text:
Town Square
MI -- What can Palo Altans learn from the experience?
Original post made by Alexis Hamilton, El Carmelo School, on Jan 10, 2007
Comments (27)
a resident of College Terrace
on Jan 10, 2007 at 3:22 pm
Think CHARTER SCHOOL!
None of this debacle needed to take place, if such a straightforward approach would have been taken. Don't listen to those who say it isn't possible. It is difficult, but not as difficult as what we just went through. Bullis Charter is now at Egan in Los Altos.
a resident of Duveneck/St. Francis
on Jan 10, 2007 at 3:37 pm
I think John's response kind of sums up why the MI discussion became such a problem. John, you come off as "my way of the highway" here--there's no flexibility here. Did you hear nothing about the practical issues regarding charter schools--i.e. they have to open to everyone, but as a basic-aid district, PAUSD won't be getting money for those students? At a time when PAUSD faces skyrocketing enrollments, that's not going to fly.
The board wasn't saying no to MI on principle, but because it has to put other issues first. So, what are some ways to work within those constraints? Me, I'd start with getting a good summer immersion program set up. The board is open to middle school immersion. If it were me, I'd see if I could get immersion camps for younger kids.
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jan 10, 2007 at 4:33 pm
What have we learned:
1. Sound strategic planning process is the foundation. Not only strategic planning process, but a resulting document that is clear and understandable and can be applied to later decision making.
As part of this we need to take a deeper dive into the benchmark study and see how that can be leveraged to improve our district.
2. Need a K-12 World Language Strategy that is in alignment with an up to date strategic plan.
3. Need to have a transparent funding process. The district needs to work out some policies about how program studies will be funded (if the program deemed to be a good fit to the strategic prioirities, they should be funded by the district.) They need to define requirements for full disclosure. It didn't do any body any good that the donors would not disclose themselves, particularly not helpful to PACE because it just cast more doubt on the process than was necessary.
4. Need a BETTER Choice program guideline document. The document is an outline for a study, but does not really dileneate clear decision making criteria for implementing/expanding choice programs. Some of the 'questions' should be changed to statements to clarify if they are truly requirements, nice to haves, or if they are just guidance for the study team in development of a report.
There needs to be more requirement for data, more opportunity and mechanisms for community feedback/input, more ability to evaluate competing programs together.
5. Need closure not only on the elementary site decisions, but we also need closure on the middle and high school site issues. Great cost implications are lurking.
6. The board needs to grow a backbone on more issues, and not default to aksing for 'more staff study' as a way to avoid or delay a decision. Prolonging this decision for a year (and coming back to some of the exact same issues that were being raised on day one) was SO counterproductive and SO painful for this entire district. A strong strategic plan will HELP guide them in their decision making!
7. Board's job is to help the staff focus on top priorities. The quality of the Staff's work is directly reflective on the board for not doing a good job of priority setting.
7. Need a Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent we can trust. Hopefully we'll have those soon.
a resident of Palo Verde
on Jan 10, 2007 at 4:41 pm
It's kind of funny seeing MI opponents calling MI as "my way or the highway" since that is exactly what the anti-MI crowd was doing -- unless it is FLES for everyone (or immersion for everyone, or whatever for everyone) then it is the highway.
Well, if the MI people have any resources left, I would take the highway, i.e. the charter path. Yes, it is hard and long, but no reason not to allow for more choices in Palo Alto. As to the "open for everyone" anti-charter argument... well, wasn't MI already open for everyone to apply? That was no problem for MI, but didn't satisfy the rest. Now they try to scare MI supporters with it. What a hoot!
But I do wait to hear the whining that charters are talking precious community resources for the benefit of the few, as if those same "few" were not paying their taxes like e everyone else.
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jan 10, 2007 at 5:10 pm
Quite the contrary. I'd love to see MI go the charter path.
I'd love to see them attempt to draw children away from their prized PAUSD education into an experimental start up run by a small few.
I'd love to see PAUSD hand the charter their 'per pupil' spending, and let them create their own Staff, their own Board, fund their own cost over rides, find their own qualified, certified biliterate teachers.
I'd love to see them convince their constituents that attrition is no big deal, that student performance is at or above what they could receive in PAUSD.
I'd love to see them run themselves under the complete transparency and financial disclosure required by the open meeting laws (Brown act., Ed code, etc.)
I will enjoy it, and I'll gladly watch it unfold. Heck, I'll even come to your board meetings and kindergarten parent information nights. If you're open by 2008, I might even sign my dislexic attention disorder, speech impaired, young five kid up for your lottery.
a resident of College Terrace
on Jan 10, 2007 at 5:30 pm
I assume you have been to some Bullis Charter School meetings. Correct?
a resident of Duveneck/St. Francis
on Jan 10, 2007 at 6:02 pm
I didn't call MI "my way or the highway" I said a specific post sounded that way. Those who opposed MI weren't doing it for one reason--there were multiple reasons. There was the FLES crowd; there was the neighborhood schools crowd, there was the no-more-choice-schools crowd. Me, I'm of the why-should-MI-usurp-Ohlone's-own-waitlist? Which makes me a latecomer.
As long as you dismiss rather than deal with the objections to MI, I think MI supporters will fail to persuade the larger PA community.
I think, unfortunately, at this point a lot of damage has been done
a resident of Midtown
on Jan 10, 2007 at 6:12 pm
This following is from the California Department of Education website at: Web Link
"What is the residency requirement for pupils in a charter school?
A pupil must be a resident of California in order to enroll in a charter school. A charter school may not restrict its enrollment on the basis of residency of the pupil's parents within the state. However, for nonclassroom-based charter schools, pupils must be a resident of the county in which the charter is authorized, or of an adjacent county."
This issue was mentioned before - that applicants to charter schools can come from anywhere in the state. Seems like this could be a serious funding issue for a basic aid district.
a resident of Duveneck/St. Francis
on Jan 10, 2007 at 7:07 pm
My point about charter school funding is not to "scare" off MI supporters, just to point out why a charter school's unlikely to get approved in basic-aid PAUSD and why.
a resident of College Terrace
on Jan 10, 2007 at 8:34 pm
I think charter schools are a good approach for choice programs. The charter naysayers are throwing up all sorts of scare tactics.
Have any of you naysayers actually asked the Bullis
Charter School group how they overcame these seemingly impossible hurdles. I can assure you that they did it, and in fairly short order.
If all the energy spent whining about MI were put into forming a choice charter school, this thing might already be hsitory. And there would be smiles all around!
a resident of Duveneck/St. Francis
on Jan 10, 2007 at 9:24 pm
From what I've read, an MI charter school was the first notion of Grace Mah and her PACE colleagues. Apparently, it didn't seem feasible at the time.
As I recall, Bullis charter came about in response to the closing of Los Altos Hills one elementary school. I think the longterm plan is to get it into that former site? Given the furor over the school closing, the Bullis charter school was a relatively easy way out for the Los Altos school board. I also have some vague recollection of someone donating $2 million to get it going.
Why, by the way, do you think I'd need scare tactics? There are just some basic realities--but whatever floats your boat. Seriously.
a resident of College Terrace
on Jan 10, 2007 at 9:46 pm
From the Bullis Charter School website:
"Bullis Charter school is a public K-6th Grade Charter school open to anyone in California with enrollment preferences given to Los Altos School District residents. "
Either Bullis is breaking the law, or there is a clause that allows preference for local kids.
Now, OhlonePar, either "they have to open to everyone" or they have filters for locals. Which is it? I call your statement a scare tactic, unless you clarify the actual legal situation.
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jan 11, 2007 at 12:50 pm
And PAUSD would be compensated for enrollment from non PAUSD residents from the students home school district.
And the fact that students from outside PAUSD could enroll, would make it all that much harder to get in for the PAUSD parents who bear the brunt of the fight... All in all, I see this as a very significant undertaking, very risky, and a not at all likely scenario.
Additionally, the board was already brought, and opposed a charter school for MI, so there would likely be another big, and time consuming battle for PACE. Not that they don't want to fight the battle, but I doubt it would come to fruition IN TIME for some of the biggest most driving supporters of MI (like Grace and Nico) who want the program to start in 2007/2008 (ASAP). Plus, they would face a probability that after refusal by PAUSD board, they still lose in a bid with the county, state, etc. Its a significant risk.
I think its probably a much more likely and feasible scenario that MI supporters would look to a district that needs to attract enrollment (such as Mt. View) to install the MI program in their district, and then get an interdistrict transfer. It would be a much easier road to hoe for the MI supporters, and a much more feasible and likely scenario, and it seems much more reasonable expectation for the MI supporters who would like to get their kids enrolled before its too late.
a resident of Duveneck/St. Francis
on Jan 11, 2007 at 2:16 pm
Bullis didn't start that way--the preference was instituted later and there was quite a bit of flack about it. Note that it's still open.
I think Parent is right by the way--a district that needs to attract students would be more likely to okay MI.
a resident of Midtown
on Jan 11, 2007 at 3:01 pm
Bullis was a public school that converted to a charter school. In this case preferential treatment can be given to the kids within the Bullis school boundary - not all LA district kids, just those in the Bullis boundary, i.e., LAH (this is according to the Dept. of Education website re: charter schools). I doubt there is a scintilla of chance that PAUSD would consider converting one of our current schools into a charter school. But even if something occurred like converting one school, then opening a 13th school, seems like you would only be able to give priority to kids from the converted school's boundary over anyone in the state.
It's a different set of rules for starting a new charter school as opposed to converting an existing public school. For one thing, seems that in this case the school-make-up is more restrictive as stated in the following text:
"In addition, the school's charter must include a description of the school's means for achieving a racial and ethnic balance among its pupils that is reflective of the general population residing in the district." I don't know how this would mesh with the current request that MI be 80:20. Maybe it's a perfect fit, I just don't know.
a resident of Midtown
on Jan 11, 2007 at 3:07 pm
Sorry, I meant 50:50 or whatever the breakdown of Mandarin to English speakers is proposed. I got this confused with the amount of time spoken Mandarin versus English (80:20).
a resident of Duveneck/St. Francis
on Jan 11, 2007 at 5:23 pm
Thanks PA Resident for the explanation.
I think Grace Mah was once quoted as saying that a PACE survey showed that it looked like the interest levels would create about an 80:20 split--East Asian: everybody else. The district, I think, is about 20-27 percent Asian right now? But that includes Indians and other non-Chinese ethnicities.
So, assuming that native Mandarin speakers are of Chinese descent, it sounds like a bit of a balancing act. Maybe it's part of why the original idea for a charter school was dropped.
I could, of course, have all these numbers wrong--it's all off my memory.
a resident of another community
on Jan 11, 2007 at 5:32 pm
How's this from what I take away from reading about this knock-out, drag-out fight over adding one single, relatively small academic program to your school system:
You guys are really screwed up!
a resident of Los Altos Hills
on Jan 12, 2007 at 9:29 pm
If you don't have an accurate quote for the numbers and admit, "I could, of course, have all these numbers wrong--it's all off my memory.", then DON'T CITE THEM. It's irresponsible.
Alternative programs only serve a MINORITY of the student population - whether it's a bigger (Ohlone) or smaller (MI) absolute number. For some parents, it only matters that THEIR children are in an alternative program and don't want to jeopardize their status quo. If choices are going to be offered to students and there is high interest in MI, it deserves the same chance as the other alternative programs currently out there.
a resident of Duveneck/St. Francis
on Jan 12, 2007 at 10:28 pm
My, my, Another Observer, touchy aren't we? Last time I checked this wasn't a peer-reviewed journal. It's a talk forum. I don't assume things are written in stone here, do you?
Your reasoning is flawed. MI has had the same chance as other alternative programs--it was studied and considered. Right now, the board, having balanced it against the district's other priorities, thinks it doesn't make the cut.
I mean if someone wanted a choice program based on the teachings of Islam in the PAUSD do you think it should be instituted just because other choice programs exist?
There's a slippery slope fallacy going on here--some MI proponents think they're somehow *entitled* to a choice program because other ones exist. "They have theirs, I should have mine." Which shows a sort of basic misunderstanding of what public education is.
The MI proponents failed to show two things--that PAUSD would benefit from a fourth choice program (remember, the other choice programs came at a time of declining enrollments, not overcrowding) and that MI wouldn't hurt the neighborhood schools.
Even now, many of the pro-MI crowd treat the rest of us as the enemy--or eveil step-parents depriving you of the latest cool toy. You don't make me feel like you care one iota for the good of the district as a whole.
a resident of JLS Middle School
on Jan 13, 2007 at 6:55 am
PA Resident: "Bullis was a public school that converted to a charter school. In this case preferential treatment can be given to the kids within the Bullis school boundary - not all LA district kids, just those in the Bullis boundary."
This isn't correct. Bullis Charter School was founded by parents who were furious that the Los Altos School District closed Bullis Elementary School, the one remaining public school within Los Altos Hills borders, shortly after passage of a new parcel tax which was strongly endorsed by Hills voters.
Much to the dismay of the founders, however, the new charter school was NOT placed at the former elementary school site, but instead resides in portables on the Egan Junior High School campus in Los Altos.
This eventually led to Hills residents filing a petition with the county to form a K-8 district in Los Altos Hills, creating a costly and time consuming process for affected school districts, including Palo Alto, which stands to lose revenue along with the LAH students.
Bullis Elementary School will reopen in Sept. of 2008 as a public school in the Los Altos School District, due to enrollment demand.
There is a thread with detailed information on this topic at: Web Link
a resident of JLS Middle School
on Jan 13, 2007 at 8:02 am
I also wanted to clarify that Bullis Charter School gives enrollment preference to Los Altos School District students, which includes part of Los Altos Hills.
The BCS website describes the process as follows:
"California Education Code and our charter with the Santa Clara County Office of Education govern the enrollment procedures. Bullis Charter School accepts applications for any student residing in California. If the number of students who wish to attend exceeds the school's capacity, then enrollment is determined by a public random drawing.
If a random drawing is necessary, SCCOE authorized enrollment preferences are applied based on the following hierarchy within each grade level: Siblings of current BCS students that reside within the Los Altos School District have first preference. Other LASD students have the next priority. Siblings of current BCS students that reside out-of-district are given priority after that. Out-of-district students without BCS siblings receive the final priority."
a resident of College Terrace
on Jan 13, 2007 at 1:46 pm
Thanks for the clarification. It is very clear that a charter school that would open in Palo Alto would be filled, overwhelmingly, with Palo Alto kids. The notion that kids from Eureka would be commuting down here each day is a scare tactic.
Charter schools were designed with the activist parents in mind. The MI parents could and should lead the way in PA. Once they are successfual (and they would be), we can demand the same thing of the SI parents.
a resident of Green Acres
on Jan 19, 2007 at 11:34 pm
I heard second-hand info from a Los Altos friend that Bullis Charter School tried to get into PAUSD, and that there was a fair amount of bitterness that they were rejected. Anyone have any more info on that?
I think the original question is wonderful "What can we learn from this experience?"
I think the upside of this debate is that now we have everyone's attention. Time to get everyone involved in a strategic plan, and how to best set priorities and get the most done for the district as soon as possible. The debate has focused a lot of eyes on the district, people who genuinely want the best for the kids and schools here. As long as we do move forward, we could be a much stronger, better district because of having gone through this debate. And we may yet get MI (in some form, even if it means a summer immersion program supplemented by FLES during the year -- at least it seems to me this is the best compromise to get MI soonest with the least amount of controversy).
a resident of Crescent Park
on Jan 20, 2007 at 8:59 am
I have a new awareness of what Dana Tom characterized as this "stressed" school district. Like peeling back the layers of an onion, it seems that each board meeting reveals yet another new factor which must be considered in the process of making decisions which will impact the district's resources, both in terms of it's facilities and finances. I have come to the conclusion that, because we are a basic aid district, we have some real constraints imposed on us and we need to peel back all the layers for inspection before we start down new paths. Some of the issues which have been revealed to me from attending school board meetings are retirement reserves which have not been funded, unrestored pre Measure A cuts, the upcoming facilities update plans, the new Superintendent and Assoc Supt, the expected enrollment increases, the neighborhood school issues, secondary schools quickly heading towards capacity, and many more. I would like to caution against tunnel vision and urge those who can only see that they really, really want to have some foreign language program to give this district a chance. The board needs to get all of the issues on the table, analyze them in the context of our basic aid status and find a way to continue peeling back the layers until they are confident that can see all the way to the center. At that time they can begin to priortize and build a comprehensive strategic plan. Implementing a foreign language plan at that time may or may not make sense. At least we'll have a better chance that the decisions are well informed and well planned.
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jan 20, 2007 at 10:16 am
Andrea, I agree. It would be a shame and a big waste to have the same painful debate, same costly and prolonged wheel spinning, and a failed language experiment, due to lack of appropriate planning and prioritization.
a resident of Green Acres
on Jan 20, 2007 at 5:47 pm
I agree, too, Andrea. Thanks for saying it so well. I think the great thing about this debate is that focusing so much attention on MI has also brought a lot of people to the conclusion that if we want our bells and whistles, we need to attend to this difficult and unglamorous task of building a comprehensive strategic plan. I'll bet if meetings are advertised right, there will be far more hands and voices to help than there would have been, say, two years ago.
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September 17, 2007 (Victoria, BC) — It was a rainy, but successful homecoming for Olympic mountain bike medalist Alison Sydor (Rocky Mountain-Haywood) as she won the 16th annual 100.3 The Q Bastion Square Grand Prix pro women's race by a mere second over Victoria's Steph Roorda.
It took Sydor 53 minutes and 12 seconds to cover the 45-lap course, pacing herself throughout the race for the photo finish win.
Victoria's Jamie Sparling (La-Z-Boy Cycling) led a strong field in the men's pro race. His winning time of 1:09:19 was 29 seconds ahead of Rob Britton who finished in 1:09:48. Sparling led for 45 laps out of the 60 lap race. Tyler Trace was third in 1:10:04 in an exciting sprint finish.
The Grand Prix was the third race of the Times Colonist Cycling Festival, presented by Saunders Subaru.
In the Bear Mountain Hill Climb, presented by Cardinal Law on Friday, Victoria's Marcel Aarden won the grueling 3K climb finishing in 7:47, ahead of Steve Baird (7:57) and Trevor Connor (7:58). Megan Rathwell was the first woman up the hill, finishing in 9:59, ahead of Amy Herlinveaux (10:18) and Sheryl Preston (10:25). This inaugural event attracted 90 competitors.
The top three finishers in the Saturday's Cops for Cancer Oak Bay Criterium were Jamie Sparling, Chris Worsfold and Tyler Trace in the Group A race; while Brad Smith, Andrew McCarney and Graham Cocksedge were the top three in the Group B race. All proceeds of this event went directly to the Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock raising about $5,500 for the campaign.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
2011-12 Season - Bridget ConniffHometown: Downers Grove, Illinois
Position: Midfield
Number: 20
Height: 5-3
High School: Benet Academy
Class: Soph.
Major: Biology/Pre-Occupational TherapyBio:
Bridget Conniff, a second year, plays low defense. Bridget is from Downers Gove, Illinois, where she attended Benet Academy. She has been playing lacrosse for the past six years. Bridget was the captain of Benet Academy's lacrosse team her senior year. Her favorite lacrosse memory is when she tricked coach Tisdale into thinking she dislocated her shoulder on April Fool's day.
Bridget plans on majoring in Biology/Pre-Occupational Therapy. Her dream job after college is to be an FBI agent. Bridget chose Augustana College because she loves the campus and the people here; it feels like home. Her favorite thing about Augie is the people. Bridget is most looking forward to having another great year of lacrosse with a great team. When Bridget isn't playing lacrosse she enjoys having jam sessions with fellow teammate Anna in their room.
An interesting fact you may not know about Bridget is that she is a natural blond. Bridget's favorite food is Digiorno rising curst pizza and her favorite color is pink. If Bridget could have dinner with anyone living or dead she would pick Beyonce. A super power Bridget would like to possess is mind-reading. Bridget's favorite sport to watch during the 2012 London Olympic Games was women's gymnastics. Bridget is scared of spiders and the dark. She is inspired by her mom because she is a superwoman. Bridget is the daughter of Jim and Kate Conniff and sister of Noreen, Clare, and Kevin.


