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"League tables" and NSW school-reporting policy
Below is an article from Jennifer Buckingham of the Centre for Independent Studies. Her line is very much that of the teachers' unions. She supports the covering up of some kinds of information about schools: Very disappointing from a free-market think-tank. At the foot of the article I reproduce a letter from a teacher who is also surprised by her views
The Federal Government confirmed last year that it would be making good on its election promise to introduce transparency measures for all schools, including publicly reporting school-level performance in national tests, year 12 results, and a range of other information.
The main concern the critics of this policy have is the potential for media outlets to mine this information to create and publish "league tables" - lists of schools ranked from "best" to "worst" by a single performance indicator. This has been the experience in other countries, and fears that it may happen here were realised when a Tasmanian newspaper recently published school rankings of the newspaper's own creation.
It is important to make one thing clear: school-performance reporting and league tables are not the same thing. School-performance reporting, done properly, is a way to empower parents and make them informed participants in their child's education.
Under the new federal reporting protocols, people will be able to look up any school and see how it has performed in national tests and get information about teacher and student characteristics, among other things. They can see how that school's performance compares with the state average and "like schools". By looking up several schools they will be able to compare the schools in their area, but this comparison will not be provided to them as a list or ranking. It is up to people to compare individual schools and draw their own conclusions.
League tables, on the other hand, are lists or rankings of schools based on a single indicator, without reference to context or location. They are a potential by-product of providing parents and the public with information. They are often misleading, are not useful and can be harmful to the schools at the bottom of the rankings. Some schools may deserve to be there, but others will not.
Opponents of school-performance reporting have used the spectre of league tables to argue against it, but this did not stop the state and territory education ministers agreeing on the policy. To comply with this federal agreement, NSW had to amend legislation put in place in 1997 that prohibited the publication of information that allowed schools to be compared on academic performance. Last week a bill was passed in the NSW parliament to do just that. The amendment will allow a new national federal agency, the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority, to publish the academic outcomes of individual schools.
The Greens argued fervently against the amendment, but obviously had already seen the writing on the wall. Knowing that the amendment would pass, the Greens introduced a clause to the amendment in the last half hour of the debate, which they had previously drafted with the help of the Coalition. The clause attempts to prevent the publication of league tables in "a newspaper or other document that is publicly available in this state". The clause also prohibits the identification of schools "in a percentile of less than 90 per cent in relation to school results, except with the permission of the principal of the school".
The Labor MP Penny Sharpe put up little defence, saying the clause was "well-intentioned but utterly futile". Sharpe argued that it was questionable whether print media would comply, and there was no jurisdiction over the internet. She also raised the possibility that it might also have negative consequences for school systems and associations publishing their own comparisons or school profiles.
There was little debate about the clause and it passed with a majority of five votes. This anti-league table clause seems, on the surface, to have discarded the bath water while retaining the baby. It would be nice to think legislation could solve misuse of information, but it is doubtful. In this case the compromise position may be unacceptable. If the clause is ineffective, school league tables will be published anyway.
This will mean a missed opportunity to draft legislation that might have been more effective in protecting schools from spurious claims about their performance by over-zealous media outlets.
Alternatively, the clause may be too effective, preventing any comparative information being produced even for a small audience, undermining the positive effect of the school-reporting policy. If misleading league tables can be avoided they should be, but not at the expense of parents' right to know. Time will tell if, in its haste to pass the amendment, the NSW parliament has betrayed this principle.
A polite letter to Ms Buckingham from a reader
I read your article in the SMH Online website and I had to look twice to be sure it said you were from the CIS that I subscribe to.
Your point appears to be that while you don't oppose the release of information for parents, you do object to it's publication in newspapers on the basis the information might be presented in a simplistic way. Indeed you quote an example from Tasmania. In my experience of league tables - i.e. Times Education Supplement - such league tables attempt to apply all factors in a weighted manner. I haven't seen an example of a one factor league table although I don't deny that it can happen.
You appeared to be arguing for laws which attempt to legislate against the misuse of information. That would appear to be dangerous ground for a fellow at the CIS whose philosophy I would have thought was that freedom of information is more important than protecting the public from its misuse. Where information is misused it is easily refuted and the source so discredited, I might have thought.
When it comes to education, in my limited experience, parents often do not make rational decisions anyway, but the provision of information on the multilevel performance of schools I would have thought to be a useful anitdote the present atmosphere of enforced egalitarianism that forced me, in 1959, to attend a run-down, indequately set-up junior technical high school with its cadre of motivated and unmotived, professional and incompentant, but generally poorer teachers than the intermediate technical school or even higher level high school that my efforts might have deserved before before Harold Wyndham had his way.
Fortunately, many of my classmates, who will be marking the 50th anniversary of our entrance to Jannali Boys' High School this year, went on to make a mark on our society, despite the handicap.
Encouraging schools to lift their game by publishing outcomes, I believe, can only serve to ensure that there should be no gap between state and private schools, and that they, and their teachers thus deserve the increased funding coming their way in Rudd's Education Revolution. As a profession I believe teachers, of whom I am now one, should have an obligation to use one month of their generous annual leave for upgrading their professional skills in the same way other professional are. But that's another story!
Again thank you for your thoughts on this matter. But I do hope they don't represent the position of the CIS!
Destructive union boneheads are back in force
Australian cartoonist ZEG has an apt comment on this too
AUSTRALIANS may have voted out John Howard because they feared for their jobs under Work Choices, but they didn't vote for Kevin Rudd out of a hankering for old-fashioned trade union wage campaigns.
Could there be anything more bone-headed than the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union vowing to set the pace for a national wage round of more than 4 per cent just as business is trying to avoid a wave of job layoffs that would push the unemployment rate above 8 per cent? Yes, this is the same metal workers union that destroyed hundreds of thousands of jobs in the early 1980s, the last recession that followed a mining boom.
And 25 years of neoliberal reform has exposed the Australian economy, including the unions, to much more competitive discipline since then. But the Fair Work regime championed by the Minister for Workplace Relations, Julia Gillard, returns the old industrial relations institutions - unions, industrial tribunals and the award system - to centre stage.
They won't be able to cause as much havoc as they did decades ago, but they will still cause damage because that's what they know. The question you should be reading about now should not be how the metal workers union can make wage beachheads in its strongest shops, then call in the soon-to-be-established Fair Work Australia tribunal and a "modernised" award system to help spread this to the rest of the workforce.
