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I do not believe that Darwin's theory of macro evolution is true. I believe that God specially created each individual kind of animal on the earth. Although MICRO evolution has caused variations among different kinds of animals to come about (e.g different breeds of dogs and cats, etc.). In a recent blog post I gave arguments against atheistic macro evolution and criticized the arguments often given in favor of it. In this post however, I will be pointing out arguments that Christians often give that are very bad arguments against evolution. They don't work. The purpose of this blog post is to help Christians become aware of which arguments don't work so that they can avoid making themselves look silly when having discussions with atheists.
Argument No. 1: If we evolved from monkeys, why do we still have monkeys?
This is probably the most common argument lay Christians give against Darwinism. It's put in the form of a question in an attempt to stump the Darwinist. The point the argument tries to make is that if we evolved from monkeys, there shouldn't be anymore monkeys around since evolution (natural selection acting on random mutations) doesn't act on individual creatures, but on a species as a whole. All monkeys would have evolved, and so, therefore, we shouldn't have anymore monkeys. Since we have monkeys, Darwinism must be false. This argument though, doesn't carry out its intended purpose of being a stumper. Atheists can answer this pitiful argument-in-question-form just as easily as Christians can answer the "If God created the universe, who made God" question.
The problem with this argument is that it commits the straw man fallacy. A straw man is an argument against a position, argument or statement that your debate opponent has never made. You commit a straw man when you misrepresent your opponent's belief or statement. The name "straw man" came from the illustration that it's much easier to win a fight against a scarecrow than a real live flesh and blood human being. It's a lot easier to knock down a claim your opponent didn't make than to knock one down that he did make.
How does this argument commit the straw man fallacy? It does so because the claim by evolutionists is not that we evolved from monkeys like the monkeys you have at your local zoo. The claim is that BOTH humans AND monkeys evolved from a monkey-like creature. The claim is that both human beings and modern day apes both shared a biological ancestor with a creature who was also ape-like in its physical structure.
As an analogy, no one says that your sister gave birth to you. Rather, people say that both you and your sister both were produced by a woman who had similar genetics to you and your sister. Now, I don't agree with this hypothesis. And if you want to know why, click on this link which willtake you to my blog post titled "Why I'm Skeptical Of Darwinian Evolution".
Argument No. 2: Evolution is just a theory.
This point is usually given as a dismissal by Christians who don't understand what a scientific theory is. The word "theory" has two different uses. One use of the word is synonymous with "speculation" and "conjecture".
A lot of people confuse 2 definitions of theory. They think it means "speculation". But that's not at all what scientists mean by a "theory". Of course, every hypothesis starts off as what could be called speculation, but then the scientists starts looking for evidence to see if this theory is true or not. The scientists make predictions that can test the viability of their theory. "If my theory is true, further research should show X, Y and Z. If it's false, we should find this and this and this." So there are predictions that are made which either further verify the theory, falsify the theory, or at least cause the one who came up with the theory to make minor revisions to his theory (predictions that don't prove it false necessarily, but which show that it's not exactly what the scientist had in mind). Good science is done like this. Hugh Ross goes in depth explaining this in his book "More Than A Theory" in which he presents (Day-Age) Old Earth Creationism as a testable, verifiable and falsifiable hypothesis. In each of the chapters, he shows how Reasons To Believe has made various predictions over the years, all of which have come true. No matter which side of the debate you're on, you should definitely check out this book. In summary, scientific "theories" can be supported or unsupported by evidence. Darwinists think the evidence has indeed verified Darwin's theory, so as soon as you say "evolution is just a theory" they'll start spouting off the usual "proofs" they've been taught verifies evolution (the macro kind).
Argument No. 3: The Earth Is Too Young.
Often times, Christians try to disprove evolution by trying to prove that the Earth and the universe are only 6,000-10,000 years old. If the universe is only 6,000-10,000 years old, evolution can't possibly have enough time to get started, therefore evolution is false and the best explanation for how all the lifeforms we have coming into being so quickly is by a miracle working Creator's hand. While I agree that the conclusion follows from the premises, I'm skeptical of one of those premises, namely that the Earth is only 6,000-10,000 years old. And ALL evolutionists believe that the universe is billions of years old.
There is absolutely no non-Christian scientist who believes the universe is that young. And I've heard atheists say that they're more willing to give up belief in evolution than they are their stance on the age of the Earth. They will tell you that evidence for the universe's antiquity is far more powerful than that for evolution. So here's the point I'm trying to make. Even if you are a young earth creationist, if you want to argue against evolution, you should do it in the realm of biology. Point out that there are irreducibly complex machines in the cell. Point out the genetic barriers of living creatures. Point out the cyclical nature of these micro evolutionary changes. Point out that similarity and progression do not necessitate the conclusion of common ancestry. These are arguments that I used in "Why I'm Skeptical Of Darwinian Evolution". Criticize evolution while conceding the given age of the universe. That's my advice. If you want someone to be a young earth creationist like you are, get them to give up evolution FIRST and then make your way in the direction of the universe's age. By trying to prove that the universe is only thousands of years old, you cause yourself to put more effort into the conversation than what's required.
In my opinion though, we shouldn't even try that hard to get people to give up evolution. In apologetics, I believe the crucial issues are what we should really focus on. Once they're Christians, we can then debate on whether God used an evolutionary process or created specially (i.e he spoke and they just appeared). So when I argue with atheists, if I'm trying to argue for God's existence, I use positive arguments in favor of God's existence rather than just bashing macro evolution. Scientifically, you appeal to the origin of the universe (The Kalam Cosmological Argument), the universal fine tuning of the physical constants which must be at the just right strengths for ANY kind of life to exist ANYWHERE in the universe (The Nuclear Forces, Gravity, Electromagnetism, dark energy, etc.), the local fine tuning (distance of a home planet from its star, the size of that home planet's moon, the just right size and distance of 4 gas giants for any planet to survive comets, etc.), and the DNA-to-design argument. The conclusion of these arguments can be valid EVEN IF Darwin was right about species producing more advanced species through enough billions of years, because Evolution is in the realm of biology and the Kalam and Fine Tuning arguments are in the realm of astronomy and physics.
Philosophically, you could appeal to arguments the Moral Argument. You could show that there's good historical evidence that Christ rose from the dead. God's existence and Christ's resurrection are some of the primary issues that anyone must believe if they are to be Christians. So I almost never debate evolution in my discussions with atheists UNLESS they specifically ask me why I'm skeptical of it. If they ask me "Why should I think Christianity is true" I'll appeal to some of the evidences listed above. How long it took God to create, and what method God used to bring about life are secondary issues in my opinion.


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The Lisbon community welcomes a new business on Rt. 144, just east of town, Breezy Willow Farm at Hopkins Springs. Breezy Willow provides a wealth of fresh meats: lamb, pork, chicken and beef; a wide variety of produce including carrots, kale, blueberries, apples, lettuce, mushrooms, zucchini and others; all in season. You can also purchasehomemade jams, jellies, butter, yogurt and cheeses, as well as fragrant hand creams and soaps. This operation is currently primarily a co-op, being part of the Community Support Of Agriculture activities in the county.One can purchase shares to become a co-op member and have available for pick-up a portionof many of the above-named items as they are in season.Pick-ups are prescheduled mostly on weekdays.Also available are work-shares designed so that five hours of work per week equates to one seasonal share of the existing products .
For those not interested in shares but interested in purchasing some of the meats, fresh produce or other products, there is a farm store on the grounds open on Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There is plenty of parking and a quaint farmer's market quality about the facility.The plan is to extend those hours as business necessitates.
For those interested in purchasing shares, exploring work shares or just wanting more information about this new, healthy-eating opportunity call 410-442-1807.
As we explore healthy-eating opportunities we should know about the Roving Radish, a program offered by Howard County to promote healthy farm-to-table eating habits while creating sustainable markets for local farms.The Roving Radish sells affordable healthy meal kits which include tworecipes and ingredients sufficient for two dinners for a family of four.All foods are provided by local and regional farms.The produce is already partially prepared and necessary or desired spices pre- measured,all making meals easy to bring to the table.The food kits will be delivered to easily-accessible locations throughout the county tobe determined by the needs of the clients.
Since all menus are preplanned around growing seasons, this createsa relatively secure source of incomefor the farmer year round. Costs vary for standard and premium meals.This year, orders will be taken starting May 20 for delivery on May 30.Theservice will continue until the end of November. For information on this important program call James Zoller at 410-992-2049 or email email@example.com.
Table space is free at the Lisbon United Methodist Church yard sale on Saturday, May 14, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be a light luncheon menu available.Come, look around and buy some of your neighbors' "valuables."This activity is sponsored by the Lisbon United Methodist men. For more information contact Dan at 410-489-9519.
The Lisbon Volunteer Fire Company Inc. is sponsoring a photo fund drive for the next few weeks. Proceeds from thisevent will benefit the new building fund. It is a door-to-door campaign where a third party from a professional photography company representing the LVFC will visitin the community,taking orders from residents forindividual or family photos. The photographs will betaken at the Lisbon Volunteer Fire Station during the month of September.For more information on this important fundraiser call Officer Eddie Gordon at 443-974-1289.