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Sherrington: Unlike Philly, Cowboys haven't quit ... they're just not good enough
If there's but one quality to recommend a season of disappointment and disability and occasional humiliation — meaning we're talking about the Cowboys, of course — it's this:
At least they're not the Eagles, the Cowboys' latest shot at a week of redemption.
Just the other day, Andy Reid, a coach working on borrowed time himself, had to explain why they cut a guy who led them in sacks last year.
Whether you agree with the decision to release Jason Babin and give young guys a shot, it raises the question:
Who quits first in Philly this season, players or management?
Whatever else you might want to say about the Cowboys — and keep it clean, children may be listening — you probably couldn't list a lack of effort. Jason Garrett cites the players' effort every week. They're playing hard, if not particularly well, which reminds of an old story.
A coach watching one of his offensive linemen fold up like a card table in the hands of an opposing tackle summons one of his second-teamers off the bench.
"Son, can you block that tackle?"
"I'll try, coach."
"Go sit back down," the coach says, sighing. "Ol' Bubba's out there tryin'."
On one hand, you could argue that many of these Cowboys, maybe most, are giving it a decent shot. They're simply not good enough.
Certainly that's the case in the offensive line, where only Tyron Smith is what you'd consider a premium player. Except for Doug Free, an original Cowboys bust, the rest weren't even starters where they came from. If history has taught us anything, there's no reason to think the Cowboys can see something in a player that someone else hasn't.
Perhaps no team has underestimated the value of a good offensive lineman more than the Cowboys. Even Garrett was guilty. When the Cowboys decided to rid themselves of an overpaid, underperforming line before last season, it was probably a good idea in theory. But the timing was awful. They didn't have suitable replacements then or now, for that matter.
Still, as bad as the line has been, making Tony Romo's elusiveness all the more critical, it's not all that ails the Cowboys. Not by a long shot.
Even in areas where they have obvious physical talent — wide receiver, defensive end, in the defensive line — they lack the intangibles necessary to win on a consistent basis.
Michael Strahan put it rather succinctly before the Thanksgiving debacle against the Redskins. After listening to pregame comments in which Romo, Jason Witten and DeMarcus Ware pledged to do everything possible to turn around the season, Strahan called out the trio from the TV studio.
Speaking figuratively to the threesome, two of them probable Hall of Famers, he said, "I never feared you."
And if the three best Cowboys still standing hardly scare opponents, who does?
Frankly, I'm not sure they spark much of a ripple in their own locker room.
On a football team, anyway, there had better be teammates who are respected so much as to inspire some level of fear. Fear of letting that player down. A head coach can only do so much, and it's pretty evident by now that Garrett isn't the type to make players too uncomfortable.
Unfortunately, the quality doesn't come naturally to Romo, Witten or Ware, either. Romo's trying. On any given play, you can see him complaining from his backside to a lineman or correcting a receiver full of wanderlust. But the message isn't getting through.
How do we know this to be true? Besides results fairly obvious on the field, consider Romo's quote of the week:
"It's what we do now that matters," he said, referring to the team's meager playoff hopes. "I've tried to instill that with the different guys. I think they understand that. We have to do some things better to change the outcome."
Let me get this straight: Eleven games into the season, and he thinks they understand that?
If a professional football player can't get it through his head that the time to make the playoffs is wasting, and the team's only outspoken player can't even be sure he's driven home the point at last, what hope is there?
At least you can take some consolation in the assurance that the Cowboys will try Sunday. Heaven help them if the Eagles do, too.


