Big story. Had to share.
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From: Mike Dillard
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Tuesday, February 12, 2019
Fwd: Health update and SMM going away?
Wednesday, February 06, 2019
Fwd: Great News About Your Account, Mark!
Easier Student + Teacher Access + Amazon Gift Cards!
I'm excited to share that all of EVERFI's no-cost blended learning resources are now available via Clever, a single-sign-on and automatic rostering application!
So What Does This Mean?
- You can now access EVERFI's over 20 digital activities/lessons through the PPS Student Resources page.
- Students can log into the program with a single click - no need for usernames/passwords
- You can add students to different programs with your rosters already linked!
Where and How Do I Find the Resources?
- Here are all of the program lesson descriptions linked!
- Then check out this Quick Start Guide from EVERFI
Okay, that was a lot! I hope you're doing a little dance of excitement - please reach out with how I can help!
Thank you!
Alyssa
Senior Technology Implementation Coach
Pennsylvania, West Virginia
T @mahramusalyssa |
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Fwd: WHO Nonfatal Drowning - Comments needed
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From: Rebecca Wear Robinson
From: Rebecca Wear Robinson
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Tuesday, February 05, 2019
Fwd: [Art-All-Night] Art All Night 22 Planning committee meeting
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Greetings Art All Nighters,
It will be held at the end of April in a location to be determined. Art All Night needs one thing in order to be successful: a planning team of dedicated people to take on the responsibilities required for show preparation.
Art All Night Planning Members:
First Planning Meeting
when: 7 pm on Wednesday February 13th
where: The Shiloh Building basement, 3832 Mintwood St, Pittsburgh, PA 15201.
If the planning team is not for you, know that you are still needed! Over 250 volunteers help out during the event. Volunteer sign up information will be sent out in early April.
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ArtAllNight
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/artallnight
Art All Night is embarking on its 22nd year of celebrating art, music, and performance in a free, non-juried, non-censored show!
It will be held at the end of April in a location to be determined. Art All Night needs one thing in order to be successful: a planning team of dedicated people to take on the responsibilities required for show preparation.
Art All Night Planning Members:
- meet most weeks from now until the end of April.
- meet Saturdays in April to prepare a warehouse.
- take on decision-making roles for certain aspects of the show.
- are not alone-- members support one another and each have a voice.
- work outside of meetings to fulfill responsibilities.
First Planning Meeting
when: 7 pm on Wednesday February 13th
where: The Shiloh Building basement, 3832 Mintwood St, Pittsburgh, PA 15201.
*** Note that this is a different location than previous years. Please enter through the door off of Mintwood Street that has a white Art All Night Sign on it.
Any questions or comments? We would like to hear from you. Please email info@artallnight.org or visit www.artallnight.org.
If the planning team is not for you, know that you are still needed! Over 250 volunteers help out during the event. Volunteer sign up information will be sent out in early April.
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ArtAllNight
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/artallnight
Art-All-Night mailing list
Art-All-Night@artallnight.org
https://www.artallnight.org/mailman/listinfo/art-all-night
Fwd: Lifeguard certification class for 15 and older anyone welcome
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Monday, February 04, 2019
Fwd: Goodbye to the Dollar . . . well not really
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From: John H
From: John H
This really should be titled 'Goodbye to Imperialism', my apologies for the extended introduction, but I think that it is necessary.
Attached is a particularly interesting piece by Chris Hedges concerning the possibility that U.S. Dollar hegemony as the world's reserve currency may be threatened by the ongoing actions of Donald Trump. It contains important ideas about which most Americans are clueless; and some others of which most are also clueless that are not accurate. The idea is that Trump's actions in the world are effectively destroying other nations, particularly our allies, are losing faith in the ability of the United States to be a trusted partner in regards to treaty obligations and within the lines of obligation of international institutions – most of which the U.S. was instrumental in creating and managing such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
Hedges cites the work of noted historian Alfred McCoy and world renowned economist and historian Michael Hudson in support of his argument. (Hedges article is actually a follow-up on a piece by Hudson which I sent out this past Saturday. It is also attached for reference.) The central idea here is that, as a result of U.S. actions under Trump, but also under George W. Bush, many nations are becoming skittish about dealing exclusively in Dollars for international trade – particularly trade in petroleum which has been sold almost exclusively in Dollars since Kissinger negotiated a deal with Saudi Arabia, and thus OPEC, to insure that during the Nixon administration.
Hedges then concludes that, because other nations are worried about the constancy and dependability of the United States as a global hegemon, they are beginning to transfer their gold holdings out of the U.S. (Germany and Netherlands) and bringing it back to their own countries for safe keeping. Other nations, such as Russia, China and Iran, are unloading their Dollar reserves and working on transferring their reserves into each other's currencies. Even the Bank of England is talking about reducing its Dollar reserves. And, to be sure, this does represent a very real threat to the Dollar as the world's reserve currency and a threat to U.S. imperialism around the world as U.S. imperialism depends upon reliable allies to support our actions both financially and militarily.
