Keystone Oaks board discusses possible closures

Keystone Oaks board discusses possible closures: "Keystone Oaks board discusses possible closures"

Rather than contract, expand. Go to Carlynton and seek their students to join yours. Merge and grow. Why not entertain a merger with Brentwood too?

Biz leader of Brazil want Government there to monitor spending for Rio 2016, a future Olympic Host

Here in the USA, we'd be most happy if the Biz leaders would monitor the government, not the other way around. We know that the gov people can spend more than they have.

BRASILIA, Brazil -- A top business leader in Brazil is urging the government to make sure building projects for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics are completed on time.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/olympics/04/14/rio.2016.ap/index.html

Woops. I had it wrong. The biz leaders don't care about the amount of the spending, they care that the luxery boxes are built on time. They must be members of the Allegheny Conference.

When asked how much the World Cup and Olympics are going to cost them, the clever business leader said, "A Brazilion Dollars."

My aims with this little light of mine.

I'm most interested in fixing things. Less interested in getting a job for myself.

I'd rather make a discussion and spread ideas and less worried about showing up in the newspaper. When something is news worthy, a press conference should be called and all the media should be invited. Feeding one reporter or one outlet is too easy and unfair. That needs to happen as the news occurs, not days and weeks later.

If I had a hammer, I'd hammer in the mornings. If I had a song, I'd sing it all day long. There is no time like the present.

Paterno believes Big Ten expansion is coming

Paterno believes Big Ten expansion is coming: "Paterno believes Big Ten expansion is coming"

Okay, to get to 14, now with 11, three get to join. How about Pitt, Mizzu and Texas. If Texas says no, pick up Syracuse, but insist that they pick up men's swimming. Then there is Notre Dame.

Fw: Education Policy Forum Breakfast - Pittsburgh - Thursday, April 29,2010

EPLC Invites You to a Thursday, April 29, Education Policy Forum Breakfast in Pittsburgh

The next PA Education Policy Forum on THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 2010 in Pittsburgh (Holiday Inn Select - University Center) will feature a discussion about “Govern for Kids” and its work to impress upon the Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidates about the most important issues facing children. 

More information is in the letter below.  There is no fee for the forum, but please RSVP as soon as possible since seating is limited.

You may RSVP for the April 29 Forum by using our easy on-line reservation system which is available by clicking on http://www.eplc.org/forum_westernpa.html. 

 

Please feel free to share this information with your colleagues, but everyone must RSVP to attend.

Dear Colleague:

The Education Policy and Leadership Center invites you to attend the next Pennsylvania Education Policy Forum on Thursday, April 29, 2010 from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Select - University Center at 100 Lytton Avenue in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh.

This Forum, the third in our 2010 Western Pennsylvania Breakfast Series, will feature a panel of guest speakers to discuss “Govern for Kids” and its work to impress upon the Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidates about the most important issues facing children.  Govern for Kids has focused on seven critical issues: Early Childcare and Education; K-12 Education; Children’s Health; After School; Drop-out Reengagement; College Access; and Child Welfare.

Convened by United Way of Allegheny County, Govern for Kids is a growing coalition of parents, community organizers, concerned citizens and advocates united in their focus on asking the candidates for governor in Pennsylvania to be active champions for Pennsylvania’s future.

Our speakers will include Bob Nelkin, Executive Director of the United Way of Allegheny County, and representatives of several key organizations helping to build this coalition.

A continental breakfast will be available at 8:00 a.m.  The 90-minute program will begin promptly at 8:30 a.m.

Please accept this invitation to join other policymakers, educators and community leaders for this important education policy discussion.  There is no registration fee for the program, but seating space is limited. 

Please RSVP as soon as possible by faxing the enclosed form to EPLC at 717-260-9903.  As an alternative, you may RSVP for the Forum by using our easy on-line reservation system that is available at http://www.eplc.org/forum_westernpa.html.

Sincerely,

Ronald Cowell, President

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!

