Puppet request from Cheryl

I have a fun opportunity for you and your students to participate in a giant puppet pageant at Three Rivers Arts Festival on Sunday, June 5. I have funding to do free workshops all over the region for anyone that would like to get involved. I know it is late in the year and a crazy time for everyone, but if you are interested let me know right away

I also need older kids to wear giant puppets.
--Cheryl

I will provide:

* One free workshop at your school or other community location (small groups are fine--a scout troop, an art club, etc.)
* All materials and instruction will be provided.
* I will transport all of the puppets created in the workshop to the event
* You can pick from two different workshops:
o Things that Bloom (participants will paint giant paper umbrellas to turn them into beautiful flowers)
o Things that Fly (participants will build flying bugs and birds that will be carried on tall bamboo rod.)

You would need to:

* Provide a location for the workshop sometime in May
* Promote the workshop to your community (I'll provide a simple flyer for you to customize)
* Lead your group at two performances at Three Rivers Arts Festival on Sunday, June 5 between noon and 4 pm.
* Attend one of the two rehearsals (just you) so you can direct your group-you can pick which rehearsal works for you:
o Saturday, May 21 at my studio from 1 to 4 or
o Sunday, June 5 at Point State Park at 9 am

I am also doing a ton of free workshops here at my studio. If you can't host a workshop but would like to get involved or have individual students that might like to participate you are welcome to share this information:

Sunday, May 8 Workshop (all ages) 1 to 4
Tuesday, May 10 Workshop (adults) 1 to 4
Friday, May 13 Workshop (adults) 1 to 4
Tuesday, May 17 Workshop (adults) 1 to 4
Saturday, May 21 Rehearsal (all ages)l 1 to 5
Sunday, May 22 Workshop (all ages) 1 to 4
Monday, May 23 Workshop (adults) 1 to 4
Thursday, June 2 Workshop (adults) 1 to 4
Friday, June 3 Workshop (adults) 1 to 4
Saturday, June 4 Finishing touches (all ages) 1 to 4
Sunday, June 5 Rehearsal 9 am
Sunday, June 5 Performance around noon
Sunday, June 5 Performance around 4

---

Contact her directly at cheryl -at- studiocapezzuti -dot- com.

A chapter ends with the killing of Osama bin Laden.

Libertarian Party celebrates end of bin Laden era

WASHINGTON - Libertarian Party Chairman Mark Hinkle issued this statement today:

"I am glad to hear of the death of Osama bin Laden, who had no qualms about slaughtering American civilians.

"Unfortunately, bin Laden leaves behind an evil legacy in the United States: the Department of Homeland Security, the TSA, the PATRIOT Act, warrantless wiretaps, the 'state secrets' doctrine, and other violations of Americans' civil and economic rights.

"Just like Osama bin Laden, these programs must be terminated.

"President Obama must also end the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya. It's time to stop being the world's policeman. It's time to bring all those troops home.

"Our government should also end its foreign aid programs, which create future terrorists by funding many dictators around the world."

The Libertarian Party platform (section 3.3) states, "American foreign policy should seek an America at peace with the world. Our foreign policy should emphasize defense against attack from abroad and enhance the likelihood of peace by avoiding foreign entanglements. We would end the current U.S. government policy of foreign intervention, including military and economic aid. We recognize the right of all people to resist tyranny and defend themselves and their rights. We condemn the use of force, and especially the use of terrorism, against the innocent, regardless of whether such acts are committed by governments or by political or revolutionary groups."

In 2008, the Libertarian National Committee adopted resolutions calling for an end to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

For more information, or to arrange an interview, call LP Executive Director Wes Benedict at 202-333-0008 ext. 222.

The LP is America's third-largest political party, founded in 1971. The Libertarian Party stands for free markets, civil liberties, and peace. You can find more information on the Libertarian Party at our website.

The best I've seen about the Royal Wedding

Love the line, "Keep your hands off my Willie."

"Punctuality is the expression of COMMITMENT".   "If you're 5 minutes early, you're on time. If you're on time, you're LATE!"

