Fw: Hi, it's me. The Internet.

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From: The Internet <info@freepress.net>

Date: Wed, 24 Mar 2010 11:59:17 -0500 (CDT)

To: <mark@rauterkus.com>

Subject: Hi, it's me. The Internet.

Dear Mark, It's me, the Internet. Can you help me? My future is in danger, which means your online freedom is in danger, too. The FCC just released its National Broadband Plan to get me into more homes in America, but the agency punted on the most serious problem: Companies like Comcast and AT&T have made me too expensive, too slow and too scarce. Even with this plan, you won't see a better me anytime soon, and many Americans still won't have access to me. You've already done so much for me. But I urgently need your help again today.  Can you donate $3 a month to save me? The FCC has sent their plan to Congress, and industry lobbyists will be out in full force to try to make the plan meet their own interests rather than yours. My friends at the Free Press Action Fund are working to make sure that the FCC hears from you, and that industry lobbyists don't strong-arm the FCC into accepting their anti-consumer agenda. Your contribution today will help the Free Press Action Fund to: Turn the lofty goals of the National Broadband Plan into reality Give you a voice at the FCC and in Congress, where Internet policy is being decided Fight to make sure the FCC crafts clear, strong Net Neutrality rules Rally public support across the country for building the super-fast, world-class, ubiquitous, open Internet you deserve Your access to information and freedom to communicate will be decided in this monumental fight. Don't let companies like AT&T and Time Warner Cable take away the free-flowing platform I was born to provide. The National Broadband Plan is my best chance to thrive — but it won't happen without strong leadership from the FCC. Defend me with a $3 monthly gift If thousands of people chip in just $3 a month, it will go a long way toward sustaining the Free Press Action Fund's work. And it will ensure that I'm here and healthy for generations to come. Thank you — and see you online! Your friend, The Internet P.S. Your monthly gift to the Free Press Action Fund will help get me, the Internet, into every home and business in the country. Without access to me at my best — fast, affordable and neutral — millions won't have access to the world. That's a future none of us can afford. Please donate today! Want to learn more? Join us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. If you haven't already, you can also join our E-Activist list. You ( mark@rauterkus.com) are receiving this e-mail as an opt-in subscriber to Free Press' E-Activist Network. You can unsubscribe or manage your account at any time.

School District may scrap neighborhood school alignment

Get this, parents cheering at a school board meeting. How refreshing.

Montour may scrap neighborhood school alignment during renovation The Montour School District likely will drop its neighborhood school alignment for a year while its high school is renovated.
Under the scenario laid out by acting Superintendent Donald Boyer at a crowded public meeting Tuesday night, grades 8-12 would move into David E. Williams Middle School in the fall, with grades 6-7 into Ingram Elementary School, grades 3-5 into Burkett Elementary and grades K-2 into Forest Grove Elementary.
The plan drew cheers from many in the audience. Many parents have called for moving the high school to David E. Williams so those students could have a full curriculum and a somewhat normal year of high school.

I have been an advocate, and some others agree with me, that the Pittsburgh Public School District should go to an "All Choice" system for all high school students. This would get rid of the "Feeder Pattern" system of locking in certain students to certain high schools based upon where their parents say that the kid resides.

In our high schools, we should give the kid a choice to go to a city-wide magnet such as Perry Traditional, CAPA, Sci-Tech, U-Prep, or the International School (IB at Obama) -- as well as the more traditional schools of Allderdice, Carrick, Brashear, Langley, Oliver, Peabody and Westinghouse.

If everyone had the freedom to go to what school they desire, perhaps fewer would go to the Charter Schools too. Likewise, private and Catholic schools are an option as well.

If the city gets rid of the feeder pattern for high school students, the district would retain more families in the city too.

140 Character Conference

Anyone up for a NYC Road Trip?

140 Character Conference: "Welcome to Jeff Pulver’s 140 Characters Conference! (#140conf)
The 140 Characters Conference: New York City (#140conf) will be taking place April 20-21, 2010 at the 92nd Street Y. This event is shaping up to being the largest worldwide gathering of people interested in the effects of the real-time Internet on both business and “we” the people.
If you are thinking about attending #140conf NYC, now would be a great time to secure your seat. With the ticket costing only US$ 140 for the two day event, register NOW to guarantee yourself access to the event. Based on the strong demand for the “early bird” tickets, we are now on a pace to sell all of the available tickets before mid-April."

Final 500 of the high school season, Erik at States.

Erik swam in lane 8 and did a 5:08 in the 500 free. I don't know if that is a team record or not? It was a personal best.

More PIAA Swim Video to come soon.

Wishing to work on sports reform for the Pittsburgh Public Schools

I just sent the following email to Principal Vader of Brashear High School:

Hi Principal,

Please count me in on any and all work on PPS' sports overhaul plans
as talked about yesterday with Mr. Lopez. This is something that I've
been asking for for many years. Put me on your lists and feel free to
call or email at any time.

I understand that there is much to do. I have plenty of suggestions as well.

Looking forward to the next chapter and meetings.

Yesterday, on March 22, a meeting was held for all sports coaches by Mr. Lopez, a PPS Administrator, concerning PPS sports. It was a mandatory secondary schools coaching meeting.

