Thursday, September 11, 2014

Fwd: To my friends and colleagues

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Judith A. Rubin, PhD, ATR-BC" <jrubin@expressivemedia.org>
Date: Sep 11, 2014 3:15 PM
Subject: To my friends and colleagues
To: "Mark Rauterkus" <mark.rauterkus@gmail.com>
Cc:

    
         

September 11, 2014


Dear Friends & Colleagues, 


I'm writing now to let you know about an exciting educational event in NYC that will be held November 6-9, 2014. It's the 4-day Expressive Therapies Summit, now in its fifth year. Along with our teaching films, the Summit helps Expressive Media to achieve its mission of promoting the power of the arts in healing. For more information, please visit the Summit site at
www.summit.expressivemedia.org.

 

This year we're offering over 140 presentations, including workshops and courses in all of the creative arts therapies as well as several related disciplines. They include: symposia on play and the arts in the treatment of traumatized children, expressive therapy approaches to work with persons affected by autism and learning disabilities, and ways of using the power of storytelling in therapy. In addition, there are training tracks on Archetypal approaches to the arts in therapy, the treatment of eating disorders, and art studio skills for therapists.

Even if you can't join us there, please let your friends and colleagues know about the Summit by posting one of our many special topic digital flyers on social media. 

We are also delighted to announce that DVDs of our latest film, "Lessons from Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," will be available for purchase at this year's Summit. 

To see clips or order our other films, visit our site by clicking here.


Hope to see you in New York City!


Judy Rubin, PhD, ATR-BC, HLM
Co-founder, Expressive Media

 


 
 
 
If you do not want to receive future emails from Expressive Therapies Summit 2014, or Expressive Media, click Opt-Out.


Cvent - Web-based Software Solutions

Tuesday, September 09, 2014

Fwd: NO DEAL HAS BEEN MADE WITH THE PITTSBURGH PENGUINS BY THE HILL DISTRICT COMMUNITY!

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Hill District Consensus Group" <hdcg@wildapricot.org>
Date: Sep 9, 2014 11:50 AM
Subject: NO DEAL HAS BEEN MADE WITH THE PITTSBURGH PENGUINS BY THE HILL DISTRICT COMMUNITY!
To: "Mark Rauterkus" <mark@rauterkus.com>
Cc:

BACK ROOM DEAL HAS NOT BEEN SHARED WITH THE COMMUNITY. NO DEAL!


NO DEAL HAS BEEN MADE WITH THE PITTSBURGH PENGUINS BY THE HILL DISTRICT COMMUNITY

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Dear Hill District Community & Stakeholders,

There is an urgency by the Democratic Party elected officials to make a deal now. Why? Because a federal transportation grant that will bring $21 million more subsidy to the Penguins is soon to be decided. It is a very competitive grant. The deal has not been shared with the community. Bottom line. The Penguins should follow the community plan or they should not be supported. Any deals must be included in the lower Hill District Zoning text.

In fact.

It's time to renegotiate the agreement between the Penguins and the Public (City and County) regarding the Lower Hill Parking Lots. The current no-bid deal locked out all competition for Lower Hill development because of the friendship between the owner(s) of the Penguins and the Governor.

The Penguins have refused to support the Hill District Community Plan and community benefits.

1. It is time to take back the gift of public land and parking revenue. Put the parking lots which are owned by the public (through the SEA and the URA) under public control. All parking revenue should be used for public purposes instead of providing more profit for the owners of the Penguins. The parking could be managed by the Pittsburgh Parking Authority or bids could be requested for an operator for all Lower Hill Parking lots. The Penguins Parking Company should be allowed to bid as well. This is a way to maximize public and community benefit from this public resource.

The Penguins have refused to support the Hill District Community Plan and community benefits.

2. It is also time to request open competitive bids for the development of the Lower Hill District. Many developers would be interested in the opportunity to develop the Lower Hill but they were not allowed to participate. There was no open process. Previous administrations made a back room deal in a Philadelphia hotel room to not only build the new arena for the Penguins but they also gave them parking revenue and development rights for the parking lots. This is another way to maximize public and community benefit from this public resource.

 

 

Carl Redwood, Jr.

Chair, Hill District Consensus Group

412-697-4692

 

 
 
 
BACK ROOM DEAL HAS NOT BEEN SHARED WITH COMMUNITY. NO DEAL!