The question should be how business and its workforces can find the best ways to share out their smaller order books to avoid retrenchments while searching for productivity gains that could help find new markets.
Remember that Gillard has claimed, heroically, that her reregulation of the job market will boost productivity through increased collective bargaining. More likely it will cost jobs by letting Australia's industrial relations club back on the streets.
Malcolm Turnbull and business need to harp on this contradiction in Labor's new Fair Work regime, and insist that it be pro-jobs and pro-productivity in practice.
More on boy's peanut death
It seems that the army has unfairly taken the rap for this. It was entirely a school responsibility. Apparently the boy's parents did the right thing but the school failed to pass on the info to the relevant staff. I would still call it "death by misadventure", though, and it may still motivate the army and others to ban peanut products across the board. South-East Asian cuisine (Thai, Vietnamese, Malaysian) could be badly hit as they use peanuts in almost everything
The role of an elite private school in the death of a 13-year-old student on an army cadet camp should be examined by an inquest, a Federal Court judge has recommended.
Nathan Francis, a student at Melbourne's Scotch College, died on March 30, 2007, after suffering a severe allergic reaction to peanut butter, which was in a beef satay army meal supplied on the Australian Defence Force camp. The camp, in the Wombat State Forest in central Victoria, was run by staff and teachers at the school.
The school had told parents not to provide food as they were using ADF meals, but asked to be alerted to any food allergies. Nathan's mother, Jessica Francis, wrote that her son had a severe allergy, stating: "PEANUTS -- but all nuts must be avoided."
However, a list of students with food allergies did not reach the staff member who issued the meals and Nathan was given beef satay. After a mouthful, the boy was helped by a fellow student to the camp's headquarters and he died on the way to hospital.
"There has so far been no opportunity for the role of Scotch College in the death of Nathan to be examined in public," judge Tony North said. "The circumstances presented to this court raise a question whether Scotch College, through its teachers and staff, bear some responsibility."
His recommendation came as he passed judgment on civil action against the ADF and the chief of the army over the boy's death. Comcare, on behalf of Nathan, who was considered an employee of the ADF, had sued the commonwealth for breaching its duty of care. The commonwealth admitted liability and the ADF was fined $210,000.
Two Tamil Tigers caught in Sydney
Police have charged a 25-year-old man with attempted murder in relation to a violent attack on two Sri Lankan students in which they were splashed with acid and stabbed. A group of men allegedly forced their way into the students' Westmead home around midnight on May 17. Jayasri Watawala, 22, was seriously burned after the men allegedly threw acid at him. Chathurika Weerasinghe, 27, who was also burned with acid, was also stabbed in the stomach and broke his ankle. Two men were arrested after the attack.
The 25-year-old accused of attempted murder, from Girraween, was also charged with failure as an owner to disclose the identity of the driver or passenger of a vehicle. A Hebersham man, 26, was charged with concealing a serious offence.
Today's charge came after the 25-year-old presented himself to Merrylands police station - at the request of police - this morning. He was also charged with break and enter with intent to commit murder and maliciously casting or throwing corrosive fluid with intent to maim. Police will allege the man charged today is "one of the principal offenders'' in the home invasion, Detective Inspector Albert Joseph, from Strike Force Dorward, said. "There are a number of other offenders we are still looking for,'' he said.
He would not speculate on the alleged motive for the attack but said clashes between groups of Tamils and Singhalese in the lead up to the home invasion were looked at by investigators. "We are investigating a riot and affray that occurred some time before [the home invasion] and certainly there was some reporting at that particular time of [attacks] being racially motivated,'' he said.
Police have told both the victims of the home invasion about today's attempted murder charge, he said. "The rehab has been a slow and lengthy process for them ... it has been difficult but their health is improving,'' he said. A relative of Weerasinghe welcomed the news and said both students were still recovering.
The man left Merrylands police station about 12.30pm in an unmarked police car with his face covered by a white jacket. Detective Inspector Joseph said tensions in the community had subsided and he did not expect any further incidents.
Kevin Rudd doesn't understand Bastiat's "broken windows" fallacy
Not all work is equally worthwhile and bureaucratically-run work is routinely wasteful
It turns out that Australia's Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is going around town breaking windows by, well, demanding they be built. There are over 35,000 construction and maintenance projects planned across Australia over the next 12 months. This includes AU$49 (US$39.4) billion dedicated to "nation building infrastructure," or crudely AU$2,200 in taxes for every man, woman, and child residing in Australia.
Are such decisions financially wise during economic recessions? Let's put Keynesianism aside and instead rely on common sense. While on an individual level you might think saving would be a good idea, apparently governments just want to build stuff. "We can always figure out later what to do with it or even just employ people to knock it down and build it again" is the unspoken idea. When "full employment" is the goal almost any type of labor will do. PM Rudd's Labor party is thus aptly named; as they state, "jobs are in our DNA."
Bastiat's timeless lesson of the fallacy of the broken window, later popularized and widely applied by Henry Hazlitt, is a perfect analogy of economic ignorance and the power of the seen vis-à-vis the unseen. And PM Rudd is illustrating this analogy, going to great strides to point out the "seen" — pictures of hard hats and fluorescent yellow vests have abounded in parliamentary proceedings. Labor Minister for Employment Participation Mark Arbib also confirms that construction projects are visible: "People are going to see the construction sites all over the countryside. They are going to know people who are working on stimulus projects or who are supplying the projects."
How can the broken-window fallacy be so widespread? Henry Hazlitt explained: "[T]he broken-window fallacy, under a hundred disguises, is the most persistent in the history of economics. It is more rampant now than at any time in the past. It is solemnly reaffirmed every day by great captains of industry, by chambers of commerce, by labor union leaders, by editorial writers and newspaper columnists and radio commentators, by learned statisticians using the most refined techniques, by professors of economics in our best universities." (Economics in One Lesson, p. 13)
Hazlitt points out many fallacies in the belief that government-mandated construction projects can create jobs. One problem is the confusion between need and demand. Because a politician may deem a project necessary for whatever reason, this in no way, despite political rhetoric, creates demand ex nihilo — government fiat rarely works. In fact, if a project is truly necessary, there will be an opportunity for entrepreneurs to meet that demand. Many entrepreneurial opportunities are thus demolished by government rewarding some industries — in this case construction — at the expense of others.