text:
You missed it! Avicenna, Richard Carrier, and I had a discussion about doomsday Google+ and youtube. But you can watch it now, at least.
You missed it! Avicenna, Richard Carrier, and I had a discussion about doomsday Google+ and youtube. But you can watch it now, at least.
raven says
I couldn't get excited about this Apocalypse. Bad scheduling, right in the middle of the busy winter holidays.
Besides, this was the fourth one scheduled this year. The xians really should keep it down to 1 or 2 a year. People start losing track if they have more.
Janine: Hallucinating Liar says
I have survived dozens of ends of the world.
I am nigh invulnerable.
sqlrob says
There's a good countdown Here
May or may not work on tablets / phones.
TerranRich, Yet Another Atheist says
@raven: Um… December 21, 2012 had nothing to do with Christianity.
Gregory in Seattle says
@raven – The December 21 apocalypse is the product of New Age "thought" and not Christianity. Although I agree that it would be nice if religious nutters would coordinate.
sqlrob says
Yeah, it does have to with Christianity, just not in the popular view. Warren Jeffs is calling for the end of the world as well.
Reginald Selkirk says
Happy Solstice to all!
Richard Carrier is so awesome, the navy named an entire class of ships after him.
robro says
Terran — True the Mayan calendar thing isn't Christian, but the very idea of an apocalypse is Judeo-Christian, not Mayan. Christians have been working overtime on the apocalypse the last few years with many predictions and promoting politicians bent on greasing the wheels. This one seems to have come more from the New Age, spiritualist types, but some of them are very influenced by Christianity.
Rich Woods says
What's wrong with all these doom-mongers? Can't they just for once get the damn day right?
Usernames are smart says
Christians have been working overtime on the apocalypse
the last few yearsever since they started their religion with many failed predictions and promoting politiciansmountebanks bent on greasing the wheels.
Fixed It For You
RobertL says
The Mayans were right but The Doctor saved us.
Nerd of Redhead, Dances OM Trolls says
The Mayans were right but The Doctor saved us.
Who saved us? (Sorry, the classic A&C sketch).
hypatiasdaughter says
I have done a lot of research on Nibiru/PlanetX/2012 in the last few years and have done a couple of talks on it.
While 2012 wasn't a xtian Doomsday scenario, many average xtians (but not any major xtain leader that I know of) thought it was the expected Apocalypse. I found that every possible Doomsday scenario and every possible Doomsday prophet got rolled into it. Nostradamus, Revelations – you name it – and someone was sure that it was predicting events for Dec 2012.
For nearly 20 years fruitcakes and pseudo-scientists have been predicting doom as the century turned.
REAL scientists have been refuting their false claims.
People (not the people here, who are smarter than this), NOW will you stop listening to the fruitcakes and pseudo-scientists and listen to the REAL scientists? Please? Pretty please?
timgueguen says
There's probably about as much chance of that happening as there is of me hooking up with the girl I had a crush on in high school. In other words, it's theoretically possible, but it would likely take too many difficult changes for it to happen.
John Morales says
Terran — True the Mayan calendar thing isn't Christian, but the very idea of an apocalypse is Judeo-Christian, not Mayan.
Maybe that use of the word has, but eschatological stories have been around in many, many cultures.
(Never heard of Ragnarök? The Sermon of the Seven Suns?)
Ichthyic says
The Mayans were right but The Doctor saved us.
Ichthyic says
^^ fastforward to about 2:30
sqlrob says
Who saved us? (Sorry, the classic A&C sketch).
Yes (sorry, variant on A&C)
Ogvorbis: useless says
Luckily, the End-of-the-Worldists are still batting absolute zero. They are zero for several billion in predicting the end of the world in recorded history (and unrecorded history). This would be funny as hell if the apocalypsists were not using it as an excuse to let the environment, economy, social services go to hell because we will all be gone/saved in another blah blah blah.
shouldbeworking says
Good thing I did my marking.
raven says
@raven: Um… December 21, 2012 had nothing to do with Christianity.
Some of them adopted it anyway. It's not like most of them know much about their religion and they just make it up as they go along.
The Mayans think it is the end of their calendar and the beginning of a new one.
The Apocalypse these days is mostly a xian belief*. A lot of them tacked it onto the Mayan calendar.
Apparently not wondering why jesus needs to use a pagan Mayan calendar. Although the one we use these days, the Julian calendar is also a pagan invention, deriving from the Romans.. To the point where many months are named after Roman gods.
*Very few people are waiting up for Ragnarok.
John Morales says
Although the one we use these days, the Julian calendar is also a pagan invention…
Nope; the current calendar is the Gregorian — due to Pope Gregory in C16.
John Morales says
*Very few people are waiting up for Ragnarok.
As I noted, eschatological thinking is eschatological, no matter what the nomenclature.
(You have Jesus on the brain, when you attribute every foolishness to Christians)
DLC says
Hey, don't knock the End of the World, it had a great marketing tie-in!
Amphiox says
As impressive as their math and astronomy was, the Mayans dated the creation of the earth to around 3000BC.
In other words they were over a thousand years more wrong about it than even Bishop Ussher.
That's hardly a good recommendation for the accuracy of any prediction they made, even if they made any, concerning the end of the world.
(It should be noted, however, that they have in their sets of calendars, units of time that describe periods as long as 60 plus million years. If they believed that the universe was created in 3000 BC, even having such a time unit suggests that they had fair confidence that at least something would be around that would need a time unit to describe, 60 million years from now.)