The School Finance Project of The Education Policy and Leadership Center is currently supported by generous grants from:

The Falk Foundation

Fulfilling the Dream Fund

William Penn Foundation      

The Western Pennsylvania Breakfast Series of the Pennsylvania Education Policy Forum is also supported by additional financial support from the following organizations:

A+ Schools    

Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties     

Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators     

Pennsylvania School Boards Association     

Pennsylvania State Education Association     

AFT Pennsylvania     

Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals

Pennsylvania Association of Intermediate Units      

PA Association of Rural and Small Schools  

Pennsylvania Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development                         

Center for Educational Leadership - University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education   

Educational Testing Service (ETS)        

Greater Pittsburgh Suzuki Institute

Musical?

The dates are: Saturday, July to Sunday August 8, 2010.

The Suzuki Camp / Institute is located just outside the city of Pittsburgh at the Upper St. Clair High School. There is a state-of-the-art theatre facility, many large classrooms and several practice rooms available.

The Greater Pittsburgh Suzuki Institute is all in one building making it easier for families with multiple children to attend.

We also offer on sight child care.

Accommodations are available at special rates at two nearby hotels: Crowne Plaza Pittsburgh South, 164 Fort Couch Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15241 412-833-5300

Knights Inn (at I79 & S.R. 50), 111 Hickory Grade Road, Bridgeville, PA 15017, 412-221-8110

Teacher Institute courses are as follows:

Every Child Can!© with Katherine Monsour Barley

Violin

Unit 1 with Carrie Reuning-Hummel

Unit 3 with Marilyn O’Boyle

Cello

Units 2 & 3 with Nancy Hair

Flute

Units 2 & 3 with David Gerry

Guitar

Units 2 & 3 with Andrea Cannon

Piano

Unit 1 with Patricia Schaefer Pavlack

Changes and Additions to the Suzuki Piano Repertoire with Katherine Monsour Barley

Piano Plus with Jacqueline Herbein

Student Institute runs from August 1st – August 6th. We teach violin, viola, cello, flute, guitar and piano. The courses are as follows:

Pre-Twinkle Program  (age 5 and under) The fee is $200.00 for the week. The Pre-Twinkle program is for children who have begun lessons, but have not yet mastered the Twinkle variations. Parents must be present during all classes.

Book 1 Program  (age 5 and under) The fee is $240.00 for the week. The Book 1 program is for students already taking lessons in books 1 or 2 and includes: a one-hour master class, a one-hour group class and one elective.

Books 1 & 2 Program  (age 6 +) The fee is $255.00 for the week. The Books 1 & 2 program is for students age 6 and older who are already taking lessons in books 1 or 2 and includes: a one-hour master class, a one-hour group class and one elective.

Books 3 & Up Program  The fee is $285.00 for the week. The Books 3 & Up program is for students who are already taking lessons in books 3 and beyond and includes: a one-hour master class, a one-hour group class, a one-hour ensemble class, and one elective.

Parent Education These programs will be offered daily from 12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m. Under the direction of Enid Wood, these lectures by faculty members will enhance the institute experience for families.

The electives and ensembles include:

Music Together ®

Music Games

Musicianship

Choir

Musical Theatre

Folk Dancing

Piano for Other Instrumentalists

Guitar for Other Instrumentalists

Viola for Violinists

Sight Reading

Music and Movement

Chamber Music

Jazz and Fiddling Orchestra

Piano Ensemble

Guitar Ensemble

Flute Choir

Police dog that bit girl relieved of duties

From Mark Rauterkus & Running Mates ponder current events

It is a dog-eat-dog world.

Police dog that bit girl relieved of duties: "Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's charitable foundation had helped pay for the dog."

Who let the dogs out?

I hope the 9 year old girl (under age) is okay.

This could be an endless rant with lots of silly puns and jokes for latenight comedians.

Do you think the NFL lawyers will begin its investigation before the weekend?

	This dog is NOT the one in trouble. But, it is (or was) a work dog and part of the police force with Pgh Public Schools.
From PPS Safety

Burgess proposes GPS devices for most Pittsburgh vehicles

He knows if you've been sleeping. He knows if you're awake. You better be good for goodness sake. Oh, you better watch out. You better not putt around town.

Burgess proposes GPS devices for most Pittsburgh vehicles Among other benefits, Mr. Burgess' bill said, the devices will make workers more productive and cut down on speeding and improper use of vehicles.