Another fallacy comes from seeing government statistics. It is easy to see the "hard data" — that there are 35,000 construction projects, X number of workers, etc., and much more difficult to understand that those resources — land, labor, and capital — are being artificially shifted from more productive uses to more destructive ones. The capital being spent on government projects is taken from individual taxpayers; jobs are at best diverted, at worst taken from others.
Regarding such projects, we may ask the fundamentally important question, "Cui bono?"
In this case we find, not surprisingly, that it's the construction industry that benefits, and in numerous ways. For example, the Australian government introduced an AU$2 billion "First Home Owners Boost" that was, in PM Rudd's own words, "to support the housing and construction industry." In addition, there are over 20,000 new "social and defense homes," and installing ceiling insulation is "free" for around 2.9 million homes. Finally, construction companies are also building at every school in the country, the "largest school modernization in Australia's history." Libraries, school halls, classrooms, community centers, parks, etc. will be involved in one way or another with construction. Unfortunately, just as in Bastiat's analogy, everyone else loses; government devises at best a zero-sum game.
Government decisions, which perhaps seem to make sense on a macro level, are disastrous on a micro level, due to the nature of knowledge. Hayek explained this knowledge problem best: "The peculiar character of the problem of a rational economic order is determined precisely by the fact that the knowledge of the circumstances of which we must make use never exists in concentrated or integrated form but solely as the dispersed bits of incomplete and frequently contradictory knowledge which all the separate individuals possess. The economic problem of society is thus … a problem of how to secure the best use of resources known to any of the members of society, for ends whose relative importance only these individuals know. Or, to put it briefly, it is a problem of the utilization of knowledge which is not given to anyone in its totality."
Hayek narrowed this down to one fundamental question: not if there will be planning but of who will do the planning — the central planner or the individual.
An excellent illustration of the inevitable unintended consequences that come from central government meddling is a local primary school in the area. In a recent "news bulletin" to parents they write the following: "We have now been advised that the Australian Government will be funding a new building for our school…. The old [building] … will be demolished as part of this project…. Because this is part of the government's Stimulus Package, construction must be completed by October 2010."
This is roughly the equivalent of digging holes and filling them. In fact, digging holes may be better since, in that case, only labor is wasted, for the most part, and not other natural resources. (Where are the environmentalist outcries over this destruction of resources in make-work construction projects?) Regardless, this is merely the broken-window fallacy in new clothes. The real gem, however, comes from later in the bulletin: "Council committees have met this week to consider a wide range of matters about our school. Major matters for discussion included possible uses of our new building."
In other words, the school will have a building demolished, a new one constructed, and still has little idea as to what the new building will be used for. Contrast this situation with that of the entrepreneur. The entrepreneur takes calculated risks, and typically "builds" using the carpenter's rule: measure twice, cut once. If it does not make financial sense to build, the entrepreneur will not do so. In addition, the entrepreneur would later know — through the profit-and-loss mechanism — whether such a decision was prudent or foolish.
PM Kevin Rudd and Minister Arbib believe government's construction efforts are working because they are seen. He has likened the government's massive spending program to "a war effort involving all levels of government." I think he about sums it up with that statement. War breaks windows, and sometimes, as Bastiat and Hazlitt taught, so does building them.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
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subset: commoncrawl


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The Hollow Ground
By Natalie S. Harnett
Thomas Dunne Books, 2014. 336 pgs. Fiction.
Bridig Howley is growing up in actual hell on earth. The small mining town in Pennsylvania is constantly under siege of underground coal-mine fires. They are always waiting for homes and roads and parts of their town to disappear. Not only is Brigid's actual home in danger, her family is on edge as well. Her father can't work since he was involved in a mining accident (that also claimed the life of his brother) and her mother is over the coal dust and poverty. When they have to move in with her grandparents a dark tragedy is revealed and Brigid has to learn to stay strong for the pieces of her family she can keep together.
This story is beautifully written about a unique protagonist and a harsh environment. The details made me feel just as desperate as the Howleys. There is a mystery that brings up past loss and heartbreak and as Brigid learns to deal with it, she makes such a strong character in this really bleak world. I really enjoyed this setting as it was different from other books I have read lately, and the story came together so nicely in the end. I would recommend it to anyone that likes historical fiction or strong main characters.


text: SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- US Airways Group uairq on Monday reported a fourth-quarter loss of $236 million, or $4.30 per share, wider than its loss of $98 million, or $1.82 per share, a year ago. Operating revenue for the quarter was $1.66 billion, compared with $1.76 billion in 2003. The Arlington, Va.-based carrier cited rising fuel prices for the lower results. US Airways also reported that traffic fell 10.9 percent in the quarter compared to a year ago.


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The Wisdom of Teams
by Douglas K. Smith, Jon R. Katzenbach
Publisher: Harvard Business Review Press
Release Date: October 2015
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Book Description
"The Wisdom of Teams" is the definitive work on how to create high-performance teams in any organization. Having sold nearly a half million copies and been translated into more than fifteen languages, the authors' clarion call that teams should be the basic unit of organization for most businesses has permanently shaped the way companies reach the highest levels of performance. Using engaging case studies and testimonials from both successful and failed teams--ranging from Fortune 500 companies to the U.S. Army to high school sports--the authors explain the dynamics of teams both in great detail and with a broad view. Their conclusions and prescriptions span the familiar to the counterintuitive: Commitment to performance goals and common purpose is more important to team success than team building; Opportunities for teams exist in all parts of the organization; Real teams are the most successful spearheads of change at all levels; Working in teams naturally integrates performance and learning; Team "endings" can be as important to manage as team "beginnings." Wisdom lies in recognizing a team's unique potential to deliver results and in understanding its many benefits--development of individual members, team accomplishments, and stronger companywide performance. Katzenbach and Smith's comprehensive classic is the essential guide to unlocking the potential of teams in your organization.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Prologue A Note About What to Expect
Part One Understanding Teams
1 Why Teams?
2 One Team: A Story of Performance
3 Team Basics: A Working Defi nition and Discipline
4 High-Performance Teams: Very Useful Models
Part Two Becoming a Team
5 The Team Performance Curve
6 Moving Up the Curve: From Individual to Team Performance
7 Team Leaders
8 Teams, Obstacles, and Endings: Getting Unstuck
Part Three Exploiting the Potential
9 Teams and Performance: The Reinforcing Cycle
10 Teams and Major Change: An Inevitable Combination
11 Teams at the Top: A Diffi cult Choice
12 Top Management's Role: Leading to the High-Performance Organization
Epilogue A Call to Action
Appendix: Teams Researched for This Book
Selected Readings


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Pause for Prayer: FRIDAY 7/20
(Monday and Tuesday of this week found me in Manhattan, on a road trip with a friend to hear his son sing in "Broadway's Rising Stars" at the Town Hall Theater on West 43rd Street between 6th Avenue and Broadway. In addition to the performance: a powerful visit to Ground Zero, dinner after the show at Tony's Di Napoli just off Times Square, breakfast the next morning at Jerry Seinfeld's TOM'S RESTAURANT and an afternoon walking around Greenwich Village and the NYU campus. All of this became the inspiration for today's Pause for Prayer.)