Copyright © 2014 Hill District Consensus Group.
All rights reserved.
Contact email: info@hdcg.org
Unsubscribe
 

Fwd: 18th year for PGH Scholastic Disc Golf Series tees off this Sat. 9/13

---------- Forwarded message From: J. Gary Dropcho

Hi Disc Golfers,

The flyer (click that link to a PDF) has all the info about how you can win a disc golf package, including baskets, discs and a curriculum for your phys. ed teachers, in this year's disc golf series for kids.

The series starts at 1 pm this Saturday Sept. 13, 2014, with a putting and driving clinic followed by an afternoon round at Deer Lakes from the Red tees.  Register at the Blue Gill pavilion between holes 7/9.

Events 2-5 are at Phillips Park on 9/21, Schenley Park on 10/5, Two Mile Run Extension on 10/19 and the Finals at Knob Hill on Sat. Nov. 1.

Each $12 entry fee includes a golf disc.  Every series participant gets a disc golf shirt, and prizes are awarded each week and at the end of the series with an emphasis on "The Most Fun Wins"!

See you on the course!

Monday, September 08, 2014

Fwd: Students For Liberty Pittsburgh Regional Conference



---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Samuel Teixeira <steixeira@studentsforliberty.org>
Date: Sunday, September 7, 2014
Subject: Students For Liberty Pittsburgh Regional Conference
To: Mark@rauterkus.com


Hello Mark! 

My name is Sam Teixeira.  I'm a fourth year at the University of Virginia and a campus coordinator with Students For Liberty. I noticed that you registered for last year's Pittsburgh Regional Conference.   

First, thank you for registering for our event and for participating in the liberty movement!  Because of your previous involvement, I want to personally invite you to this year's Pittsburgh Regional Conference!

As you probably know, registration is free and includes three meals and drinks at our evening social.  This year's conference will be held at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA on Saturday, November 15th from 9am to 8pm.  At the Pittsburgh Regional Conference, you'll hear from some of the best speakers in the liberty movement including Tom Palmer, T.K. Coleman, Joshua Hall, and many others!  You'll also be able to network with pro-liberty students and discover opportunities for jobs, internships, seminars, and conferences.  Most importantly, we hope you'll have a lot of fun! 

Please CLICK HERE TO REGISTER and be sure to check out the Facebook event!  If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please send me an email.  I hope to see you in Pittsburgh! 

Sincerely and For Liberty,

Sam Teixeira

Mid-Atlantic Campus Coordinator 
University of Virginia 



--
--
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, September 04, 2014

One of the top ten high school runners in the country, from NY, doing a 4:07 mile

Mike Brannigan is dreaming of the Olympics.


Kate Snow of NBC News, in Northport, New York. http://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/how-running-changed-life-boy-autism-n194051

Links:




Wednesday, September 03, 2014

Fwd: Dawn of a New Day at Baylor

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Ken Starr" <Office_of_President@baylor.edu>
Date: Sep 3, 2014 5:55 PM
Subject: Dawn of a New Day at Baylor
To: <Mark@rauterkus.com>
Cc:

Office of the President and Chancellor

September 3, 2014

Warm (very warm, in fact) September greetings from the beautiful Baylor campus on the banks of the Brazos.

We often lift up thanks for our campus situated on the river's edge, but the campus never shone so gloriously as it did last week when we grandly opened our stunning McLane Stadium. In vibrant images broadcast on national television to tens of millions of households across the globe, we flung "our green and gold afar." Viewers beheld firsthand the spectacular beauty not only of McLane Stadium, but of our campus and community as well.

Congratulations to Coach Art Briles and our magnificent Baylor Bears on a decisive victory in the inaugural game at McLane Stadium. Beyond the great triumph over traditional (Southwest Conference) rival SMU, both the opening game and the myriad events surrounding it launched a new golden era for Baylor University. We will, of course, be in prayer for our fabulous student-athletes, Bryce Petty and Antwan Goodley, as well as Clay Fuller, Cole Edmiston and Brandon Brown as our young warriors recover from recent injuries.

