Steelers cut kicker ReedBye Jeff.
How far behind can Ben be?
As fit citizens, neighbors and running mates, we are tyranny fighters, water-game professionals, WPIAL and PIAA bound, wiki instigators, sports fans, liberty lovers, world travelers, non-credentialed Olympic photographers, UU netizens, church goers, open source boosters, school advocates, South Siders, retired and not, swim coaches, water polo players, ex-publishers and polar bear swimmers, N@.
Mark,
Thanks for your investigation. Because of questions raised, that information was recently provided to us.
While you are an advocate of holding off the move into the Peabody building, we are also receiving communications from stakeholders in favor of the move. As with most things we do, a variety of folks are looking from a variety of angles and the result is a variety of opinions.
Glad to hear you're in favor of the Westinghouse work. It's important that folks understand the opportunity that is being presented there.
Take care,
Sherry
Councilman Bruce Kraus, who represents the South Side and Hilltop communities, said he was aware of Mr. Dowd's legislation but hasn't had an opportunity to study the details.Will someone please do the homework for Mr. Kraus. Then give it to him before he trys to order another independent audit and hires another bunch of out-of-town consultants to tell him what he needs to do.
Read more: http://post-gazette.com/pg/10320/1103688-53.stm#ixzz15SA70ccw
It's back to the drawing board for Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl after state overseers Monday rejected his 2011 budget and five-year spending plan for the second time.Speaking of past due homework and help with the heavy lifting within the duties of the job, Luke needs some help too.
The Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority described the documents as "deficient," and Chairwoman Barbara McNees urged City Council and Mr. Ravenstahl to work together to develop a budget, five-year financial plan and pension bailout.
Budget No. 3 is due to the ICA by Nov. 30.
Read more: http://post-gazette.com/pg/10320/1103665-53.stm#ixzz15SAjsggt
Jeff Reed, who in the past has refused to publicly knock Heinz Field as a poor place to kick, ended his diplomacy after he missed a 26-yard field goal Sunday night, his seventh of the season, in a 39-26 Steelers loss to the New England Patriots.Time to get a new stadium? Wait until the ice rink arrives on the field.
And he tossed in a few critical remarks about Steelers fans as well.
"I'm not one to make excuses," Reed began. "I'll take the credit for the miss. It was a great snap, a great hold, great protection. It's kind of hard when you plant your foot and the hole -- a piece of ground moves where the ball's under the holder. I almost missed the ball completely.
"I'm not going to make excuses. If you've played any kind of sports in your life, you realize that what we play on is not very good turf. It happens."
It was the seventh missed field goal attempt this season for Reed, who missed just 10 total in the three previous seasons combined. He is 15 of 22, the most he's missed since he was 20 of 27 for the 2006 season. He only missed more in 2003, his second season with the Steelers when he was 23 of 32.
Reed said he's not in a slump.
Read more: http://post-gazette.com/pg/10319/1103534-66.stm#ixzz15NeradAw
Please join me at 10:00 tomorrow morning, Tuesday, November 16th at City Council chambers on the 5th floor of the City-County building to receive a proclamation from city council on the importance of Family Involvement on our district.
All families are wanted and needed to represent importance of what parents bring to the education of our own children and demonstrate how important community is in this work as well.
Please come and STANDUP for families, meet us at 9:45 outside of chambers.
Family and Community School Involvement Week
November 15-20, 2010
Whereas; Family and community engagement is a key goal for the District;
Whereas; Family and community involvement is critical to the success of our students and schools
Whereas; Families and communities are an essential part of a student’s Pathway to The Promise; helping students nurture dreams and ambitions and ensuring that all students develop the habits and behaviors that lead to success in school and in life
Whereas; The 17th Annual National Parental Involvement Day is on Thursday November 18, 2010.
Whereas, To celebrate this occasion and to raise the profile of the importance of family and community involvement, Pittsburgh Public Schools will host a week of events and activities spotlighting the importance of family and community engagement November 15-20, 2010.
Whereas, the District’s final Pathways to the Promise Night family event is on November 17 at Pittsburgh Milliones 6-12;
Whereas, an Excellence for All parents steering committee meeting featuring Superintendent Mark Roosevelt is on November 18 at Pittsburgh Science and Technology Academy;
Whereas, on November 18 the University of Pittsburgh, Africana Studies Department will host the next Dame-Dame series monthly meeting highlighting an outstanding school educator at the University of Pittsburgh’s Langley Hall; and
Whereas, on November 20 the Hill District Education Council will host its Fall 2010 Education Conference titled “Connecting on Education Justice”.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, Pittsburgh City Council officially proclaims November 15-20, 2010 as “Family and Community School Involvement Week” in the city of Pittsburgh at its Tuesday, November 16 Legislative Session.