But it is here that Hedges falls off the money cliff as he says that this will result in foreign countries losing their willingness to purchase U.S. Treasury bonds, therefore strangling our ability to issue Dollars through borrowing. Chris Hedges should know better. As I have reported on many occasions the United States Treasury does not have to borrow to spend for any reason other than an obscure act by Congress, the Banking Act of 1935, which requires that the Treasury issue bonds through Wall Street bond brokers, at interest, for all spending. And, while this is a law, it is also true that the Federal Reserve is required to purchase all Treasury bonds not purchased in the public market and deliver the necessary Dollars to the Treasury for its needs. Foreign governments refusal to purchase U.S. bonds in no way constrains the ability of this government to spend any amount it chooses.
Furthermore, there is no limit on the amount that the federal government can spend or the amount of debt which can be paid so long as the debt is denominated in Dollars – no matter who or what holds this debt. Neither China nor any other nation can bankrupt the U.S. by demanding payment of bonds it has purchased – the Fed simply credits the accounts of the holders with Dollars and the debt is paid – period end of story. This has always been true whether we were on a gold standard or not and the U.S. has not been on a gold standard since 1971 – and even then it was a faux gold standard.
However, this is not to say that the failure of the U.S. Dollar to remain the reserve currency of the world would have no impact on the United States. As it now stands, most international trade is conducted in Dollars and this is very important to our current economy since we now import most of the items necessary for the nation to function. The Dollar as the reserve currency means that other nations must accumulate Dollars in order to purchase items on the world market, particularly petroleum products. This dependency on Dollars means that other countries are willing to sell us their goods and resources without being too concerned about the health of our economy. In other words, it permits the United States to amass an extremely large foreign account deficit – that is debt.
If the Dollar loses its status as the reserve currency, the U.S. would have to acquire the currency of the nations we want to trade with or the alternative reserve currency if we want to purchase goods abroad. So in this sense Hedges is quite correct. The loss of the Dollars as the reserve currency would likely result in economic chaos here in the States, at least for a while. To the extent that other nations also lost faith in the ability of the United States to actually pay for its transactions (i.e., the Dollar devalues relative to other currencies) it could be calamitous for our standard of living.
However, the greater likelihood is that in such an event the immediate result would be an increase in the cost of imported goods and a slow reduction in living standards; which, given the current state of inequality, could be rather dramatic. But it is still true that the U.S. would still be a very important market for much of the rest of the world, thus reducing the overall impact of the loss of reserve status. We would not become Zimbabwe or Weimar Germany. These situations only occur when the nation's debt is denominated in a currency other than that of the nation. What it would do is substantially limit our ability to interfere militarily in the affairs of other nations because other nations (our allies for instance) would no longer be dependent upon our good will in order to survive in the community of nations (see crippling financial sanctions imposed by the U.S. on nations we don't like).
It would also have a major destabilizing impact on global financial stability likely resulting in a massive worldwide depression which may or may not be survivable for the global economic community. And, as bad as it could be, this would not necessarily be a bad thing to happen. But, like all cataclysmic events, outcomes are highly unpredictable.
At the same time within the United States, to the extent that we could still gain access to resources necessary for the maintenance of economic operations, the government would not be constrained in how much it could spend to maintain operations. While it would certainly take time, the nation could once again begin producing the goods and services necessary for survival as local production would be less costly than imports. Work would be plentiful once the productive base was reestablished and operational and pay should be reasonably attractive for all workers. If it were done properly every effort would be made to make all production environmentally sustainable – pie in the sky perhaps, but absolutely necessary for survival.
Do read the attached articles. They are important, particularly the Hudson piece. But be assured that the ability of the U.S. to sell Treasury bonds is absolutely irrelevant to the ability of this government to spend Dollars into the economy.
John
Link 1, Goodbye to the Dollar, pdf file, 149k
Link 2, Trump's Brilliant Strategy to Dismember US Dollar, 203k.
Sunday, February 03, 2019
Fwd: Love Yourself; Love your Heart; SWIM!
To learn more about swim events around Pittsburgh and western Pennsylvania, see 4Rs.org.
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From: Shawn Slevin <shawn.slevin@swimstrongfoundation.org>
In addition to toning visible muscles, swimming also helps improve the most important muscle in our bodies: our heart!
