Safe Summer & Lifeguarding

Have a safe summer. Perhaps you should get your "lifeguarding certification."

I'm going to take a recertification course from noon to 5 pm on June 13 at the Monroeville JCC Family Park, $75.

The full lifeguarding course is slated for 9 am to 6 pm on Wed. June 11, Thurs. 12, and Friday June 13 with the cost of $175 for JCC members and $200 non members.

For more insights, call 412 278-1975 and talk to the instructor, Earleen Birkner, aquatics at the South Hills JCC.

Hill District housing development gets $1.3 million in tax credits - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Hill District housing development gets $1.3 million in tax credits - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review The Pennsylvania Housing and Finance Agency has awarded $1.3 million in tax credits to the Oak Hill mixed-income housing development in the Hill District, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said Thursday.

The credits will be put toward the construction of the Wadsworth Hall activity and office center, which is part of the latest $90 million development phase.

Boston-based developer Beacon/Corcoran Jennison will start construction on Wadsworth this fall. The developer will begin working on 40 homes for low-income residents and 50 homes that will be sold at market rate. When Oak Hill is finished, it will have 450 new homes, parks, office and retail space.

Humm. This story is short on details. Meanwhile, the Oak Hill saga hasn't been brief.

Residents Demand Immediate Action In Repairing The Hill District
WPXI.com - Pittsburgh,PA,USA
Representatives from Mayor Luke Ravenstahl’s office toured the problematic areas. Many residents said their continuous requests to repair street curbs, ...

Pittsburgh Laurels - who is green now?

Pittsburgh Laurels & Lances - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review If Pittsburgh truly is serious about historic preservation, shouldn't a campaign be on in earnest to raise the necessary dollars to rehabilitate Schenley High School in the heart of Oakland? The district says it can't afford the $76.2 million price tag for repairs. But an architect says given the exquisite nature of the building, it's worth fixing. Sounds like the Pittsburgh Promise needs a subsidiary.

3 WVU profs cite M.B.A. scandal in deciding to leave

3 WVU profs cite M.B.A. scandal in deciding to leave

How many are NOT moving into Pittsburgh and how many are going to still be departing because of the goofy leadership of the Pittsburgh Public Schools?

Take Your Father to School Day -- on Friday

We gathered to promote the 10th annual, Take Your Father to School Day, this week on Grant Street.

I'll be going into my son's school to visit a bit in the classroom and have lunch with the kids.

Days and time to mourn and pray -- lighting a fire

China is ending its three days of national mourning. This began one week after the original earthquake that was northwest of Chengdu. Flags were lowered. The Olympic Torch took a break from its country-wide tour leading up to the 8-8-08 event when the world gathers in Beijing.

Meanwhile, some people are still coming to the light after being crushed for more than a week. And, after shocks are nothing to sneeze at either.

I propose that the United States, or perhaps, just Pennsylvania, or perhaps, just Pittsburgh -- hold its own time to mourn, reflect, pray, and adjust perspectives about natural disasters that have hit in China and Burmma.

Should Pittsburgh and perhaps the rest of the world, hold a two-day period so as to mourn with those on the other side of the world in their terrible time of grief?

Let's begin this one MONTH after the quake.

Until then, keep digging, drying and cleaning. And may the offerings bring you comfort.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Sichuan_earthquake

The earthquake happened on May 12, 2008. A ONE MONTH rememberance would begin at 2 pm, or so, local time, June 12 through the 13th and end mid-day on the 14th.

Politicians are like rats.

Politicians are like rats. What they steal for themselves is minuscule compared to what they destroy getting it.

Luke, Dan: Go have a good time in Detroit. Tip: Beware of these.

Comcast fires Barry Nolan over Bill O’Reilly protest - BostonHerald.com

Comcast fires Barry Nolan over Bill O’Reilly protest - BostonHerald.com “He’s delusional,” Nolan said of O’Reilly, a former Boston TV anchor. “He’s a man that mangles the facts.”