text:
Review Group Week 208 - 4th ANNIVERSARY FREE4ALL
Hey you! Reader! Want to be a part of the GREATEST COMIC BOOK AND GEEK COMMUNITY on the web?! Well, they're not accepting new members, but we'll take anyone here, so why not sign up for a free acount? It's fast and it's easy, like your mom! Sign up today! Membership spots are limited!*
*Membership spots not really limited!
Hey you! Reader! Want to be a part of the GREATEST COMIC BOOK AND GEEK COMMUNITY on the web?! Well, they're not accepting new members, but we'll take anyone here, so why not sign up for a free acount? It's fast and it's easy, like your mom! Sign up today! Membership spots are limited!*
*Membership spots not really limited!
by Kerny » Tue Feb 09, 2010 6:09 pm
It's probably not to be then, since I'm not that far (about a hour) from where you operate.
by MrBlack » Tue Feb 09, 2010 6:30 pmI guess I should get around to writing my reviews.
by Windom URL » Tue Feb 09, 2010 6:57 pm
Yeah, but did they like being touched like that? I don't think so. Maybe Hit Monkey, but the rest of the books are going to need intensive therapy.
by MrBlack » Tue Feb 09, 2010 9:27 pmThe Great Ten #4
I was intrigued when the Great Ten were first introduced in the pages of 52 a few years back. The concept of a Chinese superhero team raised some very interesting issues: Are they simply tools of the Chinese government? How would they react to their government's treatment of its citizens? It helped that the team members themselves had fantastic names, and fascinating powers. Although DC promised to follow up on these characters after the completion of 52, it was only late last year that the promised miniseries actually surfaced. DC may not have struck while the iron was hot, but they have at least delivered an entertaining series for the handful of fans still interested in the heroes of China.
In this issue, we are introduced to the ironically named Immortal Man in Darkness, a fighter pilot symbiotically bound to the Dragonwing, a sentient aircraft of alien origin. Like the other issues in this miniseries, the Immortal Man's story is told in the course of an invasion by ten beings claiming to be gods from Chinese mythology.
Like his commanding officer, August General in Iron, The Immortal Man is both a loyalist and the recipient of alien technology recovered by the Chinese government. Unlike the General, the tech is not entirely beneficial: each flight in the Dragonwing takes one year off the pilot's life, and there is always a team of pilots at the ready to take over when the current pilot inevitably passes away. We learn all of this through the current pilot of the Dragonwing, Chen, as he takes on Feng Po, the God of Wind, in Shanghai. Chen knows the danger that he is in from piloting the Dragonwing, but is willing to give his life not only for his government, but for the chance to pilot the most amazing aircraft on Earth.
As in the preceding three issues, Tony Bedard does a more than able job pushing the overarching story along while giving us some insight into The Immortal Man as he battles Feng Po. While less time is given to the background of The Immortal Man than was given to the characters in prior issues, that is understandable given the nature of the hero. Chen, like the other pilots of the Dragonwing, was chosen because he has no family and no desires outside of fighting for his government. He knows that his end is coming, and soon, but will continue to fight so long as he goes out piloting the Dragonwing. The art team also does a fine job with this story. Scott McDaniel's stylized art is a good fit for the subject matter, and the coloring team adds a nice rice paper effect to the flashback sequences in the story.
I am glad that DC finally got around to formally introducing us to the Great Ten, and thankful that the story so far has been a good one. This title comes highly recommended.
Story: 8
Art: 9
Overall: 8.5
by MrBlack » Tue Feb 09, 2010 9:28 pmSuperman: World of New Krypton #12
In this final issue, Superman tries to get to the bottom of the conspiracy which has been dogging him since he first became a member of the military guild of New Krypton.
James Robinson and Greg Rucka have been doing an excellent job with the Superman titles, and this, the flagship of the New Krypton storyline, has been no exception. With a planet full of superpowered beings to play with, Robinson and Rucka have shown that it is not his powers that make Superman a hero, but his strength of character. Indeed, Superman spends most of this story without his powers, instead relying on his mind and his friends to uncover the details of the conspiracy threatening New Krypton. Even General Zod seems to come around to Kal El's methods by the end of the issue. Robinson and Rucka manage to wrap up the loose ends they have left scattered throughout the series by issues end, and give a big teaser for the upcoming War of the Supermen storyline on the last page. The art on this issue is solid. Pete Woods and Ron Randall really bring the flora and fauna of New Krypton to life, and Nei Ruffino's colors lend a vibrancy to the locales.
The Superman books have been really excellent over the past year, and this book has led the way. I am sorry to see it go, but I look forward to where Rucka, Robinson, and Sterling Gates will take us in the next year.
Story: 8
Art: 8
Overall: 8
by MrBlack » Tue Feb 09, 2010 9:28 pmBlackest Night Wonder Woman #3
This has been an odd mini. Unlike other Blackest Night minis, this is not its own self-contained story. Each issue takes place during a different portion of Blackest Night, and they read like three independent one-shots rather than a single story. Still, Gail Simone, along with John Ostrander and Greg Rucka, have managed to write three tales which enhance Wonder Woman's role within Blackest Night.
This issue explores Wonder Woman's role as a Star Sapphire, and shows why she was chosen above others to receive the violet ring. Diana finally neutralizes Maxwell Lord, tying this to the first issue in the mini, and then takes on an enraged, and red ring powered, Mera. Like last issue, we are shown that Diana has some unrequited feelings for Bruce Wayne, which is an interesting story detail that I hope will be explored when Bruce returns this year. My only complaint regarding the story is that it is somewhat unclear what Mera's deeply buried secret was that she kept from Arthur. Based on the most recent issue of Blackest Night, it could be the fact that Mera never actually wanted to have children, but Gail could have made that connection more apparent.
Nicola Scott does a brilliant job on art, as always. All of the female characters have a distinct face (often a weakness among male artists), and Wonder Woman's Greek features shine through.
While the other Blackest Night minis have been somewhat forgettable, this one stands out for its strong emphasis on characterization and close ties to the main event book. Recommended if you are a Wonder Woman fan, or if you want a fuller exploration of the events of Blackest Night.
Story: 7
Art: 9
Overall: 8
by MrBlack » Tue Feb 09, 2010 9:28 pmThe Question #37
The books resurrected for Blackest Night have been hit or miss so far. None of them has failed to tell an interesting story, but so far only the Starman book has truly come across as a true sequel to a long ended series, rather than modern tie-in. The Question #37, however, also manages to nail the feel of the series which bears its title.
Dennis O'Neil, with help from Greg Rucka, pretty much nails the feel of his long since cancelled series. All of the characters feel right, and Renee Montoya's solution regarding how to deal with the returned Vic Sage is straight out of the old series. On top of all that, it is an excellent read as well, and unlike some of the other stories dealing with the events of Blackest Night, you can really feel the emotional conflict the characters feel when confronted with a seemingly resurrected friend.
Denys Cowan does a great job on art, managing a nice synthesis between classic and modern layouts and flow. The inks are gritty, but are nonetheless a good fit to the story.
I really enjoyed this. It serves as a nice bookend to the story of Vic Sage, and a worthy addition to O'Neil's prior series. Recommended.
Story: 9
Art: 7.5
Overall: 8.5
by MrBlack » Tue Feb 09, 2010 9:29 pmJustice Society of America Annual #2
Ever since the end of Infinite Crisis, the JSA have been struggling. The Geoff Johns-helmed relaunch was plagued by delays and a general lack of focus, although the actual story was very entertaining. Once Johns left, DC wisely decided to split the overgrown team into two books, but the story leading up to the split was again awkwardly handled. There has been some light at the end of the tunnel though, as the recent issues of Justice Society of America and JSA All-Stars, by Bill Willingham and Matthew Sturges, respectively, have been quite good.
Unfortunately, as soon as the two teams join together for an annual, things fall apart again. This story is the continuation of a plot in the Magog ongoing, as well as the beginning of the end of Magog's membership in the Justice Society. The fact that the story focuses heavily on Magog, one of the worst characters in modern comics, should be a huge warning sign. The story largely hinges on the drastically overused "hero v. hero" cliche, as the larger JSA blames Magog for a prison breakout, and Magog, being the worst character in comics, does not bother to explain his actions. By the end of a huge fight, Magog has confirmed his overall douchiness: his inability to cooperate with anyone leads to the destruction of Haven, and he unrepentently blasts Cyclone when she gets in his way. Oh, there are some bright points to the story: the characterization is strong, and some of the dialogue is clever (I loved Mind Czar), but I just cannot get over the general crappiness of the central character in the story. The art is serviceable, but not spectacular. Tom Derenick's layouts are good enough, but there are few facial expressions besides general scowling, and many of the character poses were somewhat pedestrian.
I have been enjoying Matt Sturges' work on JSA All-Stars, but I cannot give this a recommendation. The story is nothing special, and it is ultimately inconsequential to both the JSA books and the Magog ongoing. Truly, the sooner Magog is gone from the DCU, the better.
Story: 5
Art: 6
Overall: 5.5
by MrBlack » Tue Feb 09, 2010 9:29 pmInvincible Iron Man #23
Heh. I'm glad that the return of Tony Stark as a true hero in the Marvel universe doesn't mean that he's still not a bit of an asshole. The conversation between Maria Hill and Pepper Potts is enough to sell this issue alone. It doesn't hurt that we also get a fuller explanation of the problems plaguing the comatose Tony Stark, as well as the continuing threat to his life by the Ghost (watch out Rhodey!). This definitely feels like a bit of a setup issue before the big climax in #24, but Matt Fraction ably tosses in a few character moments and makes it more than just another rung in the ladder.
Salvador Larroca and Frank D'Armata turned in some fantastic pages on this one. Each character has a distinct and detailed look, the panel layouts are perfect, and the colors really pop. Some of the shading looks a little bit rough, and Maria Hill looks like she has greying hair early in the issue, but these are pretty minor complaints. After reviewing the wildly inconsistent art on some of the DC books this week, it's more clear than ever that one of Marvel's strongpoints is making sure to get top-notch art talent on their flagship books.
I have never been much of an Iron Man fan, but Faction and co. have sucked me in. Great book, and I would highly recommend it. Extra points for a fantastic cover.
Story: 8.5
Art: 9.5
Overall: 9
by MrBlack » Tue Feb 09, 2010 9:29 pmSiege #2
I really have to hand it to Marvel for making Dark Reign such an entertaining event. It is everything that I wanted the lead-up to Secret Invasion to be: a long term meta-event touching every corner of the Marvel universe. With Siege, we are finally seeing the climax to the year-long reordering of the Marvel U, as well as the culmination of an Avengers story Brian Michael Bendis began telling with Avengers: Disassembled.
Things really ramp up in issue #2 of Siege. The heroes begin to mobilize, and we see just how far the villains are willing to go to achieve victory. Norman truly views this as a war, and he is not willing to put on the kid gloves even for his supposed allies. There has been some controversy over the big death in this issue, but I feel that it serves the story. It establishes just how far gone Norman is, and how dangerous his secret weapon can be. It also serves as ample motivation for another character in the story to step up and fulfill his role as a hero. On a technical point, the first two issues of this series have shown that Bendis is not just about decompression. Both of these issues have been packed with story, and it may be some of the best superhero work of his career. Bendis has done a great job of making this feel like a big event comic.
Although I complained a bit about Olivier Coipel's layouts last issue, none of those problems are present here. His panels are dynamic and his storytelling is strong. The big splashes and fight scenes all look fantastic, and although his anatomy could use some work in places (see Captain America's giant thighs and Ms. Marvel's magic hips), it does not take away from the story.
This was a great issue in an event that has been very entertaining so far. I eagerly await issue #3.
Story: 10
Art: 10
Overall: 10
by thefourthman » Tue Feb 09, 2010 10:15 pm
well then turnabout is fairplay, cause I need therapy after reading Hit Monkey.
by SuperginraiX » Tue Feb 09, 2010 10:18 pmTakin' a break.
It's sad that I wasn't able to contribute this week. Maybe only sad for me but you'd think in a week where we're able to review ANY comic I'd get something in!
Anyway, as I mentioned in another thread and financials being what they are, it looks like my comic budget is being cut back immensely. Because of this, I haven't picked up any comics for last week and I'm not planning on going in this week either (maybe on friday when I get paid but then it might be just be to pick up Siege #2 and any related titles so that I can still try to get some Super Reads written.
So, yeah. Another break from the Review Group! It's happened before, it'll probably happen again.
I've been a member of this group on and off from pretty near the beginning. I'm glad to see this group still going strong and look forward to another four years of fun, excitement, and laughing at everyone picking on Punchy.
by Windom URL » Tue Feb 09, 2010 10:38 pmScalped #34
by Jason Aaron & R.M Guera
Ok, I am going to get the easy part of this over with first:
There. And why the hell should I bother writing anything else, since you trade-waiting bastards won't read it anyway for fear I might spoil something for you. Little babies.
Well don't worry, I won't give away anything that might ruin your precious enjoyment. I won't, for example, mention that Diesel is now in a wheelchair after a mysterious shadowy figure in an orange Plymouth Duster runs him down as he's walking along the side of the highway after he and Bad Horse part company. Or I won't give away, for example, anything major like the fact that Carol Ellroy is a twin. Or that her twin is male and breeds alpaca for drug money. After the raindance, Chief Red Crow learns that Dino Poor Bear has broken Lawrence Belcourt out of prison, and the two of them are on the run after hitching a ride with Carol Ellroy's estranged twin.
It was a great read, I love crime fiction that is set on Native American Rezzes because there are so many assorted criminals, drunks, addicts, and slappers there to use in the stories. Needs more teepees, though.
The artwork here is good stuff, very gritty and realistic, which was never more apparent than in the Granny Poor Bear shower scene.
by ****** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 11:06 pmUnless there are any reviews posted between now and when I get back to it in the morning, here are the current counts for reviews posted this week that will be applied to the ladder climbing stuff.
Kerny 3
Dragavon 1
48THRiLLS 5
starlord 6
Jude Terror 2
prozacman 0
Mr_Batman 0
MrBlack 7
SuperginraiX 0
Twigglet 6
doombug 17
Chubbles 4
guitarsmashley 2
amlah6 22
john lewis hawk 0
Old Man 12
thefourthman 20
Chris 0
Fieldy Snuts 1
Frag It 0
Punchy 11
MistaT 0
Daringd 2
Eli Katz 1
Hnutz 0
Rooster Illusion 23
Greg 1
4thy has given his full 20 to Jude
I'm giving 10 of mine to Kerny since he's getting shafted on his pick this week.
I'm giving my remaining 12 to starlord. Anyone who can spend 4 days in the hospital and still come back and review 6 books the same week deserves a bonus.
Are there any other jumps being given away? Speak now or I ignore you later.
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text:
Kershaw, Belisario each allow pair in Dodgers' loss
By Ken Gurnick / MLB.com
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Dylan Axelrod tossed three scoreless innings and outpitched Clayton Kershaw as the White Sox blanked the Dodgers on Saturday, 9-0, in the Cactus League opener for both clubs at Camelback Ranch.
The White Sox scored a run in each of Kershaw's two innings on RBI doubles from Alex Rios and Gordon Beckham. Rios went 2-for-2.
Rios' double bounced just inside first base to score Alejando De Aza from third. De Aza led off the game with a bloop single, took second on Brent Morel's tapper in front of the plate and advanced to third on what was scored an errant pickoff by Kershaw that shortstop Hanley Ramirez apparently lost sight of in the glare.
Beckham's was a two-out liner past third baseman Luis Cruz that scored Alexi Ramirez, who had singled back through the box. Kershaw struck out three without a walk.
Chicago scored two more off Ronald Belisario in the third inning, loading the bases with no outs and scoring on Dayan Viciedo's two-run single that bounced into left field. Tyler Flowers made the lead 5-0 with a home run leading off the fourth inning against Stephen Fife.
Juan Uribe had the first hit for the Dodgers, a line single, and Andre Ethier the first extra-base hit, a triple off left-hander Leyson Septimo.
Up next for Dodgers: Zack Greinke and Hyun-Jin Ryu, the $200 million upgrades to the starting rotation, make their Dodgers exhibition debut Sunday against the White Sox, at noon PT on Gameday Audio. Greinke will start and is expected to go two innings, followed by Ryu, who more likely will pitch only one inning. Although the Dodgers have eight starting pitchers in camp with guaranteed salaries, Greinke and Ryu are already slotted into the rotation behind Opening Day starter Clayton Kershaw. While Greinke is a proven Major League star, curiosity surrounds Ryu, who was the best pitcher in Korea.
Up next for White Sox: With frontline starting pitchers not scheduled to start until Chris Sale takes the mound on March 1, some of the younger hurlers are getting a first-week look. Erik Johnson gets the call Sunday at 2:05 p.m. CT on Gameday Audio in a rematch against the Dodgers, with Zack Greinke on the mound for Los Angeles. Jeff Keppinger is scheduled to make his White Sox debut, starting in the designated hitter's spot.
Ken Gurnick is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text:
This invaluable technical manual CD includes all needed instructions to maintain and service your equipment using detailed diagrams and manufacturers specifications.
Navigation is simple with convenient chapter bookmarks and ability to search by keyword. Print out entire manuals or just what you'll be working on!
The manual details how to maintain, repair and replace all assemblies and following core components:


text:
Andrea Di Robilant
Photo: © Pamela Berry
About the Author
Andrea di Robilant was born in Italy and educated at Columbia University, where he specialized in international affairs. He is the author of two previous books, A Venetian Affair and Lucia: A Venetian Life in the Age of Napoleon. He currently lives in Rome with his wife and two sons.


text:
Panel Will Examine Ways to Enhance Educational Standards for CFP® Professionals
WASHINGTON, DC – May 7, 2008 – Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board), the non-profit certifying and standards-setting organization that oversees more than 57,000 financial professionals holding the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification, has formed a new advisory group, the Council on Education, to establish and enforce educational standards for enhancing the knowledge, skills and abilities of current and potential CFP® certificants.
Council members will develop and clarify all educational policies of the CFP® Certification process – areas ranging from: Registered Programs, Model Curriculum, Continuing Education Sponsors, Continuing Education Requirements, Review Course Providers, and the implementation of an education program Peer Review Process. The Council will submit any recommendations for change to CFP Board staff.
"Our efforts are designed to bolster CFP Board's mission to benefit the public by granting the CFP® certification and upholding it as the recognized standard of excellence for personal financial planning. Since education is one of the four cornerstones of the certification process, we intend to provide an unshakeable foundation for CFP® certificants to apply their financial planning knowledge most effectively to their clients' ever-changing financial situations," said Dr. Ivan C. Roten, CFP®, Council Chair and Associate Professor in the Department of Finance, Banking and Insurance at Appalachian State University as well as the university's Director of the Financial Planning Center.
"Our educational standards must be periodically reviewed in order to properly reflect the financial world in which our certificants practice," said Kevin R. Keller, CEO of CFP Board. "Our goal in creating the Council is to reaffirm our commitment to benefit the public by providing the most exacting educational standards in personal financial planning. We applaud the Council members for their dedication to advancing that goal."
The Council represents a cross-section of the profession, and includes members from educational institutions, CFP® certificants and the public. In addition to Dr. Roten, Council members are: Jacqueline Callahan, Dr. Morris Fiddler, Kacy Gott, CFP®, Mark H. Kordes, CFP®, Carolyn J. Lee, CFP®, Dr. Rosilyn H. Overton, CFP®, and Dr. Walt Woerheide, CFP®. Council members will serve three-year terms.
The mission of Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. is to benefit the public by granting the CFP® certification and upholding it as the recognized standard of excellence for personal financial planning. CFP Board owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements. CFP Board currently authorizes more than 57,000 individuals to use these marks in the United States.
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CFP® - The Recognized Standard of Excellence in Personal Financial Planning
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CFP Board
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text:
Fourth-quarter revenue of $2.9 billion was down 2% from the comparable quarter in 2011. CSX's operating ratio increased 60 basis points to 72.1% in the fourth-quarter, but for the full year, the operating ratio improved 30 basis points to 70.6%, CSX said.
For both the fourth quarter and the full year, the earnings-per-share performances reflected shares repurchased in 2012, CSX noted.
"CSX continues to demonstrate the underlying strength of its business model, the ability to respond quickly to significant events in the marketplace, and a steadfast focus on creating substantial shareholder value over the long term," said CSX Chairman, President, and CEO Michael J. Ward.