This is truly a new era for Baylor. By bringing Baylor football back to campus, we have strengthened the bonds of community here on the Brazos. In doing so, the University has created a magnificent "front door" through which we will welcome tens of thousands of alumni and friends. We eagerly look forward to the rest of what promises to be an outstanding season for our Big 12 champions and, in particular, to the annual Homecoming festivities (October 30 to November 1), when far-flung members of Baylor Nation will return to their beloved alma mater for the nation's oldest Homecoming celebration.

By virtue of generous philanthropy provided by so many alumni and friends, especially the lead gift by the Drayton McLane Jr. family, McLane Stadium stands as a shining example of Baylor's partnership with our warmly welcoming home city. Early on, the City of Waco generously provided a landmark $35 million gift for stadium construction. The $266 million facility, which stands as the largest project ever built in Waco (and indeed the entire Central Texas region), has already done much to power the dynamic growth along the Brazos River and throughout downtown Waco. I invite you to view a video which was created to thank and celebrate those whose significant generosity helped to bring game day football back to our campus.

Just prior to our McLane Stadium opening celebrations and well in time for the August 31 kickoff, we welcomed the largest incoming class in the University's 169-year history. More than 3,600 students have now begun the next phase of their life journey. These young men and women have come from every State in the nation (except Delaware) and from 47 nations around the world. We have warmly welcomed each and every one with open arms.

The growth of our student population this year follows years of steady enlargement of our student body. Combined with similarly strong incoming classes in recent years, this year's class of new students — one of the most academically prepared and diverse in our long history — has lifted Baylor to its seventh consecutive total enrollment record. We give thanks that demand for a transformational Baylor University education stands at an all-time high.

A Rich Heritage

As the state's oldest continually operating institution of higher education, Baylor has flourished in remarkable ways over its 169-year history while remaining true to its founding mission. Ours is a heritage rich with exemplary and ennobling leaders who provided inspirational foresight to this treasured institution. This year, we are observing the 150th anniversary of William Carey Crane's installation as Baylor's fourth president. We celebrate our steadfast dedication to the University's cornerstone values by honoring a man who, during his long tenure, selflessly embodied the essential character of Baylor.

In contrast to our 15,000-plus students today, when President Crane's service as Baylor's leader began in January 1864, the fledgling University had an enrollment of a mere 25 students. The Civil War had converted many current (and potential) students into enlisted soldiers; indeed, the University's buildings were actually occupied by Confederate troops. Many colleges in Texas closed during this period. President Crane was fiercely determined that Baylor would not be among the casualties.

A classically trained scholar, religious leader and tireless worker, President Crane relentlessly led efforts to pull Baylor back from the brink of financial disaster. In January 1869, Crane personally saved the struggling institution from possible oblivion by raising approximately $300, including $100 of his own resources, to repurchase the campus from a sheriff's auction.

Today, we celebrate President Crane's legacy, in part, through the William Carey Crane Scholars Program. This highly popular initiative supports gifted Baylor students interested in exploring connections between faith and reason. But the Crane legacy is much larger. It lives on in the hearts and minds of Baylor students, the ultimate beneficiaries of his profound service to the University. To put it mildly, much has changed since the mid-19th Century, but the eagerness both to learn and to serve continues to animate the lives of our 15,000 students. And the desire of all of those who, in turn, serve our students is that — as future alumni — they will be thoroughly prepared for faith-filled careers, vocations, ministry or post-graduate education.

Fostering a Sense of Community

In Hebrews 13:16, the Apostle Paul writes: "Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." At Baylor, we strive to live out the Pauline admonition on a daily basis through acts of kindness, generosity and service. I have no doubt that the knowledge of our culture of encouragement was instrumental in The Chronicle of Higher Education once again including Baylor in an elite group of "Great Colleges to Work For." Of the 42 national universities accorded this honor, Baylor is one of only two institutions in the large university category (10,000 or more students) to achieve recognition in 11 of the 12 categories identifying best practices and policies.

What makes this honor especially meaningful is this: the designation is based on input provided by our own faculty and staff. For that, we give heartfelt thanks. We celebrate with them the joy of the Kingdom work to which we have been called. We are deeply appreciative of the strength and character of Baylor's faculty and staff professionals who sacrificially devote their time and talent to carrying out Baylor's Christian mission.

Recognizing that our physical surroundings are vital to fostering a sense of community, we energetically seek out opportunities to enhance campus facilities, as well as our beautiful campus grounds. Time and again, those opportunities have been provided as a result of generous gifts from alumni and friends.