subset: commoncrawl


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Action thrillers are like an ice-cream. You need to be quick with your reflexes to let it from melting. The reader needs to on his toes and his mind should be sharp to catch the details. Author James Patterson in his book " The Thomas Berryman Number" is going to let readers experience a different tell tale. A thrill never sought and action never believed or committed. Will he be able to deliver the goods? Let's find out.
You are about to read one of the classic novels of suspense by the world's bestselling thriller writer.
It starts with three terrifying murders in the American South. It ends with a relentless and unforgettable manhunt in the North.
In between is the gripping story of a ruthless assassin, the woman he loves, and the beloved leader he is hired to kill.
First look at the cover and the lone running black figure shouts mystery. The title clouded and reeking thrill. The blurb short and sweet, twisted and simple, yet ineffective in capturing the readers imagination. The shortcoming of the book is its failure to give a high octane summation to catch the eye.
The story is set in America, where three people are found murdered in Nashville. The assassin is missing, the accomplices in a dilapidated state and the biggies of the system as clueless as ever. It is now a cat and mouse game. Thomas Berryman, the charming and evasive assassin, his hits and the last job which will glorify or break his legend. Read out more to find about Thomas Berryman.
The book has a strong backing in terms of a story line. Three murders, an alluring assassin and number of people involved in the entire scenario. It makes the entire set up as demanding and wanting you want it to be. But there is very less to talk about in terms of positive. The positives end with the initial outburst of the story.
The demand to churn a thrill in the story takes severe toll. There are major hiccups. The characters are completely out of sync. There are no bases covered when it comes to setting up the story and the momentum is haggard. There are times when the conversations drift into gloominess. The closeness of the accomplices knit vague and pale. The threads come undone by the time the book is done and dusted. The knots loose. The ideas seems convincing but it runs amok and self destructs the entire plot. The feeling of nothingness seeps in the entire story as the dots are never connected when required.
All in all the book had a lot of potential to make it big. Alas, there is no way it makes a reader feel comfortable. The idea is to capture the hearts, let the hearts flutter but the beat is missed time and again and even a hyped Thomas Berryman fails to generate charm. His character, the story are unimpressive and the ensemble is in shambles. The faith is lost when an action thriller fails miserably. This is that one time.


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Life after loss—Remembering Him with Honor and in Gratitude
"Where you used to be, there is a hole in the world, which I find myself constantly walking around in the daytime, and falling in at night. I miss you like hell."
— Edna St. Vincent Millay
It has been almost one month since my man passed away. I was in those holes more and more often recently. I thought I was brave enough to handle it. I also thought we prepared enough so I would be ok. I find myself talking to his ashes, or just the air more and more often. I was so used to sharing every little detail of my life with him.
Like right now, I want to tell him how grateful I am because the love I got from my family, friends, students, co-workers and all the other nice people in my life. I also want to tell him that I didn't use GPS today going to our favorite restaurant. I know he would be so proud of me. 🙂
But it is just me talking, no response at all.
Those monologues usually quickly turn into crying, sometimes big, sometimes small. I never even knew I had that many tears in me. Then it becomes anger. The final stage is me trying to remember what he used to say when I was crying. He always knows what to say or to do to make me feel better. But now, I know I need to pick myself up and move forward, even if it's just a little and even if it may feel like I'm going backwards.
The last few weeks I felt like he just went on a business trip and he will be showing up someday. But slowly I realized deep down he is gone, forever. And those realizations hurt so much!
I survived Valentine's Day. I didn't cry, I wasn't even moody. And one day I suddenly noticed when I looked at his photo, I didn't cry, I smiled. A few evenings ago, I suddenly came to a conclusion. His physical body is gone, but his love surly is still with me. Now I can let his life continue through my eyes, my heart and my life! I noticed I had a giant smile on my face when I thought about this. And I feel there is a door towards happiness that just suddenly opened to me. Yes, this is not just my life now, it is still ours, together in a different way!
Several days ago, I went out to see some friends. I ordered some moscato wine for myself. I even asked where I can buy it for later. This was something normally my husband would do. It feels so good to know that I am trying new things that he may enjoy. I even tried to be a smarty pants during my work meeting because that was what he used to do, a lot. Everybody remembers his quick wit.
I met up with a new friend. After we met, she told me that she was worried that I may have cried and the whole evening would have been filled with tears, but I was totally fine because I can see my man's smiling face in my head all the time. When you really love someone, you want to honor that person with what they want. He wanted me, and my family, to continue to enjoy our lives, and that is what we are doing.
"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal. But love leaves a memory no one can steal."
-From a tombstone in Ireland
"What we have once enjoyed we can never lose; all that we deeply love becomes a part of us."
-Helen Keller
Photo credits: Christa Robinson.
Thank you for reading, and if you like what you read, please comment below or share it with your friends. Don't forget to follower me on FaceBook and Twitter for new post updates, and follow me on Instagram for all the amazing fashion, beauty and life style products that I will share with you, of course don't forget to check out my Instagram story daily to know me better as a person. Finally don't forget to follow me on YouTube for my fashion, beauty and life style videos. Have a great day and see you soon!
Meet our co-host Rania from The Wardrobe Stylist
Rania's Biography:
Branding herself The Wardrobe Stylist, Rania began styling and blogging nearly a decade ago. She worked with a long list of clients and as a blogger, she covered several coveted events. She recently launched the Reversible Pocket Square. Made from 2 distinct fabrics, the reversible pocket square takes a modern and innovative shift on the age old accessory, allowing the wearer to choose which side to showcase or have both sides conveniently peak through.
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https://colorandgrace.com occasionally receives vendor/ brand sponsorships for mentioning their products and services.


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After going through the Home Cash Success sales process and reviewing various elements of it, I noticed a certain sloppiness about the whole thing. There is an asterisk listed on the second page of the HomeCashSuccess site that doesn't seem to reference anything at all.
The testimonials are stock photos and one of them references a person that doesn't seem to appear anybody else.
You can see my Home Cash Success Research on this page.
Since the site is being heavily promoted, I've set up a Home Cash Success Wiki here.
The site also appears to be using terms and conditions from another site that has been used by other dubious coaching program lead generation sites. I discussed that briefly at the Home Cash Success Scam Or Legit page here.
If you're on FaceBook and have experience with this progam, you can comment about it here.
If you're on Google Plus, you can provide your Home Cash Success experience here.


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Craig Armstrong Library
Hours and Staff
Monday-Thursday 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
Friday 7:30 am - 12:42 pm
Bruce Cummings Teacher Librarian
Ruth Amaral Textbook Library Technician
Angie Nadler Circulation & Computer Lab Library Technician
Donna Marqua Extended Hours Technician
Diana Wilkinson Extended Hours Technician
Yolo County Public Library Catalog
General Information
The Collection
The Davis High library houses over 33,000 volumes in the main main library including audiovisual materials such as videos, CDs, and DVDs. We have over 100 different periodical titles and back files available for overnight checkout. Be sure to check out our audio library that aligns with the English core collection. Enjoy some of your favorite novels on CD or MP3 player!
You can search our library from the comfort of your own living room. Find the books you want and save them to a favorites list. Print the list and bring it to the library to pick out your selections!
Textbook room
The textbook room houses over 50,700 volumes including calculators and Franklin translators. This collection is managed with Insignia Software. However, due to staffing issues, the textbook room is only open before school and during class--it is never open during lunch or after school. Be sure to plan ahead!
Textbook Room hours:
Monday - Tuesday
7:30 - 3:30
Closed during Lunch
Wednesday -
7:30 - 2:30
Closed during Lunch
7:30 - 3:30
Closed during Lunch
Closed during Lunch
OverDrive ebooks and audiobooks
How American Cities Got Their Libraries
A visual exploration of how a critical piece of social infrastructure came to be.
Insignia Training August 18
The Integrated Library System (ILS) web site is https://djusd.insigniails.com/ils (the newer HTML5 interface can be accessed through any browser)
The Hands On Training Handout is a Google doc, provided by our trainer, Kevin Forbes.
Please complete the attendance form!
Afternoon Library Tech checklist
or tinyurl.com/dshslibtech


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Ep154: Not-So-Endless Summer Nights
Mercifully, fall is upon us and the Kicking the Seat Podcast looks back through the bloated, depressing muck that was the summer 2016 blockbuster movie season to a simpler time--to the dawn of a hopeful era in which the Russo Brothers' Captain America: Civil War promised a smart and thrilling few months. This is one of Ian's favorite movies of the year, and he's joined once again by Aaron Christensen (of the the film blog Horror 101 with Dr. A.C.), who had not seen the film before their get-together last week.
Is there more to this second Cap sequel than spectacle and universe building? Does Marvel really have an artistic edge on DC Universe films? And does anybody really care about Thanos anymore?
Listen in as the guys talk about what works, what really works, and what could use some touching up as the Marvel movies gradually converge into the singularity of a four-color mega-franchise.
If you don't listen to Episode 154, you're no better than the bad guys!
You can keep up with the latest seat-kicking goodness by following, liking, rating, and subscribing to us on Twitter, Facebook, iTunes, and Stitcher!


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Whitley Bay Cricket Club will be starting pre-season Winter nets on Sunday, February 21, at the Newcastle Cricket Centre.
They will run from 8pm until 9pm.
All new players are welcome and if anyone is interested in playing or would like more information, call Chris Wrigley on 07872 636124 or email email@example.com


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Appeals - Practice - Order Below Must be Taken Out
Appeals - Practice - Appeal is of Order, not Reasons
Ontario Wealth Management Corporation v. Sica Masonry and General Contracting Ltd. (Ont CA, 2014)
In this case the Court of Appeal noted the requirement that an order appealed from must be formalized for purposes of the appeal, and the principle that an appeal is of the order or judgment below, not of the reasons for decision:
[5] When the motion was heard, there was no signed and entered order before the court. The appeal lies from the order, not from the reasons: see Re Bearcat Exploration Ltd., 2003 ABCA 365 (CanLII), 2003 ABCA 365, at para. 13. The formal order must be before an appellate court, because it is the correctness of the disposition, and not the reasons, which is in issue: see Re Smoke (1989), 77 C.B.R. (N.S.) 263 (Ont. C.A.).


