The Quiz: Bush and McCain

I took The Bush-McCain Challenge — a fun online quiz to see if you can tell the difference between George W. Bush and John McCain.

Start the Bush-McCain Challenge at http://www.Bush-McCainChallenge.com.

Go beyond the first round of questions all the way to the "Carrot Round." Don't miss it.

Assessments back in the spotlight. Wealthy neighborhoods are underassessed!

Pittsburgh's WTAE TV just released the results of its assessment study. NEWS: Wealthy neighborhoods are underassessed and poor neighborhoods are overassessed.

This brings the controversy back into the public spotlight.

Dan Sullivan, an expert in this realm, wrote to the investigating team to provide additional
information. He hopes to get a response soon. WTAE TV needs to get it right and keep the story alive until it takes off as a community discussion point. We need the watchdogs to break the news and the citizens need to help sustain the news and discussion.

The transcript of their report is on the WTAE site. Check it out. The video (which seems to have the right edge clipped away) is in the upper right corner of the page.

http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/team4/16203574/detail.html

Carlisle invoice features 2 tickets to Vegas - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Carlisle invoice features 2 tickets to Vegas - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "'I can't believe she did this,' Shields said of Carlisle. 'You shouldn't be using public funds to front your personal trip.'"

I can't believe Sheilds didn't have the oversight in place to know nor prevent this. And, I can't believe that he can't believe it.

What Carlisle did is much like what Shields, Burgess, Kraus and Burgess are doing now with the $11,000 expense for their private attorneys. And, the original ask was for $80,000.

No credit card was used. But, spending was done without authorization and without oversight from those who should know much better and are the one's who NEEDED to give authorization.

In another thread on another blog, it was mentioned by a new resident to Pittsburgh that Doug Shields should 'run for mayor' and I gave some history. History like this -- no oversight -- that should disqualify Shields from being mayor.

City council is crooked thanks to the acts of Carlisle and her peers who let her get away with these acts and never said a peep.

---

(my post in that thread)

Doug Shields is the president of city council. He is the leader. He is the #2 guy in Pittsburgh now.

Yes, he knows his stuff. He knows how to organize a slush fund. He knows what union guys to stroke. He knows were the dead bodies are along the road of tears -- err -- the Mon Fayette Toll Road and Hazelwood.

Doug Shields is a typical politician who was able to ride with the waves of the career of Bob O'Connor.

Shields has not run for mayor. He did run for controller last year and got beat by Michael Lamb in a buzzed field. Shields didn't do much to stand out there nor propose solutions for Pittsburgh. But, it was hard to rise above the din made by Luke Ravestahl running against nobody in the mayor's race at the same time.

Shields is an adult.

Shields helped to drive the city onto the rocks in the past. He is a big part of the HARD WORKING COUNCIL. Shields is a veteran of Grant Street that will grow government when given the chance.

Welcome to Pittsburgh! I hope you get out of the house more in the weeks to come this summer.

Saving Schenley High School is going to take a long leap of faith -- i.e., " l-o-n-g - j-u-m-p"

Williams leads Schenley in City League field championships - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:

Mt. Lebo is pushing to get the public process opened to community viewers

I care about the open process of democracy in local government, within the city, county and elsewhere.

Mt. Lebo's unofficial blog discussions revealed this report.

I've been credited in other blogs for getting video off of my TV by pointing a video camera at it and then uploading to YouTube -- for less than $10,000.

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=ddznxj6h_459hf29thgn

Feedback welcomed in the comments below.

Expecting:

Our keepers believe that Toma, our female Amur tiger, is expecting again! This would be Toma's second litter and she could give birth any day now! Toma bred a few months ago with her new mate, Globus. Since then keepers have been keeping a close eye on Toma, waiting for signs of her pregnancy. About two weeks ago, they began noticing Toma behaving in much the same way she did during her first pregnancy. A nesting area or den was set up for the births and now we are all watching and waiting. When the cubs are born they are toothless, blind, and completely reliant on their mother for several months. Keepers will monitor the births and the cubs using a hidden camera inside the den. Visitors also can get a sneak peek at the new family from our website and a TV monitor placed at the Tiger Viewing Window.

From the Pgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium newsletter.

