text:
12/19/17 As the final mixing comes together for the new album, I'm pleased to announce that, thanks to a Grant from SC arts council, I'll be collaborating with artist/ illustrator Mike Bencze on a Graphic Novella based on one of the songs from the upcoming album to be released as a multimedia single in the next year.. whoop!
09/05/17 The new album's coming together beautifully, as the tracks make their transatlantic passages to include the host of international musicians involved..
Here's a teaser of one of the new tunes. "South of San Gregorio" recorded in a cave in the Santa Cruz mountains w/ Dorota Szuta on violin:
05/08/17 NEW album begins! This week I went into Lord Huron's Clubhouse/ studio in LA to begin work on my next project. Irish songbird/ flautist Nuala Kennedy is at the helm, guiding a polyrthymic crew.. i think we got captured something special... stay tuned.
1/17/17 Coming to the famous McCabes for the first time:
11/18/16 Looking forward to a weekend of Bay Area shows with Raina Rose
Saturday 11/19 at the Lille Aeske Arthouse in Boulder Creek tickets almost gone.. a few left here
Sunday 11/20 Poplar Playhouse Berkeley looks like a few tickets left, so RSVP here
4/19/16 Good news Londoners (??)! We've added a second show! Thanks to the good Folks at Folklore, who are hosting myself and the wonderful Jack Harris, May 5th at the Harrison in Kings Cross. click here for tickets and Info!
4/08/16 Well that was quick, just after it was announced, the London Show Supporting Birds of Chicago has Sold out, possible second London show in the works.
3/11/16 It's hard to believe been 5 years since the passing of Jack Hardy. I'm really proud to be a part of this tribute coming out today on Smithsonian/ Folkways records. I was privileged to attend (at write all of 'Scrimshaw') at Jack's songwriting meetings in the East Village. The record features tracks from a small section of artists who Jack Influenced and encouraged throughout his career: Suzanna Vega, Nanci Griffith, Richard Shindell, John Gorka, to name a few. Check it out here :
1/24/16 I'm an Alligator! pulling out a couple bowie tunes in a rare local SC show!
1/15/16 SOLD OUT! i'm the featured performer at this month's Your Going to Die event.
1/07/16 New Year starts off with a bunch of new Bay area shows. First off, I'm honored to be warming up the crowd for Matt The Electrician at Doc's Lab in San Francisco
12/06/15 I've been invited on as guest instructor/ writer on a mystical / medieval Swedish island at the Gotland International Sonwriter's retreat. May 8-15 2016..
9/14/15 Santa Cruz! I'm really excited to get a chance to perform in this magic venue, A cave in the Santa Cruz Mountains! Buy tickets soon, this will definately sell out!
8/7/15 Happy Summer! I've been selected as an official showcasing artist at this year's Far-West Conference in Oakland, ca!
3/02/15 Proud to be a part of this benefit for Monarch Community School in Santa Cruz, CA. ill be on air at KPIG to talk it up. (also pretty excited to be billed as the 'Acoustic Space Cowboy')
2/15 /15 Showcasing at this years Folk Alliance conference KC, MO
7/4/14 Off to mystic Lentas Crete where ill be a Guest songwriting instructor.
5/24/14 In session at London's House of mercy
5/22/14 Glasgow Herald reviews the Fallen Angels Club Show
5/20/14 Metro UK says "Scrimshaw is a sublime Americana offering, with a depth and poeticism thats found in only the purest of folk music. It may claim to have found it's inspiration in bygone days, but it's a relevant record, in the vein of Robert Ellis or Anais Mitchell: it uses a timeless medium to tell modern tales."
5/20/14 Feature about my trip up to the Scottish highlands.
5/07/14 feature/interview w/ upcoming UK Dates.
4/01/14 NY! special ticketed Rockwood 3 show/sendoff to UK w/ Jonathan Goldberger on guitar
Click HERE for Pre-Sale tix.
3/20/14 Spring UK Tour dates Announced
2/13/14 ready to be reunited with my fellow folk itinerants at the Folk Alliance in Kansas City next week, trying out old jokes / new songs in the carpeted hotelrooms.
1/15/14 HAPPY NEW YEAR im emerging from a fall writing sabbatical with a new albums worth of material/ record in the works. just found out i'll be helping teach a writing retreat in the mystical Lentas, Crete this spring . Details here
11/16/13 leading off Spring UK tour to take part in the Glasgow Americana festival
7/6/13 Excited to go on air tomorrow at my new hometown radio station KPIG
5/6/13 Back safe from the UK, Good to see you all again. Next, I play Mainstage at Kerrville Folk Festival, and am honored to be a judge at the 2013 Newfolk contest.
5/1/13 listen to a session I taped with the Legendary Billy Butler for BBC Merseyside, Liverpool
4/23/13 Video from last night's glasgow show:
Metro Scotland:
Glasgow Evening times.