All in all, I'm very happy to see this begin. Mr. Lopez was there to get the support of the coaches so that the district can move forward in the next five years. The conversation began. Roles are to be discussed.

Sports are an important function of schools and the educational process, as pointed out by Mr. Lopez, because being part of a team is essential to human growth. In every field of human endeavors, we are called upon to produce on a team. This is true in schools, in college studies, in the workplace.

Coaches model commitment for athletes, so it was stressed. There is some reading between the lines there. Lopez also said it wasn't wise to give athletes a pass. Coaches can't call off practices. A coach's professionalism is paramount.

Some of the talk was just get to know you stuff from Mr. Lopez. He had to unload on a few fronts and then kick off the discussions. Unsportsmanlike behavior was a bullet point. Ongoing issues include, practices, recruiting, student misconduct and sportsmanship, Title IX (brewing big), team size, parents and community perceptions.

No joke.

The Title IX report is a year late and an inch thick and the space between Mr. Lopez' thumb and first finger is still empty as the report isn't released -- yet.

A commission to study athletics within PPS is going to be formed. The members will include folks from central office, a principal at least, coaches, parents and students.

Time will tell if I'm invited. I hope so.

Some other notes from the meeting: Business as usual is not acceptable.

I'd love to see some talk about the role of boosters, the role of the athletes, the role of the parents and the role of the community. It has to be more than just a principal, coach, teacher club. What about the role of the taxpayers?

Sports do have value in many ways. Mr. Lopez likes that the students are learning new skills within a new construct. They have to sort out the team positions and relationshps as well as the sports skills. He thinks coaches are the adult of last resort. I say that the slide should be re-written to say "FIRST" and not 'last.' If coaches are the last to know, then something is wrong. I just posted about how Big Ben called Coach Tomlin from Georgia.

A giggle moment did come when Mr. Lopez said that our kids want to grow up to be the next Michael Jordan or Big Ben. -- Well, a fresh example for #7 might make for less blushing.

Mr. Lopez was a track coach with 150 athletes on his squad. He recruited them. But, that is a hot potato word, recruitment. Coaches are told to recruit in the school but not outside of the building.

Questions came from right field to left field -- of course. The middle school seasons are too short. The snow day policy is not uniform. The segregation of fans, teams and all who attend a game is unhealthy. The depth of participation in the city is small. The legacy honors and banners are absent. Access to fields and facilities on Saturdays and summers is impossible.

There is much to do. If the crazy stuff of PPS sports was removed, then this process would be half way to finished. It sounds as if Mr. Lopez is well intentioned. Time will tell. Video is pending.

Pittsburgh parking ticket writers to make up snow days - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Pittsburgh parking ticket writers to make up snow days - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Pittsburgh parking ticket writers to make up snow days

Here is an idea. Let's change the time and the enforcement for parking at a meter in the South Side around East Carson Street -- near the bars -- from the present periods of enforcement (9 am to 5 pm) into the later hours when the parking is at a premium. Put on enforcement from the hours of 9 am to 3 am. Then, others who park in illegal ways will also get tickets too.

Paramedics say they're scapegoats for city's snow response

Paramedics say they're scapegoats for city's snow response A couple of medics pointed out that they were in town and working during the snowstorm while Mayor Luke Ravenstahl was out of town. He had gone to a Laurel Highlands ski resort to celebrate his birthday.
Council will hold a hearing at 10 a.m. April 5 on the city's response to the February snowstorm.

Golly. Two wrongs do not make a right.

Tomlin says Big Ben called him within hours of accusation

Of course he did. He's the coach. Coaches take those calls. Coaches don't wish for them, but we expect them.

Tomlin says Big Ben called him within hours of accusation: "Ben Roethlisberger called Steelers coach Mike Tomlin in the early hours of March 5 to inform him that a 20-year-old woman had just accused him of sexual assault in Georgia.

Call your coach. Coaches are not the person to turn to at the last resort -- but a prime, early, and trusted source for all sorts of players.

State College, PA - PIAA State High School Basketball Championships

State College, PA - PIAA State High School Basketball Championships Return This Weekend All-session tickets are good for the following doubleheader dates and times:

Friday, March 26, 2010 at noon – AA Girls’ Final
Friday, March 26, 2010 at 2pm – A Boys’ Final
Friday, March 26, 2010 at 6pm – AAAA Girls’ Final
Friday, March 26, 2010 at 8pm – AAA Boys’ Final
Saturday, March 27, 2010 at noon – A Girls’ Final
Saturday, March 27, 2010 at 2pm – AA Boys’ Final
Saturday, March 27, 2010 at 6pm – AAA Girls’ Final
Saturday, March 27, 2010 at 8pm – AAAA Boys’ Final

Single-session tickets are also available now and cost only $8 for adults, $5 for Penn State students, and $4 for students 18 and under. Don’t miss the action as the state’s best high school boys and girls basketball teams converge at the Jordan Center! For more information, visit www.piaa.org.
PIAA Basketball players that recently played at the Bryce Jordan Center:
• DeJuan Blair went to Schenley High School and was named 2007 player of the year for Class AAAA. He went to Pitt and was drafted to the San Antonio Spurs, where he currently plays.