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It is conventional wisdom in the U.S. press corps that Iran's June 12 presidential election was rigged, with the word "fraud" now sometimes appearing without the qualifier "alleged." But a new poll of Iranians uncovered a different opinion, an overwhelming judgment that the election was legitimate.
WorldPublicOpinion.org used native Farsi speakers calling from outside Iran to interview 1,003 Iranians across the country between Aug. 27 and Sept. 10 and discovered that 81 percent said they considered Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to be the legitimate president of Iran. Only 10 percent called him illegitimate, with eight percent offering no opinion.
Sixty-two percent said they had strong confidence in the election results, which showed Ahmadinejad winning by about a 2-to-1 margin, and another 21 percent said they had some confidence in the official vote count, for a total of 83 percent expressing favorable views on the election. By comparison, only 13 percent said they had little or no confidence in the results.
These 8-to-1 margins among Iranians, judging that the official election results correctly recorded Ahmadinejad's victory, stand in marked contrast to the opinions of U.S. journalists who showed strong sympathy for the opposition street demonstrations that turned violent after the voting.
In recent weeks, some top American journalists even have started treating the allegations of voting fraud as a simple matter of fact, not of contention.
The Washington Post's David Ignatius wrote in a Sept. 10 op-ed that "some analysts ... argue that Ahmadinejad and the Guard were continuing an internal coup that began with the fraudulent manipulation of the June 12 election and the subsequent crackdown against Iranian protesters."
Yet, the evidence of substantial election fraud has always been thin and many of the allegations that dominated the U.S. news coverage after the June 12 vote failed to stand up to serious scrutiny.
For instance, a prevalent complaint that Ahmadinejad's claim of victory came too fast ignored the fact that rival candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi was out with a declaration of victory before any votes were counted. The partial results showing Ahmadinejad in the lead followed hours later.
Another claim was that Mousavi would have surely won his home Azeri district handily, rather than lose it outright to Ahmadinejad, but that argument collided with a pre-election poll sponsored by the New America Foundation which had shown Ahmadinejad with a 2-to-1 lead in that area.
Even if the election tightened in the final weeks – as some Mousavi supporters contend – Ahmadinejad's lopsided lead in Mousavi's home territory in May undercut the notion that Azeris would automatically back their favorite son. Some Iranian analysts have noted that Ahmadinejad poured government resources into that region, explaining his apparent popularity there.
The pre-election poll's findings – described in a Washington Post op-ed by two of its administrators, Ken Ballen and Patrick Doherty – also discovered that, contrary to widespread Western impressions, Iranian youth overwhelmingly favored Ahmadinejad, that the "18-to-24-year-olds comprised the strongest voting bloc for Ahmadinejad of all age groups."
Generally speaking, Mousavi's support was concentrated among the urban middle class and the well-educated while Ahmadinejad was more the candidate of the poor – of which there are many in Iran. They have benefited from government largesse in food and other programs, and they tend to listen to the conservative clerics in the mosques.
Mousavi seemed to acknowledge this point when he released his supposed proof of the rigged election, accusing Ahmadinejad of buying votes by providing food and higher wages for the poor. At some Mousavi rallies, his supporters reportedly would chant "death to the potatoes!" in a joking reference to Ahmadinejad's food distributions.
Yet, while passing out food and raising pay levels may be a sign of "machine politics," such tactics are not normally associated with election fraud.
The last real hope for definitive evidence proving Ahmadinejad's victory was fraudulent may have passed when Mousavi rejected the possibility of a recount, either random or nationwide. Instead Mousavi insisted on an entirely new election.
Mousavi's objection to a recount drew support from the New York Times' top brass. "Even a full recount would be suspect," the Times wrote in an editorial. "How could anyone be sure that the ballots were valid?"
But a key purpose of a recount is that it may unearth evidence of fraud, especially if ballot-box stuffing was done chaotically, amid panic over the incumbent falling short, or if the tallies were simply fabricated without ballots to support them, as some Western observers have speculated regarding Iran.
By spurning a partial or complete recount, Mousavi suggested that his real fear may have been that he genuinely lost the election and that his only hope for a better outcome was a new election, especially if some of Iran's powerful clerics could be persuaded to tilt their allegiance toward him.
That interpretation is supported by other findings in the new WPO poll of Iranian attitudes. Of the 87 percent who said they voted, 55 percent said they voted for Ahmadinejad and only 14 percent said they voted for Mousavi.
Asked how they would vote if a new election were called, the breakdown was 49 percent for Ahmadinejad and 8 percent for Mousavi. Twenty-six percent declined to answer, causing WPO's director Steven Kull to say that he thus discounted "these findings on voting preference [as] not a solid basis for estimating the actual vote."
Nevertheless, the overall results from the WPO poll suggest that Ahmadinejad remains relatively popular compared to Mousavi.
In its press release on the new poll of Iranian attitudes, WPO also didn't play up the findings about the disputed election, focusing more on Iran's opinions regarding U.S. President Barack Obama and the prospects for improved relations with the United States.
The findings on Ahmadinejad's legitimacy were at the end of the press release, possibly reflecting a concern that any data favorable to the Iranian president would draw the wrath of the major U.S. news media.
Indeed, for the past several months, the U.S. news media has shown little of its professed objectivity in its coverage of Iran's election, an echo of the mainstream U.S. media's failure to be evenhanded in its pre-invasion reporting on Iraq and its dictator Saddam Hussein.
Shortly after Iran's election in June, a "news analysis" coauthored by New York Times executive editor Bill Keller opened up with an old joke about Ahmadinejad looking into a mirror and saying "male lice to the right, female lice to the left," a derogatory reference to his rise from the street and his conservative Islamic religious views.
The Times continued its pattern of taking sides on Saturday with a front-page article that three times referred to Ahmadinejad supposedly calling the World War II Holocaust that the Nazis inflicted on European Jews a "lie," but never giving any context to the partial quote or noting that its meaning was somewhat ambiguous. [See Consortiumnews.com's "What Did Ahmadinejad Really Say?"]
While any insistence on journalistic professionalism in dealing with Ahmadinejad and Hussein are sure to prompt criticism about showing undeserved sympathy for such unsavory characters, the point is that journalists are supposed to set aside their personal feelings and let the American people make their own judgments based on balanced reporting, not slanted coverage.
A similar collapse of journalistic standards occurred in 2002 and 2003 with lopsided and inaccurate reporting about Iraq's supposed WMD stockpiles. As the Washington Post's editorial page editor Fred Hiatt later admitted, his editorials treated the existence of those stockpiles as fact, rather than a point in dispute.
"If you look at the editorials we write running up [to the war], we state as flat fact that he [Hussein] has weapons of mass destruction," Hiatt said in an interview with the Columbia Journalism Review. "If that's not true, it would have been better not to say it." [CJR, March/April 2004]
You don't say!
Yes, it is a general principle of journalism that if something's not true, it's better not to say that it is, especially when your false statements contributed to an aggressive war that has killed more than 4,300 American soldiers and estimates of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis. (Hiatt received no punishment for publishing his Iraq falsehoods and remains in that same job today.)
Now, Iran is in the sights of America's top editors and a similar bias is in play.
Robert Parry broke many of the Iran-Contra stories in the 1980s for the Associated Press and Newsweek. His latest book, Neck Deep: The Disastrous Presidency of George W. Bush, was written with two of his sons, Sam and Nat, and can be ordered at neckdeepbook.com. His two previous books, Secrecy & Privilege: The Rise of the Bush Dynasty from Watergate to Iraq and Lost History: Contras, Cocaine, the Press & 'Project Truth' are also available there. Or go to Amazon.com.
This article is republished in the Baltimore Chronicle with permission of the author.
Republication or redistribution of Baltimore Chronicle content is expressly prohibited without their prior written consent.
Baltimore News Network, Inc., sponsor of this web site, is a nonprofit organization and does not make political endorsements. The opinions expressed in stories posted on this web site are the authors' own.
This story was published on September 22, 2009.


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From Evans (The Sunflower, 2005, etc.), the first installment of a new series starring a Seattle adman who loses everything and embarks on a soul-cleansing cross-country trek.
Alan Christoffersen has it all—his own thriving boutique ad agency in Seattle, a McMansion, luxury cars and a beautiful wife, McKale, who's also his best friend from childhood. In mid-meeting—he's just snagged a lucrative new account—Alan is notified that McKale has been injured in a fall from her horse. His partner Kyle promises to run things while Alan tends to McKale during her hospitalization and rehab. On his first day back at work he learns that Kyle stole his clients, and the agency is now teetering on the brink. When McKale dies from complications from a urinary tract infection, fate piles on. Alan's finances are in turmoil. The bank forecloses on the house; the cars are repossessed. With about $20,000 left to his name, Alan decides to walk across the continental United States by the longest route—Seattle to Key West, Fla. Lessons are learned from people he encounters along the way: the waitress who's a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, the bed and breakfast proprietress who shares her near death experience, the stranded motorist who will literally become his "angel" when he fixes her flat tire. Alan's exodus should generate many sequels—this installment barely takes him through Washington State. The message is clear: Alan has been taken out of his comfort zone because the Almighty has loftier plans for him.
Jane and Michael Stern meet Paulo Coelho.


