text:
Can Natural Dietary Supplements
Really Impact Prostate Cancer?
Edited from PCRI Insights February 2007, vol. 10, no. 1
By Jacek Pinski, M.D., PhD.
(Medical Oncologist) Assistant Professor of Medicine
USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA
We now have a body of solid evidence upon which to stand when we claim that natural ingredients can prolong prostate vitality … and prevent PC cells from developing … and may even prompt cancer cell death in men who have the disease.
Consider this: natural dietary supplements are now part of standard treatment and prevention of prostate cancer (PC). Admittedly, it is not an approach traditionally embraced by research scientists, medical practitioners or even patients. Popping vitamin C tablets to treat a common cold is one thing, but conventional wisdom would have it that you do not tackle a threatening disease like cancer with an arsenal of vitamins, herbs and minerals.
Well, conventional wisdom is changing. This article will discuss the results of several studies conducted over the past decade, at highly respected medical research institutions in the United States and Europe, attesting to the efficacy of supplements in preventing PC and affecting PC cell growth. I will also point to equally reputable investigations that indicate that natural supplements can amplify the benefits of more established drug and radiation therapies.
None of this should be terribly shocking. After all, many of the most frequently utilized chemotherapeutic agents are substances originally extracted from plants. Some have been synthesized chemically; but many are plant extracts, pure and simple, administered to patients in very high concentrations. So when we contemplate the irreconcilable differences between "natural supplements" and "serious drugs," the friction starts to look a lot like the emperor's new clothes.
As a research oncologist, I do not see tremendous divisionary thinking between practicing physicians and bench top investigators who study the effects of natural products. Supplements, vitamins, herbs — they are all part of the research. My experience is that everyone in the professional community wants precisely the same thing that patients want: curative therapies. If an expensive, synthetic chemotherapeutic agent proves beneficial, then it becomes a valuable new part of the treatment plan. Similarly, if a relatively affordable dietary supplement that is well-tolerated by patients and linked to little or no toxicity proves effective, then it is welcomed onboard. In the fight against PC, it all boils down to one very simple tenet: if it works, use it.
Conversion of a Skeptic
My professional background would not appear to qualify me for easy involvement in the fast-growing movement toward natural treatments for PC. The truth is I spent the first ten years of my career trying to develop new synthetic therapeutics to treat the disease. Although I was trained in Germany, I moved to the United States in 1990 to work at Tulane University. I joined the research team of Nobel laureate Andrew Schally, MD, a remarkable scientist best known for establishing the rationale for Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) in the treatment of PC.
Essentially, Dr. Schally identified the sequencing activity of a specific hormone that ultimately leads to testosterone production in men and estrogen in women. This landmark discovery —- in tandem with the knowledge that PC cells require testosterone in order to survive and proliferate — paved the way for development of several drugs that block testosterone production. First as a research fellow, and later as an assistant professor, I worked with Dr. Schally on creating such hormone and growth factor replicas, drugs that would induce cancer cell apoptosis (cell suicide).
Then in the late 1990s, I moved to Baltimore to do my medical oncology fellowship at Johns Hopkins Oncology Center. While I was there, I did translational research studies with John Isaacs, PhD, another very prominent figure in PC research. Much of this work focused on the molecular mechanism of cancer cell death. The aim was to better understand exactly how PC cells die when they are denied the basic ingredients required for survival and proliferation. We hoped, of course, that such an understanding would result in the development of even better therapeutic agents, drugs that would initiate apoptosis faster and control it more completely.
I think it is fair to say that all this work in ADT and hormone ablation therapy — of which I am proud to have been a part — did not produce altogether stunning results. On the one hand, the drugs we developed do effectively block PC cell proliferation. On the other hand, they cause myriad side effects. Some are relatively minor: hot flashes, night sweats, loss of libido, hair loss, weight gain, fatigue and gastrointestinal toxicity. Others are far more debilitating: osteoporosis, depression, suppressed immunity, anemia, and in some cases cardiac, kidney and liver problems.
Since 2001, I have been a faculty member in the Division of Medical Oncology at the University of Southern California Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, engaged in clinical research with actual patients as well as laboratory investigations focused on the biology of PC. Over the past few years, I have had the opportunity to design and implement a select number of studies that explore more natural, less toxic therapy options. One of these studies examines the effects of an isoflavin called genistein, essentially a plant estrogen found in soybeans and other soy products.1 It is very much like human estrogen in chemical shape and properties, but it is much weaker than the human form.
In recent years, cell culture evidence has surfaced to suggest that genistein may inhibit PC cell proliferation and induce PC cell death. I designed my project to further substantiate (or contradict) this evidence and to pinpoint the precise mechanism by which this isoflavin results in PC cell growth inhibition. I have been impressed, not so much by the evidence that genistein does induce apoptosis, but by just how effectively and efficiently the substance precipitates cell death.
In the space available here, it would be impossible to discuss all the supplements that may prove protective against PC. I could not hope to acknowledge all the studies that lend credibility to the theory that natural supplements can (a) contribute to the prevention of PC; (b) prevent and reverse symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia; (c) enhance the efficacy of more traditional PC therapies; and (d) kill PC cells. So, alternatively, I will focus on those that I consider most important. Together, the results of these studies — done by reputable investigators at renowned institutions in accordance with rigorous scientific research standards — constitute nothing less than a loud and well-reasoned pronouncement that natural dietary supplements can help reduce the incidence of PC and add benefit to standard treatment once the disease occurs.
Evidence from Basic, Translational and Clinical Research
Across the medical research spectrum, natural supplements show impressive power to prolong prostate vitality and battle PC cells. Their benefits are observed in basic test tube research, where laboratory scientists explore compounds thought to be potentially curative. Additional benefits are seen in the results of translational studies that test the compounds on animals. Most important, encouraging results have emerged from multiple clinical trials, which test a supplement in patients in order to establish a maximum tolerated dosage and determine efficacy.
Epigallocatechin – (EGCG) Green tea (without caffeine), apples
EPIGALLOCATECHIN: One of the best-known of these supplements is epigallocatechin (EGCG), more commonly called green tea. Made from the dried leaves of an evergreen shrub native to Asia, it has taken the western world by storm in recent years. Even popular science readers are likely to have come across articles attesting to the theory that EGCG may interfere with cancer-related biochemical reactions.2 In lay language, this means that, while we do not fully understand how or why, green tea seems to make cancer cells sluggish. Under its influence, they appear to stop dividing, and they even self-destruct. In addition, it seems to inhibit the formation of specific carcinogens known as heterocycloic amines. (These are the hazardous chemicals that form when meat is broiled.)
Several translational research studies have looked specifically at how EGCG impacts PC cells in mice. Results from perhaps the most noteworthy of these investigations indicate that EGCG prevents the development of PC cells in a well-respected mouse model.3 Another study shows that once the disease develops in mice, EGCG inhibits PC cells from producing their own growth factor, insulin growth factor (IGF).4 This is important because we have come to realize that PC cells are extremely clever. If we use ADT to block testosterone, they will ingeniously begin producing their own growth factors, such as IGF. So perhaps hormone therapy (to block testosterone) in conjunction with EGCG (to inhibit IGF production) could deliver a debilitating double-punch to PC cells. Finally, there is a clinical study showing that EGCG significantly reduce the incidence of PC in men who are at high risk for developing the disease.5 After a year's oral administration of green tea, only one man in a group of 32 at high risk for PC developed the disease, compared to nine out of 30 in the placebo control group.
Lycopene – Watermelon, tomato and all tomato-based products, pink grapefruit, apricots, papaya, guava, persimmons
LYCOPENE: In cell culture and animal studies, this carotenoid (found in tomatoes) appears to reduce the stimulatory effect of testosterone and thereby induce PC cells death. In one translational study, for example, researchers supplemented the diet of young rats with lycopene for eight weeks and then looked at their prostate lobes to see if and how the supplement had influenced them.6 Their 2004 findings were among the first to offer evidence that lycopene may reduce local prostate androgen signaling as well as IGF-I expression and basal inflammatory signals in normal prostate tissue. In everyday language: lycopene just might reduce testosterone's stimulatory effect on PC cells and reduce the effect of the cells' own growth factor.
There is also evidence that lycopene may reduce the incidence of prostate cancer in humans.7,8 For example, a 2004 retrospective study examined several epidemiological investigations focused on a possible relationship between tomato consumption and subsequent risk for PC.9 One of these studies followed nearly 47,000 men from 1986 through 1992.10 By the end of this period, 773 of these participants had been diagnosed with PC. Statistical analysis indicated that when all dietary sources of tomatoes were combined, consuming more than ten servings per week was associated with a significant 35% reduced risk of PC. In 1998, a longer follow-up period was evaluated.11 By this time, in this same population, 2,481 study participants had been diagnosed with PC. Again, tomato consumption was associated with a reduction in PC risk, this time a 23% reduction. And looking at the issue in an entirely other way, a 2002 study found that men with lower lycopene blood or tissue levels were at higher risk for developing the disease.12
Selenium – Brazil nuts, walnuts, fish (including canned tuna and shellfish), organ meats, beef, turkey, chicken, eggs, whole grains, garlic, onions, broccoli, cabbage and mushrooms
SELENIUM: This mineral, found at highest concentration in some soil, is now among the most popular nutritional supplements in the field of naturopathic cancer prevention. Dietary intake cannot be measured easily because the selenium content in food depends on its concentration in the soil where the food plant grows.
Laboratory cell culture studies have shown that selenium can induce apoptosis of PC cells.13 There is also at least one cell culture study which found that human prostate carcinoma cells pretreated with selenium have increased sensitivity to gamma-irradiation.14 So, again, we see evidence that when used in tandem with traditional treatments (in this case, radiation), natural supplements may amplify the overall therapeutic effect. Translational research data also supports selenium's efficacy, particularly when administered in conjunction with other natural supplements. In one study, for instance, researchers added vitamin E, selenium and lycopene to the diet of male mice.15 They found that mice treated with this combination had a four-fold reduction in the incidence of prostate cancer as compared to untreated animals.
Several clinical studies have demonstrated that selenium intake may significantly reduce the risk of PC in humans and, together, confirm a need for the more conclusive data that will come from large randomized controlled trials currently underway.16-18 One such investigation looked at 586 men initially enrolled in the 1982 Physicians' Health Study and subsequently diagnosed with PC.19 The data show an inverse association between baseline blood selenium levels and the ultimate occurrence of advanced PC, suggesting that higher levels of selenium may slow tumor progression even in men who do develop the disease.
Genistein – Soybeans, tofu, soy milk, red clover, curry powder, chili powder, crushed red chili pepper, chickpeas
GENISTEIN: As I mentioned earlier, there certainly is evidence that genistein impacts PC. Cell culture studies as well as translational investigations find that it suppresses PC cell growth.20-22 We have demonstrated that one of the mechanisms by which genistein inhibits the proliferation of PC cells is by transforming some of them into a different, non-proliferative cell type.1
Much like selenium, genistein has been shown to enhance the effects of radiation therapy, both in vitro and in vivo.23 And in human trials, genistein has been shown to powerfully impact PC-cell proliferation. In one study, 76 PC patients between the ages of 50 and 80, with a Gleason score of 6 or below, were given either soy isoflavins or a placebo for 12 weeks.24 Changes in their prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and steroid hormone levels were analyzed both at baseline and after intervention. The data suggest that supplementing early-stage PC patients in this way, even for a short duration, alters markers of proliferation in many subjects, as compared to subjects receiving the placebo.
Another study enrolled 49 patients with a history of PC and rising PSA levels after radical prostatectomy or radiation therapy.25 These subjects were randomly assigned to either receive a dietary supplement high in genistein or a placebo. The researchers found that those receiving the supplement experienced significantly delayed PSA progression. So even when patients relapse subsequent to potentially curative therapy, there is evidence that genistein can arrest continued PC-cell proliferation.
Vitamin E – Wheat germ oil, various vegetable & nut oils (almond, cottonseed, safflower and sunflowers) hazelnuts, mayonnaise, sweet potato, green leafy vegetables
VITAMIN E: Cell culture as well as animal studies indicate that on its own — and particularly when used in combination with other natural supplements — vitamin E (sometimes called Alpha-Tocopherol) may be preventative against PC.26-28 Lab investigators speculate that this protection is due to the vitamin' s antioxidant activity and suppression of a man' s testosterone level.29 In addition, there is data from a large clinical trial (of more than 5,000 men) to support the notion that vitamin E gives an added power boost to other supplements, including vitamin C, beta-carotene, selenium and zinc.30 So, vitamin E too seems to act synergistically. Another large clinical trial, involving thousands of men, is presently investigating whether vitamin E in conjunction with selenium can prevent PC.
Vitamin D – Dairy products, eggs, breakfast cereals (which are fortified with vitamin D), fatty fish (including salmon and tuna)
VITAMIN D: The evidence is somewhat similar regarding vitamin D. An article published in the highly-respected British medical journal, Lancet, offers evidence that a lack of vitamin D might actually cause PC.31 There also may be synergistic benefit to augmenting traditional chemotherapy with vitamin D. In one clinical trial, Taxotere® (an FDA-approved drug for use against advanced PC) was combined with an analog of vitamin D — meaning vitamin D at a very high concentration.32 Researchers found that patients who received this combination had better outcomes.
Taken together, the results of the studies mentioned in this article — and many others that were not discussed here — look very promising and suggest that natural supplements may help improve prostate health. Today, there are several dietary supplements commercially-available to men. I myself have developed one and, of course, believe that my Prostate Health Cocktail (PHC) is particularly complete and effective. Of course, more carefully designed clinical trials are needed in order to establish with certainty the role such products can play in prevention and treatment of (benign as well as malignant) prostatic disease. In the meantime, however, I believe that men should be proactive. Starting at age 50, they should all consider taking a supplement of carefully selected ingredients in well-calibrated proportions. As shown above, these natural supplements can be found in a wide variety of readily available foods.
No Longer Medical Heresy
At one time, it was considered medical heresy to suggest that dietary supplements might play a constructive role in the battle against PC. Fortunately, a bold and innovative community of scientific researchers ignored that ethic and moved forward with laboratory investigations, animal studies and real patient trails. Thanks to their efforts, we now have a body of solid evidence upon which to stand when we claim that natural ingredients can prolong prostate vitality … and prevent PC cells from developing … and may even prompt cancer cell death in men who have the disease.
For years, we have watched the limitations of modern chemotherapeutic drugs; and while we have watched, patients have continued to die. Although final figures are not yet available, experts estimate that during 2006, another 234,460 American men were told that they had PC.33 Approximately half of all those new cases were locally advanced or metastatic at the time of diagnosis. Last year, an estimated 27,350 men died from the disease. If we assume that each of them had one mate, two children, five grandchildren and a dozen friends, then it is fair to say that 574,350 people in this country lost their fight against PC in 2006. That is a slightly larger number than the entire population of Washington, DC.
I am not suggesting that natural supplements replace established treatments such as chemotherapy, ADT, or radiation. Each of these respected treatments has proved to be effective, and they all prolong life. Nevertheless, dietary supplements can play an important role in PC prevention. In addition, they may enhance and perhaps even amplify the benefits of standard treatments. So we must look beyond what we already know. I am certain that tremendous therapeutic advances are to be found just beyond the horizon. We should walk toward them.
1. Pinski J, Wang Q, Quek ML, Cole A, Cooc J, Danenberg K, Danenberg PV. Genistein-induced neuroendocrine differentiation of prostate cancer cells. The Prostate 66:1136-1143 (2206).
2. Lesch Kelly, Alice and Mestel, Rosie. Still brewing. Health, Los Angeles Times: F1, F6. November 7, 2005.
3. Sartor L, Pezzato E, Dona M, Dell'Aica I, Calabresse F, Morini M, Albini A, Garbisa S. Prostate carcinoma and green tea: (-)epigallocatechin-3-gallate inhibits inflammation-triggered MMP-2 activation and invasion in murine tramp model. International Journal on Cancer: 112, 823-829, 2004.
4. Adhami VM, Siddiqui IA, Ahmad N, Gupta S, Mukhtar H. Oral consumption of green tea polyphenols inhibits insulin-like growth factor-I-induced signaling in an autochthonous mouse model of prostate cancer. Cancer Research 64: December 1, 2004, 8715-8722.
5. American Association for Cancer Research. News. Green Tea Shown to Prevent Prostate Cancer. April 20, 2005. <http://www.aacr.org/Default.aspx?p=1066&d=432>
6. Herzog A, Siler U, Spitzer V, Seifert N, Denelavas A, Hunziker PB, Hunziker W, Goralczyk R, Wertz K. Lycopene reduced gene expression of steroid targets and inflammatory markers in normal rat prostate. The FASEB Journal express article 10.1096/fj. 04-1905fje. Published online November 15, 2004.
7. Giovannucci E. (1991) Tomatoes, tomato-based products, lycopene, and cancer: review of the epidemiologic literature. J Natl Canecr Inst. 91: 317-331.
8. Miller EC, Giovannucci E, Erdman JW Jr, Bahnson, R, Schwartz, SJ, Clinton SK.(2002) Tomato products, lycopene, and prostate cancer risk.Urol. Clin. North Am. 29: 83-93.
9. Campbell JK, Canen-Adams K, Lindshield BL, Boileau TWM, Clinton SK, Erdman, Jr., JW. Tomato phyochemicals and prostate cancer risk. American Society of Nutritional Sciences. 0022-3166/04.
10. Giovannucci E, Ascherio A, Rimm EB, Stampfer MJ, Colditz GA, Willett WC. (1995) Intake of carotenoids and retinol in relation to risk of prostate cancer. J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 87: 1767-1776.
11. Giovannucci E, Rimm EB, Liu Y, Stampfer MJ, Willett WC. (2002) A prospective study of tomato products, lycopene, and prostate cancer risk. J. Natly. Cancer Inst. 94: 391-398.
12. Vogt TM, Mayne ST, Graubard BI, Swanson CA, Sowell AL, Schoenber JB, Swanson GM, Greenberg RS, Hoover RN, Hayes RB, Ziegler RG. Serum lycopene, other serum carotenoids, and risk of prostate cancer in US blacks and whites. American Journal of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. 2002.
13. Jiang C, Hu H, Malewics B, Wang Z, Lu J. Selenite-induced p53 Ser-15 phosphorylation and caspase-mediated apoptosis in LNCaP human prostate cancer cells. Mol. Cancer Ther. 2004 Jul: 3(7): 877-84.
14. Husbeck B, Peehl DM, Knox SJ. Redox modulation of human prostate carcinoma cells by selenite increases radiation-induced cell killing. National Library of Medicine, Free Radic. Biol Med. 2005 Jan 1; 38(1): 50-7.
15. Venkateswaran V, Fleshner NE, Sugar LM, Klotz LH. Antioxidants block prostate cancer in lady transgenic mice. National Library of Medicine, Cancer Res. 2004 Aug 15; 64(16): 5891-6.
16. Etminan M, Fitzgerald JM, Gleave M, Chambers K. Intake of selenium in the prevention of prostate cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. National Library of Medicine, Cancer Causes Control. 2005 Nov; 16(9):1125-31
17. Combs GF, Clark LC, Turnbull BW. Reduction of cancer risk with an oral supplement of selenium. Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 10, 227-234. 1997.
18. Clark LC, Dalkin B, Krongrad A, Combs, Jr.GF, Turnbull BW, Slate EH, Witherington R, Herlong JH, Janosko E, Carpenter D, Borosso C, Falk S, Rounder J. Decreased incidence of prostate cancer with selenium supplementation: results of a double-blind cancer prevention trial. National Library of Medicine, British Journal of Urology.1998 May; 81(5): 730-4.
19. Li H, Stampfer MJ, Giovannucci EL, Morris JS, Willett WC, Gaziano JM, Ma J.A prospective study of plasma selenium levels and prostate cancer risk. National Library of Medicine, J Natl Cancer Inst. 2004 May 5; 96(9): 696-703.
20. Raffoul JJ, Wang Y, Kucuk O, Forman JD, Sarkar FH, Hillman GG. Genistein inhibits radiation-induced activation of NF-kappa B in prostate cancer cells promoting apoptosis and G2/M cell cycle arrest. BMC Canecr.2006 Apr 26; 6: 107.
21. Kazi A, Daniel KG, Smith DM, Kumar NB, Dou QP. Inhibition of the proteasome activity, a novel mechanism associated with the tumor cell apoptosis-inducing ability of genistein. Biochem. Pharmacol. 2003 Sep 15; 66(6): 965-76.
22. PSA Rising Magazine. Genistein from soy reduces prostate cancer growth in mice, cell culture. June 2, 2001. <http://psa-rising.com/medicalpike/nutri/soy-june01.shtml>
23. Hillman GG, Wang Y, Kucuk O, Che M, Doerge DR, Yudelev M, Joiner MC, Marples B, Forman JD, Sarkar FH. Genistein potentiates inhibition of tumor growth by radiation in a prostate cancer orthotopic model. American Association for Cancer Research, Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, 2004; 3: 1271-1279.
24. Kumar NB, Cantor A, Allen K, Riccardi D, Besterman-Dahan K, Seigne J, Helal M, Salup R, Pow-Sang J. The specific role of isoflavones in reducing prostate cancer risk. National Library of Medicine, Prostate. 2004 May 1; 59(2): 141-7.
25. Schroder FH, Roobol MJ, Boeve ER, de Mutsert R, Zuijdgeest-van Leeuwen SD, Kerstein I, Wildhagen MF, van Helvoort A.Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study in men with prostate cancer and rising PSA: effectiveness of a dietary supplement. European Urology, doi: 10.1016/j.eururo.2005.08.005.
26. Malafa MP, Fokum FD, Andoh J, Neitzel LT, Bandyopadhyay S, Zhan R, Iiizumi M, Furuta E, Horvath E, Watabe K. Vitamin E succinate suppesses prostate tumor growth by inducing apoptosis. Int. J. Cancer. 2006 May 15; 118(10): 2441-7.
27. Siler U,Barella L, Spitzer V, Schnorr J, Lein M,Goralczyk R, Wertz K. Lycopene and vitamin E interfere with autocrine/paracrine loops in the Dunning prostate cancer model. National Library of Medicine, FASEB J. 2004 June; 18(9): 1019-21. Epub 2004 April 14.
28. Venkateswaran V, Fleshner NE, Sugar LM, Koltz LH. Antioxidants block prostate cancer in lady transgenic mice. Cancer Res. 2004 Aug 15; 64(16): 5891-6.
29. Hartman TJ, Dorgan JF, Woodson K, Virtamo J, Tangrea JA, Heinonen OP, Taylor PR, Barrett MJ, Albanes D. Effects of long-term alpha-tocopherol supplementation on serum hormones in older men. Prostate. 2001 Jan 1; 46(1): 33-8.
30. Meyer F, Galan P, Douville P, Bairati I, Kegle P, Bertrais S, Estaquio C, Hercberg S. Antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplementation and prostate cancer prevention in the SU.VI.MAX trail.National Library of Medicine, Int J Cancer. 2005 Aug 20; 116 (2): 182-6.
31. Mirkin, Gabe, MD. Vitamin D prevents prostrate cancer. <http://www.drmirkin.com/men/9431.html>
32. Beer, TM. ASCENT: the androgen-independent prostate cancer study of calcitriol enhancing taxotere. National Library of Medicine. BJM Int. 2005 Sep; 96(4): 508-13. 33. CA Cancer J Clin 2006; 56: 106-130.


