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For Immediate ReleaseNovember 20, 2010
Contact: Lori firstname.lastname@example.com
NCTE Members Approve Statements on Issuesin Literacy Education
During the Annual Business Meeting of the National Council of Teachers of English on November 19, 2010, NCTE members approved the following resolutions:
Resolution on Social Justice in Literacy Education
Background: As we move toward celebrating the 100th anniversary of NCTE in 2011, this resolution honors the pioneering efforts of those trailblazers who paved the way toward the establishment of more equitable schooling practices for all students. While there have been great successes, there is still much more work to be done.
Research confirms that teacher knowledge and competency are directly related to the "quality and equitable delivery of education and student academic achievement" (Ayers, 1998; Darling-Hammond, 1997; Flores-Gonzalez, 2002; Kozol, 1991; Ladson-Billings, 2000; Nieto, 2000) (Ukpokodu, 2007, p. 8). Fewer than 10% of teachers are non-white, while the National Center for Education Statistics reports that 42% of public school students are non-white and the diversity of student languages, ethnicities, religions, and racial and cultural make-up continues to grow (Banks, 2004). Yet, teachers in the classrooms are predominantly white, middle class, and monolingual (Futrell, 2000; Kailin, 1999) and lack the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to work within schools that have a predominantly urban population. Kathleen Brown (2005) tells us "the evidence is clear that various segments of our public school population experiences negative and inequitable treatment on a daily basis" (p. 155) (Ladson-Billings, 1994; Sheurich & Laible, 1995; Valenzuela, 1999). Students of color and white students from low socioeconomic backgrounds experience lower standardized test scores, teacher expectations, and access to resources (Brown, 2005). In fact, over 4.4 million second language learners are enrolled in the United States public schooling system and are expected to take the same standardized tests and are typically evaluated similarly to students whose first language is English (Arce, Luna, Borjian & Conrad, 2005).
Even more alarming, in teacher education programs most teacher educators are predominantly white and fewer than 20% of all professors are non-white (Sleeter, 2008). In an attempt to meet the challenge of inequitable schooling, teacher education programs often revise their theoretical and pedagogical ideologies. However, a democratic system that is more comprehensive and balanced around student needs is required.
Literacy education can be used to disrupt such inequitable hierarchies of power and privilege by adopting a stance on social justice and priming it for policy. Through the efficacy that social justice can have in schools, we commit to interrupting current practices that reproduce social, cultural, moral, economic, gendered, intellectual, and physical injustices. To prime social justice for policy in schools, it must be understood that it evades easy definition and is a grounded theory, a stance/position, a pedagogy, a process, a framework for research, and a promise ("Beliefs about Social Justice in English Education," CEE Position Statement, December 2009).
Through a sustained commitment to social justice in all its forms, English education can contribute to disrupting these inequitable hierarchies of power and privilege. Be it therefore
Resolved that the National Council of Teachers of English
Resolution on Affirming the Role of Teachers and Students in Developing Curricula
The development and adoption of the Common Core State Standards and its inclusion of exemplar texts heightens the concern that the authority of teachers as professionals who make decisions regarding materials and practices in literacy education will be diminished.
NCTE has acted over the years to recognize teachers as professional decision makers. For example, NCTE's "Features of Literacy Programs: A Decision-Making Matrix" (2005) offers guidelines for structuring critical conversations as part of the informed decision-making process. NCTE has also promoted effective literacy practices and authentic assessment. Past NCTE resolutions and policies, which are informed by professional research and theory (e.g., "On the Reading First Initiative," 2002), clearly outline concerns about the development of national policy that results in mandates at the state, district, and local school levels. Be it therefore
The National Council of Teachers of English with 50,000 individual and institutional members worldwide, is dedicated to improving the teaching and learning of English and the language arts at all levels of education.
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ACTON — Representatives of The Acton-Wakefield Watersheds Alliance (AWWA) recently visited classrooms at the Acton Elementary School and the Paul School in Wakefield, New Hampshire.
As part of the groundwater curriculum in the schools' seventh-grade science classes, AWWA helped the students get first-hand experience at being real scientists by working with chemicals and apparatus, and adorning protective gloves and goggles.
Leading up to the actual day of testing, AWWA's Dustin Johnson teamed up with teachers Dave Cote in Acton and Gavin Kearns in Wakefield to teach two lessons about ground water, well water and contamination. Each student was then given a sample bottle and instructions for carefully collecting a sample of their home well water and bringing the sample back to school for the laboratory work.
On the day of testing, with the help of more volunteers, the classes were divided into small groups that rotated among six stations. At each station, students were instructed and supervised as they used the equipment to test their samples for pH, conductivity, hardness, chloride, iron and nitrates.
After completing the six tests for their samples, students entered their data into a computer spreadsheet and used GPS functions to map the locations of their homes. This data and the GPS information was used to create distribution maps for use in the following class. The maps were designed to give students an opportunity to analyze data, find trends, explain why certain results appear, make observations and formulate hypotheses.
Final projects using the results, such as presentations, posters, brochures or infograms, may then be undertaken.
During the testing, any results with unusual scores alerted the teachers and students to notify families that a more complete water analysis by a reputable water testing company might be warranted. This was particularly true of the test for nitrates, a chemical which can prove dangerous in high concentrations because it can affect the blood's ability to absorb oxygen, especially in babies and young children.
The students enjoyed the hands-on experience of testing their home water and comparing their results with those of their classmates. AWWA appreciates this project for the same reason, and it kicks off the organization's "AWWA in the Schools: Watershed education for Future Community Leaders" program.
This ambitious testing program could not have happened without the valuable assistance of volunteers. AWWA staffers Dustin Johnson and Linda Schier would like to thank these participants for visiting the schools and helping the students: from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, Sally Soule, Lisa Loosigian, and Barbara MacMillan, and from AWWA, Sam Wilson and John Hraba.

subset: commoncrawl


text: News and analysis begin the show. At 8:30am, Prof. Rami Zurayk will discuss the political unrest in Lebanon. At 9:15am, Christina Heatherton and Pete White, of Los Angeles Community Action Network (LA CAN) will come on to talk about the organization and a newly published reader about Skid Row. With Elizabeth Robinson and Maryam Griffin.


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Cord access holes allow you to snake wires directly from your devices through the back of this item, keeping cords hidden from view as you plug them into wall outlets or a power strip.
Vintage industrial style and modern function join forces in this 65" console. The piece is perfectly sized for your flatscreen, with ample open shelving, including a soundbar area to set up your media consoles. Metal accents like caster wheels, wire door fronts, and metal brackets combine with a rustic finish to create an authentic industrial look and feel.
The Industrial 65" Console with Metal Casters by Aspenhome at Becker Furniture World in the Twin Cities, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Minnesota area. Product availability may vary. Contact us for the most current availability on this product.
Crafted of knotty alder veneers and solids with metal accents, the Industrial collection is everything its name suggests, with a few modern touches. Metal accents like casters, brackets, and wire door fronts have an aged look that brings an authentic vintage feel to the occasional and entertainment pieces. Each piece is available in three finishes; a warm Fruitwood finish, a darker Tobacco finish, or a light Grey finish, all of which exude rustic character. Complete with smart touches like adjustable shelving and cord access holes, the Industrial collection offers modern storage with one-of-a-kind style pieces that put a masculine spin on your favorite flea market finds.
The Industrial collection is a great option if you are looking for Industrial furniture in the Twin Cities, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Minnesota area.
These images are representative of this group as a whole and may differ from this item.
Browse other items in the Industrial collection from Becker Furniture World in the Twin Cities, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Minnesota area.
Nothing on this page may be copied or reproduced without explicit permission.


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Posted by Editor on 03/4/08
Win the New Giordana FormaRED Shorts!
Uno Imports is please to release the new 2008 Giordana FormaRED line to the Canadian marketplace. The FormaRed is a new generation Forma Bib Short that incorporates all the technical advantages of its predecessor and takes them to the next level. Modifications and additional features give the bib a new edge, as well as a new look.
The FormaRed Bib is available in three colour ways: Black with Red accents, Black with Grey accents and White with Gold accents. We've also added two new Froma Jerseys colours to compliment the FormaRed bibs.
The FormaRed is now available in selected bikes shops across Canada. We are also running an email contest on Canadian Cyclist to win a FormaRed kit (value $450 Cdn). The contest is open until April 15th.
|Return to Canadian Cyclist homepage | Back to Top


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Balalaika Orchestra comes to town! | Arts & Culture
Sarasota, Florida -- The Balalaika and Domra Association of America will be in town for the 35th annual convention and Festival Concert from July 7 to July 14.
During this week, musicians from all over the world will meet in Sarasota to participate in workshops on playing, performance, fold-dancing, lectures, concerts and rehearsals that will culminate in the Festival Concert on Saturday, July 13 at the Sarasota Opera House.
The highlight of the concert will be a 100 piece Russian folk orchestra directed by Svetlana Nikonova.
For ticket information and purchase call 941-328-1300 or visit www.russianmusicconcert.info.
General admission tickets are $20.00.