The Art of News - updated as The Onion on TV

“Internet Archaeologists Find Ruins Of ‘Friendster’ Civilization”

Participation 3.0 - E-Democracy.org

Participation 3.0 - E-Democracy.org: "Participation 3.0 - Social media in local public life for engagement, transparency and problem-solving.
Participation 3.0 is E-Democracy.org's next generation local online civic engagement initiative for 2010 forward. It represents a new and third wave of activity since our founding in 1994. Today, we seek to connect local people everywhere with the best ideas and opportunities for local online civic engagement."

A Tea Party comes to Pittsburgh on April 3, 2010

This isn't my perfect cup of tea, but for many, it is.

"Announcing The Pennsylvania Tea Party 2010!

DATE: Saturday, April 3, 2010
TIME: 12:00 NOON

LOCATION: Allegheny Landing, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
[The Allegheny Shore between the 6th and 7th Street Bridge]"

Environmental Justice in the City April 8-10, 2010

Pittsburgh Theological Seminary's Metro-Urban Institute will convene its 14th annual Urban Intensive Weekend conference April 8-10, 2010. This year's conference will be a national dialogue on ecological and social justice as tasks to be addressed by the Church of Jesus Christ through both evangelism and community organizing.

Utilizing Martin Luther King, Jr.'s theology of "The Beloved Community," this conference will explore strategies to bring people interested in saving trees and endangered species together with people concerned about gun-violence, poor schools, and poverty to help create a more physically and spiritually healthy environment for all.

Registration fee is $75. Fee includes all conference events and meals.

Visit The Metro-Urban Institute for complete information. Call 412-441-1393 or e-mail swerth@pts.edu with questions.

This three-day event (Thursday afternoon through Saturday) will focus on the theme: Building the Beloved Community: Environmental Justice in the City and will include practitioners in environmental and social justice as well as some of the leading scholars and pastor-scholars from Pittsburgh and various sections of the nation. The conference is the Second Calling for the Order of the Day dialogue among African American Presbyterians throughout the PCUSA.

The distinguished career of Dr. Gayraud Wilmore, Professor Emeritus of Church History, Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, GA will be celebrated. In 1963, Dr. Wilmore became the first African American Professor to join the faculty of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

The conference will include presentations, site-visits, and community-based workshops led by community groups, and churches, schools giving participants an opportunity to interact with leaders of faith-based efforts in their host communities where positive changes are occurring.Registration Information
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Mike Tomlin concerned about Steelers’ franchise, Big Ben

Mike Tomlin concerned about Steelers’ franchise, Big Ben: "Tomlin and the Steelers are doing the right thing by letting the legal process work itself out when it comes to Roethlisberger’s situation. But the reality is that the organization should be concerned. Its starting quarterback has been accused of sexual assault twice in the last year and a half and while he may have not done anything wrong in either incident, this is the third time in the last four offseasons were Big Ben has gotten into some kind of off-field complication.
It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that Roethlisberger’s future in Pittsburgh is in doubt."

A Medical Doctor and Insider -- Congressman, Ron Paul on Healthcare Reform

Congressman Ron Paul - Healthcare Reform Passes - Texas Straight Talk Following months of heated public debate and aggressive closed-door negotiations, Congress finally cast a historic vote on healthcare late Sunday evening. It was truly a sad weekend on the House floor as we witnessed further dismantling of the Constitution, disregard of the will of the people, explosive expansion of the reach of government, unprecedented corporate favoritism, and the impending end of quality healthcare as we know it.

Read it and whatever.

CD Release Concert & Party at Our House on the South Side - Soon.

Feel invited:

https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0ByN94c3Pp4BpMGJjNDZkNTItN2U5Yi00ZTc3LWExMDAtZGRmYWI0MjVmOTM4&hl=en

Click the link to a one page PDF hosted as a public Google Document.

World Summit on Media for Children and Youth - Karlstad, Sweden 2010

This would be a fun road trip, to Sweeden.

World Summit on Media for Children and Youth - Karlstad, Sweden 2010: "JOIN US IN KARLSTAD
World Summit on Media for Children and Youth Karlstad Sweden 2010 will be a summit for 1500 delegates from 80 countries preparing with children and youth for a new media world in the 21st century. It will offer you great opportunities to network, to be part of debates, to be interactive and to be part of workshops to share your perspective, experience and expertise. World Summit in Karlstad will be the most important meeting place in 2010."

W&J German day lets students showcase knowledge in different ways - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Rauterkus is a German name. But, that's about it for me when it comes to this.

W&J German day lets students showcase knowledge in different ways - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review'The best part is the process of getting ready for the event,' said Gary Harger, a German teacher at Schenley High School and the Barack Obama Academy of International Studies. 'These are the things a student remembers, not grammar or bookwork.'

Fw: Municipal Debt Train Wreck ahead

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From: "Bob Logue" <ucblogue@verizon.net>

Date: Sun, 21 Mar 2010 19:07:04 -0400

To: <Undisclosed-Recipient:;><Invalid address>

Subject: Municipal Debt Train Wreck ahead

Too many towns, too much debt: Welcome to Pennsylvania

By Jeremy Boren and Brad Bumsted
PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, March 21, 2010

The small town of Westfall in Pike County this month quietly became the first municipality in Pennsylvania to declare bankruptcy.