Good management would also take the place of GPS devices.

If we put a video camera on every public employee, especially the elected ones, then we'd need fewer GPS devices.

What about a bunch of bumper stickers, "How am I driving? Call Rev Burgess at 412 255 2137." And we could switch up the text to say, "Where an I driving?"

We could put the city's 3-1-1 phone number on the bumper stickers, but, people don't want to call that and be put on hold for 25 minutes.

Schenley International Baccalaureate's language program honored

Sweet: Schenley International Baccalaureate's language program honored. Schenley International Baccalaureate's language program honored: "Schenley International Baccalaureate's language program honored"

The long-heralded International Baccalaureate at Pittsburgh Schenley High School gained a notch of distinction when it was named as one of five exemplary high school foreign language programs in Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania State Modern Language Association on Friday awarded Schenley High its 2010 Golden Globe -- the top award given to a high school for its foreign languages curriculum and a recognition of Schenley's outstanding world languages department, said Thekla Fall, chairwoman of the association's Exemplary Program.

"This is special recognition of the long and proud history of Schenley's foreign languages department," said Dr. Fall, a retired German teacher and curriculum supervisor in the Pittsburgh Public Schools.

Schenley's language department, which offers French, German, Spanish, Russian and Japanese, was the only program in Pennsylvania to receive the Golden Globe award this year.

The award program established in 2005 gives out four kinds of awards -- the Golden Globe, Silver Globe, Bronze Globe and Globe.

Schenley, which moved from its expansive Oakland campus to the Reizenstein building in Shadyside in 2008, joins Pittsburgh Allderdice High School and three others-- Academy of Notre Dame in Villanova, Germantown Academy in Fort Washington and Upper Moreland High School in Willow Grove -- in the Golden Globe club.

The award covers a two-year period and is given to schools that excel in at least eight of 11 aspects of foreign language instruction.

Among the criteria judges consider is the number of languages offered to students, given the size of the school; the percentage of students in the school that are learning a foreign language; the percentage of students who go on to higher levels of language learning and whether the school district administers a standards-based performance test of languages.

Allderdice, which offers French, Spanish, German, Japanese and Mandarin, first received the Golden Globe in 2005, and it was renewed in 2007 and 2009.

"We are very thrilled to be recognized in this manner, especially because the award will cover the last two years of our existence," said Devin Browne, a French and Russian teacher at Schenley.

Mr. Browne credited the school's long-standing commitment to foreign languages and cultural exchange programs as part of the reason the school's foreign languages department continues to flourish.

In 2008, for example, 15 of his students had a private audience -- conversing in French -- with Ambassador Pierre Vimont when he visited the University of Pittsburgh, said Mr. Browne, who arranged the meeting.

"We often have traditional Russian dance, Japanese cuisine events and an exchange program with Germany that has done wonders for our students," Mr. Browne added. "This is a place where the students often leave with an exceptional command of the foreign languages they are studying."

Schenley, which was moved from Oakland amid stiff resistance from parents and community members, will cease to exist after the class of 2011 graduates. The district has already implemented a new International Baccalaureate program, which will be known as the Barack Obama International Studies Academy.

"This is a very high honor for the Pittsburgh Public Schools, especially because we are now the only district that has two schools which have received the Golden Globe," said Marsha Plotkin, supervisor of foreign languages curriculum at district headquarters.

Other area high schools that were recognized include Gateway in Monroeville, Greensburg Salem in Westmoreland County and Moon Area, which all received a Globe Award.

No Silver Globe or Bronze Globe was awarded this year. Quaker Valley High School in Leetsdale received a Silver Globe award last year and Shaler Area High School received a Globe award the same year.

What both Schenley and Allderdice have achieved in foreign languages instruction over the years, Ms. Plotkin said, is a model of what the school district hopes to replicate in all its schools.

"We have a number of schools like Perry, Carrick and CAPA, which are well on track to receiving this award sometime soon," Ms. Plotkin said.

Source: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10102/1049677-298.stm?cmpid=education.xm#ixzz0kzl3saAc

All the kids in the IB progam take a foreign language every year. My sons have had Spanish since grade K.