Stan Geier, a local vice president for the company, wrote in an e-mail: "Many more companies than just Lamar are affected by the billboard hate group cleverly disguised as Scenic Pittsburgh."
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10318/1102988-53.stm#ixzz15IJakxR6
The Peace Alliance Network brought people together to jump start that process.Did anyone who attended this event offer a recap or else a pointer to another site that does have some news and insights. Thanks.
Around 100 people gathered today at Schenley High School in East Liberty to discuss issues in the black community that have led to violence.
One of the most recent events touched upon was last month's shooting of Jeron Grayson.
It's the latest worry for those Pennsylvanians suspicious of the growing Marcellus Shale industry. Under applications currently before the Public Utility Commission in Harrisburg, pipeline companies would be able to use condemnation powers to gain rights-of-way, even from unwilling landowners.I hate eminent domain. And, I hate condemnation powers too.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10318/1103192-454.stm#ixzz15I6E3b4x
City League: Perry rights ship with playoff win over Schenley: "Perry meets Brashear for the championship Saturday at Cupples Stadium.
Gallagher is a former Brashear assistant. After leaving Brashear in 2001, Gallagher led Perry to five consecutive City titles in his first five seasons there. However, Perry has not won a league championship since 2005 after winning it eight times over a nine-season span.
'[The Brashear coaches] are great guys and they do a wonderful job,' Gallagher said. 'In this day and age with Facebook all the kids know each other. It will fun. It's a great honor to be in the City championship game.'"
Panel urges African Americans to build their own institutions: "The panel, titled 'The Disappearing Black Community and How We Get It Back,' took place in the auditorium of the August Wilson Center in front of an audience of about 350 people, but was broadcast to listeners throughout the country.What is the URL?
The program was meant to be a frank discussion of the state of black communities in the United States. Panelists, who delivered their messages with the fervor of pastors in the pulpit, drew frequent choruses of applause and affirmations from the crowd.
'We have been playing around with the truth,' said Ms. Smith. 'It's time for the truth.'"
I wanted to let people know about an interesting exchange on theFeel free to add my email contact to your blast lists or when you have news. I try to post the items to this blog and elsewhere.
"Locals Online" group (a community of practice for host on
neighborhood e-lists, forums, placeblogs, social nets, Facebook Pages,
etc.) on the idea of the "community stream":
http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/49NoINmwFmYtOA7pGcQbmD
The general question - at the hyperlocal level, how do you get
community groups and others to simply post the information raw
materials for local community, democracy, etc. - think unedited
pre-news. Since many of us come out of the civic engagement frame and
not journalism, I am interested in other successful examples of
getting this distributed publishing model revved up and sustained.
From our discussion, there appear to be two primary working models -
the multi-tech/multi-space approach/aggregation (Boreal) and the
unitary space, multi-tech syndication approach (our Issues Forums).
I recall a day when online news sites attempted to give online
publishing spaces to community groups on a shared platform owned by
the paper, but I'd call that an "information island" brochure approach
unless "what's new" is pulled into a stream that is presented to lots
of people somewhere. I think most of those efforts died as larger
community groups began to publish on their own.
In our case, the "community stream" seeks to get information from
groups that just do not have the capacity maintain a fresh web site to
at least publish online in lowest common denominator ways. We are
trying to convince community organizations to simply get in the habit
of sending an e-mail to a community forum and if they have in it,
attach the poster they stuck up on cork boards in the community.
Drafting: http://pages.e-democracy.org/Issues_Forums_for_organizations
If you have more lessons to share, consider joining -
http://e-democracy.org/locals - or posting on the groups where you
received this query.
Steven Clift - http://stevenclift.com
South Park hires parents' choice for baseball coach
Friday, November 12, 2010 By Sarah Steimer
The South Park school board voted Thursday evening to hire Steve Bucci as its high school baseball coach.
Last month the board had scheduled a motion to approve Rick Bubash as coach, but parents attending the meeting asked the board to reconsider Mr. Bucci's application.
Mr. Bucci's hiring is contingent upon his submission of a letter of resignation to Bethel Park School District, where he is currently the high school's baseball coach. The South Park school board will negate its offer if Mr. Bucci fails to resign.
Mr. Bucci's current position at Bethel Park came under debate when the district's teachers union filed a grievance over his hiring. Under the union's policy, a teacher in the district gets privilege for a coaching position. An arbitrator ruled in favor of the union; however, the school district is appealing the decision. South Park board members were concerned that if they hired Mr. Bucci, he would return to Bethel Park if the court ruled in his favor.
