planned to build a Taliban training camp for 2,000 fighters in southern Afghanistan, as part of a top-secret deal to make them swap sides, intelligence sources in Kabul have revealed. The plans were discovered on a memory stick seized by Afghan secret police in December.

Give them guns and teach them to shoot one year. Then blow them apart the next year.

To many politicians want to churn. Friends to enemies. Land to buildings to land again.

Height dispute stalls condo plan on South Side

Thursday's neighborhood meeting.

Height dispute stalls condo plan on South Side: "public meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the South Side Market House, 12th and Bingham streets.

Two more days to RSVP to this event: The Allegheny Institute Welcomes Mayor John O. Norquist

On February 13th the Allegheny Institute welcomes Mayor John O. Norquist, a leader in national discussions of vouchers in education. Mayor Norquist’s talk is entitled “Improving Pittsburgh Public Schools: Are Vouchers an Answer?”

Mayor Norquist won four terms as Milwaukee’s mayor and compiled an impressive record of streamlining city government, improving public safety, and spurring job growth. But perhaps his greatest accomplishment is overseeing the implementation of school choice for Milwaukee’s students. Milwaukee’s voucher system began in 1991 with only 1,500 students and has grown to benefit nearly 12,000 students annually.

Norquist’s strong advocacy of school choice has made him a nationally recognized and sought after expert in the school choice movement. We hope you will make plans to attend this important presentation.

The lecture will take place at the Doubletree Hotel—Pittsburgh City Center, which is located at One Bigelow Square. The lecture will begin at 7:00 PM. We ask that you make reservations at your earliest convenience.

Admission is free but tickets will be required to attend. Please call 412-440-0079 by February 6th to reserve your seat.

Racial Equity Monitoring Project needs volunteers

The Racial Equity Monitoring Project needs volunteers to monitor official meetings and hearings whose stated purpose is to provide equal opportunity and treatment for. Due to the high rate of regional disparities for African Americans, this will be the primary focus population.

WHY?

We deploy citizens to bring the processes of official agencies, offices, and bodies back to the community in order to ensure that meetings, policies, agencies and events designed to provide equal opportunity serve their established purpose. WHERE? REMP monitors public agencies including those related to employment, health, criminal justice, education, elections, economic development, construction and trades, and any agency that affects quality of life for the citizens of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County.

WHO? YOU!

You don’t need to be an expert, just be willing to devote a few hours to helping ensure transparency and opportunity. We will provide you with training and supplies.

HOW? To get involved, contact Project Coordinator:

Celeste Taylor at talyor.celeste@gmail.com or 412-670-0937

The Racial Equity and Monitoring Project is an initiative of the Black Political Empowerment Project (B-PEP) has received funding from a Heinz Endowment seed grant.