At the awards, Nolan said he quietly put fliers on tables that “simply had” quotes from O’Reilly as well as three pages from the sexual harassment lawsuit O’Reilly settled that was brought by his former producer.

Comcast might not like whistleblowers too much.

Ideas from a citizen consultant to the PPS Board and Administration

Leslie V. Horne

NNACP Pittsburgh Branch

PPS Public Hearing Testimony

May 12, 2008

There is a crisis in the Accelerated Learning Academies. You recall that these were advertised as a giant step forward in eliminating the racial and socio-economic achievement gaps that are the shame of the Pittsburgh Public Schools. I am especially concerned about the state of the ALA’s because the vast majority of students in these schools are poor and/or African American.

My calling is to speak for those children.

The following are facts garnered from first hand sources in the ALA’s. The original posting for ALA administrators required a 3 year contract.

Proposed: Principals would be able to choose staff from a pool of candidates who wanted to work in an ALA. The difference in pay scale would attract the best and brightest. Principals were told that they would be able to staff their entire buildings without fear of cuts and that seniority and union issues would not be a concern because it was "new" model.

Reality: Principals were unable to hire clerical and custodial staff and many first choice staff selections were cut or bumped out of their positions by senior district employees who in most cases did not want to work in ALAs. Principals in most cases were left with third round choices or no choice at all. At one point, principals were meeting with human resources simply picking from a list of teachers that simply did not have positions anywhere in the district. These people only had to stay for one year (despite the promise that teachers had to commit to a three year contracts) and most of them transferred at the beginning of this year. Teachers can make more money attending a few workshops and working after-school programs.

Proposed: The original model had each ALA with a foreign language and some had Home Ec or computer classes.

Reality: These classes were cut due to either staffing and/or financial problems.

Proposed: Dr. Spampinato told the ALA principals that their budgets would not be cut during the first year.

Reality: She lost her position and budgets were cut when the other district schools made cuts. Proposed: Teachers would receive extensive in-service training on America’s Choice.

Reality: Most ALA staff did not receive adequate training on America's Choice. There were two full day sessions held in Oakland for staff. However, when the training took place, buildings were not completely staffed and in other cases people who went to the training were cut later in the year. Schools received improvement funds and money for "at risk" students but as all district schools get a portion of this funding it was not additional.

Proposed: ALAs receive money to buy classroom libraries.

Reality: This money was only available for the first year and it did not include enough copies for each student or adequate classroom sets.

Proposed: Instructional resources will be plentiful and available when needed.

Reality: The Ramp-up curriculum materials did not arrive to ALAs in a prompt manner. In several cases the books were weeks late and schools had to xerox them. This was true for some teacher materials too. When these materials arrived coaches and teachers found computational and editing errors.

Other problems that impacted the ALAs successful implementation: The America’s Choice Cluster Leader who was responsible for providing technical assistance to ALA math teachers resigned and ALAs went several weeks without a replacement. Principals had to make staffing changes to accommodate this program which proved to be inadequate for students that were in certain ability levels. Most of the ALAs decreased the number of these classes significantly this year. The America’s Choice support is provided by two cluster leaders who provide support one day a month to each of the Academies. This is inadequate.

Most ALAs are not air conditioned and start school in August. In some schools, rooms reach temps exceed 100 degrees during August and September.

The parent engagement piece is lacking because of the low pay scale and lack of qualifications required by this position. Parents of ALA students are not required to participate any more than other schools and do not have increased accountability.

Three ALA principals have either taken medical leaves or sabbaticals during the 2007-08 school year. A significant number of these principals are relatively new administrators. They feel threatened, not supported. And, the district may lose some of them who are dedicated and caring but frustrated and unappreciated. They are penalized for poor performance even when they have teachers who are on improvement plans and do not want to work in ALAs. The burden of the PA tenure law allows a bad teacher to stay in a classroom for TWO YEARS before firing. The ALAs have a lack of adequate support staff.

These schools are set up for failure. The NAACP will not accept inadequate education for our children. This is a promise.