4/20/13 I finally turned the corner from 'up and comer" to 'cult folk troubadour'!
4/18/13 Me and Kinky Fridman in session at the House of Mercy
4/16/13 Eventbrite loved the Shropshire show.
4/13/13 Live review of the sold out London Show!
4/3/13 The good folks of at Folkradio.uk have put scrimshaw as an 'Album of the Month', talking up my Upcoming UK tour, and including a little interview. thanks guys!
3/15/13 apparently Scrimshaw made beat surrender's best of 2012 !
3/4/13 Next week I head to Austin for SXSW
Wednesday, March 13th, 2013
Guero's Taco Bar
South by Soup Fest Benefit for Caritas of Austin www.firstgiving.com/southbysoupfest ComboPlate Booking Roster Party
1412 S. Congress Ave.
Thursday March 14,
Caritas soup kitchen w/ Ben Solee & Gregory Alan Isakov
Friday, March 15th, 2013
Rock Room Concerts
w/ Rod Picott & Phil Lee
Austin TX
Sunday, March 17th, 2013
SXSW Songwriters w/ Sam Baker, Carrie Elkin, Dannyschmidt, Ruth Moody, Steve Poltz, The Sea The sea, Roem Baur, Tim Easton, Megan Bauer, Carrie Rodriguez, Robby Hecht, Ben Mallott - noon-6pm
2/28/13 My friend, the amazing songwriter Paul Curreri,'s visual take on my song Barroom Bards.
Barroom Bards from nels Andrews on Vimeo.
2/26/13 Toronto Ill be your way a couple days playing an official Showcase at the Folk Alliance conference, and haunting the late night halls of the Delta Chelsea hall, and taping a live session for CIUT and XM radio.
2/19/13 I'll be in Boston live on WUMB at noon chatting and playing some songs with host Dave Palmater, then playing later that night at Club Passim w/ Matt the Electrician.
2/14/13 Nice review in The Alternative Root I'll be swinging by their Boston Studio to tape a live video session next week!
1/05/13 Brighton UK's Gilded Palace of Sin waxes on Scrimshaw's POMO (POst MOby Dick) aspect in it's Best of 2012 list.
12/23/12 Scrimshaw hows up twice on Americana UK's critic's 2012 best of list!
12/17/12 Jim Blum at NPR's Folk Alley picks 'Scrimshaw' in his top records of 2012! saying "Where has this guy been hiding? In the library, maybe."
12/13/12 Dutch popmagazine Heaven puts Scrimshaw in it's top 10 for 2012. writer Pieter Wijnstekers places it in fine company, with Iris DeMent, Phantom Limb, Rose Cousins, Glen Hansard, Husky, Gretchen Peters, Anais Mitchell and Kathy Mattea.
12/7/12 Featured on this week's Freight Train Boogie
12/4/12 Elevation Outdoors magazine puts 'Scrimshaw" on its best of 2012 trail mix!
12/1/12 Thanks to John Platt at WFUV, who mentioned "Scrimshaw" on his WFUV staff picks 2012
11/27/12 The first Scotttish date for the April Uk tour is announced Here.
11/24/12 Ill be on the air at WFDU from 9am-noon this morning on 'Crash on The Levee' with Jerry Treacy, playing songs live in the studio. Then I'll be at Zirzamin in the west village celebrating the US release of Scrimshaw. One of my hero/mentors David Massengil will be on at 7pm, Ill come on at 8pm (joined by Brandon Seabrook on banjo), and folowed by Curtis McMurtry (son of James @ 9:30.
11/20/12 Scrimshaw debuted in the top five most added records in Americana radio this week!
11/18/12 On Air at the legendary WFUV , I brought the band by the studios for a session and interview with John Platt. then later in the night stopping by the WMSC studio's for a session with Joe Pszonek at 9:00pm.
11/17/12 tune in today for a live in studio session at WFDU's Carnvial of song.
11/13/12 In NY tonight with the band for a live Taping of XM's Living room to the Loft sessions
11/6/12 Nice words from the Blog Fingertips !
11/5/12 Grassclippings Blog picks Scrimshaw as First Sunday six pics for November.
10/30/12 No Depression previews Scrimshaw, streaming the entire album here.
10/22/12 I had a quick Q&A with the folks at American Songwriter Magazine. I weighed in on such heavy topics as yard sales and sextants.
10/20/12 During the months of January and Feb, I'll be flying long distance with you, as part of Lufthansa Airlines inflight programming.. wish I got the miles as well.
10/15/12 Kickstarter goal met! Thanks to all of you who pre-ordered, we did it! ok off to press..
10/10/12 American Songwriter premiers the first track from Scrimshaw!
10/5/12 Colorado, I'm coming your way for the first time in years next weekend! Scott Foley at KRFC got a preview of the new record and will be playing a track on his 'Routes and Branches show tomorrow. check out the little interview we did for his Blog.