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"We started doing it September 4 just so we have an idea how many calls we get at a time," Berger says. "Sometimes we'll get three a day, sometimes 23.
"I don't think anyone ever thought of it before," he says, smiling at Melissa.
But more than five years ago, Kathie Jackson told the grievance board that she had discussed the importance of recordkeeping with Berger. His response, she said, was that he felt "something was better than nothing."
LIS'N's problems continue. At its September meeting, the mental-health grievance board discussed, among other things, yet another complaint regarding Berger and his hotline. Berger appeared before the board in his wheelchair, accompanied by his mother and LIS'N attorney Marty Miller. Although the board's case file remains closed until the board determines whether it has jurisdiction, Miller acknowledges that the charges include accusations of impaired judgment on Berger's part.
"In an unsupported charge by (name deleted), she complains that Richard is using untrained and severely mentally ill persons to answer the crisis line," Miller wrote in a legal memorandum to the board. In addition, Miller wrote, the woman said she feared that Berger's physical impairment could cause him to drop the phone in the middle of a call.
The board took no action at the meeting, because it has not been determined whether the state has jurisdiction over the latest complaint about Berger. Miller, however, contends that it does not. The board is expected to make a decision on the matter by its next meeting, in late November. The complaint has already had one repercussion, though: According to Oram, LIS'N board president Reri MacLean resigned, in large part as a result of it. An old college buddy of Berger's, Oram took the board's reins after MacLean's departure.
Although Berger's methods have been questioned, even his critics believe that his heart is in the right place. "LIS'N has always been an effort of goodwill on the part of Dick Berger, and I've got to give him a lot of credit," says Frye. "I'm sure he has done a great deal of good."
Berger has also been recognized with a number of humanitarian awards, including John Elway's "Hometown Hero" award and the Minoru Yasui Community Volunteer Award. And for now, it appears that his hold on the hotline remains secure. The Boettcher Foundation has given Berger's group a $3,000 grant for this year, and LIS'N's membership in the Community Shares program assures the group another $2,200 -- enough to keep the phones up and running. (The Boettcher grant was a three-year entitlement that expires this year, says a foundation spokeswoman. The trustees select the organizations, "usually from someone they're familiar with or that we've given to before." Community Shares is a cooperative membership organization that raises money through payroll deductions; according to executive director Greg Truog, groups are usually asked to resign their membership only if they fail to honor a commitment to work with Community Shares forty hours per year.)
Berger should expect more heated competition in the hotline field, however. The National Hopeline Network, 1-800-SUICIDE, is now available to callers throughout the state. The calls are answered by Hamm's Pueblo group, which has been AAS certified since 1985. When the Pueblo lines are busy, the calls are routed to the closest available certified crisis center (which, in Colorado's case, might be Los Angeles).
And the Pueblo line, which is run by professional counselors, is subject to regulation by Colorado's Mental Health Grievance Board.
But Berger doesn't worry about competition from the 800 line; there is room for what he does, he says.
Hamm agrees -- to a certain extent.
Sometimes volunteers can establish rapport with callers faster than professionals can. "Some people want to talk to a doctor," Hamm says. "Others want to talk to someone they think genuinely cares. They want to know they're being listened to, and they want someone to understand how much they hurt."
And Berger, she adds, established the hotline from the vantage point of a "consumer," not a professional. Consumers, she says, "see themselves on a peer level with a caller, not a professional level. That's not really appropriate to what we do on our hotline. Our volunteers have strict guidelines to follow.
"I think as long as there is a public awareness of what the limitations are," there may always be a place for grassroots suicide-prevention programs, she adds. "Maybe that's something (Berger) needs to define. Maybe he needs to define for them that he's not a therapist. People need to know that. Unfortunately, when people are hurting, they're desperate to connect with anyone. If they think they're talking to a mental-health center or a hospital, he would have to correct them right away and explain what his limitations are."
And while LIS'N's limitations are considerable, there are only a few other options for people in crisis.
"One reason I think there hasn't been more pressure to shut [Berger] down is because there's no statewide phone system that currently exists," says Frye, calling the situation "a real travesty."
"Here we are, rated one of the top states for suicide, and there's not a statewide center taking calls. It's a failure on all our parts that a center so below standard has been allowed to operate for so many years and put a lot of people in danger."