Pittsburgh Public Schools | 9th Grade Nation - Be the Change

This is crap, if you ask me. Our kids will be in summer activities and will NOT be attending 9th Grade Nation activities.

Pittsburgh Public Schools | 9th Grade Nation - Be the Change SAVE THE DATES -- July 29th through August 1st. Incoming 9th graders will receive more details in upcoming weeks from their schools and in the mail.

I want to see reports and follow up from the event last year. I want to see a report on the event from the year before -- the first year.

What benefit was delivered?

The kids sat around the stadium and got to be introduced to pro athletes. That's not saying much.

Furthermore, I want to see attendance reports about the long school year at the ALAs. They begin school in August. But, people don't show up.

No school student activities should occur until after Labor Day. Ninth Grade Nation can happen on the first days of September.

Today's track meet is rained out and slated for next Thursday

Oh well.

Hope it does NOT rain next week on Thursday when the make-up meet is slated to occur.

What we should do -- and I'm going to make a phone call on this now -- is to hold the meet at the UPMC South Side Sports Performance Complex -- indoors -- if it is looking like rain next week.

A couple of years ago the girls track meet was washed out with heavy rain on a couple of occasions. The meet did NOT occur that year. Back then I made the suggestion that the meet be held indoors in case of rain. I'm not sure if my chatter back then went anywhere. This year I'll make sure the suggestion gets full consideration.

Pgh Public School's Director of Interscholastic Athletics is Michael A. Gavlik. I talked to him at 9:50 am, the day of the first rain out to confirm that the meet has been moved to next Thursday, May 15. And, I suggested, in case of poor weather next week, calls should be made now to get access to the UPMC South Side Sports Performance Center.

If you agree, give Mr. Gavlik a call and ask, what's up? Voice: 412-622-3944 - mgavlik1@pghboe.net and Office Fax: 412-622-3948.

Next up: UPMC Sports Performance Complex contact info.

http://sportsmedicine.upmc.com/Facilities.htm

Phone for the Steelers is 412 432 7800. That is who UPMC told me to call.

For back up on WHY the indoor facility is OWED to the community, contact the CEO of the Brashear Center, Hugh Brannon, 2005 Sarah Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203
Telephone: 412-431-2236 - Fax: 412-431-5611.

Letter to Mark Rauterkus from Tim Westergren, Founder, Pandora

Got a nice letter and t-shirt as a thank you gift for the aid I've given to Pandora.

May 7, 2008

Pandora - radio from the Music Genome Proect

Hi Mark-

On behalf of myself and everyone here at Pandora, I want to give a hearty thanks for your wonderful support. I hope you know how much it means to us. For small companies like ours, it's everthing.

This journey is getting more and more exciting with each passing day. Wecreated Pandora and the Music Genome Project to help people discover and enjoy music they love - you should consider yourself very much a part of this adventure.

Please accept this Pandora gift as a token of our gratitude. Welcome to the team!

Sincerely,

Tim Westergren, Founder

Lamar bears its head again around the council table and Kraus spoke too soon, as usual.

This isn't unusual, so said Bruce Kraus.

Jim Motznik put Mr. Kraus onto the carpet for spending money and then going to council to authorize the spending. Then Mr. Kraus said "This isn't unusual."

Council members only have power as a member on the council that votes on matters. Great government 101 lecture came from Professor Dowd.

If city council allows a "post fact expense" come to us and say, 'gold star' -- then council is open to many other expense.

The body did not authorize the action in the zoning board of audustment.

If we are going to do the right thing,

No dollars shall be expended before a vote of council...

Watching on tape delay.

"Think of this as an algabraic formula," said Patrick. That lost em.

Kraus got hot. Rev. Burgess said, "I'm trying to speak less." Mr. Kraus needs to take that same advice.

This is one for the VCRs!

Mr. Burgess wants to spend $11,000.

Have the checks been written? Mr. Kraus asked. The answer is "NO."

Kraus does not understand city government.

Service has been rendered, but checks have NOT gone out. And, council is NOT on the hook.

Kraus said, "We were sued personally and professionally. We did not wrecklessly enter into legal action." -- WRONG.

Kraus said that because we had perfect legal representation, we saved money for the city -- said Kraus. -- WRONG.

To protect the citizens of the city -- my oh my. Kraus is a joke.