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For The Record I grew up at the foot of the Appalachian Mountains in Guntersville, Alabama. My father, Billy, was an avid hunter and fisherman. As his only son, I was expected to follow his lead and learn the sportsmanship of hunting alongside him. Indeed, I did join him in hunting deer, duck, turkey, and other animals that ended up on our dinner table, but I didn't enjoy the sport and didn't stick with it as an adult. I haven't been hunting since I was about 16 years old; I'm now 47 years old. It's interesting that I see my former neighbors, friends, and family from Alabama posting comments on Facebook that suggest our president wants to "take our guns away." I don't see it that way. My dad gave me his first gun which was a 4-10 shotgun and taught me how to use it and what to use it for. My dad would have been horrified that someone would use a gun to kill innocent children; safety and avoidance of harming another person was the first lesson. My dad was a Christian man. He preached at small country churches on the love of God and neighbor. Unfortunately he died in 1986, but fortunately he didn't live to see the horror that has been inflicted on the most innocent and vulnerable by deranged persons with guns. I read somewhere there is a big problem when people love their guns more than they love life. This was very striking to me. My dad never loved his guns more than he loved human life. I have no doubt he would have willingly given up all of his guns if he thought it would help to stop even one murder. I applaud our Legislature and Gov. Andrew Cuomo's swift response to the Newtown shooting with passage of a very strict gun control law. Anyone who wants to learn about guns and their appropriate use should be happy to abide by the rule of law no matter how strict because they will have peace of mind that these laws may prevent another Newtown massacre. God grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change; courage to change the things we can; and wisdom to know the difference. Rev. Tony Green Community Congregational United Church of Christ Rensselaer
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Fax: (604) 291-4947
Our work in popularizing mathematics through displays with hands-on activities began with the teaching of our course Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers (MATH 190). Our goal was and is to change the attitudes of student-teachers to mathematics. Our strategy is to prepare (and later let students prepare) various projects which would allow them to see a glimpse of what we see in mathematics: the beauty of it; the excitement and amazement upon seeing something unexpected; the mathematics around us; and the people of mathematics.
The projects proved very succesful and we started to think about reaching younger children. Our first opportunity was the Homecoming event organized for the 25th anniversary of Simon Fraser University in September 1990. We put up a display which we called Is this Math?, using some of our Math 190 projects; puzzles, games, geometrical models, videotape with a week's worth of Square One TV (with permission of PBS), and a display of our choice of books. The display was even more succesful than we expected. When colleagues from computing science complained that our display was diverting traffic from their exhibits, we knew we were on the right track. The president of SFU visited the display and was sufficiently impressed to promise funding a shopping mall version.
For our first foray outside the university we chose Lougheed Mall - a large mall in Burnaby, close to SFU and to several elementary schools. While preparing the event, we were contacted by organizers of the Science and Technology Week 91 and, at their request, agreed to repeat the display three weeks later in another Burnaby mall, Metrotown. Since then, our mall appearances have been restricted to Science and Technology Weeks and similar events, as this makes the organization much easier. We also take some of the activities to schools or occasionally have groups of children visit the Department.
Listed below are some activities we found succesful:
We discovered them through Martin Gardner and Doris Schattschneider books. You can copy our designs, which are ready to cut, glue and decorate, or you can construct your own. Decorating is an important part of the process as it allows the child to discover the symmetries of the object, and is the main part of the magic. The instructions are given on a separate page, but here is some additional advice:
Forms to make them, tools as above, and lots of models.
We recruit colleagues and graduate and undergraduate students. Students from Math 190 often like to help, partially because they have to demonstrate volunteer work for the admission to professional programs in education. Talk to the mathematics specialists in the Faculty of Education. You will not have difficulties in finding help when repeating your display: people who help once usually come back - they have fun participating.
Various work-study programs for undergraduate students have been used by us to pay student assistant for work done in preparing displays and presenting them to the public. We also get Science and Technology Week T-shirts to give to volunteers.
Approach anybody you can think of: your department/university/college; professional organizations (CMS has a special fund for this activity during Science and Technology Week - see references 10 and 12), provincial (state) ministries of education, advanced education, science and technology; the mall (go to Promotions Director or similarperson), or other facility in which the display is to be held. In Lougheed Mall we got a 40% discount in a stationery store (Willsons). If there is a science store in your mall, approach them for cooperation.
In Canada, Science and Technology Week provides easier access to help with organizing, financing and advertising, as well as attractive T-shirts for volunteers and as prizes.
Another possibility is Science Fairs: we've been invited to a few of them recently.
Local community papers and school boards are the most effective instruments, but try everything available. Most community papers are very enthusiastic, as are some local radio stations. Your college/university Media office will help with advice and press releases.
Do not neglect word of mouth!
Kathy Heinrich described our displays in the article Science Awareness Week Project, in the May - June 1992 issue of CMS Notes. As the then chair of the CMS Education Committee, she invited mathematics departments from other universities across Canada to organize such activities duringScience and Technology Week, suggesting that some funding might be available from CMS.
The first response was from the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Memorial University. In October 1992, as a part of Science and Technology Week, Ed Williams and Bruce Shawyer organized an event in the Village Shopping Mall in St. John's. The display included several fun activities aimed primarily at children aged 10 to 15: How to get to second base, a Mall Math Trail, a Math Challenge with a prize for the best solution, and many others. The exhibit was extremely well received and became an annual event. In 1994 it was expanded to a Math and Science in the Mall multi-display, with twelve different group participating, and attracted between four and five thousand people.
The Department of Mathematics, Statistics and Computing Science at Dalhousie organized a Math in the Mall display in October 1993, in the Halifax Shopping Centre. It included computer and video displays, and exhibits borrowed from a local science museum: a giant Tower of Hanoi, and other games and puzzles. There was no display in 1994, but there are plans for 1995. For information contact R.P. Gupta or Richard Nowakowski.
Simon Fraser's Mathematics and Statistics Department visits at least two malls yearly. In 1994 we were joined by the Physics Department with a very popular holography display, and by the School of Engineering. The activity is also spreading to smaller communities. Salmon Arm had a mall display in 1994. Prince George is interested - there it will possibly be a cooperative effort between Prince George Children's Festival, the Fort George Museum, and the University of Northern BC.
Don't try to be too ambitious at first. Select 2 - 3 activities and have lots of models. Increase the activities with the experience and/or the number of helpers. Make sure you test all the activities yourself first!
Be visible - have a big sign, one or two big models, and posters - make your own, especially about geometry, design, mathematical people, jokes etc. Also, make sure you choose the location well. Be in the centre of the mall or near a major entrance! Some malls, though, have restrictions on the height of signs and poster boards.
The list below includes both articles about math displays and trails, and a selection of our favourite books:


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Posts Tagged 'Baby'
A Bittersweet Season
Like many, Christmas is by far my favorite time of year. There is a richness of life and color. Houses, trees and city streets seem to stand up a bit straighter as we all do when we put on our best clothes. The world shines a pregnant glow. The air grows cooler, and we imagine the warmth inside all those shops and homes with smoke-filled chimneys. (more…)


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Jo Dee Messina Returns to 'Real Housewives of Atlanta'
Jo Dee Messina is back on TV this weekend, as the singer (and mother of a newborn son) returns to 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta,' which is one of the most popular installments of the Bravo franchise. On Sunday, March 18, Messina will once again partner with R&B singer/songwriter and show star Kandi Burruss.
The 'Bye Bye' singer appeared on the show earlier in the season, as she embarked on a writing session with Burruss. Sure, they seem like an unlikely duo, since Messina is a tried and true country singer while Burruss earned a Grammy for co-writing TLC's monster hit 'No Scrubs.' Both artists enjoyed their biggest chart-topping successes in the late 1990s. However, opposites attract in all facets of life, and this is one of those cases.
In this episode, Messina and Burruss meet up in Nashville to record two songs, 'I Won't Give Up on You' and 'Money Don't Grow on Trees.' We see Messina singing in the studio, to which Burruss responds, "Boom, that's a hit." The ladies talk about performing the song live, to an intimate crowd, which makes the normally confident Kandi quite nervous.
The show is known for high drama, but luckily for Messina, she's not embroiled in any of it and is part of a creative storyline for one of the stars aka "wives." At least that's how it seems in the preview footage below.
Tune in tomorrow at 9 PM ET to find out what happens.
Watch a Preview of Jo Dee Messina on 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta'