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Another year, more great music released. Here are 10 songs I loved for various reasons:
Spindles – Revolution
I had a long wait between first hearing this song and it finally being recorded. But at one point shortly after its release, I reckon I listened to this song at least once a day for about three weeks. I craved it. I thought about writing an essay based on the lyrics.
Spindles had other great songs (no official release yet beyond a few internet uploads) and played some fantastic shows – from the little library at Jura Books to the wide open desert at Roxby Downs. But if I have to pick one song it's still this one.
Dispossessed – Thronebreaker
2016 was a huge year for Dispossessed. At the start of the year I was hearing favourable murmurs about this new band out of Sydney. In March when I saw them I agreed they were great but was surprised at how young they were. Since then the band has lost members, had all their gear stolen, had one of their members be the subject of a public shaming campaign by the Daily Mail. They've also toured, gained loads of mainstream press attention, and released a fantastic album. Vice called them "the most important band in Australia." I think it's just great to see a proudly multi-racial and political band from western Sydney smashing it.
Camp Cope – Jet fuel can't melt steel beams
I first saw songwriter Georgia Maq play a few years ago. I don't know how old she was at the time, but she looked like she could have needed parental supervision to go to her own gigs. Camp Cope bassist Kelly I have similarly seen around the place since she was very young – I think her first musical effort was with all-femme scremo outfit Palmar Grasp.
So what a pleasure then to discover Camp Cope's debut album – showcasing some great songwriting from Georgia MAq aided by wonderful melodic bass playing from Kelly. If I'm being totally honest, a few of the songs are still a little too teenage angsty to really resonate with me. But this one – linking the experience of sexism with 9-11 conspiracies in a way only the internet generation can – is just brilliant.
Curse Ov Dialect – Greed
I can't say I'm really in the loop these days when it comes to new music, but one thing that helps me find out about new releases is scrolling through the new additions folder at 4ZZZ community radio. And that was how, at the start of the year, I made the unexpected discovery that legendary Melbourne hip hop crew Curse Ov Dialect had released their first album in seven years. I suppose layering all those weird samples and coming up with the tongue-twisting lyrics must take a while.
Of course, the album is fantastic and endlessly rewarding – a year on I'm still listening to it trying to work out what half the songs are about. But while Curse Ov Dialect's beats and lyrics are dense and strange, their music is still somehow danceable and singalongable. They are also an amazing live band, which hopefully we in Brisbane will get to witness some time soon.
Babaganouj – Would you like me?
I'm not wilfully obscure or anything, it's just that the music I find interesting is usually some tuneless racket that gets played in front of 50 people in a random location. As an analytical person too, I like music that has some kind of broader context beyond just sounding nice.
Indie pop is not always my preferred genre. But sometimes there's just a band so good at what they do that I can't resist. And that's where Babaganouj come in – these guys just continually release glorious pop songs that light up the airwaves. This was my favourite of the year.
Nahko and Medicine For The People – Love letters to God
It took me way too long to discover Nahko and Medicine For The People's last album, but by the start of the year I had it on high rotation. In April when they came out to Australia I was in Melbourne, and even discovering the show was sold out wasn't enough to stop me from going – some desperate manoeuvring at the front door got me a ticket to a show that was all the better for having a room packed full of devoted fans.
A while later the new album came out. It didn't quite grab me the way the previous one had; I think I would prefer the songs with a bit of a rawer production. But it's grown on me a bit, and in this song the regular themes of Nahko's music are all there – spirituality, forgiveness, resistance, transformation.
John K Samson – The oldest oak at Brookside
Like most years, in 2016 I spent many hours listening to Canadian band The Weakerthans. Unlike most years, I also got the gift of new music from Weakerthans songwriter John K Samson.
These days the instrumentation is pretty mellow (especially compared to his time playing bass in Propagandhi), and the songs are less personal – mostly now the character sketches that were always part of his songwriting but also are surely influenced by his other job of writing and publishing novels. There is a bit of an environmental message flowing through, which you can possibly pick up in this song.
I have to admit, that nasally voice and those minute lyrical observations are like a kind of comfort food to me. And his albums are like little books of stories that every time you open them you find some new detail. I couldn't really pick a favourite song, but this tribute to an old oak tree in John's home town of Winnipeg is one of the most immediately satisfying.
Carb On Carb – Eden terrors
Don't look too closely at the release date – this album came out in 2015 but I first heard it this year. Once I had heard it though I listened to it an awful lot through the year.
It's never hip, but I'm a bit of a sucker for emo music. Fortunately Kiwi two-piece Carb On Carb do the musical style very well while mostly avoiding the melodramatic treatment of falling in and out of love that can make the genre so punishing.
The Dead Maggies – Billy Hunt
I didn't know the music of The Dead Maggies all that well when I decided in August I would hitch down to Nimbin the next day to go to their gig – it just looked like an interesting show. The next day I was picked up on the road by the Maggies' tour van, saw them play, hung out with the band, and before you knew it I was heading down to Tasmania for the HOBOFOPO festival of folk punk organised by the band.
The Dead Maggies' music is fun but also very informative about Tasmanian history. Like this one, about convict and serial escapee Billy Hunt who dressed in a kangaroo skin and hopped away from prison only to be shot by a hungry hunter.
Virginia Sook – Mandarin song
I mentioned this song in this list last year actually. It got recorded this year and also was performed at a memorable music event – my birthday party. Sitting around a fire in my backyard, a guitar was passed around and some amazing songs played – including this one.
I don't say this to boast that I have friends who play music – I say this because I honestly believe that the music made by our friends and neighbours can be as good as what's on the radio and the big record labels. Better even because we have an added connection to the songs and their meaning. The best birthday present I could ask for is friends sharing their musical creations. Plus this song is awesome.


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This is beautiful one of a kind orange cushion with paisley print in different shapes, sizes and colours .All over white kantha stitches.
Reverse is black with zipper enclosure. Sold as Cover only.
Size : 16 X 16 '' / 45 x 45 cm
Copyright © 2013 Home Soul. All rights reserved
Site Design: Trent Vora


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New Director of College Counseling
We are excited to announce the hiring of Ms. Dana Ponsky as our new Director of College Counseling.
Ms. Ponsky has significant experience in this role, having spent the last 8 years as a Director of College Counseling, most recently at the Bullis School in Potomac and before that at Samuel Scheck Hillel Day School in Miami. She has a reputation as a highly professional and skilled counselor who builds excellent relationships with the students and with college admissions offices. Ms. Ponsky looks forward to returning to the Jewish day school world and helping our students attain their academic goals both at Berman and beyond. Under her guidance, our students will receive the best possible counsel in their college selections and applications.
As she begins the transition from Bullis to Berman, Ms. Ponsky will work closely with Mrs. Jacobs over the next several months to ensure a smooth and seamless transition. We look forward to introducing Ms. Ponsky to the school community and welcoming her aboard as a new Director of College Counseling.
Mrs. Jacobs has been a valued member of the Upper School team and a truly dedicated counselor. We wish her the greatest of success in the next stage of her career as a private college counselor. She is leaving Berman in good hands with Ms. Ponsky's arrival.


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Red Alert 3
13 years have passed since Command & Conquer Red Alert was first launched, and guess what … we have a few more weeks to wait until Red Alert 3 will be released. In celebration of this release and the 13 year anniversary EA made us a present and released Red Alert for free, and included the second part free if you preorder. But enough about the "oldies" let's talk about the new and exciting new stuff is going on at EA L.A. and the development of the new title.
The Game Play:
Well looks like EA got installed for us quite a few surprises and this time was no exception , Red Alert 3 promises a lot of things , let's review some now witch I found to be the most impressive. Well first of all I will start with the story-line which places us like always into a never-ending Cold War, but this time the Soviets are in trouble, the war didn't go as they expected, riots broke up in their country and civil unrest was settle ling but as always they have a As up their sleeve, and a project conducted in the most secret of places was about the change the course of history. A mad scientist played by Peter Stormare developed a time machine to allow the soviets to change the course of history to their liking. But not all plans gone as expected and we end up with 3 faction , YES you heard me right , for the first time we don't have only the Allied Forces or the Soviets , we have a new playable class called Empire of the Rising Sun , which are basically the Japanese who are also bent on world domination.
As you can see EA made some changes in the storyline and added a new class but you will be pleased to hear that those aren't the only changes, the game-play was changed a lot introducing all 3 combat types: Land, Air and Naval. This time fully integrated, and not just 1 or 2 missions in between like in Red Alert 2, giving us full control in naval battles and also the pleasure of building sites in the oceans also. Like its usual the Soviets will rely mostly on units with Tesla Coils, loads of currents and intimidating massive units, the allies will have powerful new units like Athena Cannons and Century Bombers while Empire of the Rising Sun will have mainly naval ships. The thing is this time, all units in game will have a secondary ability that can be triggered automatically or manually, this is the case of the Empires units, even though mostly are naval ships they will have jets to make them airborne, this in return transcends into a wider tactical approach on how you build and how you will approach different situations. We will be able to enjoy a Single player well made campaign and also a well made Multiplayer.
The Graphics:
As expected EA has made a new graphical engine for this game, and at first look its mind bottle ling. The water effects, real time shadows with Dx10 support and loads of animations will defeanatly make it a pleasant game to enjoy. I will let the photos do the talking since there is not much I can add .
The Sound/Cinematic:
Most of the Command & Conquer serried featured real-live actors to immerse the player into the universe into a much better degree but this time EA really over-done themselves , I can honestly say this is the biggest collection of actors I ever seen into the cinematic of a single game. And that's not all , we don't have just 1 or 2 well known actors , but we have a impressive number from hit series actor to internationali knows actors . Let's see what we have : President of the United States will be played by J.K Simmons ; The Soviets – Tim Curry ; The Empire of the Rising Sun – George Takei and also what would Red Alert be without sexy and deadly commanders like : Tanya – Jenny McCarthy ; Allied – Autumn Reeser ; and for the Empire – Kelly Hu .
Also we have a load more actors in the cinematic like Peter Stormare and many more. It really is an impressive gather-up and the biggest by far in game history. Now let's hope the game will still be released in October and not be delayed so we can enjoy all its beauties.
Red Alert 3 is and always will be a Hit series and the millions of fans can acclaim to that, the new title promises a lot of new concepts, new designs, cinematic, and a whole new game-play approach. It is all about the final product , and until now we have plenty reasons to be happy , let's just hope EA will make the best out of this one and give us a experience worth enjoying.