It might not be the last.

"A train wreck is coming, and, because of my position, I think it's my duty to alert people," said George Cornelius, secretary of the state Department of Economic and Community Development. "Some of these municipalities may get into a situation where they have no choice; bankruptcy is the only option left."

Cash-strapped municipalities suffering from the industrial decline, population loss and overwhelming tax increases common in the Rust Belt face a "downward spiral," Cornelius said. He wouldn't single out cities but said a major reason is that Pennsylvania is bloated with local governments and many resist cutting costs through government consolidation with neighbors.

"We have municipal boundaries that were drawn in a different era that bear no relationship to current economic realities," he said.

Act 47, the state-managed safety net that provides "financially distressed" cities with state-prescribed recovery plans while requiring them to cut costs, "failed in its essential purpose," Cornelius told the House Appropriations Committee last month. In November, he predicted that "financial distress is almost assured" for all mid-size and large cities in the state.

Since 1987, 25 cities and towns, including Pittsburgh, fell into state receivership. Six escaped. Eleven languished there for a decade or more. The state's capital could be the next. Harrisburg officials are contemplating selling City Island Park, parking garages and other public assets to cover a looming debt larger than the city's annual budget.

Similarly, Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl wants to lease city parking garages and meters for 50 years to infuse at least $200 million into Pittsburgh's anemic pension funds and avoid a state takeover of the pension system. The funds contain 30 percent of the money needed to cover $899 million in long-term obligations.

Pittsburgh remains under state oversight. Its general debt payments consume 17 percent of the city's budget, and anticipated deficit spending could begin eroding the city's surplus next year. (End quote from the Tribune Review article). 

            *********************************************************************************************************************************************************

   This is just the initial segment of the excellent Tribune-Review article which goes on to share more info about how cities and towns are trying to deal with their budgetary problems.  (A copy of the full article is attached to this message.)  One proposed solution discussed in the article was annexation of neighboring municipalities.  Pittsburgh did that many decades ago when the North side (a once prosperous independent Old Allegheny) Carrick and perhaps other boroughs were annexed into the City Of Pittsburgh.  What eventually happened was just a bigger blighted, declining Pittsburgh with even bigger financial problems, crime problems, etc.  Yes, merging municipalities would mean some savings on duplication of services, but since such a large number of Pennsylvania municipalities are in economic trouble, wouldn't merging two depressed municipalities (without changing the economies of either) eventually just make one bigger economically depressed municipality. 

    Doesn't it make more sense to try to help the cities and towns grow and prosper?  Let's think outside the box for once...and try reversing the decline by attracting more residents to make our towns and cities home for their families.  More residents....mean more revenue from existing taxes; more customers for existing businesses, and a magnet for new businesses to serve the growing population. 

     Answer this yes or no question for yourself:  If all property taxes --school, county and municipal--were abolished on all primary residences--homesteads\farmsteads--would there be a greater attraction for individuals and families to buy homes and live in our municipalities? 

Ownership changes attitudes.  Stakeholders have greater pride in their homes and communities.  With a growing population there would be fewer abandoned properties, fewer closed schools and houses of worship, fewer closed businesses and our communities would be revitalized WITHOUT ANY COSTLY, INEFFICIENT GOVERNMENTAL PROGRAM. 

Read below the damage done to communities by abandoned properties...with statistics from the Federal National Mortgage Administration (Fannie Mae). 

 

ABANDONED PROPERTIES:   According to the Federal National Mortgage Administration's Fannie Mae Foundation, the impact of abandoned properties is much greater than most people realize. 

   Quote from Fannie Mae Foundation:  "Of all of the conditions that adversely affect neighborhoods, abandoned properties may be the most destructive, because they exacerbate many of the other problems communities face, including:   Decreasing property values. The presence of abandoned properties in a neighborhood significantly affects the value of the remaining properties.  A Philadelphia study found that the presence of one abandoned property on a block reduced the value of the other properties on the block by nearly $6,500 each. (End quote.)

 

 

S.T.O.P. believes high property taxes, absentee landlords and predatory lending are all major contributors to the ever-increasing number of abandoned properties and increasing decline and blight in our communities throughout Pennsylvania.  In Philadelphia roughly one in every ten homes and lots are abandoned.  Pittsburgh has had an average of 350 newly abandoned properties every year.  While it is often looked upon as an urban problem, there are many abandoned homes and properties in suburban and rural Pennsylvania.

   Abandoned properties provide NO TAX REVENUE to the municipality, school district and county.  The municipal government is obligated to try to care for the abandoned property to prevent them from becoming crack houses or fire traps endangering nearby homes or businesses; and the municipal government is often required to expend thousands of dollars per property to demolish the slum properties and clean up the sites. 