9/20/12 Scrimshaw release date in the US is November 13! You can Pre-order the record through a Kickstarter campaign I launched.
9/10/12 Folks in the UK! we'll be over April 18-28th, dates will be up as soon as possible on this site and over at our friends at Grapevine booking.
8/15/12 Maverick Magazine calls scrimshaw a "Wonderful and delicate work of art" 4/5 star review.
8/10/12 9/10 review in the August issue of Whisperin' and Hollerin'
7/20/12 This morning's Irish Times bestow's a 4/5 star review..
7/19/12 Nice words from americana roots website
7/11/12 New issue of Rock' N Reel magazine hits the stands today in the UK with Woody Guthrie on the cover and a 4 star review of Scrimshaw.
6/17/12 Tomorrow night in NY Folk Alliance presents a special night at the Living Room for the new music seminar NMSFlyer.jpg
6/5/12 Scrimshaw is officially available in the UK june 11! I'll have a limited number of hand letterpressed copies in the store in the next couple days, in the meantime, there are a few advance copies over at my friends Fish Records
6/5/12 Woke this morning in California to sunshine, blooming Jacoranda, and this 4/5 star review in London's Telegraph!
6/2/12 After a week up in the dust of the Kerrville Folk Festival, I'm back in Austin. My show In fort worth for sunday unfortunately was cancelled, but luckily my friends Carrie Elkin and Danny Schmidt, have spur of the moment offered to host a show at their house, with a few really special guests.. we've officially sold the show out thanks austin!
5/11/12 Scrimshaw is album of the week on Iain Anderson's show BBC Scotland. He calls it "A true wellspring of 21st century music."
5/7/12 Lonesome Highway over in Ireland takes a good look at Scrimshaw. The reviewer Steven Rapid says "Scrimshaw is a collection of songs of flickering characters and places, like an early Vitascope projection on a peeling wall." cool.
5/4/12 The hour long radio session we taped for RTV's Live At Lloyd airs tonight in the netherlands, and then streams.
5/2/12 Nice words from the UK in FolkRadio , and Fatea
4/30/12 Wow, really nice review in Italy's Distortioni magazine.
4/18/12 New reviews in this month's Lust for life (formerly Revolver), OOR, Heaven, and Volkskrant
4/8/12 New review in from the Flying Shoes Review
4/5/12 Goodbye New Amsterdam hello Old Amsterdam , details of the upcoming netherlands tour here. were celebration with a bon voyage show at Zebulon, Brooklyn. myself, Jonathan Goldberger on guitar, Anthony Da Costa on Bass, and Andrew Borger on drums.
4/1/12 Scrimshaw made it's debut this morning as #1 on the Euro Americana Chart for the month of April!
The new record is out now in the netherlands.. how's your dutch?
reviews are coming in glowingly:
Well be over In April, come see us at the shows and pick up a copy. It should be available in the UK in June, and the US in the fall. Ill be printing up a 180g Vinyl copy and digital extras to those who pre-order.
a track from live radio session of mine featured on the VPRO's best of studio 6 sessions compilation.
I'm off Monday to Austin for SXSW, I'll be joining a whole slew of my friends, playing a bunch of new songs.. come find me
Last winter, I lost a friend, hero, and mentor Jack Hardy. His weekly songwriter's exchange from his little apartment in Jack's NY's west village apartment, was his gift to so many writers, myself included. I recorded an unreleased song of Jack's (with vocal help from my buddy Anthony Da Costa ) for a tribute album that will be out on Smithsonian / Folkways later in the year. The record features a bunch of folks (Suzanne Vega, David Massengil, Nanci Griffith, John Gorka Suzzy Roach, a whole host of others) who've been a part of the exchange over the years, They've graciously suggested that we share the album with fans until the record comes out to spread the word. so for a limited time is available as a free download (along with a great 100 page booklet of essays and pics ) here tinyurl.com/jackhardy. enjoy, share!
Welcome! New website, New Year, New Record! We've put the finishing touches on the new record, which will be called 'Scrimshaw' . It was produced by my friend Todd Sickafoose , was recorded at Brooklyn Recording this Fall, and weaves together the voices and instruments of friends from New York and beyond. The new record will be out in April overseas, and I'll be down in Austin for SXSW this year, followed by tours of Netherlands and the UK to promote it, check the Calendar page for details. I've been making field recordings of the new songs and posting them here on the video page if you'd like a preview.


text:
DM463, Reviewed October 1993
Community groups often have a problem coming to a decision about projects to undertake. Quite often, resources, both human and financial, are limited; the number of problems seem overwhelming; or there are forceful advocates of a "pet" project. How can a group overcome these difficulties?
The four decision-making techniques shown in this guide will make the task easier. The first two techniques generate ideas about community goals or projects, while the last two prioritize the alternatives you have identified.