subset: commoncrawl


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On last week's mailbox Adam Cafolla got in touch to say, despite becoming hopelessly addicted to Angry Birds, he doesn't think there's a mobile game out there that comes close to the quality of a decent console release.
This week Jonathan Park got in touch to have a pop at Bethesda, which he brands as a bunch of 'cowboy developers' because of its shoddy work on the PlayStation 3 version of Skyrim. We'll let him explain...
To have your letter featured on CVG's Mailbox, drop us a line.
When a builder does a poor job they're labelled a cowboy. This got me to thinking. 'Cowboy' should not be unique to shoddy tradesmen and films with John Wayne. No. It should be directed at developers who allow their work to not only be released incomplete, but fail with their efforts (or to offer none at all) to set these problems right.
Bethesda are guilty of providing a substandard edition of Skyrim to PS3 owners. DICE are guilty of providing substandard voice chat for Battlefield 3. Gearbox are guilty of the same with Borderlands. At present at least two of these still ring true.
Skyrim can still suffer from horrible slowdown that can make it unplayable, while BF3 has voice chat so intermittent it resembles the noise Radio 1 attempts to pass off as music. These people deserve the label 'cowboy developers'. That Bethesda failed to realise the problem during beta testing is unprofessional.
Naughty Dog and Rocksteady juiced every ounce of power from the console while keeping things smooth to release two game-of-the-year offerings. That proves the tools are not to blame. Maybe the tools are difficult to master, but that's why they're paid for the trouble.
I haven't played Skyrim since I began to experience slowdown, other than once after the most recent patch to see only minor improvement. I've barely played Battlefield 3 because my friends and I cannot communicate - chaos ensues. We paid for these games but have not been able to truly experience them. Value for money has most certainly not been had.
It's also leading to concern about new releases - Mass Effect 3 and Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning - as to whether I should buy on PC. It's disappointing as the devs are letting Sony down.
PSM3 says: Testing is a difficult business and the financial pressure to release a game can be huge, but you have a point. Finishing games post-release - with your customers as testers - may be attractive short term, but it can have serious knock-on effects. A growing suspicion that the next game will be problematic could easily lead to lost day-one sales - and we all know how vital those are to publishers.
CVG says: It's difficult to argue against the considering how much of a botched job Skyrim on PS3 is, not just in terms of the product as it launched but also the numerous failed attempts at cleaning it up post-release. It's a real shame because Skyrim is utterly brilliant. Thems the breaks of blockbuster game development unfortunately.