In that exemplary spirit of generosity, Baylor alumnus and physician Dr. Thomas J. Rosenbalm provided a major gift this summer to fund significant renovations to historic Fifth Street. Of particular note is a signature fountain to be named in memory of Dr. Rosenbalm's parents, the late Clarence and Claudia Rosenbalm. The redesign will include both aesthetic and infrastructure improvements to Fifth Street from the Bill Daniel Student Center down Fifth Street to the circular drive in front of McMullen-Connally Faculty Center. The fruits of this timeless gift will be enjoyed by the Baylor family for generations to come.

Widening the Circle

At its May meeting, Baylor's Board of Regents endorsed a final set of detailed goals to advance the high-level aspirations articulated in our strategic vision, Pro Futuris, over the next five years. Available online at baylor.edu/profuturis, these goals represent the product of extensive input from across campus, as well as feedback from the Board of Regents. These goals will inform the way Baylor focuses its institutional resources and energies in the years to come.

A prominent theme running throughout these goals is increasing the accessibility of a Baylor education. I am pleased to report exciting progress in our "Baylor Bound" program, through which we are developing access-enhancing agreements with community colleges. We launched this program last fall in a landmark agreement with McLennan Community College here in Waco. We have now added both Tyler Junior College in beautiful East Texas and Blinn College in historic Brenham to that ever-expanding program. In addition to simplifying the process for students seeking to transfer to Baylor, this forward-looking initiative significantly helps potential Baylor students by paying lower tuition levels at a community college prior to transitioning, as juniors, to our University.

Baylor has long prided itself on keeping a Baylor education within the reach of those who aspire to obtain it, whether they hail from affluent metropolitan areas or from the "forks of the creek." We are a delightfully diverse Christian community, and the Baylor Bound program represents a powerful tool both to strengthen that diversity and to widen the circle of potential students.

Additionally, Baylor's Board of Regents has recently approved a revised Guaranteed Tuition Option (GTO), another major initiative within the context of our five-year goals. This option provides students (and, of course, their parents) the opportunity to lock in a four-year tuition rate, thus eliminating uncertainty about future costs.

These programs build on the great value and distinctive nature of a Baylor education, while aggressively addressing deepening nationwide concerns about student indebtedness and educational affordability.

Our students truly are the life of this University. We are striving, with fervent prayer, in both our daily work and in our long-term planning to create opportunities to care for our students effectively; to foster their spiritual growth; to generate endowment to support their education; to implement programs that will help them graduate in a timely manner; and to prepare them for their vocations in life and service.

Our Shared Promise

Every day as we walk across campus, we are reminded of the loving care and kind generosity that so many people have extended over the decades in support of this storied institution. Baylor's history looms before us in myriad ways, from the landmark buildings surrounding Burleson Quadrangle to the Georgian columns of Pat Neff Hall. And, present to the discerning eye is our future. The sense of a new beginning that dawns with every fall semester is physically visible across our beautiful, tree-lined campus, from the Paul L. Foster Campus for Business and Innovation rising up next door to Allbritton House to McLane Stadium now majestically situated on the banks of the Brazos.

Of course, Baylor's future is filled with abundant promise primarily because of our more than 15,000 students. These future leaders will be the ones charged with carrying forward and deepening Baylor's legacy. They will say, as Scripture admonishes: "Here am I. Send me." As with our many blessings, we count our students one by one.

Thank you for your faithful, generous support of our students and, more generally, for Baylor University. With deep thankfulness for all you have done and, by God's grace, will do in the future, I remain

Yours sincerely,

Ken Starr

Ken Starr
President and Chancellor

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Baylor University  Waco, Texas 76798  1-800-229-5678

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Browser plug-in that tells readers about campaign donations when seeing the name of a Congress Critter

Great idea and use of technology from a youngster.

http://www.vice.com/read/greenhouse-app-hannah-ewens-nick-rubin-201

Vote for Miss Pennsylvania 2014 Amanda Smith, a CMU Student via Florida


Fwd: Girls Golf Member Benefits

From: Eric Amato <tftpittsburgh@clubmailer.memfirst.net>



Dear Ladies of The First Tee,

The First Tee of Pittsburgh is proud to continue its partnership with the LPGA-USGA girls golf program.  This will be our fourth year participating in the program and we want everyone to sign up for the program.  For signing up  each girl will receive the following benefits