Specter: To the extend, that indiv council members or any city employees would be sued in your official capacity that the city law department would represent him (Dowd). And, we (Law Dept) would be willing to get outside council for the employees. The lawyers for the individuals did not want this.

Dowd asked, "What is the public paying for?"

"Council is well aware without doing DNA," said Shields.

Each of the four should pay $3,000 out of their own slush funds.

---

Council votes to pay legal bills for billboard appeal Council votes to pay legal bills for billboard appeal from today's P-G.

Cell Phone Numbers Go Public Tomorrow

From Edith, a trusted source:

Cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies tomorrow and you may start to receive sale calls.

YOU WILL BE (could be) CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS.

To prevent calls to a cell phone, call the following number from your cell phone:

888-382-1222.

The National DO NOT CALL list takes a minute of your time. The list blocks your number for five years. You must call from the cell phone number you want to have blocked. You cannot call from a different phone number.

Pens Fans Urged To Wear White To Friday's Game -- but naked is the new white!

kdka.com - Pens Fans Urged To Wear White To Friday's Game: "Pens Fans Urged To Wear White To Friday's Game"

Pens fans get message to NOT wear white -- rather -- go naked.

Get the thrill. Get the chills. I don't know what to expect.

This (having the fans be topless) is something I want bad.

I think we've see that before.

That's good for us.

Excitement. We've gone through a lot of hard times.

Help OpenOffice.Org gather bugs in May

The OpenOffice.org Community is pleased to announce that the public beta release of OpenOffice.org 3.0 is now available. This beta release is made available to allow a broad user base to test and evaluate the next major version of OpenOffice.org, but is not recommended for production use at this stage.

If you are a regular user of OpenOffice.org, here's a great opportunity to help us make the next release the best ever.

What's new in OpenOffice.org 3.0?

The most immediately visible change to OpenOffice.org 3.0 is the new "Start Centre", new fresh-looking icons, and a new zoom control in the status bar. A closer look shows that 3.0 has a myriad of new features. Notable Calc improvements include a new solver component; support for spreadsheet collaboration through workbook sharing; and an increase to 1024 columns per sheet. Writer has an improved notes feature and displays of multiple pages while editing. There are numerous Chart enhancements, and an improved crop feature in Draw and Impress.

Behind the scenes, OpenOffice.org 3.0 will support the upcoming OpenDocument Format (ODF) 1.2 standard, and is capable of opening files created with MS-Office 2007 or MS-Office 2008 for Mac OS X (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx, etc.). This is in addition to read and write support for the MS-Office binary file formats (.doc, .xls, .ppt, etc.).

OpenOffice.org 3.0 will be the first version to run on Mac OS X without X11, with the look and feel of any other Aqua application. It introduces partial VBA support to this platform. In addition, OpenOffice.org 3.0 integrates well with the Mac OS X accessibility APIs, and thus offers better accessibility support than many other Mac OS X applications.

Detailed guide to the new features http://marketing.openoffice.org/3.0/featurelistbeta.html

OpenOffice.org 3 beta is immediately available in US English for MS-Windows, GNU/Linux, Mac OS X and OpenSolaris platforms from http://download.openoffice.org/3.0beta. This page also contains details of where to find localized builds and language packs as they become available. For more details, please consult the appropriate native language project - see http://projects.openoffice.org/native-lang.html

Help us gathering bugs in May!

In order to help us release OpenOffice.org 3.0 on schedule in September, users of the beta release are encouraged to report any bugs, issues or errors at http://qa.openoffice.org.

If you would like to test just the new features, there is a list of test
cases by component at
http://qa.openoffice.org/ooQAReloaded/TestcaseSpecifications/OpenOffice.org_3.0

If you are nervous about reporting bugs through the formal bug reporting system, you can simply email details to the user support mailing lists
http://www.openoffice.org/mail_list.html

The developers look forward to receiving your feedback on this beta
release of OpenOffice.org!

Fish tricks fill front page of section in Trib = Pyrite Proof

The world is buzzing about a YouTube video of a fish that plays soccer! The finned athlete is named, Comet. Not the Pgh Comet -- nor the Pgh Comment.