 

     THE STOP LEGISLATION CAN HELP REVERSE THIS BLIGHT AND REBUILD OUR COMMUNITIES. AND DO IT WITHOUT ANOTHER MULTI-MILLION DOLAR TAXPAYER- FUNDED PROGRAM.  LEARN MORE AT www.undercoverclub.com (hit on the STOP Page) and www.grandoldusa.com 

    

Abolishing all property taxes on primary residences will make many of those abandoned homes and properties desirable again.  Punishing a homebuyer with higher property taxes for purchasing an abandoned or dilapidated property and investing substantial money and sweat in upgrading the home and land is stupid.  Knowing they could make the improvements without penalty—since there would be no property taxes ever imposed on their home--would encourage investment by private citizens.  More residents means more revenue from the local earned income tax, per capita taxes, and Emergency and municipal services tax; the Emergency services tax;  plus more attract and keep more businesses that pay business taxes to the municipality.   The STOP Primary Residence protection legislation has been proven fiscally sound and viable by the PA State Government's Legislative Budget and Finance Committee's experts.  Any questions? Write Bob Logue at ucblogue@verizon.net

Testing if and how well Teachers teach

P-G article about teacher evaluations highlight;

Planning and prep

Classroom dynamics

Learning environment

Responsibilities

But what can not happen is what was quoted in the article. The process can not be the same for all of the teachers. Everyone can not be "the same." Some are better. Some are worse. Some need extra coaching. Some need only professional observation.

All the students are not the same. Nor are the teachers and administrators.

Everything needs to be square, fair, just, documented and able to be defended and explained. But--- that isn't the SAME.

I think that bigger meaning is what she meant.
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6 practices

Say yes.
Be generous.
Love more.
Trust ourselves.
Speak up.
Slow down.

Humm.

The above is from Patti Digh.

Last one does not work. But it is relative.
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Anonymous Bloggers get blasted on P-G's front page

Perhaps there would not be a need for so many anonymous bloggers if the watchdog media was really doing its job. The media has a critical role to play in our free and open society. Too often the fumble, sadly.

The school superintendent's cronyism should nor be talked about only in faceless and nameless blogs -- as per the example in the P-G article. But I fail to remember any such article about any high raking official in any newpaper. So, blog away folks. And think for yourself as you both read and write.

I am sure that those in power would love nothing more than to contol all the power and communication streams.

By the way, in PPS with the superintendent, our issues are not with cronyism, exactly. Other ills, still untold, by the media, exist. Plus, a great deal of the blogging happens with folks who sign their words to their names.

I don't favor the anonymous, nor do I ever play in that space -- but -- I do defend it. Their freedom and mine are linked. We all should care, as we should all be careful with our words.
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Fw: NAMLE Extends Board of Directors Nomination Period

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From: NAMLE <vdomine@namle.net>

Date: Sat, 20 Mar 2010 02:45:26 -0400 (EDT)

To: <mark@rauterkus.com>

Subject: NAMLE Extends Board of Directors Nomination Period

There is still time for you to take your commitment to media literacy education to the next level. NAMLE is extending the Board of Directors Nomination Period to March 29, 2010 NAMLE is inviting any current member in good standing to join the NAMLE Board for a two-year term from June 2010-June 2012. What are the qualifications? We are looking for creative minds with a passion for media literacy education, and visionaries committed to working with others to develop the field of media literacy. If you have leadership skills, a practical eye for organizational development and energy to devote to your passion for media literacy, complete a nomination form today! When is the new deadline? Since our solicitation for nominations was emailed about a week later than our original timeline, we are extending the date for electronic submission of completed nominations. Nomination forms may now be submitted electronically via email up until midnight Monday, March 29, 2010. Self-nominations are welcome. Members of minority groups are strongly encouraged to apply. Online voting will take place in April and NAMLE members will be notified when the polls are open. What positions are open? The following positions are open for election in 2010: 3 At-Large Director positions Secretary President New voices and visions are invited and encouraged to apply. Please note that the positions of Secretary and that of President must be filled by persons who have been NAMLE members for at least 2 years. Anyone considering running for the Board can address questions to Lynda Bergsma, Immediate Past President and Elections Committee Chair, at lyndabergsma@gmail.com or (520) 403-7450. Bring your voice and vision to the NAMLE board and help build the growing field of media literacy education!   Click here for more information on qualifications, duties & how to submit nominations Meet the current Board of Directors

Forward email This email was sent to mark@rauterkus.com by vdomine@namle.net. Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Email Marketing by NAMLE | 10 Laurel Hill Drive | Cherry Hill | NJ | 08003

Fw: DR News: House Per Diems

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From: Tim Potts Democracy Rising PA <tim@democracyrisingpa.com>

Date: Sat, 20 Mar 2010 22:35:46 -0400 (EDT)