Brainstorming is a technique that generates a large number of ideas in a short time period. It works best when group members know each other and have some degree of trust. The most important thing to remember about brainstorming is that it is intended to generate ideas — not judge ideas.
You will need the following supplies for a brainstorming session: Paper or a chalkboard; felt-tip markers or chalk and an eraser; and masking tape.
Begin the brainstorming session by writing the topic on the paper or chalkboard. Make sure everyone understands the topic — but don't give too many details, it might influence their opinion. Brainstorming continues as long as people have ideas, but limit their time by saying: "We will take the next two minutes to think of as many ideas as we can about."
Time limits help people be creative and spontaneous without the pressure of thinking they will be at the task forever. If there are additional ideas after the time limit, continue the process, but be careful not to let it go on too long.
Next, ask people to call out ideas as quickly as they can and write them on the paper or chalkboard exactly as they were stated. It is important to resist the urge to write what you think people mean, rather than what they say.
In fact, it is a good idea to point out that this activity is not to evaluate the ideas; evaluations come later. No idea should be rejected as being "impractical," "silly" or "off-the-wall."
Encourage everyone to give one idea, but don't force those who are reluctant. End the brainstorming session while people are participating enthusiastically, rather than forcing them to think of "just one more." Usually, brainstorming is not the ultimate decision-making activity. The results of a brainstorming session will probably be used in other decision-making processes such as the nominal group technique or paired-weighting, which will be discussed later.
The "Brain Drain" is like brainstorming except it introduces a competitive element into the activity. Begin by dividing the participants into groups of three to five and provide each group with a sheet of paper and a marker. Ask them to write down as many ideas as they can in one minute that relate to the topic under consideration.
After one minute, stop and find out which group has the most ideas. Give the groups one more minute to add to their list. Stop and once again find out which group has the most ideas. Give the groups another additional minute. Stop and ask each group to report on their ideas.
Consolidate ideas by listing them on a master list. Encourage combining and clarifying ideas if necessary, but don't eliminate ideas. Once again, elimination is done using other decision-making techniques.
Paired weighting is a good way for a group to prioritize items because it ensures consideration of every item. The activity is relatively easy to do after the list of items has been generated. Here are the steps:
While this technique seems complicated, it becomes easy to use with practice. It can be used to rank 20 items or less and is a good tool for helping groups prioritize decisions in a logical fashion.
Paired weighting form
The Nominal Group Process (NGP) is a technique used for complex problems or to focus action on a community issue. NGP is most useful in situations where individual judgments need to be considered and combined with others to arrive at a decision that cannot be made by one person.
It is a method of pooling knowledge and judgment for the group's benefit. It consists of seven steps that may take several hours to complete, depending upon the number of people involved. This process works effectively with groups of all sizes.
NGP steps are:
Running an NGP session is not difficult, but it takes some planning and organization. For example, groups larger than 15 should be subdivided into groups of six to eight. One leader per small group is helpful, although one person could do the session alone with proper preparation.
Supplies needed for a NGP are:
A typical NGP session might go something like this:
Step 1
The group leader states a question to be considered. For example, the question might be: "List the five most important reasons why you consider your community to be a good place to live."
Step 2
Each person lists their reasons on a 3 x 5 card without discussing them with the others. Allow five to 10 minutes for this activity. A typical card might look something like this:
Step 3
The group leader asks each person in turn to give one answer to the question which is then listed on the flip chart. Do not discuss the items listed; the goal is simply to record. This round-robin listing continues until each person has all of their ideas on the flip chart. This may take 20 to 40 minutes. A typical flip chart might look like this:
Do not debate the ideas
The purpose is not to eliminate good ideas that seem unworkable; this takes place during the ranking phase. Keep this section at 20 minutes in length. This is what a flip chart might look like after items have been combined:
Step 5
Now the group ranks the ideas on the flip chart. The leader numbers a second sheet of flip chart paper. Each person picks five items (more than five makes tabulation difficult) and writes them on their second 3 x 5 card along with the item's number. For example, the items selected might look like this:
Using the third card, each person writes down the numbers 1 through 5. Referring to their five items, each person ranks those items from 1 to 5 (1 is most important; 5 is least important). The card would then look like this:
When everyone has finished, the leader tabulates the individual rankings. The completed tabulation might look like this:
The group leader then adds the "votes" for each item and divides by the number of votes that item received. Based on the scores, item #4 — "The school system is good." — ranked as most important receiving an average vote of 1.2; #3 — "Shops downtown carry a good selection." — was second; #8 — "Good park." — was third; #1 — "Low crime rate." — was fourth; and #5 and #6 tied for fifth.
Step 6
The group then has the opportunity to discuss the ranking. If the group is satisfied with the outcome, the process is complete.