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Guitarists spend the vast majority of their playing time as part of the rhythm section in the band. To be a great guitarist means being able to perform slick rhythms on precise tempo. In these lesson series learn how to strengthen your rhythm playing!
Take a look below to check out the different teachers that cover rhythm guitar. You can scope out the entire series or sample it out by clicking to view the free lesson.
Focus: Focusing on different forms of picking and playing can steal your chops away from your rhythm playing. Brendan Burns offers up a 6 week coarse on rebuilding your rhythm chops that focuses on training necessary muscle groups and getting back into tempo.19 Lessons View Free LessonSeries Details
Focus: Chris takes his 6 week series technique into an Expanding your Rhythm Playing session. Here you will learn how to dive into different ways of creating new forms of the chords you currently know. Chris will also demonstrate the theory behind why these new forms can be created.6 Lessons View Free LessonSeries Details
Focus: Many guitar players get nice and comfortable once they learn their basic chords, maybe a few scales and some strum patterns. But it is easy to get stuck and bored after learning the basics. Dave sticks primarily to the first five frets of the guitar, takes those simple, familiar chords and concepts and helps you get musical with them! Bring what you know and you'll be amazed what you can do with what you have. This series is primarily aimed at beginner and intermediate rhythm acoustic guitar players.20 Lessons View Free LessonSeries Details
Focus: Dean Brown teaches rhythm from the facet of both hands, the drummer and the guitarist.33 Lessons Series Details


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About 10 years ago, I sold Mary Kay cosmetics. It was at a stage of my life where I was juggling two babies, trying to be a good mom, but desperately young and insecure and seeking validation. Where I found it was in a "coach" who started me into sales of these products. It was a good fit we decided because I was already a customer and the hooks they used to convince me I needed this "job" fit right into what I wanted to hear at that stage of momming.
The first thing I want to say is I don't regret doing it at all. In fact I learned more about sales and my own self in such a quick way I wouldn't trade it. However, many of those things I learned because I learned what I did not like about myself and who I *didn't* want to be. I learned I was good at telling a story with my life experiences in order to sell a pitch, but the accuracy and emotionally honesty about it went out the door when trying to wrap up a messy life into a palatable "story."
I learned that sometimes the people who can least afford your product will be the most loyal to buy it because you are selling friendship and a feeling. So you can be good at sales and feel like you are bad at life. It wasn't long after I realized this that I stopped selling. Hey, I do have a conscience after all ;). Once the futility of honest sales was realized I did the math to know quickly that I needed to get out fast. I sold back my inventory to the company (at a loss for re-stocking fees of course) and barely within their 1 year window, but thankfully I was blessed to come to the realization in time to cut my losses.
The people whose sales numbers depended on me were very upset about my quick turn and said that selling back the inventory was the worst thing I could do. But they didn't approach that argument with hard numbers or stats (like I had reached my decision with). Good ol' fashioned shaming and social rejection were their tools. I think this was a hugely pivotol moment for my brain development. Of course pivotal moments for me usually look a lot like grief and sadness and loneliness. They usually start that, at least, until the beauty of time wears away their edges and shows me a wider world view. When the world view started changin' I started making sense of group think, and cult phenomenons and what makes you susceptible to those things in the first place.
But what made me think of all of this today was REJECTION and the good things that have come in my life by being willing to face it. While I was going to meetings and getting heavily "trained/brainwashed" about Mary Kay sales techniques one of the motivational speakers encouraged us to make a poster to get to 100 No's. In essence the plan was to look at cold calling or asking for sales in a way that you aren't fearing rejection, but expecting it. And expecting to be fine with it. As a very anxious person I found that exciting -- that there was a way to try sales and overcome that crippling fear. To be honest, I haven't used it that much. I hate sales! Hate it. And I've learned to be okay with that because a lot of it has to do with my ethics. But this new knowledge did help me frame things in my mind that I am nervous about in a more hopeful, less anxiety producing way.
What have you learned from a terrible/scary/weird/life changing experience?


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Paul Keating says BCA's Westacott peddles falsehoods on company tax cuts
Paul Keating has accused the Business Council of Australia's Jennifer Westacott of peddling falsehoods over company tax cuts, saying her "limited and jaundiced view" ignored how benefits would flow solely to foreign investors. He said "Westacott talks about incentives to invest coming from company tax cuts but has failed to acknowledge the elephant in the room – dividend imputation." Phil Coorey Aus. Fin. Review Aug 1 2017 (may be paywall protected) [Read more]