Digital Summer Camp, a spin out of PodCamp

Background statement about critical issues leading to the CLOH.org efforts for the summer of 2008.

The Bruce Kraus authored "moratorium" is working like a charm

The Bruce Kraus authored "moratorium" is working like a charm. It is such a relief to see that sins of the city are getting resolved with extra time to deliberate and comprehend the "progress" that has been occurring at "breakneck speeds."

Don't you think? April 1, 2008 -- such a milestone.

Mr. Kraus has a knack of injecting more rust into a system that is already overflowing with fear, uncertainty and doubt.

From what I heard, Jim Motznik did NOT talk on the air to Marty G about the Pens' sign situation. Motznik didn't fuel that conversation one bit, as described in another blog thread. Marty G did try to bring up the subject and Motznik didn't bite, but passed on discussing it.

Bram, the Reebok logo does NOT make the sign advertising. Even without the sponsored logo, the sign is still advertising. The Pens and NHL are not charities.

Bram may have posted in another thread on another blog, http://burghreport.blogspot.com: "This sign could have gone up like that (snaps fingers) if Reebok or Nike or whomever was not advertising on them, but they were."

Isn't the Bruce Kraus authored "moratorium" is working like a charm????

Banners For Penguins Hit Grant Street Snag
KDKA - Pittsburgh,PA,USA
Councilman Bill Peduto says the moratorium was never the issue - it was the size of the 40ft by 85ft banners. "The sign is over the maximum amount of ...

Mayor of Pittsburgh, city council in hockey fight over banners, ethics
Detroit Free Press - United States
"There were no ultimate decisions made," said Councilman Bruce Kraus. Council drafted the holiday legislation, and he was ready to introduce it -- until he ...

Pittsburgh Plans To Get Tough on Graffiti Vandals - Pittsburgh News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Plans To Get Tough on Graffiti Vandals - Pittsburgh News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh 'I want to see the complete eradication of graffiti, every piece of graffiti in this city,' said Pittsburgh Councilman Bruce Kraus.

One's "wants" and "needs" are not the same, Bruce. What you "want" is up for review.

I don't want my kid, nor his peers, to have his driver's license taken from him for years because he has a magic marker in his pocket.

I don't want the Pittsburgh Police running sting operations against local merchants. Merchants are not guilty of making the graffiti.

Over-reaching sucks. There are problems that are sure to unfold.

A 'conspiracy' has often become a 'code word' for lynching innocent people by those who are badge empowered.

I do not favor the taking of property by the police for their own use. Asset forfeiture stinks. Ever hear of the successes of the 'war on drugs?'

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asset_forfeiture

"I'm absolutely convinced that abatement is the answer," said Kraus.

Well then, why the talk about punishments? If abatement is the answer, do abatement in spades.

I agree. Abatement empowerment is a worthy direction. Go there. Going elsewhere is sure to be counter-productive on many fronts.

Man vs. Che = SuperBowl of football (in Moscow with UK teams)

ESPN2, live.

Score was: 1 to 1 at halftime.

Ended in a shoot out.

I wonder, with all the international publicity (for both Manchester, UK; and Chelsa, UK) will there will be many headed there for vacations and/or business opportunities.

BTW, Peter's Pub on East Carson Street was jumping!

Downtown banners for Penguins put on ice - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Downtown banners for Penguins put on ice - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Two giant Downtown banners heralding the Pittsburgh Penguins quest for the Stanley Cup have been put on ice thanks to a quarrel between City Council and Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's administration.

Humm....

Where oh where can the banners be hung?

How about in the shape of a "M" and put on the top of the US Steel Building?

From signs

How about from the upper deck at PNC Park?

How about if the are used as a patch on the roof at the Convention Center?

From Convention Ce...

How about as a wind-break on the construction site of the new slots parlor on the North Side?

How about within Century III Mall?

How about as a massive slip and slide on Rt. 28 or Kilbuck Township?

From playground - usa

How about from the broken bridge on the upriver side of the Birmingham Bridge, still in one lane status?