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Sometimes a baby who seems healthy dies during sleep. This is called
sudden infant death syndrome or SIDS.
In most cases, a parent or caregiver places the baby down to sleep and
returns later to find the baby has died. It's no one's fault. SIDS can happen
even when you do everything right.
Although SIDS is rare, it is
one of the most common causes of death in babies between 1 and 12 months of
age. Most babies who die of SIDS are between the ages of 2 and 4 months.
Doctors don't know what causes
SIDS. It seems to happen more often in
premature and low-birth-weight babies. It also is seen
more often in babies whose mothers didn't get medical care during the
pregnancy and in babies whose mothers smoke. SIDS may also be more likely in
babies who were part of a multiple pregnancy (for example, twins or triplets)
or whose mothers are younger than 20.
When babies sleep on their
bellies, they may not breathe well. Not too long ago, side sleeping was said to
be okay. But babies placed on their sides can easily roll onto their bellies
and could have trouble breathing.
Researchers are studying the
possibility that SIDS may be caused by problems with how well the brain
controls breathing, heart rate and rhythm, and temperature during the first
few months of life. More research on this is needed.
SIDS has no symptoms or
warning signs. Babies who die of SIDS seem healthy before being put to bed.
They show no signs of struggle and are often found in the same position as when
they were placed in the bed.
SIDS is named the cause of
death only when no other cause is found. To find out why a baby died, medical
experts review the baby's and parents' medical histories, study the area where
the baby died, and do an
Doing certain things may help protect a
baby from SIDS and/or other deaths related to sleep:1
is no sure way to prevent SIDS, and no exam or test can predict whether a baby is likely to die of SIDS. Don't rely on breathing (apnea) monitors, special mattresses, or other devices marketed as a
way to reduce your baby's risk of SIDS. None of these items have been proved to lower the risk of SIDS. The American Academy of Pediatrics does not advise their use.
Remember, SIDS is rare. Be as safe as you can, but don't let
fear keep you from enjoying your baby. Tell your baby's caregivers what you expect
them to do. Don't assume that they know what to do to help keep your infant safe during sleep.
Each member of your family may respond to the loss of the baby in a
different way. These different ways of coping with the baby's death can strain a marriage
and a family. Along with feeling grief, family members may be struggling with feelings
of guilt. Support from family, friends, your doctor, and possibly other health professionals is very important for everyone. You might find it helpful to:
Health Tools help you make wise health decisions or take action to improve your health.
Learning about sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS):
When SIDS occurs:
Preventing SIDS:
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) offers a
variety of educational materials about parenting,
general growth and development, immunizations, safety, disease prevention, and more. AAP guidelines for various conditions and links to other
organizations are also available.
This nonprofit agency has information about SIDS, grieving, and related topics for parents,
nurses, and other groups.
Mental Health America (formerly known as the National
Mental Health Association) is a nonprofit agency devoted to helping people of
all ages live mentally healthier lives. Its website has information about
mental health conditions. It also addresses issues such as grief, stress,
bullying, and more. It includes a confidential depression screening test for
anyone who would like to take it. The short test may help you decide whether
your symptoms are related to depression.
The National Institute of Child Health and Human
Development (NICHD) is part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health. The
NICHD conducts and supports research related to the health of children, adults,
and families. NICHD has information on its Web site about many health topics.
And you can send specific requests to information specialists.
This website has information about sudden infant death, grieving the loss of
an infant, and general infant health.
CitationsAmerican Academy of Pediatrics (2011). SIDS and other sleep-related infant deaths: Expansion of recommendations for a safe infant sleeping environment. Pediatrics, 128(5): 1030–1039.Other Works ConsultedAcademy of Breastfeeding Medicine Protocol Committee (2008). ABM clinical protocol #6: Guideline on co-sleeping and breastfeeding. Breastfeeding Medicine, 3(1): 38–43.Corwin MJ (2011). Apparent life-threatening events and SIDS. In CD Rudolph et al., eds., Rudolph's Pediatrics, 22nd ed., pp. 451–454. New York: McGraw-Hill.Federico MJ, et al. (2011). Respiratory tract and mediastinum. In WW Hay et al., eds., Current Diagnosis and Treatment: Pediatrics, 20th ed., pp. 487–535. New York: McGraw-Hill.Hauck FR, Tanabe KO (2009). SIDS, search date April 2007. Online version of BMJ Clinical Evidence. Also available online: http://www.clinicalevidence.com.Hunt CE, Hauck FR (2011). Sudden infant death syndrome. In RM Kliegman et al., eds., Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, 19th ed., pp. 1421–1429. Philadelphia: Saunders.Hymel KP and the Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect, American Academy of Pediatrics (2006, reaffirmed 2010). Clinical report: Distinguishing sudden infant death syndrome from child abuse fatalities. Pediatrics, 118(1): 421–427.Kinney HC, Thach BT (2009). The Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. New England Journal of Medicine, 361(8): 795–805.Kline A, Gibson E (2006). Sudden infant death syndrome. In FD Burg et al., eds., Current Pediatric Therapy, 18th ed., pp. 258–260. Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier.Vennemann MM, et al. (2009). Does breastfeeding reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome? Pediatrics, 123(3): e406–e410.
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Last Revised:
May 16, 2012
Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
John Pope, MD - Pediatrics & Chuck Norlin, MD - Pediatrics
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Dancing Through Kitsap!
If you know me, then you know I like dancing. But this is not about me dancing… And if you know me, you may be aware of my adoration of coffee. You may (ormaynot) also know I frequent Central Market… I also adore Poulsbo Perk and the standard-issue Starbucks here in the Northwest…aaaand the bevy over other coffee sources we have in our fair county…
But I needed basil. I get my basil from Central. And also my wheat grass. But I don't juice my wheat grass. I make cute gifts with my wheat grass… and take blurry pics of said cute gifts…
I digress.
I had to get some basil because I am on this mozzerella/feta/tomato/pesto grilled sandwich/pita kick, and the spinach wasn't doin' it for me. This warm melty goodness called for basil… yadda, yadda, yadda… from Central Market.
Where was I headed with this *scratching head*…
Well, there I was at the coffee shop there in Central Market (getting my double tall mocha with *just* a splash of raspberry), and my friend Sarah (may I call you "friend", Sarah? Too bad. It's out there. You'll have to deal with the fall-out, I'm not takin' it back. Nope. Are you on Facebook???) Aaanywho, Sarah said, "Hey. Have you seen the video on YouTube, 'Where the Hell is Matt?'" I was all, "Yeah. U-huh…"
She went on to tell me that her friend Rachel made a "Where the Hell is Rachel" video, but instead of traveling the world like Matt did – she (with the help of her camera-man brother Tristan) danced all around Kitsap… I was all, "I gotta see it!"
So I went home and got onto the Google and found the video. I want to share it with you, my fellow Kitsapians! Let's watch Rachel travel Kitsap in December… dancing in all the places we've seen… on a trademark cloudy day… Enjoy! I know you will!
Don't miss a thing! You can get Mom on the Spot by RSS feed.
You can keep up with Jenny on Twitter or her personal blog, Jenny on the Spot.


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from the BU Cinema Department
Whether you want to direct, edit or write about movies, our cinema program offers the flexibility for you to create a course of study based on your interests.
Innovative, Experimental, Creative
Binghamton University's Cinema Department develops artists and creative thinkers in film, video and theory who are willing to explore the experimental.
A strong history of underground and independent production and criticism has made our trailblazing department an antidote to the Hollywood industry model.Find us on Facebook!
Learn how cinema works – from a social and historical standpoint, to the mechanics of making movies. The production program in film and electronic media focuses not only on developing technical proficiency, but also artistic discovery and expression.
Our award-winning faculty offer a variety of courses and lectures on topics ranging from the technical to the theoretical. Visiting Artist's Series and the Harpur Cinema inspire ideas, while our facilities allow students to make them a reality.
Contact: Eric Pritchard - Secretary
Office: CW-B41 (Classroom Wing)


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Welcome back to my biweekly interview series. Today I'm interviewing Lee Ann from the blog: Animals Are Feeling Beings Too. As LeeAnn's blog focus is more on helping animals through her blog, the focus of this interview will be slightly different than past interviews.
1. LeeAnne, Please Tell Us About Yourself and Your Blog?
I have always been a quiet, deep-thinking, and observational person.Through deep-thinking and my tendency to observe, I noticed a lot of aspects about animals. Watching them, and paying attention to them, I fell in love with them.
As I am a quiet person, I feel I tend to get lost in the crowd much of the time. I noticed a similar thing often occurred with animals; they were getting lost in the crowd too when people didn't pay attention and take care of them. Intrinsically, I felt their worth, their needs, and I noticed the way some of them were not treated nicely. My passion for helping animals was born.
2. When Did You Begin Blogging ? What Does Writing and Blogging Mean to You?
I had taken classes for Web Design in 2013 and one of the assignments was to create a blog. My blog was my current blog: Animals Are Feeling Beings Too and I wrote on it occasionally over the next few years. However, in August 2016 I started blogging regularly. I have had different experiences with writing throughout my life.
Back in elementary school I first fell in love with poetry and writing (and my poetry teacher J). Since then, I have written several poems over the years, but only for my family and friends for special occasions such as weddings, graduations, and other special events. Currently, some of my responsibilities at work include writing newsletters and social media posts.
Blogging means everything to me because of what I write about. I adore animals and feel passionate about helping them. I have been trying to figure out my entire life how to utilize my love for animals. When the assignment came up in my course to create a blog, my teacher told me she thought I should continue with my 'helping animal' themed blog.
I guess you could say a light bulb went off in my head. It took me a few years to apply myself, consistently blogging. But I think I had troubles because I was burnt out from being on a computer all day between work and school. I write because I want to help animals by spreading the word about animals who are abused, the worth of animals, and our responsibility to care for them.
" I write because I want to help animals by spreading the word about animals who are abused, the worth of animals, and our responsibility to care for them." – LeeAnn
3. Where Do You Find Your Motivation and Inspiration to Write? Is There A Time Of Day You Prefer To Write?
Unfortunately, there are way too many people out there harming animals and not enough laws to protect the animals. This is where my inspiration and motivation comes from. I want to make a difference and ensure fewer animals are harmed. I also feel a lot of people are unaware of how much animal abuse exists and how few laws there are to protect animals (pets).I am hoping to bring light to these issues on my blog.
I am more alert and 'fresh' in the late morning after I have some coffee; however, because I have a full-time job, a lot of my writing and blog posts are done in the evening after work.
4. Do You Have Any Current Pet-Related Writing Projects or Hopeful Ones? Are You Planning on Publishing Anything Related to Animals?
My blog is my current and ongoing project. I am only six months into regular blogging, so I am still new at blogging. I am working hard at 'getting my writing out there' on animal issues. My hope is to grow my traffic, not for my sake, but for the sake of animals and to make a difference.
So far, I've not published anything other than blog posts. I have considered writing a children's book on empathy towards animals someday. I believe since children are our future, teaching them to be considerate towards animals could make a huge difference on the way animals in the in years to come will be treated by their owners (etc.) I may also turn some of my blog posts into a book someday.
" I believe since children are our future, teaching them to be considerate towards animals could make a huge difference on the way animals in the in years to come will be treated by their owners (etc)." – LeeAnn
5. What Is Your Writing Process Like When Focusing on Animals?
As I mentioned, there is so much animal abuse going on, so there is not a lack of topics to write about. If I see a story on the web about an animal that was abused, I start thinking and the writing process for a post begins.
For example, after going to the Renaissance Festival I noticed an elephant chained to a contraption which only allowed him to move around in a circle giving people rides. I started thinking and when I was home, I wrote about this event and how awful it was for the poor elephant to be so confined and probably abused.
6. Do You Have Any Advice For Other Bloggers or on Advice on How People Can Help Animals in Need?
I am not a 'professional' writer, but as another blogger said: "If you're writing on a blog, you are a writer." Writing and blogging are skills I and other writers improve on with time. I am still learning and growing as I learn more about blogging, particularly for my significant cause. As well on my blog's About Page I wrote this about how people can aid animals:
"Supporting animal organizations is . . . one way I help animals . . . I write about a wide variety of topics and types of animals, and I usually share links so you can check out the organization/topic being discussed.
There are many ways we can all help animals. Donating items to shelters, writing letters, signing petitions, volunteering time at an animal organization, sharing my posts to spread the word, and much more." – LeeAnn
7. Do You Have Anything Else You'd Like To Share With Readers on Helping Animals, Yourself, or Blogging?
I am attempting to give my blog real purpose (a means to an end) that my writing and blogging actually result in animals at risk or already being harmed, not being hurt anymore. I also want people to know I do have a large variety of posts on my blog.
Some of the posts I write include Pet Tales, Vegetarian Recipes, Pet Care Tips, and Serious Topics such as Animal Abuse Issues. I also use pictures from other bloggers and Facebook Page followers. I post them in my posts called 'Tuesday Tales.'
8. Do You Have Any Favorite Bloggers You Follow?
I enjoy different kinds of blogs, but I think my favorite blogs are when someone writes about their pet(s). I think it's fun to see all those adorable pet photos and learn about various animals and their personalities. Oddly enough, I do not necessarily like to follow blogs that are about 'animal activism.' I applaud them but I find these blogs usually too graphic for me to handle.
9. Please Share With Us Some of Your Animal Related Blog Posts:
The post below was written when a young follower of mine contacted me to let me know she was inspired by my blog. She wrote a poem called "Animals Are Feeling beings Too" which she published on her blog.
Hoping to Make an Impact
By LeeAnn
November 17, 2016
I have been blogging (well…serious blogging) for a few months now. I have played around with my blog, changing & adding things like the "Tuesday Tales" where I share animal stories and "Sunday Pause (Paws)" where I encourage everyone to kick back & relax. On my "Vegetarian Challenge" page I try to add recipes every now & then. There hasn't been an actual challenge yet, but maybe in the future. Also, I have been adding my favorite cruelty-free products to the "Links" page, adding some pictures of my cat, Cino and "Pet Care Tips."
I will continue to add to these pages and keep a variety on my blog. But one thing that will not change is where my heart is, and that is helping the fight against animal cruelty.
This means some of my posts will not be so uplifting or fun. If I were to only do "happy" posts I wouldn't be spreading the word about animal cruelty and therefore I wouldn't be helping animals.
Something I saw on Facebook (or somewhere) not so long ago was this sentence, "The reason I dedicate myself to helping animals so much is because there are already so many people who dedicate their lives to hurting them." Sadly, a true statement!
There are a lot of people who tell me they can't stand to read or see anything about animal abuse because it bothers them too much. It bothers me A LOT too, but I can not turn my back on them. I want to encourage others not to either.
I recently have received a few great compliments from fellow bloggers about my blog. This makes me feel so warm & fuzzy. I also received a message from a young follower, named Leona, that said me and my blog inspire her, and that she wrote a poem and named it "Animals Are Feeling Beings Too." I was overjoyed by this! It makes me think maybe I AM making an impact out there for the good of animals!
Please read the magnificent poem here written by 12-year-old Leona.
Great job Leona! Keep writing and spreading the word about animals! Thank you for the awesome poem and sharing it with me!
9. Here Are Some Additional Posts By LeeAnn:
The following three posts are on serious topics that were my most 'Liked' and 'Shared. They have extremely important messages within them.
- Elephants In Entertainment
- Your Child Not Acting The Way You Want…Drive Them Out To The Woods
- Ignoring A Need Right In Front Of Us
The post below is one of my most 'Liked' posts from my 'Tuesday Tales' page where I share pet stories from the web and from other bloggers and Facebook followers.
Lastly, this post below is an adorable pet photo compilation from other bloggers and Facebook followers from over the holidays.
Thanks to LeeAnn for the lovely interview and sharing her passion for taking care of and helping animals at home and ones who are in need. Best of luck to her in her blog and spreading the word about animal empathy and the proper way to treat your pets and animals in general. Here is a Link To LeeAnn's blog one last time: Animals Are Feeling Beings Too.
If you would like to share your blogging or writing in my biweekly interview series, please reach out to me through my contact page on my blog. I will see you in two weeks!
©Mandibelle16. (2017) All Rights Reserved.