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VEA Milestones
A Call to Organize
In 1863, as Virginia and the nation were locked in the midst of Civil War, a small group of Virginia educators concerned with the education of future sons and daughters of Virginia called for a conference in Petersburg on December 29th of that year. Their aims, as expressed in their "Call to Organize" were foremost practical; they wanted access to school books and a means to share information, such as a written journal. To realize their aims, the organizers wrote, "It may be deemed expedient to organize a permanent State Educational Association."
The organization they founded became, after several name changes, the Virginia Education Association.
What follows is a summary of selected milestones in the Association's history.
The founding convention of the Educational Association of Virginia is held at Petersburg.
The first regular convention of the Association is held in Charlottesville.
The Association calls for the creation of a State Department of Education and organized teacher institutes.
The Association creates The Educational Journal of Virginia, which published until 1892.
Public schools are established by General Assembly, with Dr. William H. Ruffner as first State Superintendent of Schools.
"Lady teachers" are permitted to become associate members without payment of dues, no vote, no office, no participation in public discussions, but allowed to serve on committees.
First teacher institutes were held—one each summer for white teachers and one for black teachers. Later, multiple institutes are held across the state.
First normal schools established for teacher training—for whites, Farmville State Teachers Colleges; for blacks, the Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute in Petersburg.
Last meeting of the Educational Association of Virginia is held in Charlottesville.
A new statewide organization, the First Virginia Teachers Reading Association, is formed at the Normal Institute held at Wytheville.
The Virginia Teachers Reading Circle becomes the Virginia State Negro Teachers Association (VSNTA).
Organizational meeting of the Virginia State Teachers Association is held at the YMCA in Lynchburg.
Organizational meeting of the State Educational Association is held in Bedford.
Last issue of The Educational Journal of Virginia is published.
The Virginia School Journal, the official organ of the State Department of Education, begins publication.
Effort is made to establish a "pay day" for teachers in every school district.
The Virginia Teachers Cooperative League is formed. This is the continuing organization that becomes the Virginia Education Association.
The name becomes the Virginia State Teachers Association.
The Association has 67 local associations, with reported membership of 2,490.
Association establishes a Legislative Committee that continues to function today. It is responsible for passage of compulsory education law, removing limitation on local taxes, establishing county unit system of schools, creating a teachers' retirement system, winning continuing contracts, sick leave, and more.
State Supt. J. D. Eggleston calls a general conference in Richmond to include the Virginia State Teachers Association, the Trustees (school boards), the Superintendents, and the Cooperative Education Association (forerunner of the PTA)…the beginning of the annual Virginia Educational Conferences.
Teacher pension plan is established.
The School Improvement League is created to lobby for greater resources for black schools.
Virginia Journal of Education publishes first edition.
U.S. President William Howard Taft addresses VEA convention in Richmond.
William Jennings Bryan addresses VEA convention in Lynchburg.
First Code of Ethics is adopted.
Influenza outbreak causes convention to be cancelled.
VEA obtains ownership of the Virginia Journal of Education, transferring it from the State Department of Education.
VEA employs first full-time Executive Secretary; Dr. William T. Sanger assumes duties September 1.
Virginia Teachers Association convention authorizes the publication of the Teachers Bulletin.
The current name, the Virginia Education Association, is adopted.
Note: The new VEA embraced and included in its structure several formerly independent statewide organizations, including the superintendents, school boards, and the Cooperative Education Association, later the Virginia Congress of Parents and Teachers, and the Student Cooperative Association. The Virginia School Boards Association remained a VEA Department until 1957. The Virginia Association of School Administrators name was adopted by the superintendents in 1958, but they remained connected to VEA until 1973.
Cornelia Adair becomes first Virginian to be elected as president of NEA.
VSNTA affiliates with the National Association of Teachers in Colored Schools, later known as the American Teachers Association.
The VSNTA drops Negro from name, becoming the Virginia State Teachers Association (VSTA). During the 1940s the word State was dropped from the name, creating the Virginia Teachers Association as the name that continues until merger in 1967.
VEA and UVA establish the Preventorium (hospital at reduced cost) for teachers.
VEA becomes incorporated.
NAACP files suit in the name of Aline Black, a teacher in the Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk, seeking equal pay for black teachers.
Dr. Francis S. Chase becomes VEA Executive Secretary on Aug. 16, 1939, following death of Dr. Heatwole.
U.S. Supreme Court orders that salaries of white and black teachers of equal training and qualifications be equalized.
VEA's proposed retirement law is adopted by General Assembly.
VTA hires first full-time executive secretary, J. Rupert Picott, who serves until merger in 1967.
Henry G. Ellis is appointed VEA Executive Secretary-Editor, upon resignation of Dr. Chase.
Dr. Robert Williams becomes Executive Secretary-Editor, upon resignation of Mr. Ellis.
General Assembly adopts a statewide sick leave plan for teachers.
General Assembly takes first step to create a statewide salary schedule for teachers.
Separate delegations representing white and black teachers attend NEA conventions. During this period, NEA rules require the separate delegates to meet, sit, and vote together.
VEA moves into current headquarters building at 116 South 3rd Street in Richmond.
Supreme Court declares racial segregation of schools unconstitutional.
Sixty-three black teachers are fired by the Prince Edward schools to evade compliance with the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to integrate schools. NEA and VTA work together to find them jobs and to provide food and financial support for the children turned away from public schools.
VEA holds first instructional conference (Science in the Secondary Schools).
Tort (liability) insurance is first provided with VEA membership.
VEA locals are authorized to admit members without regard to race.
The VTA proposes the formation of one major professional association of all teachers in Virginia.
VEA requires members to have a bachelor's degree. Non-degree educators may hold Associate membership.
VEA amends constitution providing that all members of local affiliates, regardless of race, are eligible for membership.
VEA and VTA form a joint committee to consider merger.
The VEA and the VTA, which represented black teachers, merge.
VEA hires first black professional staff member—Fitz Turner, principal of James Solomon Russell High School in Lawrenceville, and VTA president at the time of unification.
VEA names first consultant-in-residence, Dr. Ethel Thompson, to focus on assisting school divisions in implementing kindergarten programs.
Delegates vote to require all local Associations to merge black and white locals by September 1969; 13 localities had separate locals at that time.
VEA opens four regional offices—Roanoke, Richmond, Norfolk, Reston—to provide field service support to locals and members.
General Assembly adopts Continuing Contract law, which establishes uniform employment practices, delineating causes for teacher dismissal, and providing security for teachers after a three-year probationary period. It provided for a three-year probationary period for all existing teachers as well as those hired after its enactment. The first "tenured" teachers entered their fourth year of employment in school year 1973.
VEA delegates call for passage of legislation to enact a Professional Negotiations Law.
Five black educators elected to serve on the VEA Board of Directors, part of the merger agreement.
VEA conducts first professional negotiations workshops, appoints a Professional Negotiations Committee.
VEA doubles tort (liability) insurance to $100,000.
Delegates vote to close the VEA Preventorium by end of February 1970.
Barbara B. Tinsley, a science teacher from Richmond, is first black educator to run for VEA president.
VEA celebrates 100th anniversary of public schools with a billboard public service campaign.
VEA achieves increase in retirement multiplier from 1 3/8th % to 1 ½ %, and a Cost of Living increase. Also life insurance was expanded from age 50 to age 65 at 100% of annual salary, and 50% after age 65.
VEA wins injunction to prevent enforcement of Attorney General Andrew P. Miller's ruling that a new conflict of interest law would prevent employment in the same school division of husbands and wives.
VEA Delegates at the NEA RA elect first black, Thomas J. Womack, to represent VEA on NEA Board of Directors, as a result of NEA's ruling that a merged state is entitled to a black director.
Board creates the VEA Defense Fund to meet costs of representing Professional Rights and Responsibility cases.
Arlington EA becomes the first to require unified dues, providing that members must join the local, state and national associations.
Fairfax ratifies its first two-year agreement.
Don Rapier becomes first full-time VEA president.
First meeting of educators to create the VEA Political Action Committee for Education is held in March.
VEA creates membership category for teacher aides and school secretaries.
Chesterfield teacher Mrs. Susan Cohen wins a court ruling that she could not be forced to resign her position because of her pregnancy. Decision was later overruled by US District Court in Richmond, but was eventually upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.
VEA members, in a statewide vote, defeat a proposal to require unified membership.
Dr. Robert F. Williams retires as VEA Executive Secretary; David L. Johnson is employed as VEA Executive Secretary on July 1.
VEA-PAC issues first endorsement of a candidate for Governor, Henry E. Howell Jr.
VEA members, in a statewide referendum, approve unification with NEA, requiring that members belong to local, state, and national associations.
Virginia Association of School Administrators severs ties with VEA.
Mary Hatwood, Alexandria high school teacher, becomes the first black president-elect of VEA. Her term begins in 1976.
VEA Delegate Assembly creates the UniServ program, providing professional staff located throughout the state to assist local Associations and members.
VEA wins legislation that requires greater funding for the retirement system to put it on a sound funding basis.
VEA wins increase in retirement benefits and a cost-of-living increase.
VEA joins the Virginia Coalition of Public Employees to support passage of collective bargaining legislation.
Association wins a statewide class action suit providing for back pay for teachers forced to leave their jobs because they were pregnant.
VEA doubles coverage of liability insurance from $100,000 to $200,000.
VEA Minority Concerns Caucus holds first Human Rights Awards Dinner and creates the Fitz Turner Award.
VEA wins passage of a law to allow a tenured teacher who changes school districts to serve only a one-year probationary period until achieving tenured status in the new district.
Virginia Supreme Court halts negotiations for public employees, ruling that school districts do not have authority to negotiate with Associations representing school employees.
More than 7,000 teachers and public employees rally in Richmond on February 4, opposing proposed cuts in education funding, protecting retirement, and supporting passage of a statewide collective bargaining law.
VEA wins automatic cost-of-living raises for retirees—providing for up to 3%, plus one-half of the increase between three and seven percent, for an effective maximum increase of 5%.
VEA Delegate Assembly creates the Fitz Turner Commission for Human Relations.
Virginia Supreme Court rules that arbitration in the grievance process cannot be dictated to school boards by the state board of education. School boards now argue that continuing contracts also are unconstitutional.
VEA wins law that makes it clear that, unless they are notified in writing by April 15, teachers are employed for the following year.
VEA wins an impartial panel to hear disputes arising from dismissal of tenured teachers to advise school boards on the case.
Delegate Assembly approves special dues assessment to support public relations activities.
Won law that requires school boards provide teachers with a duty-free lunch beginning in 1980-81.
VEA successfully opposes "cap plan" that would have reduced retirement benefits.
Delegate Assembly votes to bring the UniServ program under state administration, but delayed its implementation until 1981.
Delegates vote to no longer provide bargaining assistance to members working in the private sector, in order to avoid requirements of the federal Landrum-Griffin Act that would have precluded minority representation guarantees. VEA represented 70 members at a single private college.
Former VEA President Mary Hatwood-Futrell is elected secretary-treasurer of the NEA.
School boards hone the practice of denying the grievability of teacher concerns, thus forcing them to go to court for a ruling on whether a grievance should be heard.
VEA Delegate Assembly amends constitution to provide for membership for school support personnel in addition to teacher aides and secretaries who already were allowed membership.
VEA raises liability insurance coverage to $1 million.
Circuit Court judge rules that agreement by the Richmond School District to provide payroll deduction for Association dues is legal.
VEA wins 20% increase in school funding with stipulation that the bulk of the new funds be used to increase teacher salaries, with the admonition that "each locality shall endeavor to increase classroom teacher salaries by 10 percent each year of the biennium." (Only 49% of school divisions approved a 10% raise for 1982-83 and less than 17% provided a 9.7% raise in 1983-84.)
Delegates extend terms for president and vice president from one to two years, allowing to serve two consecutive terms.
VEA supports a suit by member Vernelle M. Lipscome seeking a judgment of libel against a reporter and the Richmond Times-Dispatch. In 1983, jury awards Lipscome $1,045,000 in damages. Award is later reduced to $145,000.
Mary Hatwood Futrell is elected NEA president.
VEA wins an 18.5% increase in state funding for schools.
Brenda Cloyd is elected to her third term of office, making her the longest serving president in VEA history—from 1982-83 through 1986-87.
Delegate Assembly and VEA-PAC board adopt changes to designate VEA President as chair of VEA-PAC, and VEA Vice President as vice-chair of VEA-PAC, to ensure that the two separate entities share similar goals.
Outgoing Governor Robb recommends budget that increases state funds for schools by 20%, and that requires school divisions provide teachers with a 10% raise in 1986-87 school year or suffer loss of funds in the following school year. Some superintendents threaten to reduce teaching staff if they are forced to raise salaries.
Delegate Assembly creates a standing committee for Education Support Personnel.
Under leadership of Mary Hatwood Futrell, NEA votes to propose and support a national standards board for teacher certification.
VEA wins passage of legislation allowing full retirement at age 55 (reduced from age 60) with 30 years experience.
VEA successfully lobbies to reduce retirement age from 60 to 55 years.
VEA seeks to change the state song from Carry Me Back to Old Virginny: "The current state song of Virginia does not accurately reflect the heritage of all Virginia citizens and should be changed."
Delegates again call for creation of a Professional Standards Board, "composed of a majority of practicing classroom teachers to establish standards of entry to the teaching professional and operating with the autonomy to make those standards meaningful." Would replace Virginia's Teacher Education Advisory Board, which was established in 1980. (Similar legislation proposed by VEA from 1970-1981.)
$1 million renovation of historic headquarters building is completed.
VEA calls for statewide and state-funded health insurance; legislation passes to allow school divisions to buy into state plan.
VEA supports legislation to ban corporal punishment. Passes.
VEA wins grievance procedure for school classified employees.
VEA wins COLA increases for all retirees, beginning in the second year after retirement. Formerly was only for those over age 60.
VEA wins passage of legislation allowing localities to decide whether to elect school boards.
VEA-Retired elects its first representative on the VEA Board of Directors, Beth Nelson.
VEA wins passage of an autonomous professional standards board on a 24-16 Senate and a 63-36 House vote, only to have it vetoed by newly elected Governor George Allen. VEA had been seeking passage of such legislation since 1967.
VEA wins legislation that removes the VRS from direct control by the Governor.
VEA wins legislation that gives teachers on continuing contracts preference over those on annual contracts if reduction in force is necessary—but bill is vetoed by Gov Allen.
VEA Retired holds its first statewide conference.
VEA defeats legislation that would have extended probationary period before a teacher receives a continuing contract from the current three to five years.
VEA member Richard Wormeli of Fairfax becomes Virginia's first teacher to achieve national certification from the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards.
VEA wins state funding ($75,000) to assist Virginia teachers to achieve National Board Certification.
VEA wins retiree health credits of $1.50 per month per year of services, up to a max of $45.
VEA wins passage of legislation to place a constitutional amend on the ballot to create VRS as a Trust, to "ensure that the assets of the VRS remain separate from all other funds of the Commonwealth, that the fund be administered in the interests of the members and that benefits will be funded using methods consistent with sound actuarial principles."
Voters approve constitutional amendment to establish the VRS as a trust and that prevent raiding the retirement fund.
Richmond teacher Cheri James becomes VEA's second black president.
VEA wins guarantees that charter school teachers will be licensed and will be employees of the local school board, also that school boards have the authority to approve charters.
VEA wins legislation requiring that school boards provide contracts for educational support employees, but bill is vetoed by Governor Allen.
VEA launches its first web site, https://www.veaweteach.org.
VEA wins increase in the retiree health care credit from $1.50 to $2.50 per month per year of service and the monthly maximum from $45 to $75.
VEA helps defeat a proposal to provide a $2,500 tax credit for children in private schools.
VEA wins state-funded stipends for teachers who achieve National Board Certification ($5,000 for first year and $2,500 for subsequent years), pending annual state funding.
VEA board votes to support creation of the Moton Civil Rights Museum in Farmville.
VEA Executive Director David Johnson retires; is replaced by Jerry Caruthers.
VEA wins mandate of one elementary school counselor for every 500 students.
VEA launches Brighter Futures Campaign for improved school funding.
VEA launches living wage campaigns to improve salaries of Education Support Personnel.
VEA wins legislation that guarantees that teachers must be paid within the first month of employment.
Princess Moss, a Louisa County music teacher, becomes VEA's third black president.
Three years of lobbying for improved school funding through the Brighter School Campaign results in a record $1.5 billion increase in state funding for schools.
VEA member Philip Forgit, elementary teacher in Williamsburg, becomes the first Virginian to win the NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence.
VEA wins legislation, sought by school bus drivers, to increase bus speed and improve safety on super highways.
Jerry Caruthers resigns as VEA Executive Director to assume similar position in Oregon; Robert Whitehead becomes new Executive Director.
VEA launches statewide radio ads and media tours to promote increasing teacher salaries.
VEA launches new website, https://www.veanea.org, and initiates the electronic newsletter VEA e-source.
VEA wins an increase in the retiree health care credit from $2.50 to $4 per month per year of service and removes the $75 monthly cap.
The VEA delegation leads a memorial to the slain students at Virginia Tech during the annual NEA Representative Assembly in Washington, D.C.
VEA launches a successful effort to prevent state funding cuts for schools through electronic media, special website, banner ads on news media websites and social media outlets, and billboards in Richmond.
Philip Forgit is named VEA Executive Director, replacing Robert Whitehead.
VEA locals successfully lobby nearly all school divisions to pay 5% of salary contribution to VRS for new employees, after legislature changes law requiring the contribution by new employees.
Adding to its electronic communications strategy, VEA launches a social media page on Facebook, and assists local Associations in the creation of blogs.
VEA defeats efforts by Governor McDonnell to require all school employees to pay 5% of their salary toward retirement and end the long-standing practice (since the 1980s) of the employer paying the 5% for the employees.