I agree that we are blessed with a good number of foreign visitors, even overlooking the G-20, as well as foreign exchange students. Plus, a good number of the kids at Schenley go abroad from time to time. One of the swimmers, a senior now, is going to go to Brazil for part of the summer with a church mission effort. Travel abroad is not that unusual.

Wicked problem = Dealing with a Sports Overhaul in Pittsburgh Public Schools

Wicked problem - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "Wicked problem"

Check out what is meant with a wicked problem and then how it fits in our struggle to overhaul sports opportunities at Pittsburgh Public Schools.

Sports as a topic is interesting to me, and nearly everyone else. We all have a concept of and reaction to sports. But, these emotions are often unlike the others. Sports can be hard to make into a definitive state: Football, cheerleading, special events, training, games, out-of-season, recruitment, retirement, and so on.

1.There is no definitive formulation of a wicked problem.

2.Wicked problems have no stopping rule.

I like to tell the swimmers on the team that the swim season ends only when one dies. Once you are a swimmer, you are always a swimmer. There are no 'seasons' to stop us from swimming and staying healthy. We need to talk and think in lifestyle manners, not stop and go seasons.

3.Solutions to wicked problems are not true-or-false, but better or worse.

Likewise, playing the game isn't about winning-or-not, but rather, improvement, effort, learning, and excitement.

4.There is no immediate and no ultimate test of a solution to a wicked problem.

Sports are filled with many tests -- but these can't be easily measured. Sports scholarships, next level participation, coaches made, evaluations, and strength gains are factors. My ultimate test and yours might be very different.

5.Every solution to a wicked problem is a "one-shot operation"; because there is no opportunity to learn by trial-and-error, every attempt counts significantly.

I crave the shots that are more of the lay-up type, and I favor less the full-court buzzer beater shots.

6.Wicked problems do not have an enumerable (or an exhaustively describable) set of potential solutions, nor is there a well-described set of permissible operations that may be incorporated into the plan.

The PPS Sports and Athletics efforts have lots of moving parts: Students, coaches, schools, principals, partnerships, competitors, facilities, and so on.

7.Every wicked problem is essentially unique.
District VIII = the City League. It isn't VII = WPIAL.

8.Every wicked problem can be considered to be a symptom of another problem.

How many times do we hear that it is the teachers fault, or the parents fault, or the middle-school sports development fault. Plus there are economic, racial, gender and other big ass (role model) hurdles to navigate.

9.The existence of a discrepancy representing a wicked problem can be explained in numerous ways. The choice of explanation determines the nature of the problem's resolution.

The victors get to write the history. But, they don't get to control the rule book.

10.The planner has no right to be wrong (planners are liable for the consequences of the actions they generate).

Heavy.

Seeking to generalize the concept of problem wickedness to areas other than planning and policy, Conklin identifies the following as defining characteristics of wicked problems:

1. The problem is not understood until after the formulation of a solution.
2. Wicked problems have no stopping rule.
3. Solutions to wicked problems are not right or wrong.
4. Every wicked problem is essentially novel and unique.
5. Every solution to a wicked problem is a 'one shot operation'.
6. Wicked problems have no given alternative solutions.

TaxFree15th.com - Welcome To The Constitutionally Backed Tax Holiday! > Home

Three important questions:

TaxFree15th.com - Welcome To The Constitutionally Backed Tax Holiday! > Home: "WHY ARE WE ALLOWING OUR CONSTITUTION TO BE IGNORED?

WHY DO OUR CHILDREN HAVE TO SACRIFICE FOR BANKING SCAMS?

WHY ARE WE SUPPORTING POLICIES THAT DON'T SUPPORT US?"

A new movement for the 15th of every month.

Pine-Richland votes for $41.7 million cap on expansion project

Sorry, but this smells bad. I don't approve of phantom budgets and pie in the sky numbers that are not real, only to pass the board. When votes don't mean diddly, nor does democracy.

Pine-Richland votes for $41.7 million cap on expansion project Vice President Richard Herko cast the lone dissenting vote. He said he realized the number was 'imaginary,' in that the board has no intention of spending that amount for construction, 'but it feels like a real one.'