Swimming is an aerobic exercise, it strengthens the heart by helping it to become larger; making it more efficient in pumping — which leads to better blood flow throughout your body. 30 minutes of swimming a day can reduce coronary heart disease in women by 30 to 40 percent. Regular aerobic exercise can reduce blood pressure. Swimming raises "good" cholesterol HDL levels. For every 1 percent increase in HDL cholesterol, the risk of dying from heart disease drops by 3.5 percent. Studies have also shown that aerobic exercise like swimming can also keep the layer of cells lining your arteries flexible and in good shape.
Other benefits too:
- Want to help prevent diabetes? Swim! Men can reduce their risk of diabetes by an average of 6 percent for every 500 calories a week they burn in aerobic exercise. With just 30 minutes of breaststroke swimming three times per week, you could burn 900 calories — reducing your risk of contracting type 2 diabetes by over 10 percent. Vigorous exercise for women can lower their risk by 16% over inactive women. If you already have type 1diabetes, the aerobic benefits of swimming can be particularly helpful, as this type of exercise can increase insulin sensitivity. According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetics should get 150 minutes per week, spread across at least three days per week, of moderate-intensity physical activity like swimming to aid glycemic control.
- Lower Stress + Higher Spirits = Better Brain all due to the release of endorphins, giving you relaxation and a "natural high". Swimming changes the brain through a process known as hippocampal neurogenesis, in which the brain replaces cells lost through stress.
- Swimming provides the chance to work out in moist air, which can help reduce exercise-induced asthma symptoms. It also relieves the condition overall by increasing lung volume and teaching proper breathing techniques.
- Swimming is now recognized as one of the biggest calorie burners around, and it's great for keeping weight under control. The exact number of calories you burn, of course, depends on your own physiology and the intensity with which you exercise, but as a general rule, for every 10 minutes of swimming: the breast stroke will burn 60 calories; the backstroke 80; the freestyle 100; and the butterfly stroke evaporates an impressive 150.
- Swimming puts the body through a broad range of motion that helps joints and ligaments stay loose and flexible. It's a great way to increase muscle strength and tone. Water is 12 times more dense than air. Propelling through the water acts as resistance exercise…which is the best way to build muscle tone and strength. Additionally, swimming has also been shown to improve bone strength — especially in post-menopausal women.
- Suffer from arthritis? Get into the pool. The water will support 90% of your body weight! If the pool is heated, the warm water can help loosen still joints. People with rheumatoid arthritis can receive greater benefits to their health after participating in hydrotherapy than with other activities. It's also been proven that water-based exercise improves the use of affected joints and decreases pain from osteoarthritis.
- Perhaps best of all…swimming can keep you from dying prematurely. Researchers at the University of South Carolina followed 40,547 men, aged 20 to 90, for 32 years and discovered that those who swam had a 50 percent lower death rate than runners, walkers or men who got no exercise. The study authors concluded that the same benefits would be received by women too.
What are you waiting for? Join a Swim Strong class for Safety and Health today! www.SwimStrongFoundation.org
Shawn Slevin
Swim Strong Foundation
P.O. Box 701165
East Elmhurst, NY 11370
Swim Strong Foundation
P.O. Box 701165
East Elmhurst, NY 11370
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Saturday, February 02, 2019
Fwd: When will we ever learn?
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From: John H
Somehow, no matter how critical the challenge, everything seems to come down to money; when, in fact it should only be decided by available resources and a willingness to attack the problem. To paraphrase Pete Seeger, when will we ever learn? If too late isn't already here, it is fast approaching. Two good articles on quite divergent subjects.
John
Link 1, A serious green new deal would take up one third of the economy.
Link 2, Trump's Brilliant strategy to dismember US Dollar
Monday, January 28, 2019
Fwd: . . . and the killing just goes on.
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From: John H
One more example of the Israeli government's naked fascism in the land it illegally controls. There is no other word for it.
News of the pending overthrow of the Maduro government in Venezuela – planned, sponsored and paid for by the U.S. – and cheered for by virtually all mainstream media in this country has been burbling to the surface over the past week or so. Yet all most Americans can talk about is the supposed piddling attempt by Russia to influence the 2016 election here. Why is it that Americans are so unconcerned about our own election being interfered with when we have been heavily involved in much more serious and successful efforts to overthrow – not just influence – the governments of tens of dozens of nations ever since the end of World War II? This blindness to our own culpability, ignoring the resultant murder of tens of millions of people by governments we supported following overthrows we engineered in almost every continent on earth – missing only Australia and Antarctica.
Interestingly, most of the nefarious efforts at political and military interference the U.S. has undertaken over the years have taken place in nations which had successful democratic elections; electing leaders who were not completely interested in following U.S. dictates or seeking land redistribution so that an oppressed peasantry can have the ability to survive on the land and not simply serve as serfs for global corporate interests. This, after all, is what neoliberal capitalism is all about. No one and no country must be allowed to live independently of the neoliberal order – and we will use, and have, used military force to ensure that this status quo is maintained no matter what the desires of the people of the victim lands.