text:
This is Lew Margolis.
It is the quiet calm of summer on a college campus, but the quiet this year seems heightened by anticipation of the report by Investigator Kenneth Wainstein on the unresolved athletic scandals at UNC. Further, the NCAA, that stalwart institution of educational and athletic integrity, is re-opening its investigation of the UNC athletic scandals, although we have heard little during the quiet of summer. Two questions come to mind.
First, what good is the NCAA? By any measure, more than enough fodder has emerged to warrant investigation by an athletics oversight body. The purpose of the NCAA is, in its words, "to govern competition in a fair, safe, equitable and sportsmanlike manner, and to integrate intercollegiate athletics into higher education so that the educational experience of the student-athlete is paramount." More than enough academic compromise has been exposed at UNC—threats to fairness and sportsmanship — to think that the NCAA might be curious or even motivated to act long before Rashad McCants provocatively spoke out about his stunning academic record or Julius Nyang'oro agreed to testify about his role in return for having felony charges dropped. As a recent U.S. Senate hearing has suggested, perhaps the real purpose of the NCAA is something other than fairness and a paramount educational experience for students who play big-time college revenue sports.
Second, why continue to muck around in the past? I know that many are angered by the often repeated recitation of past events by the News and Observer, like the chorus in a Greek tragedy, each time a new piece of the scandal is revealed. I think repeating the narrative serves a vital purpose. The athletics scandal at UNC and those as yet undisclosed athletics scandals at our sister schools are so stunning, so at odds with what universities should be doing, that the recitation of facts is a kind of scholarly cold water in the face, forcing us to re-think and re-examine how we allowed ourselves to get into this predicament. Looking at the facts this way and that, again and again, may help us to diagnose the problem in order to design appropriate therapy. A doctor has said treatment without diagnosis is malpractice. Perhaps Kenneth Wainstein will finally lead us to a diagnosis of what the disease is at Carolina. Sadly, however, even if we arrive at a diagnosis for Carolina, the virus of the corruption of big-time sports or the bacteria that has caused so many universities to compromise their missions for big-time sports is still raging in the population.
To those troubled by the media's unwillingness to let the past be the past, I remind you of William Faulkner's wisdom in Requiem for a Nun:
"The past is never dead. It's not even past."


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All this talk of what the airlines are charging for the details, got me thinking about my lil detail, North. He loves being included in my life – and lets me know when he doesn't feel that way – but, boy, can the price of plane tickets get us down! When looking into a summer trip with my pooch this week, I realized a very shocking (and troubling) fact: JetBlue has doubled the price of a cabin pet from $50 to $100. I spoke with a representative from the airline's corporate communications department who shared some information on this change. Learn what I found out when you
On May 1, 2008, the nonrefundable fee for a high-flying pet became $100 each way. This airline still only allows small pets – weighing up to 20 pounds inside a carrier – to travel under the seat counting as your "personal item." The price change was part of an effort to combat the continual rise in the cost of operation – I was told that a lot of thought was put into this decision, and it could be considered a last resort as the industry is encountering a unique environment because of the price of fuel these days.
The news hits pretty hard, especially considering this airline is known for having some of the lowest one-way fares around – $100 each way could very well put your pet's ticket cost over that of your own! I can definitely understand bringing a doggie or kitty onboard for a big holiday or important trip, but this price point makes it often cheaper and easier to keep pets grounded at a fab boarding facility instead. What do you think? Share your opinions in the comments below.


text:
Reese Witherspoon With Brown Hair in Nashville
Reese Debuts Brown Hair During a Nashville Outing With Tennessee and Jim
Reese Witherspoon spent the weekend in Nashville, TN, with her family. On Saturday, she and her husband, Jim Toth, took their 6-month-old son, Tennessee, who was sporting longer locks, out to lunch. Reese also showed off dark brown hair during the daytime excursion — what do you think of her new look? She's been brunette before, for her role in 2005's Walk the Line, and this time the change is for her character in The Good Lie.
Reese popped up in her hometown for Easter weekend after a busy month of travels that took her to Mexico not just once, but two times. First, Reese met up with Cameron Diaz and Drew Barrymore for bikini boot camp in Tulum, and just weeks later she was south of the border again to celebrate her 37th birthday with Jim.


text:
Kia Performance Challenge Sweepstakes
Win a shot at a brand new Kia Optima Limited!
Here's your chance to win a pair of tickets to a Celtics game and have a chance to shoot for a brand new Kia Optima Limited right on the famed parquet! Complete the entry form below for your chance to win. At six (6) home games this season each selected winner will win two tickets to the game and will have the opportunity to shoot a halfcourt shot during the game. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter, hold a valid driver's license and live within 75-mile air radius of Boston. Read official rules for complete details.
Kia is the Official Automotive Partner of the Boston Celtics.


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Mikal Winn
Silver Mesh Silver Cuff Braceletwin-c144c
With a nod to the 1980's and its bold, post-disco style, this Mikal Winn cuff bracelet exudes a bold, edgy and so-wearable style. A strip of circular links creates a mesh which loosely fits across the top of the wide brass cuff bracelet. A textured, molten frame of sterling silver holds the mesh in place while also letting it move to create a fluid, slinky affect. Alone or added to a stacked bracelet collection, it possesses a fun, playful and casual look.
interior dimensions : 2 1/4" x 1 5/8" : brass
total height : 1 1/4" : silver plated mesh
no clasp; slips over wrist
interior dimensions : 2 1/4" x 1 5/8" : brass
total height : 1 1/4" : silver plated mesh
no clasp; slips over wrist
CALIFORNIA - Fusing creativity and his love for interesting, edgy objects and design, Mikal Winn has created a jewelry collection which mixed metals, natural materials and a bold, urban and playfully casual style. Hand-made in his dusty desert 29 Palms California studio, each piece is an eclectic combination of metals, stones and gems. "I loved the Indiana Jones movies as a kid, those gleaming chests of gold and gems seemed so exotic and really inspired me."


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Just finished playing Seaside and it kicked my ass. I'm a 14 handicap - let's just say I stopped keeping score by the 14th hole.
I've heard of that place...lots of women on the boardwalk, If was you I'd try and get bout two or three bad bad at the same dang time.
The wife caught me trying to take one pic of a tasty milf. :o
"I told the guys on my Jets site I'd take a picture of a hot chick."
"So what, you think she's pretty?"
"If I say yes, will this conversation be over?"
"Then no."
"Nice try. Please tell me you haven't done this before."
"I swear I haven't." (explanation of jury duty and training class pics)
"That's pathetic. Good thing these weirdos are just online friends."
"Well. There's this...meet-up idea-"
"No, no and no."
"I haven't said anything yet!"
"You're going to meet these people?? In person??"
"No, we're all going to Skype shirtless."
"Not funny. What if some of them are psychos?"
"There's really no doubt that."
"You're not going."
"It probably won't even happen."
"You're not going."
"Fine. When do you want to get lunch?"
"I'm not done laying in the sun yet. Why don't you ask your girlfriend."


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Woo Thread 2!
Thanks, Sarah I'll keep looking for drinks, once we decide more about the theme I should have more luck lol.
I think the poll was my idea as well and Emmaline said she'd put it up on the website... Hopefully it should clear things up a bit!
Talking of jobs and promotions, how do we get promoted? Is it all through questions, and how many do we have to answer? I can't remember if it was posted or not, but I don't think I heard about it if it was.


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In this edition of the All-In Podcast Jeff and Eunice welcome outgoing Chicago Fire Communications intern Dan Farmer to discuss Sunday's 3-1 win over Philadelphia, the absence of Logan Pause and the international roundup for Fire players that played for their country this week. Then Arne Friedrich stops by to talk how he's adjusted to Chicago, why the German national team is so good and how I-55 is different than the autobahn.
Join Chicago Fire Team Writer Jeff Crandall as he goes ALL-IN with Chicago Fire players, staff and others to talk about the goings on of the club and the soccer world.
Submit your questions for guests to email@example.com and be sure to subscribe to the All-In Podcast on iTunes.


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Just days after miscarrying, singer Lily Allen was hospitalized Friday night with a blood condition that could possibly prove fatal.
The Daily Mail of London reports that after losing the child she was expecting with boyfriend Sam Cooper, the British singer was recovering at her home in Gloucestershire when she was rushed to the hospital. She was diagnosed with septicemia, a bacterial infection that poisons the bloodstream.
Hours before she was hospitalized, Allen had thanked her fans on Twitter for their support, saying, "Thank you for all your kind messages."
Sadly, this isn't Allen's first miscarriage. The pop darling suffered another loss in 2008 when she was dating Chemical Brothers DJ Ed Simons.
According to The Daily Mail, there are approximately 300,000 reported cases of septicemia annually, with up to 15,000 becoming fatal.
"Everyone is extremely concerned," said her spokesperson on Saturday, though friends and family remain optimistic. "She is responding well to treatment and her condition continues to improve."
Selected Reading: Daily Mail, People, Twitter