Sarah Steimer, freelance: suburbanliving@post-gazette.com Source: http://post-gazette.com/pg/10316/1102629-100.stm#ixzz155P6pSlW
Long wish list for Pittsburgh Public Schools chief made - Pittsburgh Tribune-ReviewFrankly, I don't have much faith that Pittsburgh's school board and the diverse community will have great clarity in our wants. We all agree that we need a person to take the job and do well.
Community leaders and parents have a long wish list when it comes to the qualifications and qualities of the next city schools superintendent.
They want someone with experience in the classroom and in an urban school district who is fiscally responsible and will listen to the community and reduce the racial academic achievement gap.
"We need someone who knows how to manage change," said James Stewart, who serves on an advisory board working to reduce the achievement gap in the district.
Stewart was among about 90 people who attended an A+ Schools meeting Thursday night at Ebenezer Baptist Church in the Hill District to share their ideas about what qualifications and qualities are important in the next Pittsburgh Public Schools superintendent and what the priorities should be. The information gathered will be shared with the school board members.
The Black Political Empowerment Project and the Urban League of Pittsburgh co-sponsored the meeting.
A+ Schools used an electronic polling system so everyone could see the consensus around the room after smaller group discussions. The options used were gathered from an online survey A+ Schools conducted about the superintendent search.
Superintendent Mark Roosevelt is leaving at the end of the year to become president of Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio.
Many people expressed a desire for the next superintendent to build student and neighborhood morale by bringing all sectors of the community -- like parents, colleges, businesses and service groups -- together for the benefit of students.
However, they believe the superintendent's top priorities should be continuing efforts to promote teacher excellence, reduce the racial achievement gap and provide support and instruction based on students' needs.
Michael Casserly, executive director of the Council of Great City Schools, a Washington, D.C.-based advocate for urban school districts, spoke before the discussion. He said the meeting is a good start.
"The secret to (successful) searches is the community and the board to be clear about what they want, the direction they want to go in, the process they want to follow and then following that process and being transparent about it," Casserly said.
Sports and the arts also got a mention in one of the long lists -- and got the top support of 23% of the voters. That's a nice win too.
City schools: Same or new direction?
Citizens tell 6 school board members they want good listener, morale builder as superintendent
Friday, November 12, 2010
By Eleanor Chute, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
What should the Pittsburgh Public Schools board consider when looking for a replacement for superintendent Mark Roosevelt?
About 85 community members gave their opinions at a community forum Thursday night.
The top vote-getter for the most important qualification -- 23 percent -- was experience in the classroom or administration. The second highest, 20 percent, was evidence of being able to reach consensus and work collectively.
For the top quality, two characteristics tied, with 58 percent of the vote combined: being willing to listen and having the ability to build morale and inspire confidence.
The group also picked a top priority, with 28 percent naming addressing racial disparities in access and outcome and 26 percent choosing ensuring that teachers are effective, supported and trained. Only 6 percent voted for continuing the work already begun as a priority.
The forum at Ebenezer Baptist Church in the Hill District was organized by A+ Schools, a public education advocacy organization, and co-sponsored by the Black Political Empowerment Project and the Urban League of Pittsburgh.
Mr. Roosevelt announced that he was resigning at the end of December to become president of Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio. The board has not yet named a temporary or permanent replacement.
Six of the city school board members attended the forum: Dara Ware Allen, Mark Brentley Sr., Bill Isler, Thomas Sumpter, Sherry Hazuda and Sharene Shealey.
At the forum, participants met in small groups and then recorded their answers on an electronic device.
An electronic tally divided participants into five regions, but the largest number -- 46 percent -- were from the East End. About 55 percent were black, and about 39 percent were white.
The largest groups were concerned citizens, 33 percent; educators, 30 percent; and parents, 24 percent.
The meeting included some expert advice from Michael Casserly, executive director of the Council of the Great City Schools, and Thomas Payzant, former superintendent of Boston, San Diego and several other districts.
Dr. Casserly said some boards make the mistake of first thinking about whether they want someone with experience, certain degrees, an urban background or other traits.
But he said the first thing that must be considered is what kind of a school district the board envisions. He said board members must think about whether they want to continue in the same direction or make some changes.
He said it would take a different type of leader to build on what's existing than to start over.
Dr. Payzant said the board needs to reach an agreement on both how to sustain what's working and how to change. He recommended the board set three to five key goals.