text:
Saturday, November 1, 2008
November 1, 2008: 234 Pounds
Sometimes I think I am just being lazy, or making excuses. Which rings back to the Fat Haters post, because frankly, I have been TOLD I was lazy or making excuses the entire time I have been fat. Not by people who know me... people who matter. Not by people who love me. But by strangers who barely know me, or people who have some kind of issue with me to begin with. Ten years ago when I was going up the hell scale on my way to 278 pounds, I was rather newly divorced. My ex-husband had taken our children out for a visit, and they went to a little gift shop on their trip. The kids were still pretty young at the time. They were looking at all the little collector spoons in the gift shop, when their father held up a small silver spoon with a large hole in the center. It was labeled, "Dieter's Spoon." He said to the kids, "hey, we should get this for your mother." My kids told me about it later. I was so embarrassed. I think that was the first time I realized that PEOPLE were really noticing my weight gain. Then there are the strangers who take it upon themselves to advise me how to lose weight, and conclude I am just lazy. I should know better than to take their comments to heart. And I don't, at the time. Even when I have talked to nutritionists in the past, or doctors, they have told me to "just eat less and exercise" and the weight will come off. Well meaning (?) acquaintances always want to point out to me the changes I need to make. "Stop indulging yourself," they say, "stop making excuses and just do it." And while there IS a point to that, it is just not that simple. But it does look like excuses, doesn't it?
Them: Just go out and walk a couple of miles every day.
Me: I can't do that. My knees are shot. I have degenerative arthritis, a torn meniscus, and bone spurs in my knees.
Them: Then swim.
Me: I don't have access to a pool. I tried a free 2-week gym membership but when I swam or did water aerobics, it hurt my knees so badly that I was hobbling around for days.
Them: so get a treadmill.
Me: I have an exercise bike. It's the only exercise my orthopedic surgeon recommends for me. I want to use it more often, but I have a 3-year-old...
Them: So just get someone to watch her.
Me: I don't have anyone to watch her.
Them: that's an excuse. Find someone. You have older kids, let them watch her. Get a relative to do it. Or your husband.
Me: I have no relatives. My husband isn't living with me right now, he is 1000 miles away. My older kids watch her enough already, when I am cooking or cleaning or going to teacher conferences...
Them: then I guess exercising isn't that important to you.
Uh... hmmm. Maybe they are right. I've always said "if you want something bad enough, you'll make it happen. If not, you'll make excuses." But do people really understand the difficulty in just getting in some movement for me? Yeah, I have a 'reason' for not being able to do just about anything you suggest. In my mind they are real. They are barriers. My knee issues are not made up. I am going to need a total knee replacement in both knees! I am pretty limited in what I can do. But then how was I able to hike 1.8 miles up steep terrain this summer, when I can't even walk a mile in the city without being in agony for days afterwards?? I dunno. I don't get it. I already lean on my few reliable friends enough to watch my kids when I am taking one of my children for medical procedures. I don't have anyone to watch her on a daily basis while I bike. When it comes to exercise, it's been "I don't have time, I can't afford it, I have a kid to watch, I am in too much pain, I can't, I can't, I can't!!!"
But I DID. I did it last year. I rode that bike every day. I did it when my husband was watching her (and he is not here now). I did it when she was napping, with a monitor so I could hear her (she doesn't nap anymore). So I barely bike anymore. But even I can see that it is a matter of not wanting it badly enough, because I have yet to try setting up a cool play area for her near my bike, with things to entertain her. I haven't even TRIED to do that! That's why I think, yeah, I am the queen of excuses lately. And even if I "couldn't" bike, I could walk her to the park every day, I could lift weights in the living room while she plays (because I can easily stop between sets to play with her or help her or get her out of mischief). And I could stop eating so many calories, huh? That might help.
I guess my point is, depending on your mindset, you either "can" do it or you "can't"... and no matter what you believe, you're right. If you have bought into the "you are lazy and make excuses" mindset then you will see yourself as fat, lazy, incompetent, unable to fix your life. Is that you? Think about it. It's me, sometimes. But I also know I am strong, and capable, and I want to change. I know I CAN make my life into what I desire. You can too, if you believe in yourself. Shake off the excuses. Yes, we have REASONS it is hard. It really IS hard having bad knees and being in pain and limited in my activity. It IS hard trying to take care of the kids by myself. I can't just hop on the bike at will and ride for however long I want. I have to make an effort and plan it. I wonder sometimes if I can keep this up for the rest of my life... the eating right, the hyper-awareness of my calories, the daily exercising. But all I have is today. All I can do is step out of my comfort zone, throw out the excuses and do what needs to be done TODAY. And let the future take care of itself.
It's a new month. Change your life into what YOU want it to be. No more excuses.
13 comments:
- HollyALP said...
I am the queen of excuses, and its not just on weight control, either. It's funny because I look at it as a way of protecting/taking care of myself, like "I can't handle that right now, I'm not emotionally THERE" and yet it's always a bad choice I'm rationalizing when I do it... Sometimes though it just feels like if I push myself farther than I already get pushed throughout the day, I'll explode or something. I've got to stop seeing exercise as a "push" and start seeing it as a gift to myself. Thank you for your post!
- November 1, 2008 at 9:09 AM
- MizFit said...
sometimes is ISNT SIMPLE AT ALL, huh?
see you soon!
- November 1, 2008 at 9:50 AM
- Lyn said...
Reading your post just makes me want to hug you and I'm not a huggy person. I'm in the same boat as you. I make excuses. I'm done. Thanks for your post today.
- November 1, 2008 at 9:54 AM
- ~TMcGee~ said...
*raises hand* I'm guilty of using excuses....This was a good post, it's very honest and blunt (which is why I'm a big fan of your blog). You know, this has made want to try something. I'm always "too tired to work out in the evening", so...*deep breath* I'm going to commit to 1 week of getting up 30 mins earlier and exercise in the morning. I'm scared I will fail and make excuses but here I am putting it on your comments section to hold myself accountable.
While you may feel like you are failing in escaping from obesity, you are not. Maybe the bricks of your "prison" started to go back up, but you for sure taking them down. Slow and steady wins the race, Lyn...you'll get there!
- November 1, 2008 at 12:55 PM
- Once Upon A Dieter said...
I make a ton of excuses.I also have the bad knees (almost inevitable after 20+ years of obesity, I think) and the other chronic health issues. I'm spending a fortune--no shit, a fortune--because it was get a trainer and do it safely or not do it, pretty much. And I was desperate to feel better. So, there goes a bunch of our savings for me to try and get fit.
I am sick of my own weakness and excuses. I think of I don't turn it around soon, that I may never turn it around at all, which is why I'm still daily keeping at something, even if I'm maintaining . I know that if I let vigilance down, I will regain. I will. It takes NO effort in my part to regain, and every effort to stay put, and a herculean effort to lose.
Baby, you just keep at it. You are still well in the loss category, and you will be there again. It's a hump. You'll get over it.
the Princess
- November 1, 2008 at 2:39 PM
- bbubblyb said...
It sounds like we all know what you are going through. I think for you too you've been through a lot in the past several months and you're just tired and have a lot on your mind. Maybe start thinking about exercise like brushing your teeth, just something you do daily. We all make excuses so don't beat yourself up. I know for me the first thing is awareness which you are. Hang in there you'll make it. *hug*
- November 1, 2008 at 3:12 PM
I am in the same boat. Since 8/11/08 I gained 15 lbs. Of 45. OMG. How does that happen? Two things seem to be happening. First, I legitimately can't seem to lose weight as well. I mean I am on for a few days and I don't see the scale move at all. Not even water! Then there is something wrong with my mind. My mind is broken somehow. Like a lack of faith or mini depression. Making me easier to jump off the diet. I don't know the solution but I am determined to find out. I have been here so many times before, THIS is the challenge. Everyone thinks it is losing weight but this is it.
- November 1, 2008 at 3:22 PM
- Lynne said...
"DO or DO NOT" Yoda.
I too am queen of excuses. I once had someone tell me that unless i treat exercise like a daily shower I would (will) never be thin(ner), and she was absolutely right. Exercise has to be right up there with brushing your teeth. You wouldn't dream of going days without doing it... regardless of how little time you have... It's a stuggle I share with you Lyn, but it doesn't mean we are lazy or anything but REAL people. Thanks for being REAL. Now, go get on your bike!!
- November 1, 2008 at 4:17 PM
I can relate to not being able to lose weight easily, with one pound seemingly taking forever to come off. Sometimes it seems like it will never happen.
But I did want to let you know that lately I have had some success with developing a better exercise habit and wanted to share how I have approached it. My problem was that have sporadically exercised but have not continuously exercised (which seems to be one of the keys both to weight loss and to overall health). I made the choice to pick a time in the day (morning), during the work week (5 days). I decided that in my exercise time, I wasn't going to try to do a specific amount or anything in particular, but I needed to do something. I decided that it was more important to do it continuously than to try to keep to a certain routine. So some days I do 4 minutes of jump-roping. That's it. Some days I do 15 minutes of jump-roping and 30 minutes of pilates. But I don't give myself the excuse of not doing it, and I do it at the same time each day. It has helped me develop the habit, and I know that I can keep it up, since I am not forcing myself to keep to a routine that might not be right for me on a particular day.
It occurred to me to tell you this because I thought developing a routine like this might work for you, given that you might not feel as well on some days as others. Plus I thought that perhaps your little daughter might (in time) might get used to your exercise time as part of her day. Maybe she can get a little bike too and ride around, or it is a time that she gets to watch a cartoon she likes -- and it becomes a little ritual for her too.
Just a thought. Good luck to you!
- November 1, 2008 at 5:10 PM
- moonduster said...
I haven't been letting myself make excuses. I have 6 kids; my younger three are ages 6, 3 and 2. I am over 37 weeks pregnant with my 7th. I have developed SPD which causes excruciating pain in my hip/pelvic area. But I am spending 60 to 80 minutes a day on my elliptical crosstrainer anyway.
And yes, my older kids sometimes help by watching the younger kids for me. What's more important? Their convenience, or me being healthy enough to stick around for them in the years to come?
Other times, I make up a play area for the two youngest to play in safely while I work out.
Yes, it's hard. But is it important to you?
You really can do this!
- November 2, 2008 at 1:04 AM
- earnie said...
Exercise with your kids. Use them as weights to lift. Any place you would use a dumbbell, use a kid instead. Race across the floor on your stomach or on your back with them. Make it fun for your kids to exercise with you. Hula hoop? Sit ups. Lots you can do if you try.
Best of luck.
- November 2, 2008 at 7:48 AM
- Dinah Soar said...
Give yourself some credit Lyn--you are trying to figure it all out--it's a process and it takes time.
You don't have the luxury that a lot of others have--that is alone time to yourself. So you have to be creative.
I'm thinking,that unless your 3 year old has some special problem, she should be learning to play alone, without mommy's ongoing attention. My suggestion is to go into the room with the bike, take her and some of her toys, and shut the door. Tell her that you are going to ride your bike and that she must play alone until you are finished. Then follow through. Let her cry, throw a fit--whatever. Eventually she'll understand you mean it and she will play alone. If your bike is not in a room with a door, then what about putting her in a playpen--although I imagine at her age she'd just crawl out--lol.
If you can walk in your neighborhood and have a stroller, put her in it and go...or do as my friend did--put her in a child carrier that you strap on your back--my friend did this until her child was age 4..the extra weight causes you to burn more calories.
All that being said, I do know it is hard, even with solutions, to work that daily exercise in--I have the same problem. I always find other stuff that needs doing. It's a case of the urgent taking priority over the important. I guess we have to let something go or wait while we put our health first. I'm still learning to do that, and my children are grown and gone and I'm a full-time housewife--and I have a place to walk. I have some minor physical issues, but even when I didn't, it was hard to do the daily walk. Once I got a few days under my belt then I was enthused and continued...but getting going...hard stuff.
As to your gain--it's likely fluid. Almost without fail when I lost the 50 doing WW, I'd always show a gain then a big loss--like 3 pounds. Otherwise it was a measly 1/2 pound loss. So, my guess it that you will drop a good number of pounds soon. You have been doing well with your eating.
If you don't show a good loss, my "wonder" is are you eating enough? I was told that many times at WW, that maybe I didn't lose because I needed to eat more!! Go figure.
You are on the road--still working out the kinks...but you're going to get there!
- November 2, 2008 at 8:13 AM
- Lela said...
Thank you for your encouragement. If you check out my blog (www.lytlelu.blogspot.com) you'll see that my month holds some fitness challenges of it's own! I appreciate knowing I'm not the only one who struggles with "I can" vs. "I can't". It's been a couple months of "I can't", so I guess it's time to turn things around!
- November 2, 2008 at 5:04 PM