LPGA-USGA Girls Golf membership benefits include:

      • Quality junior instruction from LPGA/PGA Professionals

      • An LPGA-USGA Girls Golf Membership Kit (equipped with Girls Golf logoed golf accessories)

      • FREE entry into all LPGA Tour, Symetra Tour and USGA Championships

      • Scholarship opportunities through the LPGA Foundation

      • Access to National Girls Golf events, including the Girls Golf Academy

      • LPGA-USGA Girls Golf e-Newslette



To enroll please follow the link below, enrollment is open to all members of The First Tee of Pittsburgh. If you know someone that would like to get involved please contact Coach Eric at eamato@thefirstteepittsburgh.org

Thanks and sign up today

LPGA Sign up

-- 
Eric Amato
Associate Executive Director
The First Tee Coach and National Trainer
The First Tee of Pittsburgh
5370 Schenley Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
eamato@thefirstteepittsburgh.org  
www.thefirstteepittsburgh.org 
412-622-0108
412-682-2405 (fax)

The mission of TFTP is To impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf.

The First Tee of Pittsburgh is a United Way Donor Choice Agency.  You may direct your United Way contribution to #1436656
.  Please consider the environment before printing this email. 


Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Lifeguarding from the second floor balcony

http://www.usctrojans.com/blog/2014/08/shaw-injured.html#

Shaw Suffers Injury While Rescuing Nephew

By Jordan Moore

On Saturday night, USC senior cornerback Josh Shaw was named a team captain at the annual Salute to Troy dinner. For Shaw, leadership is bigger than how he acts on a football field, and he put that to the ultimate test later that night.

While attending a family social function at his cousin's apartment in his hometown of Palmdale, Shaw looked on from a second floor balcony to the pool below and saw his 7-year-old nephew, who cannot swim, in distress without help nearby. Shaw instinctively leaped off the balcony, landing painfully on the concrete below.

He was able to crawl into the pool and ushered his nephew to safety. Despite the intense pain in his legs, he was then able to grab the ladder and lift himself out of the pool with his upper body.

Shaw's nephew Carter is a bit "traumatized," but physically okay. Shaw was taken to the hospital and subsequently diagnosed with two high ankle sprains, which will sideline him indefinitely.

"I would do it again for whatever kid it was, it did not have to be my nephew," Shaw said today. "My ankles really hurt, but I am lucky to be surrounded by the best trainers and doctors in the world. I am taking my rehab one day at a time, and I hope to be back on the field as soon as possible."

Said head coach Steve Sarkisian: "That was a heroic act by Josh, putting his personal safety aside. But that's the kind of person he is. It is unfortunate that he'll be sidelined for a while and we will miss his leadership and play, but I know he'll be working hard to get back on the field as soon as possible."

Friday, August 22, 2014

Fwd: [wplug-announce] Pittsburgh Perl Workshop 2014

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Vance Kochenderfer" <vkochend@nyx.net>
Date: Aug 22, 2014 8:29 AM
Subject: [wplug-announce] Pittsburgh Perl Workshop 2014
To: "mark.rauterkus@gmail.com" <mark.rauterkus@gmail.com>
Cc:

Daniel Wright <dan@perlfoundation.org> wrote:
> The Pittsburgh Perl Mongers are looking at doing another Pittsburgh
> Perl Workshop this November 7th and 8th.  It will be at the downtown
> DoubleTree hotel.  But, only if we have enough people sign up by labor
> day: http://tilt.tc/mMkG

The Pittsburgh Perl Workshop is a long-standing event - and *you*
can make it happen this year!  They are selling tickets at the link
above, and need to reach 30 by September 1.

As of this moment, 17 have been sold, so you could be the one to
push them over the edge!  (Note that if the goal isn't reached, you
will be refunded.)

For more details and history on PPW, visit <http://pghpw.org/>.

Later,
Vance Kochenderfer
Vice Chair, Western Pennsylvania Linux Users Group
_______________________________________________
wplug-announce mailing list
wplug-announce@wplug.org
http://www.wplug.org/mailman/listinfo/wplug-announce

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Change!

What a rant!