Boys Soccer Classifications:
Single A
Aquinas Academy of Pittsburgh, 20
Beaver County Christian, 33
Trinity Christian School, 38
Eden Christian Academy, 49
Geibel Catholic, 67
Quigley Catholic, 68
Saint Joseph, 72
Vincentian Academy, 84
Elderton, 91
North Catholic, 98
Winchester Thurston, 102
Monessen, 106
Sewickley Academy, 108
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, 115
Serra Catholic, 128
Pgh CAPA boys, 128
Bentworth, 136
Springdale, 141
Chartiers Houston, 148
Bethlehem Center, 149
Avonworth, 150
Neshannock, 150
Pgh Sci Tech, 150
Brentwood, 162
Riverview, 165
South Side, 171
Pgh Westinghouse, 171
Bishop Canevin, 175
Carlynton, 176
Pgh Oliver, 183
Pgh Langley, 188
Greensburg Central Catholic, 190
Pgh U-Prep, 190
Seton LaSalle, 199
Mohawk, 207
Shady Side Academy, 213
West Shamokin, 218
Riverside, 219
Freedom, 225
AA Classifications
Brownsville, 222
Pgh Obama, 225
South Allegheny, 230
Charleroi, 233
Steel Valley, 241
Ellwood City, 245
Quaker Valley, 246
Freeport, 250
New Brighton, 252
Burrell, 254
Southmoreland, 261
Washington, 263
South Fayette, 266
Deer Lakes, 267
Waynesburg Central, 267
Beaver, 279
East Allegheny, 282
Mount Pleasant, 285
Pgh CAPA girls, 285
Keystone Oaks, 296
Yough, 309
McGuffey, 317
Valley, 318
Blackhawk, 321
Derry, 321
South Park, 321
Highlands, 325
Kittanning, 325
Pgh Perry, 333
Indiana, 336
Belle Vernon, 346
Elizabeth Forward, 353
Pgh U-Prep + Pgh Sci-Tech, 340
Pgh CAPA (boys) + Pgh Obama, 353
Hopewell, 356
Thomas Jefferson, 358
Ambridge, 366
Uniontown, 375
Mars, 378
Knoch, 380
Greensburg Salem, 387
West Allegheny, 389
Pgh Carrick, 392
Pgh Obama + Pgh Westinghouse, 396
Hampton, 399
Montour, 403
West Mifflin, 406
Ringgold, 418
AAA Classification
Central Valley, 339
Trinity, 429
Chartiers Valley, 447
Moon, 465
Laurel Highlands, 481
Albert Gallatin, 482
Franklin Regional, 498
Pgh CAPA girls + Pgh Obama, 510
Pgh Perry + Pgh Oliver, 516
Peters Township, 541
Pgh Brashear, 558
Greater Latrobe, 560
Upper Saint Clair, 560
Kiski, 565
Woodland Hills, 565
Pgh Obama + Pgh Sci-Tech + U-Prep, 565
Plum, 568
Canon McMillan, 577
McKeesport, 578
Pine-Richland, 595
Gateway, 606
Fox Chapel, 610
Penn Trafford, 610
North Hills, 619
Pgh Allderdice, 625
Baldwin, 641
Connellsville, 643
Mount Lebanon, 658
Bethel Park, 665
Norwin, 666
Central Catholic, 670
Shaler, 677
Penn Hills, 686
Pgh Langley + Pgh Brashear, 746
Hempfield, 792
Pgh Allderdice + Pgh Westinghouse, 796
Seneca Valley, 899
North Allegheny, 984
Butler, 1107
Example 2: Boys Basketball Classifications (4 classes)
Single A
Trinity Christian, 38
Eden Christian, 49
Geibel Catholic, 67
Quigley Catholic, 68
Mapletown, 69
Saint Joseph, 72
Avella, 80
Vincentian, 84
Elderton, 91
North Catholic, 98
Western Beaver, 98
Cornell, 99
Winchester Thurston, 102
Jefferson Morgan, 104
Monessen, 106
Sewickley Academy, 108
Union, 112
West Greene, 112
Lincoln Park Charter, 113
OLSH, 115
Leechburg, 116
Clairton, 124
Carmichaels, 125
Rochester, 125
Serra Catholic, 128
Pgh CAPA boys, 128
Bentworth, 136
Double AA
California, 140
Springdale, 141
Aliquippa, 148
Chartiers Houston, 148
Bethlehem Center, 149
Avonworth, 150
Neshannock, 150
Pgh Sci Tech, 150