To: <mark.rauterkus@gmail.com>

Subject: DR News: House Per Diems

Democracy Rising Pennsylvania

UNSUBSCRIBE HERE Signers Rep. Mario Scavello, R-Monroe, is the latest lawmaker to sign the petition for a Constitution convention referendum this fall. Also, here are more candidates who have signed the petition: Jonathan Jenkins, a Republican running against Rep. Tim Hennessee, R-Chester John Wieczorek, a Democrat running for the open seat of retiring Speaker Keith McCall, D-Carbon. Jason Petrella, a Democrat running against Rep. Jim Christiana, R-Beaver. Per Diems: Open This, Part 2 In December we were able to report on per diems received by our state Senators. These are payments lawmakers receive when they are in session. Ostensibly available to cover travel expenses, for most lawmakers they are a second, largely tax-free salary for which they need not turn in receipts. Click here for that edition of DR News. Per diems have become a campaign issue in some parts of the state. Click here for an article from The Citizens' Voice in Wilkes-Barre. This time we are able to report on how much money members of the House received in per diems in 2009. A DR fan provided us with the information received from the House Chief Clerk's Office. Once again, it was provided in a particularly unfriendly manner - 1,273 pages in pdf format of individual payments to individual lawmakers but with no totals, either for each lawmaker or for the House as a whole. Click here for the member totals, ranked from low to high. Click here for background about per diems and a spreadsheet that includes separate payment dates for each member and each per diem. If you don't see your representative on this list, it's because the House Chief Clerk's Office did not report any per diems for 23 representatives. This may be because your representative lives too close to the capitol to collect per diems (50-mile radius), or it may be that your representative has chosen not to collect them for some reason. The best way to find out is to ask him or her. In short, the House paid a total of $3,034,394.01 in per diems to 180 members. The average amount of per diems received was $16,858. The median amount was $17,008. Here are the highs and lows: Below $5,000 Mark Keller, R-Perry * $218.00 Dan Moul, R-Adams * $316.00 John Payne, R-Dauphin * $414.00 Lewis Chris Ross, R-Chester $429.00 Susan Helm, R-Dauphin* $438.00 Staley Saylor, R-York* $486.00 Nicholas Micarelli, R-Delaware $958.00 Eugene DePasquale, D-York* $979.00 Robert Kauffman, R-Franklin $2,972.00 James Cox, R-Berks $4,960.00 David Argall, R-Schuylkill** $4,990.00 * These members live within 50 miles of the capitol and therefore do not qualify for full per diems. ** This represents just three months in 2009 before he was elected to the Senate. Above $25,000 Joseph Brennan, D-Northampton $25,008.00 Tim Solobay, D-Washington $25,135.00 Mark Longietti, D-Mercer $25,160.00 Dick Hess, R-Bedford $25,162.00 Kathy Rapp, R-Warren $25,374.00 Jake Wheatley, D-Allegheny $25,478.00 John Evans, D-Philadelphia $25,537.00 Thomas Caltagirone, D-Berks $26,410.00 Joe Petrarca, D-Westmoreland $26,606.00 Richard Geist, R-Blair $27,354.00 Michael O'Brien, D-Philadelphia $27,632.00 Todd Eachus, D-Luzerne $27,688.00 Christopher Sainato, D-Lawrence $27,831.00 John Galloway, D-Bucks $31,133.00 Mark Cohen, D-Philadelphia $31,473.00 H. William DeWeese, D-Greene $36,051.00 Robert B. Mensch, R-Bucks*** $37,784.00 *** This does not include per diems after his election to the Senate in September 2009. Now's Your Chance If this strikes you as a good place for the legislature to start saving money, there's someone you can tell about it. The Senate Government Management and Cost Study Commission is looking for ideas between now and the end of June, which is supposed to be when the state budget is finished. Email the commission at cuttingcosts@pasen.gov , and click here for an amusing column by John Baer in the Philadelphia Daily News. A New Reality We don't have to settle for whatever government lawmakers, judges and governors want to give us. 1. Click here to sign the petition for a referendum on a Constitution convention. 2. Forward this edition of DR News to others and ask them to sign the petition. 3. Donate to keep the pressure on. A new reality is up to us, because only we can keep democracy rising! Democracy Rising Pennsylvania abides by strict NO-SPAM rules. Please read our Privacy Policy for more details. We can be reached at: P.O. Box 618, Carlisle, PA 17013  © Democracy Rising Pennsylvania 2001-2010. All Rights Reserved. Powered by the Action Potential Nonprofit Web Toolkit

Restaurant proposed in Schenley Plaza

Restaurant proposed in Schenley Plaza: "Eat'n Park Hospitality Group is proposing to build a full-service sit-down restaurant in the parking lot turned park, with completion expected in the spring 2011."

I still long for the parking lot.

On Friday there must have been 300 people sitting on the lawn on Soliders and Sailors, near the cannons that can hurl on Hazelwood, should West Mifflin ever attack due to the RAD tax on Kenneywood tickets. I was shocked. So many sitting on the lawn and not in front of TVs cheering for the Pitt hoopers.

Naming rites

A P-G article on sports about nicknames. Schenley is mentioned.

Naming rites: "From Valley's B.B. Flenory and Schenley's Jeep Kelley in the 1970s, to Monkey Cersosimo and Admire 'Pickle' Carter of Beaver Falls today, nicknames flourish in hoops circles.
One of the best nicknames ever in WPIAL or City League sports had to be 'Onion,' the standout point guard of Schenley's powerful PIAA championship team of 2007 that included DeJuan Blair and D.J. Kennedy. Onion is Jamaal Bryant, who got his name at a young age because a youth league coach said his head was shaped like an onion. Seemingly no one knew 'Onion' as Jamaal Bryant."

One of the best, yet not used pet name will be, "The Last Spartan." Schenley is closing. Then what? Powerful.