Or, what about on the closed lower McArdle Roadway?

From playground - usa

How about on a stand right behind the still closed Point State Park bandstand? Why in the hell is that place still closed? Work has not been done for months within Point State Park.

How about if the banner goes into the Pittsburgh International Airport to close off the empty wing that is now vacant due to the shrinkage of US Airways over the years.

Perhaps a banner could be floated on the surface of the river tied to one of the many sets of locks and dams that are in frail conditions throughout the region?

A banner could be hung within the Civic Arena -- as that building is going to be torn down shortly.

Why not in the new cafatorium at Reisenstein School? It is both a cafeteria and an auditorium. Might as well be a banner-torium too. There are NO WINDOWS within Reisenstein, so you won't be able to peek in from the outside and see it. But, fear not, in a few years it will take $50-million, or more, to fix up Reisenstein into a decent school. Some zealots (Mark Roosevelt) want to move out of Schenley to save $30-million and pay $20-million additional to 'save money.' Might as well give the banner to them as the might need to use it as a tent to teach under given all the sky-is-falling fears of asbestos that is throughout all the schools in the district.

Let's fold the banner into a door sized package. Then put the banner on the office doorway of Bruce Krause in city hall to cover up the other sign that shows how much money they are raising to cover legal bills that were not approved for fighting a sign that had ethical implications.

Perhaps the banner could be used to cover up the abandoned building that the Penguins left in the heart of the city in the middle of a park -- also known as the Neville Ice Rink -- closed for many years now.

From playground - usa

Red Tide Report: Kiefer Commits to Carthage Class of 2031

Great grandson of gold medalist, Adolph Kiefer.

Red Tide Report: Kiefer Commits to Carthage Class of 2031: "Kiefer Commits to Carthage Class of 2031

Somers, WI - Carthage College men's swimming coach Greg Earhart today announced the signing of River Jeremy Kiefer to swim for Carthage beginning in 2027.

Harris and Kraus pimping animals at city council before more serious business

Two members of city council feel it is good public policy to delay the start of city council meetings to pet cute cats and dogs and promote efforts of the animal shelter. The meeting didn't start until after 10:25 am -- a full 25 minutes late.

There is no problem with promotions of valid causes. That is what the 3-minutes of public comment is designed to provide. Give the people at the animal shelter a chance to go to the microphone and train the cameras on the animals then. That is public comment.

Furthermore, there is a fix that I proposed for getting the meetings to start on time.

At 10 am sharp, turn on the microphone and cameras. Point them at the podium where citizens give public comment. Open the cable broadcasts from 10 am until the chair of the council hits the gavel. Citizens, including animal lovers, could talk and promote as they wish, self organizing, until the meeting begins.

For example, today's meeting started at 10:25 AM, not 10. There could have been 25 minutes of extra citizen comment until the council members arrived at their seats to do their jobs and conduct the meeting.

There would be NO extra charges if the cameras were turned ON at the correct time. The camera operators are there. The signal is being piped to the cable and to the various TVs around the city. The resources are being wasted.

What will really happen -- however -- will be much different. They will start the meetings at 10 am. Otherwise, they'd have to face the wrath of the citizens for extended remarks at the podium.

Meanwhile, Bruce Kraus and Darlene Harris should work on something of greater merit while on city council. The city's population is half of what it was. The city's debt is massive. Get to work. Give the animal shelter folks a golden invite to join the citizens at the podium within public comment.

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Animal Friends: Animal Friends: Home Page Click on one of the faces above to meet a homeless animal who needs your help.

Allegheny Institute Blog: Time out Chief Executive

Allegheny Institute Blog: Time out Chief Executive: "Time out Chief Executive
Following a meeting between state legislators, Mayor Ravenstahl and Chief Executive Onorato regarding the proposed City-County merger, the Chief Executive was quoted as saying, “They (the legislators) agreed that if the two of us want to push this, they shouldn’t block it.”