Monday, August 18, 2014

viral Syncro Skit


Movie to prevent violence among youth

The Black Political Empowerment Project(B-PEP) And Black Women For Positive Change Invite You to A Free Movie Screening

The free film screening will be held Thursday, August 21, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. at, East Liberty Presbyterian Church located at 116 S. Highland Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15206 RM. 234. For directions please call 412-441-3800. A second screening will be hosted on August 21st at 6:30 p.m.at Project Destiny Inc, 2200 California Ave. Pgh. PA 15212. For directions, call 412-231-1258. We are urging local churches to bring young people to these screenings. Rev. David McFarland, MADDAD's, and Assistant Chief of Police Maurita Bryant urge youth and their parents to attend and participate in the post-film discussions. The film "On 2nd Thought" is available free for download on IPhones, tablets, cell phones via YouTube at www.blackwomenforpositivechange.org Order for DVD copies can be made from the same website. For information contact Diane Powell, 412-302-2952.

Rick Perry's quagmire

From Reason magazine, online.
The indictment of Gov. Rick Perry (R-Tex.) for trying to force a district attorney charged with drinking and driving out of office is illustrative here. A district attorney who drinks and drives shouldn't be allowed to keep that job, given how often a district attorney prosecutes drunk drivers. And it's rich to see a prosecutor charge a governor with "coercion" for threatening funding if a DA embroiled in a scandal wouldn't resign, when prosecutors coerce defendants into plea deals all the time. Is Perry enjoying widespread support for trying to force a DA that damaged her reputation out of office? Of course not, the DA is a Democrat so a significant amount of Democrats will back her. Her job is to monitor public integrity. It would seem her job should obligate her to resign after being charged with drunk driving. But prosecutors and cops will act in their own self-interest, especially when their jobs are on the line. And so bad actors are incentivized to help each other. Add partisan tribalism into the mix, and you have a recipe for a big old heap of nothing else happening.

Saturday, August 09, 2014

B.F. Water Polo. You heard it here first. Bottom Friendly Water Polo.

Any Trademark Attorney want to pick up a cause pro bono?

I think this could have legs. Pun intended.

BF Water Polo makes it okay to stand on the bottom with the ball. It is okay to swim too. And, it is faster to swim. But, when you get the ball, stand up. The jumping off the bottom element is something to consider, but the verdict is still out on that.

We've been playing water polo in the shallow water. Then those who are not such great swimmers and those without the fitness to play deep pool water polo can join along. I've called this "Community Water Polo" but it needs a better name. Community water polo is legal water polo but in a co-ed style and without the crashing into the other players that can unfold in real water polo. But around here, our pools are often with both a deep-end and shallow-end, so we get to be on the bottoms more at certain times.

B.F. Water Polo is well suited for kids. But, adults can play too.

B.F. Water Polo could be a great activity for Pittsburgh Sports League, PSL. They host kickball leagues. Why not B.F. Water Polo evenings, leagues, teams, clinics and end of season tournaments?

Saturday, August 02, 2014

Greatest Article of All Time -- Trib gets it right in coverage of our Summer Dreamers and visits with Elite Runners and the Liberty Mile Efforts

Thank you Karen Price.

By Karen Price
Thursday, July 31, 2014, 10:39 p.m.

Jordan McNamara stood in front of dozens of Summer Dreamers Academy campers at Helen S. Faison Arts Academy in Homewood on Wednesday and asked a question.

“Who likes to run?” he asked, followed by, “Why do you like to run?”
Hands shot in the air.

One boy said because he was the fastest kid in the world. A girl said because it helps her build muscles. Another child said it keeps her energized.

Before long, McNamara and two other professional runners in town for Friday's Liberty Mile race, Heather Kampf and Leo Manzano, were running through the grass with the kids. They jogged around the perimeter of the field, set up mini races and ended with some stretching and strengthening moves.

For the past five weeks, approximately 120 campers in the Pittsburgh Public Schools program have been training with a coach from the Liberty Mile in preparation for the race through the streets of Downtown on Friday. The Liberty Mile, in its third year, is produced by Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon Inc. A total of 1,200 runners competed last year.
McNamara, who has finished second at the Liberty Mile each of the past two years, said Pittsburgh is the only place where race organizers get the elite runners involved in the community at this level. The elite runners also visited campers at Langley K-8 on Thursday.