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Photography Class Travels to Morocco
(Note: WCC photography instructor Terry Abrams led a trip to Morocco by his Digital Photography Abroad class from May 15-25, 2009. The following is a first-person account of the trip by Mike Wilkinson, a student).
Our Departure
Our flight left Metro airport at about 4:00pm on Friday, May 15, 2009. Everyone managed to meet up and before we knew it we were on our way to JFK airport in New York for our connecting flight. We left there at about 8:30 for Casablanca, Morocco.
After a seven-hour flight, we arrived in Morocco at 3:30am our time. Since Morocco is four hours ahead of Detroit, it was already about 7:30am there. With little sleep and lost time, we were already tired but had a full day ahead of us.
May 16: Day 1
We met our guide for the next 10 days, Omar, at the airport. He was extremely friendly and informed on all things Morocco.
Morocco instantly felt like Florida in terms of the climate, as some students commented. Palm trees, a warm sun, and light winds all made their presence felt. We exchanged our dollars for some Moroccan dirhams, and hopped on our tour bus to the hotel. A quick check in and a few camera lectures later, we made our way to have some lunch at a restaurant just down the street. Everyone at my table ordered some form of a tagine, a traditional Moroccan dish. Tagine actually refers to the pot it is cooked and served in, not the actual food, which can have combinations of lamb, beef, chicken, vegetables, and potatoes. I also got to try Moroccan mint tea for the first time, and it was amazing—very sweet and tasty, not like I had imagined for something called mint tea. Its strong aroma was misleading, making me think it really was going to taste like hot peppermint water.
After lunch, we made our first tour stop at La Mosquee Hassan II, a 700-foot structure for Islamic worship, which can hold 25,000 people. It was intense. We made our way in and around it to take some really intriguing photos.
We got a quickie tour of other areas in Casablanca, making a few brief stops. I was pretty tired, and slept in between most stops. Dinner that night was pretty lame; worse than the food on the airplane. Since we were near the ocean everything had some kind of fish in it, and I just was not feeling anything like that, especially after that awesome lunch. A few of us stayed up late processing (downloading and adjusting) photos for a few hours and then knocked off to bed.
May 17: Day 2
In the morning the breakfast buffet offered orange juice and croissants. I even got a little more Moroccan mint tea.
Back onto our bus, and we left for Rabat. After a few hours on the road (and a little more sleep) we arrived at our next hotel. A very cozy place, it was considerably better than our first hotel. Our group went on a brief walk around the main street to take in some of Rabat. The area around the main street had many shops and cafes, and lots of people walking about. It felt a little less hurried, but also friendlier, than Casablanca. Terry gave a lecture about using polarizers, and our guide, Omar, spoke about the history of Rabat. We met back at the hotel to leave for lunch and the afternoon's activities.
We ate lunch on a boat, and watched the crabs crawling around on the rocks below. (Hopefully, that's not what we were served.)
Our first stop was the Kasbah. Literally defined as "Fortress," its walls depict one. On the inside, though, it is actually a garden, shops, and living quarters, all with very unique architecture. At one end of it we were able to look out upon the Atlantic Ocean and make some real nice photographs.
After the Kasbah we went to Chellah, a large area of ruins from the 12th century, which now has many gardens inside. We moved to the Hassan Tower, an uncompleted mosque from 1199. Nearby was a tomb, the Mausoleum of Mohamed V, which holds King Hassan II and Prince Abdallah.
We went back to the hotel, pretty beat from taking photos all day. But that didn't stop a few small groups from going out close to the hotel and taking some shots during sunset. We had a reasonable buffet dinner, then returned to the cozy lounge area and processed some of our shots. I then returned to my room (which I shared with two other students) and processed photos while on the balcony (we were lucky and scored a room with a nice lookout balcony, AKA the party palace), where I took in the cool night air and put my feet up before bed.
May 18: Day 3
We woke up early and had some runny eggs before we departed on the road to Fes. Our first stop was the gate to Meknes, which is really just a huge gate. Looked kind of cool. We also stopped in Moulay Idriss, a town on the way to Fes.
After a peek into a shrine, we walked into a shopping area and had a few engaging Moroccan salesmen give us a whole schpeel about their linens. The linens didn't interest me, but the salesmanship of the shop owners did. The best comparison I could make would be a used car salesman, but not nearly as sleazy—these guys were good. Very talkative and very interested in haggling over a price with you. Haggling is actually part of the culture there, and you're expected to negotiate the price of most things you buy in shops–it's not uncommon to offer less than half of the starting price.
We stopped at a few more gates, but at this point I think I was a little burned out on interesting gates.
We ate lunch at a hotel restaurant, and then left for the ruins of Volubulis. Huge vistas of rolling hills and rustic homes marked the landscape all around, as the Roman ruins stuck out in the falling sunlight. This was one of my favorite stops of the entire trip—the ruins were epic and like something out of a movie. The structures were broken into large pieces, but some arches and other areas were still intact. This is pretty astounding considering they were built over 1,500 years ago.
May 19: Day 4
It was Tuesday at this point, and we left the hotel in the morning for the Jewish quarter, a small market area of Fes. We went to one of the souks (markets) in the medina (old city), and I got a couple of mint tea glasses from a little shop. We had lunch in a wonderful house, decorated and very cozy, with an open rooftop. The homeowners let us walk up to the roof and look out onto the medina.
In the afternoon we stopped at a lookout point high above the medina. After that we went to a clay and pottery facility, where we were led on a tour of pots, fountains, and tiles being hand made from start to finish. Next stop was a leather tannery, where we were led on a tour of the process of leather being processed. Dinner then to bed.
May 20: Day 5
Wednesday morning I woke up sick as could be : ( I figured it was something I had eaten, but no one else was sick so I wasn't sure. I pulled myself together and left Fes for Erfoud with the rest of the group, where we would be staying in a desert encampment. I briefly considered asking to stay behind, as being sick and roughing it a little in the desert sounded like an awful combination. I'm very glad that I wasn't feeling sick enough to make that call, as the desert turned out to be amazing. We drove through part of the Atlas Mountains, stopped to see monkeys (!) at the side of the road, and eventually got to the departure point for the desert. We piled into about five 4x4 vehicles, and hauled major butt through the sandy terrain. We arrived at a campsite, where a small tent community made out of rugs sat in the shadow of the dunes. It actually wasn't roughing it so much; they had nice showers and running water.
We hiked out onto the dunes to watch the sunset, and I learned how to write my name in Arabic from my Berber guide. After some amazing photos of the flowing sand with the falling sun, the group headed back to the campsite for dinner. There we were treated to a huge feast of vegetables, tagines, and fruit. There was also some dinner entertainment, where some Berber musicians danced and played music. A few of the students even joined in!
The stars looked absolutely stunning, and there was an unusual quiet to this place; I liked it.
May 21: Day 6
Our wake up call came as a soft beat of a drum, perhaps? I was half asleep so I couldn't exactly tell, but it was without a doubt the most interesting alarm I had ever heard. At about 4:00am we piled out of our tents, cameras in hand. Still dark, the horizon started to reveal a slight blue glow as the sun hinted at its coming. Most of us had paid to ride camels out to the dunes, so we lined up to get one. Let me tell you, that was pretty sweet. I can't say I ever imagined in my life that I would get to ride a camel in the desert. It wasn't the most comfortable ride, but an unforgettable experience nonetheless. The sun came up, and we took photos as the wind blew sand across the dunes in a very mesmerizing flow. It wasn't the best situation to have cameras in, though; sand can easily ruin the working parts of your camera and lenses. After the sun had been up for a short time, the temperature went up. I could really see just how barren a place this was, and that I would never want to be stranded there. It was just dune upon dune upon dune. As intimidating as they were, it was a magnificent sight to behold.
After a light breakfast (I was feeling 100 percent at this point), we reluctantly left the camp. We traveled toward the city of Ouarzazate. The group made a quick stop at a fossil shop, where we got to see the process of how fossils are brought out of stone and then turned into tables or other objects. Back on the road, the green hills had now given away to rocky gorges, where we ate some lunch. A few more hours of bus ride, and we finally made it to our hotel for the night.
May 22: Day 7
In Ouarzazate, we stopped at the Kasbah Taourirt for photos, and drove past a few locations that have served as backdrops for popular movies, such as "Cleopatra," "Lawrence of Arabia," and even "Gladiator." We continued on to Marrakech, but not before stopping to walk through a Berber village where some of "Gladiator" was filmed.
Continuing on to Marrakech, the scenery opened up even more to reveal vast stretches of mountains in every direction. When we got to Marrakech, our final destination, I went for a quick swim before going to dinner. Another late night processing all my photos.
May 23: Day 8
In Marrakech, an apparently more modern Moroccan city, we stopped at the Koutoubia Mosque, a 220-foot tower that's the largest in Marrakech, for photos. After that, we traveled to Menara Gardens, an olive tree garden that spanned over 250 acres. I had prepared my GPS unit to find a geocache that was hidden there. A few other students and I split from the group and found it about a quarter-mile away. This was a fun little departure from our usual touring and photo taking.
We toured the Saadian Tombs, a highly decorated resting place of about 60 people. After this, we had lunch in the market square area of the city, called Djemaa El Fna. We moved into the souks afterwards—more fast-moving, closed-in shopping quarters. The group made its way to a carpet-making shop, where we had mint tea while previewing carpets made by different Moroccan tribes. The souks were absolutely dizzying; one wrong turn and you might not ever find your way out. Our tour guide, Omar, was great at keeping the group from getting lost in that maze of people and shops.
We ate dinner in a former palace in the medina, one of the most elegant and cultured meals I've ever had. Finely dressed servers brought food out, and there were three men playing Moroccan drums and other instruments. Belly dancers even came out a few times—they were impressive. The lighting was very dim, so the overall ambience was lovely. The decoration, food quality, and service were all amazing.
We took a stroll through the buzzing night crowd in the square, which was now filled with pop-up food tents and street performers. The mass of people was impressive and a little scary all at the same time.
May 24: Day 9
Sunday morning we stopped at Dar Si Said Museum, home to rugs, woodcarvings, and other antiques that were hundreds of years old. We stopped at a couple more garden and museums sites briefly, then had lunch looking out onto the square around noon. Some of the group hung around to shop, but I went with a couple of students back to the hotel just to get a break. We were absolutely drained from going place to place, riding in a bus for hours on end, getting spotty sleep, and trying to burn the creative juices at every turn to make good photographs. Hello, pool! :-)
At this point, it was really starting to set in that we were leaving soon. There was a noticeable lull in the energy and enthusiasm level, as most did not want to return home.
That evening we returned to the square for some shopping, and half of the group decided to skip the scheduled dinner and just get some pizza, which we ate at the hotel. Everything was winding down, and most people were absolutely exhausted.
May 25: Day 10
Our bus left for the Marrakech airport at 4:00am, where I barely made my flight due to the long lines, but I ended up riding first class to Casablanca. The overseas flight to New York and then the connection to Detroit got me home around 10:00pm Monday. We had eight hours of layover time, and about ten hours of flying time altogether.
Wrap Up
My favorite event of the trip was easily the night we spent out in the desert. The atmosphere, riding camels, and the landscape made this worth the cost of the trip alone. The experience I think I may remember the most is the friendships I made along the way; much of the group bonded, and I'm pleased to say I made a few new friends during my time in Morocco. I hope to continue those relationships back in the States.
Much thanks to Terry Abrams for organizing the trip, and to Omar Chouiyakh, our guide for the entire journey, who really seemed to know EVERYTHING about the culture, history, and significance of every place that we visited. Without their contributions, the trip would not have been a success.
Mike Wilkinson works at WCC, and went on the trip to improve his photography skills. He's working toward an associate degree in occupational studies in his spare time, and plans to transfer to Eastern Michigan University for a bachelor's degree in applied technology. A video he shot about the trip is available on WCC's YouTube channel.