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These hotels must be good -- why else would certain guests settle in for eternity?Letters: Safari Supper, Cuban Conflict
March 2000Great American Road Trips: The Cold War Southwest
It was a long and scary Cold War, with trillions of dollars spent on a game of technological leapfrog. But now that there's a McDonald's...Ask T&L: Beautiful Bathtubs, B&B Guides
April 1998


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Three tower workers injured when WKTV tower partially collapses.
Two workers fell and another was injured while working on a WCNY antenna at the WKTV television tower near Utica, New York on Monday.
Alpha Antenna Services, located in Manlius, was hired by WCNY to do some repair work on the 350 foot television antenna tower.
Three employees were in the process of being hoisted up the tower by a cable system while wearing full body harnesses.
As the men were approximately 20 to 30 feet off the ground the antenna located at the very top of the tower buckled over.
This created slack in the cable causing all three men to plummet to the ground.
William Fox, 49, suffered severe facial injures; employee Kelly Dougherty, 30, suffered a foot injury and Gregory Campbell, 44, was transported for evaluation only.
Campbell was discharged from the hospital as of 4:50 p.m. on Monday.
Fox was listed in "fair" condition and Dougherty was still in the hospital under evaluation.
Members of the Deerfield Fire Department assisted at the scene and the victims were all transported to St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica.
OSHA was contacted and also responded to the scene.
As a result, the studio and offices of WKTV were evacuated shortly before noon Monday.
A second crew of tower repair workers arrived early in the afternoon and secured the antenna at the top of the tower.
The building was declared safe for occupancy and WKTV has resumed regular programming.


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If you like the itinerary below please quote REF CHINA 1539 when enquiring for further details.
Alternatively you may like modify this trip with your own Holiday Wish List
Welcome to China! On arrival at the airport today you will be met by an On The Go Representative and transferred to your hotel for check in. The next week is yours free to explore Beijing at your own pace. Your hotel is located near Beijing metro train station- but be sure to brush up on your basic Chinese to help you get around! Overnight- Baochen Hotel (The Howard Johnson Paragon Hotel) 18A Jianguomen Nei Avenue, Beijing, China 100005 Tel : (86-10) 6526-6688 Fax : (86-10)6527-4046 Breakfast daily included
After an eventful week of exploration today you will be met at your hotel and transferred to the Rainbow Hotel where you will join our Chinese New Year Group tour!
Today we say goodbye to our tour group and guide as we check out of our hotel in Beijing. You will then be transferred to the airport for our flight to Kunming. On arrival in Kunming you will be transferred to you hotel. This afternoon we visit the the western Hills and the stunning Dragon Gate Grotto. The rest of the evening is free for your enjoyment.
Today an excursion to Stone Forest. Celebrated as a natural wonder, it's Yunnan's most visited sight. As we stroll along the winding paths and lookout points, we'll be in awe of the bizaare, tightly packed formations of almost 'petrified' stone that forms this unusual attraction 120 km from Kunming. After exploring the Stone Forest, we journey to Qi Cai Yunnan en route back to Kunming. Tonight, we take an overnight train north-west to Dali.
Picturesquely situated on Lake Erhai with a backdrop formed by the peaks of the 50km long Cang Shang range, much of Dali is contained by the remains of its Ming dynasty walls. Sightseeing in Dali and surrounds includes a cruise on Lake Erhai, some orientation stops at some ancient temples and villages, a visit to Butterfly Spring - a popular spot surrounded by a marble ballustrade and overhung by an ancient tree that produces butterfly-like flowers and the famous Three Pagodas. Built when the region was a major Buddhist centre, Dali's distinctively tall pagodas remain upright, despite wars and earthquakes.
Continuing to UNESCO-listed Lijiang - a Naxi stronghold, we enjoy free time in the labyrinthine streets of Dayan Old Town. This evening we enjoy a performance of Naxi music.
Today we head to Tiger leaping gorge on the Yangtze River. Some 16km long and up to 3000m deep, it is the worlds deepest canyon. The gorge is so narrow at various points that legend has it a tiger once escaped pursuit by leaping across. Visiting the gorge, you'll have a chance to walk a section and take in the dramatic, yet stark scenery. We also take in the first bend of the Yangtze River.
Today we enjoy an excursion to the stunning Jade Dragon Snow Mountain today; its landscape includes one of the southernmost glaciers in the world. Access to the mountain is provided by a cable lift to Dragon Spruce Meadow, halfway to the glacier peak. Also visit the Yufeng Si Monastery, perched on a slope overlooking a plain. This afternoon we drive back to Dali by coach and board the overnight train to Kunming.
This morning we arrive in Kunming and are transferred to our hotel for check in. The rest of the day is yours free to spend exploring Kunming.
This morning we have more free time in Kunming before we are transferred to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. On Arrival in Shanghai you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
Just the mere mention of 'Shanghai' conjures up mystery, romance and general decadence. Pre – 1949, cosmopolitan Shanghai was a magnet for seekers of wealth, idle colonialists, explorers and the dispossessed. Today we take guided tour to explore Shanghai. Our sightseeing of Shanghai takes in the awesome Oriental Pearl TV tower, the Jade Buddha Temple, charming Yuyuan Gardens and the Bund and the Old City.
Today take day trip to Suzhou by high speed train. Suzhou, a 2,500 year-old cultural city is located in an area of rivers that crisscross the Yangtze River Delta of southeastern China. In the city, boats bob along waterways interwoven with small bridges that run parallel to the streets and traditional houses built along them. Coupled with a stunning collection of UNESCO-listed gardens and famed for it's silk, Suzhou is an oriental treasure.
Today and the next 3 days are yours free to explore Shanghai. Our arrangements end on the 15/01/2013 with a departure transfer to the airport.
About 100km northwest of Lijiang in Yunnan province is where the Yangtze River's upper reaches, the Jingsha Jiang, channel with ...
Weather in Shanghai
Mostly Cloudy, 8°C
Local Time: 1:09 AM
1 NZD = 4.65 CNY | last updated - 26 Jan 2015 11:07 PM |


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Prior to Computex we got wind that MSI GTX 680 Lightning was coming, then at Computex we got a chance to have a closer look at the card as it was on display at their booth. Today, though, we get a chance to get the video card in our hands at our lab and find out exactly what it's capable of.
The other week we got a chance to look at the MSI GTX 670 Power Edition which is the little brother to the GTX 680 Lightning we're looking at today, so it will be interesting to see how the two models compare against each other.
The lightning series has always represented the pinnacle of power for MSI with a Lightning version of the AMD Radeon HD 7970 impressing us back in March. Today we'll see if the GTX 680 version impresses us just as much.
Of course there's a few things we need to do before we get into the performance side of things and the first thing is we'll check out the package and cover some of the main features that are on offer. Once we've done that we'll take a closer look at the card itself and get into the specification side of things where we will also look at the overclocking capability.
Having a look at the box you can see we've got a lot of information that highlights some of the main features. Starting off with the Military Class III components we can see Copper MOSFETs, Highly-Conductive Capacitor, Golden Solid State Choke and Dark Solid Capacitors are included.
We've also got Unlocked Digital Power which brings with it an unlocked BIOS, Enhanced Power design and a digital PWM controller while one of the other big features is the 3x3 OC Kits which brings with it the V-Check Points, Triple Overvoltage and Triple Temp Monitor.
Moving across to the bottom of the box the main highlight is the Twin Frozr IV Thermal Design cooler which offers us SuperPipe Technology, Dust Removal Technology and Propeller Blade Technology. There are also two 10CM fans with a Dual-Form heatsink design which is said to bring a video card that runs both quieter and cooler.
As for the contents of the bundle we've got the normal line up of paperwork which includes the Military Class III certificate and driver CD. We've also got two 6-pin PCIe to 8-pin PCIe power connectors, three V-Check point connectors, DVI to VGA connector and a long SLI cable.


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Senior Member
The damage done by a "giant fireball" depends on the temperature involved and how much or little of the body is protected from it. Stuntmen and daredevils have set themselves on fire for years. The average skimpily-dressed female champ might be in trouble though. A knife however, would hurt depending on precision of the strike and the power behind it. A small slash to the chest being relatively meaningless, but a hard stab to the eye, armpit or kidneys being devastating. Given that most of the characters in the game who use knives are assassins... precision is almost a given. Now if you're talking about swords, they'd do damage based on the weight of the blade and the power of the weilder, and would be used in strong, chopping motions that could easily shatter bones... and since most of the swords in this game are absurdly oversized, I'd say they'd probably do more damage than a quick burst of flame too. The only realistic solution is this. Riot should make champions who wear little to no armor in their models take extra damage from everything. To balance this out, heavy armor users should be slower fatigue quicker and more prone to infection from their wounds, as was the case with armor-wearers in real life. The skimpy dressed folks won't have to worry as much about dirty, sweaty cloth or bent metal getting in their wounds... so it seems fairly balanced. Or you can accept that it's a game and that AD is meant to do the most damage. Mages have CC, AoE attacks and are all ranged. That's why they're not made as "good" at dueling as pure AD champs. They have other tricks.
The thing that the OP has not taken into account is that it takes a good deal of time (30ish minutes) for the AD carry to have the power to start carrying the game. I say 30 minutes assuming he/she isn't getting ridiculously fed somewhere. The AP carry is meant to carry the team and be the main damage dealer for the entire beginning of the game, transferring that role to the AD carry later in the game. So in a sense, you are right; a late game AD carry will most likely win a 1v1 duel with an AP carry. But the AP carry will win at any other time in the game.
So get 10 people of equal skill, have one team pick all AP and one pick all AD and see which one wins. I'm pretty positive it will be the all AD by a landslide. The only hope an AP team would have is if the all AD team sucked. Malzahars ult pins him in place, move an inch and it's become useless. If there is a second enemy near by he is dead. I've mentioned that Leblanc and Annie are actual mages that they have left alone and are still good, yet those two seem to be the ones people keep bringing up, which doesn't really disprove my point. And to the moron who tried to insult me about my Leblanc build, I'd you took the time to ACTUALLY look at my match history you would see my Leblanc matches are generally AI games. I've been experimenting with my builds, but thanks for your hateful advice. I love how you address me as if I'm attacking you personally when im making a general comment about the game which is that the game generally favors AD champions, which is true. The game is pathetically overbalanced in favor of AD champions, argue with me all you want, but like I said, a match with all AP on one side and all AD on the other would fall in favor of the AD side almost every time, unless the AD team absolutely sucked.