Step 7
If the group is not satisfied with the outcome, it can decide to vote again. For example, vote on the top ranking items to be sure the ranking reflects the group's judgment. Occasionally, an item may rank high because it received only one or two votes, but those votes placed it as most important (for example, only two people voted for item #3 — "Shops downtown...", yet it was ranked as the second most important item; item #10 received 13 votes, but it did not show up in the top five because of its higher average).
There is nothing wrong with re-voting! The NGP is not a hard and fast process. It is simply a way to take a look at how the group feels; it is a way to come to consensus about a collection of individual ideas.
While it can seem complicated, after you have used it a few times you will see how useful it can be in helping a group come to a decision they can all support.
The decision-making techniques presented here represent only a few that can help you assist groups in identifying and choosing community projects or activities. If you would like to learn about other decision-making techniques, the following books may be of help:
Order publications online at http://extension.missouri.edu/explore/shop/ or call toll-free 800-292-0969.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Gwynn Oak, MD Steel Drums Lessons
Looking for private in-home or in-studio Steel Drums lessons? Our Gwynn Oak teachers are ready to get you started. Find your teacher today!
Our online tools make booking, managing your schedule and paying for lessons easy and hassle-free.
Easily search and compare teachers in your area, including past student reviews and background checks.
If you're not completely satisfied, we'll help you find a new teacher or refund any unused lesson credits.
Why TakeLessons?
Our teachers have taught
lessons and counting!
Popular Steel Drums Teachers near Gwynn Oak, MD
Check out some of our most popular teachers near Gwynn Oak, MD including Washington, Baltimore, Arlington, Alexandria and Silver Spring.
About Kevin F.Close
View Full Profile
I have played Pan for 26 years and love to help others learn how fantastic the instrument can be!
About Kevin
*** Lesson Details ***
Lessons with me will be positive and you will be pushed to be your best. I work with each student to find out their goals and then show them the fastest and best way to reach those goals. As long as you follow instructions and practice, you can expect amazing results! Most of my students are in the top bands, make All-State auditioned groups, get highest ratings at Solo & Ensemble contests and know how to play!Even when time is a concern, I can still help you move forward. I always take where students are and show them how to get to the next step. I can move at any rate the student wants to move. I am committed to having them have fun and get better!
*** Studio Equipment ***
2 Drumsets, Timpani, Vibraphone, Xylophone, Bells, Snare Drums, marching drum pads, Congas, Timbales, Bongos, Auxiliary Percussion (too many to list) and also TV/Audio equipment to help with playing with music while we do lessons!
*** Specialties ***
I have a series of Rhythm books that are used in multiple schools. I also am well-versed in Drumset, Concert Percussion, Marching Percussion, Steel Drums, and Mallet Percussion
· Xylophone · Online
· Drum · In studio
· Drum · In studio
Kevin F.
Kevin F.
About Mike K.Close
View Full Profile
The Steel Pan is such a beautiful, and fun instrument! It is also one of the most logically set up instruments and makes a great tool for learning about music in general.
About Mike
I help my students set - and reach - achievable goals. Learning this skill teaches them self esteem and also helps them discover their own learning style - a valuable tool, even if they do not pursue a career in music! I am gentle, but honest when a student arrive
I am not accepting many students, so that I can keep my schedule very performance heavy. This makes me a better teacher, and means that I only retain students who really want to progress.
I have been a drummer/percussionist in the Indianapolis music scene for nearly forty years. I regularly perform with the top players in many different genres and have played and recorded in a wide variety of venues and musical situations. In addition to playing my first instrument: the drum set. I also perform on various instruments, including: steel pan, vibraphone, and congas. I have extensive experience as a teacher beginning 30 years ago teaching at IRC music and Carmel Music Center.
My music education followed the classic route of mentoring under a local expert while working professionally. I studied for 16 years with Charles Mastropaolo (drummer for the Ed Sullivan show, and local jazz great) and was trained by him in improvisation, rudimental drumming, score reading/interpretation, Latin drumming, vibraphone, and performing all styles on the drum set. I have also been a member of the vibraphone workshop online teaching community for nine years. As a member, I have been able to further my education on all mallet instruments by online lessons with some of the top vibraphone players in the world.
I look forward to working with you!
· Drum · In studio
· Drum · In studio
decades of experience, versatility and creativity.
· Drum · In home
Mike K.
Mike K.
About Samuel F.Close
View Full Profile
Drum lessons are unique with me because of my background with all percussion makes lessons flexible and fun. I tailor my lessons to the students wants and desires while also building their technical skill in all areas of percussion so they can play everything while excelling at what they enjoy the most. This makes a very fun and educational experience.
About Samuel
Samuel F.
Samuel F.
About Braeden K.Close
View Full Profile
Music lessons CAN be fun! We offer individualized lessons across all styles, genres, and ages at multiple locations in Charleston, SC.