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Think my subject line covers it all but... I love piecing but I don't have the stamina or determination to learn how to do an overall quilting design with my little sewing machine. So, I send out an occasional quilt top. However, I just contacted someone referred by someone who showed examples of the quilts she had quilted, and admittedly, they were beautifully done. But the cost floored me! What seems to be the going rate for doing a quilt top, say 50" x50" or a single bed size?
I really want to know so I can just make pieced tops and be happy or learn how to do free motion quilting.


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In the book 101 problems in Trigonometry, Prof. Titu Andreescu and Prof. Feng asks for the proof the fact that $\cos 1^\circ$ is irrational and he proves it. The proof proceeds by contradiction and using the strong induction principle. (Problem on Pg:84, 70 in typeset; solution on Pg:126, 111 in Typeset). However, for Completeness, I'll append it here:
Proof of irrationality of $\cos (1^\circ)$
Assume for the sake of contradiction, that $\cos(1^\circ)$ is rational. Since, $$\cos(2^\circ)=2\cos^2(1^\circ)-1$$ we have that, $\cos(2^\circ)$ is also rational. Note that, we also have $$\cos(n^\circ +1 ^\circ)+\cos(n^\circ -1 ^\circ)=2\cos(1^\circ)\cdot \cos(n^\circ)$$ By Strong induction principle, this shows that $\cos(n^\circ)$ is rational for all integers $n \geq 1$. But, this is clearly false, as for instance, $\cos(30^\circ)=\dfrac{\sqrt{3}}{2}$ is irrational, reaching a contradiction.
But, as my title suggests, $\sin(1^\circ)$ is irrational, (look at the following image for its value!)
Is there a proof as short as the above proof or can any of you help me with a proof that bypasses actual evaluation of the above value?
Image Courtesy: http://www.efnet-math.org/Meta/sine1.htm This link explains how to evaluate this value.
My next question is
Is $\tan(1^\circ)$ rational and is there a short proof that asserts or refutes its rationality?
P.S.: This is not a homework question.


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The realm of television crime dramas is rather crowded. With the remaining Law and Order spinoffs, there are the various CSIs, the JAG spinoffs of NCIS and NCIS:LA, and any number of cop and lawyer dramas. It's difficult to find a part of the market that isn't already saturated with the competition.
Murdoch Mysteries, which airs on City TV, fits an interesting niche, breaking new territory as a Victorian era detective story set in Toronto, which strives for period authenticity, within a fictional narrative. There doesn't appear to be a lot of competition in this admittedly small niche.
Still, it is a niche that has found its fans, including our current Prime Minister. Murdoch Mysteries is not the first show in which Stephen Harper has played a cameo role. Like former Prime Minister Paul Martin, Harper has previously appeared on Corner Gas. What's not to like, for our prime minister? Victorian crime fighters may have had limited tools, but punishments were severe. Capital punishment was still on the books, and a failed hanging formed the plot for one episode of the show. The current government's "tough on crime" persona seems to be a good match for Murdoch Mysteries, where the lead character is morally upstanding, almost to a fault. Murdoch's morality works to humanize the Toronto of the 1890s, bringing compassion to the otherwise unenlightened days of criminal enforcement.
What then, can we find of interest in Murdoch Mysteries? The fictive detective brings a scientific method to his investigations. Detective Murdoch investigates crimes using the precursors to the more modern techniques used in shows like CSI. The writers appear to take pleasure in their numerous anachronisms, by playing this man of science against adherents of other, more traditional forms of investigation, mainly coercion and interrogation.
Parts of the show have been filmed in Cambridge, Ontario. With modern signs covered up by period pieces, it retains the feel of Victorian Toronto.
While the show attempts historical accuracy, it very much plays to our modern conceptions of the Victorian era. Historical figures such as Nikola Tesla, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and H.G. Wells figure in the plots of several episodes, emphasizing the science and imagination that Murdoch represents.
A significant theme of Murdoch Mysteries is retrofuturism, particularly when compared to these historical figures. While the television show remains too firmly grounded in historical reality to be truly considered steampunk, there are clearly elements of several episodes which could be seen as steampunk. In particular, the season three finale, the "Tesla Effect" involved a microwave death ray machine.
Of the characters in the show, perhaps the most amusing is Constable Crabtree, whose youthful enthusiasm leads him to extrapolate towards modern technology from what he sees Murdoch use on the show. As noted on the Steampunk Scholar blog, Crabtree's role in the web series "Curse of the Lost Pharaohs" leads much closer to the realm of steampunk, incorporating other common steampunk elements.