I've been making some noise that the signal among Pgh Bloggers is hitting a new phase -- and that the silver age is behind us. linkZ, linkY, comments & linkX.

Fish tricks in Gibsonia entertain Web surfers - Pittsburgh Tribune-ReviewFish tricks in Gibsonia entertain Web surfers

Comet, the Pomerleau family pet, can soar through hoops, squirm beneath a lowered limbo bar and chase after a soccer ball.

Go fish.

Join the 1 political junkie who is taking a break and hung a sign, "Gone Fishin."

My favorite fish video that I produced:

Instant Message to KDKA Radio and Marty

Background: There is some noise on the radio with KDKA's Marty Griffin. There is chatter about a $100 per year tax on parking spaces in Robinson Township.

The tax on LAND, such as land that is put aside for surface parking spaces, is GREAT public policy. Pittsburgh (and Allegheny County) should SHIFT back to a LAND VALUE TAX.

The killer is the TIF. I'd end all TIFs and tax breaks to favorites.

The formula is the land-value tax!

Mom and Pop Biz Folks do NOT get tax breaks (TIFs). They go to the big boys who loaf with bullies.

Track Clinics in the City -- leading to June 28th Track Meet at Schenley's Oval

Track & Field Mobile Clinic

Presented By:

Citiparks

&

Future Stars Track Club

May 16, 2008 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

• West Penn Recreation Center
• Columbus Middle School

May 30, 2008 6:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.

• Warrington Recreation Center
• Phillip’s Recreation Center (Carrick)

*The track clinics are FREE for all kids ages 6-18. Each participant gets a healthy nutritional bag.

*Track coaches will introduce participants to various events and go over healthy eating habits for race day and everyday.

*You can participant at any site and more than once.

Call Magee Recreation Center to pre-register (412) 422-6546.

Update:

Citiparks is helping to sponsor a city track meet on June 28, 2008. This is the first ever track meet of this kind in the city. The Recreation Centers are getting involved and helping to field track teams.

Events in the novice division for the June 28th track meet include:

• 100 meter dash
  
• 200 meter dash
  
• 400 meter relay
• long jump
• turbo javelin

Mike's brush with Bill. Well, it was more than a brush and hand shake.

Nice story from Mike. He is a Pittsburgher and thinker.

Citizens for Legitimate Government: "I proceeded to tell President Clinton that I was a professor at Duke and North Carolina Central University, where I teach argument. I said that I was very disappointed in my fellow academics, too many of whom support Obama. I teach my students that a good argument is a claim with reasons. Obama, I said, makes a lot of claims without any evidence to support them. He agreed and said he couldn't believe that he'd gotten away with it to this point. At this, he took his arm from my shoulder and thanked me for my support."

Jen's email blast about school stuff

Hey -- I'm always sure this is going to be a quick little email...but it's not! (There's some good stuff at the end to make up for all of this in the middle.)

-- Today's paper: Roosevelt plans to make his recommendation on Schenley future May 19

-- "High School Chaos" story on KDKA: http://kdka.com/video Video from May 2 2008 7:23 pm

"Costs to renovate Reizenstein coming in higher than expected," notes Mark Roosevelt.

How high? It can't hurt to ask your school board member if they know this number -- particularly since that's probably the most valuable piece of property the district has to sell, not only would we not spend the money on an inferior building, we could make money from its sale.

We'll know on the 19th when the vote on the Schenley building is, I assume, since it had been scheduled for this month and now it's moved to June. That seems a bit ominous, though hard to say. It's an interesting position to be in limbo longer -- if you want to email me or call me (412-xxx-xxxx) I'll be happy to share my opinions, but other than saying that you should make your concerns known to your school board member (and any other board members you know), I'll stop here!

There's also a meeting tonight for anyone who wants to show up at Panera (Blvd of the Allies in Oakland) 8 pm about this/reform/Frick, etc.

Please do let people know about the whole situation -- some of the emails on this list are kicking back at me now and some have never worked, so I know that there are people who aren't getting them.

-- Was anyone at the University Prep meeting last week? None of the my usual sources made the meeting, so I can't report anything other than that there were said to be only about 5-6 parents there. No mention of the meeting in the P-G that I saw.