About Braeden
Braeden K.
Braeden K.
About Nijel T.Close
View Full Profile
Hello! I have been a drummer for 12 years now of my life. I grew up playing for concert bands in high school and have learned great technique and a good foundation in playing beginning-intermediate stick drum pieces, hand drums, as well as auxiliary percussion instruments (which i love!). I can help teach and practice any sheet music in these areas whether being prepared for a concert band, adjudication, or for personal use. I play a drumset as well for worship, personal use, and music production which I can also give pointers to!
About Nijel
Nijel T.
Nijel T.
How it Works
From finding the perfect teacher to managing payments, scheduling and tracking your progress, we take care of all the details, so you can focus on learning. Learn More
Search for a teacher
Compare hundreds of teachers based on the criteria that matter to you, including background checks, age and experience.
Schedule your lessons
When you've found the perfect match, schedule your lessons online using the teacher's real-time availability.
Connect with your teacher
Your teacher will welcome you with a personalized curriculum to meet your specific goals and you'll be able to manage your entire schedule through our free online account.
Can't find a teacher in Gwynn Oak, MD?
No problem. Our online lesson platform connects you with any teacher, anywhere. All you need is a reliable Internet connection, a webcam and a microphone.
Zero travel time is great for a busy schedule.
Typically priced lower than local lessons.
Online students stick with lessons as long as local students.
Get Started with Free Resources
Singing Video Series
for Beginners
Take your voice to the next level. Download free video tutorials to start singing like the star you are!
Quick Guide to Getting
Started With Music Lessons
Getting Started with Music Lessons guides you through selecting a teacher & preparing for your first lesson.
Guitar Video Series
for Beginners
Kickstart your guitar playing. Download free video tutorials to learn about chord progressions, strumming, and more!


text:
Melanie Belec
Hometown: Southbury, Conn.
Major: Nursing
WCSU Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Internships: Student Nurse Intern (SNI) at Waterbury Hospital, summer 2008, floated throughout the hospital; SNI at Waterbury Hospital, Jan. and Feb. 2009 in the Emergency Department
Activities: EMT for Southbury Ambulance Association, Student Nurses Association member, tutor for other nursing students
Honors and Awards: Helen E. Mizer Award, May 2009; Connecticut League for Nursing, RN Peer Recognition Award, November 2008; Sigma Theta Tau International, Kappa Alpha Chapter, May 2008; Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society, Pi Zeta Chapter, May 2007; New Beginnings Nursing Scholarship, May 2007; Southbury Ambulance Scholarship
Melanie Belec's first degree was a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics in 1984. "The plan was for me to get certified to teach math once our children were older," she says. "I was dragging my feet in getting started with the teacher certification. My heart wasn't into it. When our daughter was 16, she asked if she could take an EMT class and her father told her she could only if I took it with her. I had always been intrigued by EMS and the medical field so I heartily agreed to take the class with her. Both my husband and our daughter saw that my future career should be in the medical field as this was what I was passionate and excited about. They are the ones who encouraged me to apply to nursing school. My mother is a retired RN. My older sister is an RN. My twin sister is an RN, and our daughter in now an RN. So, it was a natural fit to become a nurse."
Belec came to WestConn "because of the excellent reputation of the nursing department, and they accepted transfer credits from my first degree." At WCSU, Belec was able to transfer in almost all of her Gen Ed classes from her first degree. "I will graduate from WCSU with my second BS degree 25 years after my first BS degree," she says.
Taking the EMT class showed Belec that she could still learn and that she loved to learn. "My instructor for the Anatomy and Physiology class at WCSU, Dr. Paul Nitti, validated my choice of career direction and set the foundation for the nursing classes that lay ahead," she says. "Since then, every nursing professor I have had has helped me to increase the knowledge base and develop the clinical expertise that I will need to be a competent, caring nurse."
Asked what she will remember most about her WestConn experience, Belec says, "Four of my classmates were high school classmates of my children. I insisted they call me by my first name because they are my classmates now. When I look back on my four years of nursing school at WestConn, what comes to mind is the amount of work it took to get to this point. All of the students who complete the nursing program have worked hard; otherwise they wouldn't be graduating. Working and progressing alongside my classmates is something I will never forget."
After graduation, Belec will work in the Emergency Department at Griffin Hospital in Derby, Conn.
Belec's advice to new students entering WCSU is: "My advice to future nursing students would be to stay focused on your goal and committed to your studies."


text:
MOUNT KISCO, N.Y. -- The Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester will be hosting an alumni cocktail reception in honor of its 75th anniversary on Sunday, Feb. 9 from 4 p.m to 7 p.m.
The celebration will honor three longtime staff members for their 100 years of combined service: Dennis Munson (45 years), Barbara Cutri (30 years) and Betty Lou Ostrye (25 years).
Click here for the invitation or visit the website www.bgcnw.com for more information.
The Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester is located at 351 Main Street, Mount Kisco.
RSVP by Thursday, Feb. 6. For more information and to RSVP, contact Jean Skanes at email@example.com or 914-666-8069 , extension 111.
Click here to sign up for Daily Voice's free daily emails and news alerts.


text:
Bill would limit size of casino entertainment venuesBy MICHAEL COUSINEAU
New Hampshire Union Leader
March 31. 2013 1:20AM
MANCHESTER - Manchester legislators are pushing to limit the size of music venues that any casino might build in New Hampshire in order to protect Verizon Wireless Arena's livelihood, and perhaps other music venues.
"The gist is going to be there will be no non-gambling venues over 1,500 seats on casino grounds," said Rep. Patrick Long, D-Manchester, who also is a city alderman.
Massachusetts already has carved out similar protections.
A casino licensee can only build a live entertainment venue that has less than 1,000 seats or more than 3,500 seats, according to its gaming law.
"That (existing) mid-range entertainment is protected from competition from casinos," said Clyde Barrow, director of the Center for Public Analysis at UMass-Dartmouth.
Barrow and the center have done extensive research on casinos as part of the center's New England Gaming Research Project.
Barrow offered advice to New Hampshire lawmakers: "I think the Massachusetts law is a pretty good model."
Casino applicants must provide the gaming commission with signed agreements between them and affected live entertainment values that include "terms relating to cross marketing, coordination of performance schedules, promotions and ticket prices," according to the law.
But Massachusetts Gaming Commission spokesman Elaine Driscoll said Friday: "There's no requirement in the law that venues be given funds by the applicants."
Understands concerns
The man who runs the arena in Providence, R.I., said he understands the concerns of venue owners and legislators.
Larry Lepore, general manager of the Dunkin' Donuts Center, said he can't compete financially with the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut, about 60 miles away, when booking musical acts.
"From the day it opened, it was the kiss of death, especially for our concert business," said Lepore, who works for SMG, the same company that runs Manchester's arena.
"Even if they lose money on the show, people will eat in their restaurants and spend money in their casino," he said.
"I compete every day with agents and managers trying to get a show that I can never afford the same prices that Mohegan pays the acts," said Lepore.
A phone message left with the Mohegan Sun's media relations staff wasn't returned.
"If you want your arena to be competitive, let them have slot machines," Lapore said.
The odds might be against that, but Long plans to get someone on the House Ways and Means Committee to introduce that amendment.
The Senate this month approved Senate Bill 152, which would legalize a casino with up to 5,000 video slot machines.
Coexistence is the goal
The prime sponsor of the New Hampshire casino bill, Sen. Lou D'Allesandro, D-Manchester, said he doesn't believe a Granite State casino would hurt Manchester's arena.
"Obviously, we don't want a problem. We want them to coexist," he said.
D'Allesandro said late 2014 would be "the best-case scenario" for a casino to open in New Hampshire.
"I have not heard or seen anything that would lead me to believe they would do a big entertainment complex," he said.
Rep. Peter Ramsey, who runs the Palace Theatre in Manchester, said he wants legislators to limit the size of a casino venue to protect the downtown Manchester arena.
"I'm going to do all I can so that the Verizon is not affected adversely by the casino," Ramsey said. He said he doesn't think a casino would affect his 800-seat theater because it places a strong focus on broadway shows, a niche casinos typically aren't involved in.
Tim Bechert, general manager of Verizon Wireless Arena, couldn't be reached for comment, but he recently told a city aldermanic committee that the Mohegan Sun's arena affects his business, and a New Hampshire casino possibly offering musical entertainment was a concern, according to the committee's minutes.
Definitely opposed
Andrew Herrick, marketing director at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom, doesn't want a New Hampshire casino operator building a music theater or arena.
"We certainly would not want any other music venue here," he said. "It's not going to help anybody."
The ballroom, which hosts 1,800 for a seated show or 2,200 for standing room, offers about 70 shows from April through November.
"We'll either get fewer shows or consumers will pay higher ticket prices," Herrick said.
Messages weren't returned from officials at Meadowbrook, which offers summer concerts with about 6,500 fixed and lawn seats in Gilford, or the Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord, which hosts concerts with seating for more than 1,300.
Safe from Bay State
Jim Rubens, who heads the Granite State Coalition Against Expanded Gambling, said a New Hampshire casino would hurt Granite State venues more than a larger casino farther away in Massachusetts.
"The Boston casinos are clearly going to have big time entertainment," Rubens said. "It will hurt to some extent, but it's far enough away."
But a shorter drive to a casino would hurt other venues, he said.
"The problem is if we have a casino in New Hampshire - Salem, for example - that will have a serious impact because it's much closer to existing New Hampshire entertainment venues."