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The reauthorization of the 2013 payment-in-lieu-of-tax (PILOT) program was recently approved by Oak Ridge City Council, but not before some Council members tried to OK the program for only six months so they could get some additional information from the city's Industrial Development Board.
The reauthorization of the 2013 payment-in-lieu-of-tax (PILOT) program was recently approved by Oak Ridge City Council, but not before some Council members tried to OK the program for only six months so they could get some additional information from the city's Industrial Development Board.
The PILOT program is used as an economic incentive by the IDB as a guideline for tax abatements and payments in lieu of taxes for qualifying business projects. The program was set to expire on Dec. 31.
The IDB Special Projects Committee, which is comprised of members David Mason, Lou Dunlap and Buzz Patrick, with assistance from city staff member Susan Fallon, reviewed the program policy and guidelines, made no changes, and made the recommendation to approve to the IDB. The IDB approved the recommendation during a meeting in October. The PILOT does not require funding.
During the recent Council meeting, member Trina Baughn requested an annual report from IDB on the program's successes or failures before voting.
"I'd like to see some data, some measurable success," Baughn said.
City Manager Mark Watson said the policy pertains not only to the city, but also for Roane County entities such as the Roane Alliance, and "you don't want to lose it at this time."
Council member Chuck Hope said Council should maintain the program "for now," but also asked the IDB to "bring something back" that is "investment measurable." However, he said when the policy was revised several years ago, "we tried to put measurables in then."
IDB Chairman David Wilson said the "IDB is a tool to create jobs and the tax base."
The IDB chairman said the board could provide more information, but cautioned Council about delaying the program.
"I remind you it (policy) expires on Dec. 31," he said. "If something comes along without it (in place), we're dead in the water."
The PILOT program is intended to attract and retain, on a basis competitive with other local governments, businesses that provide the types of employment, capital investment, community involvement and financial impact sought by the local governments for their citizens, according to the policy.
Council member Charlie Hensley said the IDB makes reports on an annual basis, stating information is already available.
"UPF (Uranium Processing Facility) is on hot right now," said Mayor Tom Beehan in support of the reauthorization. "We need to be on board for these companies. If we falter on this it sends a message 'maybe Oak Ridge isn't the place to be.' This would be a big mistake."
Beehan was talking about the companies that could locate in or relocate to Oak Ridge because of the proposed multi-billion dollar Uranium Processing Facility.
Baughn said she didn't see the urgency in giving away property.
"I just asked for a simple request," she said. I feel like I'm up against a brick wall. I feel like I'm in a twilight zone."
Baughn talked briefly about a company that had not succeeded after being put in the PILOT program, but city Attorney Ken Krushenski said the company in question had "been penalized every year."
Council member David Mosby said the city just "gave away" acres of city property in the center of the city.
"How much property are we willing to put under this?" he asked. "We can't keep giving away gains in property tax."
Member Anne Garcia Garland agreed, stating she was "disappointed that companies have been allowed to blackmail us emotionally." She said companies have to be empowered to succeed.
Member Charlie Hensley, however, said, "It's not blackmail when a company says it wants to be in Oak Ridge or not. I have a problem with saying we gave something away.
"I believe in the public/private partnership and the PILOT is just another way to help," he said.
Baughn argued that the city has property taxes for a reason.
"We penalize homeowners and businesses," she said. "We don't give them a break. There is nothing to disprove the validity of this program."
Baughn made the motion to extend the PILOT for six months and then reconsider it.
"This is chicken feed," Hensley said, talking about the comparison of the small abatements in the program to those of the Department of Energy (DOE).
"DOE self-imposed $30 million in tax abatement and we never say a word. Let's focus on the big issue," he said.
"We're not asking for a lot," Garcia Garland said. "How well is the IDB doing spending taxpayer money?"
Mosby suggested approving the PILOT and later having a work session to discuss the issues.
Wilson said the IDB members "take seriously spending taxpayer dollars," stating the board met more than 60 times last year.
"We can't waffle, say 'no,' or the company goes to Knoxville, Roane County or Lenoir City or Loudon," he said. "All those cities go along interstates. Oak Ridge has no interstate to offer that 10,000 others can so we have to be creative to get them here and stay here.
"When you do something positive, you might tell a few," Wilson said. "But do something negative and you tell the whole world. Soon you become an unfriendly, uncooperative place."
Baughn's six-month motion failed by a vote of 5-2 with Baughn and Garcia Garland voting for approval. The reauthorization of the original resolution to approve the PILOT was approved by a vote of 5-1-1. Baughn voted no and Garcia Garland abstained from the vote.
Beverly Majors can be contacted at (865) 220-5514.


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Video games help autistic students in classrooms
Onscreen, Michael Mendoza's digital avatar stands before a wonderland of cakes and sweets, but his message is all business: "I. Get. Frustrated when people push me and call me - and call me - a teacher's pet!"
In another classroom at Steuart W. Weller Elementary School, nearly an hour's drive west of Washington, D.C., two students stand side-by-side, eyes riveted on a big-screen TV. They jump, duck and swing their arms in unison, working together as they help their digital doppelgangers raft downriver.
In real life, 9-year-old Michael has autism, as do his two classmates. All three have long struggled with the mental, physical and social rigors of school. All three now get help most days from video game avatars - simplified digital versions of themselves doing things most autistic children don't generally do. In Michael's case, he's recording "social stories" videos that remind him how to act. In his classmates' cases - their parents asked that they not be identified - they're playing games that help with coordination, body awareness and cooperation, all challenges for kids on the autism spectrum.
Can off-the-shelf video games spark a breakthrough in treating autism? That's the question researchers are asking as educators quietly discover the therapeutic uses of motion-controlled sensors. The devices are popular with gamers: Microsoft this week said it had sold more than 19 million Kinect motion-sensor units since introducing it in November 2010.
Now autism researchers, teachers and therapists are installing them in classrooms and clinics, reporting promising results for a fraction of the price of typical equipment. Could a teacher armed with a $300 Xbox and a $10 copy of "Double Fine Happy Action Theater" do as much good as months of intensive therapy?
"Nobody thought of it as a therapeutic device," said Marc Sirkin of Autism Speaks, a New York-based advocacy group. Earlier this spring, when he first got wind of computer engineering students at the University of Michigan hacking the Kinect to develop autism games, he bought a ticket on a red-eye flight to see for himself. "It turns out you don't have to look very far, you don't have to scratch very deep, to go, 'Wait a minute. There's something really cool here.' "
Microsoft's Radu Burducea stops short of calling the Kinect a therapeutic device, but says he hears every day about teachers and therapists adapting it in new and creative ways: math instruction, book criticism, counseling and physical coordination, for instance.
"We've lost control," he admitted, "and thank God that we have."
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in April that about one in 88 children are on the autism spectrum, a 78 percent rise from 2002 to 2008.
In many cases, researchers have found, autistic children easily interact with an onscreen avatar that mimics their motions - the game world is more predictable and less threatening than real life, said Dan Stachelski of the Lakeside Center for Autism in Issaquah, Wash. As a result, teachers can help even the most isolated child interact with teachers and peers. In one case, Stachelski said, a student playing a Kinect game for a few moments moved his arms up and down in unison for the first time, "something our therapist was trying to do for six months."
Lakeside preschoolers now regularly compete in Dance Central dance-offs, and more recently, eight students shared a tiny classroom space with the help of "Happy Action Theater," a sort of rule-free, multiplayer digital sandbox. Tim Schafer, the game's designer, said his team built it with "zero assumptions" about players' abilities. "We were thinking of a birthday party full of toddlers," he said. "The main mantra was, 'No failure.' "
At the University of Michigan, software engineering students this spring designed several Kinect games for children with autism, an assignment from instructor David Chesney. Among the titles in testing: Tickle Monster, in which kids tickle imaginary creatures onscreen and learn about both appropriate touch and facial expressions. "For kids with autism, there's a certain social awkwardness and a lack of ability to recognize emotion, and to respond to emotion and verbal cues in an appropriate manner," he said.
Teachers at Weller had worked for years to help autistic students cope with the everyday demands of school - following directions, staying in a prescribed space, getting along with one another and working together, among others. Even talking to one another is often a challenge, teachers say.
A few weeks ago, Michael's teachers invited him to step in front of an Xbox equipped with a Kinect. He has since recorded four "social stories" that help him cope with social dilemmas as they happen. Teachers create digital QR codes that students access with a smartphone or iPad and up pops the student's video.
One teacher, Adina Popa, recalled that an autistic classmate recently watched Michael's "getting frustrated" video and reminded him of his own prescription: Tell a teacher, don't push, hit or use "inappropriate" words.
"That was a very neat conversation," Popa said.
(c)2012 USA Today
Distributed by MCT Information Services