More power to them for fixing up the schools and even moving along on the acceptance of a very large and healthy grant to build an indoor 50-meter swim pool. But, be square with numbers and votes and the process of self government.

Accountability matters.

Lay of the land and terms of Pittsburgh Public School district

So, what background terms are we missing in this list?

DEFINITIONS

Allderdice High School - A comprehensive high school in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood for grades 9-12. Allderdice has a city-wide magnet for engineering.

CAPA - Creative and Performing Arts high school which is located downtown and had accommodated grades 9 to 12. As of the 2009-2010 school year, the CAPA expanded to house grades 6 to 12. CAPA is a city-wide magnet.

CTE - Career and Technical Education, once known as Vocational and Technical education or "Vo Tech".

DeJong - A consultant firm hired by Pittsburgh Public Schools to report on building conditions and offer recommendations regarding facilities closures.

Frick Middle School - A PPS Facility in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh for grades 6-8 with an international studies theme. The students and the program moved to the Reizenstein facility and is now a part of Pittsburgh Obama, 6-12.

IB - International Baccalaureate, an educational program with an international standard. Pittsburgh Public Schools opened an IB middle years program school for grades 6 to 10 in the fall of 2009 at Reizenstein. The school is now called Pittsburgh Obama Academy of International studies and will expand to grades 6-12 over the next two years.

IB Site Selection Committee - A group of citizens and district employees selected by the PPS Administration to consider the long-term location for the IB program after the closure of Schenley High School.

Obama International Studies Academy - Pittsburgh Obama Academy of International Studies - a city-wide magnet for grades 6-12 that uses the IB educational system. It is presently located at the Reizenstein facility, but may move to another location.

Peabody High School - A comprehensive high school for grades 9-12 located on Highland Avenue in East Liberty section of Pittsburgh. Peabody houses the city-wide magnet for its robotics program, which was previously located at Schenley High School.

Perry High School - A comprehensive high school for grades 9-12 located on the North Side. It is an all magnet school consisting of a "traditional academy."

Schenley High School - A PPS facility in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh that was closed in June 2008. The students from grades 10 to 12 were moved to Reizenstein in the fall of 2008. The last class at Schenley High School will graduate in June 2011.

Sci Tech - A science and technology school that now occupies the building once known as Frick. As of the 2009-2010 school year, the school accommodates grades 6-9 and will grow to house grades 6-12. Sci Tech is a city wide magnet.

U-Prep / Milliones - A middle school facility in the Hill District that, as of the 2009-2010 school year, accommodates students from grades 6-10. Now called U-Prep at Margaret Milliones, it is a partial magnet, partial feeder pattern school and is to expand to grades over the next two years. U-Prep is a city-wide magnet.

Vo Tech - see CTE above. Vo Tech is an out of date term it seems.

Westinghouse High School - A comprehensive high school for grades 9-12 in Homewood. This facility had a $30 million renovation within the last 10 years.

MEB's Coming to Pittsburgh!

He is not Michael Phelps, but I can roll out the red carpet for him for sure.

MEB's Coming to Pittsburgh! The first weekend in May, Mebrahtom Keflezighi (pronounced Kef-lez-ghee), more commonly known as “Meb,” will come to Pittsburgh to meet and inspire area athletes during the Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon weekend.

13th year of high school should be an option for all PPS students

PPS should pull together a 13th year / prep year for all PPS graduates who want a 13th year. This extra prep year could be hosted as part of the I.B. High / Pittsburgh Obama. Allow all students from PPS to take advantage of an extra year of study and maturity before going to college.

http://rauterkus.blogspot.com/2009/01/ib-high-should-have-13th-year-component.html

I am NOT in favor of tearing down the Civic Arena. I don't want to tear down much, except politicians that only want to churn our landscape.

From Mark Rauterkus & Running Mates ponder current events

I don't want to tear down the Civic Arena. There is very little that should be torn down from our landscape. To build, add value. To destroy, subtract. I am on the side of building by increasing, by addition, by expansion.

Any third grader knowns that 1 + 1 = 2 and that 2 is larger than 1.

Luke's math: 1 + 1 - 1 = 1. That's not growth.