While I do love the way that A+ runs a meeting, I think many of us have come to feel that the input/report they pass along from us is quickly filed away, never to be looked at again. Heaven knows parents and students (and teachers and probably principals) don't have any idea how the schools are run now or any realistic and viable ideas for improving them. (Oops, there's some bitterness rearing its head, I'm trying not to let that happen, I promise.)

Speaking of which don't forget to sign up for more meetings! -->> http://www.aplusschools.org/excel.html

-- I've heard from lots of people that they are exploring other school options (charter, private, homeschool, suburban) or no longer telling friends, co-workers, prospective employees that their children can get a good education in the PPS. If you are one of these people considering pulling a kid or one of those that can't endorse it at this point or know someone like that, please consider (or ask if they'll consider) writing a letter to the school board, the newspaper, or testifying at a public hearing (see next bullet point).

I'm not ready to go, but I can't be the booster I once was for this system. At the risk of sounding maudlin, public education is one of the best things ever in my book. I hate to see how good things from this district have been dropped and removed, pushed out by No Child Left Behind demands and an elementary curriculum that seems designed to ignore the developmental needs of younger kids. I really can't imagine (or see) how this is promoting a love of learning and reading and being in school -- the things that might get kids through high school and on into the future. Dang! There I go again with the bitter.

-- Next public hearing -- Monday, May 12th, 7 pm --

To speak at a Public Hearing, call the Superintendent's Office at 412-622-3600 beginning one week before and no later than noon on the day of the Public Hearing.

Link to Procedures for Testifying at Public Hearings

Location:

Conference Room A, Board of Education Administration Building, 341 S. Bellefield Avenue, 15213

-- No bitterness allowed section:

Kelly Critic review: "All Shook Up," Schenley, April 24-May 3

Not great quality, but even so, you can still tell what an experience it is to be there:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DBisFs4oZs&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=706Oa6QLseE

Memories of last year?

Rock of Rages

River Deep, Mountain High

If you hunt around on youtube (my classes are over now, can you tell?!), there's now video from long gone Schenley years, too. Amazing stuff.

Jen Lakin

Roosevelt plans to make his recommendation on Schenley future May 19

They are still spreading FUD (FEAR, UNCERTAINTY, DOUBT).

Roosevelt plans to make his recommendation on Schenley future May 19 Last night, Mr. Roosevelt said the additional study has cast the building's status in a 'different light,' but he declined after the meeting to elaborate.

So, after months of badgering, they finally released the first study. Then they have another. But, it isn't being released either.

And, the studies were not even read. The executive summary statements didn't match with the content within the body of the study.

FUD.

Here is another zinger: about $64 million to address asbestos and other maintenance problems. Red flag.

First, there are no other maintenance problems. None other than regular, expected, normal, routine, fixes that should be part of all buildings. The problem is that there were very few maintenance matters addressed in the past years. They let the drips build up. They didn't fix them as they should. Every facility needs on-going maintenance. Those are NOT maintenance problems.

What's next. Will the kids in first grade be called 'problems' because they can't read yet.

There are NO OTHER MAINTENANCE PROBLEMS.

And, if I stand corrected, please post them in the comments of this message.

Futhermore, there are no asbestos problems. Asbestos has never been a problem at the school. The air quality has been tested and tested and tested -- and there is no problem. Sure, don't eat the floor tiles. That's it. Be sensible. Asbestos is in every school. Asbestos is in our new cars. Asbestos is not a problem with the other schools because they don't want to close them -- yet. They made asbestos a problem in Schenley by design. The asbestos in Schenley can be dealt with.

Fixing asbestos at Schenley does NOT need to include new air conditioning for the entire building. They inflated the fix up numbers. They depressed the real cost of the move elsewhere. Now those numbers are 10-times higher than what they said. And, the fall-out for the students, families, taxpayers and even teachers is massive. The district is about to die.

Faculty wants president's ouster

Wonder what the rank and file members of the Pgh Public Schools teachers would vote if given the option. Would they want to retain Mark Roosevelt or not?

I'm sure that the union is in bed with the administration's brass. But, the teachers, on a one-by-one basis, that would be a different matter.

WVU faculty wants president's ouster faculty wants president's ouster

Hard to think that there were even 19 to vote to keep him.

Changing grades is a serious academic crime. Giving otu degrees is a career breaker.