The third attachment provides some valuable history for anyone who still believes that the U.S. only intervenes in other nations in order to help free people from tyranny. As strange as it may seem to many Americans, it is highly probable that this nation has never done this anywhere.
John
Link 1
Link 2 https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByN94c3Pp4BpdDlSRGF1SVlYYWNQM05OdGNuOGNDVzRkdy1v/view?usp=drivesdk
Sunday, January 27, 2019
Fwd: Roadmap to a New Pennsylvania - KRC/PBPC Insider News
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Ta.
Mark Rauterkus Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com
Swimming and Water Polo Coach, Schenley High School, Pittsburgh, PA
http://CLOH.wikia.com
412 298 3432 = cell
Ta.
Mark Rauterkus Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com
Swimming and Water Polo Coach, Schenley High School, Pittsburgh, PA
http://CLOH.wikia.com
412 298 3432 = cell
Thursday, January 24, 2019
Fwd: [Art-All-Night] Art All Night square dance this Saturday
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From: Art All Night <info@artallnight.org>
Date: Thu, Jan 24, 2019 at 3:43 PM
Subject: [Art-All-Night] Art All Night square dance this Saturday
To: <art-all-night@artallnight.org>
From: Art All Night <info@artallnight.org>
Date: Thu, Jan 24, 2019 at 3:43 PM
Subject: [Art-All-Night] Art All Night square dance this Saturday
To: <art-all-night@artallnight.org>
Hello Art All Nighters!
Location: Shiloh Building, 3832 Mintwood Street, Pgh, 15201.
Time: 7:30-10:30pm
Hope to see you there!
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ArtAllNight
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/artallnight
This message was sent to mark@rauterkus.com
Art-All-Night mailing list
Art-All-Night@artallnight.org
--
Ta.
Mark Rauterkus Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com
Swimming and Water Polo Coach, Schenley High School, Pittsburgh, PA
http://CLOH.wikia.com
412 298 3432 = cell
Ta.
Mark Rauterkus Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com
Swimming and Water Polo Coach, Schenley High School, Pittsburgh, PA
http://CLOH.wikia.com
412 298 3432 = cell
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Fwd: URA Releases RFP for Hill House Properties
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From: City of Pittsburgh <pressrelease@pittsburghpa.gov>
Date: Wed, Jan 23, 2019 at 12:04 PM
Subject: URA Releases RFP for Hill House Properties
To: <mark.rauterkus@gmail.com>
From: City of Pittsburgh <pressrelease@pittsburghpa.gov>
Date: Wed, Jan 23, 2019 at 12:04 PM
Subject: URA Releases RFP for Hill House Properties
To: <mark.rauterkus@gmail.com>
| Published: 01.23.2019 Contact: Daniel Wood D6 Staff District 6 412-255-2134 daniel.wood@pittsburghpa.gov |  |
URA Releases RFP for Hill House PropertiesURA Releases RFP for Hill House Properties https://www.ura.org/proposals/hill-house-association-rfp
Councilman R. Daniel Lavelle, along with Rep. Jake Wheatley and County Councilman Dewitt Walton, held a Community Update Meeting on the evening of Thursday, January 10 to give status updates after going to court and asking the state attorney general to intervene over the proposed sale of four Hill House buildings. Hill House Association leaders plan to sell the Hill House headquarters at 1835 Centre Ave., One Hope Square at 1901-1915 Centre Ave., the Family Dollar Store at 1917 Centre Ave. and the Blakey Program Center at 1908 Wiley Ave. Both Councilman Lavelle and Representative Wheatley explained the change in direction of the Hill House Association, as the organization has agreed to accept the $500,000 as a provisional loan to sustain operations and programs while giving the Hill District residents a communal process for the upcoming selling of properties. The loan was provided by the Hill District Growth Fund. The Growth Fund has invested in other key community assets such as the Grocery Store, Hill CDC and Jeron X Grayson Center. The communal process will be managed by the Development Review Panel (staffed by the Hill CDC and made up of community members and residents). The Urban Redevelopment Authority has released the RFP. The RFP can be found here: https://www.ura.org/proposals/hill-house-association-rfp. Also, in the coming weeks and months, the Hill House has agreed to establish a Hill House Transition Committee to partake in the future planning of social service programming. | |
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Executive Director of SKWIM USA, a 501(c)(3)
The Pittsburgh Project - swim coach and head lifeguard
Middle School Swim Coach at The Ellis School
Former Varsity Boys Swim Coach, Pittsburgh Obama Academy
Sabbatical for 2018: PPS Summer Dreamers' Swim & Water Polo
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