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50-year sentence for man in Gary murder of 'friend'
By Ruth Ann Krause Post-Tribune correspondent April 24, 2013 3:02PM
Updated: May 28, 2013 7:57PM
Lake Superior Court Judge Thomas Stefaniak Jr. imposed a 50-year sentence for a Michigan City man who admitted he murdered a 17-year-old friend during an argument.
Aaron Di-Shon Windom, 27, admitted in court last month that he killed Deandre Wilson on Feb. 19, 2011, outside a home in the 4300 block of West 23rd Avenue in Gary.
Deputy prosecutor Monica Rogina said the coroner's report shows that Wilson was shot at least six times, including in the head and face, with additional shots to the back. A total of 11 bullet casings were found at the scene.
"He executed this 17-year-old kid in front of this apartment building," said Rogina, who argued for the maximum 50-year sentence outlined in the plea agreement based on Windom's extensive criminal history, which includes five juvenile adjudications and nine prior felony convictions.
Two days before he was murdered, Wilson was a passenger in the stolen car Windom was driving when he fired shots at a family as they were driving on the Borman Expressway in Lake Station. Windom is serving a 20-year sentence in that case.
Defense attorney Robert Varga said the Gary homicide stemmed from an argument that began inside the residence over the Dodge Charger Windom was driving. Windom and Wilson took their dispute outside. "In the heat of that moment, he snapped," Varga said.
Windom said he wanted to apologize to Wilson's family, who did not attend the sentencing hearing on Wednesday.
"I made a mistake. I lost a friend," Windom said, noting he is full of regret.
Stefaniak ordered Windom to serve the 50-year sentence after he completes the 20-year sentence in the expressway shooting incident.
Windom said he plans to appeal.


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Pig's owner Ken Friedman reveals a little bit about his project in the old West space: "We're doing a little dive bar there it's going to have a pool table and a jukebox." Daniel Boulud, after bragging about partying with Gordon Ramsay at the Pink Elephant ("he's a wild party animal too!"), says his dream is to open "a very small restaurant where it's almost like a home. There will be no menu, no wine list. There will be just a set price and you let yourself [be carried away] by the experience." Yeah, yeah, we've heard that one before, but here's the thing, Boulud concludes the interview with a wink: "And I think that might happen." Ooh la la!
Keys to the City [UrbanDaddy/Belvedere]
Earlier: Meatpacking Moguls Remm, Birnbaum, and Rabin on How to Be Cool


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Incident began when State Patrol received multiple 911 calls about a tan pickup stopped in the center lanes of the bridge.
The comments below are member-generated and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of PoliceOne or its staff.
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Sequence of events began Oct. 22, 2009, when Christopher Monfort is accused of firebombing police vehicles, followed by the killing of an officer on Oct. 31
Chiefs of the St. Louis and St. Louis County police have said in recent interviews they are reviewing training with the principles of tactical retreat in mind
When officers approached the vehicle after determining it was stolen, the female driver hit one officer with the car. Police then opened fire
Pastor called 911 and said an armed man was threatening to kill a woman who was attending a wedding
Officials and experts have said a prosecution would be highly unlikely


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E-Book |
Save $65! Individual items within valued at $90! Fashion design tutorials, storyboards,... |
USD Price: $25.00
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Contents of this e-book is worth $65 if bought individually! It contains 151 pages of fashion tutorials, storyboards, images, sketches and illustrations all in one e-book. It also contains all 90 outline (tracing) templates for drawing! (Female, Male, Maternity, Fuller Figure, full colour and Kids)


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By MIKE MOREA For The Capital Hometownannapolis.com Unfortunately for the Naval Academy ice hockey team, another local hockey standout cost the Mids their chance to claim their 11th Crabpot Tournament championship in the 32nd Annual event at McMullen Hockey Arena.
Yesterday, Navy was victimized by Player of the Game Rob Durkee, a Harwood native, as the University of Maryland-Baltimore County Retrievers captured their first Crabpot championship with a 7-4 victory.
"Coming from a small town like Harwood, who knew that I was going to be up here and win a tournament like this?" Durkee said. "We all played well. It is good to come over here and play some good competition and all give it all that we have."
Last year, Darren Delullo of Millersville and Towson were victorious, thwarting the Navy attempt at championship No. 11.
Durkee netted the eventual game-winner, a short-handed goal with 4:49 left in the second period, as he converted a pass from Erik Becker. The short-handed goal was the second on the same penalty, as John Fetscher (two goals) scored 59 seconds earlier to give the Retrievers a 4-2 lead.
"We were on top of the world right there. We knew that we had gained the momentum from that," said Durkee, whose goal was the fifth straight by the Retrievers and made it 5-2. "Our defense played great to get the puck out from in front of the net, and I just picked it up and did what I do."
The Mids looked to be in control of matters early, taking a 2-0 lead in the first 2:20.
Jonathon Westerman opened the scoring 11 seconds into the game, and Alex Wallis poked in a rebound a little more than two minutes later.
UMBC battled back on goals by Dana Becker and Tony Martinez to send the teams into the first intermission deadlocked at 2.
The Retrievers took the lead for good on a power play tally by Sean Hoppe eight minutes into the second. That tally was followed by the two short-handed markers that essentially broke the Mids collective backs.
"Those were very deflating to the guys," Navy coach Mike Fox said "We can't have our defense suck up too far, especially on power plays. That happened and came back to bite us."
The Mids answered before the period ended on a power-play goal from Wallis to make it 5-3 at the second break.
There was very little quit in the Navy game as Charlie Daniel made it 5-4 with 11:15 remaining. UMBC took the wind out of the Mids' sails 49 seconds later when Durkee converted an odd-man rush pass from Martinez to make it 6-4.
The Retrievers were looking to give the local man the hat trick when Navy pulled goaltender Jeremy Estevez with less than two minutes left, but Durkee was unable to knock one into the empty net.
Fetscher was successful though to give UMBC the win and its first in only two trips to Annapolis in the newly-established, all-Maryland format of the tournament.
"We love coming here and playing Navy, and it's even more nice to come out ahead," UMBC coach Dan Grisanti said of his second trip to the tournament. "We had a strategy coming in on how to play (Navy) defensively, and we executed it very well. We knew that they were sharp on how they worked the puck."
Junior Patrick Heitman was credited with three assists for Navy, while freshman Mitch Pulver recorded a pair.
Seniors Eric Bowen and Matt Keller, along with freshman Kevin Frederick, each added an assist. Evan Gwinn, an Odenton native, collected a pair of assists for the Retrievers.
In the consolation game, Towson defeated Maryland, 9-4.
John Trantin (Odenton) recorded two assists for the Tigers, while TC Costello (Annapolis) netted a goal for Maryland.
Navy (14-33) 2 1 1 - 4
GOALS: UMBC - Durkee 2, Fetscher 2, D. Becker, Martinez, Hoppe; USNA - Wallis 2, Westerman, Daniel. ASSISTS: UMBC - Martinez 2, Gwinn 2, D. Becker, E. Becker; USNA - Heitman 3, Pulver 2, Bowen, Frederick, Keller. SAVES: UMBC - Carmack 44; USNA - Estevez 25. SHOTS ON GOAL: UMBC - 32; USNA - 48.


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Business License App Business License Rates Resources & Links Home Occupation Permit FAQs Contact Us
Business License Renewal Service
Welcome to the City of Chula Vista's Online Business License Renewal Service. You can use this payment system if there are no changes in the amount due for your business License.
To proceed to the payment screen, click here
If changes to your business license could increase or decrease the amount due listed on your renewal, please submit your changes and payment by mail or in person at:
City of Chula Vista Finance Department 276 Fourth Avenue Chula Vista, CA 91910
City of Chula Vista Finance Department
276 Fourth Avenue
Chula Vista, CA 91910
The following updates can be made without affecting the amount due:
You will be able to continue with your online payment after you submit your changes to the above items.
Contact Us
If you experience any problems with your online renewal, please contact:
City of Chula Vista | Finance Department (619) 585-5624 email@example.com
City of Chula Vista | Finance Department
(619) 585-5624
FREE Business Energy Evaluations
As part of Chula Vista's environmental leadership, the City will be requiring new businesses and existing businesses (every 4 years) with storefronts or offices to participate in the Free Resource & Energy Business Evaluation (FREBE) program beginning in the 2010 calendar year. Click here to learn more about the program and about scheduling an appointment
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Select () or exclude () categories to narrow your recipe search.
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Find exactly what you're looking for with the web's most powerful recipe filtering tool.
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"I am hesitant to review this, mostly because I don't want anyone else to find it! These were Ah-mazing! I'm about as far from a NYer as you can get, but man if these are "wrong" I don't wanna be right! Yes, there are several steps, but none of them actually take very long, I easily prepared the dough while I was cooking dinner last night, formed t..."