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By Jan K. Seigel | Published September 30, 2014 | Posted in Nursing Home Neglect, Personal Injury | Tagged Tags: elder care, elder law, nursing care, Nursing Home Abuse, nursing home grades | Leave a comment
As baby boomers age, nursing care facilities are being pressed for beds and high-quality nursing care. Recently, a Florida-based advocacy group ranked nursing facilities in the United States based on several factors. New Jersey did better than most, but there remains room for improvement. The nonprofit agency Families for Better Care supports the rights to Read MoreRead More
The National Center on Elder Abuse reports that more than 20,000 complaints of nursing home abuse are reported each year, but only 1 in every 14 incidents are actually reported to authorities. These numbers are significant because they show that countless residents may be suffering in silence. This is a tragic irony given that nursing Read MoreRead More
Although is primarily known for it's presence in the Trial Court's, Joseph Albano recently obtained a New Jersey Supreme Court decision affirming a $199,000.00 recovery for a young woman injured when she fell on steps. The defense had appealed the recovery to the Appellate Division where Mr. Albano won the case and the defense then Read MoreRead More
Recovery on behalf of the 16-year-old girl injured by electrical malfunction
Jury verdict in a catastrophic injury case
Settlement for a fractured arm in Passaic County
Settlement for a woman in Bergen County injured in a trucking accident
By Teresa R Perez - January, 2018
I have had a great experience thus far. The personal injury process is stressful and they have been helpful and courteous in getting me the right referrals. I was injured while visiting NJ and live in another state, my case is not an easy one but they are working diligently to help. I appreciate the personalized attention and highly recommend this firm.Read More
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Honest, trustworthy and very straight forward. In unvarnished truth Jonas Siegel will tell you exactly where you stand and what direction you should go. Jonas has tenacity coupled with a degree of tenderness, but never losing site of the end goal, which is to protect, defend and have the best outcome for his clients. I defenetly recoment this law firm. Thanks for helping me out in my case.Read More
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U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar will continue wielding influence in Washington, D.C., after he leaves office, albeit with a much younger audience.
Lugar is starting an internship program with the University of Indianapolis that will operate out of Washington. He has also agreed to deliver a handful of lectures each year as a distinguished professor at the private university.
A university official spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to publicly discuss the matter before a Friday afternoon announcement. The official says Lugar will split his time between Washington and Indianapolis in the new job.
Lugar lost a grueling Republican primary battle in May to tea party-backed state treasurer Richard Mourdock. Since then, Lugar has traveled overseas talking about his nuclear disarmament program.


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NEWARK, N.J. — Lindsay Whalen scored 18 points while Maya Moore added 11 points and 10 rebounds to help the Minnesota Lynx beat the New York Liberty 73-47 on Tuesday night.
Minnesota (21-7) increased its lead to 1 1/2 games over Los Angeles for the top spot in the Western Conference. The Sparks played later Tuesday night. The Lynx lead Chicago by a game for the league's best record.
New York (11-17) fell 1 1/2 games behind Indiana for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Liberty will host the Fever on Friday night.
The Lynx scored the first seven points of the game and New York could never get closer than three the rest of the way.
Cappie Pondexter scored 13 points to lead New York. She is 24 short of becoming the 12th player in league history to reach 5,000 career points.
The two teams met on Aug. 18 and the Lynx came away with an easy 88-57 victory. Liberty coach Bill Laimbeer was upset after that game that Moore was playing late in the fourth quarter with the contest well in hand. He got fined by the league for his postgame comments.
There was no carryover Tuesday night. Laimbeer said he went out to dinner Monday night with Reeve, who was his longtime assistant when the two were in Detroit. Reeve joked that she made Laimbeer pick up the check.
Minnesota jumped out to a 7-0 lead as New York missed its first 10 shots. The Lynx extended the advantage to 13 before Pondexter finally got going for New York.
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With her team trailing 22-9 early in the second quarter, Pondexter scored seven points to cut the deficit to nine midway through the period. Pondexter had one move during the burst where she used a double crossover to get to an easy basket. That move brought Knicks guard J.R. Smith, who was sitting courtside, to his feet.
After Pondexter hit a 3-pointer that made it 28-19, Minnesota scored 11 of the final 13 points of the half to take a 39-21 lead. Whalen had six points during that spurt and finished the first half with 12.
Minnesota increased its advantage to 20 in the third quarter before New York went on a run to cut it to 45-34 with 2:30 left in the period. That's as close as they would get as Minnesota scored the final six points to close out the quarter. Devereaux Peters was huge in the third quarter and finished the game with eight points and nine rebounds.
Even with her team up 20 points in the fourth quarter, Moore made a spectacular diving save of a loose ball, jumping into press row. Whalen converted the great play into a layup on the other end.
Unlike the meeting nine days earlier, Moore exited soon after with 5:07 left and her team up 20 points.


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Sealed deep groove ball bearing for car drive shaft
It improves performance and liability, and reduces the total cost of ownership
The result is a more compact solution, which is easy to mount. The new bearing has been developed for the intermediate drive shafts in cars and light trucks (front wheel drive) and propeller shafts (four wheel drive and rear wheel drive). The bearing can also be used in many other types of applications that operate in heavily contaminated environments.
Among the most relevant operational benefits we can highlight:
- Reliable sealing that minimizes contamination inside the bearing, thus improving the bearing service life
- Increased robustness thanks to Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) approach
- Compact solution, easy to handle and ready to mount
- Sealing performance fully complying with car manufacturers' test specifications


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If it ain't broke…
TORONTO — In honor of Cito Gaston's favorite lineup, which is making an unprecedented (this season at least) fourth appearance in a row, I'm going to forget all about the importance of sample sizes and provide you a glimpse of what this local nine has done since Gaston took over the manager's chair a week ago:
1. Marco Scutaro, SS: .320/.414/.320, 2 RBI, 6 R, 3 BB
2. Joe Inglett, 2B: .471/.571/.706, HR, 2B, 3 RBI, 5 R, 4 BB
3. Alex Rios, RF: .429/.448/.714, HR, 5 2B, 2 RBI, 5 R, BB
4. Vernon Wells, CF: .308/.310/.346, 2B, 5 RBI, 5 R
5. Matt Stairs, DH: .333/.462/.444, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R, 3 BB
6. Scott Rolen, 3B: .273/.429/.773, 3 HR, 2 2B, 9 RBI, 5 R, 4 BB
7. Lyle Overbay, 1B: .320/.370/.400, 2 2B, 4 RBI, 5 R, 2 BB
8. Gregg Zaun, C: .188/.316/.375, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R, 3 BB
9. Adam Lind, LF: .357/.438/.786, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB
Man, if only Gibby would've found this lineup among the 60-odd combinations he tried. Granted, Jays fans shouldn't start crying playoffs until there's a sample size large enough to call a trend, and rolling this lineup against some American League foes will be a better test as well.
So it's far too early to start annointing Cito and Gene Tenace and their revolutionary "see ball, hit ball" approach as the saviors of this season. There's a loooong way to go yet. Gaston would like to simply reach .500 before the All-Star break. For those counting at home, the Jays need to go 10-5 over the next 15 games to reach that goal.
Today's lineups:
ATLANTA (39-41) at TORONTO (38-42)
at 7:07 p.m. ET at the Rogers Centre
Gregor Blanco, CF
Ruben Gotay, 3B
Kelly Johnson, 2B
Mark Teixeira, 1B
Brian McCann, C
Greg Norton, DH
Jeff Francoeur, RF
Brandon Jones, LF
Brent Lillibridge, SS
PITCHING: RHP Jair Jurrjens (7-3, 3.20)
See Above.
PITCHING: RHP Dustin McGowan (6-5, 4.21)
14 Comments
Tenace has officially "reprogrammed" the hitters into seeing the ball and hitting it. It's miraculous the improvements a hitter can make when his eyes are open.
If the hitters continue putting up the numbers they currently are (or close to it, Inglett isn't The Babe) for the rest of the season, then I will give the new staff credit. Until then, I will chalk this up to… Odds say they would due to turn it around.
The offense tonight was the offense of old…dissappointed but maybe it was just good pitching, we did hit a few pretty hard but they were right at outfeilders or others….
lets hope we can score more next game
Tonight, the Jays played Teixeira. Final score Teixeira 3 Blue Jays 0. Teixeira has to be one of the most dangerous hitters in baseball, I think even more dangerous than David Ortiz now. Check out the size of his arms and legs, man he is strong. He's a free agent this year, would he ever look good in a Blue Jays uniform. Probably cost 20-25 mill per year for 6-7 years, but I think he'd be worth every penny. Imagine inserting him into the 4th hole surrounded by Rios, Wells and Rolen-now that would be a scary lineup. In our homer dome, he might hit 50 per year.
So here's the deal. Trade Burnett, Overbay and Eckstein now to Atlanta for Teixeira and Diory Hernandez, providing we can come to an agreement with Teixera-which won't be an easy feat because he's represented by Scott Boras. Next year we'd loose Overbay's salary of 7 mill, Thomas of 10 mill Burnett at 12 mill, Eckstein at 4.5 mill. Hernandez is **** with speed, stole 54 bases in the midwest league last year and is one of the Braves top prospects.
So even if we have to go to 20-25 for Teixeira, it would be lower cost than where we're at right now. And Boras might agree to a 3 year deal, since Teixera's only 28 and could come back to free agency again in 3 years.
Then we pray either Purcey or Parrish is better than a .500 pitcher-which really is all AJ has done for us, so it shouldn't be that hard of a task.
Hernandez is a short stop-( hey Jordan they blanked out ss-lol)
Who would not like a playe like Teixeria? However, the key for the Jays is to draft and develop players with his type of upside. Atalnta is not going to win anything with him, at least not in the near future. It is not Cito this team needs, it is a return to the scouting and development philosophy that provided him with the players he had to manage. Once you have got the core, you can acquire players like Teixeria through trades, as we did with Alomar and Carter. The problem here is with the core – Rios, Wells, etc. Unfortunately, Toronto fans tend to over hype their players. Even someone like me could see that Wells was nothing compared to Devon White or Carlos Delgado. He never was in the minors, and never will be in the future. Why give him outrageous money to stay? Because the bean counters at Rogers think that Toronto fans are stupid! They think that all you have to do is keep their fan favourites (e.g., Darcy – no talent – Tucker) and the fans will show up in droves. The managment team running the Jays is not necessarily trying to put a winner on the field. They are tyring to put "BUMS in SEATS". That is why Cito was hired, and why the Jays will give stupid contract to fan favourites. Here is the next stupid contract: Big money for the DOC. It is clear that he is not the future of the franchise. His skills and ability are decreasing year by year. However, he is still good enough that we could get at least 3 prime-time minor leaguers for him. Toronto will never trade him because they think that people will not show up to the games. Billy Beane, on the other hand would, and then go on to make a world series appearance 2-3 years down the road. Unfortunately, Toronto is doomed to failure because the business model is based on "BUMS in SEATS" not on winning. That said, don't be surpirsed to see Teixeria. If they think a few more fans will come out to see him, they might even make him co-manager too!
Atlanta will probably ask for more than Burnett, Overbay and Eckstein just for Teixera…probably something along the lines of Burnett, Overbay, and a good prospect for Teixera alone.
I think Teixera is pretty young to build a team around, Halladay is not that old and if we can get a couple of good players in the next 2 years then we can definately compete.
Atlanta will probably ask for more than Burnett, Overbay and Eckstein just for Teixera…probably something along the lines of Burnett, Overbay, and a good prospect for Teixera alone.
I think Teixera is pretty young to build a team around, Halladay is not that old and if we can get a couple of good players in the next 2 years then we can definately compete.
Parrish pitched extremely well today. I think he can develope little bit more, he will definetely come in handy if Burnett decides to opt out at the end of the season.
Long time lurker, first time poster, I decided it was time to get active to agree with you Freedom. That I saw, Parrish only threw 4 or so changeups, relying on basically two different sliders and a 4-seamer with some nice tail. I'd love to know what the exact tip Arnsberg gave him that changed things around, but whatever it was, Parrish has two solid pitches, practically three, and a changeup with room to develop. The only question now is how they use him out of the pen until we need him to start again. With Cito's seeming trust in pitching coaches coaching the pitching, I trust that Arnsberg and Walton will keep him fresh and ready to go.
Nice to see Burnett get through 2 innings with 4 K's and still be under 40 pitches. It'd be nice if he can provide a QS for us at least, so some of our lefties can get a day off. 😉
That's the way to beat Atlanta, walk Teixera 3 times. I completely agree with that strategy, particulary in a tight game. Another nice outing from Burnett-now 2 in a row. I hope he keeps this up over his next 4-5 starts to increase his trade value.
Burnett ended up with much more then just a quality start. He's fun to watch when he's on game, I just wished it could happen more often. Mcdonald was fantastic defensively too as usual.
We got lucky that Chipper wasn't hitting behind Teixeria this series. Close game and a good win but too many double plays and not being able to push across RISP. A lot of the same in fact. Rios, Wells, Rolen seem to be producing a lot better, just hope they keep it up because that is all we really need with our great pitching.
Rios needs to try and pull the ball more, he seems to have success doing that and Eckstien needs to hit more often without runners on base. He will always hit line drives or hard balls on the ground and test the infield. You are never really looking for Eckstein to drive in runs.
homer, you make a good point about Chipper not being in the lineup but I wonder how people can say that when the jays have injuries it's no excuse etc. but when another team comes in and is missing a key piece people say the "Jays are lucky" bottom line: they won and that's all that matters. They have a good shot at sweeping the Mariners now too. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
If we can get to within (atleast) 7-6 games out of first place before the all allstar break, then I think we still have a chance of making it to the playoffs, but if we are anymore than that, even though I never give up hope, I think it's pretty much safe to say that we are not going to make it.
I'm liking that the Jays are showing a little more pop at the plate. It will be interesting to see if any Jay can make it to 20 homeruns this season.