Three Rivers Interactive Trail Map

Can also be used w/ smart phone technology:

http://map.friendsoftheriverfront.org/#

Please sign an online petition to "stop the billion dollar cut" of education.

From: Ron Cowell <cowell@eplc.org

STOP THE BILLION DOLLAR CUT!

Please.  We need you to take action, today!

EPLC continues to support an unprecedented coalition working together as the Pennsylvania School Funding Campaign.

The budget proposed by Governor Corbett will reduce state funding to school districts by more than $1 billion for the 2011-2012 school year.  The implications of this huge cut are being felt throughout the state as school boards are considering very serious program cuts that will significantly reduce learning opportunities for students.  This billion dollar cut is bad for students and ultimately bad for local taxpayers as well.

You can help to send a powerful message to Governor Corbett and members of the Pennsylvania Legislature.

Please sign an online petition to the Governor and members of the General Assembly opposing the billion dollar school funding cut proposed for 2011-12. 

The website address is www.stopthebilliondollarcut.org.

And please share this website URL with your family, friends and co-workers as soon as possible and urge them also to sign the online petition.

It only takes a couple of minutes, and the more signatures we get from across the state, the more persuasive we can be in our advocacy on behalf of public school funding for next year. 

Please let me know if you have any questions. 

Thank you.

Ron

___________________

Ronald Cowell

The Education Policy and Leadership Center

800 North Third Street, Suite 408

Harrisburg, PA 17102

717-260-9900

http://www.eplc.org

One people, one movement, freedom for all

Those were the words of patriot and filmmaker Aaron Russo. Aaron
set brush fires in the minds of millions in 2006 when he released
his final film "America: Freedom to Fascism." There is a very good
chance that you may have seen that film.
One of the lasting legacies of that film was an organization he
co-founded with Gary Franchi known as "Restore the Republic." We
lost Aaron to cancer on 2007 but today that organization lives on.
RTR provides patriots, from all corners of the political spectrum,
a place to congregate, share new ideas, organize actions, or just
simply keep in touch with each other.
It's been 5 years since the film's release, so I'm emailing you
today to invite you to come back and visit our new website. Come get
acquainted with old friends and ideas that are still working
everyday to make this nation a greater place for our children.
Here is the link to sign up and get started:
http://rtr.org/signup?ref=2
If you're already active, log in and say hello with this link:
http://RTR.org/login
Thanks for taking the time to read this email. I look forward to
seeing you at our new online home at http://RTR.org
Forever in Freedom,
Gary Franchi
RTR National Director
http://RTR.org/Gary
PS. There are over 14,000 videos and 7,000 blogs on the site, each
packed with important education on a variety of issues that you may
find relevant. The links to them are on the front page of the site
at http://RTR.org

Chelsa Wagner, candidate

Meet School Board Candidates, Lisa Jones and Sherry Hazuda

Last night the good people in Brookline hosted a candidate meeting, just as the Pens were in a battle for game 6 of the first round of the playoffs. The pressing bits of video are from the school board candidates, challenger and school teacher, Lisa Jones, and the present school board president, Sherry Hazuda.

Lisa Jones is a chem teacher at Carrick and has been an assistant track coach.

Part 1.



Same clip but served from Viddler:




Part 2 on YouTube:


Part 2 on Viddler:

Also see the FixPA wiki pages, and edit them as well:

• http://fixpa.wikia.com/wiki/Lisa_Jones
• http://fixpa.wikia.com/wiki/Sherry_Hazuda

Bonus:

When you have no sense of purpose, you have folly like this from Bruce Kraus

Councilman Bruce Kraus proposed the ban in 2008 after saying constituents frequently complained that the leaflets were a significant source of litter, particularly along East Carson Street in the South Side.

Two anti-abortion activists, Kathleen A. Ramsey of Ross and Albert A. Brunn of Pittsburgh, sued the city in federal court last year, arguing that the ordinance was an unconstitutional restraint on freedom of speech.

Brunn, 81, of Stanton Heights said he wasn't surprised by the proposed settlement.