Sometimes, Lord, I get a little down
when I think about being 71 years old
and I wonder, "How did I get to be this old?"
But then come days like Monday and Tuesday
and my road trip to New York City
and I remember that the simple joy of being with friends
and celebrating good times together -
well, such gifts don't fall from trees!
Such gifts are born of relationships,
friendships that take time, even decades,
to grow and mature and ripen
into moments of happiness and gratitude,
moments that make being 71
a joy in itself...
And so my prayer, Lord:
For all I have,
for all you've given me
and for all that's yet to be:
I thank you!
For Monday and Tuesday of this week
and for the years and experiences
that brought me to those days:
I thank you!
And for those gifts of love and friendship
waiting yet to blossom, to be harvested,
yet to be enjoyed,
I thank you!
For all you've been doing
through all of my life
and for all you'll do in the years still ahead:
I praise and thank you, Lord,
from the bottom of my grateful,
71 year old heart!
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Ten Reasons
Hire An Artist
Martha Randolph Carr, 3/11/2008 [
Wiki, Wiki, Wiki
Wiki, wiki, wiki
By Martha Randolph Carr
I tend to approach technology with a certain amount of trepidation, particularly if it's compact, can fit in my hand and yet, still has a thousand options. I don't like that but it embarrasses me to admit to any befuddled behavior so I try to cover it up with piles of anxiety. I'm sure no one has noticed besides my son, Louie. He tends to grab things out of my hands and start pushing buttons, which raises my levels of panic. I'm not worried he's going to break anything. I'm concerned about what he might be activating, setting loose for me to deal with later. He knows this and for his own amusement tends to leave funny pictures or turn on accessories I don't really need but can't figure out how to turn off. Right now, on the rare occasion he calls me a picture of him pops up posing as a thug. That one I actually like and have shown it to friends by dialing his number. I can't figure out any other way and I know there's a better than odds chance he won't answer anyway. Louie, who is 20 and lives in Chicago, has said he uses my phone calls as a way to know I'm doing okay in New York City. He doesn't need to talk to me but so often. It's a system.
I've also never taken a computer course of any kind, which I smugly consider an attribute. Back in the old days, which would have been the early 1980's, I had a Macintosh before there was an Apple and it had no internal drive but was the latest model. It sat right next to the new, oversized dot matrix printer. There were two external drives sitting side by side and it was necessary to plug in the program and then the disc with the file each time I needed to work on something. No bells and whistles, not an option in sight. Wrote my first novel on it and a thousand feature stories, which had to be driven in to the editor. That was the rough part, just ask Louie. I tended to procrastinate in those days and that led to a few late night drives with Louie sleeping on the back seat of the car. Of course, when I missed a deadline I was able to say it was dropped off, look again, I'm sure it's there. That only happened that one time and I was very gracious about driving all the way back down there again.
A very fast forward and now we're in the age of options everywhere. We take it for granted that there are hidden benefits to everything and we immediately start asking, scanning, pushing, shaking, rolling across. Technology as new age electronic jack-in-the-boxes and we are Pavlov's dogs. We maneuver through our day knowing that there are an endless range of possibilities of how we could be doing something, and also knowing we are going to stick with the same four ways we figured out already. Kind of like the way we choose what to eat for dinner.
However, there are fortunately always a few who are willing to read the directions and expect to figure things out, so they do for the rest of us. One great example in my city is Carolyn Townes, who this week is going by author, advocate and animators and has created an on-line phenomenon, a wiki devoted to women bloggers you'd want to know that can be found at http://wmagicallist.wikispaces.com/. A wiki is an on-line encyclopedia with a theme that can be added to by users. An everyman's list of stuff. This one started as a simple list of women in the marketing business who weren't showing up on the mainstream lists. The list started getting passed around and then blogged about until one prominent blogger, Toby Bloomberg, challenged somebody to create a home, or a wiki, for the list. Carolyn, who reads and posts at up to 30 blogs a day, saw the request and decided to open up the wiki to women bloggers of all types. It's been gaining attention worldwide ever since.
This is the best side of technology. Previously closed off worlds used to require a lot of stomping around and shaking of fists, possibly a new law, before segments of society were fully embraced. But now, we can push a few buttons and maneuver ourselves into the mainstream. No more complaining, at least about this. We can all empower ourselves. More adventures to follow.
Martha Randolph Carr's latest book, A Place to Call Home, is available wherever books are sold. To read more about Martha and her books go to www.martharandolphcarr.com.
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Teaching Children Responsibility
Raise children who are self-confident, motivated, and ready for the real world with this win-win approach to parenting. Your children will win because they'll learn to solve their own problems while gaining the confidence they need to meet life's challenges. And you'll win because you'll establish healthy control—without resorting to anger, threats, nagging or exhausting power struggles. Parenting with Love and Logic puts the fun back into parenting!
by Foster W. Cline, M.D., and Jim Fay
Book, 271 pp., Audio, 455 min.
Note: The e-Book download link will expire in 72 hours.
An email containing instructions for e-Book, MP3 or Webinar products will automatically be sent upon purchasing. Preview the instructions here.
|Young Children, Ages 7-12, Teens, All Ages
Angel/November 6, 2018
I am finding this book very helpful for parenting my kids with love and without anger. I like how the book has short chapters that deal with different issues that parents often encounter with their children. Overall a well written book that's very practical and encouraging. Highly recommend to any parent who is struggling with drawing healthy boundaries with their children without anger and intimidation.


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Tiny Living in Charleston
About one week ago Nick and I celebrated our one year Charleston anniversary! It's so crazy how full this last year has been. We moved South, we got married, I found an amazing job, and we just moved-again!