From Mark Rauterkus & Running Mates ponder current events

We used to have a Civic Arena that could host concerts, basketball games, tracktor pulls and high school graduations. With the new Consol Energy Arena we'll be able to host the Penguin hockey games and the next day open for the Circus.

There is any demand for luxery box seats to go to a high school grduation, or college graduation as some of them have been held there too. There is no demand for luxery boxes for a circus or a monster truck jam or even Disney On Ice.

With the Civic Arena here, re-tooled for sure, we'd be able to host a mega block party when the Pens play a HOME playoff game, with the overflow spectators going to the Civic Arena.

Monday =IB Movie. Tuesday = Global Poverty lecture. Spiker action too

On Monday night, tonight, the IB FILM Class from Schenley shows its film project. Happens at Pgh Filmakers, free.

OAKLAND: Wahu Kaara, advocate for social justice in Kenya, will deliver a lecture, "Roots of Global Poverty," at 7 p.m. in Hamburg Hall Room 1000 on Carnegie Mellon University's campus. The talk will explore the economic and political systems that impoverish Africa and Latin America. Event, which is free, begins with a reception at 6:30 p.m.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10102/1049678-53.stm#ixzz0ktqarb0q

HS Volleyball for Schenley this week begins with a home match today, 3:15 varsity game, vs city team (Langley). Then game on Wed at Mt. Lebo and Thursday at Perry, 3:15. Saturday is a tournament at Hempfield for varsity and JV.

Swimming for the JCC Sailfish begins again tonight as well.

After iPad, Rivals Offer Hybrid Variations - NYTimes.com

After iPad, Rivals Offer Hybrid Variations - NYTimes.com Just as Apple’s iPhone shook up a complacent cellphone industry, the company’s iPad is provoking PC makers — and non-PC makers — to fight back with new devices.

Fw: The Premiere Blogarama Newsletter

Reposted in full below. Scrqp the horiscope. But burnout in Pgh has been huge.