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SOUTH JAMAICA, NY - The Playaz Seniors faced off against the Panthers in the finals of the 2011 iS8/Nike Fall Tip-off Classic. They didn't have a deep bench, but they didn't need one as Kyle Anderson led the charge to the coveted tournament championship as the Playaz held off a late rally to win 81-75.
The game started off hot, with both teams making plays and putting the ball through the basket. Melvin Johnson of the Panthers was one of those players, scorching the net from behind the arc with four long distance baskets in the first half, three in the first period alone.
On the other side, the 6-7 Anderson did what he usually does, play the game at his speed and put on a show. He did a little bit of everything, including setting up his teammates at just the right moment for easy baskets. One of those things was getting the ball inside to Tony Parker, one of the top big man recruits in the country.
Parker was a man amongst boys in the first half, using an array of low post moves to score at will. It seemed as if every time he got the ball it was going in. Parker's play was categorized by announcer Hassan Jennings as "child abuse". He is being recruited by the likes of UCLA, Duke and Ohio State. There wasn't really anyone able to hold the 6-9 Parker because the player who matched up with him physically, Laimonas Chatkevicius, was on the bench with 2 fouls. Parker led the Playaz with 11 points in the first half. He finished with 20 points in the game.
The halftime score was 37-34 with Playaz on top. During the intermission, it was announced that Anderson was the Player of the Year for the tournament. It was the second time the senior has earned the honor. The only other player who won that honor twice was Ron Artest. Does that mean that Anderson is going to follow in his footsteps and play in the NBA? Time will tell, but in the second half Anderson showed just how good he is.
Early in the third quarter, with the Playaz holding a slim 40-39 lead over the Panthers. Anderson showed off his scoring ability with two midrange jumpers, hitting the second one while getting fouled, and ignited a scoring burst that eventually stretched the lead to 14. It appeared that the Playaz had taken control of the game and were prepared to coast the rest of the way.
However, the Panthers finally got their game together in the fourth quarter behind the efforts of Johnson and Malik Nichols. After a layup by Myles Davis put the Playaz up 65-51, the Panthers went on a 13-5 run to cut the lead to six. With about 3 minutes left in the game, Nichols blocked a layup attempt and started a possession that ended with Johnson scoring a layup of his own and giving the Panthers hope that they could come all the way back.
That enthusiasm was short-lived when the UCLA bound Anderson made a beautiful one-handed pass to Parker for a score. He followed that up when he found Davis (17 points), the sharpshooter who will be playing for Xavier next season, all by himself in the right corner for an easy three. After splitting a pair of free throws, the Playaz six point lead ballooned to 12. That was the nail in the coffin for the Panthers because there was too much to overcome and not enough time to do it.
Anderson finished with 22 points, which was the high total for his team, but did most of his damage handling the ball and finding his teammates for assists.
Johnson, who will be playing college ball at the University of Miami, had a game high 23 points. He didn't hit another three-pointer in the second half, most likely because Playaz immediately ran two people at him when he caught the ball. Nichols finished with 15, while St. Johns recruit Amir Garrett added 12.
Anderson can come back and win an unprecedented 3rd Player of the Year award in the spring. I wouldn't bet against him because it seems like he can do whatever he wants to do on the court. That's one of the reasons why the Playaz seniors were able to take home those one of those gaudy 6-foot trophies that all IS8 champions get.
Click Here to view this Link.


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The City has meeting rooms of all sizes for all occassions, from small family birthday parties at Pantera Park, business meetings at Heritage Park, to large weddings at the Diamond Bar Center.
Diamond Bar CenterFeatures meeting and activity rooms, and banquet facilities for parties of up to 438 persons or up to 1000 people for meetings.
Contact Information909.839.7065
Heritage Park Community CenterAccommodates groups from 25 to 110 for dining and up to 200 people for theater-style seating. To make your planning easier, tables, chairs, and a full catering kitchen are all included as part of the facility rental.
Contact information909.839.7065Reservation office located at the Diamond Bar Center
Pantera Park Activity RoomAccommodates groups up to 50. For your convenience, tables and chairs are included as part of the rental.
Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.
They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below.


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Claims that children killed at Salvo home
Police should reopen an investigation to look for the bodies of children who allegedly disappeared after being badly beaten at a Salvation Army children's home in Melbourne decades ago, an abuse survivor says.
Brian Cherrie has told a parliamentary inquiry that claims children were murdered at the Bayswater boys' home in eastern Melbourne should be investigated more thoroughly using the latest investigation techniques.
"The homicide squad was at the Bayswater home approximately two years ago and they dug holes with a backhoe. They were looking for bodies, they didn't find anything," he told the inquiry on Monday.
But Mr Cherrie said the homicide investigation had been closed despite numerous claims children were beaten badly and never seen again.
"They relied on the memories from decades ago of various people," he said.
"I'm not convinced these investigations have been exhausted and they should be.
"There are more modern ways the police forces can look for bodies, like by ground thermal imaging and cadaver dogs."
Mr Cherrie said a list of names of children who allegedly disappeared had been handed to the secretariat of the Family and Community Development Committee, which is conducting the inquiry.
He said it would not be hard to find out whether any had disappeared.
"They would not have signed off their wardships," he said.
"Most of them were state wards. If there's one name that doesn't come up in bank records or tax records or whatever, you know they've vanished.
"People are quite ardent that kids were beaten that bad and never seen again, it should be followed through.
"I don't believe these things have been followed through fully.
"I really don't have confidence in that."
Mr Cherrie said the Victorian government and the Department of Human Services (DHS) had hidden abuse and deaths in custody for decades.
He said the DHS would know how many children vanished from institutions but some of its records had been destroyed. Its remaining records should be handed over to state archives, he added.
The committee should also compel DHS to research how many disappearances had been reported to police and the coroner, he said.
Mr Cherrie was 10 and 11 when he was raped over two years by the person in charge of his care at the Salvation Army boys' home in Box Hill.
He said he recently received a $13,000 settlement from the government after legal costs, following a class action involving 33 former state wards and the Salvation Army's Bayswater and Box Hill homes.
"I was told if I didn't accept this amount that I would be responsible for the other 32 claimants not getting anything," he said.
He added that many who endured the same abuse had received no payment from the state government because they could not remember the names of the perpetrators, even though the Salvation Army had paid them out.
The inquiry into religious and non-governmental organisations' handling of sex abuse against children resumes on February 15 in Geelong.
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Adrian Baker has seen his recruitment take off in recent weeks but the Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna cornerback said he's still seriously interested in Boston College.
The Eagles were the first offer for the 6-foot-1, 168-pound prospect and he said he appreciates that they took a shot on him when every other school was holding back.
"They have a good chance," Baker said of Boston College. "Every school that has offered me has a chance. I really appreciate them offering me to give me a free education and to make me a better football player.
"BC they're up there and they're in my top five right now. It's important to me that they offered me first. That means a lot. They liked me and they didn't care I didn't have any other offers at the time. I appreciate that. They were the first ones to pull the trigger so that means a lot."
Baker now lists offers from Boston College, Florida, Florida State, Louisville, NC State, Purdue and West Virginia. The South Florida prospect said he plans to still take all his official visits before making a decision and that he's been stunned by all the recent attention.
"BC was the first to offer me and then Florida kind of shocked me," Baker said. "I had only received three pieces of mail from Florida and then they just offered me. After Florida, they just pretty much started coming in after that.
"My plan is to go through spring and then after spring I should have a good idea on who's interested and who's going to offer. After that, I'm going to narrow it down to a top five in the summer and then I'm going to take my official visits."
Trips are important to Baker, who said he doesn't want to make a commitment without seeing the school. That's why it's expected his recruitment will continue on for many months.
"I don't want to commit to four years of my life to a place I've never seen," Baker said. "I want to see where I'll be for the next few years of my life before I make any decisions or commitments."
Try our 7-day free trial now, just CLICK HERE to start getting the inside scoop on the Eagles and becoming a part of the biggest online community for Boston College sports.


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Renesmee's life, and point of view of being a vampire....
The survivors
- by LV Snelson
- Rating:
- Published: 20 Feb 2014
- Updated: 20 Feb 2014
- Status: Complete
A group called 'The survivors', struggle to survive the next phase of human evolution. Luke struggles to gather allies once he discovers he has powers, as well as the chosen one. Unfortunately, the person he needs to find was already murdered by a powerful enemy, Jacob. The Survivors find themselves in a war between humans and themselves, but it's not the end- this is just the beginning.
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November 27, 2012 - submitted by Ed, United States of America
Q. Would you ever consider having a contest for different bands to get the chance to open for Coldplay?
The Oracle replies:
We actually did do something like this a few years ago. It was U.S based and in conjunction with radio stations. There were some good entries but not sure that we'd repeat it - though who knows? Never say never.