We moved right onto King Street in downtown Charleston. If you told us a year ago we'd be living here, I would've laughed and said "HOW!" But, life is full of surprises! We moved into the heart of it all & I have to say, even after we signed the lease and moved our things in (on a busy Saturday of the Wine + Food weekend….oh boy), I was so terrified that we were going to regret our choice.
Change can be so difficult to get used to, especially when you don't consider yourself to be a city girl but you move smack dab into downtown! We are still adjusting each day, but now that we have about 98% of our belongings put away, it's feeling so much better. Real life: Star Wars pillows & a hoodie on the back of the couch.
If there's anything I learned already from this move, it's that we have too much crap. We have the most amazing friends who helped us move, while openly and very loudly judging/cursing us for all the stuff we have..hehe. But seriously, I vowed that this year will be the year that we get rid of the "excess" and only keep what has meaning or function. Okay, that sounds way too minimalist for me and this is going to be a hard process, but you get my idea.
We went from a 2 bedroom apartment with a full sized washer and dryer to a loft apartment (with a kick-ass spiral staircase!) with no dishwasher or washer and dryer. If that isn't an adjustment, I don't know what is haha.
By downsizing the amount of our belongings (including my closet…wah), I hope to gain a better sense of fulfillment by owning items and pieces that add value to our lives. Has anyone ever gone on a "mission" like this before? Although it's not really a phase, it's a lifestyle. My days of stopping at Target on my way home from work to "grab one thing" are over, for now. I haven't driven my car in over a week (I can walk to work)…what is happening? I miss you, Target.
I'm pretty excited to harness the character of our apartment and really make it ours, while appreciating the value of a small space. Huge houses are beautiful, don't get me wrong…but right now I definitely appreciate having less space to clean! We do, however, find joy in gawking around town at the big gorgeous houses and hoping that we run into Bill Murray.
What are your favorite Charleston hot spots?! We have so much exploring to do..I'll probably never check everything off my list!


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Pros & Cons of Teeth Whitening. The Veneers Timeline - Your case from start to finish. Veneers are a fantastic way to completely transform the appearance of your teeth by covering gaps and cracks as well as ensuring perfect symmetry and alignment.
If you're considering veneers then you're probably curious about what exactly is involved. Below are the stages involved in getting veneers from start to finish. Consultation & preparation The first step to getting veneers is a consultation. At the consultation, your teeth will be assessed so it can be determined if veneers are a good choice for you. If you decide to go ahead then the first part of the preparation work will be done. Construction. Thoughts To Keep In Mind When Choosing Veneers. 7 Reasons To Get Cosmetic Dentistry.
5 Benefits Of Proper Cosmetic Dentistry. Your Natural Teeth Will Be Protected Finding a doctor that is experienced and qualified to properly handle your cosmetic dentistry is the most important step you can take with your oral health.
Poor restorations can cause major damage and will harm your natural teeth. If you have teeth that are healthy, you want to protect them and ensure they remain strong for as long as possible. A professional dentist with a great reputation will be able to treat the issues in your mouth while also safeguarding the rest of your smile. Do not settle for cheap alternative care that could end up costing you more in the long run when you need to get repairs due to their negligence. You Will Be Pleased With The Results Let's be honest. You Will Save Money In The Long Run. Veneers vs Implants - What's The Difference. Sarasota, Florida, United States. Sarasota Smile Design Contact details 3800 Clark Rd., Sarasota, Florida 34233, United States Dentists Map Data Map data ©2017 Google.
Sarasota Smile Design - Profile - NiceFirm. Sarasota Smile Design. Untitled. Cosmetic Dentist Sarasota. Exceptional Cosmetic Dentist Sarasota A premier dentist in Sarasota, Florida, Dr.
Jenifer C. Back graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1995. Since that time, Dr. Back has practiced exclusively in Sarasota, Florida where she has honed her craft. Dr. The eye of an artist and the hand of a surgeon Possessing the eye of an artist and the hand of a surgeon, Dr. Nationally renowned and published Dr. Sarasota Smile Design — Things to Consider When Choosing a Dentist in... Sarasota Smile Design — Things to Consider When Choosing a Dentist in... Sarasota Tooth Whitening Specialists. One of the biggest factors of a great smile is white teeth.
Many people find that as they get older, their teeth naturally become more stained. This is perfectly normal since many modern diets include things that are not good for your teeth and lead to staining. Fortunately tooth whitening provides a way to correct this and achieve a much whiter smile. Why get tooth whitening? Improve your smile – There's no doubt that having white teeth will make your smile much better. The advantages of getting your teeth whitened professionally Your gums will be fully protected – One of the biggest advantages of having your teeth whitened professionally rather than doing it yourself at home is that your gums will be completely protected. How to choose the right cosmetic dentist. When looking for a cosmetic dentist, it's extremely important to be as selective as possible.
You want to be sure that the dentist you go to has the right experience and skill to help you achieve the smile of your dreams. With this in mind, below are some of the most important things to consider when choosing a cosmetic dentist. Training & qualifications. Sarasota Smile Design. The pros and cons of veneers. Veneers have become extremely popular over the years thanks to their ability to completely transform the look of a person's teeth.
Many people have stained, cracked or misshapen teeth that cause them to feel self-conscious and veneers offer an excellent way to correct these problems. Teeth whitening or veneers - Which is right for me? If you're looking to transform the appearance of your teeth then you've likely looked into the available treatments.
Two of the most effective treatments for improving the appearance of teeth are teeth whitening and veneers. Each treatment has its benefits and which you opt for will depend largely on the condition of your teeth currently. Sarasota Tooth Whitening Specialists. Effective treatments to improve appearance of your teeth. If you're self-conscious about the appearance of your teeth then you're certainly not alone.
Many people wish they had a perfect set of white, straight teeth that they so often see on TV and in the movies. The good news is that perfect teeth are something you can attain, even if your teeth are currently not in great condition. 5 Reasons You Should Consider Cosmetic Dentistry. Your teeth are one the first things people notice about you.