text:
Companion Training
Companion training is not about formal sits, stays and heels; rather it's about dogs and their owners communicating and living together in harmony.
Unfortunately, the Club has no current plans to provide training classes in 2011 however if you are willing & able to assist us with providing these then please send us e-mail here.
In the meantime, we refer you to the list of obedience clubs below.
Congratulations to the following dogs & handlers who have achieved the Good Husky Citizen or Good Husky (Puppy) Citizen over the last several years. This certificate is attained by achieving a pass grade in each of 11 tests conducted by the Club, which test for a handler's effective control of their companion dog in a variety of social situations.
Handler: Jennie Lamond
Handler: Brier Gough
Handler: Ian Dobson
Handler: Sandra Schafer
Handlers: Aaron & Amber Davies
Handler: Michelle King
After leading our Companion Training program for the last ten years, Jennie and Ian are taking an extended break following the arrival of their first child this year. The weekly training classes in Donvale have concluded for 2006 and will be replaced by alternative arrangements as from next year.
Thanks for all the wonderful dogs & dedicated owners who have enriched our lives over the last several years. Those who have persevered with training have been rewarded by owning some delightful well-behaved canine companions. Here is a montage of photos from Companion Training, compiled over the last six years (2000-2006); just a few of the many dogs & handlers who have participated in our program.
There are many positive training obedience clubs in Victoria. We have supplied a list of some non-profit clubs below. You might find them more convenient to your location. There are also many private trainers and training clubs, so take to the internet if you can't find one of the below in your local area. www.k9events.com is one of many web sites which supply lists of trainers.
|Bacchus Marsh Obedience club
|Terry or Heidi
|(03) 5369 5178
|Croydon and District Obedience Dog Club Inc.
Puppy pre-school enquiries
|(03) 9723 7194
(03) 9846 5360
|Eastern Suburbs Obedience Dog Club
|Ms Andrea Sciberras
|(03) 9877 1528
|Keilor Obedience Dog Training Centre
|Information & Club rooms
|(03) 9338 1754
|Mornington Obedience Dog Club Inc.
|(03) 5977 5396
|Sherbrooke Obedience Dog Club Inc.
|David Hutson
|(03) 9802 6463
|Helen Weedon
|0417 512 049
|Western Port Obedience Dog Club Inc.
|(03) 9799 9325
|Southside Dog School (Cheltenham)
|Sandy Shepard
|(03) 9557 1300
|Ovens Valley Canine Club (Myrtleford)
|Jenny Judson
|(03) 5756 2271
|Bairnsdale & District Obedience Club Inc.
|Ms Sarah Mlynarz
|(03) 5157 9351
|Murray Valley Obedience Club Inc. (Mildura)
|Mrs G McDermott
|(03) 5025 7337