Barrow said Las Vegas casinos generate about 50 percent of their revenues from non-gambling activities, such as hotels, restaurants and retail stores. It is nearing 30 percent at the Mohegan Sun, a Native American casino in Connecticut.
"That's the direction the big resort casinos are competing not only for gambling dollars but for entertainment dollars," Barrow said. "They can bid more, take a lower profit or break even and make the money somewhere else."
A greater percentage of people going to the two Connecticut casinos are not gambling there. Six years ago, 7 percent of visitors didn't gamble; today, it's around 20 percent, Barrow said.
D'Allesandro said he is open to listening to ideas about amending New Hampshire's casino bill.
"I wouldn't want anything to hurt the entertainment that we offer in New Hampshire," he said. "I want this to be an amenity that embellishes it."


text:
By Fernando Duarte
Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has rolled back the years and let us in on his plan to capture the World Cup in 2014 by naming a player who many believe peaked a long, long time ago in his maiden squad.
In two weeks' time, Scolari's side will face England at Wembley relying on Ronaldinho to spark up the creative department, just like he used to for Barcelona. And that is the first problem for 'Big Phil's' masterplan: even in his mid-noughties prime, and not forgetting his brace of Fifa World Player of the Year awards, the buck-toothed player often encountered criticism in Brazil for a perceived failure to emulate his Blaugrana form with the Selecao.
True, his contribution to Brazil's fifth World Cup cannot be forgotten, let alone his two moments of brilliance in that tricky quarter-final against Beckham and Co. in Yokohama.
Still, Rivaldo and Ronaldo ended up hailed as the architects of that campaign and Ronaldinho's abysmal display four years later in Germany only fed the "I told you so" brigade. Since then, he has had chances to return in two other World Cup cycles – under Dunga and Mano Menezes. Both coaches lost patience and faith.
'Big Phil', however, has taken over at a side that lacks experience, and Ronaldinho could have a role to play. Under Menezes, Brazil had an average age of 21.9, but that soon fluctuated to 25 once the London Olympics project was done with and the coach could resort to using players aged 23 and over. But in Scolari's first press conference last November, he openly said that bringing back veterans would be one of his priorities. And we must remember 'Big Phil's' modus operandi: His teams have always been built with seasoned players, especially ones he has converted into followers.
Ronaldinho fits the bill in this sense. He was also one of the best players in the recent Campeonato Brasileiro, although there followed an acrimonious departure from Flamengo and a disappointing loss of steam from his new club, Atletico Mineiro, in the second half of the season that saw them lose the title to Fluminense. However, few expected him to under perform in a league which is not comparable to La Liga or Serie A.
And Ronaldinho, who turns 33 in March, is no spring chicken either, but his mere presence might be helpful for the team. He remains a mean dead-ball deliverer and any side can do with flashes of brilliance. Off the pitch, he will certainly soak up the attention that can still be a bit uncomfortable for younger Selecao stars such as Neymar and Oscar. With 18 months to go to a home World Cup where nothing but the sixth title will be enough for Brazil, details like that could be crucial.
Speaking of frontmen, Scolari fulfilled his promise to abandon the 4-6-0 Catalan experience tried by Menezes in his last games in charge. The man who took a job many people in Brazil wished had been given to Pep Guardiola will not abandon a tactical scheme with a classic 'number nine'. Fluminense's Fred, the top scorer in the 2012 Brazilian season and Ronaldo's understudy at Germany in 2006, also returns and will probably be first choice against England.
'Big Phil's' list, which has been skewed towards European-based players due to the start of the Brazilian season, still contains the names of 12 men already capped under Menezes. No eyebrows were raised with the presence of Dani Alves, the Chelsea trio formed by David Luiz, Ramires and Oscar, and even Ronaldinho wasn't a total shock. Kaka, called up by Mano as a temporary solution last year, will have to deal with his lack of playing time at Real Madrid and sit out the England game. Instead, Scolari brought in Hernanes. One of the reasons behind Lazio's revival in Serie A, the 27-year-old is back from a long exile after trying to perform open-heart surgery on Karim Benzema in a friendly against France in February 2011.
Of the four first-timers, the most interesting choice is Bayern Munich's Dante. Still virtually unknown in Brazil, the centre-back has been outstanding for the German club this season, building on a similarly impressive 2011-12 period at Borussia Monchengladbach. Even though the path to the Selecao might have been facilitated by the thigh injury that has sidelined Thiago Silva, Dante's technical style is a welcome addition to the mix - especially if 'Big Phil' decides to plump for a three-man defence, just like in 2002, although few would bet against a 4-2-3-1 at Wembley.
And in a season when Brazil will play in the group of death at the Confederations Cup and have a mean streak of friendlies against Italy, Russia, France and Chile, it will be no shock if Scolari recalls more veterans if things don't go to plan. And he could yet complete a hat-trick of coaches who have failed to re-boot Ronaldinho.