Meanwhile, few know that Pittsburgh Obama High School is on the way. Once again, while at High School States, we talked with many people and most are sure we are joking when told of the new name to come. B.O. High.

The Eagles!

Top 20 in AAA Swimming in PA

Girls Results:

1 WILSON WILSN 231.5
2 HERSHEY HRSHY 205.5
3 PARKLAND PAR 173
4 EMMAUS EMM 151
5 NORTH ALLEGHENY NALLE 132
6 SOUDERTON AREA HIGH SCHOOL SOUDR 107
7 COUNCIL ROCK NORTH HIGH SCHOOL CRNOR 84
8 STATE COLLEGE STACO 76
9 CEDAR CREST CDRCR 73
10 UNIONVILLE HIGH SCHOOL UNVIL 71
11 GREATER LATROBE GREAT 63
12 DOWNINGTOWN EAST HIGH SCHOOL DOWNE 57
13 GREAT VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL GRTVA 56
13 WEST CHESTER EAST HIGH SCHOOL WCEST 56
15 MANHEIM TOWNSHIP MANTP 54.5
16 MCDOWELL HIGH SCHOOL MCDOW 53
17 BAYARD RUSTIN HIGH SCHOOL RUSTN 50
18 DOWNINGTOWN WEST HIGH SCHOOL DOWNW 49
19 WARWICK WRWCK 40
20 WILLIAM TENNENT HIGH SCHOOL WMTEN 33

Boys

1 NORTH ALLEGHENY 1384 227.5
2 WILSON WILSN 192
3 LASALLE COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL LS 180
4 EMMAUS EMM 158
5 MOUNT LEBANON 1378 140
6 WEST CHESTER B. REED HENDERSON WCHEN 112.5
7 BOYERTOWN HIGH SCHOOL BOYER 109
8 CUMBERLAND VALLEY CUMBV 85
9 CEDAR CREST CDRCR 71.5
10 CENTRAL BUCKS EAST HIGH SCHOOL CBEST 69
11 UPPER ST. CLAIR 1412 66
12 FRANKLIN REGIONAL 1351 59
13 UPPER DUBLIN HIGH SCHOOL UPDUB 56
14 UNIONVILLE HIGH SCHOOL UNVIL 51
15 NORTH PENN HIGH SCHOOL NPENN 48
16 HAVERFORD HIGH SCHOOL HAVRF 41
17 CHICHESTER HIGH SCHOOL CHICH 36
18 PARKLAND PAR 33.5
19 GATEWAY 1355 32
19 RED LAND RLAND 32
19 OXFORD HIGH SCHOOL OXFRD 32
22 PENN TRAFFORD HIGH SCHOOL 1389 31

Google May Shut Down China Unit in April, CBN Says (Update2) - Bloomberg.com

Google May Shut Down China Unit in April, CBN Says (Update2) - Bloomberg.com: "Google May Shut Down China Unit in April, CBN Says (Update2)"

Hockey Players and Hips

New Study Finds 70 Percent of Able-bodied Hockey Players Have Abnormal Hip
and Pelvis MRIs

http://www.sportsmed.org/tabs/newsroom/AOSSMPressReleaseDetails.aspx?DID=687

NEW ORLEANS, LA - Seventy percent of healthy professional and collegiate hockey players had abnormal hip and pelvis MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging), even though they had no symptoms of injury, according to a study presented today at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine's Specialty Day in New Orleans, (March 13). The study's surprising findings could serve as a warning for surgeons to not depend excessively on imaging when diagnosing patients.

"This study was done to see if abnormal MRI results are found incidentally in active roster hockey players," said Matthew Silvis, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Family Medicine and Orthopedics at Hershey Medical Center at Penn State University College of Medicine. "Unexpectedly, the majority of players had some abnormality in their MRI, but it didn't limit their playing ability. The study raises many questions, but its value to surgeons is to recognize that imaging doesn't replace good clinical judgment, which includes a detailed history and complete physical exam. This study might make you hesitate to read too much into an MRI."

In the study, high-resolution MRIs were taken of the pelvis and hips of 21 professional and 18 collegiate hockey players, aged 18 - 35. Of the 39 players, only two reported slight pain, which they identified as a 3 on a 10 point scale, with minimal to no disability in relation to their pain.
Twenty-one out of the 39 (54 percent) had labral tears (tears in the structure that keeps the hip in place). Twelve of the 39 (31 percent) had muscle strain injuries of the hips and 2 of 39 (5 percent) had tendinosis (inflammation) of the hips. Overall, 70 percent of the players had irregular findings on their MRIs, but no clinical symptoms.

MRIs are noninvasive tests that help doctors diagnose and treat medical conditions. MRIs use a powerful magnetic field, radio frequency pulses and a computer to produce detailed pictures of organs, soft tissues, bone and many other internal body structures.

"This study raises all sorts of questions that should be examined in further studies. For example, will these abnormalities cause problems and symptoms later for these athletes?" said Silvis. "But this study shows the limitations of depending too heavily on an MRI. A surgeon may see something
in the image, but it isn't causing a problem."