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Vote: Would You Pay More for Amazon Prime?
Amazon.com is considering a price increase in the U.S. to its Prime membership program. The current cost is $79 annually, which gets members free two-day shipping as well as streaming movies and TV shows.
The possible move came up during Amazon's earnings call Thursday. It would be the first change in the 9-year history of the program, and could increase pricing between $20 and $40.
Amazon shares were down 9% on Friday following the call, as the company's results failed to meet Wall Street expectations.
Would you pay more for Amazon Prime? Take our poll and let us know why or why not in the comments.


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(This post originally appeared on Living Successfully With Aphasia)
About a month ago, driving in the early morning madness that is New Jersey traffic, I listened to this piece on NPR. With the death of Osama Bin Laden has come a plethora of articles, photos, blogposts: people's emotional holding places have been disturbed, and everything is raw again.
This podcast was made by Beverly Eckert, who lost her husband, Sean on 911. She recorded the podcast four years after his death, but the words sounded new and the feelings full as I drove the highway in muted sunlight. Loss, grief, the longing for human connection. These are what I heard, what I hear in the conversations I have with people living with aphasia. And, like Beverly, the time that passes does not really soften the pain.
Vision blurred, I pulled over to the side of the road, and wept. It will not be the last time I am able to share in another's longing for the return of what was.
Shirley Morganstein and Marilyn Certner Smith co-founded Speaking of Aphasia, a Life Participation practice in Montclair, NJ where people with aphasia instruct her daily in their journey. Recently, Shirley began a blog focused more on her personal thoughts about the people she has met and her own process as a therapist


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Central Michigan can boast some of the top facilities in the Mid-American Conference.
The volleyball program plays its home matches in McGuirk Arena on John Kulhavi Court - part of the $22.5 million CMU Events Center that opened in December 2010.
The facility features a pair of club rooms, the largest of which is a 1,600-square-foot space with room for 130 Chippewa fans and plush leather-chair seating for 88. It also features a 360-square-foot outdoor patio and is available for receptions, meetings and banquets.
The renovation upgraded several of the basic amenities for patrons of McGuirk Arena. In addition to 1,400 square feet of dedicated concession space, the number of restrooms in the facility was quadrupled. The chair-back seating ratio climbed from 14 percent to 41 percent, and a climate control system was installed in the facility.
The facility is now a prime host for many uses outside of athletic events, including speakers, concerts and trade shows.
Other functionality upgrades included a satellite training room, improved arena lighting and a brand new state-of-the-art video scoreboard on the west wall.
Nods to tradition and the history of Mount Pleasant also are present throughout the building. Two facility-length murals line the north and south concourse, paying homage to figures throughout CMU history as well as other facilities and programs on campus.
An auxiliary gymnasium, located just feet from the locker room and main competition arena, is named after historic CMU head coach Dick Parfitt.
The brand new volleyball locker room is located inside McGuirk Arena. It holds four leather couches, along with a flat screen TV and entertainment center. This gives the team a large area to scout opponents or hang out together. Divided by a wood wall, the other side of the locker room holds the team's lockers.
The Indoor Athletic Complex houses the turf bay, Dick Enberg Academic Center, and weight room. The academic center allows student-athletes to have access to over 25 student tutors and mentors. There also is a computer lab with 31 work stations, five tutor rooms, a quiet study room that is monitored at all times and the offices of the full-time academic staff.
Open to any and all entrants. The cost of any awards are included in the cost of attendance.


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- 4 scarce cups 00, pastry or AP flour
- 25 gr active yeast
- 1/3 cup sugar
- ½ cup liquor, such as rhum or grappa
- 1/2 cup sultana or raisins
- 1/3 cup pine nuts
- grated zest of one orange
- 1 ½ tablespoons candied citron (or lemon)
- pinch of salt
- 1/2 cup warm water
- abundant oil for frying (a mild olive oil or peanut oil)
- powder sugar to decorate
Soak the raisins in the liquor for for 30 minutes, and drain well.
Dissolve the yeast in warm water (never use cold water!); add 1/2 of the flour and allow to rest for 30 minutes in a warm area.
Combine with the rest of the ingredients into a batter just slightly thicker than waffle batter.
Allow to rest for 3 hours.
Heat at least 3" of peanut or mild olive oil in a wide heavy pan with tall sides, and fry by dropping spoonfuls of the batter into the hot oil. Do not drop too many spoonfuls at the same time, or they will stick to each other and also cool down the oil, with a greasy and soggy result.
Fry in batches until golden brown, draining on a double or triple layer of paper towel.
Dust with sugar and serve immediately.
Buon appetito!


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Actress Melissa Joan Hart was so impressed with the expensive gift Ryan Reynolds gave her when they were both teenagers, she made out with him.
The two former child stars, who are both now happily married, enjoyed the briefest of romances after filming "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" together in the mid-1990s, and the actress has revealed she'll tell all about her feelings for the former People magazine Sexiest Man Alive in her new book, "Melissa Explains it All," which will be released later this year.
But she gave fans a taste of her "fling" with Reynolds during an appearance on the late night show "Chelsea Lately" on Thursday.
Hart said, "It wasn't a big deal at the time. It is now. He wasn't on the cover of People magazine as the hottest man, or whatever.
"The last day (on the set), he was leaving, and he came in my dressing room and handed me a gift. We had been hanging out, flirting, we'd gone camping (but) I had a boyfriend. He, like, threw this box at me and basically walked out of my dressing room and I kinda stopped his car very dramatically… because I opened the box and it was, like, a Beluga watch, this gorgeous watch.
"He was, like, 17, and I was 19 and I was like, 'You're too young for me…' but I stopped his car… and I wasn't sure if I was gonna get mad at him… and I just grabbed him and started kissing him. You get a piece of jewelry like that, you gotta make out with the guy."
But Hart has no regrets that she didn't take her feelings for young Reynolds further – because she's now married to rocker Mark Wilkerson, the father of her three kids.
She added, "I think my husband is hotter than Ryan, so it worked out."