If you have looked in the mirror recently and not been completely satisfied with your teeth, it may be time to consider cosmetic dentistry sarasota. Check out these 5 reasons why you should schedule a consultation for a great smile at Sarasota Smile Design. No pain all gainMany people avoid dental procedures because in their mind, the dentist office has become a place of discomfort, pain, and anxiety. Here at Sarasota Smile Design, nothing could be further from the truth. We go out of our way to ensure the complete comfort of our patients. Don't suffer with bad teeth any longer! We would love to give you more information about the services we offer and help you achieve the smile of your dreams. Dental Training & Experience.
Dental Training & Experience Of the many things to consider when choosing a great Sarasota dentist, dental training and experience are two of the most important. The training and experience of a dentist will give you a very good idea of how skilled they are and having this information means you're able to make an informed decision. Although any licensed dentist will have undergone extensive training, not all training is equal.
5 Reasons You Should Consider Cosmetic Dentistry. Choosing a Sarasota Dentist FAQ. Choosing a Sarasota Dentist FAQ What should I look for in a new dentist? Some of the most important things to pay attention to when looking for a new dentist are – Their training and experienceWhat their office is likeWhat services they offerTheir pricesHow friendly their staff are. Danger Signs of a Bad Dentist. Danger Signs of a Bad Dentist When you're looking for a great dentist in Sarasota, there are some obvious things to consider – the training and experience of the dentist, where their office is located, the services offered, and of course – cost. In addition to knowing the things you want from a dentist however, you should also know the warning signs of a bad dentist.
Although most dentists take pride in their job and put the needs of their patients first, there are unfortunately some bad apples out there. Below are some signs of a bad dentist to look out for – Unwillingness to disclose training and/or experience This is a very bad sign. 10 Secrets to Finding a Great Sarasota Dentist. 10 Secrets to Finding a Great Sarasota Dentist Dental health is something that's extremely important to most people. Therefore finding a good dentist is essential. If you live in Sarasota, FL and are looking for a great dentist then you should find the tips below very useful.
Ask friends and family for recommendationsOne of the best ways to find a great dentist in Sarasota is by asking friends and family in the area for recommendations. If people you love and trust are happy to recommend a dentist to you then it's a very good sign.Use Google to your advantageThe internet has made it easier than ever to access information about local services, and dentistry is no exception. Get in touchIf you'd like more information about any of the services we offer at Sarasota Smile Design, or if you'd like to book an appointment, please get in touch using the form below and we'll be happy to assist you.
Sarasota Smile Design. What are veneers? Veneers are a thin layer of tooth-colored material that are used to correct imperfections and provide a more aesthetically pleasing appearance to the teeth. They are fitted to the front of the teeth in order to change their size, color, length and shape. Who can benefit from veneers? People who can benefit most from veneers are those with discolored, misshapen or cracked teeth. Different Types of Veneers. Aging and Cosmetic Dentistry. 5 Secrets to a Great Smile. One of the things that people desire most is a great smile. A great smile can make you appear more attractive, happy and confident. But what makes a great smile? The condition of your teeth will certainly play a big role in how your smile looks but it's not the only factor. With modern cosmetic dentistry it's possible for even those with severely discolored or misshapen teeth to make them much more aesthetically pleasing.
Designing the Perfect Smile. One of the things that cosmetic dentists are most interested in is how they can create a perfect smile. Veneers - How Long Do They Last? Veneers – How Long Do They Last? Veneers allow people who have stained, misshaped, crooked or chipped teeth to achieve an aesthetically pleasing smile. One of the first things that people who are considering veneers want to know is how long they'll last.
The answer to this question depends on the type of veneers being used. Below are the two main types of veneers available – Smile Makeover - Get the Smile of Your Dreams. Below are some of the best ways that cosmetic dentistry can be used to help you achieve the smile of your dreams. VeneersVeneers are probably the best way to completely transform the appearance of your teeth. Smile Makeover Sarasota. What's a Smile Makeover and Could It Help Me? Sarasota Smile Design. If the dental pulp within a tooth is infected or damaged, it can cause you to lose the tooth and may even lead to more serious health problems down the road.
A root canal Sarasota, also known as endodontic treatment, can save a tooth suffering from damaged or diseased dental pulp, ensuring your continued dental health. Should I Replace My Fillings? All dental fillings will need replacing eventually, and their longevity can be due to a variety of factors.The durability of your dental fillings will depend on the type of material used, the size and location of the filling, and your oral habits. Amalgam FillingsAmalgam has been used to fill teeth for decades, and these silver colored fillings typically last for 10 to 12 years. Eventually they can begin to crumble and leak, and are likely to fail much sooner if you have a particularly heavy bite. Sarasota Smile Design. Dental Crowns Sarasota. If your teeth are severely chipped, cracked, damaged, or stained, you may be a good candidate for dental crowns.
Dental Implants Sarasota. Understanding Dental Implants. Reconstructive Dentistry Sarasota. Teeth Whitening Sarasota. Porcelain Veneers Sarasota. Composite Veneers Sarasota. Dental Veneers Sarasota. Cosmetic Dentistry Sarasota. Cosmetic Dentistry Procedure.


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This episode was recorded on November 13, 2017, on WPRK FM. Listen to the whole conversation in the player above, or fast forward to a specific segment of the show using the time codes below!
I like to have a mix of old friends and new on the show, and Shye counts as one of my oldest. I helped him with some math at Embry-Riddle, and he helped (and continues to help) me get past a lot of my creative hangups. This is what we in the business call a good conversation. Or good convo. Or goco.
No one calls it that, but they should.
Get to know game: Cloak or Dagger (skip to 2:00)
Bad Business Ideas: Repitching the losers (skip to 49:53)
Conversation Starters:
"You don't know the name of the person pooping on your potatoes here on earth. On Mars, you will." (skip to 7:17)
"I don't want them to be crushed and mutilated by a falling space station that crashes on top of them. That would be terrifying for them to think about." (skip to 16:21)
"So everyone was doing what they needed to do. I don't like the sound of that at all." (skip to 20:40)
"Comedy was one of those things that was there for me, in the same way that music was, in the same way books were. And those were things that made me feel better." (skip to 29:23)


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One Day More (Blogisode Fourteen)
I have fifty thousand things to do (including getting a crown in 90 minutes), but number one on my Christmas list is to properly finish this story. I appreciate all of you who have been so devoted to me and my blogging adventure for the past six months. I am.....I don't know.....it's just so cool to get to do this every day and even though this sounds hokey, I am overwhelmed by the amount of love and time you pour into this. Who knew these little stories would become so popular? Not me. When I started in June I was writing for myself and my Aunt Barbie in Akron, Ohio, who has always been my first and best reader. Get ready, Barbie, we're going to talk about your Mom today.