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So who was saying that Ravi Jadeja's no good?
Jadeja's my overseas for Glamorgan in my save
Hes averaging 55 with the bat in FC and just over 20 with the ball after 4 FC matches for me this season; hes almost the most expensive overseas player in the game but been worth the price so far.
This game can be so demoralising.
I've never won a Test series in India, but I thought the team I was taking there in my NZ game had the best chance of doing it.
I so nearly won the first Test. I had the upper hand throughout the match, set them 425 to win, and had them nine down for 310 at stumps on the fifth day. Dravid ended up 55* from 222 balls.
That was hugely disappointing, but I thought that since I went so close in the first match, surely I had a good chance of getting the job done in the second and final Test.
The match was even through the first three days, with India taking a small first innings lead. But then Tendulkar slammed 170*, and suddenly I was chasing over 300 to win. Their spinners tore me to shreds, and I was all out for 149.
I've had some heartbreakingly narrow defeats, but this thrashing hurts just as much. To go so close to taking an unassailable 1-0 series lead in the first Test, and then to lose the series...ugh. Might take a break from ICC for a while.
That sounds awful!
I had another tough loss in the first ODI - I was chasing 281, and I collapsed to 62-5. But then Oram blasted a 90-ball 138*. In the end, I lost my last wicket to the last ball of the 50th over - all out for 277.
I'll post a few of the screenshots I've been saving with my Somerset team over the next few days.
1 - The most expensive English player (i.e. non-contracted) I can remember seeing on any version, though Leicestershire were happy enough to pay $134,500 for him.
2 - 6 sixes in a FC innings for Kieswetter, a massive change from older versions of the game where you'd really struggle for sixes.
3 - 671 runs for James Taylor for one dismissal to begin a season, not exactly a bad way to begin the year.
Cutting it fine.
Want to be the online Don Bradman or Ian Salisbury?
Then join CW Cricket today. It's what all the cool kids desire.
RIP Craig Walsh (Craig) 1985-2012
RIP Hughesy 1988-2014
NZ are ridiculous in my Bangladesh game, have a 8-10 of Oram, Franklin, Vettori.
Had my best chance of winning a Test against them though, bowled them out for ~220, made 250 myself. NZ then made ~260 so I needed 230 with just over a day left to play.
20/0 at Stumps on day 4. Lost an hour and a half on the morning of Day 5, so had a little over two sessions to make ~200.... I managed to collapse in typical Bangladeshi fashion and lose by 40 runs with half hour left of play.
Wasn't expecting to win this, since we were 8-158 in the first dig before Macca saved us with his 70 (batting at No.7).
President of SKAS - Kat is King | Proud member of CVAAS - One of the best | LRPLTAS - Rosco rocks!
Go Tigers!
R.I.P. Fardin & Craig
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April 5, 2013
Here is the latest edition of Week In Review - a series of weekly messages from the Mayor and City Council to help Richardson residents and businesses keep up to date on events at City Hall.
City Council Seeks Public Support for Cotton Belt Rail Project
The Richardson City Council is asking for community support in notifying state legislators of the importance of the Cotton Belt Rail Line. The Cotton Belt Rail Line is a proposed 62-mile commuter rail corridor spanning from Richardson to Fort Worth. The connection would include stops at the Bush Turnpike Station and the University of Texas at Dallas in Richardson, D/FW International Airport, Fort Worth, Addison, Grapevine and other Metroplex cities.
While Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) owns most of the corridor and includes the Cotton Belt Line in its long-range plans, because of other capital obligations the agency does not expect to be able to build the project for at least the next 25 years. However, a private developer has approached regional transportation officials with a proposal that would allow construction of the line to occur within the next few years.
To accelerate development of the rail line, legislation is needed to create a Special District that would be able to finance its construction. The Richardson City Council has made passage of such legislation a priority for this year's session. The public-private partnership envisioned would use revenue from this Special District to build, maintain and operate the Cotton Belt Rail Line.
Senate Bill 1333 is currently under consideration by the Texas Legislature. Input from the public is needed to demonstrate community support for the project. A sample letter of support has been created for people to send to state legislators. You can go to www.cor.net/CottonBelt to find a copy of the letter and more information.
Trash Bash is Tomorrow
Richardson residents will come together Saturday to beautify the city by picking up trash and recyclable items at parks and other public spaces at the annual Trash Bash. The event will also include electronics and plastic grocery bag recycling and document shredding. New events this year include a book drive sponsored by the Friends of the Library, a clothing drive to benefit NETWORK of Community Ministries and free compost. These services will be available starting at 9 a.m. at the City Hall/Civic Center parking lot.
The City will host an after-party from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Civic Center that will feature an environmental education fair, refreshments, free plants, door prizes, Richie the Recycling Duck, Styrofoam recycling and free recycling bags courtesy of the Richardson Environmental Action League. There will be an activity area for children and families near the City Hall fountain and the area will also feature adoptable animals and pet registration from the Richardson Animal Shelter, City and DART vehicles on display, and recycle bales.
For more information and for a larger map of Trash Bash activities, visit www.cor.net/trashbash or click the map below.
Council Discusses Central Expressway/US-75 Vision Statement Guiding Principles
The City Council on Monday discussed updates to a vision statement draft for the US-75 corridor to present to the Texas Department of Transportation as it conducts a study on the corridor from I-635 to SH 121. The study is expected to be complete in September 2015, with several major milestones in 2014.
The Council identified the following seven guiding principles that Richardson supports for future development of the corridor:
At the work session, the City Council requested the importance of DART and its proximity to the corridor also be included in the vision statement.
Read the draft version of the statement at http://bit.ly/10uWGfQ. Watch the City Council work session presentation at http://bit.ly/11rACEs.
Texas Water Development Board Presentation
The City Council heard a presentation at its work session Monday on the long-term water needs of the state and region and steps the Texas Water Development Board and state legislature are taking to address them. Water levels are low throughout most of the state, which is forecasted to have another dry summer in 2013.
The Texas Water Development Board creates a plan every five years to address the state's water supply issue as its population continues to grow. The 2012 plan calls for $53 billion in projects through 2060 to increase the water supply, including the development of 26 new reservoirs, mostly in East Texas. The plan also calls for increased conservation and reuse efforts to increase the available supply by 34 percent.
The State of Texas is considering the use of money from its rainy day fund to pay for some of the projects. Funding options include using a bonding authority created by a 2011 constitutional amendment that allows the state to borrow up to $6 billion at a low interest rate and lend that money to smaller entities who would otherwise pay a higher interest rate. Richardson has the highest rating from the nation's top credit rating agencies, however, and would not likely benefit from the program for its water supply projects.
Watch the City Council presentation at http://bit.ly/12bZHG3. Read the Texas Water Development Board's 2012 plan at http://bit.ly/10vErpl.
April Edition of "Richardson Today" Has Been Mailed
The April edition of Richardson Today began arriving in mailboxes this week. The latest edition focuses on the Month of Volunteerism and includes stories on service opportunities, the Cottonwood Art Festival and Trash Bash.
Richardson Today is mailed to every residence in the city and is also available at Huffhines Recreation Center, the Senior Center, City Hall and the Richardson Public Library. A Richardson Today interactive edition, which includes links to CITV videos, is also accessible through the link below. Ask your local mail carrier if you live in the city and do not receive your copy of Richardson Today.
Click the link below to read the latest edition of Richardson Today, as well as archived editions: http://bit.ly/115dA8L.
"Elton and Me" Contest Entries Due April 12
The City of Richardson has announced a contest to find a singer to perform the 1976 hit song "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" alongside the Elton John tribute act, Rocket Man, at Wildflower! Richardson's Arts & Music Festival, set for May 17 to 19 at Galatyn Park. People who wish to enter the "Elton and Kiki Dee? Why Not Elton and Me?" contest are asked to submit a video or link of their rendition of "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" to firstname.lastname@example.com or mail it to Wildflower! Elton and Me, 2100 E. Campbell Rd., Ste. 100, Richardson, Texas 75081.
All applicants must be older than 16 years of age and submit an application along with the recorded performance. Entries must be received by April 12. Contestants must sing a solo or duet of any portion of "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" in a clip that is up to 1.5 minutes in length.
Live auditions for selected finalists will take place at Huffhines Recreation Center April 21. For more information about the contest, call 972-744-4587 or e-mail firstname.lastname@example.com.
The 2013 festival's three-day pass goes on sale for $30 Monday, April 15, at any Metroplex Tom Thumb store or online through www.wildflowerfestival.com. Single-day adult tickets will be available at the gate for $20 as well as through the festival's website beginning April 15. Kids age 5-12 will be admitted for $3, and admission for kids 4 and under is free.
Richardson residents can purchase up to six individual adult tickets per each day of the festival per household for only $10 each. Kids 12 and under get in free on Sunday with a paid adult courtesy of Bank of America, and adult tickets are $10 on Sunday courtesy of Cisco.
To learn more about the festival, visit www.wildflowerfestival.com, call 972-744-4580 or follow Wildflower! on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wildflowerfestival.
City Hosts Realtors Workshop
The City of Richardson hosted more than 190 Realtors and real estate professionals at its annual Realtors workshop Friday morning at City Hall. The event is designed to give Realtors an up-close look at the City and its partners and provide resources to expand their knowledge about economic development, education opportunities, the cultural arts, social services and more.
City Manager Dan Johnson presented an address on the State of the City, including information on State Farm Insurance's new headquarters, which is expected to bring 7,000 jobs to Richardson. Most of the new workers will come from out of state, which has increased interest in Richardson for employees looking to relocate.
Also, UT Dallas President Dr. David Daniel presented an overview of the university. The event also included breakfast, networking opportunities and door prizes.
For the first time this year, attendees were able to submit questions for the speakers throughout their presentations through a mobile device. The City also for the first time encouraged Realtors to bring clients to the workshop.
Richardson Symphony Orchestra to Perform Sunday
The Richardson Symphony Orchestra will perform Classical Fire! at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 6, at the Eisemann Center. The show will include pieces by Richard Wagner, W.A. Mozart and Manuel de Falla.
Tickets cost $15 to $80 and are available at www.eisemanncenter.com or by calling 972-744-4650. For more information about the Richardson Symphony Orchestra, visit www.richardsonsymphony.org.
"Seussical" at Eisemann Center this Weekend
Seussical, a musical based on Dr. Seuss' best-loved stories, will be performed at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 7, at the Eisemann Center. The show is adapted from the Broadway version and features 13 actors and enhanced production elements.
Tickets cost $12 to $22 and are available at www.eisemanncenter.com or by calling 972-744-4650. There will be a Story Time at 7 p.m. tonight at Barnes & Noble, 801 W. 15th Street in Plano.
"Say Goodnight Gracie" Continues at Eisemann Center
Say Goodnight Gracie will continue at the Eisemann Center with performances at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The hit Broadway play features a hilarious, heart-warming evening in the company of the world's funniest centenarian. Tickets cost $37 to $40 and are available at www.eisemanncenter.com or by calling 972-744-4650.
Richardson Animal Shelter Pet of the Week
Rozi is a petite female, about 10 months old, DMH, with big beautiful green eyes! She came to the Shelter in January as a stray and very pregnant. She had 4 kittens, all spitting images of their mama, who have now been adopted. Rozi is now ready to make a permanent move to a forever home. Contact the Animal Shelter (972-744-4480) about Rozi or other animals available for adoption.
For information about other animals available for adoption, visit the Animal Shelter's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/RichardsonAnimalShelter.
Related Links
City Council videos: http://bit.ly/LSHJzE
City Council agenda: http://bit.ly/QoOWF4
City Council meeting documents: http://bit.ly/OrSIQ2
Find Richardson Today on Facebook and Twitter.
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