Wilkinsburg, 155
Frazier, 157
Jeannette, 158
Sto-Rox, 160
Brentwood, 162
Fort Cherry, 162
Riverview, 165
South Side, 171
Pgh Westinghouse, 171
Bishop Canevin, 175
Carlynton, 176
Northgate, 176
Shenango, 177
Pgh Oliver, 183
Burgettstown, 188
Pgh Langley, 188
Laurel, 189
Greensburg Central Catholic, 190
Pgh U-Prep, 190
Seton LaSalle, 199
Apollo Ridge, 202
Mohawk, 207
Shady Side Academy, 213
West Shamokin, 218
Riverside, 219
Brownsville, 222
Freedom, 225
Pgh Obama, 225
South Allegheny, 230
Charleroi, 233
Steel Valley, 241
Ellwood City, 245
Ford City, 245
Quaker Valley, 246
Beaver Falls, 247
Summit Academy, 248
Freeport, 250
New Brighton, 252
Triple A
Burrell, 254
Southmoreland, 261
Washington, 263
South Fayette, 266
Deer Lakes, 267
Waynesburg Central, 267
Beaver, 279
East Allegheny, 282
Mount Pleasant, 285
Pgh CAPA girls, 285
Keystone Oaks, 296
Yough, 309
McGuffey, 317
Valley, 318
Blackhawk, 321
Derry, 321
South Park, 321
Highlands, 325
Kittanning, 325
Pgh Perry, 333
Indiana, 336
Central Valley, 339
Pgh U-Prep + Pgh Sci-Tech, 340
Belle Vernon, 346
Elizabeth Forward, 353
Pgh CAPA boys + Pgh Obama, 353
Hopewell, 356
Thomas Jefferson, 358
New Castle, 360
Ambridge, 366
Uniontown, 375
Mars, 378
Knoch, 380
Greensburg Salem, 387
West Allegheny, 389
Pgh Carrick, 392
Pgh Obama + Pgh Westinghouse, 396
Hampton, 399
Montour, 403
West Mifflin, 406
Ringgold, 418
Trinity, 429
Quad A Classification
Chartiers Valley, 447
Moon, 465
Laurel Highlands, 481
Albert Gallatin, 482
Franklin Regional, 498
Pgh Perry + Pgh Oliver, 516
Peters Township, 541
Pgh Brashear, 558
Greater Latrobe Senior, 560
Upper Saint Clair, 560
Kiski, 565
Woodland Hills, 565
Pgh Obama + Pgh Sci-Tech + Pgh U-Prep, 565
Plum, 568
Canon McMillan, 577
McKeesport, 578
Pine-Richland, 595
Gateway, 606
Fox Chapel, 610
Penn Trafford, 610
North Hills, 619
Pgh Allderdice, 625
Baldwin, 641
Connellsville, 643
Mount Lebanon, 658
Bethel Park, 665
Norwin, 666
Central Catholic, 670
Shaler, 677
Penn Hills, 686
Pgh Langley + Pgh Brashear, 746
Hempfield, 792
Pgh Allderdice + Pgh Westinghouse, 796
Seneca Valley, 899
North Allegheny, 984
Butler, 1107
Division III
Men's Team Rankings
1 Kenyon 425, 2 Denison 399, 3 Emory 347, 4 Kalamazoo 292, 5 Johns Hopkins 290, 6 Washington (Missouri) 267, 7 Stevens Institute 233, 8 MIT 214, 9 Williams 196, 10 Amherst 194, 11 TCNJ 177, 12 DePauw 158, 13 Carnegie Mellon 154, 14 Washington and Lee 143, 15 Hope 140, 16 Middlebury 137, 17 UW-Stevens Point 127, 18 Grove City 124, 19 Chicago 123, 20 Carthage 93, 21 St. Olaf 91, 22 Tufts 88, 23 Case Western Reserve 85, 24 St. Thomas (Mn) 79, 25 Olivet 78
Women's Team Rankings
1 Emory University 375, 2 Denison University 351, 3 Kenyon College 342, 4 Williams College 270, 5 C-M-S 214, 6 Johns Hopkins 205, 7 Amherst College 199, 8 MIT 169, 9 UW-Stevens Point 162, 10 WashU 146, 11 Carthage College 144, 12 Stevens Institute 118, 13 UW-LaCrosse 117, 14 Grove City College 99, 15 Chicago 87, 16 Carnegie Mellon 85, 17 Hope College 85, 18 Calvin College 83, 19 Ithaca College 82, 20 Mary Washington 82, 21 Kalamazoo 65, 22 Middlebury 62, 23 Gustavus Adolphus 60, 24 Keene State 59, 25 Springfield 58,