To remind you of where we left off yesterday, Rob proposed to me in the pitch black and we called my parents, who then told Rob to have me call Meema in the hospital right away.
Let me explain. Apparently, Meema (who was my Dad's Mom) had an issue with her kidneys (I'm going to get this all wrong, but I will try to get it as close as what I know to be the truth). She was living in an assisted living situation....which she hated....because she'd rather eat glass then go down and play Bingo with a bunch of old people, but it was good because they could make sure she was okay and taking her medicine and all that junk. Somehow Meema managed what no one else could quite pull off in that joint, she actually made her apartment look like her home. Not some apartment in an old people's home, but really, JUST like her home. She was helped by the fact that she'd moved there from a one bedroom apartment, and had, in fact, always lived in a one bedroom apartment for my entire childhood. This was just a fact of life for me as a kid, I had a groovy grandmother who traveled the world with her best "friend" who was a Roman Catholic priest, and she lived in a one bedroom apartment above a barber's shop. Out her window you could see "Tinkerbell" who lived on the top of the water tower. Fairies left presents on the windowsill, even in the month of July. Normal.
So, of course she managed to make her assisted-living apartment look like home, and by "home" I mean it looked like a museum shop filled with her inexpensive but beloved treasures from around the world. There would be a Michaelangelo print hanging above a King Tut candy bowl. That kind of thing.
She hated seeing anyone work hard on her account, so the cleaning people my Aunts' sent over to help her out were usually told to sit down and Meema would make them lunch and "hear all their little stories about life" as she described it. Sometimes they would dust, but usually they would leave feeling like they'd had a good therapy session, with a World Art book under their arm so they could learn something. Got the picture? That's what she was like. She was wonderful.
I can only imagine the reaction of the nurse's aid who found her on the floor. I'm sure they were friends, and I'm sure Meema had given her life advice, and I'm sure that even though she was probably jaded about old people, Meema had gotten under her skin, because that's how she was. But however the events unfolded, by the time I heard about it, she was in critical condition in the hospital in complete kidney failure. She was refusing dialysis because "living a life with needles stuck in you wasn't living a life." She didn't have long. Honestly, I had no idea how bad it was when I called her that day.
And now I have to split and get that stupid crown on my tooth. I'll finish up in a little bit. You go wrap presents or make cookies or whatever is on your list and I'll see you in a bit.
It is eleven hours later (12:32am), I have a temporary crown on my tooth and we leave tomorrow morning to drive to Cincinnati. Have I wrapped presents? No. Have I packed? No. Am I going to blog more? Yes. Am I going to throw all the presents in the car in bags and wrap them when I get to my Mom and Dad's? Absolutely.
Let's get back to the phone call. It is a surreal thing to go from ecstatically happy to profoundly worried in one minute, but that's what happened. Because I have an odd memory for detail, I remember struggling to get a connection out, and for a time it looked like I wasn't going to be able to make the call until we got back to Singapore, but somebody somewhere cut me a break and the call went through from my 3rd world country to her high tech hospital room. I'd been warned that she didn't sound good and that I might not be able to talk to her at all. My Aunt Rae was with her and I expected her to answer the phone, but it was Meema's voice I heard with a feeble hello.
"Meema? It's Sharon. I've heard you're not feeling well."
"Sharon? Are you calling from China?"
Let me pause for one second here, because I have to tell you THIS was the moment I knew she was really sick. Meema had traveled the world. She knew I was in Singapore. She can tell you town names up and down the coast of Ireland. The rest of the conversation went quickly.
"I have some really good news. Rob and I got engaged today. We're going to get married."
"Oh, honey. That's wonderful news. He's a dear. Please tell him I love him and I love you, too."
And that was it. That was the last time I ever talked to her. We had one more week of performances left in Singapore, and then we were flying back to San Francisco to play Cupertino, California for two weeks. I struggled with whether or not to fly back to Cincinnati from Singapore, but the expense was overwhelming. If you think a last minute domestic flight is expensive, try a last minute flight from Singapore to Cincinnati. I think it was $4,500, and this was in 1994. At one point I almost did it, especially as her health started to really decline in the week, but my Aunt put the kibosh on it, saying simply, "Mother wouldn't want you to see her like this." I was crazed because everyone else had flown in, but I knew she was right. Meema and I had always talked about how unfair it was that we were born generations apart, when in reality all we wanted was to be best friends. The deterioration of her body felt like a betrayal to our friendship. She liked that I always saw her young. My Aunt was right.
I got little done in the last week in Singapore, but I did manage to buy material for my wedding dress. I had no idea what I was doing, but everyone told me I'd be an idiot not to get it because the fabric quality was so good and the prices so cheap. I bought it out of a bin on a dirt floor, and it was whitish and some kind of expensive silk. It did eventually become my wedding dress, but at the time that I bought it, I was too sad to care.
Meema died the morning after I landed in San Francisco. I flew to Cincinnati for the funeral, enduring some of the most horrific jet lag I hope to ever know in my life, but got there just in time for the funeral, which was awful and sad and we were all just a mess. Refusing to wear black, I wore a flowered hat Meema loved. I distracted my distraught Aunts as they rolled Meema's coffin into the hearse with my exotic engagement ring and tales of the crazy Singapore Zoo, and the monkeys, and the monsoons and Rob proposing on an island in Indonesia.
Meema would have liked that.
She always told me to marry a man who wouldn't get in the way of my career, "You need a man who supports your dreams," she would tell me "You have things to do in this life and I don't want some man fouling it up." The first thing she told Rob when she met him was, "You're so handsome, like a Vermeer painting." And the second thing she told him was, "Make sure Sharon travels. I want her to see the world."
She would have liked our wedding.
She would have loved my kids.
She would have hated that I wrote about her getting old and dying, but too bad Millie, too bad. It's part of my story now.
Les Miserables is all about the journey of life, from beginning to end, and the salvation that waits on the other side. Every day that I mourned life without Meema, I had a husband-to-be to plan a future with, and at night I got to do a show where I sang about salvation and remember that someday I would see Meema again. Lucky, lucky me.
This is the season to celebrate the people who have touched your life, whether they are still with us or not. Even though our time together was short, I am grateful that you lived, Mildred Schierloh Wheatley. I wish we'd been born in the same generation, because you were one cool cat.