Well how generous of the legislators. Perhaps they might want to consider the views of County Council, City Council, elected municipal officials and citizens groups before yielding the field to the Mayor and Chief Executive. There are a lot of reasons to slow this train down. Not least of which is there is no real plan for people to debate or discuss. No structure, no talk of potential savings, no estimate of job reductions, nothing."

Banners for Pens

Marty G asked:

Banners UP -- IF -- they pay.

Banners can go up on private property. That should be 'legal' in libertarian world. If damages occur, they'd be on the hook, of course.

On public property -- no banners unless they pay -- and cover the fix up costs of Schenley High School -- for example.

Read the Cappy Complaint from the League of Women Voters

Now online at http://www.pacleansweep.com/cappy.pdf.

Russ Diamond says:

Pretty interesting stuff, some of it eye-popping; certainly lends credence to all our efforts over the last few years. And gives more weight to the argument for a constitutional convention to undo some things that were done in 1968.

Another asked:

Who is the "Senator" and "House Member A"

Shades of "Deep Throat" and Watergate.

Lets keep hammering them - eventually the truth will come out.

Schenley High School worth fixing, architect says - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

The price tag: $10-million. That is it. And, the students do NOT need to be out of the building. Roosevelt is way out of bounds.



It is cheaper to fix the building and not move the school and make such radical and rushed changes. It is better for Pittsburgh's taxpayers to fix the building and keep Schenley operational in Oakland.

Schenley High School worth fixing, architect says - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "In recommending the closure of Schenley High School, city schools Superintendent Mark Roosevelt stressed an architect's cost estimate of $76.2 million for renovations.

He left out one thing.

The Downtown firm, MacLachlan Cornelius & Filoni, said the 92-year-old building is worth fixing.

'Despite its high cost, it is our opinion that the building is worth the investment,' Albert L. Filoni, president of the firm, wrote in a report Thursday to Paul Gill, chief of operations for the Pittsburgh Public Schools."

This is the headline:

Filoni's firm, which designed Schenley, estimates it would cost $10.5 million to remove the asbestos. The firm suggests that the work not be done while students, faculty and staff are in the building.

The inflation of the fix-up is being reported upon as $77-million. The early reports to the board were $44-million. But those reports had done LOTS more than just the asbestos removal. The price tag is NOT what we have been shown.

There are much better ways to manage the overall situation.

1. Move Schenley to Milliones on a temporary basis until the work in Schenley is done. Keep Schenley's sports facilites open for after-school efforts. Kids can walk to Schenley from Milliones. The newer sports wing of Schenley isn't in the rage of asbestos. Or, at worst, do that section in the summers.

2. Do NOT open the University Prep in its own building. Instead, put the University Prep into Schenley. The University Prep should be a city-wide magnet for grades 9, 10, 11 and 12.

3. Keep Rodgers Middle School right where it is for now; grades 6, 7 and 8.

4. Keep Frick Middle School right where it is for now; grades 6, 7 and 8.

These moves, I and others have suggested, ends the fabricated crisis from the zealot, Mark Roosevelt. Lots of money is saved. Performing schools are not crushed. More time is allowed for Mark Roosevelt to do his homework for the whole of high school reform for the district.

Nothing should be done in such a rush. And, nothing should be done until the entire scope of the district and associated costs are fully understood.

For instance: The Pgh Public School district should sell its Board of Education building in Oakland. That is valuable. The windfall from the sale of that building can fetch the necessary money to pay for the fix-up at Schenley.

Furthermore, the Reizenstein building at the eastern edge of the city, a building that was always an inferior school, should be sold. That building is valued for development, as it sits next to the new Baker's Square new development. Land circles the building. It is also next to a park, offering a benefit for housing. The Reizenstein building is a poor excuse for a school as it has no windows. The fix up for the Reizenstein building into a school again is going to cost $50-million or more. Sell it. It could make for a nice office park.

Provide a plan for Vo Tech right away. It is already four years late!

Do your homework school administration!

We want to know more about the proposed Sci-Tech educational plan. Where is that building going to be located. Reveal it to us -- and consult with us.