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

---

From: Blogarama <news@blogarama.com>

Date: 12 Apr 2010 16:55:47 -0700

To: <mark@rauterkus.com>

Subject: The Premiere Blogarama Newsletter

Welcome to the premiere issue of the Blogarama Newsletter! No matter what part of the world you live in, you are about to be moving into the changing of the seasons. For those of you who will soon be welcoming spring, you may be finding a place outdoors where you can sit with your laptop and blog away the day. If you are about to move into autumn, you may start planning some chilly days blogging by the fireplace. Wherever you are, things are going to change. Whether the month of April means spring or autumn for you, it will be a time for moving ahead and revving your blogs up to reflect the changes. The Blogarama Newsletter hopes to offer you guidance as well as a bit of fun thrown in. Our newsletter hopes to bring you some guidance as well as a bit of fun thrown in. Regular monthly sections will be "Blogging 101" and your monthly "Horoscopes". In Blogging 101, you will find tips for the new blogger. Although it is centered on someone who is new at blogging, often there will be tips that veteran bloggers will also find helpful. So be sure to give it a glance each month! There will also be a special featured article each month regarding something that bloggers will find interesting, and perhaps, helpful. This month Tips to Avoid Blogging Burnout is featured. Everyone needs a bit of fuel to keep those creative blogging juices flowing. To that end, you will find a recipe for an easy to make, delicious AND nutritious snack to keep you going while you blog! It is sincerely hoped that you will enjoy what you find within this newsletter. In addition, please feel free to offer comments and suggestions as to what you would like to see included in future issues of the Blogarama Newsletter. Blogging 101 Use your Passion The very first thing to do as a new, or beginning, blogger is to create your blog around something you are PASSIONATE about. This may also be the most important thing you do with regards to your blog's success. Everyone has something that stirs and excites them in ways that nothing else does. Find out what that is for you and base your blog around it. Chances are great that if you truly love a subject, you will know quite a bit about it just from being involved with it so avidly. Your blog is going to be about the knowledge you have gained and can share with others on your chosen topic. It will also be where you state your opinion on said topic and invite others to agree or disagree with you. When you sit down to write a blog post, you want to feel eager and excited about doing it. Again, your passion makes this possible. Stay away from things that you have heard others say is "popular" right now. Suppose new technology is what a large number of readers are flocking to read about. However, you have no interest in or knowledge of modern technology. Should you blog about it anyway just to ensure that more people visit your blog? NO, no, a thousand times NO! Consider that if something is boring to you, what you write about it will come across as boring. People will not enjoy reading something that presents itself as painfully disinteresting. Your writing is a reflection of your thoughts and feelings. If you couldn't care less about what the latest cell phone is capable of, no one reading your blog will, either. What you are going to aim for instead of writing about what "everyone wants to read about," is to create enthusiasm for YOUR topic. For example, suppose you LOVE doing a particular craft. It may not be something that others would think to search for in a blog, but you are going to write about this craft with such passion and enthusiasm, that people will find you and get caught up in your craft. Soon, people will be actively trying to LEARN your craft just because your blog is so filled with joy about it. Yes, you CAN do this! Everyone had to start somewhere. It is completely possible to create a blog about something you love and draw readers to it. Find your passion and be ready to write about it to share with others. Next month: How to Set Up Your Blog Tips to Avoid Blogging Burnout Burnout is something that all writers experience from time to time. This is true no matter how much you adore writing and blogging. It can come about due to having a schedule you want to adhere to, or a deadline you are definite about meeting. Whatever the reason is, you may have just set yourself up to develop a serious case of blogger's burnout. This can be a very limiting "disorder" because you will suddenly not have any idea what to write. Even if you are the most passionate person in the world about your particular blog topic, you will not be able to think of a single thing to write about. Though this can be very disheartening for the normally enthusiastic blogger, there is hope to move past it and be happily blogging away again. Have a look at these tips to keep your brain feeling fresh and alert: Don't set yourself up to develop blogging burnout. Make a realistic schedule. This should be one that you can stick to easily without being over worked. On occasion when you feel that you have more to say on a particular week, you can certainly sit down and write it. Just don't force yourself to stay on a schedule that stresses you. On a day when you are feeling particularly creative and the words seem to be just flowing, write until your heart's content. Then stockpile these blog posts. For many bloggers this is something that works quite well. They choose one or two days a week and write all their posts at once. This can work whether or not you are doing daily or weekly posts. Then you will have some to choose from when you're busy or when you just can't seem to find the words to write. Don't be too rigid with your schedule. Leave some flexibility for yourself to get enough rest, spend time with your family, relax, and have fun. Believe it or not, these are the very things that keep your mind working and ready to produce your thoughts when it is time. When you find yourself out of ideas to use for posting, look around for a related subject to give your thoughts on. If you have a decent following, encourage them to participate in the discussion. You may even hold a contest of some sort for your readers. If you start to feel overwhelmed with your workload, take a break. Don't let your joy become a burden. A lot of times it only takes a short break from writing to get your creative juices flowing again. Invite a guest blogger to post on