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Johnson County Community College
Press Release
College Information and Publications
Julie Haas, Associate Vice President, Marketing Communications, ext. 3120
Diane Carroll, Writer/Editor, ext. 3425
Tyler Cundith, Sports Information Director, ext. 3122
Kelly Eckerman to receive JCCC's Headline Award
Kelly Eckerman to receive JCCC's Headline Award
OVERLAND PARK, Kan – Kelly Eckerman, news reporter/anchor, KMBC TV-9, will receive the Headline Award from Johnson County Community College's journalism and media communications department at a reception on Thursday, April 28, at the college. The Headline Award is given to local journalists whose example serves as an inspiration to student journalists at JCCC.
Eckerman anchors KMBC 9 News at 6 and 9 p.m. Before coming to Kansas City in 1990, she worked at various stations in Iowa and Illinois.
Born in Russell, Eckerman started her journalism career as the editor of her high school newspaper. It was there she thought she would become a print journalist, but she fell into a TV career instead.
Eckerman has won multiple Emmy Awards and has also earned a regional Edward R. Murrow award for her reporting. She is winner of several state and regional reporting awards. She works with numerous charities and is the mother of two girls.


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Our camps and programs are an economical way to keep kids entertained and engaged
in learning during the summer.
Pictured are children in the Cullowhee Creativity Camp.
138 Cordelia Camp Bldg
69 East University Way
Cullowhee, NC 28723
828.227.7397 tel
800.928.4968 toll-free tel
828.227.7115 fax
Spring 2015
Arts of Metallica Art Day
Monday, January 19, 2015 | 9:00 am-2:30 pm | Youth ages 7 and up
Participants will learn about the following art forms: repousee, wire sculpture, hammered
copper jewelry and more. Space limited to 20 participants per age group: 7-10, 11+.
Summer 2015
Triple Arts - Musical Theater Intensive - Updated for 2015
Summer 2014
Summer Swim Programs 2014
Summer swim lessons for kids ages 6 months and up
Summer Day Camps Featuring LegosTM
June 23-27 OR August 4-7 for rising 3-5 graders
July 14-18 OR July 28-Aug. 1 for rising 6-8th graders
9am -4pm M-Thurs / 9-2 on Friday
Summer Reading Adventures
July 28 - August 1 / 8:30am to 4:30pm
Reading reinforcement for rising 1st and 2nd graders
Triple Arts - Musical Theater Intensive
Residential camp / July 6 - 20, 2014
Hosted by Broadway stars Terrance Mann and Charlotte d'Amboise
A unique musical theatre intensive designed to give aspiring performers, at any level, the
opportunity to work directly with top industry professionals.
Catamount Adventure Camps
Day Camp / 9am-4pm / M-F
3-5th Grade - July 21-25, 2014 - CLOSED / FULL
6-8th Grade - July 28-Aug. 1, 2014 -- OPEN
Basecamp Cullowhee and Continuing Education invites your son or daughter to experience
the adventure of the outdoors this summer! Hiking, rock climbing, whitewater rafting,
and kayaking (or Duckies for 3-5th graders).
Health Careers Summer Camp 2014
Residential Camp / June 22-27, 2014
The Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) and Western Carolina University
(WCU) will host its 19th Annual Health Careers Summer Camp at Western Carolina University
in Cullowhee, NC. The camp is open to rising seventh and eighth grade students who
have a potential interest in a future career in healthcare.
Rocket to Creativity
Day camp / June 23 - 27, 2014
Launch a rocket to creativity this summer. The Rocket to Creativity Camp, formerly
known as Cullowhee Creativity Camp, will be held in Killian Building on the campus
of Western Carolina University Monday, June 23, through Friday, June 27, from 10 a.m.
to 4 p.m.
Summer Symposium for the Marching Arts
Residential Camp / July 6-10, 2014
High school students join the band directors of the WCU Pride of the Mountains Marching
Band for a week of learning and fun. This camp fills quickly so register early. http://www.prideofthemountains.com/
Mountain Mysteries Summer Day Camp
Day Camp / July 21-25, 2014
For ages 9-13. Explore the culture of Southern Appalachia including the Cherokee and
Pioneers. Limit 13.
Map to the Camp Building click here


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Helping America's Homeowners
Last week, in his State of the Union address, the President laid out a blueprint for an economy that's built to last. And on Wednesday, as part of that blueprint, President Obama called for action to help responsible borrowers and support a housing market recovery. We in Illinois support the President's efforts to jumpstart our housing market recovery.
The President and I both know that we must focus on continuing to move our recovery forward, and housing is key to our continued economic growth. In Illinois, we've led a coordinated effort by many of our state agencies to support homeowners and aspiring homeowners. On Wednesday, in my State of the State address, I proposed a number of additional housing initiatives to promote affordable housing and help families facing foreclosure. Government cannot fix the housing crisis on its own, but we can help families access affordable housing and give them resources to avoid foreclosure.
For instance, we can make it a little easier for homeowners that receive a foreclosure notice. Earlier this week I announced the formation of the Illinois Foreclosure Prevention Network (IFPN). The IFPN is a web and hotline hub for all state and federal resources available to struggling homeowners – a one-stop-shop for counseling, legal assistance, mortgage relief and other tools to help families keep their homes.
But we also need to develop new, affordable housing to help families starting out or starting over. I share President Obama's goal of transitioning foreclosed properties into rental housing. This will create jobs, improve home prices, lower crime and stabilize neighborhoods. And today, we are announcing a new major housing initiative that will help return vacant properties to good use in Cook County.
The President is right: we can't wait. These initiatives – outlined by the President in Falls Church, Virginia and that I proposed in Springfield, Illinois – can and will make a meaningful difference to struggling homeowners and keep families where they belong – at home.
The housing crisis has impacted us all – our families, our communities, and our economies – and, working together, we'll help stabilize our housing market and keep our recovery going strong.
Pat Quinn is the Governor of the State of Illinois
White House Blogs
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Certified Hypnotherapy Training Courses
Level 1
Hypnotherapy Course 200 Hours – $2495
This course meets all of the requirements for Certified Hypnotherapist through the American Council of Hypnotist Examiners (ACHE exam fee: $175)
Level 2
Hypnotherapy Course 100 Hours – $2495
(Prerequisite Level 1 Hypnotherapy Course)
This course meets all of the requirements for Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist through the American Council of Hypnotist Examiners (ACHE exam fee included)
Training Intensives
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays (9am – 6pm)
Next Class begins February 27, 2015.
Course Work Training
Online course work includes a mixture of videos, audio, reading, homework, exams, and interaction. Expect 6 hours a week online, 1 hour on the phone)
Internship or Externship
Utilize techniques in an Internship, working under the supervision of Maude Schellhous, or in an Externship program.
Additional supervised training is provided.
California School of Hypnotherapy
is an approved training institute of the
American Council of Hypnotist Examiners.
Hypnotherapy Training from CASOH is your opportunity to join Maude Schellhous and a committed group of people who are ready to begin a new career to better themselves as well as the lives of others. This course is a powerful training that will prepare those who want to be a hypnotherapist as a lifelong career.
California School of Hypnotherapy's training is an exclusive opportunity for those who understand that a hypnotherapist's deepest responsibility – and eventual reward – is having the wisdom to transform the minds of clients seeking their services.
Students will graduate with the full knowledge of how to skillfully weave hypnotherapy techniques into a session and provide the tools to clients to deepen the work that is done after hypnosis.
CASOH prides itself on teaching many aspects of business, which we feel many schools don't even discuss. It is just as important for you to have the knowledge how to obtain clients in order to help them.
This is a wonderful alternative to a Hypnotherapy Training Online class. In this environment you will still have the opportunity to work online, in an independent environment, while also having the structure of a formal classroom setting on two different 3-day weekends.
"I am SO excited for the opportunity to teach this class! I had the amazing fortune to learn and receive mentorship from an incredible teacher, Jim DiGirolamo, who inspired me and gave me the tools to help others as well as myself to become empowered in their lives. One of my greatest joys is teaching others, and I believe my passion for this work shines through whenever I have the opportunity."
-Maude Schellhous, CCHT
Hypnotherapy Training Online Certified Clinical Hypnotherapy Training Course


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Courier Lord
Senior Member
The reason i dont believe the game will be competitive at its current rate is that i dont think riot really cares if it goes competitive. The average player would have spent more then $2 on riot points giving them a larger income then heroes of newerth right off the bat. Since HON 2.0, HON literally introduced pretty much every feature LOL had that they didnt to stay in the game (out of game shop, skins, more community focus, superficial stuff like that), but LOL didnt even try bridge the gap. I can safely say that HON produces significantly better characters and better skins. LOL still hasnt fixed the forums search tools, still hasnt added voip, observers, stat tracking, leaver protection, etc. They havent really put a huge focus on balance as the game is based around casual play. They are happy peddling their wares to the casual gamer as it means they only have to churn on medi-ocre champions and skins at a moderate rate which costs very little in terms of cost/gain. "But LoL is for casual fun, nothing more." That is brilliant quote. I did make me chuckle that this seems to be the only living thread in competitive...
I think people just need to take a look at a game like SC2 or Counter Strike. Those games maintain cuthroat hardcore players who play the game at the absolute highest levels, and at the same time it has devoted casuals who follow the competitive scene. Once you have this balance then you're on the terms of a sport and not just a game. I think as long as the game is fun to watch then people will watch it and follow it. This has yet to be proven, as riot hasn't really given us many ways to spectate pro matches, but if riot can strike this balance then LoL will be in good shape as a competitive game.
problem with whole OP: I've been playing for 18 months...
DD DoubleDiamond
People still play HoN and Sc2?
^ That. Err... I t-downed instead of t-up... im such a fail... >< Sorry FML
It is Free to Play, how is that not casual?