"According to records, this has gone to the courts many times and the First Amendment has always won, so I expected it would happen," he said.

Read more: Pittsburgh council moves to repeal ordinance banning leaflets - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_733965.html#ixzz1KdgLhYfx

Pile on Trump

Donald Trump's path to the GOP nomination may have a road bump in Pennsylvania. It turns out Trump donated $32,000 to Pennsylvania's own Ed Rendell, going well with his previous donations to Rahm Emanual, Chuck Schumer and Charlie Rangel.

In other news, I heard today on the TODAY show that my favorite, Ron Paul, is forming a committee to explore a run for US President.

Women's cycling clinic on May 7

The Steel City Endurance team is hosting a clinic for women interested in cycling and racing on May 7 from 9 am until noon at the Bud Harris oval.  The Clinic is designed for women who are interested in learning more about bike racing, giving bike racing a try, or who just want to learn a few skills.  We hope to see you there!

A flyer with all the details can be sent else, contact Barb Grabowski.

Official "Right To Know" request sent to Pittsburgh Public Schools from Kenneth Miller about sports reform

An official right to know request from April 22, 2011, from Kenneth Miller to Dr. Linda Lane, Superintendent of Schools has been delivered concerning Athletic Reform efforts.

The letter requests all documentation associated with this committee, its mandate, participants and recommendations. For example:

* I want to see the budget through which this committee's work and the time committed to this committee by the chair.
* I want to see what Mark Roosevelt asked of this committee.
* I want to see the biographies and contact information for everyone who was asked to serve on this committee.
* I would like the minutes from all committee meetings.
* Finally, I am requesting the complete list of recommendations that this committee has made to the school districts administrators.

He writes he has been waiting for this information for a very long time.

"I hope you dissovle the city league immediately and send Pittsburgh Public School students all over Western Pennsylvania on buses. I am really sorry to hear that the state has cut your budget by millions, please dissolve the city league right now anyway."

My understanding from our last task force meeting (December 2010) and a few phone conversations and chance meetings in the stands at a few sports events was that the suggestions from Jake House, the hired administrator dealing with this task, would go to the PPS Board's Education Committee Meeting on May 10, 2011.

PA Senate Voucher Update

Ø  On April 11, the Senate Appropriations Committee reported as amended Senate Bill 1, which establishes the Opportunity Scholarships and Educational Improvement Tax Credit Act to make tuition vouchers available to low income students in persistently low achieving schools to attend participating nonresident public schools or nonpublic schools.  Under the proposal, a low income student is defined as a student with household income not greater than 130% of the federal poverty level, the same amount as eligibility for the Federal Free Lunch Program ($28,665 for a family of four).  The bill also expands the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) from $75 million to $100 million beginning in Fiscal Year 2011-2012.  

Senate Bill 1l was amended in the Senate Appropriations Committee to expand voucher eligibility in the fourth year of the program to middle-income families.  SB 1, as amended, would make tuition vouchers available to students with family income up to 300 percent of the poverty level ($67,050 for a family of four.   The amendment places a cap of $250 million in the third year when eligibility expands to include all low-income students.  The amendment also changes the attendance criteria from residing “during” a school year to “as of the first day of classes.”  The amendment would require schools to administer a nationally normed standardized achievement test in math and reading to voucher recipients and require the aggregate results to be posted online.  SB 1, as amended, requires the Education Opportunity Board to set procedures to determine the eligibility of homeless students for opportunity scholarships.  It also establishes a Public School Choice Demonstration Grant Program in Fiscal Year 2014-2015.  Grants of up to $500,000 would be awarded to school districts to provide tuition for students to attend a nonresident public school regardless of income.  The school district would be required to provide a $3-$1 match.  Twenty-five percent of the money from the Excess Scholarship Fund would be used to support these grants.  The bill was also amended to require participating public schools to accept transfer students by a lottery system.  Private schools would not be subject to the lottery provision and would be allowed to set enrollment criteria.