“There's always some level of involvement with the race but in terms of going to kids' elementary schools and all that, I think that's different. It's cool,” said McNamara, 25, of Eugene, Ore. “Liberty Mile is really the first race that takes the professionals and integrates them directly into the community at ground level, which I think is really special.”
Manzano, a two-time Olympian from Austin, Texas, told the children at Faison that he wasn't the fastest runner when he started in the fifth or sixth grade, but he wanted to be the best. He talked about perseverance, and the importance of never giving up. Then he told them about racing in the 1,500 meters in the London Olympics in 2012.

He was in ninth place early in the race, he told them, and wanted to give up. He started thinking about his family and his community and started to pass other runners. With 100 meters to go he was in sixth place and ultimately won the silver medal with a time of 3:34.79.

“Not giving up is the important message,” Manzano, 29, said. “I feel like it applies a lot to life as well. Sometimes in a race you come across hills or mountains and you have to continue and push past those, but you know that eventually things will be better. You'll be done and you'll be celebrating.”

Kampf, 26, of Minneapolis had a similar message and told the story of when she fell during the Big Ten Indoor Championships in 2008 and went from last place to first in the 600 meters.
“Running is the ultimate blue-collar sport,” she said. “It's just good, pure, hard effort.”
All three hoped to show the kids that while being a top runner takes hard work, running in general can be a sport they can enjoy their entire lives.

“A lot of these kids at this age, you can tell running is awful to them,” McNamara said. “For us to come in and introduce a little bit of seriousness, a little bit of inspiration but also playfulness and silliness, it makes it so they can associate running with fun and it will be something that they'll want to do and enjoy.”

Karen Price is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. Reach her at kprice@tribweb.com or via Twitter @KarenPrice_Trib.


Read more: http://triblive.com/sports/otherlocal/6533055-74/mile-race-liberty#ixzz39HtHBCOu
Follow us: @triblive on Twitter | triblive on Facebook

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Grew out of thinking gets a thumbs down from me.

Is there a bias based upon "grew-out-of" thinking?

Example: I hope to coach in a similar manner with fairness and open opportunities given, for example, three kids: One that 'grew out of' single parent home. Two, a kid from a home with 2 moms. Three, a background with one dad and one mom. All get equal treatment, regardless where they grew out of.

Where things 'grew-out-of" is part of history, part of the past, part of its legacy.

I don't like to see the venom (I don't see it here. We're just talking about it.) heaped upon charter schools because of a perception, (and perhaps a reality) of how they came into today's landscape. Its politics and its part of life. No doubt, the anti-union sector has pushed for charters and it is but a small tug in the efforts to educate our kids and make schools better, IMHO.

I think the school board at Pittsburgh Public Schools should grant permission to allow for an expansion of the Environmental Charter School in the east side of the city.

Monday, July 28, 2014

Fwd: Tiger Water Polo Programs Open for SIGN UP

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Nikola Malezanov" <malezanov@gmail.com>
Date: Jul 28, 2014 5:53 PM
Subject: Tiger Water Polo Programs Open for SIGN UP
To:
Cc:

   

 Dear Water Polo Players,


I hope this email finds you well. I hope you enjoyed the summer so far. It is amassing how quickly the summer is passing. 

I would like to inform you on the programs we are offering in 2014/2015 starting in the fall. 


- COMPETITION TEAMS: 14U Boys/Girls, 12U Boys/Girls

Tryouts; August 25th, 26th, 27th and 28th

North Allegheny Senior High School

This program includes weekly training and regular competitions culminating in a July Trip to play in the 2015 Junior Olympics. This Fall, our teams will participate in the Pennsylvania Middle School League where we will compete for the title of State Middle School Champion. We'll also host a visiting team from Virginia one weekend and take a trip to the US Naval Academy for games in November. 


- FALL RECREATION LEAGUE (Noodle Ball, Youth, Middle School)


Our Fall Recreation League Program will feature basic skills training and lots of game time. The program will be held on five Sundays September 14th, 21st and October 5th, 19th and 26th – at North Allegheny High School.  In addition to the attached documents, we encourage you to learn more about the program at www.tigerwaterpolo.com 

 

We hope to see many familiar faces back with us this Fall and also hope to see lots of new faces too. As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to "Contact Us" from our website or directly by responding to this e-mail. Thank you.

 


--
Nikola Malezanov
Tiger Water Polo
North Allegheny Water Polo
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