text:
Jobs and schools promise to be top issues in next year's city elections. The mayor's education agenda faces its toughest test in the African-American communities that gave him strong support in 2011.
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CPS to ask to delay school action announcements
CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett said today she plans to ask the state legislature to postpone by four months--from Dec. 1 to March 31--the announcement of proposed school actions.
CTU President Karen Lewis reiterated her stance that Byrd-Bennett put a moratorium on school closings for a year. She said waiting to make an announcement til March 31 doesn't give parents and teachers enough time to prepare for a school closing the following fall.
"It is time to step back and do some analysis," Lewis said.
But others seemed to welcome Byrd-Bennett's desire to spend more time to get community feedback before making the announcements.
Byrd-Bennett, who just weeks ago took over the helm of Chicago Public Schools, rejected the idea of waiting a year. She said CPS has a projected $1 billion deficit and it would be fiscally irresponsible for her not to make some moves this year. CPS officials say they can save anywhere from $500,000 to $800,000 annually per school.
Byrd-Bennett has refused to say how many schools she will close this year. However, the administration will hone in on servely underutilized schools. According to CPS, 140 schools are more than 50 percent underutilized.
The delay to March, Byrd-Bennett said, will give her the time she needs to engage the community in an "authentic" discussion. Also, on Friday, she appointed a nine-member Commission on School Utilization.
Commission members will be charged with holding public hearings, collecting information and coming up with recommendations about which schools to close. Byrd-Bennett did not commit to following the commission's recommendations.
Among the commission members is State Sen. Iris Martinez, who is also co-chair of the Chicago Educational Facilities Taskforce. The taskforce, created by the General Assembly, pushed the bill that established the timeline for announcing school actions.
To get the deadline postponed, a lawmaker will have introduce a bill and it would have to be voted on during the veto session that starts Nov. 27. The other co-chair of the taskforce, Rep. Cynthia Soto, said she and her colleagues have a lot of questions for CPS before they support changing the law to extend the deadline. She said they have a meeting set up.
When the Chicago school facilities bill was approved in 2011, the timeline was seen as a major victory for activists. For a long time, they complained it was too late to let parents and teachers know in late winter or Spring that their school was to be closed.
Many times the announcement about school closings came after deadlines for parents to apply to magnet, selective enrollment and charter schools, thereby limiting their options.
This year, the deadline to apply for magnet and selective enrollment school is Dec. 14 and letters of acceptances are supposed to be sent out well before March 31. Each charter school has a different application deadline, but many of them are early Spring.
"We control the deadlines," said Byrd-Bennett. Her team is looking at ways to make sure that students and parents will be able to apply to schools, should they learn their school is to be targeted in late March.
State Sen. Heather Steans said that after talking to Martinez she supports the delay in the announcement of proposed school actions. Martinez told her the commission will be going out to every community and talking to them about school actions.
"I think that if we can get real community input the process is going to work much better," she said.
She also noted that when school closings are announced, schools often are thrown into turmoil. If the announcement comes later in the school year, students will experience less upheaval, she said.
But Lewis said it is not good for parents, students and teachers to be left scrambling looking for new options so late in the school year. She pointed out that it is not clear how much of a financial benefit the school district will reap by closing schools.
Some districts that have closed schools in the past have not realized big savings. Also, the savings are dependent on the school district closing schools and not opening new ones in their place. In Chicago, the vast majority of schools closed over the past decade currently house new schools, many of them charter schools.
Byrd-Bennett said she doesn't want to entangle the discussions about closing schools and opening charter schools. "Once we have the building closed, we will look at it and talk about what goes in there," she said, at a discussion at the Chicago Urban League Friday morning.
Byrd-Bennett said she was once anti-charter schools until she had a chance to tour one in Harlem a few years ago and was impressed. Now, she said she doesn't care what kind of school it is as long as it is doing well by children.
Lewis said Byrd-Bennett wants to separate the discussions because having them together reveals that the policy doesn't make any sense. "It is not realistic to say we are closing schools for under-utilization, while at the same time opening new schools," she said.
The members of the commission are:
- State Sen. Iris Martinez
- Frank Clark, former chairman and CEO of ComEd
- John Hannah, senior pastor of New Life Covenant Church on the South Side
- Terry Hillard, former Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department
- Ald. Howard Brookins, 21st Ward on the South Side
- Fausto Lopez, a former CPS principal
- Earnest Gates, head of the Near West Side Community Development Commission
- Shirley Calhoun, assistant parent coordinator of Fiske Elementary School on the South Side
- Debra Perkins, former CPS teacher
41 comments
Put Charters on the Table, Too
You cannot "not entangle" the discussions of opening charter schools with closing traditional neighborhood schools, particularly, if all the schools are part of the Chicago Public School system. If charters, magnets and traditional neighborhood schools are all using school facilities, then the conversation needs to encompass ALL FACILITIES.
CPS wants it both ways. They want to include charters as "public schools" and lobby for more funding and for their expansion. When it comes time to holding ALL schools accountable to the same standards of performance and utilization, now, CPS wants to discuss them separately. The truth is, there are a number of charter schools that are under-utilized and/or under-performing AND HAVE NEVER SINCE THEIR INCEPTION (in some cases up to 14 years) made AYP. Yet, the school actions guidelines do not address them. Charters should demonstrate a track record of success before they are allowed to expand. Until CPS is ready to close the "sacred cow" charter schools that have never made AYP, they need not have ANY conversations about closing neighborhood schools.
If we are to have a functional school system,we cannot continue to allow CPS to promulgate policies that pit charters against traditional neighborhood schools by starving neighborhood schools of resources, while channeling all the innovations and new funding sources to magnets and charters. Nor can we have "sacred cows". This cannabalization would not be tolerated in corporations, and it should not be tolerated in Chicago Public Schools. The captains of industry on the Chicago Board of Education would never have advanced in the private sector if they ran their companies or divisions the way they run CPS. This is criminal, and no less destructive than the Separate but Equal policies that brought about Brown v the Board of Education of Topeka, KS.
Don't Use the Deficits to Justify
If my memory serves me correctly,every year, in recent years, CPS has routinely projected budget deficits of $500 million to about $1 billion in the middle of the year and ended the years with surpluses (under Daley, Duncan and Huberman). The deficit has never been a rallying cry to close schools en masse, as Mayor Emanuel is doing. The problem of under utilization is a problem of CPS' own making. They have pushed for creation of more new schools and charter school expansion in communities where population has declined significantly due to tearing down public housing; government seizure of project-based Section 8 housing; the mortgage foreclosure crisis and other factors. There is a shrinking pool of students to "go around" for a growing number of schools in the neighborhoods. This situation is compounded by the fact that investors are lining up to purchase empty CPS properties to rent to charters. The investors will get their return. CPS will realize paltry savings. What will the students get? De-stabilized neighborhoods and interruption in their routines. Somehow, this does not seem like a fair exchange.
What's Up With the Commission?
It was not necessary to create a commission to do what CPS management and staff should be doing as a part of their jobs. It seems as if they were set up to take the heat for the unpopular decisions that they are about to make. Moreover, this commission seems a little redundant, given the fact that the State has already created a task force comprised of legislators, the CPS President, CEO and youth representative, community stakeholders and representatives from CTU and CPAA. Also, I can't help but wonder why the head of the City Council Education Committee is not on this commission.
"She said they have a meeting
"She said they have a meeting set up."
When is it?
by this quote, BBB's transparency is not clouded:
Byrd-Bennett said she doesn't want to entangle the discussions about closing schools and opening charter schools. "Once we have the building closed, we will look at it and talk about what goes in there..."
We all know 'what goes in there'.
Right on, Xian!
Right on, Xian!
December 1 Deadline
BBB's approach is extremely wise (with a very selfish purpose) but this should not be acceptable. The state law should be upheld. I am wondering how we can mobilize and convey to our legislators the need to hold CPS to this law. They do have an option if they need more time, wait until next year!
Byrd-Bennett's Really Bad, No Good Idea to Delay Announcement
As others have said, Byrd-Bennett's proposed delay harms the staff and students of the schools to be closed.
Teachers and parents will have no time to seek alternative schools of their choosing.
They will be most often forced to take the incoming charter option.
They will have less time to protest closings.
As for the panel, why were no credible parent groups invited to sit? The politically connected sitting on yet another panel doesn't inspire confidence in Chicago.
School Closings
BBB revealed her lack of credibility because she avoided my question or made any comments about the agreement CPS signed with the Gate Foundation (with no public input) to open up to 60 new charter schools over the next five years.
It is literally impossible to have a truthful conversation because BBB refuses to "entangle charter schools" in the school closing discussion.
We all must commit to lobbying our elected officials, suburban and downstate legislators to vote "no" to any amendment to the school actions deadline and vote "yes" to NO SCHOOL CLOSINGS period.
Are you starting an online
Are you starting an online version/petition of this? I agree with you,they must hear our voice and a resounding NO!
What does this tell us? Anything new?
By asking for an extension what does this tell us? Nothing has been in place prior to now to look seriously at the crisis that has been touted by the board for over a year? A crisis of dollars and "empty seats" and lack of community input. Wow. What a way to describe the ineffective running of CPS central office. We have not done our jobs up until now (buzzer rings).
As a classroom teacher we have minutes to reorganize and restructure with the tossing of any new agenda item touted by network offices. Five days to adopt an entire new approach to unit planning and new standards. Students barely entered the door before they were charged with two assessments to measure their abilities. Who better can understand a time crunch. Well, 17months of leadership appointed by our mayor is not exactly a time crunch now is it?
If BBB is sincere about her approach as described on Chicago Tonight, this is a bad start.
It is clear that she is not sincere
Call your state rep and state senator and tell them not to change the law for BBB.
Do Not Change the Deadline!
Parents and teachers are already in distress about December 1, being the deadline.
Dec 1st
Not to be a deacon of doom ( and please reread the contract to verify this). BUT if your school is put on the closing list, and you currently have a satisfactory rating, your days with CPS are over basically forever. You will not qualify for any rehire pool. Read the contract. I don't know why CTU isn't getting this word out. Again, maybe I am wrong, so double check and call the union. We will not be rated this year, so you can't increase your rating as far as I can see. The reach is only being used for practice. Now if you currently are an "excellent", I don't know if you can have your rating lowered?
Once CTU's darling Obama is elected, and they get their pension bill voted down, they NEED to help those of us working under "satisfactory" standing understand what chances we have if our schools close down. From what I have read, It doesn't look good.
Can anyone answer these questions:
1-are any teachers being evaluated this year?
2-Is it true, satisfactory teachers are not eligible for rehire pool ...also is this FOREVER???
Closing School Announcement
Thanks to all that are strongly for the the announcement of school closing. Let's get this over with and move on to more constructive areas that really needs work from all of us. School closing is a necessary evil that must take place now! The law is the law. December 1 is the deadline. I do not believe the law makers will delay the school closing announcement and process. It all sounds good, if BBB wants some heat off her administration. But I believed she will have to pull the trigger anyway to give the bad news to those families.
A moratorium might be a
A moratorium might be a better idea. It is not clear that 100 schools must close, or that there will be significant savings, especially after reading Catalysts' reporting by Sarah Karp.
It is clear that parents do not know what CPS study of the costs and benefits involved points to closing 100 schools.
School Closing Extension March 31, 2013
I strongly agree with you. For those that understand what is going on and are enlighted with the facts, understand the confussion her announcement and comments will caused. Wasting more time and spending more money on the idea of delaying the school closing process what a bad move. She needs to take a stand and live with that decision. In the position she is holding she will never make everyone happy..
Actually, I am asking that
Actually, I am asking that the closings not go forward. Looking for a moratorium on closing traditional public school and on opening new charter schools.
Closing schools destabilizes students and communities. As Sarah Karp wrote, there is no clear cost savings.
Chartes do not outperform, so why open so many more?
No Charters Promised in Gates Compact
There are NO new charters promised in the Gates Compact. Lots of claims are made about this vague document by people who have not read it.
Maybe you can provide a
Maybe you can provide a linK?
CPS has said it wants to open 60 charters. That is established.
Charters Schools
People, Charter Schools offer the parents a chance to choose the school of their chose. Unless you are a union supporter, there should be no argument about this system for parents to have. Competition never hurts to have children get the best education out of this. There are less politics in the Charter schools system. Charter Schools strongly encourage the parents to become involved with their childrens education process. If the Charter schools fails to produce a lower drop out of students and fails to have students do well academically, it is less of a problem to close the school than a Public School.
I know of some charter
I know of some charter schools that have never made AYP in up to 14 years of their entire existence, and even been on the receiving end of the highest negative sanctions from the federal government,yet are praised by the Secretary of Education as models for educating inner city African Americans. Personally, I don't have a problem with charter schools. I do have a huge problem with our education policies that diminish resources available to traditional neighborhood schools while diverting them to charters; promoting charters while stigmatizing neighborhood schools; insisting that the magic comes from the legal structure of the school versus leadership, environmental factors and children's readiness and discipline; creating disruption by closing/turning around and upside down schools wholesale and perpetuating the myth that success in education can be replicated like producing widgets in assembly lines; the fact that charter schools are not held accountable to the same standards and consequences that traditional schools are; that has CPS board members advocating for resources for charters and leaving neighborhood schools to die on the vine; demonizing the unions and scapegoating teachers and principals. This is just the short list. Bottom line is, CPS needs to stop creating policies that pit charters versus neighborhood schools and cannibalize their own institutions. The people who are on the board would never do that in their own businesses, and should not be doing it to public schools.
Ms.Leonard, you have said it
Ms.Leonard, you have said it all. thank you.
Ms. Leonard, How are We Paying for The Empty Building?
Ok Ms Leonard, you sound intelligent, how do you suggest we balance the budget? Are you willing to give move taxes? I want to hear your business overview of how you plan to balance the budget and keep the building heated, maintained and keep those teachers employed.
Wake up Go Family!
Unfortunately Go Family, you have fallen for the tricks of CPS! You speak of having choice for families with CPS having Charter School options as if this is some magic bullet. Wake up! If you think you are going to have more accountability and more choice with Charters, that by design, ignore the special education population, ESL students and students with other social/emotional/behavior issues, you are dreaming. The Charter Schools have less accountability in addressing the educational needs of these children in not having to accept this population of students and by not having to defend their shortcomings like the public schools do. By the way, in most cases, the shortcomings of the public schools have been created by the lack of funding and leadership at CPS and the State of Illinois (Mike Madigan). I understand your defending parental choice in education, Go Family, but you must understand that as more real public institutions shut down and are replaced with corporate reforms disguised as "educational choices" marketed persuasively for public consumption, then you will have less of a choice or no choice at all. In addition, you will also have no voice. It is frustrating enough that CPS and the Illinois State legislature have this sort of "Wild West" mentality where no rules or laws apply to them. The Ill St legis has an agenda that is not in the public interest and they have the power to control our living, working and educational environment that best serves their interests and not the public's best interest. If you want "real choice" in education, then there needs to be a level playing field and there is not. You have to look at the money, Go Family. You see Charter Schools have not been created to add value to communities and the families that live in these communities. Charter Schools are an investment vehicle for many very wealthy business people. Mr. Rauner and his foundation, Rauner is Emanuel's right-hand man and The Madigan Family Foundation are major contributors to these educational trojan horses called turnarounds, charters and other alternatives to mainstream public education. Do you really believe that the very people who are currently and have been denying adequate funding, training and support (CPS has actually admitted to starving schools financially for up to 9 years so that they can shut them down) are now suddenly so dedicated and consumed with good-will and the drive to provide a robust and quality education to communities? Really? Curious, because these Charter Schools use an alternative educational platform that requires less transparency and accountability. How convenient. Sounds like a pretty good business to me. These new educational offerings might sound good and actually in some communities and with particular areas of our population may actually work. However, make no mistake, these new innovative and well-marketed "educational choices" are really a business venture for many wealthy people that will eventually be abandoned when the business is no longer thriving. Then these business people will leave town and leave all of the mess they have created to move on to the next business venture. We will be burdened with the mess they will have created and left behind. Public choice should be for the benefit of the public. Comparing the Charters and the public schools is like comparing apples to oranges. The amount of marketing and investments that have gone in to Charters is unbelievable to say the least. What a slap in the face of all of the taxpayers that the CPS has all but abandoned its school for decades with underfunding, decaying and unsafe schools. Now suddenly, a better alternative has sprung up with award winning architectural structures and innovative technologies not available to public schools. You see, public options have already been abandoned and have for some time. I am so frustrated that people don't pay attention to the obvious. Open your eyes and pay attention to what is going on and put two-and-two together. I am a Union member that did not have a choice but to strike for evaluation ratings and pay. My colleagues and I would rather have fought for adequate funding, resources and clean working facilities for our students. Pipe dreams. SIlly pipe dreams.
Empty Buildings
With all due respect, Go Family, Ms. Leonard should not have to answer those questions. Once, again, you need to be pointing a finger elsewhere and demanding an answer in regard to your questions posted from someone who is making a six figure salary on Clark Street. We are all taxpayers and have a right to ask those kinds of questions, however, they need to be directed to the people who's job it is to be maintaining the budget, buildings, etc.
Empty Buildings
Another comment. From what I understand, however, I could be mistaken, Rauner Emmanuel's right-hand man, has been an investor in some of the empty lots/buildings around the city. Also, after CPS schools have been emptied out, many Charter schools have taken over the buildings and rent them out for $1 a year from CPS. Yes, and CPS is so concerned about the finances and all. Lots of conflicts of interest going on all the way from the Illinois State Legislature to little ol' CPS. Curious to say the least.
Dear Ms. Lenz, Would very
Dear Ms. Lenz, Would very much like to see reporting from Catalyst on charters as a business opportunity. So that taxpayers can understand the issue from all perspectives? The New Market Tax Credit, the green card for foreigners for a $500,000 minimum investment, and the hedge fund managers investments in EMOs.
Wuld also like to see reporting on the relative performance of charter and traditional public schools. The Trib's Jeff Coen found no difference. Ben Joravsky found no difference. What can you tell us?