your blog. This will give you some time to go on vacation or even just take a long weekend. Many times this will offer your readers a fresh take on your blogging topic. Take your laptop and work in different places. If the weather is nice, go outside to enjoy the weather. Visit your favorite coffee shop and use their Internet access to write your blog. Sometimes, just being in a new and inviting environment can work wonders. A lot of bloggers find that their favorite music keeps them feeling upbeat, relaxed, and able to write their blogs more effectively. Think about other things. Do some research on another topic that interests you. In this way, you are able to move your mind away from where it was stuck and let it open up again through something fresh and new. Last, but not least, try just getting up and doing some form of exercise. Go for a walk. Hop on the treadmill. Ride your road bike or exercise bike. A lot of people feel that this helps them clear the cobwebs from their brains and opens up more portals of information to write. So the next time that you start to feel that blogger's burnout creeping into your life, try following some of the above tips. You just might be amazed at how quickly your burnout can be cured so that you can start to write again. As time goes on, you may come up with your very own individual tips to add to the list. Keep Up Your Energy with Healthy Snacks What could be more energizing than a tasty as well as healthy snack of a Fun Snack Mix? It is easy to make, delicious, good for you, and can be placed in a bowl right by your computer to munch on as you work. Fun Snack Mix This is the perfect snack to nibble on while you work. Ingredients: 1 Cup of Diced Dried Apricots ½ Cup of Dried Cherries or Cranberries ½ Cup of Unsalted or Lightly Salted Sunflower Seeds or Roasted Almonds 1 ½ Cup of Unsalted or lightly Salted Roasted Peanuts ½ Teaspoon of Pumpkin Pie Spice 1/3 Cup of White Chocolate Chips (if desired) Put all the ingredients into a 1 gallon size plastic bag. Seal it. Then shake the bag well to mix the ingredients thoroughly. This makes 3 ½ cups or 10 1/3 cup servings, or 4 cups if white chocolate chips were added. See? It's one of the easiest recipes you will be able to find. You can whip it up in no time but spend hours enjoying it. Signs of the Times Have a look at your personal Zodiac sign below to find out what lies ahead of you this month! AQUARIUS (January 21st – February 19th): The month of April brings not only flowers and sunshine but also a new wealth of creative ideas. Use this month to catch up on procrastinations that you just should not put off any longer. Love may not be all you want it to be but you will have your moments. PISCES (February 20th – March 20th): You want to spend a lot of time with your head in the clouds this month but that is really not the best idea. New projects have a great chance for getting off the ground especially if you are considering an independent business deal. Your emotions tend to be on a roller coaster so hold on tight. ARIES (March 21st – April 20th): Understand that everything does not revolve around you. Other people have their own responsibilities as well. This month you need to pay attention to some little small voices telling you there is something you are missing. If you really focus, you will find where you are most needed. TAURUS (April 21st – May 21st): No one is more loyal than you and you will get the chance to prove that this month. Things are heading in a great direction for you in April and you need to take advantage of all opportunities that present themselves. Someone you thought had forgotten you finally makes contact. GEMINI (May 22nd – June 21st): Your communication skills are in high demand this month along with your creativity. The ideas you come up with tend to astound others. Too many new thoughts run through your head in April and it's hard to choose which ones are the best. Go with your amazing intuition. You won't be wrong. CANCER (June 22nd – July 22nd): Do what you can to curb those temperamental impulses in April. If you can't do it, you may lose out on a really important and lucrative opportunity just because you were in a bad mood. There will be many things this month to put a small smile on your face. Some of them may even make you laugh out loud. LEO (July 23rd – August 22nd): There's a lot to be said about your charisma for April. Basically, if you want it, you can have it. You are a bit like the Pied Piper as so many people tend to follow where you lead right now. Use your ability to be a people magnet to draw in those who can help you meet some personal goals more quickly. VIRGO (August 23rd – September 23rd): You have the ability to create order out of chaos when you are in the mood for it. No one is more organized than you are and others realize this. If you aren't careful, you will find yourself doing your work and that of others, too. Pay attention and don't let that happen. Focus on your own goals. LIBRA (September 24th – October 23rd): Nothing is ever just black and white. Believe it or not, there ARE shades of gray. Keep this in mind this month when you are approached by someone who wants you to think outside of the box for a new project. Listen to all of the facts and details before making your decision. SCORPIO (October 24th – November 22nd): Your magnetism is amazing during the month of April. If you want to sway someone to your way of thinking, just train those hypnotic eyes on them and there's no way they will say no. A good friend seems to need your advice on something. However, you've already warned this friend. There's nothing else you can do. SAGITTARIUS (November 23nd – December 21st): Burning the candle at both ends is not the way to move successfully through April. Even though you may feel the need to get a lot done, becoming overwhelmed is not the way to do it. Ease up on yourself a bit and you will be amazed at everything you will get accomplished. CAPRICORN (December 22nd – January 20th): April promises to be a rather productive month for you if you have your goals set. Be ready to jump on a new idea that hits you about the middle of the month. It will open some major doors for you. Friends tend to be a bit needy this month but remember that you will be rewarded for your help. Ok, that's it for this month, Bloggers! We hope that you have picked up a bit of knowledge as well as had a little fun while reading this month's newsletter. Don't forget that we welcome your comments and suggestions. Until next month, Happy Blogging!

Wishing Chair played Here!

House concert: hosts and talent!