The Senate may vote on SB 1 as early as April 26, although action may be delayed while waiting for suggested amendments from the Corbett Administration.

To view the Senate Appropriations Committee Fiscal Note for SB 1, click here.

This weekend is Junior Golf Weekend. Be there!

I hope you are able to join us at The Bob O'Connor Golf Course in Schenley Park for some of the great family activities we have planned:

Friday, April 29 from 4 - 7 PM is Family Golf Night. We want to encourage all families to spend time together so we are offering discounted foursomes with special family tees. All golf equipment will be provided for free.

Saturday, April 30 from 9:30 - 10:30 AM The Greater Pittsburgh Golf Course Superintendents Association will present a free "Care of the Course" clinic. This will be followed by a free golf instruction clinic hosted by World Golf Hall of Famer Carol Semple Thompson from 11:30 - 1:30.

Sunday, May 1 from 10:30 - 11:30 AM the West Penn Golf Association will present an interactive Rules Clinic for juniors. From 12 - 2 PM The Tri State PGA will lead a free instructional clinic.

Both Saturday and Sunday will also include many free golf games and skill contests presented by our teen Junior Activity Board. Junior Golf Weekend is our chance to show you how The First Tee of Pittsburgh promotes positive youth development through golf based on nine core values such as sportsmanship, honesty, courtesy, and respect. Please join us.

Google did a great job at migration from Google Video to YouTube, on the second attempt

Way to go Google. Well done. It took two attempts, but the final migration from the Google Video asset (closing) to YouTube was fantastic.

I've moved 17 videos from past years to YouTube.

Back in the day, YouTube videos had to be 10-minutes in length or less. Now I can upload longer videos there.

There was a simple button that was put onto the Google Video dashboard and bang, the videos jumped to YouTube.

Thanks!

Be sure to visit: http://YouTube.com/rauterkus.

Meet your School Board Candidates from Northview Heights: Brentley, Freeman, Gilliam Rue

If this does not load, it is because the video is still in processing at YouTube. Check back soon.

Part 1: Introduction



Part 2: About teachers.



Part 3, only Mark Brentley's closing:

Decent article - I don't think they even used the word "quixotic" which might be a first:

 http://www.esquire.com/features/ron-paul-profile-0511 

also some love on the Esquire politics blog forum: 

http://www.esquire.com/blogs/politics/ron-paul-on-the-fed-5593602

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

PPS Election, candidate video, now live.

Uploaded:

They spoke at an event at Northview Heights.

LIBERTARIANS BANQUET

The Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania announces that economist Bill
Still will be the speaker for the April 30 Liberty Banquet, the
highlight of the 2011 Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania State
Convention, which will be held at the Quality Inn and Conference
Center in Franklin, PA on April 29 and 30.

Working in conjunction with Nobel Prize winning economist Milton
Friedman in 1996, Still produced and narrated the highly acclaimed
documentary, The Money Masters. It predicted the economic events that
are just starting to befall this country.  Along with his more recent
work, The Secret of OZ, Still offers a unique perspective not only on
what has caused America's economic woes but how we can solve them.

His work in the field of economics has been endorsed by Milton
Friedman and by the libertarian-leaning Congressman Ron Paul.

An acclaimed economist, Still has written 22 books on subjects ranging
from health to music and even a 7th grade history book that is used in
many schools today.   Additionally, this enthusiastic and talented
former newspaper editor has been published in many newspapers and
journals including USA Today and OMNI Magazine.  He is also known for
producing a syndicated radio program, Health News.

The Liberty Banquet is open to the public.   For more information or
to reserve tickets, contact Jim Fryman at (814) 432-4275 or Vance Mays
at (814) 437-9236.  To register for the Libertarian Party of
Pennsylvania annual convention, visit www.lppa.org.

Erik Viker, Media Relations
Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania
media-relations@lppa.org
3915 Union Deposit Road #223
Harrisburg, PA 17109
570-274-2040

--
--
Ta.

Mark Rauterkus Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com
http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com
http://FixPA.wikia.com
http://CLOH.wikia.com
412 298 3432 = cell