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The Parlour brings pizza and more to Yaletown
Italian-inspired comfort food is the best way to describe the dishes coming out of the kitchen at The Parlour (1011 Hamilton Street). At a media preview on January 29, guests dined on hefty meatball sliders, slices of pizza, and spoonfuls of salmon tartare while sipping on glasses of Roaring 20's malbec—one of seven wines on tap.
The restaurant is owned by Paul Rivas, who was previously general manager at La Bodega, and brothers Sean and Chris Holland, who both worked for Cactus Club. The Parlour combines their interests in cocktails and craft beer, handmade pizzas, and modern comfort food. The setting is spacious and energetic, with a long reclaimed-wood bar and DJ station greeting customers up front, and an open kitchen complete with a custom-built Wood Stone pizza oven near the back of the restaurant.
The menu at The Parlour is filled with dishes perfect for sharing. Items are priced between $5 and $18, with bacon and lager mussels, burrata, and a cheese and charcuterie board the most expensive dishes on the list. Solo diners can also choose from one of four sandwiches ($10), which include a classic beef dip and a vegetarian-friendly Portobello, red pepper, and avocado sandwich.
All pizzas, which are oval shaped and sliced into eight slices, are $17. Standouts from the list of 12 pies include the aromatic Goldmember, topped with carmelized onions, mushrooms, potato, gruyere, mozzarella, and truffle oil; the slightly sweet #Swag, made with ricotta, roasted peppers, kalamata olives, carmelized onions, roasted garlic, and drizzled with honey; and the surprisingly fresh Yaletown, which comes with albacore tuna, red and green onions, avocado, cilantro, and spicy aioli.
At the bar, along with wines on tap and by the bottle, diners will find seven beers on tap, including a lager from Vancouver's Coal Harbour Brewing. Other beverages include bottles of international beer and custom-made cocktails.


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Hindu Prayer Temple (HPT5)
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Any word on when the next one is expected?
Loved the first one. As a developer, I would like to hear some background on how the Tell Tale game development project management works.
As in:
- How'd the idea get kicked off?
- Who are the first people involved?
- How interactive is the writing between Tell Tales and Robert Kirkman
- When does development/art/sound start?
- How do you set a deadline for the game?
- Is the team co-located or spread out?
Have a great E3!