Take my hand And lead me to salvation Take my love For love is everlasting And remember The truth that once was spoken: To love another person is to see the face of god
Merry Christmas, everyone. Happy Hannukah. Happy New Year.
See you all soon. Thank you for reading. I have to go pack.


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The wedding night. The abbey. Faith. Culloden. The print shop. There are some Outlander moments that are so important, you've got to watch them again and again. After Sunday's episode, Jamie and Brianna's first meeting joins that list — and we've got your exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the big moment right here.
In the video, cast members Sam Heughan, Caitriona Balfe and Sophie Skelton break down the Episode 9 scene in which Jamie first meets his daughter, whom Claire gave birth to and raised in the 20th century while he stayed behind in the 18th. They remark on the less-than-ideal circumstances of the big moment ("Jamie Fraser is relieving himself as his daughter arrives," Heughan notes, chuckling) and the amazing coincidence that both Mr. and Mrs. Fraser happen to be in Wilmington when their daughter arrives ("Jamie and Claire could be anywhere," Skelton says).
As we watch Brianna meet her father for the first time, Heughan takes us inside what his character is thinking. "When he first sees her, he doesn't quite recognize her," he says. "It's hard to say what he feels. He feels everything."
Don't worry — we also get a good look at Claire's reunion with Bree, including the sassenach's open-mouthed shock at being in her child's presence once more. "The person Claire loves more than anything in this world is Brianna," Balfe says, adding,"She thought she may never see her daughter again."
– Source / Watch Video
Category: Videos
Press/Video: Outlander's Sam Heughan, Caitriona Balfe and Sophie Skelton Take You Inside the Fraser Family Reunion
It's a hit show with a cult following! "Outlander" is back for it's fourth season. We talked with star Caitriona Balfe who plays Claire Fraser. The new season continues the story of time-traveling 20th century doctor and her 18th century Highlander husband Jamie Fraser as they try to make a home for themselves in colonial America. We find the Frasers in North Carolina, in a place called Fraser's Ridge at yet another turning point in history – the cusp of the American Revolution. As Claire and Jamie build their life together in the rough and dangerous backcountry of North Carolina, they must negotiate a tenuous loyalty to the current British ruling class, despite Claire's knowledge of the bloody rebellion to come.
– Source
Caitriona and Sam are interviewed about Outlander season 4 with JoBlo.
There a bunch of Outlander interviews that were previously done but are now only surfacing this week. Most of them are of Caitriona with Sam. I've made a master post to post them all in one spot for easy viewing. They make me so excited for Outlander season 4 this weekend!! Enjoy.
Caitriona talks about what Halloween was like in Ireland as a kid, the unique spelling of her name, shooting 'Outlander' all over the World and their crazy fanbase.
Caitriona, Sam, Sophie, Richard, and other cast and writers of Outlander were in attendance last night at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival. At this event there was an Outlander costume exhibit and fans were able to screen the first episode of season 4! I've heard nothing but great news about the episode which will be premiering this week on November 4. Enjoy the photos and I want to thank my good friend Kayla for her donations.


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Please explore this website for information on visiting, joining and enjoying clay shooting at our club. If you cannot find the answer to any questions you may have, please do not hesitate to get in contact.
Northall is situated in the heart of the Sussex countryside and is a purpose built facility well within the reach of main road routes (for a map please see below) or to use Google maps with your mobile phone or tablet please click here.
As you will find from the information here we cater for a wide range of clay shooting disiplines and have a warm relaxing club house and all day catering for hot and cold food and refreshments.
We look forward to welcoming you.
Joining Northall is an easy, stress free process and incredible value for money. With membership you get significant discounts on all shooting and competitions and entry into our monthly high score competition.
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At Northall we have some of the best training and coaching anywhere in the UK. Our three coaches Laura, Trevor and GB Olympic and Commonwealth team member Charlotte Hollands (nee Kerwood) are available to cover all disciplines.
With some of the best facilities anywhere in the UK offering great shooting including Sporting, Skeet, ABT and more to catering facilities capable of serving small and large groups in our warm and welcoming club house we really do have something for everyone.
With an on site Gunsmith we are able to offer on-site gun repairs, maintenance and modifications to a wide range of shotguns.
Tony Sorrell is located close to the club house. Click the link below or call him on 07505353982 to discuss your requirements.
Northall CPC is all about high quality shooting at great prices with great people and the best way to experience our hospitality and shooting and catering facilities is to pay us a visit.
Our gallery is provided to give you just a taste of the quality of what is on offer.
Visit The Gallery
If you are looking for a great venue then Northall offers an excellent choice for corporate events, entertaining and team building. We can accommodate small groups looking for a hen or stag day to large corporate groups.
Call us to discuss your requirements.
Northall Clay Pigeon Club
Northall Farm
East Sussex
Office Tel: 01825 791783
Mobile Tel: 07845 133 014 (Jan)
Mobile Tel: 07850 465 071 (Dan)
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We have a limit on how many days per week we can shoot - click below to see fixture dates.
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Let us help you organise an unforgettable Corporate Event or Team Building day.
Find out more about corporate events


text:
SINGAPORE - Train service has resumed after a recurring train fault on the East-West Line affected commuters between Jurong East and Joo Koon MRT stations.
Service on both bounds has resumed, SMRT said on Twitter at 6.42pm on Friday (Feb 19).
Free shuttle bus and bus services between the affected stations ended at 7.47pm.
SMRT had tweeted at 5.43pm about a train fault that led to an estimated additional travelling time of 15 minutes. It added that free bus services were available at the affected stations.
At 6pm, it said that there was no train service between Jurong East and Joo Koon due to the train fault. Three minutes later, it tweeted that train service had resumed.
However, it said at 6.22pm: "Due to a recurring train fault, please expect 20 minutes additional traveling time from #JurongEast to #JooKoon."
Free bus and bus bridging services are still available, it added.
Commuters also took to Twitter to spread news about the delay.https://twitter.com/jmerryldc/status/700633058664263680 https://twitter.com/XmasFungus/status/700620275872694272 https://twitter.com/Ainabilaaa/status/700619709889155073 https://twitter.com/Sabxwally15/status/700626304337444864 https://twitter.com/Fxrxh19/status/700626099324125189 https://twitter.com/zaharaloveslike/status/700624515710087168