Breakfast meeting in Oakland with PA Board of Education - March 25 invite

PENNSYLVANIA EDUCATION POLICY FORUM

“Western Pennsylvania Breakfast Series” 

Thursday, March 25, 2010 - 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Holiday Inn Select - University Center - Oakland

FAX RESPONSE FORM - 717-260-9903

(No fax cover sheet required)

__________               I will attend the March 25, 2010 Forum discussing “An Update from the State Board of Education.”                                                                      

Name: ________________________________________________________________

Title: _________________________________________________________________

Organization: __________________________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Phone: _____________________________    Fax: ____________________________

E-mail: _______________________________________

Seating Space is limited. 

Please confirm your attendance by returning this form via FAX to Mattie Robinson at The Education Policy and Leadership Center at 717-260-9903 as soon as possible.

The Education Policy and Leadership Center

EPLC

    Pittsburgh - March 25, 2010

PENNSYLVANIA EDUCATION POLICY FORUM

“Western Pennsylvania Breakfast Series” 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

                            Date:                            Thursday, March 25, 2010

                            Place:                            Holiday Inn Select – University Center – Oakland

8:00 a.m.               Continental Breakfast

8:30 a.m.              Speaker:  Adam Schott
Executive Director
Pennsylvania State Board of Education

                                                        Subject: “An Update from the State Board of Education.” 

      

10:00 a.m.              Adjournment

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Adam Schott serves as Executive Director of the Pennsylvania State Board of Education which has the power and duty to review and adopt regulations that govern educational policies and principles and establish standards governing the educational programs of the Commonwealth, upon recommendation of its councils. The Board has 22 members, ten of whom serve as the Board’s Council of Basic Education and ten of whom serve on the Board’s Council of Higher Education.  Seventeen members are appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, for overlapping terms of six years. Four members of the Board are members of the General Assembly.

Adam Schott has served as Executive Director of the Pennsylvania State Board of Education since November 2009.  Prior to his current role, Mr. Schott served as Special Assistant to the Secretary of Education from March 2008 to October 2009.  He worked closely with the PA Department of Education’s communications and legislative offices to direct outreach and advocacy efforts in support of the administration’s high school graduation requirements initiative.

Mr. Schott served as Assistant Director of the Massachusetts Alliance for Education from 2007 to 2008.  Prior to that, he worked for several years in the Office of Government Relations in the Pennsylvania Department of Education. 

Mr. Schott holds a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from Penn State and a master’s degree in Education Policy and Management from Harvard. He is a member of EPLC’s Education Policy Fellowship Program class of 2003-04.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The School Finance Project of The Education Policy and Leadership Center is currently supported by generous grants from The Maurice Falk Foundation, Fulfilling the Dream Fund, and the 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                                         

AFT Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators

Pennsylvania Association of Intermediate Units

Pennsylvania Association of Pupil Services Administrators

Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools                                                   

Pennsylvania Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development

Pennsylvania School Boards Association Pennsylvania State Education Association

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

Educational Testing Service (ETS)

Fred Rogers' ideas celebrated at conference, museum events

Fred Rogers' ideas celebrated at conference, museum events About 150 people are expected to attend the formal, invitation-only conference -- with the theme of 'Creative Curiosity, New Media and Learning' -- at the college on Monday and Tuesday.

My invite must have been lost in the mail. So sad.

Shady Side senior heads Classic Pennsylvania team

Shady Side senior heads Classic Pennsylvania team: "Shady Side Academy senior Matthew Cunningham is a big fan of the Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic.
'I've been going to the classic for years,' said Cunningham, after receiving an invitation to wrestle on the Pennsylvania All-Stars. 'I always wanted to be a part of it. Now I will get that chance. It's a great way to end my high school career.'
Cunningham made his second appearance in the PIAA Class AA finals last week in Hershey, Pa., and won his first PIAA gold medal with a 2-1 decision against Lewisburg's Nathaniel Brown in the 171-pound final.

It is wonderful that wrestling, football and basketball have classic events for high school seniors just after their scholastic season ends. Too bad there is nothing like this for swimmers. It has always been a dream of mine to organize such an event.

Sure, the swimmers do get to go to sectionals and other club meets. That's for the top flight of swimmers. Many don't get to do that. Furthermore, the kids that swim in the PIAA Meet are not a real concern as their experience is impossible to beat. However, many don't get to do that -- and that isn't my concern either.

Stay tuned.

Erik dropped 4 seconds in his 500

Whew. Erik got another best time in the 500. He had a 4 second drop. Great experience for him.
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Fw: Google Alert - Rauterkus

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From: Google Alerts <googlealerts-noreply@google.com>

Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:52:44 +0000

To: <mark.rauterkus@gmail.com>

Subject: Google Alert - Rauterkus

Google News Alert for: Rauterkus

PIAA swimming and diving results Stamford Advocate Erik Rauterkus, Schenley, 1:51.83; 32. Sean battle, North Allegheny, disqualified. 1. Nathaniel Savoy, West Lawn Wilson, 1:49.36; 2. ...

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1.51.83 best time

Yes.
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PIAA swim trip

Easy drive for us as we had AM swim at school and departed at 10 am.

Stop at PSU Creamery for lunch - ice cream really.

At hotel. Dice kids are with us now too. Kids are goofing around outside as the weather is super. Coach G is on a walk.

We check in at 5 pm and can swim at 6.
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